Chapter 281: Lich King's Shame

Chapter 281: Lich King's Shame

Eve gently clasped Uther's hand. "Grandfather, you will forever be our guiding beacon."

Luo En observed this warm scene, silently analyzing everything before him.

Uther's students displayed a sincerity that felt rare in the black mist School, where relationships often revolved around transaction rather than genuine lineage and connection. Perhaps the painful reality was... ordinary apprentices at the black mist School simply lacked the status to be regarded as true heirs by the lofty Full Mages above?

Beside them, Daire asked curiously, "Grandfather Uther, are you really, really old? Older than the Siren's Great Elder?"

Uther chuckled at the innocent question. "The Siren's Great Elder is likely a Dawn Star Rank Mage. Even considering their species' longevity, they'd live no more than seven or eight centuries. As for me... I've long lost count of my exact age. I only know I've witnessed three major reforms of the Crystal Spire and bid farewell to countless friends and students."

Luo En sensed the profound loneliness behind Uther's words. For a being who had lived for millennia, time's flow brought not just accumulated knowledge but endless farewells.

Immortality might seem like a blessing to commoners, but to those who truly experienced it, it could feel like an unspeakable curse.

Dinner continued in a pleasant atmosphere. Eve's culinary skills were genuinely astounding. Each dish was a vibrant, aromatic masterpiece, its presentation rivaling fine art. After sampling several bites, Luo En had to admit the food was as delicious as it was beautiful.

"By the way, since arriving at the Crystal Spire, your performance has certainly lived up to your 'Treasure Grade' evaluation", Uther remarked, steering the conversation toward Luo En. "Your paper on mobile Simulation Combat Devices has already caused quite a stir in academic circles."

Luo En smiled modestly. "It was mostly good fortune—my research direction simply aligned with the School's needs. Plus, my work built upon the foundational theories of those before me. I merely integrated and refined existing ideas."

"Fortune?" Uther gave a soft chuckle. "Young man, I've used my privileges to read your paper. The innovative design of the mana circulation system, the unique insights into soul fragment stabilization—those weren't luck."

"You flatter me", Luo En replied respectfully, though inwardly surprised. He hadn't expected his research to already reach the Spire's upper echelons. This recognition was an honor, but also meant his every move at the Crystal Spire was under scrutiny.

"Your lectures are also wildly popular", the black-haired princess interjected with a smile. "I've never seen a class with empty seats. Even assistant professors and lecturers often come to observe."

"That's largely due to having a genius like Eveprince in attendance", Luo En deflected gracefully. "Combined with some unconventional teaching methods, it naturally draws curious eyes. But I suspect many attend simply to see why the Crown Clan's princess chose an assistant professor from an obscure institution as her mentor."

Uther's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Don't be so humble, Luo En. At the Crystal Spire, earning such attention and praise is proof of your strength. You simplify complex theories in ways that are startling yet never shallow—this is a rare teaching talent."

He turned his gaze to Eve. "What pleases me most is seeing little Eve's improved condition. The 'mana corruption' symptoms have eased recently, haven't they?"

Eve nodded joyfully, her happiness radiating. "Yes, Grandfather! Luo En Mentor's Boon helped stabilize my condition. For the first time in fourteen years, I can briefly leave the mana isolation environment."

Uther's expression softened. "For an old man, nothing brings more comfort than seeing a younger generation recover. Eve's 'mana corruption' plagued us for years. Experts from every field tried and failed. We'd nearly lost hope... until now. We must thank you for joining this effort."

Luo En inclined his head. "This was a mutually beneficial collaboration. Eveprince's teachings have been invaluable to me as well—especially the spiritual energy refinement techniques, astrology, and historical insights."

Uther's gaze grew thoughtful. "Since we're discussing this, how have your recent studies in history and astrology progressed?"

"Slowly", Luo En admitted. "Even with the prince's guidance, mastering these fields' core principles will take much time."

