Chapter 548: Mage Temple’s Temple Head (I) (2/2)
Saying that, he brought Long Haochen into the hall behind him, then sat on the sofa.
Li Zhengzhi’s office was decorated simply, but gave off a feeling of sturdiness. All the furniture was made of a crow-black wood, which Long Haochen didn’t recognize. It distributed a faint fragrance, which made Long Haochen distinctly feel as if his mental force was boosted as he smelled it.
The most characteristic point in this office was the bookshelf on its wall. It probably had over ten thousand books piled up, and let out a simple and unadorned atmosphere. Furthermore, there were so many books having a spiritual nature that Long Haochen could sense which made them feel as though they were alive.
Li Zhengzhi said with a smile, “Long Haochen, you should have come to look for Lin Xin, right? Did you know that a bit over a year ago, before the Demon God Emperor initiated the Holy War, I was the first one from the Alliance to give my approval to hand you over. Do you know why?”
Long Haochen was slightly blank, and didn’t think this Mage Temple’s Head would be so direct with his words.
“That’s because the Alliance isn’t prepared for such a Holy War. There’s still a considerable gap between the demons’ forces and ours, and we need time.” Long Haochen replied indifferently, as if Li Zhengzhi wasn’t speaking about the matter of sacrificing his own life.
Li Zhengzhi declared with some surprise, “So you are one of the rare ones that saw through my thoughts. Many were thinking that I wanted to strike the Knight Temple, for the sake of winning the seat of number one from the Knight Temple. You’re right. The Alliance’s preparation is still not enough. But there’s another reason why I wanted to hand you over. Because I am not prepared yet. ”
“Huh?” When Long Haochen looked at this short and stout elder, he suddenly had a special feeling. From Li Zhengzhi could be felt an absolute self-confidence, the belief that he could certainly one day match the Demon God Emperor controlling all demons.
Li Zhengzhi was seated on the sofa, unhurriedly declaring, “That’s right, I’m still not prepared yet. For six thousand years, the Temple Alliance had been accumulating forces. Although the contradictions between the Six Great Temples were unavoidable, in front of the powerful common enemy, everyone has to unify. And what we want is to launch the counterattack against demonkind, to retrieve our lost territory, and even eradicate forever the demons from the continent. For that, an important issue has to be faced, and that’s the Demon God Emperor.
“The Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu is said to have a spiritual energy totalling a million, making him reach another realm. If the Alliance doesn’t have anyone able to beat him, what use would there even be to overpower the demons’ side? In the end, we will still hardly escape the fate of ending up as the losing side. That’s why I said that I’m not ready yet. To speak arrogantly, I have always believed, until meeting you, that I am the one with the greatest chances to take him down with myself.”
Reaching this point, Li Zhengzhi’s self confidence became even greater.
“This year, I will be sixty-seven years old. If I am given a hundred more years, maybe I will have such a chance. But if the Alliance collapses, the final ending will inevitably be tragic. Therefore, I couldn’t ruin the possibility of such a good situation just because of you. Unfortunately, the influence the Knight Temple has gained over so many years was nothing I could compare with, and in the end my proposal was rejected.
“However, now it seems that Yang Haohan and Long Tianying really were right. You are worth such an investment from the Alliance.” While saying that, Li Thenzhi suddenly sounded quite tired, but also relaxed, as if an immense burden had just been unloaded from him.
“The mages are the most sensitive to mental fluctuations. I am not amazed by your age, or your cultivation, but by your will. Your look is deep, reserved, and combative, proof of your incomparable steadiness. And your eyes are firm, not showing the slightest impatience or pride. These two characteristics added together are making me see through your future. Very good, excellent! However, the journey you will have to walk is still very long. I wish for you to accept my heavy responsibility to challenge the Demon God Emperor.
“I know that your Knight Temple has always hoped to thoroughly unite the Six Great Temples, to join forces thoroughly, display our full strength, and establish a united country which would face the Demon God Emperor. I don’t reject this proposal, but hope that the Mage Temple can lead it, while the other Temples also have their own views.
“For this reason, this suggestion has remained stranded even after so many years. If one day, you can defeat me, I will accept your Knight Temple’s proposal on behalf of the Mage Temple, while giving you the qualifications to challenge the Demon God Emperor.”
Long Haochen calmly listened to Li Zhengzhi’s speech. From beginning to end, he didn’t oppose him at all. He found out that he already had taken a liking for this Mage Temple Head. He didn’t show any reservation, and although he could sound unpleasant at times, he had clearly expressed his approval of Long Haochen’s, as well as the Alliance’s future expectations.