After all, once he joined the army, he would have to keep his Spiritual Power at its peak at all times, ready to respond to any combat orders that might be issued.

In that case, he wouldn’t be able to freely expend his Spiritual Power to accelerate his tasks, and his power progression would inevitably be severely impacted.

Free Mages, on the other hand, had much more freedom with their time.

When to accept missions and when to use their Spiritual Power to improve their strength—it was all up to them.

Weighing the two options, the second was undoubtedly better.

But Mo Weng didn’t know about this line of reasoning, so Pei Ze was very curious about the motive behind his mentor’s unstated guidance.

Mo Weng narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked a completely unrelated question.

"Do you know the Wizard realms beyond the Spirit Crystal stage?"

Pei Ze was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head.

The Wizard’s Handbook Mo Weng had given him only contained information on Level 1 to Level 3 Wizards.

As for the ranks beyond that, the handbook was a complete blank.

Mo Weng didn’t seem to mind and slowly explained,

"After a Wizard fully crystallizes all three Spirit Crystals, they face a choice in their advancement path."

"The first is the elementalization of one’s Spirit, which is the elemental path."

"The second is to fuse with the bloodline of an ancient creature, which is the bloodline path."

"Putting aside the specific advantages and disadvantages of these two paths for now, they are mutually incompatible. Once you choose one, you can no longer dabble in the other. Otherwise, in a mild case, you will suffer grievous injuries and a drop in power. In a severe case, your path forward will be cut off entirely."

"Therefore, every Wizard can only choose one of the two as their advancement path, which has led to the evolution of two major factions—the Elemental Faction and the Bloodline Faction."

Hearing this, Pei Ze’s expression flickered. He had a faint idea of what Mo Weng was about to say.

Noticing the change in Pei Ze’s expression, Mo Weng gave a faint smile and said, "It seems you’ve guessed."

"Due to their different ideologies, the Elemental and Bloodline Factions often clash. This problem occurs in many Wizard Cities."

"However, in some Wizard Cities, either the Elemental Faction suppresses the Bloodline Faction, or vice-versa. One side always gains a decisive upper hand, so paradoxically, things remain peaceful."

"But in Wizard Cities where the two factions are evenly matched, or where one has a slight advantage but can’t overwhelm the other, the situation becomes rather delicate."

Pei Ze gave a slight, subconscious nod.

’A clear winner is better than a bitter stalemate. The real danger is when two sides are deadlocked, unable to defeat each other but unwilling to concede.’

For a short time, the two sides might be able to keep each other in check and coexist peacefully, but in reality, it’s like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

When that happens, the losses will be even more catastrophic.

And from what Mo Weng was implying, Chenxi City clearly fell into the latter category.

’Wait a minute.’

Pei Ze suddenly recalled something.

Of the five great Wizard Clans in Chenxi City, the Pei Family, the Meng Family, and the Yan Family were all Bloodline Clans, undoubtedly belonging to the Bloodline Faction.

That meant the remaining Yin Family and Gu Family obviously belonged to the Elemental Faction.

’In that case, the Bloodline Faction has a slight advantage in Chenxi City.’

As he pieced this together, Pei Ze suddenly had a moment of epiphany.

’No wonder Mo Weng suddenly took me in as his disciple.’

’Yin Xue is Mo Weng’s disciple, so he’s obviously aligned with the Yin Family.’

’I was cast out by the Pei Family for being "bloodless." I also killed Pei Shaoqi, placing me in direct opposition to them. On top of that, I demonstrated exceptional talent and strength during the trial. It’s not surprising the Elemental Faction took an interest in me and wanted to recruit me.’

’Come to think of it, even if I hadn’t displayed my exceptional talent for potions, Mo Weng would have likely held his nose and taken me as his disciple anyway.’

Seeing that Pei Ze had sunk into thought, Mo Weng didn’t interrupt, simply waiting quietly.

Before long, however, Pei Ze came back to his senses, his gaze calm and his expression returning to normal.

Mo Weng took this in, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes. He suddenly said, "Although the bloodline path allows for rapid early progress, it has flaws that cannot be ignored. No matter how triumphant they are at the start, they will eventually taste the bitter fruit of their choice."

The words seemed to carry a deeper meaning. Pei Ze was about to ask for clarification, but Mo Weng changed the subject. "In this campaign on the Turin Plane, the legion’s main forces are mostly controlled by the Pei, Meng, and Yan families. If you join the Silver Light Legion, I’m afraid they’ll stop at nothing to target you."

He glanced at Pei Ze, his gaze tinged with wonder.

’A seventeen-year-old Official Wizard... Even the proud Bloodline Clans can’t ignore that.’

Pei Ze frowned.

