Chapter 271: The "Domain" of the Great Ones

Chapter 271 The "Domain" of the Great Ones

In the radiant void, Cassandra hovered between the stars, a silent deity in her own right.

The ravaged planet she'd drained of essence receded behind her, shrinking into a faint speck within the endless void.

The surrounding energy fluctuations had settled into a peculiar harmony, a natural aftermath of major plane conquests.

Cassandra calmly examined the Crystalline Containers at her side.

They stood in perfect formation, each radiating its own unique energy signature—a treasure trove of brilliant gems.

"The crystalline civilizations of Type II Dimension truly have some merits in mana transformation techniques", she mused, amethyst eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Especially their collective consciousness structures of fluidic beings—those might offer some additional Inspiration."

The black-haired witch began examining her collected specimens one by one, her elegant fingers lightly tapping each container as she sensed the contained manatraits.

The encapsulated fluidic beings floated like frozen droplets within their crystalline prisons, emitting faint but continuous life fluctuations.

Just then, a delicate crystal suspended within her hair suddenly emitted a faint hum and pulsated with urgent, dazzling light.

This was the activation signal of a long-distance communicator.

"Contacting me now?" Cassandra arched a brow before relaxing.

"Must be the interdimensional communication window stabilizing after completing the plunder."

She touched the crystal, channeling a ripple of energy through her fingers. The gem responded by projecting a semi-transparent humanoid figure.

A venerable elder with snow-white hair and sharp eyes stood within the projection, clad in an elegant black robe.

"Cassandra, looks like you've reaped quite the bounty this time." Uther's projection swept its gaze across the Crystalline Containers, eyes carrying a trace of approval.

Cassandra gave a slight nod.

"A moderately efficient conquest. The crystalline civilization's value exceeded my initial expectations. As always, your calculation of the dimensional coordinates was flawless, Master."

Uther chuckled softly.

"Just foundationalastronomy calculations. Nothing particularly notable."

He paused momentarily, his gaze deepening into something profound.

"But today's call isn't about dimensional conquests—it's about recent transformations concerning the Crystal Spire."

Cassandra's expression sharpened instantly. "Is this about the succession arrangements during my absence?"

"Partly. But more importantly, it concerns the new primordial mage—Luo Enlalf."

At that name, the black-haired witch grew alert.

"What about him? My intelligence indicates he's merely a True Pathascension treasure-grade genius—an anomaly, but not beyond control."

"Surface-level, yes", Uther replied cryptically.

"But through my 'Phantom Husk,' I've observed intriguing phenomena. This young man's Boon effect exceeds expectations—its purity even surpassing your own from back then."

Cassandra's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Interesting. My record's already been broken so soon?"

"Not just that", Uther continued, voice darkening.

"He possesses some trait beyond my full comprehension. Whenever I attempt detailed observation of his spirit structure, I encounter peculiar resistance—as though confronting a riddle wrapped in multiple protective layers."

"You mean he harbors some hidden ability?"

Cassandra's keen insight latched onto the critical point.

"Possibly. But what fascinates me more is that Eve seems to have gained unexpected benefits from him."

Uther's words carried subtle implications.

"Her 'mana corruption' symptoms have shown faint but definite alleviation under Luo En's Boon influence."

The words struck Cassandra like lightning, momentarily disrupting her usual composure.

"Eve's condition improved? Are you certain this isn't a temporary phenomenon?"

"Nothing conclusive yet", Uther admitted.

"But the data doesn't lie. Her recent mana fluctuations have stabilized significantly. Abnormal peaks have decreased by approximately 12%—something none of our previous attempts achieved in decades."

Cassandra's breathing quickened, amethyst eyes flashing uncharacteristic excitement.

Yet within moments, she regained control.

A nearly imperceptible ripple of pale purple mana radiated from her brow—a high-order emotional regulation technique: "Forced Calm."

"I understand", she resumed her usual icy tone.

