Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“How… How could this be…”
Hutton and Stephen were still in extreme disbelief when Lin Li walked towards them. The shock was terrifying. The Legendary-level Necromagic had been broken instantaneously, and that was not what people would expect an Archmage to be able to achieve.
It was obvious that the frightening Necromagic had formed a Magical Domain. Only a stronger Magical Domain would be able to balance it out. No powerful magical equipment or casting technique could cover that unbridgeable gap.
The two young men were both very talented Archmages in the Breezy Plains. Coming from a family of magic and the Dark Blade, their knowledge and experience was not a little behind that of the old men who had been around for more than a century. The different exposure and information they had would be beyond the imagination of common men.
However, even the two knowledgeable young Archmages had no idea how an Archmage would have the ability to break a Magical Domain. That was absolutely a subversion of their general knowledge. Even the most foolish mage apprentice would know that that should be impossible.
Those impossibilities were displayed before their eyes. The young Archmage that was standing on the back of the Humerus Wyrm had just used an Illuminating Spell to counter a Legendary-level Necromagic, and slain two Rainbow Manticore Kings instantaneously.
“There is no perfection in this world, let alone for Magical Domains. Once people find any fault with the seemingly perfect Magical Domain, it will become like a bubble with a multitude of colors, bursting upon gentle contact…” Lin Li’s voice was very gentle. No one knew whether he was speaking to Hutton and Stephen or just to himself…
The time the battle lasted was extremely short. It ended as quickly as it started, and was neither thrilling nor intense at all. As compared to the many battles Lin Li had experienced before, it was definitely not worth mentioning. Strictly speaking, the battle did not really concern Lin Li. The Dark Decay shattered like glass immediately after the Holy Light was released.
To Lin Li, however, that neither thrilling nor intensive battle had a very special meaning…
Lin Li had always been dealing with difficult battles with mere strength even when his opponents were in the Legendary-level, such as Ujfalusi and the Lich in Scar of Death. This was his first battle where he dealt with a Magical Domain directly.
Nor was the victory of the battle or that Legendary magical crystal too important. To Lin Li, the real reward was the process of the battle. The interaction between the Holy Light and the Dark Decay allowed Lin Li to gain a light taste of the Legendary-realm.
That slight feeling was not to be belittled. In fact, the current Lin Li had already reached the limits of an Archmage. His mental strength, skills in magic casting, as well as his knowledge in magic theory were at the maximum any Archmage could achieve. Even without the use of magical equipment and the Humerus Wyrm, Lin Li was already the most invincible man under the Legendary-realm…
Furthermore, when he was at the Scar of Death, he once used the All-Knowing Potion to break into the Legendary-realm temporarily to aid his battle with the Lich. That gave him valuable experience. Not to exaggerate, Lin Li already had one of his hands on the door leading to the Legendary-realm. If he were to give it a gentle push, Lin Li would be able to enter the dream realm.
That last step, however, had been troubling Lin Li for a very long time despite the fact that he had accumulated the maximum level of knowledge and skills set. The earlier battle enabled Lin Li to discover his deficiencies the moment he witnessed the clash between the Dark Decay and the Holy Light.
That slight inspiration was like a bright lamp that lit the path ahead of him. Lin Li knew that that was the first time he felt so enlightened and clear about the road to the Legendary-realm.
Apart from Lin Li, nobody else was aware of the benefits he’d gained from the battle just now…
That was a period of epiphany. Although Lin Li was still an Archmage who still could not make use of the force of the Magical Domain, he understood that he was dangerously close to the realm. All he needed now was time. A day would suffice for Lin Li to relate his life experience and knowledge together, and follow the clear path towards the Legendary-realm!
But before this could happen…
There would be a need to defuse the time bomb: Stephen.
After using the Power of Dispel to get rid of the Vengeful Spirits, Lin Li called the Humerus Wyrm back into the Magic Lamp. “Alright, now that the trouble in the Abyss Arena is settled, let’s head out from the entrance opposite us towards the Throne of Darkness.”
