Chapter 209: Lich King

Chapter 209: Lich King

Cui Xi's voice carried barely concealed astonishment: "You've already completed the bloodline formulation?"

She remembered Ai Lan as a common tree spirit during their last meeting—though already possessing some intelligence, her form had remained distinctly plant-like, far removed from humanoid shape.

Yet the elegant woman before her now completely shattered Cui Xi's preconceived notions about tree spirits.

Ai Lan smiled gently, her expression blending warmth with quiet pride:

"Yes, Miss Cui Xi. Thanks to Master's bloodline formulation techniques, I've restored myself to a form resembling our ancient ancestors."

Cui Xi glanced at Luo En again, her gaze now carrying deeper respect. She needed to reassess this peer's true capabilities and innate talent:

"Your bloodline formulation skills truly live up to their reputation. Transforming a common tree spirit to this degree must place you near professional modifier standards."

As someone mentored by a Full Mage, her knowledge base was formidable.

Precisely because of this, she understood the immense difficulty of bloodline formulation. Even seasoned modifiers would struggle to elevate a common tree spirit this far. Such success required not just solid theoretical foundations, but profound understanding of life's essence and terrifyingly precise operational techniques.

"Luo En", Cui Xi set down her teacup, her lips curving into a smile, "Your workshop thrives, and your gains from the Bloodline Altar are impressive. Clearly, you're in excellent condition recently."

Without needing instructions, Ai Lan's vines had already delivered tea to her master.

As for Liliya—who often assisted him—she'd been suffering severe nervous exhaustion. After finally relaxing yesterday, she'd slept through the night and still hadn't woken.

"Thanks to the Bloodline Altar's blessings." Luo En sat opposite her, observing Cui Xi's transformation.

The young woman's aura had matured, her long brown hair neatly coiled at her nape, revealing her gracefully elongated neck.

The most noticeable change was her skin. Already fair, it now seemed translucent, faint green patterns visible beneath—a clear sign her Forest Elves bloodline had awakened further.

Her presence felt fresher, like morning dew in a forest, brimming with vibrant vitality.

To Luo En—who intimately understood bloodline traits—this transformation was unmistakable.

Cui Xi's Forest Elves bloodline had at least 20% more purification. For someone already possessing this bloodline, this was extraordinarily significant progress.

Evidently, even without the Bloodline Altar's dramatic metamorphosis, she was advancing remarkably every day.

"You've come specifically to visit?" Luo En asked, his tone calm yet appropriately curious.

Cui Xi's eyes flickered with complex emotions, as if hesitating how to begin. Her fingers absently traced the teacup's rim—a habitual gesture when deep in thought:

"I've come to bid farewell. Day after tomorrow, I'll depart with Mentor aboard Master Valen's Gargoyle to Crystal Spire."

Her voice carried subtle reluctance, though she maintained a mage's composure.

For an instant, something deeper than friendship flashed through her eyes—then vanished behind carefully erected walls.

"So soon decided?" Luo En straightened, surprised. "I thought you'd have preparation time."

Valen's departure was scheduled for two days hence. Kelinna seemed impatient to leave Black Mist Jungle with her student.

"Our original plan was months of preparation." Cui Xi nodded, her long fingers still dancing on the teacup as if drawing comfort from the simple motion:

"But the Bloodline Altar incident changed Mentor's mind. She believes Black Mist School is no longer safe—especially for apprentices with unique bloodlines like mine."

She inhaled deeply, her gaze hardening:

"Mentor said Abyss Eye's activities have reached the School's Core Area. More Abyss Fusion Entities like that 'Awakening Being' might emerge. My safety seems paramount to her."

When mentioning Kelinna, affection colored Cui Xi's tone—an unexpected warmth that intrigued Luo En.

After all, he remembered the silver-haired mage as cold and ruthless. Imagining her prioritizing an apprentice's safety felt strange.

After a brief silence, Cui Xi suddenly smiled—a rare, carefree expression.

"Actually, you might not know—Mentor's private self differs vastly from her icy public persona."

"Oh?" Luo En raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

Cui Xi's eyes sparkled with unusual lightness, her lips curving warmly:

"She appears as cold as glacial peaks, always wearing that white mask. In private, she's practically a complete klutz."

Seeing Luo En's skeptical look, her smile deepened:

"Don't believe me? She doesn't even know how to properly brew tea—boils water scalding hot then pours it straight on leaves. The tea always turns bitter and harsh.

Once I complained slightly, she actually got angry, declaring she 'scorns studying such inferior techniques!'"

Mimicking Kelinna's voice with exaggerated haughtiness, Cui Xi made even Luo En chuckle.

"She also loves playing pranks", Cui Xi continued, resignation in her voice:

"Sometimes she'd appear in my room at midnight, scaring me into nearly casting defensive spells. Then she'd hand me warm milk, saying it was 'checking my alertness.'"

Shaking her head, her smile broadened.

These teacher-student tidbits revealed an entirely new Kelinna—utterly different from the silver-haired mage who chilled spines.

"Actually", Cui Xi's expression turned complex, hesitation in her eyes, "I'd signed a ten-year service contract with the School for resource allocation. But Mentor directly paid my remaining contract debt, freeing me entirely from the School's obligations."

Luo En raised an eyebrow—this information wasn't new to him even during his Elementary Apprentice days.

The School often provided resources to talented apprentices in exchange for service contracts. Without someone assuming remaining contract responsibilities, such agreements were nearly unbreakable.

"Of course, this means I'm now fully bonded to her."

Cui Xi sighed, watching ripples in her teacup:

"But considering our relatively harmonious relationship, it's not a negative."

She lifted her gaze to meet Luo En's directly:

"Crystal Spire offers broader resources and knowledge. For people like us, it opens more possibilities."

