Chapter 260: Departure
A group of people gathered early at the location of the Star Gate.
As a ‘First Circle Initial Stage’ wizard with a ‘struggling life’, Karl naturally didn’t possess high-quality spatial equipment.
So, he was quite conspicuous in the crowd, carrying a dragging suitcase and a heavy package on his back.
Unlike the others who were grouped together, he stood alone in a corner, an ‘outsider’.
Even those who came from the Eastern Kingdom Continent could only cast sympathetic glances at him, not daring to approach.
However, Daniel took the initiative to approach him:
“What are your plans for the future?”
“Plans?” Karl was taken aback, not expecting the other party to show kindness on the verge of departure.
But Daniel had always been a kind-hearted person, or rather, indecisive, which was understandable.
He replied:
“Although the Eastern Kingdom Continent is a wizard desert, I still want to continue my research into wizardry after returning.”
“And I’ll take on a few disciples. Although I won’t be able to return, I can have them fulfill my regrets.”
Of course, this was just an excuse.
“Mm.”
Daniel was quite satisfied with his answer:
“Your cultivation of the Source Sea Meditation Technique is good. Although it increases mental power slowly, it can nourish the body and increase lifespan.”
“As a First Circle wizard, you have a lifespan of two hundred years, hmm…”
“You’re in your sixties now?”
“Yes.” Karl nodded upon hearing this, his voice carrying a hint of absentmindedness as he thought about his age:
“Almost seventy.”
“Not old yet.” Daniel smiled:
“In the next hundred years or so, you can try to learn the Second Circle spell, Water of Life. If you succeed in constructing it, it can increase your lifespan by at least another hundred years.”
“Of course!”
“After all, it’s a Second Circle spell. If it’s too difficult, don’t force yourself. Learning to enjoy life is the most important thing.”
Karl nodded slowly.
The other party’s words were those of an experienced person, and his advice was sincere.
However, Karl was already a Second Circle wizard and had long since successfully constructed the spell circuit for the Water of Life.
He was currently trying to comprehend the Third Circle spell, Source of Life.
Once he mastered it.
His lifespan would be extended from a Second Circle wizard’s five hundred years to eight hundred years, and he would also be able to cultivate the Holy Demon Transformation to the seventh level.
At that time,
Karl planned to switch to the Secret Society’s fire-based inheritance, as that inheritance was directly linked to the Fifth Order.
The two of them exchanged soft words, and Daniel generously shared his insights on the Water of Life.
Finally.
“After this separation, I’m afraid we’ll never meet again.”
With a sigh, Daniel took out a wooden plaque and handed it over:
“This is a piece of spatial equipment. Although its rank isn’t high, the space inside is quite large. Consider it a gift from me.”
“This…” Karl hesitated:
“Isn’t that too much?”
He certainly didn’t care about such things, but this was a favor, and it was likely he wouldn’t have the chance to repay it.
Daniel was…
Could he be feeling guilty?
“Take it.”
Daniel forcefully pushed it into his hands, whispering:
“Because of a small matter, you’ve suffered so much injustice for so many years. I also bear some responsibility.”
“Don’t worry!”
“There won’t be any trouble.”
“Thank you.” Karl sighed and casually took out something from his body as a return gift and handed it over:
“I can’t take your things for free. Consider this a return gift. If you don’t accept it, I won’t accept yours either.”
“…Alright.” Daniel said helplessly, not taking a close look at Karl’s return gift. The two exchanged gifts.
At the same time, he taught Karl how to use the spatial equipment, and Karl stored all the items he was carrying into the wooden plaque.
At this moment.
A commotion arose from the crowd. It was Vulcan who had arrived.
Earth Wizard Vulcan!
Second Circle Peak!
Judging from the fluctuations in his mental power, he had become stronger again. It was estimated that he would become a Third Circle wizard within a few years.
Karl’s heart stirred slightly. He silently compared Vulcan’s methods with those of the Divine Followers from the Other World.
‘Both are at the Second Order. Vulcan possesses at least two Third-Order magic items, and could easily kill a Middle Follower that he has an advantage against.’
‘With the aid of a wizard tower, he could contend with an Upper Follower.’
‘Compared to me…’
‘Without the aid of a wizard tower, even if I cultivate the Holy Demon Transformation to the third level, I would not have absolute certainty of victory.’
‘Compared to knights, wizards are ultimately stronger at the same level.’
While his thoughts were racing, Vulcan had already arrived before the Star Gate and raised his hand to activate it.
Karl carefully observed the Star Gate.
Unlike before.
Now, he had acquired a lot of knowledge, including some that touched upon space. Moreover, once he advanced to the Third Circle, he would inevitably need to understand space and time, as only then would he have a chance to advance to the Fourth Circle.
He could see that the Star Gate was resonating with an unknown place through the Astral Plane.
Quantum teleportation?
Karl’s eyes flickered slightly.
In the wizard’s world, the transmission of particles was beyond the speed of light, ignoring the physical meaning of spatial distance.
“There are many means of teleportation in the wizarding world. The reason why the Star Gate is special is that it can, to some extent, ignore the divine power of the gods.”
“Only through the Star Gate can one enter the Eastern Kingdom Continent…”
“What a pity!”
“Such technology has been lost. It seems that even in the wizarding world, inheritance is not without its interruptions.”
“Whoosh…”
A soft gasp of surprise sounded.
“They’re here.”
Karl’s expression turned serious.
