Chapter 1105

Chapter 1086 Ritual Grand Magic, the Abyss Dragon’s Talent!

In Despair Valley, atop a high mountain near the wizarding town, the Macedonian witch stood, eyes closed, letting the icy wind lash her.

Before her lay a precipice, its midsection teeming with countless magical birds and dangerous deer—powerful creatures from the surrounding area.

The Macedonian witch felt the fierce wind and the roars of the dragons below.   ”Mortal… Wizard…”   ”Foolish… Wise…” The Macedonian witch leaped off the precipice, the surrounding flying magical creatures scattering in terror. She landed at the

bottom   . A large crater appeared in the ground at the base of the cliff, created by her permanent defensive force field as she jumped. The Macedonian witch straightened up, a celestial cabbage floating before her. The cabbage’s stalks automatically assembled, forming a celestial armor around her body.   Wielding a cabbage sword, the Macedonian witch swept her gaze over the numerous dark wizards in the valley, slowly saying, “All fools.”   The next moment, she swung her White Emperor Sword, simultaneously taking three cabbage seeds from her astral ring. She casually tossed the three seeds onto the soil, and three cabbage warriors sprouted from the ground. These three cabbage warriors were as tall as a person, their roots forming legs, and their stalks forming arms, wielding cabbage swords just like the Macedonian witch.   These cabbage warriors were created by the Macedonian witch using botanical magic of tree-humans, modifying spell models, and cultivating special cabbage-type magical plants, thus creating a cabbage version of tree-humans.   The dark wizards here were astonished that a white wizard had descended from the sky, arriving in this almost deserted region to hunt them down before they could even commit their evil deeds.   Half an hour later,   the place was a river of blood.   When Wizard Grand arrived with Witch Bella, they were shocked to see an unfinished defensive magic array and the corpses of dark wizards scattered everywhere. Witch Bella, the Purple Witch, looked in disbelief at a device standing in the valley, which had been destroyed by three cabbage warriors with cabbage swords. “This must be a device set up by the Frost Scales,” she said.   The Frost Scales were the third-ranked dark wizard organization in the Rain Swamp.   The top three dark wizard organizations in the Rain Swamp all sought to resurrect the three ancient kings. For example, the Claws of the Swiftness sought to resurrect the ancient Velociraptor King, the Fang of the Deviljho sought to resurrect the ancient Tyrannosaurus Rex King, and the Frost Scales sought to resurrect the ancient Ice Armored Dragon King.

The Frost Scales also enjoyed injecting reptilian bloodline essence into other creatures. Completely disregarding the ethics review committee of the White Wizard Association, they were listed as a Black Wizard organization for their repeated illegal animal experiments.

Bella Witch immediately recognized the device as a large bloodline essence injection device.

It was evidence that the Frost Scales were attempting to create a new large-scale, illegal bloodline experiment here.

Bella Witch looked at the Macedonian Witch in the valley and asked, “Lord Macedon, what have you done?”

The Macedonian Witch looked at Bella Witch and said, “You subordinates of Locke, your reaction time is too slow. The wizards of the Frost Scales wanted to conduct illegal bloodline experiments nearby. I don’t know why they did it, but it would interfere with my and Locke’s competition, as well as the competitions of others. Therefore, I struck first and killed them.”

The Macedonian Witch said, “You’re welcome.”

She turned and left the valley.

Wizard Grand and Bella Witch exchanged bewildered glances.

Councilor Grand wiped the sweat from his brow and said, “She’s really something. So many wizards and defensive magic arrays couldn’t stop her for half an hour. But she didn’t approve of Locke holding the competition before, yet now she’s actively protecting our competition so she can compete with Locke.” Witch Bella looked at the bloodstains on the ground. “I feel something’s not right. Is she really helping us, or is she satisfying her own evil intentions?” Wizard Grand laughed, “I don’t think it makes much difference. As long as it’s to our advantage

, that’s fine.” “We need to be careful lately. I don’t know why the Frost Scales organization is causing trouble nearby. This place is 10 kilometers away from our wizard town and the competition venue. You could call it a coincidence. Anyway, when I get back, I need to revise the patrol plan and include this area in the patrol range of us Star Ring Wizards.”