Lin Li’s action brought out a spark in Stephen’s gaze. Things seemed to be like Stephen had predicted: Felic’s ability to summon the Humerus Wyrm was not due to personal strength, but with the help from a lamp-like magical equipment.
It was rational for Stephen to be so certain about his predictions. Generally, the contract between a mage and a summoned creature was determined by the abilities of both parties. Under normal circumstances, an Archmage would never have a chance to summon a Legendary-level creature due to the huge disparity in ability. Even if the bond was signed by force, the Legendary creature would be able to escape the restraint easily. Unless powerful magical equipment was involved to forcefully draw the difference in abilities together, it would be nearly impossible for one to establish such a contract.
In Stephen’s eyes, Felic had relied on that magical equipment to summon such a majestic Humerus Wyrm.
For Stephen, who had been eyeing on the Humerus Wyrm, that was most delightful news. If Felic used his personal strength to complete the summoning process, it would be extremely difficult for him to snatch the Humerus Wyrm. Apart from killing the summoner to destroy the contract, he would need to be recognized by the Wyrm as well.
However, if the process had relied on magical equipment, things would be much simpler. The Humerus Wyrm would immediately become his possession as long as he could get his hands on the equipment…
The thought of such a possibility brought sparks to Stephen’s eyes.
“Oh, yes, you two…” Lin Li walked towards them for a few steps before stopping again. “From my past readings, we have to walk through a passageway after exiting the Abyss Arena. There would be countless Vengeful Spirits of deceased demons of the Abyss under the control of the Lord of Darkness present in the passageway. They would be waiting to tear apart any creature that dares to thread on the path…”
“Then… Then what should we do?” Hutton asked anxiously. He had just survived a confrontation with numerous Vengeful Spirits, and had yet to recover from the formless terrors. Lin Li’s words worried him.
“I have a way to deal with these Vengeful Spirits. But…”
“But what?”
“I can make use of the Transcend Spell to disperse the Vengeful Spirits, but both of you should know that the Transcend Spell would require me to stay focused throughout the recitation. Once the recitation gets interrupted, the effects of the spell would vanish. Hence, I am not to be distracted…”
“Yeah, I understand what you mean…” Hutton replied as he nodded his head knowingly. “If there are going to be other demons or magical beasts in the passageway, Stephen and I will be in charge of getting rid of them. Mage Felic, you just have to do your best in maintaining the effects of the Transcend Spell.”
“That’s great,” Lin Li said as he fished out the Robe of Light from his Ring of Endless Storm. He passed the robe to Hutton. “You should wear this Robe of Light now. If you were to face too many Vengeful Spirits, transfer some mana into this robe and it will ensure that you won’t be hurt by any of them for a period of 10 minutes.”
“Thank you,” Hutton said as he received the Robe of Light with trembling hands. As a high-level Archmage, how would Hutton not be aware of the value of the Robe of Light? The “10 minutes” concept would assure the person who donned the robe total safety from Vengeful Spirits when entering and exiting anywhere.
Lin Li glanced at Stephen after passing the Robe of Light to Hutton.
“As for Mage Stephen…” Lin Li hesitated exaggeratedly before fishing out the Magic Lamp from his pocket. “Mage Stephen, I will leave this Summoning Lamp in your safekeeping for the time being. You can transfer your mana into the lamp to summon the Humerus Wyrm to deal with Legendary-level enemies when we enter the passageway. However, please be mindful not to activate the lamp if there is no need to, or else…”
Lin Li did not say what were the consequences. He knew it would be a waste of effort….
“No… No problem…”
Stephen’s face lit up the moment he came into contact with the Summoning Lamp. This was unbelievable. Stephen was still devising strategies to snatch the Summoning Lamp from Lin Li, and did not expect that fella to hand it over to him automatically.