He saw the Star Gate flicker with a soft white light, and figures stepped out of space, one after another, into the area.
“Swish!”
The light receded, and seven more people were present.
Only seven people had come this time, which was clearly different from usual, but no one spoke. All eyes were on a beautiful woman in the center of the group.
As beautiful as a celestial being!
That was the phrase that instinctively came to Karl’s mind.
***
The female wizard in the center of the seven had long, jet-black hair like a waterfall. Her exquisite features were like a work of art, and her deep eyes seemed to hold endless secrets. When she swept her gaze across the area, everyone instinctively lowered their heads.
Including Vulcan!
A Third Circle wizard!
The terrifying fluctuations in her mental power indicated that even among Third Circle wizards, she was probably a top-tier individual.
At least the Upper Followers Karl had encountered were far from possessing such power.
Perhaps only a demigod could compare!
“Great Dark Wizard Lisa, Vulcan welcomes your arrival.” Vulcan recognized the person and his expression changed, then he said solemnly:
“The Magic Forest is proud of you.”
Lisa?
The crowd’s eyes were filled with bewilderment, then surprise.
It was her?
The baby girl who had left the Magic Forest eight hundred years ago because of her outstanding talent, who married an unremarkable wizard apprentice from the Green Family. Because she had been raised by the Green Family since childhood, she had always been regarded as a member of the Green Family’s bloodline.
And yet.
This female wizard apprentice had become one of the most dazzling stars of the Green Family in the last thousand years.
Third Circle Peak,
A powerhouse with the potential to reach the Fourth Circle!
She had once achieved the feat of killing a Fourth Order Lower Pseudo-God in a certain plane, which was why Vulcan said that the Magic Forest was proud of her.
“Mm.”
Lisa’s expression remained unchanged, and her indigo wizard robe swayed gently:
“Have everyone leave. I need to cast a spell to find the murderer who killed Barn and the other one.”
“This…” Vulcan was taken aback:
“Now?”
“Right now!” Lisa’s voice was cold:
“After finding the person, I will go into seclusion to cultivate a secret technique. I will return when the Star Gate opens next time.”
“Yes.” Vulcan responded. After thinking for a moment, he added:
“The Star Gate still needs to be opened once to send someone to the Eastern Kingdom Continent. Please wait a moment, Senior.”
Then, he waved his sleeve:
“Everyone else, leave!”
“The Eastern Kingdom Continent?” A hint of a ripple appeared in Lisa’s otherwise calm eyes:
“There is still someone going there?”
By now, everyone else had left.
In the presence of a Third Circle wizard who was releasing her aura without restraint, even breathing was difficult, so they naturally couldn’t wait to leave.
“Yes.”
Vulcan said:
“That person is originally from the Eastern Kingdom Continent. He has lost hope in the path of wizardry and plans to return home to retire. He also intends to select outstanding disciples for the tower and send them over.”
“Mm.”
Lisa remained noncommittal.
However, she also knew that in the past two or three decades, the Eastern Kingdom Continent had sent many talented individuals to the four major forces.
Although the numbers were not large, almost all of them had become formal wizards, and many had the potential to advance to the Second Circle.
In a few hundred years, the people from the Eastern Kingdom Continent might form a considerable force.
Therefore, it was understandable to have a waste return to expand the tower’s influence.
“Hurry up.”
“Yes.”
Vulcan responded and gestured for Karl to approach.
Karl held his breath and walked step by step to the Star Gate, bowing towards Lisa and the others.
His expression was normal, but his heart was already anxious.
After Lisa appeared, the Delicate Pearl within him, which could have lasted for several days, was rapidly consuming its inner energy.
It seemed…
To be resisting something.
Lisa only glanced at Karl casually, letting Vulcan busy himself with activating the Star Gate. She took out something that resembled a crown.
“To be able to evade detection, the murderer must possess a means of concealing their aura, most likely a magic item or a marvel.”
“As long as the energy of that item is exhausted, we can naturally find the person.”
The item in her hand was a Fourth Order item, originating from a certain Evil God. It could track a target by following the threads of cause and effect.
“Hmm…”
Watching the crown float and spin, a smile appeared on Lisa’s face:
“It’s working!”
Just a few meters away from her, Karl’s eyes were lowered, seemingly dull, but his whole body was tense.
He could feel the energy of the Delicate Pearl within him rapidly depleting, and the speed was increasing.
In just the blink of an eye, it seemed to be on the verge of being exhausted.
“Hah…”
Karl exhaled a long breath, slowly raising his head.
Having faced life-and-death situations countless times, he remained calm even at the most critical moments, and had even prepared himself.
If it was too late, he would just return to the Other World, and then level up to the Third Order Peak before returning.
As for the Fourth Order…
It was too far away.
“Karl.”
Vulcan said:
“Go in.”
The Star Gate had already been activated, and the light was gradually expanding.
“Yes.”
Karl responded. When the light became stable, accompanied by the sound of the Delicate Pearl shattering, he stepped into it.
At the same time.
“Huh?”
Lisa raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise on her face:
“So close?”
She could feel that the murderer’s aura was right beside her. She instinctively looked at Vulcan.
After all, only Vulcan could have killed Barn and Baden.
But in an instant, she realized that something was wrong.
“Wait!”
“Stop the Star Gate…”
“Buzz…”
The starlight swirled, and Karl, enveloped in the light, smiled and waved gently at Lisa, who was flashing towards him.
Goodbye!
