Chapter 192: Mana Pressure!

Chapter 192: Mana Pressure!

The sky above Black Mist Jungle was unusually clear, its usual faint mist completely vanished.

Even the permanent black mists that typically clung to the treetops had dissipated entirely, as if preparing for the arrival of something significant.

In the central plaza of the School, dozens of apprentices were methodically completing the final preparations for the ritual ceremony.

High Apprentices, dressed uniformly in purple-edged robes, stood solemnly on either side of the plaza.

Each one carefully controlled their breathing and posture, fearful that any slight sign of disrespect might provoke disciplinary action from their superiors.

Meanwhile, Elementary Apprentices busied themselves scrubbing the ground, using fine brushes and special potions to polish every stone tile until they gleamed like new.

Members of the Enforcement Team appeared in every corner, fully armed and alert. Their eyes remained watchful, hands poised to cast spells at a moment’s notice.

Luo En stood with other Sequence members at the plaza’s edge.

He wore a freshly pressed purple-edged robe, a silver badge pinning his status as a Backup Mage Sequence member to his chest. His expression remained calm, but his eyes betrayed caution and curiosity.

"Unusual indeed", murmured Cui Xi from beside him, her long brown hair neatly pinned back—uncharacteristically formal compared to her usual casual style. "Fuyuanzhang personally ordering all Sequence members to attend this ritual? Who exactly is this visitor from Crystal Spire?"

Luo En shook his head slightly. "Unclear. But judging by the scale of preparations, at least a Moonlight Rank mage."

Of course, he wouldn’t say he already knew—the visitor was actually a terrifying Dusk Sun Rank mage.

His gaze swept the plaza, noting that nearly all Full Mages had arrived.

Mentors like Soren, Youni, and Maxim, usually reclusive, were all present.

Most striking was Fuyuanzhang Hayaek himself, standing near the ritual formation’s edge.

Rarely seen without his formal attire, today he wore a ceremonial robe with purple fabric and silver-trimmed edges. His expression was grave as his eyes repeatedly flicked toward the sky, clearly anticipating something.

Suddenly, an unusual energy fluctuation rippled from the heavens—so powerful it seemed to freeze the air across the entire plaza.

Every gaze lifted skyward, including those of the Full Mages.

At first, it appeared as a small black dot, but as it approached, the silhouette became unmistakable.

A massive Gargoyle, at least seven to eight meters tall, with wings spanning an astonishing fifteen meters.

Its head was grotesque, eyes blazing with blood-red light. A hard, stone-like scale covered its body.

Yet unlike ordinary gargoyles, this colossal creature appeared constructed from some semi-transparent obsidian material. Flickering lights and intricate mechanical structures shimmered within.

Each wingbeat left twisting mana residue in the air, and a mana field surrounded its body, isolating it from external interference.

"That… that’s a Gargoyle Airship!"

An apprentice gasped in awe, their voice trembling with disbelief.

Luo En himself widened his eyes.

Though Gargoyle Airships were Crystal Spire’s iconic transport, described in countless books, seeing one in person still sent shivers down the spine.

Such seamless fusion of biology and machinery surpassed ordinary alchemy—it required deep mastery of soul extraction and implantation.

Every motion of the Airship was fluid and natural—soaring, gliding, diving, decelerating—executed with precision and elegance as if it were a living creature rather than an artificial construct.

"They say there’s a complete soul core inside", Cui Xi whispered, her voice tinged with fear. "A mage who ‘voluntarily’ contributed their soul to continue serving Crystal Spire..."

When the Gargoyle Airship finally landed on the central formation, the plaza fell into absolute silence. Everyone held their breath.

The massive stone wings folded slowly. Red eyes dimmed. The giant body stilled completely, resembling an exquisite sculpture.

"There’s a hatch on its back…" Luo En observed keenly. A cabin-like structure hid within the gargoyle’s spine, edges sealed with precise runic enchantments.

With a metallic sliding sound, the hatch opened, emitting soft golden light.

A figure emerged.

A man seemingly in his fifties, clad in simple gray robes without ornamentation or insignia. His face was ordinary, a square jawline framing short gray beard and tidily combed hair already streaked with silver.

Of average build, neither tall nor short.

His demeanor was gentle and composed, like a common scholar.

Placed among ordinary people, no one would give him a second glance—his unremarkable appearance might even cause him to be overlooked.

Yet the moment his feet touched the ground—

An explosive pressure erupted from his body, sweeping the plaza like a tsunami!

Not an intentional display, but natural mana overflow, as if his mere existence formed a colossal mana vortex, impossible to fully contain within flesh.

This mana pressure dwarfed any mage Luo En had encountered—hundreds, even thousands of times stronger!

"Such overwhelming mana pressure!"

Luo En felt his breath constricted, as if an invisible mountain pressed on his chest, lungs unable to expand.

