Chapter 260
Chapter 260
"And the Core Spire located within the main city—largest in size and richest in mana—is presided over by Archmage Cassandra. That’s also where the Crystal Spire resides..."
The Phantom Husk formation is a critical step for a Dusk Sun Rank mage to ascend to Archmage status.
Exactly how this process works, what conditions are required, and what specialized techniques apply—these were all mysteries to Luo En at present.
"These tower lords enjoy supreme status, but they also bear inescapable responsibilities."
Reynolds continued explaining, sketching a complex ring-like shape in the air with his fingers:
"By regulating the Mana Flow through the Core Spire, they purify the contaminated mana continuously seeping from the Abyss."
His expression darkened:
"Without their constant purification, the entire Central Lands would rapidly degenerate into twisted wastelands under the Abyssal erosion."
Luo En nodded thoughtfully, his pupils reflecting the distant city’s outline:
"So the prosperity of the Central Lands is somehow tied to their proximity to the Abyss?"
"A wise deduction. Of course, it’s only one important factor", Reynolds praised, his gaze approving. "But precisely because they’re near the Abyss, the mana concentration here far surpasses the outside world, nurturing countless prodigies. Naturally, risk and opportunity always coexist..."
His eyes grew distant, as if peering into unseen dangers:
"Contamination and blessings are two sides of the same coin.
The greatest prodigies are often the most vulnerable to the Abyss’s temptations.
History is rife with examples of gifted mages who strayed, becoming Apostles of the Abyss."
Luo En silently noted this warning, yet his heart stirred with curiosity about the Abyss’s so-called "blessings."
Contamination and power, danger and opportunity—these were precisely the themes he’d been contemplating.
How to pursue power while evading danger, how to transform pollution into advantage—these were the core elements of the Furnace Conceptualization.
"This explains why the proportion of extraordinary species is so high here."
Luo En refocused, his gaze sweeping over Dawnport’s diverse architecture.
There were shell-shaped structures clearly designed for aquatic species, high-altitude platforms prepared for flying species, and buildings whose shapes defied human aesthetics and logic.
Reynolds nodded, a faint smile tugging his lips:
"Absolutely. The border ports are the most prosperous—and chaotic—regions. Almost every extraordinary species from the primary worlds has settlements here."
Like a local guide, he pointed to different port areas:
"That pearlescent zone over there is the aquatic district, with water circulation channels built into every structure.
The distant honeycomb-like clusters are the aerial species’ settlements.
The smoky area near the cliffs is the dwarven forge district, producing all kinds of supernatural artifacts day and night."
A nostalgic gleam entered his eyes:
"When I first arrived in the Central Lands, I bought my first ritual dagger in the dwarven district. That blade still serves me faithfully to this day."
Luo En nodded absently, but his mind had already shifted to analyzing deeper transformations.
He could distinctly sense the Star Projection trait’s abnormal activity—the unique ability inherited from primordial mages thrived in this high-concentration mana environment, like a parched traveler suddenly immersed in a spring, every cell greedily absorbing the sweet nectar of mana.
His Mana Regeneration Rate had at least tripled, and even his mana quality had subtly ascended a level.
This subtle transformation felt like alcohol fermentation—intoxicating yet teetering on the edge of rationality.
Yet this transformation carried both joy and danger.
Too rapid mana accumulation could damage the mana pathways or destabilize the Mana Structure, much like forcing excessive water into a delicate glass vessel—prone to shattering from internal pressure.
Luo En swiftly constructed a temporary mana buffer network within his body, akin to weaving an intricate spiderweb, channeling the surplus mana into this system to prevent his mana pool from over-expanding.
This technique required extreme Spiritual Energy Control, but for his near-mastery level of Spell Construction, it was second nature.
"That Mana Overload I mentioned earlier—you might experience it sooner than expected."
Reynolds observed Luo En’s subtle reactions, his eyes tinged with concern:
"Even Full Mages typically require an adaptation period upon arriving in the Central Lands.
I recommend maintaining low-intensity mana operations initially, letting your body and spirit gradually familiarize with this high-concentration environment."
"When you feel the manatide of that empty city, you’ll understand what I mean by 'high concentration.'"
His voice grew dreamy:
"There, mana flows like a tangible force, forming auroras of kaleidoscopic hues.
At certain moments, you can even witness molecules surging with the manatide, turning the entire sky into a flowing oil painting—stunning enough to steal your breath."
Luo En nodded slightly:
"I’ve already sensed some anomalies. My body’s mana pool feels like an overinflated balloon, still drawing in more air."
"That’s actually a good sign—it means your physique and spirit structure are resilient enough to withstand the initial shock."
Reynolds clapped Luo En’s shoulder, his tone lightening with humor:
"Newcomers like High Apprentices usually require gradual adaptation at transitional zones, much like teaching children to swim—incrementally increasing water depth.
Otherwise, they risk fainting or even permanent mana circuit damage."
His voice carried teasing undertones:
"Some unlucky souls might take one or two months to fully recover their casting abilities, living like ordinary mortals in the interim."
