"In my name, great Spirit of the Azure Sky, unleash your full power!"
Maple Tree's voice was like the whisper of a deity ethereal and mysterious echoing throughout the heavens and earth.
At that moment, as crimson maple leaves gently drifted down, a dazzling azure light erupted into the sky. It was like the break of dawn piercing through darkness, illuminating the entire battlefield with an overwhelming presence.
Meanwhile, the otherworldly entity manipulated the golden scale. Its radiance shone brilliantly as the Furnace Master was consumed by the scale's power, completely absorbed.
In the next instant, the golden light turned upon the entity itself. The scale gently swayed, unleashing a terrifying wave of energy.
Although Alder had already activated his hidden reserve power and released his strongest force, he was still being suppressed. His starry robe shimmered with countless glowing constellations, struggling against the restraint.
However, the otherworldly being merely caressed the golden scale in its hands, as if cherishing a priceless treasure, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk curling its lips.
Ding!
A piercing golden light burst forth from the scale, directly suppressing Alder's starlight, rendering him motionless, trapped under the scale's power.
"Hmm?!"
Alder's eyes flashed with starlight as he attempted to resist the golden force, but his efforts were in vain.
At that moment, the murderous intent in the otherworldly being's gaze grew colder.
Just when the situation seemed settled, maple leaves suddenly began to swirl through the sky, cascading like a dazzling autumn rain.
Then, a deep, solemn chant echoed from the void, resonating across every corner of the battlefield.
The Spirit of the Azure Sky ascended, radiating its most brilliant azure light!
The divine glow carried the force of a mighty tempest, sweeping across the heavens and hurtling straight toward the otherworldly being!
The attack came so suddenly without warning that even Alder and the entity had not foreseen such an abrupt change.
Boom!
The azure light crashed into the golden scale like a thunderous bolt, producing a crisp, resonant crack.
Crack!
High in the air, the golden scale shattered under the sheer impact, splitting into two halves. Its fragments scattered in all directions, and its radiant glow vanished completely.
"That scale was merely a projected manifestation, incapable of withstanding the true power of the Azure Sky Spirit… Lynn, I have one final request. If possible, use the Spirit of the Azure Sky to seal my body. If you cannot, then at least protect yourself and take me away..."
Maple Tree's voice gradually faded, his last words carrying a solemn plea.
"Now! While he hasn't reassembled the scale finish him!"
As these words fell, Maple Tree's figure vanished, merging into the light of the Azure Sky Spirit.
Lynn's eyes flickered as he confirmed that Maple Tree had truly burned out and could no longer backstab him.
"Next time I make a contract with someone, I must outline every detail carefully no more last-minute betrayals from so-called allies."
Lynn watched as Maple Tree disappeared, his mind already planning...
Lynn put away the Spirit of the Azure Sky and turned his gaze to the distance.
Maple Tree's final strike had shifted the tide of battle. Alder had broken free from the scale's suppression, while the otherworldly being was blasted away by the explosion of the shattered scale.
Taking a deep breath, Lynn focused his spiritual energy. His Yfgríd spell coursed through his body, extending deep into the earth like roots spreading underground.
At the same time, a faint green light shimmered across Lynn's form.
It was the effect of Echo of Vitality, a First-Level defensive spell that reinforced his defenses, ensuring he had little to fear from attacks.
Muttering a few incantations under his breath, Lynn cast another spell:
"Wind Stride!"
Instantly, the air around him became saturated with wind-element energy, and his speed surged. With the wind at his feet, he dashed forward.
Empowered by Wind Stride, Lynn swiftly approached the battlefield where Alder and the otherworldly entity clashed.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Alder who fought without emotion, utterly devoid of personal thoughts.
"As long as he doesn't resort to otherworldly methods…"
Lynn's foot pressed lightly against the ground. A tremor rippled through the earth as massive roots shot up like serpents, lunging straight at the otherworldly entity.
The creature's expression darkened.
The destruction of the golden scale had stripped away its primary power source. The suppressive effect of the Withering and Flourishing Poem spell once again weighed heavily upon it, leaving it feeling weak and vulnerable.
If not for the golden fragment of the scale still clenched in its grip, it would have already been crushed by Alder's relentless assault.
Using the fragment's residual power, it managed to barely maintain the strength of a peak First-Level wizard.
As it prepared to absorb more fragments to sustain itself, the ground suddenly ruptured.
A gigantic tree root shot up like a viper striking its prey!
"What?!"
The entity's face twisted in alarm as it dodged sideways, barely avoiding being ensnared by the root.
Yet, another root lashed across its thigh, slicing through its flesh like a sharp blade. Blood sprayed into the air.
Its stolen body belonged to a nature wizard, not a bloodline wizard, making it far more vulnerable to injury.
