The night was deep, the starlight dim.
Ian stood before the window of his residence, a dark red, bone-like Talisman in his hand.
The surface of the Talisman was carved with distorted patterns, and a small, dusky Crystal Stone was embedded in its center.
This was a Bloodline Communication Talisman, acquired through special channels from the Black Market on the Outer Islands.
It could only be used once, and the message it carried would automatically be incinerated after being read.
But it was secretive enough, safe enough.
He closed his eyes, his Spiritual Power probing into the Talisman.
The face of his father, Latour, appeared in his mind.
He looked much younger than he had a few years ago, his eyes sharper.
They held the authority and ambition befitting a Level One Bloodline Mage.
"Father..."
Ian murmured to himself as he began to inscribe his message into the Talisman.
The first part was a list of resources.
[Refined Bloodline Essence Potion x10, can help a High Level Apprentice break through their bloodline bottleneck and advance to Level One.]
[Level One Protection Witch Array Core x1, when combined with the family castle’s Earth Vein, can withstand the full-force attack of a Level One Peak Wizard for three hours.]
[Standard Magic Stone x5000, for daily Cultivation and emergencies.]
[Bloodline Purification Insights Manuscript x1 volume, records Ian’s understanding of the essence of bloodlines and will be of great help to the family’s Mages.]
The second part was a warning.
[The resources are depleted. This is my final contribution.]
[Family expansion should proceed slowly. Three Kingdoms are enough. Do not be greedy.]
[A storm is coming to the Wizard World. In the future, I will no longer be able to look out for the family.]
[If you encounter an insurmountable crisis... abandon the castle, hide your identities, and prioritize the preservation of the bloodline.]
The third part was his final words.
[The path has been paved. How far you can walk it is up to you.]
[Take care.]
Ian opened his eyes. A wisp of pale golden flame ignited at his fingertip and touched the edge of the Talisman.
The Talisman’s surface glowed with a dark red light before quickly turning into a handful of Ashes, which slipped through his fingers without leaving behind even a trace of Energy fluctuation.
"Sent it off, gaga?"
Gaga flew over from the windowsill and landed on Ian’s shoulder.
Its small eyes stared at the dissipating Ashes, a hint of confusion flashing in its heterochromatic pupils.
"Yes."
Ian turned, walked to his desk, and sat down.
A thick notebook lay open on the desk, filled with all the insights he had gained over the years regarding Magic Potions, Witchcraft, and Cultivation.
He turned to the last page, picked up his pen, and wrote a few lines:
[The path of the bloodline lies in purity.]
After writing, he closed the notebook and stored it in his Dimension Ring.
From now on, the family’s affairs... had nothing more to do with him.
It wasn’t that he was heartless; the path of a Wizard was simply like this.
Lonely, dangerous, and resolute, one walks it alone.
"Where to next, gaga?" Gaga asked.
"To see the Tower Master."
Ian stood up and straightened his deep blue Long Robe.
’Some things... need to be settled.’
「Shadow Moon Tower, the top-floor Observatory.」
This was the private Domain of Tower Master Morton. Without permission, no one was allowed to take a single step inside.
Ian stood at the entrance to the Observatory, placing his hand on the cold surface of the stone door.
The door was engraved with intricate star and moon Runes, which were currently emitting a faint silver glow.
"Core Elder Ian Marcus requests an audience with the Tower Master."
His voice was calm, yet it carried clearly into the depths beyond the stone door.
Soon, the stone door slid open without a sound, revealing a vast, starry sky within.
It was a projection of the cosmos, forcibly fixed at the top of the tower by Witchcraft.
Stars slowly rotated overhead, the galaxy flowing like a ribbon, emitting a cold and eternal radiance.
A man stood in the center of the Observatory.
He wore a deep purple Long Robe, his silver hair was unbound, and his figure, seen from behind, was as straight as a pine.
With his back to Ian, he gazed up at the starry sky, appearing as if he had merged with the Star Sea.
"Come in."
The voice was ancient but carried a strange Penetration Power, as if it could resonate directly within one’s Soul.
Ian stepped into the Observatory.
The stone door slowly closed behind him.
The floor beneath his feet was transparent, revealing the layered structure of the tower below and, further in the distance, the Anoroya Continent, which looked like a miniature model.
"Sit."
Morton Tower Master did not turn around, merely lifting a finger to point at a stone chair nearby.
The chair was carved from a single block of Star Marrow Rock, its surface shimmering with a faint silver sheen.
Ian sat down as instructed.
On his shoulder, Gaga retracted its neck, its small eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
It could feel it...
’Every star in this space is real.’
’Every ray of light contains terrifying elemental Power.’
A Level Three Great Witch had a body that was completely Elementalized.
Apart from extremely specific Witchcraft and soul-Annihilation Curses, they had no fatal weaknesses.
"You’ve advanced to Level Two."
Morton Tower Master suddenly spoke, his tone flat, as if stating a fact.
Ian’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm.
"Yes."
There was no denial, nor was there any need for it.
In front of a Level Three Great Witch, any disguise was meaningless.
"The ruins of the Star Spirit Race... gave you quite a few benefits."
Morton Tower Master finally turned around.
His was an ancient face, with wrinkles etched as deep as knife cuts.
But those eyes...
Reflected in the depths of his pupils was the entire swirling Star Sea, as if they could suck a person’s Soul right in.
’Eye of the Stars Morton.’
’The title is well-deserved!’
"It was just a stroke of luck," Ian replied.
"Luck?"
The corner of Morton Tower Master’s mouth curled into the faintest of smiles.
"Surviving a pincer attack from Bazaar and Selas, and even managing to kill them in the end... that’s not luck."
He walked over to Ian and sat down in the other stone chair.
The two sat three meters apart, separated by the flowing phantom of the galaxy.
"Speak plainly. What did you come to see me for?"
Morton Tower Master got straight to the point.
"I wish to exchange for the Fourth Level of the Starry Sky Festival."
Ian was just as direct.
"The Fourth Level..."
Morton Tower Master’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"That is the level that, in theory... allows one to cultivate to the rank of a Level Four Morning Star. At your current Realm, it’s still too early."