I, the leader of the esoteric sect, am doing great things in the infinite world!

Li Lin nodded slightly, casually crossing his legs, his gaze fixed on the roaring fireplace, and said in a relaxed tone, "There is only one thing in this world that is an absolute hard currency, and that is gold. Whether in the magical world or among the nations of the world, their exchange rates are based on gold."

"Because gold is scarce enough and stable enough."

"But once someone starts turning stones into gold on a large scale, causing gold to flow into a country's market, it will directly lead to a decline in the value of gold in the entire country."

"Please allow me to use Britain as an example. First, a large amount of private assets will be used to purchase gold as a store of value. However, the problem is that Britain's economic expenditures are fixed at a certain stage. Agriculture, banking, services, light industry, heavy industry... Once a large amount of funds is used to buy gold, the funds invested in these basic industries and for social security will shrink."

"What's even more frightening is that this change is so subtle that even top economists like Keynes and Hayek would find it difficult to spot the problem at a glance in a short period of time, until all the accumulated issues finally erupt."

Li Lin withdrew his fingers from the silver veil, his eyes like frozen lakes, staring at Dumbledore, whose face was gradually stiffening.

"Reduced commercial investment will lead to massive unemployment, reduced agricultural investment will result in food shortages, and reduced investment in social security will lead to a series of upheavals that cannot be addressed in time. These nightmarish scenarios have already occurred in the magical world."

"The most direct consequence was the collapse of morale, the disintegration of the Ministry of Magic, the loss of credibility of all institutions, and the complete disgrace of the 28 pure-blood families who were once high and mighty."

Li Lin clapped his hands: "Imagine if Grindelwald attacked us with a carrot and stick, how many of the five thousand wizards would be willing to stand under Dumbledore's great banner?"

"One thousand? Five hundred? One hundred?"

"While principles and justice are good, I still need to eat."

Dumbledore's hands trembled slightly, and his gaze became somewhat blank.

This white wizard possessed unparalleled wisdom and insight; even without Legilimency, he could tell that everything Li Lin said was true.

It is precisely because it is real that it is so destructive, completely tearing away the veil of justice and righteousness to reveal the bloody truth beneath.

“Of course, the world is changing, it’s getting smaller and smaller.” Li Lin shrugged. “So turmoil in one country can quickly spread to another. If a country has too much gold and its value depreciates, then other countries will naturally try to get involved.”

“They would buy large quantities of gold, then ship it back to their own countries to resell, thus earning huge profits from the price difference.”

"Subsequently, gold lost its rightful place throughout the world. It flooded the market and completely lost its status as a universal currency... This was followed by the collapse of international financial exchange rates. Look at Galleons now, they are like worthless trash, Dumbledore. Trade between wizarding worlds has completely ceased, like a stagnant pool."

“Since Merlin Ambrose laid the foundation, it has taken us thousands of years to establish gold as a general equivalent. If gold were to collapse before we discover another effective and stable equivalent, not only the magical world, but the entire world would return to the state of war we were in before.”

"Given this situation, being able to refine real gold is far more terrifying than refining the Philosopher's Stone."

Li Lin chuckled and pointed to his forehead with his finger.

"The Philosopher's Stone can only grant one person a long lifespan, and that person will have rationality and desires."

“This person’s desires can be suppressed by himself, satisfied in some way, or forced to stop for other reasons... We can even take his magic stone and destroy his body. In short, there are countless ways to solve this problem.”

"But if the financial system gets out of control, even if there are gods in this world, they won't be able to save humanity from its collective decline, will they?"

"And now, some people are actually trying to curb massive hyperinflation by turning lead into gold on a large scale..."

Li Lin gave Dumbledore a thumbs-up, his face full of approval.

"What Grindelwald, what Tom Riddle, how can they compare to our third generation, and the greatest Dark Lord, Dumbledore?"

127 I will laugh heartily like the lion tamer (seriously) [Bonus Chapter]

Li Lin's sarcasm and ridicule made the conversation end unpleasantly.

Snape was completely unable to get a word in edgewise under Li Lin's one-sided barrage of criticism, but what angered him even more was that Dumbledore, who seemed to be all-powerful in the past, was completely powerless under Li Lin's accusations... Was his behavior really so utterly worthless?

The Potions Master didn't ask Dumbledore this question, perhaps because he himself harbored a deep fear about it—Dumbledore was not an omnipotent legend, and his momentary lapse in judgment nearly led to an uncontrollable catastrophe, utterly burying the struggling magical world.

The third Dark Lord Dumbledore? Ha!

Snape didn't want to think about it, nor dared to think about it.

As for Dumbledore himself, he was more shocked than angry.

He was furious that someone dared to use the term "Black Demon King" to slander him, and shocked that he had almost accomplished a "great feat" even more vicious than the Black Demon King.

Many in the wizarding world praise Dumbledore's profound magical skills, while others laud his achievement of defeating the Dark Lord twice. Potions apprentices and alchemists compare him to Nicolas Flamel, but in Dumbledore's heart, his proudest achievement is none of these.

The only thing Albus Dumbledore could be proud of was his achievement of suppressing "Dumbledore the Dark Lord".

No one is perfect. Even a sage like Nicolas Flamel indulged in gluttony. He and his wife lived for six hundred years and now live in seclusion in Devon, England, because of the trout and buttered bread he loves there.

Dumbledore often reflected on himself.