Purple Witch Bella planted a grass-like magical plant in the valley.

In the blink of an eye, the magical plant took root and sprouted. This Star Ring magical plant, [Chaotic Star Vine], grew like a sea of vines, and soon the entire valley became a sea of vines.

Bella the Witch and Grand the Wizard stood above the valley, looking down at the Star-Swept Vine.

Bella the Witch said, “These Star-Swept Vine are what I planted to seal this place. I’ve checked; this is a difficult-to-patrol, hard-to-check area, surrounded by valleys, with a complex system of caves and underground rivers. If a dark wizarding organization were to cause trouble here, it would certainly complicate matters. Even our contestants and spectators passing through could easily be ambushed. So I planted this magical plant specifically for sealing, so we can rest easy.”

Wizard Grand said, “I think we need to check the surrounding area again to see if there are any other similar locations. We can plant the Chaotic Star Vine there as well, directly occupying those spots. Only then can we truly rest easy. Let’s do that. I’ll go and apply to Wizard Locke. I want to send someone to check all similar locations within a hundred miles.”

In the Valley of Despair, in the Tranquil Garden, Locke held a special bottle-like world. It looked like it was composed of two bottles, one at the top and one at the bottom, combined to form a bottle-like world.

This was the Double Bottle; the bottle-like world, that Locke and his team had finally created after many days of research.

Locke pondered, “With the Verdant Spirit Ore given to me by the Maupassant family, plus the veins in the Three Caves World, the special environment of the Tranquil Garden, and the convenience of being able to mobilize the Evolution Garden at any time, I have finally completed the Double Bottle that I had envisioned.”

If the Shadow Bottle only enhanced ordinary second-ring magical plants, then this Double Bottle could truly do something for the star-ring magical plants he currently possessed.

He could strengthen his Star Ring Magic Plants again and cultivate new ones.

Locke pondered this as he wrote in his experimental journal on a flower table made of rose and violet vines and flowers in the Tranquil Garden.

“The Double Bottle; the idea of a world within a bottle, and the Ten Kings Bottle, both utilize the Heart-Piercing Poison. The Double Bottle allows two worlds within a bottle to be combined, while the Ten Kings Bottle envisioned by Wizard Probus… allows ten different garden grottoes to be merged together.”

Locke thought for a moment. “The structure of his garden grottoes might need modification.”

“Need? ?”

Locke looked up, startled, because he hadn’t noticed when the gentle-looking, always courteous Wizard Probus had appeared before him.

Probus, with a composed expression, walked to Locke’s side and looked at the draft in his notebook, saying, “Of course it needs revision. Much of my research is based on data from sixty years ago. You now have better references. So, of course, revisions are necessary. Besides, I believe your talent surpasses mine. Your revisions will be even better.”

Locke glanced at the Probus wizard with surprise, wondering what was going on. Why was the Probus wizard, who should only appear inside the laboratory—the memory world created by the Bitterwood—appearing before him like this?

Locke looked at him, then at the echo of the Probus wizard guarding the door.

Two Probus wizards appeared at the same time?

Which one was real, and which one was fake?

Wizard Probus asked Locke, “Do you have any ideas for modifying my Ten Kings Bottle?”

Locke replied, “I think we can divide the creation of the Ten Kings Bottle into two steps. Your Ten Kings Bottle and my Double Bottle share the same origin, both based on the Heart-Piercing Poison. Directly constructing the Ten Kings Bottle, even with the help of hadrons, is very difficult. Therefore, I want to create two Five Kings Bottles, and then put the two Five Kings Bottles into my Double Bottle. In this way, we can form the Ten Kings Bottle you envisioned. Moreover, modifying your original Ten Kings Bottle and simplifying it into a Five Kings Bottle can actually reduce the difficulty of designing the structure of the new bottle world.”

