Chapter 235: The Traveler

Chapter 235: The Traveler

"Master Drake, what's your opinion on this ascensioner?" Kaelent asked cautiously, his voice carrying clear reverence. Even his mental fluctuations were deliberately subdued to show respect for this ancient Archmage.

Within Drake's transparent cranium, his cerebral tissues flickered faintly. The rhythmic pulsations formed intricate mana patterns, as if he were contemplating deeply.

"The Murmuring of the Star Devourer... That madman Traveler's meditation technique. The Traveler was an intriguing case. He was among the rare few who truly comprehended Devourer essence."

His thoughts seemed to drift into the distant past.

"If I recall correctly, Luo En Lalf is already the seventeenth primordial mage to ascend through this method.

The first was Emeryk of the Second Era's end - a youth of remarkable innate talent, though tragically his spirit unraveled during his Dusk Sun Rank ascension from overstudying void celestials.

The most famous would probably be Cassandra of the Crown Clan. She successfully ascended to Archmage and became the current Spirekeeper of the Crystal Spire."

Each name Drake casually listed represented monumental figures in mage history, worthy of entire chapters in archival records.

"Seventeen? That many?" Varians asked in surprise, his crystalline sac displaying unusual uncertainty.

"I don't remember ever hearing about them. My memory archives clearly indicate The Murmuring of the Star Devourer had fewer than five successful ascensioners."

Drake let out a contemptuous snort, the energy fluctuations in his voice causing the other three Hanged Ones' crystalline sacs to tremble faintly.

"That's because you're too young, Varians. In the long history of magekind, you're practically a newcomer who just joined yesterday.

Four epochs spanning tens of thousands of years, plus countless parallel timelines, have produced hundreds of primordial mages. One every century or two isn't anything remarkable."

Drake's disdain toward Varians wasn't just about their age difference. In his eyes, Varians' so-called "spatial research" merely retraced predecessors' steps without true innovation.

Varians' crystalline sac quivered as his contained form trembled - clearly stung by the rebuke, yet dared not show open anger before Drake. Though they were both Archmages, the gap between them felt like an unbridgeable abyss. Even in normal conditions, he couldn't even touch the hem of Drake's Phantom Husk.

"The situation with Luo En seems somewhat unique", Mora interjected suddenly, her tendrils writhing slightly as curiosity surfaced.

"I just checked through special channels. Two years ago, he was still a Sixth Class Star's waste candidate apprentice, with spiritual aptitude nearly universally deemed worthless in mage circles."

Her voice was thick with interest.

"Yet within mere months, he transformed from waste to prodigy. Not only did he rocket to the forefront of the Backup Mage Sequence, but he directly ascended as a primordial mage. Even by our era's standards, such speed is extremely rare."

"Hmph, a classic lucky fool."

Varians immediately seized the opportunity to comment, trying to reestablish his authority.

"Probably stumbled upon some fortuitous chance, or had secret help. Such cases are common.

Remember Melvin, the so-called 'Child of Miracles' from mid-Third Era? He found an ancient rune stone and gained unimaginable ascension speed?

What happened in the end? His foundation couldn't sustain him when ascending to Archmage, and his body mutated."

The bitterness in Varians' tone seemed ready to overflow his crystalline sac.

"These so-called geniuses who rise through external power always fade quickly. Without solid foundations and long accumulation, their paths inevitably lead to self-destruction."

Kaelent couldn't help but object.

"Still, achieving breakthroughs so quickly is extraordinary. Even with luck and help, the True Path ultimately depends on personal qualities.

That direct communion with high-ranking entities cannot be replaced by any external force. I believe Luo En Lalf might possess some unique traits we haven't yet discovered."

The silver-eyed youth held a more open attitude, his research inherently involving perception rather than rigid conventions. Compared to Varians, he better appreciated phenomena that defied norms.

"Perhaps we should continue observing his development. There might be unexpected gains."

"Enough squabbling."

Drake's voice returned, now tinged with boredom as if the topic seemed juvenile to him.

"A newly ascended primordial mage is like an ant compared to us Hanged Ones who've existed for millennia.