"No need to rush", Uther advised gently. "These disciplines harbor profound dangers. Progress must be gradual—like staring into the Abyss. Stare too long, and it stares back. Rushing brings disaster, not breakthroughs."

As he spoke, dessert concluded.

Franca, the Half-dragon Person maid, rose tactfully, exchanging a glance with the nearby tree spirit. "If you three wish to discuss academic matters, we could admire the festival gardens in the backyard. The Spiritlight Blooms are in full splendor tonight."

Eve nodded. "Thank you, Franca. We do have matters to discuss. The backyard pavilion has custom mana beverages—feel free to help yourselves."

Franca bowed, leading Ai Lan and Daire from the hall. Only Luo En, Eve, and Uther remained.

The atmosphere shifted subtly. Uther's projection solidified, silver light swirling around them in intricate patterns, forming an invisible barrier against eavesdropping.

"Now we come to forbidden and secret matters", Uther said, his eyes glinting mysteriously. "Tonight, I'll share a story—of ambition, betrayal, and the truth behind the one called the 'Blood King.' These secrets are nearly lost even in the Crystal Spire's deepest archives, yet they shaped our world's very foundations."

Eve's eyes lit up like a child hearing bedtime tales, though her knowledge far surpassed her peers. "Is this about the Third Era legends, Grandfather?"

Uther smiled. "A wise child indeed. Yes—the truth about the 'Blood King,' one of only two Lich Kings in the Third Era, who shook the mage world alongside the 'Absurdist King.'"

Luo En leaned forward instinctively, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. The "Blood King" was among history's most enigmatic figures—his rise shrouded in myth.

"Do you know how the Blood King rose to power?" Uther asked, his silver eyes gleaming like translucent crystal. "Official records claim he ascended through sheer talent and effort. But the truth is, his rise came entirely through inheriting the Phantom Husk Residual Structure of his ancestor—Archmage 'The Blood Lady' Selna."

"The Blood Lady" Selna...

Luo En searched his memory. She was one of the True Path Pioneers Madame Ellen had once mentioned—a primordial force from the Third Era's dawn. Who would have guessed she connected to a Lich King?

Luo En’s eyes widened slightly, his spiritual energy instinctively gathering.

“Can a Phantom Husk actually be inherited? I thought it was a unique existence for each Archmage, completely different from conventional lineage concepts.”

“In theory, yes.” Uther nodded slowly, silver eyebrows lifting slightly.

“As the transcendent form of an Archmage’s physical body, the Phantom Husk is usually inseparable from their soul structure. However, under specific conditions—especially for mage clans with exceptionally strong bloodline traits—certain fragments of a Phantom Husk can indeed be partially inherited or activated by descendants sharing that bloodline.”

Eve tilted her head, curiosity sparking. “How rare is this occurrence?”

Uther shook his head, silver light rippling. “Exceedingly rare. In recorded history, there are no more than five successful cases, and nearly all came at great risk and cost.

Take ‘Blood of the King.’ Back then, his name was still Aiden Bradley. He successfully absorbed remnants of Serena’s Phantom Husk through a forbidden ritual, enhancing the power of his Special Innate Talent.”

Luo En leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “What were the details of this ritual?”

Uther’s expression darkened. “That’s not the point of my story tonight, Luo En. This ritual has been outlawed by all major mage factions across the Abyssal Continent Cluster. Not only is it perilous, but it also involves desecrating the Phantom Husks of one’s ancestors.

From what I know, Aiden paid a steep price—parts of his soul shattered permanently, leaving irreparable cracks.”

Luo En nodded, swallowing his lingering curiosity. He knew when to stop.

Eve’s eyes lit up. “This sounds like Bloodline Lock—the concept Mother mentioned briefly, though she never explained it.”

Uther’s lips curved into a smile. “Exactly, little Eve. Bloodline Lock is an ancient phenomenon common among powerful bloodline clans.

Simply put, when a family produces an exceptionally strong mage—especially one reaching Archmage or even Lich King levels—successive generations often face an invisible limit, unable to surpass their ancestors’ achievements.”

