Chapter 143: Remote Participation
It must be said, although Salomon’s attitude today was extremely humble—standing to greet me, bowing in apology—deep down, wasn’t he also hoping to earn a favor?
In Salomon’s mind, sure, I overheard your four pieces of data, but now I’ve introduced you into Cloudspire Tower. That’s no small favor—you’d better not forget it…
If it were before, Salomon might not have cared about this favor. But as the Gilded Rose keeps rising day by day, and Leon’s strength grows ever more unfathomable, Salomon suddenly feels that earning this favor is truly necessary.
Maybe, as long as I’m around, I won’t need it.
But how many more years do I have left?
I know exactly what kind of shape my body’s in. At best, I’ve got maybe ten or twenty good years left. If I die one day, Sage’s Spire will surely be in a tough spot. What I can do for Sage’s Spire now is to make this young Archmage owe me a favor. With his protection in the future, Sage’s Spire will have at least a few hundred years of good days ahead.
But Salomon really hadn’t expected the other party’s answer to be—no!
That’s not logical at all…
“Magister Salomon, it really won’t work…” Before Salomon could even try to persuade him, Leon once again shook his head firmly. Only when Salomon erupted in a violent coughing fit did Leon slightly relent: “At least not right now…”
“May I ask why?”
After thinking for a moment, Leon gave an answer that wasn’t really an answer: “For now, I can’t leave Seaview City.”
To be honest, Leon wasn’t exactly opposed to joining Cloudspire Tower.
As one of the kingdom’s two great mage factions, Cloudspire Tower possessed resources that any power would envy. Leon was confident that, with the resources Cloudspire Tower could provide, he could advance to Magister at least half a year ahead of schedule.
Leon also remembered that Cloudspire Tower’s glory spanned both the Colonial and Peak Eras, right up until the magic of Northend World began to fade. Only then did Cloudspire Tower decline along with the other powers. If he joined Cloudspire Tower, he’d be able to rely on this mighty tree for shade for thousands, even tens of thousands of years.
Of course, the real key was that Essence Relic…
Leon believed that if he joined Cloudspire Tower, with Star Sage Joey as his backing, borrowing that Essence Relic would be almost effortless.
Unfortunately, I really can’t leave Seaview City.
First, there’s the Bone Plane…
I still haven’t obtained the Death Tome, and the control core of the Bone Plane is still dormant there. I don’t yet have the ability to freely access the Bone Plane. Leaving Seaview City now to join Cloudspire Tower would be almost the same as giving up the entire Bone Plane.
Then there’s Prince Barov’s crypt…
Originally, Leon was only tempted by the Eye of Reincarnation inside the crypt. But after signing a master-servant contract with Lord Shaun, he realized just how terrifying a treasure trove it was. No exaggeration—if Leon could claim that crypt for himself, building another Cloudspire Tower wouldn’t be out of the question.
With such vast wealth, how could Leon bear to let it keep slumbering in Venomfog Gorge…
Unfortunately, none of these reasons could be spoken aloud.
“Merlin, this really is an extremely rare opportunity…” Salomon tried to persuade him again. Putting aside his own selfish motives, Salomon genuinely hoped Leon would join Cloudspire Tower.
After all, the resources Cloudspire Tower possessed were far beyond what any force in Seaview City could offer. If this young Archmage could enter there, reaching Magister before thirty would be almost guaranteed—and after fifty, he might even have a shot at becoming a Title Archmage.
It really is a rare opportunity…
Many mages spend a lifetime without ever encountering such a chance. Salomon truly didn’t want to see this prodigiously talented young Archmage miss out on it for personal reasons.
But sadly, Salomon's answer was met with another shake of the head…
“Ah…” Salomon sighed in disappointment.
“Magister Salomon, you really don’t need to persuade me any further. I truly have some special reasons for not being able to leave Seaview City. How about this instead: I do have some insights into Vanrison’s Formulas. If Star Sage is interested, I can write down my immature thoughts and let you pass them on to him.”
"Or maybe, let me ask my teacher first..." Salomon left the reception room with a wry smile.
Moments later, Salomon appeared in the secret chamber at the very top of Sage’s Spire.
The chamber was extremely cramped; aside from a few books and scrolls, there was only a massive crystal ball. Now, Salomon stood before the crystal, chanting a few incantations in a deep voice…
Then, an elderly man with snowy white hair appeared atop the crystal ball.
“Teacher…” Salomon’s voice was full of reverence.
If anyone saw this scene, they’d immediately realize that Salomon’s reverent tone was exactly the same as when Solon stood before Salomon…
“Well, Salomon, what’s with that look? Are you trying to tell me your negotiations with that young Archmage have fallen apart?” The old man asked impatiently, busy with his work.
From this one sentence, it’s clear that the tradition of blaming disciples is alive and well…
“N-no, not exactly, Teacher. It’s just that this Archmage Merlin may not be able to come to Cloudspire Tower…” Salomon had barely finished when he saw the old man’s expression darken, so he hurriedly explained, “No, no, Teacher, don’t misunderstand! What I mean is, Archmage Merlin is actually quite willing to participate in the research on Vanrison’s Formulas—he just can’t come to Cloudspire Tower right now due to some special circumstances.”
“Then what’s with that expression—are you trying to scare your teacher?”
“Absolutely not!” Salomon hurriedly denied it. “It’s just a shame, Teacher. I’ve told you before, Archmage Merlin is truly a rare talent. Half a year ago, he was only a magic apprentice—now he’s already an Archmage. If someone like him could join Cloudspire Tower and receive your personal guidance, his future would be limitless. Even becoming a Title Archmage wouldn’t be out of reach…”
“Salomon, what am I supposed to say to you…” The old man shook his head after hearing this. “With his mastery of magical research, do you really think he needs my guidance?”
“But…”
“Are you trying to say someone else told him all this?”
“Y-yes.”
“Well, there you have it. If someone’s already taught him magic at that level, what do you expect me to teach him? Are you trying to make trouble for me?”
…
“Alright, it doesn’t matter if he can’t come to Cloudspire Tower. As long as he can participate in the research, that’s enough. Take this crystal ball to him so he can contact Cloudspire Tower anytime.”
"Alright..."
Salomon wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and returned to the reception room. From then on, the conversation went much more smoothly. Leon barely hesitated before agreeing to participate in the research via crystal ball.
It was only when Leon was about to leave that Salomon called him back.
“By the way, Merlin, there’s been a lot of commotion from Ashen Tower lately. They’ve already attacked several factions in Seaview City. You’d better be careful when coming and going—especially since you embarrassed them at the last Blackhorn Auction.”
“Alright, thank you, Magister Salomon.”
Leon nodded and finally left Sage’s Spire.
But as he walked down the road, Salomon’s last words lingered in his mind. As for why Ashen Tower was making such a stir, Leon had a pretty good guess. It was almost certainly because of that young man named Colin whom he’d rescued in the Poisonmist Gorge. Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Colin since returning…
It looked like he’d have to talk to Colin once he got back.
A ninth-level swordsman as young as Colin was a rare find. If properly cultivated, the Gilded Rose’s mercenary company might even gain a Sword Saint one day. Such talent couldn’t simply be handed back to Ashen Tower.
But when Leon returned to the Gilded Rose, before he could even send someone to look for Colin, people from Sage’s Spire arrived first…