Even with exceptional innate talent and rapid growth, he won't enter our realm until a century from now when he reaches Dusk Sun Rank at best."

Drake's words held truth.

In the mage world, power gaps formed insurmountable chasms. Between Full Mage and Archmage existed not just quantitative differences but fundamental essence disparities. Even the strongest Dusk Sun Rank Full Mage was merely disposable to a true Archmage.

And the Archmage's Phantasmal Carapace transcended dimensional concepts entirely, partially defying reality's rules.

Despite saying this, Drake's transparent cranium showed increasingly rapid cerebral flickers, clearly intrigued by this young mage's rise.

"However", he paused, his voice deepening.

"The Traveler - creator of The Murmuring of the Star Devourer - was indeed a noteworthy case.

Had he not met an accident at the final moment, he likely would have become the third naturally ascended Lich King after the 'Progenitor' and 'Creator.'"

At the mention of "The Traveler" title, the other three Hanged Ones fell silent, their crystalline sacs trembling slightly with vague unease and reverence. Even for Archmages like themselves, Lich Kings remained beyond reach - like commoners gazing at stars, eternally unattainable.

"The Traveler", Drake began slowly, "was one of the Second Era's greatest explorers. He traversed countless worlds and planes. Some say he even confronted the Devourer's original body once, creating this crown meditation technique The Murmuring of the Star Devourer after that astonishing encounter."

His tone carried the certainty of a firsthand witness recounting an ancient legend.

"Yet when he reached Archmage's peak, on the verge of breaking through to the Lich King Realm, he lost his mind."

Drake's transparent head flashed violently, revealing intense emotional fluctuations rare for such an ancient being. This reaction unsettled the other three Hanged Ones greatly.

"No one knows what he saw or experienced in that moment. Only that he left one final phrase - 'Above the stars lies the Devourer, and above the Devourer exists something far more terrifying' - before vanishing without a trace."

The liquid within the crystalline sacs began slow circulation, as if unsettled by this history.

Drake's Phantasmal Carapace faintly manifested at his sac's edge - a colossal head-shaped construct of pure mana. Inside flickered countless star-like points, each containing unimaginable knowledge.

This Phantom Husk form could temporarily disrupt surrounding reality structures, bending spatial rules to his will.

"Rumors claim the Traveler obtained some core fragments from the Abyssal Chasm, attracting the Devourer's attention", Kaelent added quietly, silver eyes flashing with fear.

"Even top Archmages struggle against such existence at the consciousness level. Some things... were perhaps never meant to be touched by beings of our tier."

Kaelent paused here, his Phantom Husk faintly materializing—a colossal silver eye formed of radiant threads.

Within it swirled countless tiny runes, capable of directly perceiving the essence of any being, piercing through layers of deception.

Yet when mentioning those unfathomable entities, the eye quivered subtly, as if recoiling from an unspeakable terror beyond direct observation.

"Enough!" Drake abruptly cut the conversation short, his voice tinged with rare tension. "These are mere unverified rumors. Regardless, a newly ascended Primordial Mage holds little significance for us."

Silence fell over the Specimen Vault again, but this time laced with a quiet, simmering anticipation.

Though scoffing outwardly, every Hanged One secretly felt a flicker of curiosity toward this meteoric young mage.

After a long pause, Mora chuckled lightly, her tendrils swaying in amusement. "I’m curious how the Crystal Spire crowd will react. A Primordial Mage rising from an obscure School? They’ll surely treat him like a prized delicacy soon enough."

Her Phantasmal Carapace emerged—a complex lattice of blue tendrils. Each could independently manipulate a unique manaform, swirling together into an ever-shifting manavortex. This Phantom Huskform excelled at multitasking and intricate Mana Control.

"Undoubtedly", Kaelent agreed. "Especially with Crystal Spire’s factions clashing more fiercely these days. A Primordial Mage who ascended the True Path will become their most coveted prize."

"Do you think the Crown Clan will take notice?" Varian interjected, his tone laced with schadenfreude. "If they do, this young man might face quite an… entertaining ordeal."