“Most importantly, Wizard Probus, you never intended to achieve this in one step. These are just things I came up with spontaneously, following your line of thought.”

Wizard Probus smiled and said, “Don’t be modest. These aren’t my ideas, they’re your ideas.”

The two continued their discussion.

In the eyes of the other first-ring wizards in the Tranquil Garden, Locke was talking to thin air.

The crystallizing wizards looked at Locke with some fear, wondering if their boss had gone mad from his research. Why was he talking to himself like this?

An hour later, Locke looked at the revised Five Kings Bottle concept. He smiled and said to Wizard Probus, “Our collaboration, your ultimate magic combined with mine, is indeed the fastest. I currently have the Hadron Bottle, the Bitter King Bottle, the Flower King Bottle, and the Shadow Bottle, but I still lack the fifth ordinary bottle world.”

“So we still need to design a new bottle world,”

Wizard Probus said. “For the Ten Kings Bottle, you’ll probably need to design five more completely new bottle worlds.”

“Only in this way can we complete our Ten King Bottles and perfect the strongest breeding magic of the Star Ring stage that we have envisioned. Locke, you and I are making history. If only you had been born a few decades earlier.”

Locke pondered, “Besides completing this Five King Bottles, we should also try out the effects of my Dual Body Bottle. The Hadron Bottle and the Bitter King Bottle seem to be a better match. We can try combining them with the Dual Body Bottle and see if the resulting two-ring Sea Gold Sand will have any different effects.” With

his spiritual cultivation method advancing by leaps and bounds, his research and improvement of Sea Gold Sand and Air Plant, which had previously stagnated, could now make rapid progress again.

Locke’s eyes lit up.

He could further expand the market for wizard shoes. At the same time, Sea Gold Sand had been lagging behind for a long time. Apart from the Flower King Sea Gold Sand, he rarely used Sea Gold Sand. But now, it seemed that his Sea Gold Sand could finally be greatly improved again. Wizard Probus looked at Locke with the gentle gaze one would give to a junior, a smile in his eyes.

Locke suddenly looked up at Wizard Probus and said, “Senior Probus, I don’t understand why you don’t communicate with me directly, but instead force me to communicate with you through your immense magic. Why must you connect with this world through a bitter tree? If you could tell me what angers you most deeply buried in your heart, perhaps I can solve your problem.”

Wizard Probus was silent for a moment.

Unlike the previous two times, this time he didn’t immediately become angry, but fell silent.

“Locke, my junior. Some things are useless to say.”

Wizard Probus looked at Locke and said, “I’ll tell you, you can’t solve my problems, nor can you change this pathetic world. But in Despair Valley, in my world, don’t you feel happy? The ideal world I created and the ideal world you created, together we constructed a fair world.”

Locke looked at Wizard Probus and said, “Senior, I need your help. I need to find the truth from sixty years ago and complete my investigation. I hope you can show me the hidden truth through the Bitterwood. I want to know the memory you care about most, which you’ve hidden.” The next moment, Wizard Probus disappeared. Wizard

Grand walked through the corridor and stood in front of Locke. He looked at Locke with some fear, then looked at the magic notebook in front of Locke. “Wow, this world in a bottle looks really well designed. Is this the blueprint for your new garden grotto that you recently finished, Wizard Locke?” Locke replied, “Yes. I finished it with Wizard Probus. He was just here.”

Wizard Grand’s expression turned strange upon hearing this.

“Wizard Locke, you’ve worked incredibly hard. I think you’re hallucinating. You’ve been the only Star Ring Wizard here from beginning to end.” “I had a senior who was like that too. He was so focused on his project that, due to the immense pressure and the uncertain future, most people dropped out. As a result, he started hallucinating, mistakenly believing the academy had sent a new wizard.” “

After completing his research, he suddenly realized that he’d been the only one on the project from the very beginning. Wizard Locke, you’ve been the only one here from start to finish.”

