Ian paused.
Without looking back, he simply gave a slight nod.
"I’ll remember."
He pulled open the door and walked out.
The corridor was empty, the Moonlight Stones casting a soft, constant glow.
’Alevia’s last words vaguely overlapped with the plans Li Xing had for the future back on the Yalan Continent.’
’Fly higher, fly farther.’
’To leave this "Barren Land" and go to a truly vast continent.’
’But before that, I need time. Time to digest my gains from the ruins, time to prepare, and most importantly...’
’...wait for the right moment.’
「Deep Red Royal Court Headquarters, Blood Hall.」
Deep within the hall, a throne was shrouded in a churning blood-red mist, exuding an abyssal pressure.
It belonged to the master of the Deep Red Royal Court: the King.
The pressure was so great it seemed to freeze the auras of the several figures standing solemnly in the hall.
"Bazaar is dead."
The voice that came from the blood mist was hoarse and calm, yet it carried a power that made space itself tremble slightly.
Below, three Level Two Wizards in dark red Long Robes stood with heads bowed. Their posture was respectful, but they showed no fear.
At their level, they were already high-ranking members of the organization and possessed considerable autonomy and dignity.
"We are already aware, my King."
The Level Two Wizard in the center, a man with a grim face, responded in a deep voice.
"He died in the Star Spirit Race ruins. It’s difficult to trace what happened."
"I want to know why," the voice from the blood mist said curtly.
"Our initial assessment is that he either encountered dangerous Rule Created Creatures within the ruins or... was ambushed and killed by Wizards from another faction."
Another Level Two Wizard added.
"The Liquidation Wizards traveling with him all perished as well. No one managed to send back any useful information."
"Investigate," the voice from the blood mist commanded, devoid of any emotion.
"Use all of our eyes on the East Coast. Focus on screening the Level One Wizards who made it out of the ruins alive."
"Especially... the ’unusual’ ones."
"Yes!" the three Level Two Wizards responded in unison.
"Over at the Withered Council, Selas is also dead,"
the voice from the blood mist said slowly.
"They won’t let this go, either. If necessary, you may ’exchange’ some intelligence. But remember, the majesty of Deep Red is not to be challenged. Find the killer, no matter who it is."
"As you command, my King!" The three of them bowed once more.
The blood mist rippled, as if the figure on the throne had waved a hand.
The three Level Two Wizards took the hint and slowly, respectfully withdrew from the hall.
The great doors closed.
Within the blood mist, a pair of scarlet eyes stared into the Void. He muttered to himself, his voice too low for anyone else to hear.
’Three Level Two Wizards dead? Interesting. Is it some old monster in disguise, or...’
’...has some truly remarkable upstart appeared?’
’The East Coast... It seems things are about to get turbulent again.’
「Withered Council, Shadow Hall.」
The atmosphere was just as grave, but even more deathly still.
Several figures shrouded in grayish-black cloaks surrounded a round, bone-white table in silence.
A faint stench of decay and death permeated the air.
"Selas’s Soul Lamp has gone out."
A dry voice broke the silence.
"The last image fragments sent back showed only a chaotic burst of starlight and... a blurry figure."
"Can you determine their identity?" another hoarse voice asked.
"No. The image is too fragmented, and the aura was obscured by some kind of power."
The first voice replied, "But we can confirm the assailant was a Level Two Wizard. Or perhaps... someone disguised as a Level One Wizard launched a sneak attack."
"A sneak attack killed Selas?" someone snorted in disbelief.
"Even a Wizard at Level Two Crystalization would have to be wary of his Blade of Decay."
"Which is precisely why this warrants a thorough investigation."
At the head of the table, a voice even more ancient, as if echoing from the depths of a tomb, spoke slowly.
"Send people across the entire East Coast. ’Compare notes’ with the Deep Red Royal Court. A fair number of lucky ones made it out of the ruins this time. Screen them, one by one."
