Chapter 233: Evaluation Group

Chapter 233: Evaluation Group

Beyond the previously encountered Abyss rat swarms, there were even stranger aberrations.

Ordinary reptiles and insects, warped by Abyss mana, had grown to grotesque sizes with twisted forms.

A cluster of spiders descended from the ceiling, each as large as dinner plates. Their backs bristled with tumor-like growths, while their eyes had migrated to their abdomens, glowing with sinister violet light.

Their silk threads no longer white but shimmering purplish-black. Any object ensnared by these threads would slowly corrode.

"Abyss spiders! Watch for their venomous silk!" Youni warned, violet flames dancing in her palm to form a protective barrier.

Luo En's gaze sharpened. With a flick of his left hand, his Puppet Substitute silently materialized at his side.

This puppet had transformed dramatically from its former self, radiating a sinister predatory aura like a coiled apex predator.

"Go", he commanded softly.

The Puppet Substitute surged forward like a black shadow, its speed blinding. As it moved, its form underwent a startling metamorphosis—its torso elongated, arms reshaping into razor-sharp scythe-like limbs. Spines erupted along its back, its entire silhouette becoming that of a perfectly engineered killing machine.

Most astonishing was its attack method. Rather than merely shredding or repelling the hanging Abyss spiders, it consumed them with ravenous hunger. Its gaping maw could stretch impossibly wide, swallowing plate-sized spiders whole. Each consumption caused the black patterns across its surface to briefly glow, as if absorbing and converting some essence.

[Puppet Substitute Charging Progress +0.2%]

Hayaek and Soren exchanged glances. Though the puppet seemed vaguely familiar, they couldn't reconcile this terrifying entity with the previously underwhelming "Puppet Substitute." After all, its aura had completely transformed following Luo En's Demon Hunter class advancement.

Luo En ignored their reactions, focusing on guiding his puppet through the path ahead. As they ventured deeper, the mutated creatures in the corridor grew increasingly diverse—Abyss spiders, mutated rat swarms, deformed reptiles. Even creatures originally resembling rabbits now bore grotesque extra heads and limbs, their behavior extremely aggressive.

Yet none of these posed challenges for the Puppet Substitute. It demonstrated extraordinary combat instincts and a special perception ability toward Abyssal Creatures. No matter how the mutated beasts hid or camouflaged themselves, the puppet always located them with precision before devouring them without hesitation.

[Puppet Substitute Charging Progress +0.3%]
[Puppet Substitute Charging Progress +0.1%]
[Puppet Substitute Charging Progress +0.2%]

Charging progress notifications continuously flickered through Luo En's mind. Each consumption granted his puppet additional mana.

"This specialization against Abyssal Creatures", Hayaek's eyes gleamed with academic fascination, "it's practically a weapon forged specifically to combat the Abyss."

Suddenly a particularly massive Abyss spider lunged from the side, targeting Soren—the weakest among them.

Almost instinctively, Luo En raised his hand and silently unleashed "Sound Wave Oscillation."

The giant spider froze mid-air, then its entire body imploded under invisible pressure, bursting into purplish-black mist.

Unexpectedly, the mist didn't dissipate but was drawn by some invisible force directly into the Puppet Substitute.

[Puppet Substitute Charging Progress +1%]

"Incredible", Youni murmured. "It's not just killing these creatures—it's purifying them in some way?"

As the corridor extended forward, the spatial distortions intensified. Walls began flowing like melting wax, cracks spreading across the ceiling. Unsettling tremors rumbled from the depths.

"This is the weakest point of the seal", Soren explained weakly, "the spatial structure is already collapsing. We must find an exit soon."

While the rampaging Abyssal Creatures were merely nuisances they could easily dispatch, encountering actual spatial collapse would be a death sentence even for Dusk Sun Rank cultivators.

When they finally emerged back onto the surface of Black Mist Jungle, the sky remained overcast but the suffocating Abyss mana pressure had lifted.

In the distance, the Black Mist School's Central Tower stood defiantly amid the chaos.

Soren exhaled deeply, gazing at the sky. "I survived."

"Thanks to Luo En saving you", Youni reminded with a slight smile.

Soren, not one to pretend, immediately retrieved a parchment from his Storage Bag and scribbled terms onto it before handing it over.

"This contract", he explained, "once we return to the school, you can claim equivalent rewards—either a transcendent item or Mana Stones."