The airship descended slowly, beginning its final landing preparations.
From above, Dawnport’s full splendor unfolded before them.
A magnificent city almost entirely built from crystal and rare metals.
Each structure was an artistic masterpiece, meticulously carved, gleaming under the morning light.
Unlike ordinary cities, Dawnport employed a complex geometric design.
The entire metropolis radiated outward from the Central Plaza through twelve Main Roads.
Luo En keenly noticed these roads weren’t random—they formed a precise mana guidance network, connecting the entire city into a unified Mana Circulation system.
But most strikingly, the city wasn’t built on flat land. Instead, it comprised hundreds of islands of varying sizes.
Connected by glowing Mana Bridges and various flying devices, this created a three-dimensional urban structure.
Some islands occupied different height levels, forming a tiered visual effect;
Others slowly rotated, seemingly seeking optimal Mana Absorption angles;
Some islands bore lush vegetation, creating aerial garden Wonders.
"The entire Central Lands was originally a single, continuous landmass", Reynolds continued, his voice tinged with ancient reverence.
"But during the Second Era’s Planar Great Voyage event, countless small planes collided with it, fracturing the crust into floating islands.
The mana shock was so immense it altered the region’s fundamental laws."
Reverence flickered in his eyes:
"Rather than restoring the original state, the mages of that era adapted to the geographical transformation, creating this three-dimensional city cluster—a unique architectural Wonder."
The airship finally docked at the summit of a massive Berthing Tower.
Hundreds of meters tall, the tower was constructed entirely from pale-blue crystals that shimmered with a soft glow under sunlight.
Luo En had never seen such crystals before. Through Transcendent Perception, he discovered these crystals possessed the trait of autonomously absorbing and filtering external mana, maintaining a relatively stable mana environment inside the tower—exceedingly friendly for newcomers to the Central Lands needing gradual adaptation.
The disembarkation process proved far more cumbersome than Luo En anticipated.
Every passenger needed to pass through a special mana screening gate, undergoing dual authentication of identity and mana characteristics to prevent Abyssal contamination or other hazards from entering the Central Lands.
When Luo En stood before the screening gate, an anomaly drew everyone’s attention.
The mana-sensitive crystals on the gate frame suddenly turned an extremely rare, pure gold, emitting a melodious hum as though honoring a unique presence.
The inspection officer in deep-blue formal robes had been frowning and scolding the previous passenger.
But when he turned to Luo En, his expression shifted abruptly—from bureaucratic indifference to near-sycophantic reverence:
"P-Please follow me, esteemed primordial mage sir!"
His voice trembled with excitement:
"We’ve prepared a special channel for you."
Luo En’s eyebrows lifted slightly, his heart sharpening in vigilance.
Luo En had originally assumed his unique identity would only be recognized when interacting with specific personnel, yet even the foundational facilities here could automatically detect a primordial mage's traits.
The drastic transformation in their attitude was almost comical to Luo En—this sudden eagerness felt like treating him as a returning royal prince.
The Central Lands' recognition system was far more sophisticated than he'd imagined. This was both convenient and potentially risky.
He glanced back at Reynolds, who gave him a knowing "I told you so" look.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Luo En reluctantly followed the inspector toward an ornately decorated private passage.
This dedicated corridor was lined with deep red carpets, flanked by silver-clad attendants standing at attention, ready to provide assistance at any moment.
Golden runes shimmered at the entrance, while the air carried a peculiar floral fragrance that refreshed one's spirit—a clear indication this was a special channel prepared exclusively for Vips.
At the passage's end stood a middle-aged woman in a dazzling silver robe. Her light-colored hair was styled into an intricate bun adorned with tiny mana crystals.
A complex stellar ring badge on her chest marked her high rank within Dawnport's administrative hierarchy.
"Lalfmage, welcome to the Central Lands."
The official mage performed an elegant mage's bow:
"I am Melanie, Dawnport's Reception Director. According to the system's information transfer, we've prepared a dedicated reception protocol and temporary residence for you."
"My attendants and luggage remain aboard the airship."
His tone carried no emotional fluctuation, yet exuded natural authority.
"We've already dispatched personnel to assist. There's no need to concern yourself with minor matters."
Melanie's smile was warm and genuine, not at all forced:
"If you don't mind, I'd like to show you around Dawnport first before proceeding to your temporary residence. This will allow you to gradually adapt to the Central Lands' mana environment while we finalize subsequent arrangements."
Luo En turned to Reynolds, who was already completing his inspection process—evidently accustomed to this preferential treatment.
"May my companion Reynolds mage join us?"
He asked in a flat yet unmistakably authoritative tone.
Melanie's eyes flickered momentarily as she rapidly assessed the relationship between the two men.
"Of course, this is your right", she replied, her posture growing slightly more deferential. "Primordial mages at Dawnport enjoy specific privileges and invitation rights. This is our proper respect for your status."
She turned toward Reynolds with an inviting gesture:
"Reynolds mage, it is an honor to have you join our tour group. The harbor authority has completed verification of your identity information."
