Webster advised, "You can focus your efforts on developing your plane, but you must not slacken in your own cultivation."
Charles asked, "Teacher, if I want to obtain third-ring witchcraft now, how should I go about it?"
Webster said slowly, "Third-ring witchcraft already counts as high-level knowledge. Ordinarily, it can only be obtained from the hands of Wizard Sages."
"But these things are not something you can get merely by having Magic Stones."
"You need to join a Wizard Sage's faction."
Hearing this, Charles's heart tightened.
Clearly, this was not good news.
A faction—especially one led by a Wizard Sage—meant that Sage was the source of the harvest.
They controlled knowledge precisely to harvest those Wizards below them who needed that knowledge.
Under Anderson, buying knowledge and witchcraft had been relatively convenient for Charles.
Because Charles was both Anderson's student and his Shadow Spy Wizard, their relationship was very close.
Besides, Anderson himself was a decent person.
But Webster was clearly not the same.
Although Sage Webster's reputation among Isata's many Sages was already considered rather good, the sickle he ought to wield would still come down to reap its harvest.
Webster said, "Your teacher Anderson, as well as Aiden, a third-ring Grand Wizard he trained, are both third-ring Wizards in my faction."
"Charles, you can likewise become a Wizard of my faction."
"Or do you have other thoughts? Another faction you wish to join?"
Charles shook his head repeatedly. "Teacher, I do not understand the other Sages. I am willing to join your faction."
Webster nodded in satisfaction. "Good. I knew I had not misjudged you."
"Even in Isata, the factions among Wizard Sages are clearly divided."
"High-level knowledge is all held in the hands of Sages."
"For Wizards, obtaining it requires payment. Knowledge is no different."
Charles asked,