“This Five Kings Bottle; the World Within a Bottle; the Garden Cave—it’s all your work.”

Locke frowned. He pondered carefully, absolutely certain that he had just communicated with Wizard Probus through Probus’s powerful magic.

But he was the only one who could see Wizard Probus and communicate with him.

No.

Locke thought of the previous contestants. Based on Bella the Witch’s words and Probus’s own account in the Despair Valley laboratory, it was likely that Bella the Purple Witch had also communicated with Probus.

“This is actually a ritual, isn’t it?”

Locke, with his current level of spiritual macromeditative ability, watched his own competition, and a giant spiritual macro seemed to appear before his eyes.

A thought surfaced in his mind.

At the same time, his shadow transformed into the shadow of a dragon.

“I already know that by translating spiritual macros, one can obtain ritual actions. If many spiritual macros are superimposed, those ritual actions can be combined to form a ritual. So, can this competition have a spiritual macro? Can this competition be considered a ritual?”

“Probus and I are both potion-making wizards, and we both have things to be proud of in potion-making. I’m afraid this competition has already been transformed into a ritual by Probus’s great magic; the Garden of Evolution.”

Locke said, “However, as a ritual, there must be someone to perform it.”

Locke thought of something and looked at his shadow, which had transformed into the shape of a dragon.

Yes.

The one performing the ritual was himself.

He possessed the bloodline of the Abyss Dragon and inherited Alfonso’s golden sword from the Tower of the Black Sun. Although he didn’t know ritual magic, these two things, combined with his improved magical abilities from studying potions, allowed him to potentially create a ritual unintentionally. This ritual might connect him to the Wizard of Probus through a powerful magic; the Garden of Evolution.

Locke realized this.

Therefore, his potion-making and breeding skills had greatly improved here.

The entire Probus Truth-Unveiling Competition was a large-scale ritual centered around him and the Garden of Evolution, facilitating communication with the Wizard of Probus.

He could continuously communicate with the Wizard of Probus, and the contestants were also communicating with him. Through this process, the contestants gained insights into the Wizard of Probus, thus increasing their magical abilities. And with the feedback from these outstanding contestants… the Wizard of Probus’s condition was gradually returning to normal.

Wizard Grand looked at Locke and said, “Wizard Locke, why do you look so pale? Did something happen?”

Locke was walking along the corridor of the Tranquil Garden when he saw some of the Maupassant family’s wizarding apprentices setting up a defensive magic array. They were squatting on the ground, scattering special materials for setting up the array. Although they were unaware of the existence of Spiritual Arts, they were performing simple rituals according to the instructions of the Maupassant family’s high-ranking alchemist to enhance the effectiveness of the defensive array. “Ordinary ritual magic uses special ritual materials and specific ritual movements, while truly powerful ritual magic… uses the geniuses of this world as ritual movements, and a grand competition of this world as ritual materials.”

The shadow of the three-headed dragon at Locke’s feet revealed a fierce gaze.

At this moment, the dragon bloodline had been completely subdued by him.

Therefore, this fierce gaze was emitted by itself.

Locke only then realized how much potential the Abyss Dragon, this bloodline related to the Tower of the Black Sun, possessed.

Not only did it possess extremely high talent in gold magic, but it also possessed an exaggerated talent in ritual magic. If he had had this talent from the beginning, he might have embarked on the path of gold magic and ritual magic from the start.

Currently, he had not systematically studied ritual magic, but with a little knowledge, the powerful spiritual knowledge gained from refining potions, and a stroke of luck, he had unintentionally completed such a magnificent magic.

This Probus Truth Unveiling Competition was his ritual magic.

“No. There is another very important reason why I was able to set up this ritual unintentionally.”

“It’s because I possess a top-tier meditation technique that allows me to reduce to emptiness, enhancing my knowledge of form and substance. Then I perfected the reverse potion-making technique. Thus, my understanding of form and substance has further increased. Unintentionally, I’m communicating with the essence of the Probus Wizard through this ritual, just like before when I was communicating with the essence of the Throne of Good and Evil.”

