Chapter 203: Dawn Star Rank Experience Card

Chapter 203: Dawn Star Rank Experience Card

"What do you plan to do?" Madame Ellen asked in return. "You and I both understand the Altar's rules. Once you enter, you can't enter again unless..."

"Unless we find something special."

Valen continued, a complex glimmer flashing in his eyes: "Something possessing Full Mage strength, yet unrestricted by the Full Mage limitations."

His gaze locked directly onto Madame Ellen: "For instance, someone whose normal power always remains below that of a Full Mage due to special circumstances."

Madame Ellen's smile instantly froze: "You want me to go inside?"

"Yes." Valen nodded, his voice carrying a trace of entreaty. "Though you possess Full Mage strength, technically speaking, you're not a true 'Full Mage' yet. The Bloodline Altar's restrictions should be ineffective against you."

"You've got it all figured out." Madame Ellen sneered. "Want me to risk entering a possibly uncontrollable foreign space? On what basis?"

Valen took a deep breath, seemingly suppressing some emotion: "Ai Lun, this isn't just about Crystal Spire's interests. If that clone is truly as powerful as Eliot described, once it fully develops, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"You still haven't answered my question." Madame Ellen's gaze sharpened: "Why should I help you?"

Valen fell silent for a moment before sighing: "For Luo En's sake. If the clone goes out of control, Luo En himself would most likely end up hurt. And this time, the problem's cause might be far more complicated than just Luo En's Abyss artifact..."

"You're saying someone's interfering?"

Madame Ellen stepped closer, her mana fluctuations from the potion's effects still powerful, but now her tone carried concern: "Someone tampered with the Bloodline Altar?"

"This possibility cannot be ruled out." Valen mused. "Ever since the last incident when the Abyss Eye was discovered operating inside the School, we've strengthened our defenses across the board. However, due to the Bloodline Altar's unique spatial attributes, it's always been an area difficult to fully control."

"Let's not dwell on these matters for now." Madame Ellen waved a hand, her emerald eyes revealing slight anxiety. "But you're right - our immediate priority is ensuring the safety of those inside the Altar. I'll go in, but on one condition."

"If it doesn't exceed my capabilities, I'll agree." Valen frowned slightly, reluctantly promising.

"Luo En Lalf is my student."

Madame Ellen's eyes sharpened: "I want you to guarantee you won't force him into a Soul Contract with Crystal Spire."

Valen's expression turned complex.

As a member of Crystal Spire, he had the duty to discover and recruit various prodigies.

According to Eliot's description, Luo En's potential clearly surpassed that of ordinary apprentices, possibly even excelling among Crystal Spire's elite.

Such a prodigy, by tradition, needed to be bound to Crystal Spire through a Soul Contract.

Yet, he and Ai Lun were old acquaintances.

He understood clearly that if he didn't agree to this condition, Ai Lun would never easily compromise.

Furthermore, if Luo En was truly as terrifying as Eliot described, forcibly binding such a potentially dangerous element might not necessarily benefit Crystal Spire.

"I can promise not to force him into a Contract, using a Verbal Binding form..." Valen spoke cautiously. "But if he volunteers... that's his choice, and I won't interfere."

Though a Dusk Sun Rank mage was controlled by Soul Contracts and Clan Bonding, without an Archmage present, he was still the top combat force, naturally possessing sufficient privileges.

Madame Ellen stared at Valen. Upon hearing the mention of "Verbal Binding", mana light flickered around her body for confirmation.

After confirming, she gave a slight nod: "Acceptable. Since we've established the 'Verbal Binding,' if you break your word..."

"I understand the consequences." Valen interrupted her. "After all, even if you've been imprisoned for over a hundred years, you're still at the Moonlight Rank Peak's strength level. Combined with the Seven-Color Star Dew's enhancement, you could pose a threat to me."

Moreover, between mages of the same Rank who made promises, breaking a Verbal Binding meant countless possible countermeasures could be deployed.

Madame Ellen wore a cold smile: "Glad you still remember that. If you break your promise, I won't hesitate to seize the opportunity."

Valen watched the pink-haired witch's back disappear into the portal, his eyes flashing with concern.

Crystal Spire's squad losses had already exceeded acceptable limits. If any more accidents occurred, he'd find it difficult to explain to Crystal Spire's upper echelons.