He is the greatest white wizard in the world, wielding the Elder Wand, one of the three sacred artifacts of Death, and even holding the Invisibility Cloak for many years after the James Potter family suffered misfortune.

Having obtained two of the three sacred treasures of death, no one has ever come this far on the path of seeking the power of death.

If he so desired, and with a little more effort, he could easily find the "Resurrection Stone," which Voldemort had turned into a Horcrux, in Gaunt's old house, thus collecting all three of the Deathly Hallows and achieving an unparalleled feat that would defy even the heavens.

But Dumbledore never thought that way, just as he once studied dark magic extensively but now abandoned it.

Voldemort feared Dumbledore, but he was even more afraid of the cruel revenge this respected legend would take when he fell into taboo.

Dumbledore's only enemy was himself, yet he suppressed his dark side until his death, until he faced death with equanimity.

But what he couldn't accept was that he had almost caused an even more tragic outcome.

Upon thinking of this, Dumbledore couldn't help but sigh deeply.

It seems we need to get Nicolas Flamel and Li Lin to have a proper talk.

......

Outside the window, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Snowflakes fell gently, without any wind.

The commotion last night has prompted snowfall around Hogwarts.

The snow fell so deep, so earnestly.

The gloomy weather subconsciously made people feel drowsy. Li Lin yawned with his eyes half open, letting out a sharp cry like a goose.

Li Lin covered his mouth and staggered out the door. He suddenly remembered that he was now the headmaster of Ravenclaw.

He's only been at Hogwarts for a few months.

"So time really flies! Before we knew it, only fifty-nine seconds left in a minute." Li Lin sighed repeatedly, his emotions running high, and he blurted out, "Time flies by so quickly, never looking back, and beauties turn into old women."

Professor McGonagall emerged from the corner of the corridor, her face darkening slightly upon hearing Li Lin's singing.

“Professor Aatrox, I think it’s time for class now.”

Damn it, this isn't your class!

Li Lin inwardly groaned, but too ashamed to admit it directly, so he stubbornly retorted, "Yesterday I unleashed such a powerful guardian spell, saving so many students! So what if I skipped a morning of class? I'm the one who pays your salaries!"

Professor McGonagall was speechless and could only watch as Li Lin swaggered away.

Mr. Li, who had skipped all morning classes, pushed open the door and entered. When all the students saw him, they fell silent.

Only Qiu Zhang was able to remain calm.

"Okay, students, I have an announcement to make." Li Lin spread his arms and raised them. "All eyes are on me. I am the new headmaster of Ravenclaw. To celebrate this, you are all given a day off today."

Last time, he taught Grindelwald the Killing Curse, which almost wiped out half of Hogwarts' population, plus Flitwick... While plotting to seize power is admirable, Grindelwald will inevitably clash with Dumbledore sooner or later.

Don't let Grindelwald lead the Red Army on a long march and find yourself already the headmaster of Hogwarts.

Upon hearing Li Lin announce the holiday, all the students cheered happily. Only Qiu Zhang looked rather grim. When she saw Master Li rush out the door, she gritted her teeth and chased after him.

At the stairwell, Li Lin was caught up by Qiu Zhang and his path was blocked.

"Professor... I don't understand why you did this, but you said that if I have any questions, I can ask you for advice."

Qiu Zhang said slowly and deliberately.

"Eh—" Li Lin drawled, his smile freezing as he spoke.

This means his precious time for slacking off will be reduced again.

Long notes always fade away eventually. Li Lin started looking around, until he awkwardly shut his mouth, and no one came to his rescue.

It's class time now, who would be so foolish as to come out for a stroll?

Just as Li Lin was racking his brains to come up with an excuse to appease Qiu Zhang, a shadow darted out from above their heads, accompanied by a sharp, mocking laugh:

"Look! Look! Look! What do I see? A professor who doesn't respect his status, a first-year student—oh, are they developing a romance? Or are they making some kind of shady deal? Hahaha, how interesting!"

A small creature with black hair and black eyes hovered above their heads.

These are mischievous sprites that have existed since the founding of Hogwarts. They are not ghosts, but rather "invisible entities" that only appear in specific locations, and they are always unruly.

Normally, Pranksters don't have a physical form; they're more like a phenomenon. Of course, Peeves can materialize because of the magic school.

Peeves, who loves to cause pranks and chaos, has always been a headache for the school and its students and teachers, especially the administrator Argus Filch, because the only beings who can control him are Barrow the Blood and Albus Dumbledore.

"Peeves?"

Qiu Zhang's face turned pale instantly; she realized just how vicious the words Pipi Gui had spoken had been.

Even if the professors don't care, what about the students? Those students who are starting to exude their hormones will definitely gossip about it.

Li Lin frowned his handsome eyebrows, looked up at Pipi Ghost with dead fish eyes, and then slightly curled the corners of his mouth.

Seeing this, Pikachu flew over in circles, grinning and making faces at Li Lin, trying to hear what he had to say.

"I never expected... that someone would dare to challenge me in a direct confrontation..."

Upon hearing this, Mischievous Ghost sensed something was amiss and flew away uneasy. No one in a thousand years had ever shown such excitement at his prank.

A hand grabbed his ankle.

Li Lin's eyes lit up. He pulled out a crowbar and handed it to Qiu Zhang, gesturing for her to hold it, while simultaneously pressing it against the back of Pipi Gui's neck.