Would Azik notice his power being borrowed? No, Luo Lin wasn't worried. Only Shadows of Time with consciousness could be detected by their source. Borrowing power via favor was imperceptible.
"Next, deepen the bond. Azik's favor is easy to earn early on, but leveling up takes effort. Good thing I have a trump card," Luo Lin thought, his smile brightening.
His trump card: using his Shadow of Time skill to summon Azik's past children, allowing brief family reunions to boost favor. But he'd use it sparingly—not out of distrust, but to control Azik's memory recovery. Triggering a full Death Consul mode too soon would be trouble.
"Pity Klein's not a Beyonder yet, or I could borrow his power too," Luo Lin mused, unfazed. Klein's rapid rise meant he'd be a powerhouse in years, his potential immense.
"Time to visit the Diviner Club," Luo Lin decided, canceling Azik's borrowed power. After wandering, he reached a safehouse, changed his appearance, and took a trackless carriage to the Diviner Club from the novel, aiming for Hainas Vansent, an Aurora Order member.
He had no grand plan to kill Hainas and avert Tingen's crisis. For one, Megose likely already carried the True Creator's heir, so killing Hainas wouldn't help. For another, Ince and 008 were the real culprits—neutralizing them was key, not side distractions.
Luo Lin's goal was to gauge if the True Creator could sense him through Hainas and, if so, what attitude he'd take. That would shape his approach to the True Creator and his group.
Why not contact Mr. A in Backlund? Simple—Luo Lin couldn't beat him. If Mr. A was hostile, escaping would be tough. Hainas was a much easier target.
At the Diviner Club, Luo Lin registered and paid to join, smiling at the receptionist. "Angelica, I've heard of Mr. Hainas Vansent's reputation. Is he here? I'd like a divination."
Angelica, unsurprised—Hainas was known in Tingen's divination circles—smiled. "He's teaching now, but you can wait for a reading. Or join his class and ask questions."
"Thanks," Luo Lin said politely, following her to the meeting room and taking a corner seat.
On the platform, a middle-aged man in a black classical robe, with heavy dark circles and distinctive hair, lectured methodically. Hainas nodded slightly at Luo Lin's arrival, continuing his talk on astrological divination.
At one point, Hainas tilted his ear, as if hearing something, pausing mid-sentence. For three or four seconds, he froze, alarming the students. Snapping back, his face flashed fanaticism before he turned, hiding it.
But Luo Lin caught Hainas's glance at him—intense, not hostile, but fervent.
Oh, nice.
The rest of the class sped up noticeably. After it ended, in the White Crystal Divination Room, Luo Lin met Hainas again.
"Favored One, what are your orders? Whatever it is, I'll fulfill it," Hainas said, kneeling fervently the moment the door closed.
Luo Lin wasn't surprised. He'd guessed the True Creator's stance. With memories of their encounter, the True Creator knew Luo Lin held a world-ending trump card and could summon his past self. Until Luo Lin's intentions toward Earth were clear, currying favor was logical—a low-risk move to probe him.
Even with this confirmation, Luo Lin chuckled, sipping tea. "I don't need anything from you."
Standing, he added, "Forget you saw me today."
He had no interest in entangling with Hainas, already scripted by 008 and soon targeted by Tingen's Nighthawks. Luo Lin was here only to confirm the True Creator's attitude.
Hainas's impending death? Not his concern. Luo Lin had no urge to save a low-value villain.
"Yes!" Hainas froze, confused but not daring to ask why a Favored One would visit.
As Luo Lin left, Hainas exhaled, muttering, "Why was he here? For the upcoming sacrifice?"
Whatever Hainas thought, Luo Lin, changing appearance again, took a carriage back to his rented house.
(Chapter End)