’The campaign on the Turin Plane involves immense benefits, and the Bloodline Faction even controls the legion’s main forces?’

’How is it that the Elemental Faction’s situation sounds so dire?’

’But Mo Weng seems so calm and collected when he talks about it, without the slightest hint of gloom. That doesn’t seem reasonable.’

’Is there some inside information I’m missing?’

’Forget it. Overthinking this is pointless. These are concerns for the higher-ups. I should focus on myself first.’

Pushing his doubts aside, Pei Ze’s expression grew solemn. "In that case, Teacher, I will enter the Plane Battlefield as a Free Mage."

Mo Weng nodded and suddenly added, "Pei Yonggao is also on the Turin Plane. He was on the verge of breaking through to first-stage crystallization, but the Divine Body Golem has siphoned off a great deal of his Spiritual Power recently. He’ll be lucky just to maintain his current realm without dropping. You can forget about him making a breakthrough."

He glanced at Pei Ze and said nonchalantly, "If you decide to make a move, make sure you’re clean about it."

Pei Ze understood completely.

Then, Mo Weng suddenly tossed something to him.

Pei Ze caught it reflexively. Looking closely, he saw it was a ring.

Judging by the faint spatial fluctuations he could sense, it seemed to be a Space Ring, and one that held quite a few items inside.

"Consider it a congratulatory gift for your promotion to Wizard," Mo Weng said. "Also, if anyone else gives you gifts in the coming days, don’t be polite. Accept them all."

Pei Ze paused, wanting to ask more, but Mo Weng waved his hand dismissively, so he had no choice but to take his leave.

"The Elemental Faction and the Bloodline Faction, hm..."

Stepping out of the potions lab, Pei Ze glanced back at the closed wooden door, a flicker in his eyes.

He hadn’t expected that such a factional struggle was simmering beneath the seemingly calm surface of Chenxi City, and that he had been dragged right into it.

However, Pei Ze wasn’t too concerned.

After all, he and the Pei Family were already implacable enemies. If he wanted to move against them, joining the Elemental Faction was undoubtedly his best choice.

’As for what to do next... I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it.’

Although he was now a Wizard, he didn’t have any real influence when it came to factional struggles.

For now, he would just keep his head down and focus on increasing his strength, taking opportunities to eliminate a few enemies along the way.

As Pei Ze left Medicine Garden No. 8, he was heading for the logistics department when he came face-to-face with two white-robed Wizards standing by the roadside.

The apprentices who passed them all bowed in greeting, but the two Wizards paid them no mind, absorbed in their own quiet conversation.

Only when they saw Pei Ze emerge from the medicine garden did gentle smiles appear on their faces as they walked over together.

"Congratulations on your promotion to Wizard, Sir Pei Ze."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you," Pei Ze said, hesitating. "And you two are...?"

The older Wizard on the right quickly replied, "My name is Yang Hui."

He then pointed to the slightly chubby Wizard beside him. "This is Yue Neng. We are from the Wizard Management Department, which operates under the Council. We received orders today to escort Sir Pei Ze to the Inner City." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

’The Wizard Management Department!’

Pei Ze’s expression flickered as old memories surfaced.

The Wizard Management Department was one of the many agencies directly under the Council, responsible for managing all non-combat affairs related to Wizards within the Inner City.

Their duties included escorting newly promoted Wizards into the Inner City, helping them get acquainted with it, and arranging their accommodations.

Pei Ze had anticipated that the Wizard Management Department would come, he just hadn’t expected them to be so quick about it.

Seeming to notice Pei Ze’s surprise, Yang Hui chuckled fawningly. "Sir Pei Ze, you’re the only genius in Chenxi City in the last century to become a Wizard before the age of eighteen. Our Wizard Management Department naturally has to be especially attentive to an elite such as yourself."

"That’s right," Yue Neng added, nodding in firm agreement.

Perhaps because they handled practical matters, Yang Hui and Yue Neng were different from the cold or gloomy Wizards Pei Ze had previously encountered. They had a much more human touch.

—’At least, they did when they were talking to him.’

"Then I’ll be in your care," Pei Ze said with a smile.

"You’re too kind, Sir Pei Ze." Yang Hui chuckled and waved his hand. "Shall we depart now?"

"Alright." Pei Ze nodded.

"This way, please, Sir Pei Ze."

Yang Hui waved his hand, and a carriage parked nearby immediately rolled over to them.

"The use of any long-distance movement Magic is forbidden in the vicinity of the Ring of Truth, so we must trouble you to take a carriage, Sir Pei Ze."

Pei Ze smiled and nodded, boarding the carriage with the two men.

With a low RUMBLE from its wheels, the carriage proceeded smoothly and swiftly out of the academy grounds.