"Since the True Creator's stance is clear, I don't need to worry about clashing with the Aurora Order. Still, I can't let my guard down. The Ancient Sun God might be good, but the True Creator's mad. A lunatic's goodwill…" Luo Lin chuckled, shaking his head, then shifted focus.
"Back to Backlund first."
Tomorrow, Xio would introduce him to a Beyonder gathering, where he'd likely meet Mr. A. A madman's goodwill needed caution but could be useful. The Shepherd's abilities were quite handy.
…
The next day, Backlund.
At the meeting point, Luo Lin saw Xio waiting, joined by a woman in a hooded cloak, leaning lazily against a wall, her brown hair faintly visible.
In an instant, Luo Lin recognized her—Forsi Wall, Backlund's famous author, future Tarot Club's Magician, and master of lying low. Besides Klein, her Traveler abilities were the ones Luo Lin coveted most. With Mr. Door's influence, wild Apprentice-path Beyonders were rare. Short of buying Traveler artifacts, Forsi was his best bet for borrowing that power.
Not like he could rely on the Aurora Order's Abraham-family traitors. Though, if he could turn them into artifacts… Luo Lin's thoughts wandered before Xio introduced the woman as "Doctor," avoiding her real name due to limited trust.
Xio handed Luo Lin a hood, donning one herself. "Follow us, and don't talk out of turn," she whispered, leading him and Forsi to a waiting carriage.
Minutes later, they arrived at a nondescript wooden door. Xio knocked rhythmically, and it opened from within. Inside the modest room, several people sat, most masked or hooded for anonymity, though some boldly showed their faces.
Luo Lin's gaze landed on a figure on a single sofa, cloaked in a hood, sitting calmly yet exuding a commanding air, silently observing everyone.
"That's Mr. A, a powerful Beyonder, at least mid-sequence, maybe Sequence 6. He's hosting," Xio whispered, her tone serious.
Just then, Mr. A tilted his head, as if listening. A second later, he looked directly at Luo Lin.
"He's indeed powerful," Luo Lin said calmly, meeting Mr. A's gaze. The fervent eyes confirmed Mr. A had received an oracle from the True Creator.
More strikingly, in that moment, Mr. A's favor toward Luo Lin skyrocketed, enough to borrow full Sequence 6 Rose Bishop abilities. Unlike Azik's Sequence 7, which required casual friendship, Mr. A's Sequence 6 needed near-unilateral devotion—next to life-or-death loyalty.
Wow, fanatic much? Luo Lin blinked, giving Mr. A a slight smile before looking away to the central blackboard. "That's for trade requests?"
Xio, distracted by the blackboard, missed their exchange. "Yes, members anonymously list needs—buying or selling. You're a Beyonder; you know most don't want to reveal themselves."
"Got it," Luo Lin nodded, scanning the blackboard. Common spiritual materials, potion formulas, and occult books were listed.
"Find anything?" Forsi, disappointed by no Trickmaster formula, asked casually.
"Spiritual materials for ritual magic practice," Luo Lin said openly, a key reason for attending.
Thanks to "Luo Lin Zoroast's" identity, he had basic occult knowledge and high intuition for rituals, but theory wasn't practice. He needed time to master this world's ritual magic.
He knew his Shadow of Time skill let him borrow others' powers easily, but it relied heavily on favor. If he fell out with big shots, he'd be powerless. Favor was reliable until it wasn't, and maxing it was tough.
Take Mr. A—his favor spiked due to the True Creator's oracle, but it could plummet just as fast.
(Chapter End)