Even so, with a desperate twist, the entity rolled across the battlefield, kicking up dust as it reached out and grasped another scale fragment embedded in the ground.
The moment its fingers closed around the shard, its weakening body slightly recovered, and the wound on its thigh began to mend.
From a distance, Lynn witnessed everything unfold.
"I can't let him reclaim those fragments!"
With his decision made, Lynn sprinted toward a different fragment of the scale.
The fragment radiated an intense otherworldly aura. While Lynn could theoretically use the language of the outer realms to control it, doing so would likely mark him as a target for Alder.
Instead, he raised the Spirit of the Azure Sky and directed its power at the fragment.
In an instant, a crimson maple leaf drifted from the spirit's glow, and the scale fragment vanished.
Faint traces of the fragment's energy lingered upon the leaf. Lynn swiftly tucked it away.
Taking advantage of Alder's ongoing battle with the entity, Lynn rapidly gathered more fragments, his actions decisive and efficient.
Time passed. In a matter of moments, Lynn had collected over 80% of the fragments.
The otherworldly entity, still restrained by Alder, could barely sustain its power at the peak of a First-Level wizard.
Now was the time to strike!
Lynn licked his lips. With Wind Stride still in effect, he turned sharply and charged at the entity.
With Alder providing an unrelenting offense, Lynn only needed to direct Yfgríd for long-range support.
Alder lunged, forcing the entity into a dead-end.
Lynn's gaze darkened. With a mere thought, tree roots rumbled beneath the battlefield.
Whip!
Two massive roots lashed down like a pair of scissors, slicing through the entity's waist. Blood sprayed violently, the sight gruesome.
Lynn and Alder attacked in unison, relentlessly pressing the entity into a corner.
Even with its remaining power, it was now barely hanging on.
But just as Lynn prepared to land a finishing blow, a sudden and violent tremor shattered the battlefield.
Boom!
Above the firmament, the azure sky was like a flawless sapphire serene and profound.
However, beneath this beautiful canopy, a tiny black dot suddenly appeared.
Soon, the black dot expanded, forming crisscrossing black lines, like a giant spider web slowly cracking open.
Crack!
Crack!
One after another, fractures emerged as the black lines spread, as if the once unbreakable sky was now being torn apart!
A thunderous rupture echoed like rolling thunder, shaking everything within the landscape.
Whether it was towering mountains, deep forests, vast grasslands, or tranquil lakes, all of them trembled at this moment.
The sky had split open!
Even though everyone knew they were not in the real world but trapped in a mysterious space, the strength of this space was unimaginable.
Even the terrifying spell [Withering and Flourishing Poem] had only managed to tear apart the maze-like layers of space, suppressing everyone's power to the level of a third-level apprentice. Yet, it had failed to truly break this enigmatic realm.
And now, the sky had cracked!
Lynn and the otherworldly creature were simultaneously shaken by this sight, their gazes lifting in unison toward the rift in the firmament.
As the fractures spread wider, dark-robed figures began to emerge from the cracks.
Each figure's arrival brought with it an overwhelming surge of spiritual pressure.
The fissure widened further, and sharp bursts of spiritual energy shot out, locking onto Alder with deadly precision!
"That emblem…"
Lynn's pupils contracted sharply as he caught sight of the insignia on the black-robed wizards' garments, immediately recognizing their identity:
"They're wizards from Furnace Stone!"
Furnace Stone is a black wizard faction even stronger than Spirit Eye Furnace, possessing numerous Morning Star-level wizards. It was a force far more formidable than Spirit Eye Furnace itself.
"What a mess…"
One of the black-robed wizards spoke coldly, his gaze sweeping across Lynn, Alder, and the otherworldly creature. He said indifferently:
"The landscape we sealed back then has turned into such a huge problem…"
"These damn law enforcement wizards keep causing trouble for us… Luckily, we sealed all information inside this space, preventing the enforcer from linking to the grand formation. Otherwise, the Wizard Council would've noticed us by now…"
Another black-robed wizard spoke, his tone filled with murderous intent as he floated in the air, speaking nonchalantly.
Upon hearing this, Lynn's eyes narrowed.
Earlier, Maple had mentioned that Alder was essential. Lynn had assumed Alder would play a significant role.
But now, it seemed the Furnace Stone faction was behind everything, rendering Alder incapable of fulfilling his role as a law enforcement wizard…
"Take that law enforcer away. As for this landscape, let's put an end to it. And the others… kill them all! They're the reason that law enforcer got attracted here in the first place…"
Another black-robed wizard issued the order, his killing intent palpable. A surge of spiritual energy spread, enveloping the entire landscape.