The young mage accepted the parchment without feigned refusal, storing it in his Storage Bag.

Suddenly Hayaek sighed, his expression turning grave. "I must share some troubling news—the Black Mist School faces significant upheaval."

The three turned toward him. Luo En's brow furrowed slightly. "Is the Bloodline Altar's destruction that severe?"

"Far worse than you imagine", Hayaek replied heavily. "The Bloodline Altar isn't merely a trial site—it's the keystone maintaining mana balance across the entire Black Mist Jungle. Its collapse will cause continuous Abyss mana leakage. Within ten years, the entire jungle will become thoroughly corrupted by Abyss substances, becoming a dead zone unfit for habitation."

"What about the school?" Though weakened, Soren's mind remained sharp.

"We must relocate", Hayaek stated definitely. "In fact, I estimate the school will be forced to evacuate entirely within two years. The first evacuation phase might begin in days."

Luo En listened silently. While this news held little personal consequence for him, its implications for the region's future were profound.

"Will the Bloodline Altar's destruction be reported upward?"

Understanding his unspoken concern—how the Crystal Spire and Truth Pavilion would respond—Hayaek replied, "Exactly. I'll travel to the central lands shortly to report the details. This requires the School Alliance to collectively determine our response."

He looked at Luo En with encouraging eyes. "Speaking of which, since you've become a Full Mage, there's something you should know—there's an inter-region airship service specifically for Full Mages."

"Universal airships?" Luo En raised an eyebrow.

"Yes", Hayaek explained. "As a Full Mage, you may ride these airships free of charge. In exchange, you'll assume certain defensive responsibilities during travel. It's a convenience established by the mage world to facilitate exchanges."

Youni added, "Far safer than overland or sea routes, especially toward the central lands. Blackwater Bay and the connected Endless Sea harbor ancient primordial beasts capable of swallowing entire islands."

Soren, despite his weakened state, interjected, "And constant storms make ordinary navigation almost suicidal."

Luo En's interest in these geographical details was evident. Even with his current knowledge, the Abyssal Continent Cluster's overall structure still held many mysteries for him.

“There’s one more thing you might find interesting.”

Hayaek spoke suddenly, his tone cautiously probing.

“Once you arrive in the Central Lands, the Crystal Spire will likely dispatch a special evaluation team to assess your Special Innate Talent and academic achievements.”

Luo En’s brows furrowed slightly. “An evaluation team?”

“Yes. It’s a standard procedure for newly ascended mages.”

Hayaek explained, “They’ll conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your research, bloodline traits, and personal capabilities, then assign you an overall ranking. The higher your rank, the greater your status among mages—and the more privileges you’ll gain to access higher-rank occult knowledge.”

Youni nodded. “The rarity and value of a primordial mage are self-evident. A formal evaluation ensures appropriate recognition and resource allocation.”

“Plus,” Soren added confidently, “your accomplishments are already extraordinary. Becoming a primordial mage at such a young age, combined with those cross-disciplinary extraordinary innate talents… I’d bet the evaluation team will pay you special attention.”

A distant rumble interrupted their conversation.

Everyone looked up. In the direction of the Bloodline Altar, the ground had suddenly collapsed, leaving a massive crater. Purplish-black mana erupted from the chasm like a volcanic eruption.

“It seems the interior space has completely collapsed,” Hayaek said gravely. “We must return to the School’s central district immediately to assist with the evacuation.”

The sky over the Black Mist Jungle grew increasingly ominous, shadowed by the encroaching Abyss that now loomed over the once-prosperous School.

………………

The evacuation lasted three full days.

Under Hayaek’s and other Mentors’ coordination, ordinary apprentices were transported to safe zones via large vehicles. A contingent of High Apprentices was assigned to key locations to assist in salvaging valuable research materials and equipment. Backup Mage Sequence members maintained order and fought off the surging Abyssal Creatures.

Luo En volunteered to defend the most dangerous forward zones, using his newly gained primordial mage abilities to erect temporary mana barriers, buying precious time for the evacuation.

Of course, his enthusiasm wasn’t driven by school loyalty. Part of his motivation was to hone his new powers, but the main goal was to continue charging his Puppet Substitute:

[Puppet Substitute mana fully absorbed]
[Current Charging Progress: 80%/100%]

Combined with the charging progress from devouring the Holy Disk, the distance to reaching 100% and unlocking the Glorious Legacy’s Incarnation Stance was no longer far.