"But we mustn't jump to conclusions. Similar 'improvements' in the past ultimately ended in failure."

"True", Uther agreed.

"Like Althor's Overclock Soak Experiment. Initially promising, but ultimately worsening symptoms."

Cassandra's gaze darkened. "Don't mention that foolish old man. His recklessness nearly killed Eve."

"Exactly why I suggest we adopt a stance of observation without intervention", Uther interjected.

"Any excessive interference might disrupt the naturally formed balance."

He sighed. "Moreover, Eve has already established a unique master-disciple bond with this young man."

"You believe that relationship merits preservation?" Cassandra's voice carried measured caution.

"I believe it's worth exploring", Uther mused.

"Something about Luo Enlalf's nature is exceptionally pure. His Boon contains almost no impurities, flowing like a spring directly from its source. Such a trait is exceedingly rare even across my long life."

He paused again, emphasizing,

"Furthermore, he seems to harbor no ulterior motives toward Eve—at least not yet. Their interactions resemble genuine knowledge exchange rather than transactional exchange."

Cassandra remained silent for a moment, weighing the implications.

"Then what would you recommend?"

"Observe without intervention. Let events unfold naturally", Uther declared definitively.

"This young man may prove far greater than he appears. His future achievements might exceed even our imagination. Any alleviation he brings to Eve's condition would be an absolute unexpected blessing."

Just... alleviation?

Her expression grew complex at thoughts of her daughter's plight.

"According to what you said earlier, is the 'mana corruption's' root truly unsolvable?"

The air itself seemed to tremble slightly—invoking a forbidden taboo.

Uther's gaze turned abyssal, as if piercing infinite timelines.

"Violations of fundamental laws aren't easily resolved, Cassandra. You understand that yourself."

"I know", she replied darkly.

"But as a mother..."

Her words trailed off as she once again detected emotional fluctuation within herself, promptly reapplying Forced Calm.

"Eve's very existence was always a gamble", Uther carefully chose his words.

“You wish to attempt breaking through the ‘Bloodline Lock’—though daring, your approach isn’t without merit.”

Cassandra’s amethyst eyes flickered with melancholy:

“Forever bound by the limits of our bloodline’s origin—that is the fate of our Crown Clan…”

“A shared plight for all descendants of mighty bloodlines.”

Uther could only offer comfort:

“The Bloodline Lock is part of the natural order, a mechanism to maintain balance. Without it, Lich King descendants already possess extraordinary innate talents. With favor in resources, they might even rise as new Lich Kings, leading to unchecked power growth and the collapse of the Boon rules.”

Cassandra softly laughed, her smile tinged with self-mockery:

“So no matter how prosperous our Manzhi Clan becomes, we shall forever remain shadows of the Absurdist King.”

“That one indeed pays little heed to clan affairs. In truth, all Lich Kings are the same.”

Uther sighed:

“Once a Lich King steps into their Domain, they rarely concern themselves with their bloodline descendants. Their focus shifts to expanding and refining their realms. After all, establishing bloodline clans is merely one method to spread the imprints of their rules.”

The Absurdist King’s Domain was built upon the principle of absurdity.

A thoroughly transformed “Contradiction World,” a realm brimming with paradoxical twists.

Legends claimed that the most absurd ideas became reality there, and the impossible could coexist.

“Speaking of which, our ancestor’s Domain bears resemblance to the Abyss in another form.”

Cassandra remarked blandly, seemingly eager to shift topics.

“In a way, yes.”

Uther nodded:

“A Domain often represents an extreme twist of reality’s rules, while the Abyss is a region where rules loosen. Fundamentally, they share certain similarities.”

Cassandra redirected her gaze to the containers filled with alien creatures:

“Therefore, you believe my research direction is correct? That by collecting and analyzing the Mana Structures of different planes, I might find a way to breakthrough the Bloodline Lock?”

“At the very least, more promising than most attempts.”