More terrifying—his spiritual energy went completely haywire, chaotic and uncontrollable. Even basic spell formations became impossible.

Glancing around, he saw all Backup Mage Sequence members suffering the same predicament:

Some nearly collapsed to their knees, faces pale and trembling.

Others sweated profusely, eyes wide with terror.

Only the Full Mages, though grim-faced and sweating, managed to maintain their composure. Even so, their breathing quickened, clearly strained under the force.

Yet the most shocking part: this mana leakage lasted less than a second before the visitor retracted it completely, reverting to his unassuming appearance.

That terrifying pressure vanished as if it never existed.

Yet that fleeting moment revealed an undeniable truth:

This seemingly ordinary middle-aged man was a true Dusk Sun Rank mage!

A power surpassing Moonlight Rank, bordering Archmage!

"Welcome, Master Valen."

Fuyuanzhang Hayaek stepped forward, his voice carrying rare tension.

The Dusk Sun Rank mage known as Valen gave a slight nod. His voice was gentle and calm, as gentle as a spring breeze over a lake.

"Hayaek, it’s been a while. I’ve come regarding the Bloodline Altar activation. I hope I haven’t disrupted the School’s routine."

His tone was utterly ordinary, no hint of arrogance, like a scholar chatting with a colleague.

"Not at all. Your presence is precisely what we anticipated."

Hayaek responded warmly, his deference deepening:

"Everything’s prepared as requested. The Bloodline Altar’s mana nodes have been fully awakened, awaiting your personal guidance."

Valen’s gaze slowly swept the plaza, those brown eyes seeming to pierce all illusions.

"These are the Backup Mage Sequence members?"

He asked, interest lacing his tone.

"Indeed. Our School’s most outstanding apprentices. They’ll participate in the Bloodline Altar trial."

Hayaek introduced proudly:

"A few have shown exceptional potential, particularly those within the top ten Sequence ranks."

Valen nodded slightly. "Excellent. Youth always brings hope. I look forward to their performance at the altar."

Turning to Hayaek:

"Then, old friend, let’s begin the ritual. Beforehand, I’d like to inspect the altar’s condition. Last time I visited Black Mist Jungle, I noticed instability in the northern quadrant’s mana nodes. Hopefully, they’ve been repaired."

"Of course. Please follow me."

Hayaek gestured outward, leading Valen from the plaza. Other prominent Full Mages trailed behind.

As the Archmages departed, the plaza’s tension gradually eased.

Many exhaled deeply, as if surviving a life-threatening trial.

Their legs still trembled, requiring support from walls or companions to stand.

"T-That was… terrifying…"

Cui Xi voice still quivered, her face pale with lingering fear:

"That was the power of a Dusk Sun Rank mage? Just standing there, suffocating the entire plaza?"

Luo En didn’t answer immediately, his heartbeat not yet steadied.

He even felt his spiritual energy channels slightly disrupted from the shock, needing time to normalize.

"This… is the path I’m pursuing?"

He asked himself, heart filled with yearning: "Such terrifying power—mere breath of aura sufficient to crush subordinates into dust?"

"Luo En? Are you alright?" Cui Xi’s voice broke his thoughts, concern in her eyes.

"Ah, sorry."

He refocused, taking a deep breath to steady himself:

"That power… completely beyond imagination. For a moment, I felt my spiritual energy utterly suppressed."

He surveyed the plaza—many apprentices still trembled faintly.

For some with weaker wills, that brief horror might have left permanent scars.

"Master Valen… so ordinary in appearance, yet wielding such terrifying strength."

Cui Xi whispered, awe and fear mingling in her eyes:

"They say even Crystal Spire has few Dusk Sun Rank mages."

Luo En nodded:

"What stunned me was his control. That power burst was clearly intentional, yet precisely limited to one second—displaying authority without causing harm. Such mastery… perhaps even more awe-inspiring than the power itself."

"Why do you think he did that?" Cui Xi asked curiously:

"A mage of that strength wouldn’t need to prove himself this way, would he?"

"Perhaps… it was a lesson", Luo En mused. "For true superiors, a single thought could shatter the weak’s body and mind."

The apprentices gradually dispersed, returning to their duties or quarters.

But Luo En noticed subtle changes in their eyes—some burned with renewed determination, the flames of ambition rekindled.

The arrival of a Dusk Sun Rank mage had, in some way, reshaped these young apprentices’ perspectives.

"Luo En, what are you thinking?" Cui Xi noticed his distant gaze.

"I was wondering…" His voice lowered, eyes flashing rare intensity:

"Crystal Spire… what kind of place it must be. To cultivate such beings, its knowledge, resources, and opportunities must far exceed our wildest imaginations."

Cui Xi nodded, her own eyes briefly gleaming with longing.

They walked silently back, each lost in thoughts about their future paths.

Occasional passing apprentices cast envious glances their way—those chosen for the Bloodline Altar trial carried an honor all their own.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end