[Next stage requires higher purity Abyss mana]

On the third evening, as the last group near the Bloodline Altar was safely evacuated, Luo En finally returned to his Workshop.

Pushing open the door, a familiar herbal fragrance greeted him.

Liliya, Daire, and Ai Lan had already packed up. Several large trunks stood neatly in the center of the hall, clearly prepared for departure.

“You’re back,” Madame Ellen remarked, not in her usual Herbal Medicine Shop.

The elderly woman sat in a rocking chair beside the fireplace, her emerald green eyes calm. “Is the school’s evacuation complete?”

Luo En nodded, using a mana trick to dust off his outer robe. He wasn’t surprised by his mentor’s presence.

“Yes, madam. The most critical phase is over. What remains is a long-term orderly evacuation plan.”

He glanced around, noticing that the Workshop’s main equipment and documents had already been carefully packed, everything in order.

“It seems everyone’s ready.”

“Yes, teacher,” Liliya stepped forward.

“We’ve packed all the most critical equipment and materials as you instructed. Items too inconvenient to carry have been sealed in the basement, awaiting your personal destruction.”

Ai Lan approached, her vines cradling a thick Record Book.

“I’ve organized all experimental records and results, categorized by importance. The core research has been protected with encrypted runes, readable only by you.”

Luo En nodded in approval. “Well done.”

“Rest well tonight,” Madame Ellen smiled gently. “Tomorrow, you begin a new journey.”

Nodding, Luo En followed Liliya to the dining hall.

Dinner was already prepared, with Daire and Ai Lan waiting at the table.

Ai Lan handed him a bowl of hot soup. “Master, you look exhausted. These three days must’ve been grueling.”

“It could’ve been worse,” Luo En accepted the bowl, sipping slowly as warmth soothed his throat.

“The Bloodline Altar’s seal has completely collapsed. Abyss mana is spreading outward. The School has initiated a long-term evacuation plan, expecting full relocation within five years.”

Liliya asked cautiously, “Teacher, will we be leaving with the School soon?”

“Yes,” Luo En confirmed, looking at the three women, his tone softening.

“Pack your personal belongings. While most equipment and materials are ready, make sure nothing important is left behind. Once we leave, we may never return.”

After dinner, Luo En went alone to his laboratory, needing private time to review the battle.

Sitting at the experiment table, he closed his eyes and mentally reconstructed the fight with the Holy Disk.

Though the victory seemed effortless, he keenly understood its key factors—and his own shortcomings.

“The main advantage was striking first,” he mused, his expression hardening.

“Traits like the Erosion Sonata’s Whispering and Demon Hunter’s Hunting Evil are specialized restraints against Abyss-corrupted beings. Combined with advanced traits, their explosive power was indeed overwhelming.”

A flicker of dissatisfaction crossed his eyes.

“But if he’d completed the Apostle Transformation, the outcome would’ve been vastly different.”

“Moreover,” he continued, “I used only three moves against the Holy Disk, yet nearly half my mana was drained due to Overmagic Technique. My stamina is far from sufficient. If he’d survived that initial burst, the aftermath would’ve been extremely dangerous.”

Shaking his head, he regarded himself critically:

1. Precision lacks refinement—every spell released mana leaks, resulting in high power but low efficiency.
2. Stamina is insufficient—currently, I can only unleash three decisive strikes.

The road ahead was long. He needed to sharpen his precision and spell control, increasing his mana value through star projections.

He glanced at his hands, still tingling faintly from residual spell energy.

The Overmagic Technique remained crude, like a sharp blade without a handle—dangerous and inefficient to wield.

Only by elevating his spell construction skills could he fully unlock this trait’s potential.

The next morning, sunlight pierced the clouds, casting golden rays on the Workshop roof.

Luo En rose early for a final inspection.

All crucial equipment and materials were securely packed. Non-essential large facilities were sealed with runes to delay Abyss contamination’s erosion.

Ai Lan, Daire, and Liliya were already packed, ready to depart.

“Everyone set?” Luo En asked, surveying the room one last time.

“All ready, master,” Ai Lan replied elegantly.

Daire excitedly patted her crystal tank. “I can’t wait to leave!”

Liliya nodded. “All checklists confirmed. Nothing’s missing.”

Luo En nodded, giving one final lingering glance to the Workshop that had nurtured his growth. Then, gently, he closed the door.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end