Chapter 221: "Void Spider" Magus

Chapter 221: "Void Spider" Magus

In the unspoken rules of the Transcendent World, forging connections with such beings is far more valuable than commanding entire armies.

"Grandfather immediately decided to support me, which dramatically transformed the situation. Soon after, the seasoned veterans who understood mageworld operations shifted their allegiance toward me. In the Royal Capital's power games, reverence for transcendent power has always been the strongest bargaining chip."

Luo En chuckled, unsurprised by this transformation. In any world, power remains the most direct passport.

As Andie's strength and background were revealed, the nobles who once looked down on him scrambled to change their attitudes, eager to befriend this rising prince.

The latter half of the letter described a heart-pounding duel.

Andie had requested an Imperial Duel, a traditional method for royal family members to resolve disputes, which no royal bloodline could refuse.

"On the day of the duel, my dear elder brother clearly came prepared", Andie wrote.

"He not only used a precious alchemy artifact to enhance his power but even consumed a forbidden potion to enter a berserker state."

Yet all this preparation proved pitifully inadequate against true power.

"Thank you for crafting my sword and armor", the letter continued.

"They proved decisive in the duel. When my brother's alchemy greatsword struck my breastplate, it left only a shallow scratch. My counterattack pierced his heart—clean and efficient."

The Imperial Duel ended in Andie's decisive victory, cementing his new status within the royal family.

"Now, no one dares consider me the dispensable Thirteenth Prince anymore. The siblings who once mocked me now walk cautiously around me, avoiding eye contact."

Andie's tone shifted, turning to future plans:

"I've begun reorganizing the Royal Guard and expanding my influence within the military. Father's medical condition fluctuates unpredictably—everyone knows his days are numbered. When the time comes, I'll initiate further actions to gradually seize control of the kingdom's key resources. Most importantly, I've started uncovering the Royal Treasury's secrets regarding higher stages of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique..."

The letter concluded with renewed gratitude and inquiries about Luo En's situation and plans:

"Old friend, how does your progress fare? I often recall those days fighting side by side in the Black Mist Jungle. Whatever your plans, remember my promise—when you step into the kingdom, you'll receive the king's highest honor."

Sincerely,
-Andie Falu Ke

After finishing the letter, Luo En's lips curved into a faint smile. He took out paper and began writing his reply:

"Andie,

Receiving your letter brought genuine joy. Your success comes as no surprise, though the speed impresses me.

Everything proceeds as planned on my end. My current priority is sprinting toward Full Mage ascension."

Luo En briefly described his recent achievements and plans, deliberately avoiding True Path details, only mentioning his attempt at ascension.

"If all goes smoothly, I'll complete ascension within two months. As a Full Mage, I plan to visit the Central Lands first. But before that, I'll return to the kingdom to visit family—and catch up with an old friend. Perhaps by then, I'll be addressing 'Your Majesty'?"

He paused, considering how to phrase the next part:

"Regarding the Solar Corona Breathing Technique, proceed with caution. Ancient transcendent lineages often carry unexpected risks. We can discuss specifics after I return to the kingdom.

The throne race is a marathon, not a sprint. Steady accumulation of strength and support, waiting for optimal timing. Remember, a true king needs not just courage and power, but wisdom and patience.

Reply to the Black Mist Jungle Council Hall—I have contacts there to forward messages.

Your friend,
-Luo En Lalf"

Sealing the letter with a special wax seal, he placed it in a mail pouch. He'd arrange for its delivery to the kingdom through special channels later.

"Andie's progress is smooth", Luo En murmured, mentally mapping out future plans.

If Andie ascended the throne smoothly, the Ralph Family would gain powerful political patronage. And once he became a Full Mage, this alliance would solidify further. Then he could return home.

While obtaining the Solar Corona Breathing Technique's final stage, he'd settle all kingdom matters as final preparations for heading to the Central Lands.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Master, breakfast is ready", Liliya's voice came through the door, warm and respectful.

"Understood. Coming shortly." Luo En secured the letter and left the study.

The dining hall featured a lavish breakfast:

A golden omelette exuded an enticing aroma; perfectly cooked bacon lined a white porcelain plate; a vibrant vegetable salad dotted with special seasoning oil; and a steaming pot of rich black tea.

All Liliya's masterpiece—she'd become indispensable to the Workshop.

As Luo En sat, Liliya began serving with practiced elegance.

