The Spirit Eye Furnace was located in the southern region of the wizard Continent, within the domain of the Dark wizards.
The Atlas Mountains, like a colossal blade spanning across the heavens and the earth, divided the territories of the Dark wizards and White wizards, forming a natural boundary.
Crossing this mountain range would lead into the lands of the White wizards, a territory characterized by relative brilliance and order.
However, traveling along the mountain ridge meant venturing into the borderlands between the two major wizard factions.
This was a lawless, chaotic no-man's-land rife with slaughter and intrigue, where even a formal wizard could face danger if they were careless.
For young wizard apprentices, stepping onto this land was like walking on thin ice one misstep could lead to their demise.
And yet, despite the risks, many still dared to embark on this perilous road.
Among them were opportunistic mortals and knights, down-and-out wizard apprentices searching for resources, and even formal wizards on long journeys.
The reason was simple: once they crossed the Atlas Mountains and bypassed the vast Reed Marshes, they would reach the Nightmare Rift.
This was a wizard gathering hub spanning the border between the Dark and White wizards, rich in resources and a hub for swift information exchange.
Moreover, it remained free from the influence of either faction, making it a truly neutral zone praised as a cradle for seekers of knowledge and a sanctuary for outlaws from both the Dark and White wizard realms.
The Salam Duchy, Art Province
Just as Greenwood Province was named after the Emerald Isle Forest, this land took its name from the Atlas Mountains.
At this moment, a large and sturdy carriage was speeding down a wide road.
Creak creak
The wooden wheels ground against the stone-paved road, producing a harsh friction sound. Lacking any form of suspension, the carriage jolted violently with every bump, as if it might fall apart at any moment.
Inside the carriage
Lynn sat quietly on a plush seat, having changed out of his wizard's robe into a finely tailored noble's gown.
The silk fabric shimmered subtly, exuding elegance without ostentation, accentuating his tall and refined figure.
He possessed deep, chiseled facial features, and his dark pupils seemed like ancient abysses, carrying an intangible air of authority.
At this moment, he did not look like a wizard navigating the mysteries and perils of the world. Instead, he resembled a noble scion of distinguished lineage calm and dignified.
His fingers lightly tapped on the window ledge in a slow and steady rhythm.
"Finally, I've left that whirlpool behind…"
The carriage's constant jostling did not disrupt Lynn's thoughts. His mind remained immersed in reflections on past events.
During his time in the Emerald Isle Forest, he had ventured deep into the Landscape, becoming entangled in a crisis far beyond his current level. Had it not been for the intervention of that otherworldly entity, his fate might have been grim…
"I ventured into the Landscape, came close to death multiple times… but in the end, I survived."
Lynn exhaled a long breath, leaning back into the soft seat as if shedding the exhaustion from his journey.
His time in the Landscape not only freed him from contractual bindings but also yielded unexpected treasures:
A fragment of the Golden Scale, the essence of Azure Sky Spirit, and the method to wield it...
These were all exceptionally rare artifacts, yet to Lynn, their value paled in comparison to the Blood Pill of Divinity.
A faint glow emerged.
Lynn's slender fingers moved slightly, and a dim luminescence radiated from the ring on his finger.
The next moment, a blood-red pill appeared in his palm.
Without hesitation, he placed the pill into his mouth.
A surge of pure energy transformed into a warm current, coursing through his limbs and ultimately flooding into his spiritual domain.
Boom!
His spiritual sea felt as if it were being bathed in warm tides expanding, stretching, and growing even deeper and more boundless.
Lynn quietly savored the sensation of his strengthened mental power, his gaze flickering as he peered through the carriage window, though his heart remained burdened.
His journey into the Landscape had indeed been rewarding, but the troubles that followed were just as immense.
"That otherworldly entity… its final words 'I will come for you'…"
Lynn unconsciously tapped his fingers against the window, his brows furrowing slightly.
And then there was the matter of Alder, the enforcement wizard...
But these were future concerns. What was pressing now was the Furnace Stone Dark wizards.