Reynolds approached swiftly, giving Luo En a knowing look:
"So, you're finally learning to use your privileges."
The man's lips curled into a teasing smile:
"The influence of a primordial mage exceeds my expectations. Normally, such treatment is reserved for Moonlight Rank mages or higher."
The itinerary was arranged impeccably.
A luxurious flying carriage pulled by six phantom-winged beasts already awaited beneath the Berthing Tower.
Luo En keenly noticed such carriages seemed uncommon in Dawnport.
Passersby paused to admire the spectacle, their eyes filled with awe and envy—clearly this was a special transport reserved for guests of extraordinary status.
As Luo En and Reynolds boarded the carriage, Melanie briefly explained its origins:
"This is the 'Cloud Shadow' formal carriage model, usually prepared only for core members of major schools or specially honored guests. The body is crafted from Moonlight Crystals that subtly adjust the interior environment according to passengers' emotions, ensuring maximum comfort."
Her voice carried a subtle undercurrent of pride:
"Designed and constructed by Crystal Spire artisans, each carriage takes nearly a year for enchanters to complete. There are fewer than ten in all of Dawnport."
The carriage ascended gracefully, beginning its city tour.
From above, Dawnport's layout became unmistakably clear—it possessed a precise radial structure.
Twelve main roads extended like sunbeams from the central grand plaza, each precisely aligned to a specific directional axis.
"That's the 'Dawnheart' Plaza", Melanie pointed toward the radiant central area. "Not only is it the city's geographical center, but also the hub of the entire mana network. The tower at its center can detect any mana fluctuation anomalies within fifty kilometers—it's the core component of the city's barrier system."
Remaining outwardly unperturbed, Luo En activated his "Transcendent Perception" to examine the tower.
Its surface bore countless barrier runes from different systems, each layer pulsing with energy at distinct frequencies, forming a multi-layered redundant barrier and monitoring network.
The complexity surpassed anything Luo En had previously encountered, containing rune patterns even beyond his comprehension.
"This level of barrier system", Luo En calculated mentally, "would require direct involvement from alchemy grandmasters to construct such a sophisticated structure and coverage range. The Central Lands' foundational power indeed far exceeds that of border schools."
"Dawnport serves not only as the Central Lands' gateway, but also one of its most important trade centers", Melanie continued. "Over ten thousand airships or large vessels pass through here annually entering the Central Lands. The city houses species and professionals from across the Abyssal Continent Cluster—it's truly an extraordinary melting pot."
The flying carriage circled over key districts, allowing Luo En to observe various distinctive neighborhoods:
"Sages' Street" concentrated potion masters and alchemy masters, with bookstores, alchemy equipment shops, and small research institutes lining the streets, filled with chimera scents of potions and materials;
The "Crystal Wall District" housed mage residences, its buildings composed entirely of priceless energy-focusing crystals shimmering blindingly in sunlight;
"Sunset Square" catered to artists and performers, hosting magical performances and rare artwork exchanges accompanied by Yaren musicians' exotic melodies;
And the specially designed "Elemental Valley" for elemental beings, where the environment automatically adjusted temperature, humidity, and mana concentration to accommodate species with specific environmental needs...
"This prosperity level..." Luo En internally evaluated, "materials commonly seen here would be considered treasures at Black Mist School."
The flying carriage finally landed before an exquisite three-story villa in the city's western district.
This elegant yet imposing private residence featured a front garden with rare flowers exuding delicate fragrances.
The entire building was enveloped in nearly invisible mana barrier—Luo En sensed it was a privacy protection spell blocking most external mana detection.
"This is 'Jade Vine Villa,' a temporary residence prepared for honored guests like yourself", Melanie respectfully explained. "It contains foundational alchemy laboratories and meditation chambers to meet your basic needs during short stays."
Luo En nodded in appreciation while mentally calculating how best to utilize this unexpected privilege.
Temporary residence meant he could conduct necessary preparations before deciding his next move.
"Reynolds mage, where are you staying?" He turned to ask.
"My quarters are in the eastern district, approximately one-hour flight distance from here."
Reynolds replied, suddenly patting his head as if remembering something:
"By the way, shall we exchange communication sigils?
I need to report to the Abyss Observatory's Dawnport outpost in a few days. If you're interested, you could accompany me for an initial understanding."
Luo En pondered briefly before nodding:
"I am indeed interested in the Abyss Observatory, though my schedule remains somewhat uncertain. If time permits, I'll contact you through the communication sigil."
They exchanged mana imprints on their communication sigils.
After watching Reynolds depart, Luo En turned to Melanie:
"If convenient, I'd like to understand the Central Lands' registration process and potential academic exchange channels. As an outsider, I hope to integrate into this scholarly environment as soon as possible."
Melanie respectfully nodded:
"Of course, honored Lalfmage.
In fact, as a primordial mage, you have the right to directly submit an application to the 'Nova Reception Bureau' under the School Alliance. They will arrange suitable mentors and provide necessary resource support for you."
(End of Chapter)
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