"Almost certain", Drake replied flatly. "The Crown Clan never lets promising newcomers slip away—especially those who might bring a ‘pure Boon.’ They’ll dangle generous offers like collectors luring a rare artifact, then gradually tighten their grip until he’s fully bound to their clan."

Inside Drake’s translucent skull, the flickering brain tissues slowed, signaling his waning interest. "Regardless, this Luo Enlalf’s fate is already set apart. But he has a long, long road before he truly earns our attention."

With those words, Drake’s crystal pod dimmed, reverting to Dormant state.

The other three Hanged Ones fell silent too, their chambers’ glow fading.

Just before total stillness, Kaelent’s voice echoed one last time: "No matter who prevails, it’ll be entertaining. After all, watching the drama unfold is our greatest pleasure."

The Specimen Vault quieted again, save for the golden inscription on the Mage Registry Projection—glowing like an ignited starfire, faint yet stubbornly burning in the vast darkness.

And at the edge of the Black Mist Jungle, its master stood, gazing at the distant horizon…

——————

The sky hung heavy with clouds. Sinister winds rattled the treetops of the Black Mist Jungle, their leaves hissing like whispers.

Since the Bloodline Altar’s seal shattered, the region’s Mana Field had grown wildly unstable. Occasional energy fluctuations spiraled into tiny vortices, battering the skin with stinging slaps.

Several Enforcers in gray uniforms guarded Luo En’s Workshop, eyes scanning, rune-staffs primed for activation.

Since the Abyssmana detonation, the School had fortified security across all critical areas. For Luo En, however, this protection felt redundant—a gesture of the School’s reverence. As a newly ascended Primordial Mage, he now wielded formidable power.

"The transport is arranged, Mage Luo En", an older Enforcer reported, reverence evident in his tone. "Two Vulture Dragons will carry your supplies."

The honorific shift from "apprentice" to "mage" had reshaped the School’s perception of him overnight.

Luo En nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. He reviewed the inventory list, fingertips grazing the parchment’s surface, ensuring nothing crucial was missed. The document meticulously recorded each device, potion ingredient, and storage location—organized with his signature obsessiveness.

"Truly impressive!" Liliya chimed in, uncommonly awed.

Following her gaze, Luo En saw two massive Vulture Dragons approaching. These Black Mist Jungle natives stretched eight meters long—scaled torsos like dragons, heads and wings reminiscent of vultures. Their thick, slate-gray scales contrasted with bare black skin on their heads, their crimson eyes burning with primal savagery. Though flightless, their powerful limbs and broad backs made them ideal land carriers.

"The School certainly has resources", Luo En mused, eyes glinting with shrewd satisfaction. "Privately hiring such beasts would cost hundreds, even thousands, of Mana Shard Fragments in a pinch."

Their backs bore reinforced racks of lightweight, durable metal alloys, inscribed with shock-absorbing runes and Protective Formations. Handlers skillfully secured crates of varying sizes.

His alchemy equipment, potion ingredients, experiment records, and treasured personal effects were loaded in orderly succession. As each crate passed his gaze, a pang of nostalgia stirred. These items encapsulated his journey—from a fledgling candidate apprentice to Full Mage, every step etched into his memory.

Daire’s crystal tank settled into a custom shockproof cradle, ensuring her safety. Little Siren, gleaming with golden eyes and a tail splashing joyfully, broke the somber mood.

"Master, are we leaving the Black Mist Jungle? What’s the outside world like? Does Crystal Spire have oceans? Can I meet other sirens? Are there bigger waters to swim in?"

Her questions tumbled out, brimming with childlike wonder.

Luo En softened, meeting her innocent golden gaze. Since rescuing her from that black-market stall, she’d witnessed his every triumph.

"Crystal Spire has a lake nearby", he answered gently. "Not the open sea, but far larger than your crystal tank."

As he spoke, his eyes drifted to Ai Lan and Liliya overseeing the cargo. Ai Lan’s vine-like arms, agile and precise, maneuvered crates with ease. Liliya, ever meticulous, inspected each fastening with relentless thoroughness—a reflection of the dedication that had carried him here.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end