Amidst the clamor, a calm and measured voice cut through the noise. Tian Zhang, a pragmatic rogue spirit mage, stepped forward. His presence commanded respect, and the room gradually fell silent.

  "Li YiTing raises a valid point," Tian Zhang began, his tone even. "Our survival depends on unity. We cannot afford to turn away potential allies, regardless of their origins. Let us hear them out and decide based on their abilities and intentions."

  Reluctantly, the group agreed to a demonstration of abilities. KuiFong and MeiEr stepped forward, their expressions resolute.

  KuiFong closed his eyes, focusing his energy. With a swift motion, he conjured a gust of wind, lifting small objects into the air. The rogue spirit mages watched in awe as the wind danced at his command. MeiEr followed, summoning a stream of water from thin air. She wove it gracefully around her fingers, creating intricate patterns that mesmerized the audience.

  "They may not be born with spirit affinity, but their magic is real," Li YiTing asserted. "And they have risked everything to fight for a cause that benefits us all."

  Ren Shu's scowl deepened, but he remained silent. The tension in the room was palpable, but the seeds of understanding had been sown.

  The meeting continued with discussions of strategy and information-sharing. Li YiTing revealed the truth about the massacre at LongTu village and the Emperor's fear of commoners learning magic. The rogue spirit mages listened intently, their expressions shifting from skepticism to realization.

  "The massacre at LongTu village was not the work of bandits," Li YiTing explained. "It was orchestrated by the Emperor to suppress the growing threat of commoner mages. The nobles cannot tolerate the idea of commoners wielding magic, and they will stop at nothing to maintain their control."

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  The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. The rogue spirit mages exchanged glances, their resolve hardening. They understood now that the threat was not just to the commoners but to all who opposed the tyranny of the nobles.

  "We must work together," Tian Zhang reiterated. "Our strength lies in our unity. We need to teach more commoners how to wield magic and organize our efforts to resist the nobles' oppression."

  A spirited debate ensued, with various rogue spirit mages sharing their insights and proposing strategies. Some suggested forming small, covert cells to train commoner mages in secrecy. Others proposed using the MagiNet to spread information and coordinate their actions.

  "We have allies among the commoners," a female mage named Xiao Lan added. "There are those who are eager to learn and fight back. We need to find them and bring them into our fold."

  As the discussions continued, whispers of a mysterious benefactor began to circulate. This benefactor, rumored to have ties to the nobility, was said to provide crucial intelligence and resources to those resisting the oppressive regime. The rogue spirit mages were intrigued but cautious, knowing that trust was a rare commodity in their world.

  "We have received invaluable support from unexpected quarters," Li YiTing hinted, her eyes scanning the room. "Allies who understand the stakes and are willing to risk much to see our cause succeed."

  The discussions continued late into the night, with plans taking shape and alliances forming. By the end of the gathering, a tentative alliance had been forged. The rogue spirit mages agreed to collaborate and teach more commoners magic in secrecy, recognizing the strength in unity.

  As they left the meeting, Li YiTing, KuiFong, and MeiEr felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but they were not alone in their fight. They had allies now, both known and unknown, and together, they would challenge the oppressive rule of the nobles.