Stephen really felt like laughing. He wanted to grin at his awesome luck and snicker over Felic’s foolishness.
How could there be such a stupid mage in this world who would hand a Magic Lamp that could summon a Humerus Wyrm to others?
What a dumbass! Stephen dissed Felic quietly. The ownership of a Legendary-level creature like the Humerus Wyrm could grant any mage apprentice the right to challenge any Legendary-level figure. No one would think of letting his closest kin or friend handle such a treasure.
With that, he would not need to crush the crystal to summon that powerful Greater Demon for help. As long as he transferred mana into the Magic Lamp, the Humerus Wyrm would smash Felic into minced meat immediately.
“Alright, let’s set off now. We should pass through this passageway and find that darn throne as quickly as we can…” Lin Li said after passing the two powerful magical equipment to both men. Lin Li tidied his crumpled robe and started to lead them towards the passageway that was filled with countless Vengeful Spirits.
“Wait a minute…” That was Stephen with an insidious expression. He did not move after he received the Summoning Lamp. The glistening lamp turned brighter. “My apologies, Mage Felic. I fear that you might not get to find the Throne of Darkness anymore…”
“Stephen, what’s on your mind?” Hutton, who became more serious, questioned the teammate cautiously.
“What’s on my mind? Of course it’s sending Mage Felic to death! I’ve seen too many morons, but this is my first time seeing a moronic mage that would hand his most powerful magical equipment to other people. Did you not expect that I could kill you with your own magical equipment?” Stephen ratted out slyly. The thirst for revenge had been suppressed within Stephen’s mind for a very long period of time.
Who cared where Felic came from! Not to mention that Felic had been creating eccentric troubles for Stephen, he was also a more capable mage. Stephen had been feeling oppressed by this darn man ever since he’d met him in the Blackstone Mountains. Felic was the man who had been making Stephen feel powerless despite having a good set of magic skills he had prided himself on.
To a man that had received education from three Legendary figures since he was young, as well as was the sole heir of the Dark Blade, it was not a matter he could tolerate.
Stephen gained immense pleasure from venting his deep hatred for Lin Li. He raised the Summoning Lamp in one hand and started to transfer mana into the lamp continuously.
“Damn it, Stephen, control yourself. Please do not forget that we are here to find the Throne of Darkness. That is our only way to leave the Abyss of Tharlen!” Hutton urged Stephen anxiously. How would he not know what Stephen wanted to do? Hutton had witnessed the powers of the Humerus Wyrm. It’d turned the two Rainbow Manticore Kings into minced meat with just a leg.
Although the young President was powerful, he was not yet a Legendary-mage. There would be a possibility for him to be killed by the Humerus Wyrm.
It would be too humiliating for such an invincible Archmage to be killed by a creature he’d summoned.
“Throne of Darkness? Hahahaha, stop joking, Hutton. Do you really think that I’m here to find that darn throne with you guys? Hahahaha, let me tell you, Hutton. I knew of its location when we were in that forest just now. However, why should I reveal it and share Geresco’s three relics with you? I only have one motive for coming here: to kill both of you!” Stephen’s hideous laughter accompanied his act of transferring an endless stream of mana into the Summoning Lamp. Blinding light filled the entire Abyss Arena, and a force that threatened to tear the void started to spread…
“Oh sh*t…” Darkness rushed up to Hutton. As a high-level Archmage, Hutton knew very well that that was a force used to summon the Humerus Wyrm. When the force reached its maximum amount, the Humerus Wyrm would break out from the void and appear in the Abyss Arena, where it’d tear himself and the young President into pieces with its unbeatable strength!
“Stephen…” Lin Li spoke. He had been standing at his spot and looking at Stephen with a very strange gaze. It was a gaze filled with not only sympathy, but also mockery. It was as though he was not looking at an enemy that was trying to summon a Humerus Wyrm to kill himself, but a moron that was about to commit an idiotic act.