Luo En detected subtle undertones in her voice—a veiled suggestion he should consider transferring there too.

But he merely smiled, neither agreeing nor opposing.

"Then, since you'll soon arrive at Crystal Spire, surely you understand its detailed situation?"

He asked tentatively, steering the conversation toward his interests.

"Of course." Cui Xi set down her teacup, eyes shining with longing:

"Mentor showed me countless images and memory fragments of Crystal Spire. Its scale and magnificence surpass my imagination."

Her voice warmed with passion:

"They say their resources and knowledge dwarf Black Mist School's by multiples—especially in Transcendent Biology, where they lead cutting-edge research.

Mentor mentioned the newly constructed 'Life Library' holds detailed records on tens of thousands of extraordinary creatures—from external morphology to internal organs, behavioral habits to bloodline traits, nothing missing."

Cui Xi paused, her gaze deepening:

"Beyond that, Crystal Spire possesses a complete Enchantment discipline—a rarity unheard of elsewhere.

They say only by grasping Enchantment's core secrets can one pursue the 'Ancient Alchemist' advanced path."

“Ancient Alchemist,” Luo En murmured softly, repeating the title that had long been his ultimate aspiration.

Legends claimed only those who mastered both alchemy and enchantment could earn the title of “Ancient Alchemist”—individuals daring enough to pursue the forbidden realms of the “Philosopher’s Stone” and “Artificial Life Synthesis.”

“But even those are nearly myths now.”

Cui Xi added with a sigh of regret.

“The last true Ancient Alchemist passed away over a thousand years ago. Today, barely a handful can claim mastery over all three disciplines, and even fewer remain within the Crystal Spire.”

Luo En sipped his tea, hiding his turbulent thoughts.

He already knew this information. His real focus lay deeper—on the Crystal Spire’s secrets that might shape his future.

“What about the power structure of the Crystal Spire?” he asked, his mind already weaving plans.

Cui Xi glanced warily around before lowering her voice. “The Spire is divided into several major mage clans and a few independent mages. At the top sits the ‘Crown Clan.’ Their ancestors are said to have produced one of the Great Ones.”

“The Great Ones?”

The term referred to the Lich King, a title reserved for beings beyond even Archmages.

Luo En’s eyes widened. Lich Kings were legends—rare even in the annals of the Abyssal Continent Cluster.

In the mage hierarchy, Dawn Star Rank mages ascended to Moonlight Rank, then Dusk Sun Rank, followed by Archmages. Beyond them stood the Lich Kings—the highest known tier.

At that level, they transcended mortal existence, manipulating dimensions, time, fate, and the very fabric of reality. Even native deities of distant planes often fell before their might.

“Don’t look so shocked,” Cui Xi said, smirking at his astonishment. “Though it sounds incredible, Mentor confirmed it.

Lich Kings wield such power they rarely remain in the primary world. Their mere presence could destabilize reality, warping ecosystems and distorting space itself. That’s why most venture beyond the Star Gate to conquer other realms after reaching that stage, maintaining only the faintest connections to our world.”

Cui Xi paused, her gaze sharpening as if sharing a treasured secret.

“Still, bloodlines matter. From Full Mages onward, descendants inherit magical talent at far higher rates than commoners. By the time a family reaches Archmage status, their bloodline almost guarantees at least a few Full Mages per generation. That’s how mage clans form.”

Luo En nodded thoughtfully. This held true across most transcendent professions.

“So even after countless generations, Crown Clan descendants still produce prodigies far more often than ordinary Archmage clans.”

Cui Xi’s voice carried envy. “The most gifted among them gain the Lich King’s favor, securing their dominance within the Crystal Spire.”

Luo En exhaled softly, awe stirring in his chest. The Spire’s reputation as a transcendent hub now felt justified.

“Speaking of which,” Cui Xi’s eyes gleamed with mischief, “I spotted some ancient enchantment texts on Mentor’s shelf. If you’re interested, I might ‘borrow’ copies someday.”

A smile tugged at Luo En’s lips. He hardly needed her risking herself for him.

“No need,” he said casually. “I’ll find my own books if I’m serious about enchantment.”

Cui Xi nodded, approval flickering in her eyes. She’d expected nothing less.

Suddenly, her expression turned playful—a side of her Luo En rarely saw.

“I have a wager.”

“A wager?” Intrigued, he leaned forward.

“Let’s bet on who becomes a Full Mage first.”

She tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear, reclining lazily. “The loser fulfills one request from the winner. Deal?”

Luo En raised an eyebrow, a competitive spark igniting. “What’s your angle?”

Cui Xi’s smile deepened as she placed a small crystal orb on the table. “A pair of Mana Resonance Spheres from Mentor. When either of us reaches Full Mage, the mana resonance will trigger automatically.”

He examined the orb. Silver mist swirled within its glassy surface. A transcendent perception scan revealed no traps—only exquisite craftsmanship.

“Fair enough,” he said, returning the orb. “Mentor made them?”

“With his own hands,” Cui Xi said proudly. “The resonance activates instantly upon reaching Full Mage thresholds.”

Their eyes met, a silent challenge passing between them.

After a pause, Luo En rose and fetched a carved wooden box from a cabinet.

“This was meant to be your farewell gift,” he said, placing it before her. “But it seems fated to arrive early.”

Inside lay a staff—emerald vines intertwined with a crystalline leaf glowing softly. The scent of rain-soaked forests filled the air as the box opened.

“This…!” Cui Xi’s breath hitched, her hand trembling as she halted inches from the staff. “Life Leaf? Even for Ai Lan as an Ancient Tree Fairy, this must be rare…”

“You deserve it,” Luo En said. “The vines amplify natural spells, and your Forest Elves’ blood(End of Chapter)

Chapter end