Yet simultaneously, Luo En's astonishing potential offered him a glimmer of hope.

If he could bring such a prodigy back to Crystal Spire, perhaps it could offset the losses from this expedition.

"May everything proceed smoothly." Valen whispered to himself, beginning preparations to handle any potential emergencies.

...

"Daire, you felt it too, didn't you?" Luo En stopped in his tracks, his brows slightly furrowed.

The air in the distance seemed to thicken, and a chilling energy fluctuation radiated from that direction.

That oppressive pressure felt almost tangible, suffocating in its intensity.

It was practically indistinguishable from a Full Mage's aura, perhaps even more eerie and dangerous in certain aspects.

Daire also sensed the anomaly; her recently evolved purely golden pupils slightly constricted: "Master, what's over there? It feels terrifying."

"I'm not certain, but definitely dangerous."

Luo En calmly evaluated the situation, his fingers unconsciously touching the Puppet Substitute at his waist, feeling its faint but persistent vibration.

He turned toward Cui Xi and Holt beside him: "The energy fluctuation ahead already approaches Full Mage levels. I suggest you both retreat now."

Holt hesitated slightly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the newly reconstructed Golem Core: "If we work together..."

"No." Luo En interrupted, his tone unusually firm. "That energy fluctuation has already surpassed what High Apprentices can handle. Continuing forward would only distract me."

Cui Xi keenly observed Luo En's expression change, understanding flashing in her brown eyes: "You plan to face this alone?"

She paused briefly, "Or is there something over there related to you?"

Luo En didn't respond directly, but a rare solemnity flickered in his eyes: "I indeed have something I must handle."

In his perception, the Puppet Substitute at his waist vibrated increasingly strongly, as if being drawn by the distant presence.

Cui Xi and Holt exchanged glances, both reading the same message in each other's eyes - Luo En had already made his decision, and they truly couldn't help.

"I collected several special Abyss plant seeds and some moss that can directly perceive emotions." Cui Xi sighed, her fingers lightly caressing the Storage Bag at her waist. "While it's somewhat regrettable we couldn't reach the deepest areas, the harvest already exceeds expectations."

Holt nodded as well, his eyes showing some helplessness: "My Earth Elemental Golem needs readjustment of its fusion ratio with Crystallized Bone. My current condition isn't suitable for high-intensity combat anyway."

He looked at Luo En, concern evident in his eyes: "If you insist on advancing forward, at least promise us one thing."

"What?"

"If you ever feel outmatched, use your Emblem to escape immediately."

Holt's voice carried unusual severity. "Don't be reckless. Nothing matters more than staying alive."

Luo En offered a slight smile, nodding his agreement. "I will."

Cui Xi cast one final glance at Luo En, her brown hair darkened unnaturally under the bloody light. "Don't do anything foolish."

Before he could respond, she activated her Emblem.

A flash of white light, and her form vanished from the spot.

Holt followed suit, triggering his Emblem while leaving behind a final whisper:

"Survive this. The sequence's top spot might change hands soon."

With both teammates gone, only Luo En and Daire remained on the platform.

The crystal barrier's edge pulsed with increasingly eerie light, mimicking the breathing rhythm of some Abyssal Creature.

"Master. That thing over there seems to be searching for you."

Daire spoke with trembling voice, golden eyes flickering with unease.

"Daire, return to the Storage Bag first."

Luo En's quiet command brooked no argument, his tone calm yet firm. "What's coming next exceeds anything you can handle."

The Little Siren hesitated, words caught in her throat before she finally nodded, obediently vanishing into the Storage Bag.

After their departure, Luo En inhaled deeply, feeling his power surge through his veins.

"It's time."

He drew forth his silver Timekeeper pocket watch, fingers tracing its intricate surface patterns while sensing the profound mana within. This was one of his ultimate trump cards—capable of brief yet decisive temporal stasis.

Simultaneously, he extended his consciousness into Thousand Shifting Shadows, awakening the horrifying spell eternally preserved in perfect Record: Youni Mentor's "Phoenix Immortal Breath."

This spell far exceeded his current control limits, like a trickle of water attempting to tame a tidal wave. Once unleashed, even he couldn't predict the full extent of its destructive radius.

