Chapter 334: Sandsea Academy

Chapter 334: Sandsea Academy

Luo En was practicing an intricate runic inscription in his laboratory when the Ternary Communication Crystal on his desk corner suddenly emitted a blue glow.

Hayaek's weathered face emerged on the crystal's surface.

The old man's expression appeared much more relaxed than when they parted ways in the Black Mist Jungle.

"Luo En", Hayaek's voice remained steady, though the exhaustion from long-term pressure had vanished:

"Cassandra Tower Lord summoned all border school leaders for... resource reallocation in the Central Lands."

He paused, his eyes flickering with complex emotion:

"Officially it's a work report meeting, but it feels more like a comprehensive personnel reshuffle. She wants to ensure everyone fulfills their proper role in the conquest plans."

Luo En set down his engraving knife and activated Hermit's Insight to observe Hayaek's micro-expressions.

Though outwardly calm, the old man's tightened jawline and slightly constricted pupils betrayed inner tension.

Clearly, this summons carried more gravity than it seemed.

"What's your plan?"

"If possible, us old fellows would like to meet with you", Hayaek asked cautiously.

"At the Vortex Tavern. Nine tonight. Their private rooms offer sufficient privacy protection."

"Of course, I'd like to meet the Mentors as well."

After ending the communication, Luo En gazed at the dimming crystal, analyzing the arrangement's deeper implications.

Cassandra choosing this timing to reallocate border school personnel obviously aimed to prepare for upcoming large-scale adjustments.

...

Built on a massive floating rock, the Vortex Tavern slowly rotated, creating a dizzying visual effect.

Its outer walls, composed of living crystals, shifted colors based on patrons' emotional fluctuations.

Pushing open the wooden door, Luo En immediately felt the tavern's unique atmosphere.

Dozens of isolation runes were embedded in the walls. The air carried subtle mana fluctuations that disrupted most surveillance spells.

This was clearly the preferred venue for Central Lands mages to discuss sensitive matters.

"Your friends await in the Silent Hall."

A silver-eyed server guided Luo En through the labyrinthine corridors.

Opening the private room door, familiar faces came into view.

Hayaek sat at the head of the round table. Though his appearance aged further, relief from shed burdens shone clearly in his eyes.

Youni sat beside him, her purple hair regaining its luster. The dark marks from spiritual contamination had almost vanished completely.

Evidently, leaving the Black Mist Jungle's dangerous environment and receiving Luo En's Boon had effectively resolved her previously minor contamination symptoms.

Magnus stroked his white beard, maintaining his signature stern expression, though a flicker of warmth appeared in his eyes when glancing at Luo En.

Most surprising was Holt, sitting in the corner.

From the mana surging around him and the unconscious radiation field emanating outward...

This former Black Mist School prodigy had successfully crossed that immense threshold.

However, he clearly hadn't fully adapted to his newfound power.

Just attempting to lift his wineglass caused unconscious mana bursts that shattered the crystal stem, splashing wine across the table.

"Damn it..." Holt frowned, looking at his hands with helpless resignation.

"In the Black Mist Jungle, I dreamed countless times of becoming a Full Mage. Now that I've ascended, even holding a glass has become problematic."

This awkward situation contrasted sharply with Luo En sitting across the table.

Though younger, Luo En's mana fluctuations were unfathomably deep yet perfectly restrained, displaying astonishing control.

"After a mana qualitative transformation, adaptation does require time", Luo En said, casually engraving a stabilization rune on the table.

"This will temporarily suppress mana leakage. Remember, spiritual energy must be controlled as precisely as each finger's movement."

As the rune activated, Holt's chaotic energy fluctuations immediately calmed.

"Thanks", Holt's voice carried faint bitterness.

"No matter when, you always provide the most practical solutions."

"Overpraise", Luo En replied lightly, turning to Hayaek.

"Senior Mentor Hayaek, could you elaborate on the resource allocation results?"

Taking a sip from his wineglass, Hayaek looked at Luo En.