"Focus on the Shadow Moon Tower, the Silver Ring, and those factions on the Outer Islands."
"Yes, Speaker," the members replied in unison.
"Remember," the ancient voice added with a cold warning.
"Act discreetly. The East Coast is home to many powerful individuals. Don’t go provoking that bunch from the Silver Ring who parade themselves as paragons of justice."
"Understood."
The shadows writhed, and the figures dissipated without a sound.
The hall returned to a deathly silence, with only the faint, eerie green flame of a candle on the bone table flickering uncertainly.
「One month later.」
Shadow Moon Tower, Ian’s residence.
Night had already fallen.
Ian sat cross-legged in the Meditation Room, but he did not immediately enter a state of deep Meditation.
Spread open before him was the book, *Tower Master Morton’s Sketches*. His fingers gently brushed across the messy script within.
"Anoraya is merely an overseas island of the Wizard World, a corner of the East Coast."
"To see the true continents, to witness the magnificence and vastness of the Wizard World, one must first cross the Endless Sea."
"However, the sea journey is long and fraught with peril. None below the rank of a Level Two Wizard should dare attempt it."
Outside the window, the moonlight was like liquid silver.
In the courtyard, the Alchemy Tree emitted a hazy, silver glow in the darkness.
The five Activation Fruits seemed to be asleep. Only the sound of faint, contented breathing could be heard rising and falling with the gentle rustling of the leaves.
Gaga was curled up by Ian’s leg, its head buried under a wing, letting out soft, even snores.
All was tranquil and peaceful.
But within Ian’s Sea of Spirit, the pale golden Crystalized Core slowly rotated, emitting stable and powerful fluctuations.
’A Level Two Wizard.’
He now stood at the very threshold of the pinnacle of this "Barren Land."
However, possessing a treasure is a crime in itself.
The blessing and Inheritance of the Star Spirit Race, the Rule Fragment from a Level Four Wizard, the potential repercussions from killing Bazaar and Selas...
They were like honey exuding a tempting fragrance in the darkness, destined to attract a prying swarm of bees sooner or later.
The Tower Master’s subtle warning, Alevia’s reminder, and the scattered rumors he’d heard through Gaga about external factions secretly investigating...
All of it silently pointed to one fact.
The peaceful days were numbered.
Pressure, like a deep-sea undercurrent, was building beneath the placid surface.
He didn’t plan on reporting his breakthrough to Level Two.
’Going from Level One Liquefaction to Level Two Crystalization is a massive hurdle. But how long has it been since I became a Level One Wizard?’
’Less than three years!’
’That speed alone is enough to arouse suspicion and scrutiny.’
’Not to mention that Level Two Wizards from hostile factions just died in those ruins.’
’If I’m exposed, even with Tower Master Morton’s favor, Shadow Moon Tower might not be willing—or even able—to protect me.’
’When an organization like the Immortal Heart, which is presided over by a Level Four Morning Star Wizard, is involved, any faction on the East Coast would have to tread carefully.’
"I have to start making plans."
Ian muttered to himself, a cold, decisive glint in his eyes.
’Leave.’
’Leave Anoraya, leave the East Coast, before the storm sweeps me away entirely.’
’And head for the vaster, more dangerous Wizard Continent.’
’There, I’ll find richer resources, more advanced knowledge, fiercer competition, and more places to hide and survive.’
’But before that, I need time.’
’Time to fully digest my gains from the Star Spirit Race, time to prepare the resources and methods to cross the sea, and time to...’
’...settle my affairs here.’
’The Starlight Magic Pharmacy, my family, Kenna and the others, the Alchemy Tree and the Five Fruits, and... some unfinished business.’
’The path must be walked one step at a time.’
’But the direction is clear.’
He slowly closed his eyes, his spirit sinking into that pale golden Star Sea.
His Starry Sky Festival technique began to activate, drawing cold Star Energy from the Void, tempering his spirit and Soul.
Accumulating power, waiting... or else, welcoming the inevitable storm.