Yet precisely this level of devastation was what he needed now.

Removing his Puppet Substitute from the waistband, Luo En felt its subtle energy fluctuations.

"Absorbing this unique existence... I wonder how much this will boost my Charging."

He mused silently, gaze sharpening.

Moving cautiously toward the energy source, each step was deliberate and precise. His spiritual energy surged, prepared for any sudden threat.

Finally, passing through the last mist-veiled corridor, Luo En beheld the terrifying presence emanating from—

A colossal crimson-gold cocoon suspended at the crystal platform's center. Over three meters across, its surface rippled with living mana patterns—alternating between human vascular networks and ancient rune-like formations, emitting heart-pounding energy waves.

The space around the giant chrysalis visibly twisted, warped by invisible gravitational fields creating concentric ripples.

As Luo En entered the area, the cocoon violently trembled—as though sensing a predator's approach.

Its surface patterns accelerated, fine cracks appearing across the previously smooth shell. The entity inside seemed desperate to break free.

Luo En understood instantly—the being within had perceived his arrival, accelerating its metamorphosis to complete its final transformation phase.

No time for hesitation.

"Bite the second hand!"

Muttering the activation phrase, he triggered the pocket watch's ability.

A sharp black mana beam erupted from the dial, instantly engulfing the target.

—Time Stasis

For a brief 0.5 seconds, the area around the cocoon froze. Air solidified, dust suspended, even the writhing surface stilled completely—like an insect trapped in amber.

Without delay, Luo En unleashed the terrifying spell sealed within Thousand Shifting Shadows' Record:

—Record·Phoenix Immortal Breath!

A lifelike firebird burst from his palm, each feather meticulously rendered, each flame burning with pure destructive force. Not ordinary fire, but fluidic high-energy plasma containing power far beyond his own limits.

The bird carved an elegant arc through air, unstoppable in its charge toward the time-frozen cocoon.

From within the cocoon, a single crimson-gold eye burned through the surface. Cold and bestial, it flickered with unmistakable terror at the incoming inferno.

The entity thrashed against its temporal prison, but Time Stasis remained unyielding. Already mid-metamorphosis, it existed in its most vulnerable transitional state—like an insect trapped in amber, powerless to escape impending doom.

"No—"

A distorted yet familiar voice shrieked from within, filled with despair and rage.

The firebird's impact came without mercy.

The crystal platform seemed to tear apart as the collision erupted in blinding white light—bright enough to scorch retinas. For a moment, time and space froze in eerie silence.

Then the detonation.

A cataclysmic explosion rivaling a meteor impact spread from the cocoon in all directions. The invisible shockwave shattered crystal pillars, cracked the ground, and ignited the very air as concentric mana rings radiated outward.

Following closely came a fireball cluster over several meters wide, its mana concentration so intense it warped light itself—producing gravitational lensing effects. Within the flames flickered grotesque forms—faces, claws, tentacles, eyes—countless lives seemingly torn apart and reassembled simultaneously.

Luo En activated Flowing Barrier the moment of detonation, completely enveloping himself. Even a hundred meters from ground zero, the impact nearly shattered his protection.

The Flowing Barrier compressed to its limit, thousands of fractures spiderwebbing across its surface, threatening collapse. Inside, Luo En felt searing heat and crushing pressure—as though trapped in a massive melting furnace. His skin flushed red, sweat evaporating mid-fall. His lungs felt leaden, each breath agony.

The explosion raged for nearly thirty seconds—its intensity and destruction eclipsing anything Luo En had witnessed at such proximity.

When silence returned, the crystal platform lay unrecognizable. What was once smooth ground now formed a hundred-meter-wide crater, shattered crystal pillars littering the edges. The central area's crystals had melted into a thin glassy layer, still radiating suffocating heat.

Luo En slowly released his protection, sweat-soaked through his clothes.

Without my strongest defense, that blast would've annihilated everything within hundreds of meters.

"This is a Full Mage-level strike—yet only at Dawn Star Rank's peak. Not even reaching Moonlight Rank."

He murmured, eyes reflecting both awe and longing.

Shaking off lingering thoughts, he cautiously surveyed the battlefield. The epicenter held nothing—no energy fluctuations remained.

"Did I succeed?" He exhaled, maintaining high alertness.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end