"Alright, I'll take the law enforcer away. You deal with the rest…"
One of the black wizards nodded, his figure flashing as he rushed toward Lynn and the others.
Hearing this, Lynn's expression darkened beneath his hood.
The landscape was shattered, a passage was opened, and suddenly, these Furnace Stone wizards arrived.
Lynn had initially thought he was saved, even suspecting that Spirit Eye Wizards had called Furnace Stone for reinforcements, given that they were both black wizard factions…
But from the wizards' indifferent tone, it became clear that they weren't here for the Spirit Eye Wizards at all…
Yes, they also wanted to resolve the landscape issue, but their methods were entirely different.
To his shock, their "solution" was to first extract the law enforcer Alder and then massacre everyone else…
Furnace Stone, a powerful black wizard faction deep within black wizard territory, was ruthless and decisive.
Moreover, they weren't here to deal with the landscape
They were here for the law enforcer!
And as a side note, they planned to eliminate everyone else who entered the landscape…
At this moment, Lynn faced a dire predicament how could he possibly survive against a group of overwhelmingly powerful black wizards?
These wizards had not been weakened by the earlier Withering and Flourishing Poem. They still retained their full strength.
Thoughts surged chaotically through Lynn's mind, leaving him unable to assess the black-robed wizards' true power the gap between them was simply too vast.
Now, he could only feel helpless about Maple, who lay unconscious. Even Maple's intricate plan likely hadn't accounted for the sudden appearance of the Furnace Stone faction…
In fact, not only Maple, but even Alder had assumed that, after leaving this place, he would simply file a complaint against Furnace Stone for ignoring the landscape problem.
Clearly, in Alder's mind, Furnace Stone had merely enclosed the landscape and left it alone.
But for them to show up now, it was obvious they weren't here for the landscape.
They were here for Alder, the law enforcer…
"Maple, you calculated everything so carefully… but what do we do now?"
Lynn pressed his lips together. He was already regretting not ignoring the otherworldly creature and leaving as soon as possible…
At this moment, the situation suddenly spiraled out of control, surpassing everyone's expectations and calculations.
"Give me all the sacred relic fragments, or we'll both die here…"
Just then, the otherworldly creature spoke up first, directly communicating with Lynn in an alien language.
"Don't hesitate. You're not even a first-level wizard. Once they attack, you won't stand a chance…"
Lynn's eyes narrowed.
For other wizards, cooperating with an otherworldly being might come with moral hesitation.
But for him, if it was a matter of survival, working with the creature seemed like a viable option.
However, cooperation was one thing handing over all the fragments was another matter.
The landscape had likely been torn open due to his use of Azure Sky Spirit to seal the Scale Fragment.
After all, if his guess was correct, the spell Maple had cast using Azure Sky Spirit likely surpassed the sixth-level threshold.
And yet, it still failed to breach the landscape.
But shortly after Lynn sealed the fragments, the landscape was suddenly torn apart. There had to be a causal connection…
Even if he were to cooperate with the otherworldly creature, he couldn't just hand over all the fragments at once.
Otherwise, if the landscape fully restored itself, wouldn't they end up trapped again? If that happened, escaping would be impossible…
After careful deliberation, Lynn retrieved the fragments and tossed 30% of them to the otherworldly creature.
Whoosh!
The fragments were absorbed into the creature's palm. He then flashed away, dodging Alder's attack.
"Not enough! That's a third-level wizard don't hesitate! If you hold back, we're dead the moment he arrives!"
The creature's voice grew more urgent, pressing Lynn relentlessly.
Lynn didn't respond immediately but instead threw another 20% of the fragments.
The creature grasped them, and the Scale Fragment in his hands began to take shape.
Boom!
Just then, one of the black wizards finally descended.
Without a word, he flicked his fingers.
Two streaks of lightning shot forth, hurtling toward Lynn and the otherworldly creature!
Lynn barely had time to react before sensing the overwhelming danger. The lightning was so fast that he could hardly track it.
He knew that his Yfgríd and Echo of Vitality defenses wouldn't withstand this attack.
This was a third-level grand wizard's lightning spell strong enough to pierce through both of his protective layers effortlessly.
But fortunately, in his hand, the Azure Sky Spirit suddenly trembled…
Swish!
A streak of blue light shot out instantly, sealing the lightning bolt into a withered maple leaf, firmly imprisoning it.
At the same time, the otherworldly being let out a cold snort, and the fragments in its hand rapidly fused, forming a golden, dazzling scale.
The scale hovered in mid-air like a massive suspended scale, radiating intense energy waves that made the surrounding air feel heavy.
"[May the remnants of the great existence in this murky world purify you all!]"
The otherworldly being raised the scale high, its voice filled with utmost sincerity and reverence.