He locked his gaze on the girl, watching her reaction. “This restriction isn’t deliberate. It’s a natural rule, like a river that can’t rise higher than its source. Bloodlines seem to have an inherent ceiling, set by the clan’s most powerful individual, though this process is entirely unconscious.”

Beside her, Luo En’s mind raced. This information was invaluable. The Bloodline Lock concept explained why clans struggled to dominate schools and hinted at hidden dynamics between bloodline lineages. It directly aided his research.

“So far,” Uther continued, “only one method exists to lift Bloodline Lock.”

“Wait—waiting for the strongest ancestor to die?” Luo En guessed.

“Correct.” Uther nodded. “Only after their passing can descendants break through this invisible barrier. That’s why some ancient mage families experience ‘generational leaps’—new geniuses emerge only after the old guard passes.”

The two fell into thought, each reflecting differently. Luo En pondered Cassandra, Eve, and the Absurdist King’s relationship, while Eve considered her own circumstances.

“Back to the topic,” Uther steered them. “Blood of the King was Aiden’s title in the Third Era, rivaling the Absurdist King. Yet they’ve harbored deep enmity, stemming from their divergent paths to power.”

Eve bit her lip, amethyst eyes shimmering. “Did they ever clash directly?”

Uther shook his head. “After becoming Lich Kings? Rarely. Great beings rarely engage in open conflict. They vie through indirect influence and competition over civilizations’ achievements.

Before ascending, however, Aiden feared his arch-nemesis—the Archmage who mastered curses and preceded him. He worried this foe would target his bloodline descendants to weaken or destroy him.”

Uther’s voice dropped, laced with disgust. “So he made a monstrous decision… to slaughter every member of his own clan.”

Eve gasped, gripping the table. “He killed his own family? Including children and elders?”

“All of them,” Uther confirmed, voice heavy. “From newborns to the elderly, from close kin to distant relatives. He dispatched countless hunting squads across the Abyssal Continent Cluster, hunting them relentlessly for a decade.

His rationale? Without bloodline continuity, the bloodline curse would lose its purpose.”

Luo En maintained his composure, but inwardly, he recoiled. Even by power-hungry standards, this brutality revealed Aiden’s twisted psyche.

“There’s more,” Uther’s brow furrowed. “After becoming Lich King, he tried erasing Selena’s historical records, fabricating a narrative that his rise was purely self-made.

He infiltrated major schools’ archives to steal or alter documents, silenced witnesses through bribes or threats, even attempted to tamper with the Truth Pavilion’s records—desperate to erase his dependence on ancestral power and craft a flawless image.”

“But he failed?” Luo En pressed.

“Naturally.” Uther’s tone turned sarcastic. “Selena was a top-tier Archmage recorded by the Truth Pavilion—a primordial mage who walked the True Path. Her legacy was too deeply etched into the magical world’s collective memory.

The Truth Pavilion’s guardianship of history proved far stronger than he imagined. His plan backfired spectacularly, cementing his infamy instead of erasing it.”

Luo En noticed his own “Historical Research” skill bar nudging forward. Forbidden knowledge like this far surpassed mundane archives, touching history’s deepest truths.

“Yet despite this,” Uther’s voice darkened, “Aiden eventually became Lich King, conquering the Blood of Chaos.”

The irony wasn’t lost. “That very realm was built on Grandmage Selena’s discoveries. Years prior, she’d explored this blood-soaked Exotic Realm thoroughly. Aiden merely completed the conquest using her foundation.”

Uther sighed. “To other Lich Kings, this made him a laughingstock—the most despised and isolated among them. No matter where he went, scorn and suspicion shadowed him.”

Eve blinked. “So no Lich King respects him?”

Uther’s smile held no warmth. “He’s the weakest of them all. His rise relied on opportunism, and inheriting that Phantom Husk left his soul unstable. Worse, after becoming Lich King, he focused on eliminating threats rather than deepening his mastery of power essence.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end