"Today's bacon roasted a bit longer—I hope it doesn't affect the taste", she said, her voice tinged with nervousness.

He took a bite, nodding approval. "Cooking time was perfect—crispy outside, tender inside. Better than last time."

Her eyes brightened at the praise, a joyful smile spreading. This attention to detail and pursuit of perfection remained her most precious trait.

"By the way, Master", Liliya poured tea while asking, "shall we proceed with today's experiment as scheduled? I've prepared all materials."

"Yes, as planned", he nodded. "How's your purification technique practice?"

"Completed final inspection. Error margin remains within acceptable range." Her crisp response showed her growing proficiency as an experiment assistant after recent professional training.

Luo En nodded again, continuing his meal.

After breakfast, he patrolled the Workshop, inspecting facility operations. Each such inspection brought a unique sense of satisfaction.

This Workshop was his first true "home" in this world—every corner infused with his dedication and wisdom. From the alchemy laboratory's precision instruments to the Potion Making Chamber's distillation equipment; from the small training hall's Protective Formation to the backyard's thriving medicinal herb garden. Each detail reflected its master's relentless pursuit of excellence.

In the backyard, he found Ai Lan watering plants. Vines gently caressed each herb as if communicating.

"Master", Ai Lan turned, emerald eyes gleaming. "The plants are thriving. Especially those seedlings you modified—their adaptation speed exceeds expectations."

She pointed to a quarantined area where sinister-looking plants stood. Their unnaturally deep purple leaves shimmered under sunlight.

"Strengthen monitoring. Quarantine immediately upon detecting abnormal mutation signs", Luo En instructed. "Uncontrolled Abyss plants risk widespread contamination and destruction."

"Understood, Master. I've been closely monitoring their energy fluctuations", Ai Lan replied respectfully.

Next, he checked Daire's training. The Little Siren practiced hydrokinesis in the pool, condensing water into complex shapes with increasingly fluid movements, even assigning simple movement trajectories.

"Master!" Seeing him, Daire joyfully leapt from the water, silver hair gleaming. "Watch my new skill!"

Daire’s hands traced through the air, and dozens of water spires erupted from the lake’s surface.

They swiftly condensed into a water wall before shattering into countless water arrows, all hurtling toward their designated targets.

The entire process was fluid and effortless, showcasing Little Siren’s precise control over the Water Element.

“Good progress,” Luo En nodded approvingly. “But the movements during the transformation could be more concise to reduce mana consumption.”

Daire nodded earnestly, immediately adjusting her motions as instructed.

This was the Workshop’s daily life—peaceful and fulfilling, with everyone constantly refining their skills in their respective roles.

Luo En strolled along the corridor, silently pondering the countdown to the Stellar Ring Convergence.

Everything was proceeding as planned. His preparations were mostly complete, and now he only needed to wait for the critical moment.

“Full Mage.”

That would be his true starting point in this world—a new phase of ascent.

………………

The sixth layer of the Abyss, the “Labyrinth Domain.”

The sky here—if it could even be called a sky—was a nauseating dark purple, occasionally lit by searing crimson lightning that illuminated the complex labyrinth structure below.

The maze was not static but constantly writhing and shifting, like the internal organs of some colossal beast.

The walls were made of a flesh-like substance resembling rock, covered in tiny pores that occasionally spewed glowing gas. These gases formed intricate patterns in the air before vanishing.

The ground was a viscous black substance that emitted unsettling suction sounds with every step, as if something beneath was trying to devour the soul of whoever tread upon it.

At a corner of the labyrinth, a mass of black mist gradually condensed into a humanoid silhouette.

This was the Holy Disk Master’s original body.

Unlike the cloned body destroyed by Madame Ellen at the Bloodline Altar, this form was stronger and more mutated.

Half his face had completely melted into a writhing mass of flesh, sprouting dozens of eyes of varying sizes, each glowing with madness.

The other half retained human traits—pale skin and a sharp, piercing gaze.

His right side was fully mutated, the arm elongated more than three times its original length, fingers sharpened into bone blades.

The left side barely maintained human form, though its skin was covered in countless tiny black runes, like parasites squirming beneath the surface.

The monstrous figure struggled to rise, spitting out a glob of dark, viscous liquid, its eyes flickering with pain.

“Damn that Ai Lun,” the Holy Disk Master hissed under his breath. “Never thought that half-crippled old hag still retained such immense power.”