"Furnace Stone..."
The name surfaced in his mind, and his gaze darkened.
If the Spirit Eye Furnace was a known faction in the southern Dark Wizard domain
Then the Furnace Stone was even more powerful and terrifying, standing as one of the dominant forces in the entire southern region!
Lynn vividly recalled, just before escaping the Landscape, the enormous hand that reached out from the shattered sky…
The being behind that hand had already set its sights on him.
Or more accurately on the Azure Sky Spirit in his possession!
Staying in Dark Wizard territory? That was a death sentence!
"No choice I have to take a different route…"
Lynn let out a slow breath, muttering to himself.
He had originally planned to travel through the Dark wizard kingdoms and duchies, collecting resources and steadily growing stronger as he moved toward Nightmare Rift.
But now, that plan had to be abandoned.
He could no longer linger within the reach of the Furnace Stone wizards, allowing them to track him down.
"I need a different route. Faster…"
His fingers slowly curled into a fist, his gaze sharp.
"The faster we reach Rockstone City, the greater your reward."
His voice was calm yet carried an unmistakable authority.
"Understood, my lord!"
The middle-aged coachman outside immediately brightened at the promise, nodding eagerly as he snapped the reins. His grin widened with anticipation.
A noble like Lynn was sure to be generous if he could please him, the reward would be substantial.
The carriage sped forward, wheels kicking up a cloud of dust, leaving behind the Spirit Eye Furnace, Emerald Isle Forest, Furnace Stone, and all of his past entanglements…
..........
After a long day of travel, the carriage finally rolled through the gates of Rockstone City.
Lynn lifted the curtain of the carriage window and took in the sight before him. This city was even more prosperous than he had expected.
Towering city walls, several meters high, loomed above, with fully armed soldiers patrolling the battlements. Clad in armor, they swept a sharp, vigilant gaze over the bustling crowd entering and exiting the city.
At the gate, people surged in a chaotic flow merchant caravans, mercenaries, and wandering travelers crisscrossed the streets. The clatter of hooves, the cries of street vendors, and the murmur of conversations intertwined into a lively symphony.
However, Lynn's gaze lingered only briefly before shifting beyond the city walls toward the distant Atlas Mountains.
The sun was setting, casting golden-red hues across the sky.
Yet, the towering mountains stood silent and motionless, like an ancient giant, almost eclipsing the sun entirely. A sense of overwhelming oppression hung over the landscape.
Solemn and heavy, as if even the air had thickened.
Snap!
A crisp crack of the whip sounded, and the wheels creaked as the carriage driver urged the horses forward toward the city's most luxurious hotel.
The long journey had finally come to an end.
When the carriage came to a halt, the middle-aged driver swiftly dismounted, unloading Lynn's luggage with practiced efficiency.
Lynn was always cautious. Ever since he had suffered a humiliating defeat and ended up stranded in the mortal world, he had developed a habit of keeping a supply of both mortal gold and magic stones, the currency of the wizarding world, in his spatial ring. Just in case.
Casually, he tossed a heavy pouch of gold coins to the driver.
"You've done well."
The driver instinctively caught the bag. The weight in his hands sent a thrill of delight surging through him, his wrinkled face lighting up with joy. Bowing repeatedly, he spoke in a tone brimming with respect.
"Rest assured, my lord! I will personally see to your luggage!"
Without waiting for further instruction, he swiftly lifted the baggage and eagerly arranged for Lynn's check-in.
At that moment, a young maid of striking beauty approached.
Her eyes gleamed with a peculiar light as she gazed at Lynn. Moving closer, she adopted a seductive posture, her head lowered slightly. As she leaned in, glimpses of her fair skin became visible beneath her revealing attire.
Her voice dripped with honeyed charm.
"Honorable sir, your room is ready."
She subtly tugged at her neckline, exposing more of her ample chest, her gaze soft and expectant.
After all, nobles who spent lavishly like Lynn often proved to be excellent patrons. A single night with him could earn her a generous reward perhaps even a chance to climb the social ladder and change her fate forever!