"Almost our entire original Black Mist School team has been assigned to the Quicksand Expanse."

"The Quicksand Expanse?" Luo En's surprise was genuine—this exceeded expectations.

A transcendental gathering zone rich in resources but harsh in environment.

Better than the Black Mist Jungle by far, yet still far from an ideal location.

Youni continued, "We'll join the Sandsea Academy there. While conditions remain harsh, at least we won't face daily Abyss leakage threats. The mana concentration is relatively stable, suitable for long-term academic research."

Magnus added, "Sandsea Academy specializes in elemental control and environmental modification, aligning well with our Black Mist Jungle experiences. However..."

He glanced around. "We all know such favorable arrangements likely stem from more than mere professional suitability."

Everyone turned to Luo En.

They understood that given the Black Mist School's devastated state and the complete destruction of the Bloodline Altar, conventional treatment would have sent these "failures" to even more dangerous locations.

"Hayaek senior", Luo En directly addressed the unspoken question. "We all believe you played a role."

Faced with the direct inquiry, Luo En didn't deny:

"I did offer some suggestions. Your guidance during my time in the Black Mist Jungle benefited me greatly. It was only natural to assist within my capabilities."

His tone remained calm and objective, like discussing an academic matter:

"Moreover, the Quicksand Expanse's research environment better suits your expertise. It benefits everyone."

This pragmatic approach proved more persuasive than any emotional appeal.

Each person felt Luo En's sincerity, yet also realized how far this young man had grown—now capable of influencing their fates.

"Son, you've surpassed us all", Hayaek's voice carried genuine warmth.

"I heard you've been appointed temporary vice-leader of the Vanguard Plan? If I recall, such positions typically go to Moonlight Rank core members."

“Yes.” Luo En admitted shortly, offering no further elaboration.

The truth about his complicated relationship with Cassandra clearly wasn’t suitable for discussion here.

“You must be cautious, then.” Magnus suddenly spoke, the old Potion Master—who was second only to Hayaek in age—reminded them,

“This Conquest Plan promises great opportunities, but the fatality rate for participants is extremely high. I heard that during Cassandra Tower Lord’s last conquest operation, one-third of the core members didn’t return alive.”

“Including several senior Moonlight Rank mages.” Youni added, her purple eyes revealing traces of fear:

“The dangers of other worlds far exceed our imagination. Those seemingly weak natives might possess sinister powers completely beyond our comprehension.”

Luo En listened quietly to these warnings, his mind recalling the information Phantom King had revealed.

The true purpose of the Conquest Plan was far more complex and perilous than it appeared on the surface.

But he certainly couldn’t share these deeper truths with others.

“I’ll proceed carefully.”

He replied simply, then steered the conversation toward another concern:

“How is Mentor Soren? I haven’t seen him come here.”

At the mention of that name, the atmosphere grew heavier.

Hayaek was silent for a moment before speaking:

“The decision for Soren is to remain in Black Mist Jungle to guard the Abyss leakage point for ten years.”

“Ten years…” Holt muttered, sympathy in his eyes:

“To face that contamination and danger alone… Even a Full Mage would struggle.”

“But compared to possible other outcomes, this is already a lenient punishment.”

Magnus’s tone turned even more serious:

“According to Crystal Spire’s traditional regulations, those responsible for guard negligence causing major accidents are usually subjected to the extreme punishment of soul incarceration. Being locked in the Culprit Vault, repeatedly burned alive in potion-making—that would be true eternal torment.”

This brutal penal system sent chills through everyone present.

Crystal Spire had always been merciless toward ordinary mages—any mistake could bring catastrophic consequences.

“Being allowed to retain complete personality and free will is already the best possible outcome for Soren.”

Youni’s voice carried a sense of relief after surviving danger:

“And if he successfully completes his mission within ten years, he’ll still have the chance to regain his normal position.”