The streak of lightning, carrying a terrifying power capable of tearing through space, shot out like a torrential storm, locking onto the otherworldly being's forehead.
However, in the next instant, the scale erupted with dazzling brilliance!
The otherworldly being had absorbed the lightning directly into the scale.
A moment later, an even more terrifying bolt of lightning emerged from the other end of the scale, as if it were about to devour everything, shooting straight at the black wizard!
Boom!
This lightning was far more powerful and terrifying than the previous one!
At that moment, the black wizard had just subdued Alder and knocked him unconscious, preparing to take him away.
Sensing something was amiss, his expression changed drastically. He hastily waved his robe, instantly forming a shield of lightning behind him.
However, the lightning bolt pierced through his shield effortlessly and struck him head-on like a divine punishment.
"Ugh..."
The black wizard spat out a mouthful of blood as his body was blasted backward in an extremely wretched state.
On the other side, Lynn's expression shifted slightly upon witnessing this scene. He hadn't expected the scale to function in such a way.
"[Give me the remaining fragments, and I'll let you out!]"
At that moment, the otherworldly being spoke to Lynn once again, its tone filled with menace.
Yet, Lynn remained unmoved, merely tightening his grip on the Azure Sky Spirit in his hand.
The current situation was far too dangerous everyone here was stronger than him. In such circumstances, the only thing that gave him a sense of security was the Azure Sky Spirit.
"[You...]"
The otherworldly being was about to continue its threats when, suddenly, an overwhelming spiritual force enveloped the entire [Landscape] at an astonishing speed.
The presence was unimaginably strong as if it could twist space itself, exerting absolute control over everything.
"Oh?"
A faint exclamation of surprise echoed through the air. In the next moment, the owner of that immense spiritual force locked onto Lynn and the otherworldly being.
Their focus precisely pinpointed the Azure Sky Spirit in Lynn's hand and the golden scale held by the otherworldly being.
As the spiritual force swept over him, Lynn felt as though he had plunged into an icy abyss his very soul trembled violently.
The entity wielding this power was by far the most terrifying existence he had ever encountered!
The otherworldly being's expression darkened instantly. It hadn't expected Lynn to turn the tables and negotiate with it.
But now, with a formidable enemy closing in from outside, it had no time to waste.
"[Ten percent! Give me another ten percent of the fragments, and I'll send you out!]"
"[Open the door first!]"
Lynn dared not waste time either, but he knew that while he was anxious, the otherworldly being was even more desperate.
Holding a large handful of scale fragments in his hand, his tone turned ice-cold, making it clear that this would be a direct exchange nothing more, nothing less.
The otherworldly being's deep eyes stared at Lynn. This creature, who had somehow learned its language, actually dared to negotiate with it.
However, after a brief pause, it took a deep breath and activated the golden scale in its hand.
A brilliant light appeared behind Lynn, revealing a glimpse of the world beyond [Landscape] a portal to the outside world was slowly opening.
Boom!
At that moment, the rift in the sky trembled violently once again.
This time, a fully materialized spiritual force took the shape of a massive hand, reaching directly toward Lynn and the otherworldly being.
The sheer intensity of the force locked them both in place as if it sought to imprison them in this space for eternity.
Faced with such an overwhelming force, Lynn had no power to resist.
However, just as the pressure bore down on him, the Azure Sky Spirit and the golden scale erupted in brilliant light, instantly dispelling part of the restraint, and allowing Lynn and the otherworldly being to momentarily break free.
Lynn fixed his gaze on the black-robed wizard within the celestial rift. The wizard's presence was akin to that of a god, exuding an aura of supreme authority.
Extending a hand toward the rift, the black-robed wizard's hand transformed into an enormous palm as it reached into [Landscape], its five fingers closing in like a mountain range upon Lynn and the otherworldly being.
Faced with such a dire situation, Lynn dared not hesitate.
Pressing his lips together, he tossed the scale fragments toward the otherworldly being, then flung himself backward into the dazzling light!
At that moment, a colossal green tree silhouette suddenly emerged behind him, wrapping around him tightly.
Seizing that fleeting opportunity, Lynn plunged downward.
As he did, his vision of [Landscape] gradually faded the once-trapped space growing ever more distant.
In the dimming view, he caught a final glimpse of the golden scale in the otherworldly being's hand. Now further restored with the additional fragments, it shone with an even more radiant brilliance, its golden light nearly illuminating the entire sky.
The otherworldly being seemed to utter something as well, but the distance had grown too great for Lynn to hear.
Yet, he was able to read its lips:
"[I've sent you on your way don't let them catch you. I will take back what is mine... with my own hands.]"
In the next moment, the rift slowly closed. The scene before him grew increasingly hazy, and a powerful force pulled Lynn completely out of [Landscape].
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