Uther admitted:

“But whether success is possible will remain unanswered until time reveals it. However, Cassandra, there’s one thing I must warn you…”

His tone turned grave:

“No matter if Eve breaks free of the rules or not, she is first and foremost a living, breathing soul—your daughter, not a mere experiment. I see the emotions you harbor, though you suppress them—they exist, and they grow stronger.”

Cassandra’s expression froze momentarily: “I understand your meaning.”

The communication briefly fell silent, the dialogue between these two mighty beings stalling as they touched upon complex emotional territory.

“Let’s return to the matter at hand.”

Uther finally broke the silence:

“As for Luo Enlalf, I’ll continue observing. I’ll notify you immediately upon any significant discoveries. Focus on your research—currently, the Crystal Spire remains under control.”

Cassandra nodded in agreement:

“Thank you for your help, Master. I only hope this aimless expedition of mine might truly bring Eve some hope.”

“May fate favor you both, Cassandra.” Uther’s projection began fading:

“If that young man is truly as extraordinary as I sense, perhaps his arrival itself is fate’s arrangement.”

With these lingering words, the communication crystal’s glow dimmed, and the projection vanished.

Cassandra stood motionless in the void for an eternity, her amethyst eyes flickering with complex emotions.

As an Archmage, she had nearly transcended ordinary emotional bonds.

Yet when her daughter’s name surfaced, that indescribable yearning remained unshaken.

“Eve.” She murmured, her voice a blend of faint hope and tenderness.

Composing herself, she redirected focus to her findings.

Reaching out, she accepted a crystalline container. The fluidic creature within quivered slightly in her palm, as if sensing an oppressive aura.

“May you provide useful insights for my research.”

Cassandra’s gaze sharpened with clinical detachment, the warmth in her violet eyes replaced entirely by a scholar’s cold resolve: “On how to break that lock.”

As she sealed the Crystalline Container, her figure faded from the stellar void.

Only a faint mana ripple remained to mark her presence.

………………

The enchantment system of the Crystal Spire occupied an independent structure within the West District Tower Complex.

Resembling an open ancient tome, its exterior featured two “pages” composed of countless tiny runes, gleaming under sunlight.

The interior design was even more peculiar, with corridors and chambers themed around arcane symbols.

Some Living Runes were embedded in the walls, shifting forms in response to ambient mana fluctuations, creating a unique visual spectacle.

Luo En walked along the corridor toward the Beginner Lecture Hall, his gaze brimming with curiosity at the surroundings.

As an assistant professor at the Crystal Spire, he had the privilege to attend all public courses taught by mentors ranked below associate professor—a right most overlooked.

“Most assistant professors avoid these lower-tier lectures, especially due to the subtle social dynamics among colleagues.”

Luo En mused inwardly: “But for me, this is the perfect learning opportunity.”

Pushing open the lecture hall doors, he found nearly fifty apprentices already seated.

Most were youths at the foundational or intermediate stages, engaged in hushed conversations brimming with anticipation for the upcoming “Enchanter Entry-Level” course.

Luo En moved toward an empty seat at the rear corner.

The apprentices fell silent upon noticing the stranger in an assistant professor’s robe, curious gazes following him.

“Isn’t that the new Primordial Mage?”

“That’s Assistant Professor Luo En. Rumor says his courses are already full.”

“If so, why would he attend such a basic class?”

“They say he might have special ties to the Crown Clan.”

Whispers spread through the hall. Luo En ignored them, settling quietly into his seat.

He knew his presence would draw attention regardless—any overt reaction would only amplify it.

Minutes later, the hall doors opened again, revealing a middle-aged man in a deep blue robe with silver hair cascading over his shoulders.

His features were sharp yet dignified, exuding the calm aura of a scholar.

Most striking were his hands—long, elegant fingers lined with intricate runes glowing faintly silver, a signature technique of his creation.

“Welcome to the first lecture of Enchanter Entry-Level.”

His voice, though not loud, carried clearly to every corner of the room:

“I am your instructor, Fredric Levin.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end