“Hahahaha, are you going to ask for mercy? It is too late now. Even if you were to kneel before me, you wouldn’t be able to change your fate of being killed by your own summoned creature…”
“Not that…” Lin Li replied as he shook his head, and his gaze turned more uneasy. “I remember telling you to be careful not to transfer any mana into that Summoning Lamp…”
“What?” Stephen’s expression took a turn, and he realized something was amiss. Unfortunately, it was too late. He had transferred a great amount of mana into the Summoning Lamp, and it activated the mageweath for sealing living creatures. At once, an unbearable force broke the space…
However, the space did not bring them the Humerus Wyrm that Stephen wanted…
Strictly speaking, it was not a real summoning process. It created a puff of thick fog that resembled gray clouds before an impending storm. The Abyss Arena became silent. There were neither gasps nor shrieks, just dead silence.
Immediately after the dark fog emerged from the void, it twirled tightly around Stephen. They saw how the black fog changed into different forms continuously, while the man in the middle stood rooted to the ground. Stephen became like a wooden puppet that lost his human qualities.
“Hey, I’ve told you that long ago. You shouldn’t add mana in so recklessly…” Lin Li sighed and shook his head. “Or else there would be a lot of trouble…”
Frankly speaking, Stephen had some really bad luck to have put his trust in a hypocrite…
Who was Lin Li? He was a b*tch that might plot against anyone that he gave his copper coin to. After all, the Summoning Lamp was a powerful piece of magical equipment. Anyone who knew Lin Li well, such the boss of Gilded Rose, Ysera, would definitely not immediately accept Lin Li’s offer to put his Summoning Lamp with him. His first reaction would be to inspect the lamp with a magnifying glass to see if there might be a bomb hidden in it.
Unfortunately, Stephen was absolutely unaware of it…
That caused him to step into Lin Li’s trap very easily. He was right, the Summoning Lamp was still a Summoning Lamp. It would definitely be able to summon a powerful creature if one were to transfer mana into it. However, Lin Li did not tell Stephen that the Summoning Lamp did not just seal a Humerus Wyrm. In fact, there was also the former Lord of the Abyss within it.
Stephen would never have dreamed that the bond Lin Li signed with the Humerus Wyrm would not require the powers of the Magic Lamp. In fact, the Summoning Lamp was just a living space for the Humerus Wyrm.
It was lucky for Stephen be still of use to Lin Li. Otherwise, he would not be just trapped by the Lord of Nightmares, but turn into minced meat under the feet of the Humerus Wyrm.
“T-this… What is this…?” Hutton gaped. He could not comprehend the ongoing events.
“Nothing much, I’m just borrowing Mage Stephen’s dream…” Lin Li replied as he retrieved the Summoning Lamp from Stephen.
Of course, he would never reveal more. It concerned too many secrets.
However, these words were enough to drown Hutton in his sweat.
The treachery of the young President was beyond the imagination of common men. Every single word could be one of his traps, and every single action might let his enemies fall beyond redemption. Hutton knew he had made a wise decision to please the man after realizing the danger involved. Otherwise, he would be the other person being trapped in that black fog.
“But, Mage Felic, what should we do next? Are we going to leave Stephen here?”
“Leave him here? Hmph, how would there be such an easy way out? I’ve spent so much time digging this pit, and you want me to give all the space to Stephen? Now that the bastard Lord had been watching the free show for quite a while, it’s time to pay for the ticket now…” Lin Li smirked as he found the crimson piece of soul fragment very quickly…
“Connoris, go and unlock all the cages.”
“Damn it, how do you know…?” Connoris jumped on Lin Li’s back. His voice was filled with disbelief.
“Are you curious about why I knew you can unlock these cages?” Lin Li responded Connoris’s shock with a smile. “Because I want to know…”
“F*ck you…” Connoris cussed, but proceeded to get down from Lin Li’s back. He started to open the cages with some unusual recitation.
