Joining the Group

!

"Master, did you pull me out here for something?" The old mage had dragged Xia Ming out in a furious hurry, leaving Xia Ming rather puzzled.

Anthony looked at Xia Ming, his expression full of sentiment. "Kid, when I picked you up back then, you didn't even know what magic power was. But now, you're already a respectable fourth-level mage."

Xia Ming opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he did not know what to say. He could only silently listen as Anthony continued.

Anthony gazed at Xia Ming with a gratified expression. "In just two months, you've gone from a magic rookie to where you are now. I have to honestly admit that you really do—cough—have a certain talent for magic."

This was the first time Anthony had praised Xia Ming so unequivocally. Xia Ming scratched his head, intending to offer a few modest words, but Anthony stopped him with a look.

"Kid, I know you're hiding quite a few secrets. For instance, why you suddenly fell from the sky and appeared on Azure Flame Back Mountain; or why, despite having such talent, you had never encountered magic before..."

Xia Ming fell silent. The matter of transmigration was his greatest secret. Even if he shared it with someone, they certainly would not believe him...

"But it doesn't matter. Who in this world doesn't have secrets of their own?" Anthony went on talking to himself, then suddenly smiled. "Still, there happens to be an excellent opportunity before you."

Xia Ming seemed to understand what Anthony wanted to say.

"Bluebeard and I are on very good terms. The Sacred Council approached you this time partly because I recommended you."

Xia Ming asked in surprise, "Master, are you also part of the Sacred Council?"

Anthony gave a sly grin. "More or less. I'm an honorary elder of the Sacred Council—really, it's just an empty title. But Bluebeard is different. Even within the Sacred Council, he has a great deal of influence."

Anthony was actually an honorary elder of the Sacred Council!

The answer was beyond Xia Ming's expectations, but on reflection, it made sense. The Sacred Council's influence spread throughout the four great human empires. Although Xia Ming did not know what level of powerhouse Anthony was, the little clues from their daily life made it clear that Anthony was far stronger than Xia Ming had imagined.

Why would the Sacred Council ever fail to cultivate ties with and curry favor with a powerhouse?

Anthony waved his hand. "All right, stop interrupting me. Kid, with your aptitude, there's no way you can hole up in this godforsaken place for the rest of your life. Sooner or later, you'll have to go out into the world and make your mark! An identity in the Sacred Council will be your greatest shield!"

Xia Ming's eyes lit up.

Indeed, he had neither power nor influence in this world. Yet the magical clans, battle aura clans, and countless other forces were tangled together in an intricate web. If he could join the Sacred Council, he would at least gain the capital to contend with them.

For example, if Xia Ming offended someone from a magical clan, with the Sacred Council's identity behind him, the other party would have to think twice. Of course, all of this depended on Xia Ming's value to the Sacred Council. Put bluntly, it was a mutually beneficial relationship built on using one another.

"Although I'm not familiar with those old fellows in the Sacred Council, Bluebeard is an important figure among them. He and I are close friends, so he can look after you a little if anything comes up..."

"Since Bluebeard has invited you to join the Sacred Council, you might as well seize this opportunity..."

Listening to the old mage's incessant instructions, Xia Ming was deeply moved. His eyes felt slightly moist. The old mage was sincerely thinking of what was best for him.

Patting Xia Ming on the shoulder, the old mage said, "Let's go back in."

When they entered the wooden house again, Bluebeard was sitting casually, one hand resting on the chair as he lightly tapped its armrest. Staring at Xia Ming, he said, "So, kid? What I said earlier wasn't a joke. Have you thought it over?"

"If I join the Sacred Council, what will I need to do?" Xia Ming still did not rush to agree, instead asking a question in return.

"Very simple!" Bluebeard snapped his fingers. "Join the Dark Hall under my command and become a one-star deacon. You'll receive ten thousand gold coins a year. If there's something to be done, do it if you want; if you don't, you can refuse."

"Besides me, you don't need to listen to anyone else in the Sacred Council! But let me remind you: your treatment in the Sacred Council is tied to your position! If you want better treatment, show your strength!"

Those were pretty good terms!

What Xia Ming feared most was the Sacred Council restricting its members' freedom. Now it seemed that, aside from Bluebeard as his direct superior, he could ignore everyone else. That made things much easier.

"Fine. I agree to join the Sacred Council!"

Xia Ming no longer hesitated and nodded in agreement.

Bluebeard stood, then slapped Xia Ming hard on the shoulder, making his arm ache. "Good! From now on, we're on the same side!"

After Xia Ming agreed to join the Sacred Council, Bluebeard's attitude became much gentler. "In the name of the Sacred Council, I grant you the rank of one-star deacon, under my Dark Hall. This is your proof!"

Bluebeard handed Xia Ming an exquisite badge. The entire badge was made of purple crystal, roughly twenty centimeters long and ten centimeters wide. A trident was carved at the top, while below it was a lifelike golden dragon.

"Take this badge, and from now on you'll be one of the Dark Hall! With it, you have the right to directly execute anyone on the continent below the rank of viscount, without receiving any punishment."

Xia Ming solemnly accepted the purple crystal badge and put it into his spatial ring.

Bluebeard added, "Our Dark Hall is the Sacred Council's law-enforcement temple. Its main duties are to monitor the situation in the four great empires across the continent and to judge those who betray the Sacred Council..."

The more Xia Ming heard, the more alarmed he became. This was practically a vast organization like a modern intelligence agency—possessing immense authority and reaching into every crack and crevice.

"Don't worry. You're Anthony's cherished disciple, so I won't treat you poorly! Come, let's have something good to drink. Consider it a celebration of your joining the Dark Hall." As if performing a magic trick, Bluebeard took several jars of fine wine from his spatial ring. The rich fragrance of alcohol filled the entire room.

The moment he smelled the wine, old Anthony's eyes lit up. He exclaimed in surprise, "This is wine brewed from Ice Lotus Flower! You old fellow, you actually hid away something this good!"

Ice Lotus Flower!

Xia Ming possessed the Book of Eternity, so naturally he knew what Ice Lotus Flower was.

Ice Lotus Flower was a rare and precious medicinal herb. Fine wine brewed from its floral juice could improve a cultivator's physique after drinking it, making it an exceptionally rare treasure.

Xia Ming did not stand on ceremony either. A mage's body was far less robust than a warrior's, making it all the more necessary to improve his physique. He immediately grabbed a jar of wine and drank deeply from it.

It went down smooth as silk. This barely counted as wine at all—it was sweet as honey. Yet it also carried a clear, icy chill. A warm current coursed through his entire body, and its fresh fragrance filled his nostrils, drawing endless praise from Xia Ming.

Bluebeard also boldly drained an entire jar. Wiping his mouth, he called out loudly, "Good kid, straightforward! Unlike those old fellows in the Council, who fuss and dawdle endlessly even over a drink!"

Xia Ming smiled. Bluebeard was actually quite easy to get along with.

"Kid, your teacher and I have been friends for over a decade. This time, it was your teacher who recommended you to me. Anthony and I had already discussed asking you to do me a favor—it can count as your first task. It depends on whether you're willing to do it!" Bluebeard's smile was somewhat strange.

"What task?"

Xia Ming showed no restraint at all, asking with a casual smile.

Some good news: this book has been signed. In a couple of days, it'll receive an A-level contract. Feel free to bookmark it, and I humbly ask for recommendations. Watermelon offers his thanks.