His voice was rasping and guttural, each word making the mutated eyes twitch violently.

“My cloned body was completely destroyed, severing all ties to this original form. Fortunately, I had prepared in advance, dispersing part of my consciousness into the core. Otherwise, even this original body might have suffered severe damage.”

The Holy Disk Master scanned his surroundings, trying to determine his exact location.

But in the Labyrinth Domain, direction and distance were relative concepts, and even the flow of time was distorted.

“I must find the exit quickly and return to the surface world.”

He muttered to himself, urgency creeping into his voice. “The plan cannot be interrupted.”

Just then, the space around him twisted violently.

The walls rippled like water, and the black substance beneath the ground began boiling, emitting a grating hiss.

A suffocating pressure surged from all directions, thickening the air until it felt like congealed blood, impossible to circulate.

The Holy Disk Master’s pupils constricted sharply, a primal fear etched into his soul.

He recognized this energy fluctuation all too well—something several tiers stronger than himself was approaching!

“The Throne Holder.”

His voice trembled, the mutated eyes spinning wildly as they sought an escape route.

Yet in the Labyrinth Domain, escape was futile.

Especially against the true Abyss Overlords.

The space shattered like glass, revealing endless void beyond.

A shadow emerged from the fissure.

Its form was so vast that the Holy Disk Master had to tilt his head back just to see its outline.

“Kneel, my servant.”

A voice echoed in his mind—not spoken through soundwaves, but imprinted directly onto his soul.

The Holy Disk Master’s knees buckled uncontrollably, slamming him to the ground.

He didn’t even attempt resistance.

In the Abyss’s Core Area, facing the Supreme Apostle, any resistance was mere futility.

The spatial rift widened further, revealing more figures.

They varied in form but shared an oppressive aura that choked the air.

The first to emerge was a sinister humanoid entity.

Its body was woven from countless slender black threads, continuously weaving, separating, and reorganizing, making its form impossible to pin down.

The only constant feature was a pale spider mask embedded in the center of its thread-woven “head.”

The mask bore no facial features, only nine vertically aligned eyes, each a different color, shimmering like stars in the cosmos.

The threads composing its body extended in all directions, vanishing into the void’s darkness, as if connecting to countless parallel worlds.

The “Void Spider” Magus—the leader of the Supreme Apostles.

The Holy Disk Master dared not gaze directly at the mask, keeping his head bowed in submission.

From behind the Magus, two more figures emerged from the spatial rift.

One was a slender figure covered in ornate silver scales, fully armored except for half its face.

That exposed half was breathtakingly beautiful, flawlessly sculpted like a masterpiece, yet exuding an alien beauty beyond human comprehension.

Its eyes were pure silver, devoid of pupils, yet piercing through all illusions.

The “Metamorphosis Daughter” Yi Sha Bei La—the intelligence controller of the Supreme Apostles.

The other figure defied all biological comprehension.

It appeared as a shifting mass of mist, within which countless tiny stars flickered.

The mist alternately condensed into humanoid form or dissipated into a stellar nebula, except for the gray-black heart at its core, which remained unchanged.

The heart was covered in eyes—of different species, from humans to abyssal creatures, all-encompassing.

The eyes blinked ceaselessly, as if observing the transformations of countless worlds.

The “Formless Mist” Nas—the Time Watcher of the Supreme Apostles.

The Holy Disk Master’s body began trembling uncontrollably.

To witness three Supreme Apostles at once was an “honor” that usually meant a fate worse than death.

“Raise your head, Holy Disk.”

The Magus’s voice echoed in his mind again, calm as if discussing the weather.

“You need not fear. We summoned you today for an important task.”

The Holy Disk Master hesitated briefly before slowly lifting his head, wisely avoiding direct eye contact with the nine eyes on the spider mask.

“Your Majesty… I have failed. My cloned body was completely destroyed by that woman, Ai Lun.”

His voice trembled with remorse and fear. “I betrayed the Abyss Eye’s expectations… betrayed the power bestowed upon me.”

The Magus’s thread-like body rippled slightly, the nine eyes on the mask glowing with different hues.

“The plan was never interrupted. Failure is merely the foundation of success.”

His voice carried an unearthly calm.

“Ai Lun’s intervention was anticipated. Though her power is weakened, her foundation remains. You were indeed insufficient to confront her.”

Yi Sha Bei La stepped forward, the flawless half of her face curving into a faint smile.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end