As the conversation deepened, each person’s specific arrangements gradually clarified:

Hayaek would serve as the Dean of Sandsea Academy, responsible for researching the Environmental Modification Project;

Youni would focus on her research in the field of elemental convergence—the unique elemental environment of the Sandy Lands provided ideal conditions for such studies;

Magnus would continue his role as Potion Master examiner, modifying certain test questions based on the Transcendent materials found in the Sandy Lands;

Holt, as a newly promoted Full Mage, would accumulate experience in foundational teaching roles while continuing to improve his power control.

“Each has their own path.” Luo En raised his wineglass, his tone sincere:

“Although we’ll soon part ways, this isn’t an end. To play to our strengths along our respective roads—that’s the best use of our past experiences.”

“Each has their own path…”

Hayaek repeated the words, his voice filled with reflection:

“Yes… In these current circumstances, we old-timers have somehow circled back to relatively safe environments for research, while you…”

He gazed deeply at Luo En:

“The path you’ve chosen is inevitably the most dangerous. Core members of the Conquest Plan face not only external threats, but internal struggles as well.”

“But it’s also the only path offering the fastest growth.”

Luo En’s voice remained even, yet the determination within sent each person an unshakable calm beyond his years:

“I’ve already cast myself into this storm. For me, safety and advancement are no longer compatible.”

This brutally realistic analysis left everyone in pensive silence.

“Regardless, I’ll remember that phrase from the School Hall back then—Per aspera ad astra.”

Luo En’s gaze swept across each person present:

“Pursuing knowledge, maintaining rationality, and finding one’s own location in this chaotic world.”

“We old-timers have survived for this long precisely because we’ve our own principles.”

Hayaek shook his head:

“And I hope Luo En can always uphold this principle. In an environment full of temptations and dangers, maintaining one’s original intention is far more difficult than acquiring power.”

As night deepened, the gathering approached its end, yet no one took the initiative to say goodbye.

“It’s getting late.” Eventually, Luo En himself broke this delicate balance:

“Everyone has important matters to attend to tomorrow. Let’s part here.”

He stood, offering a simple nod of courtesy to each:

“Thank you for your guidance in the past. If you ever need help in the future, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

“You as well, child.” Hayaek stood too:

“Though we might not be able to assist in research or battle, in certain critical moments, experience and connections might yet prove useful.”

The farewell was brief and restrained.

No excessive emotional displays, yet the sadness in everyone’s eyes was unmistakable.

This understated emotional expression was precisely the unique communication style of mages.

Walking alone on his return journey, his mood was unusually calm.

A subtle sense of solitude began spreading through his heart.

Above, the constellations still shimmered with cold brilliance.

Across those distant galaxies, countless civilizations were rising or falling, countless intelligent lives struggling or despairing.

And he was merely one tiny existence in this infinite universe, striving to find his own path through chaos.

“No matter how small, the road of stars will always have an end.”

………………

When he returned to his workshop, Daire remained dormant in the crystal pool, their metamorphosis still ongoing.

Ai Lan was organizing experiment records, her emerald-green figure swaying gently under the Mana Crystal Lamp.

“Master, was the gathering smooth?”

The tree spirit keenly sensed his subtle transformation.

“Smooth enough.” Luo En replied briefly, “The mentors have all found suitable positions.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Ai Lan didn’t press for more details. As his most loyal assistant, the tree spirit understood when to ask and when to remain silent.

Sitting at his desk, Luo En began calculating his schedule for tomorrow:

“The day after tomorrow is my knowledge exchange day with Eve. I should also continue the bloodline sample collection from Franca. After all, with the two-week holiday ending, once I return to Abyss Observatory, the next time I’ll return to the Central Lands will be at least one month later.”

“I just wonder if Cassandra will be there…”

Thinking of that unfathomable, dazzling witch, Luo En exhaled softly.

He truly didn’t want to confront her directly again so soon, but he couldn’t allow such trivial emotions to delay his research plans.

The next round of sample collection from the Preservation Clan was of vital importance for his upcoming breakthroughs in his own bloodline research.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end