Leader of the Ascetics, Saint Realm Falling Leaf

Lantan, who secretly sighed in regret, continued to smile on the surface: "It is very precious. It is almost impossible for anyone else to obtain a second portion, but..."

Having said that, Lantan paused deliberately, stoking the eagerness on Lei Lin's face even further before continuing: "But you, Lei Lin, might have a chance, provided you can gain the approval of that lord!"

Lei Lin immediately seized the opportunity to press further: "That lord? Who is it?"

At this moment, he had basically confirmed the source of the mutated two-headed Silver Dragon blood; it was undoubtedly the magical pet of Falling Leaf, the leader of the ascetics in the Radiant Church, though he still had to feign ignorance.

Lantan smiled: "No need to rush, you will know in a moment!"

Lei Lin asked in confusion: "Know in a moment?"

"What do you mean?"

Lantan's smile grew even gentler: "Lei Lin, your talent is the greatest in history, and your faith in the great Lord of Light has granted you noble character."

"I specifically reported your situation to the Church and secured a chance for you to seek apprenticeship."

"As long as you can gain that lord's approval, your future will surely be infinitely bright."

Lei Lin could tell that Lantan was trying her best to exaggerate her own importance in this apprenticeship; after all, what kind of influence could a mere tool have within the Radiant Church?

However, he didn't mind and followed her lead: "A lord? Was this dragon blood bestowed by the lord you mentioned?"

Lantan nodded: "Lei Lin, you are so clever~"

Before long, the two of them arrived at Falling Leaf's side while chatting and laughing.

Looking at Falling Leaf, one of the core high-ranking members of the Radiant Church and a leader of the ascetics, Lei Lin felt an inexplicable sense of gentleness from him.

He sighed inwardly: "If there is anyone among the high-ranking members of the Radiant Church who can truly be called a good person, it is probably this ascetic."

"After all, to be able to live in the slums and experience the suffering of the poor even after reaching the Saint Realm is truly commendable!"

"Even if it's just an act, it's still commendable!"

Taking another look at Falling Leaf's face—which felt gentle despite being covered in wrinkles, having clearly weathered many storms—Lei Lin thought: "At the very least, I couldn't do it!"

While Lei Lin was observing Falling Leaf, Falling Leaf was also observing him: "Little one, are you not accustomed to the environment of the slums?"

Lei Lin glanced at the dilapidated and filthy surroundings, nodded, and said directly: "That's right, I'm not quite used to it!"

As soon as these words left his mouth, Lantan's expression changed, as if she wanted to warn Lei Lin about something, but she didn't dare to speak after glancing at Falling Leaf.

After all, she was merely a tool of the Church, while Falling Leaf was a true high-ranking member of the Radiant Church.

Falling Leaf glanced at Lantan and said calmly: "Lantan, you may leave first. I wish to speak with Lei Lin alone."

Ever since it was discovered that Lei Lin could unleash the combat power of a level nine with only level seven strength, his mediocre elemental affinity was no longer considered a drawback.

In fact, the flaw of mediocre elemental affinity only served to highlight Lei Lin's extraordinary comprehension!

To be safe, the Church had sent Falling Leaf to conduct a direct [interview] with him.

If everything went smoothly, Falling Leaf would take him on as a disciple and cultivate him as a core member of the Church.

Under such circumstances, they naturally wouldn't let a tool like Lantan get too close to Lei Lin.

After all, Lantan was an angel; she had no inherent lifespan limit and would not slowly age and die like an ordinary woman.

Such a tool couldn't even serve the purpose of building a bond and then dying of old age to help temper Lei Lin's heart and help him overcome emotional attachments.

If she were to truly develop feelings with Lei Lin, and he later discovered the Church's secret of creating [angels] and the nature of Lantan as a tool, he might develop a rift with the Church.

Upon hearing this, Lantan's expression dimmed, but she obeyed without a word and left.

Looking at Lei Lin, who seemed somewhat bewildered, Falling Leaf smiled: "Lei Lin, do not get too close to Lantan in the future."

"Of course, if it's just for fun, that's fine, as long as you don't invest any feelings!"

"She..."

"Is different from the two women you have at home!"

Lei Lin looked at the departing Lantan and, without asking what the difference was, said directly: "Lantan told me earlier that you could provide me with Saint Realm mutated two-headed Silver Dragon blood for research?"

Falling Leaf looked at Lei Lin, who was so direct and seemed to have a hint of fanaticism on his face, and laughed: "What an impatient little one!"

"But didn't Lantan tell you my identity and the purpose of bringing you to see me? Is Saint Realm dragon blood more important in your eyes than a Saint Realm teacher?"

Although he hadn't personally tested Lei Lin's talent yet, from the fact that Lei Lin was more concerned with the Saint Realm dragon blood, he had basically grasped the essence of Lei Lin's character.

A true mage focused on researching bloodlines and magic!

"No wonder he could possess such strength at this age!" Falling Leaf had already given Lei Lin his initial approval!

As for verifying Lei Lin's talent, heh~, could Lantan, an angel, possibly deceive the Radiant Church?

According to the intelligence reported by Lantan, even if Lei Lin's character and morals didn't pass his test today, the Church would absolutely still recruit him; it just wouldn't be through him taking him as a disciple and cultivating him as a true core member.

After all, they could never let a genius who would likely reach the Saint Realm in the future slip away; even if they only raised him as a thug, it would be a huge profit!

Lei Lin glanced at Falling Leaf, pondered for a moment, and said: "Sigh~, Lantan told me about your identity. If I could take you as my master, it would be of great help to me."

"One could even say it would be a leap to the heavens!"

"However..."

Lei Lin bowed and saluted, saying, "Please forgive me, my lord, but I have my own plans and pursuits for my future."

"If you were a Saint Realm powerhouse with the lightning attribute, I would not hesitate to take you as my master, but you specialize in light magic!"

Having said that, Lei Lin pointed to himself: "Lord Falling Leaf, I only have the aptitude for the lightning attribute~"

"To me, your greatest appeal is your ability to provide me with Saint Realm dragon blood as research material!"

Although Lei Lin intended to join the Radiant Church, he only intended to join, not to truly become an apprentice.

It was especially impossible to become an apprentice to someone like Falling Leaf, a core figure of the Radiant Church, even if his current impression of Falling Leaf was not bad.

After all, Falling Leaf was destined to die eventually; if he truly cultivated a bond, it would be difficult for him later on.

Furthermore, as a core member of the Radiant Church, Lei Lin did not believe that Falling Leaf was unaware of the darkness within the Radiant Church.

Although Lei Lin did not have a black-and-white binary mindset, he felt that since Falling Leaf enjoyed the benefits brought by the Radiant Church, there was nothing to say about bearing the corresponding price in the future.

Of course, this was only because he was facing Falling Leaf; if he were facing other high-ranking officials of the Radiant Church today, he would never have refused so directly.

Falling Leaf paused upon hearing this and sighed inwardly: This little guy's vision is narrow after all; he does not understand the gap between those in the Saint Realm.