Yet, what happened next was something she never anticipated.
After leading Lynn to his room, she watched with hopeful anticipation as he pushed the door open.
But then
The handsome noble merely flashed a faint smile.
Without hesitation, he reached into his chest and firmly kneaded it.
The maid instinctively let out a soft gasp.
Yet, in the next instant
Lynn abruptly withdrew his hand, stuffed a hefty sum of gold into hers, and shut the door in one smooth motion.
Bang!
The door closed right in front of her, cutting her off completely.
The maid stood there, stunned.
For a brief moment, the air seemed frozen in place. Then, her face twisted into a mix of humiliation and fury.
"He… he treated me like a cheap tavern whore!"
Though the distinction was subtle, she prided herself on being above common prostitutes. That a nobleman would be so crude it filled her with indignation.
But as she fumed, something felt off.
Glancing down, she realized she was clutching a thick stack of gold coins.
Her fingers tightened around the money, her initial shame and anger giving way to hesitation.
A mix of emotions flickered across her face resentment, regret, even reluctant acceptance.
In the end, she let out a long sigh, staring wistfully at the tightly shut door.
"Just for a touch, this much gold… Such a shame.
Do rich men all have these strange preferences…?"
Inside the room, Lynn paid no mind to the maid's reaction.
He closed the door, locked it, and strode toward the plush bed. Without hesitation, he threw himself onto it.
With a flick of his fingers, his spatial ring glowed briefly before producing a small, crimson pill.
Blood Pill of Divinity!
Tossing it into his mouth, he swallowed it in one smooth motion.
Instantly, a fiery surge of energy spread through his body, coursing through his limbs like a rushing current.
Lynn had thousands of these pills.
He devoted himself to consuming them one by one, maximizing their effects to rapidly enhance his mental strength.
At the same time, he waited patiently.
His plan was to journey into the Atlas Mountains, and then traverse through them toward his final destination the Nightmare Rift.
But first getting into the Atlas Mountains was no simple task.
The mountains marked the boundary between black wizards and white wizards.
Most areas were sealed off by powerful magical barriers, with only a few guarded passes allowing passage.
In the era of war between black and white wizards, these passes had been heavily fortified, serving as the frontlines of battle.
Any suspicious individuals approaching would be deemed spies potentially executed on sight!
Even now, though the war had ended years ago, those checkpoints still stood, serving as a mutually acknowledged border.
Though security was no longer as stringent, passing through still required a hefty price.
And in Rockstone City, there was one such pass leading into the Atlas Mountains.
Lynn calculated the time. Outside, the night had grown deep. The sun had long since set, and the city lay shrouded in silence.
"Almost time… That checkpoint only opens once per night, at midnight."
He glanced out the window.
Midnight.
Rolling off the bed, he donned a dark wizard's robe, placed an expressionless mask over his face, and cast a spell to conceal his aura before slipping out of the hotel.
Under the cover of night, Rockstone City felt eerily still. Shadows stretched long over the deserted streets.
Lynn walked steadily, weaving through winding alleys before finally arriving at a dilapidated tavern on the city's western side.
Its doors were shut tight, its walls worn and crumbling, as if abandoned for years.
The only sign of life was a flickering oil lamp, its feeble glow barely piercing the darkness.
Yet Lynn's attention fell on the wolf-headed statue beside the entrance.
The stone wolf, crafted with uncanny realism, bared its fangs its mouth forming a narrow slit.
Without hesitation, Lynn retrieved ten magic stones, dropping them in one by one.
Buzz
Suddenly, the wolf's eyes flickered with eerie green light, as though awakening from slumber!
The sealed tavern door swung open without a sound, revealing a pitch-black passage leading into the unknown.
Lynn narrowed his eyes, pulling his robe tighter around himself before striding forward into the darkness.
Descending a sloping path, he walked for a while before finally reaching a door at the end of the passage.
Without hesitation, he pushed it open.
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