The top-tier meditation technique of the School of Truth and Goodness inherently possesses this ability.

Locke pondered, “So this competition not only needs to continue, but it needs to be grand-scaled. If it can be successfully held to the end, perhaps I can extract the spirit macro of this competition.” “

Although this is just my guess.”

Creating a completely new spirit macro is something he’s never tried before.

But Locke thought of how virtual forging creates fake forging, and suddenly felt that the process of establishing a competition and extracting its spirit macro was somewhat similar to forging a great magic.

Therefore, now it’s about inviting more spectators, finding a way to push the contestants to their limits, and simultaneously finding a way to determine the competition venue within the layer of memory world that the Probus Wizard cares about most.

Although he doesn’t know what will happen in the end with this ritual.

But this competition itself was a crucial step in forging his ultimate magic.

Wizard Grand followed Locke, observing Locke’s demeanor and concluding that Locke was overworking himself, causing hallucinations. He appeared extremely cautious and nervous.

Locke turned to Wizard Grand and asked, “Wizard Grand, your friend…?”

Wizard Grand replied, “Oh, right. I’ve already contacted my friend. He’s arrived in the Seven Mountains. He’s a wizard specializing in conjuration, particularly puppetry, and also a Star Ring Wizard. Therefore, he’s a formal instructor at a decent wizarding academy in the Seven Mountains. I persuaded him to create a puppet with a True Sight Crystal on its head, projecting its image wherever it goes.” “

We can use the Water Hyacinth System from your Cloud Marsh Wetlands to control this puppet and enter the White Wizard Association’s [Academic Support Division] in the Seven Mountains.”

“The Academy of Wizarding Affairs was the organization that provided magical assistance to the Seven Mountains back then; it was the local wizarding institution that could directly communicate with the wizards and institutions in the Wizarding Lands. The organizers of the New Century Guide title back then communicated with the Academy of Wizarding Affairs. In fact, the Academy of Wizarding Affairs was an important judge in the area at that time. Back then, the judges were the local Academy of Wizarding Affairs, the wizards sent from the Starfield Sea, and the White Wizarding Association from your Cloud Marsh Wetlands.” Locke nodded.

Wizard Grand said cheerfully, “I just received news that my friend has completed all the procedures and formalities and taken his puppet to the White Wizard Association. We can contact him now. However, he told me to hurry because this kind of behavior is rather outrageous, so we can’t miss this opportunity.” “

Perhaps some old-timers from the Seven Mountains will disapprove of our actions and directly intervene to forbid us from doing this.” Locke smiled. After all, instead of going with their own people, they asked a puppeteer from the local conjuration school to create a puppet, and then the puppet was equipped with a True Sight Crystal. This kind of behavior is quite outrageous and prone to controversy, and conservative wizards would definitely find it displeasing.

Therefore, doing such outrageous things requires speed; you have to get what you want to do done in one go. Otherwise, if you hesitate even a little, they might hold an internal meeting, discuss it, and then forbid you from doing it.

Locke said, “The magical pressure near Despair Valley is too chaotic and complex, which will affect the accuracy and stability of the Water Hyacinth System. Let’s go to the capital of a nearby mortal empire and start communicating with your friend.”

Wizard Grand said, “Okay.”

Three hours later, they arrived at the capital of a mortal country a hundred miles away. The two of them randomly found a tavern within the capital and got a private room.

The mortal proprietress was very enthusiastic. Seeing these two guests, she knew they were not to be trifled with, so she didn’t dare to raise the prices and only dared to treat Locke and Wizard Grand at the prices for locals of this country and city.

The proprietress had already prepared the Water Hyacinth System and the Ganoderma lucidum magical plant in advance. Locke contacted the wizard on the other side through Wizard Grand as an intermediary. Soon, an illusionary projection of the mortal tavern’s private room appeared in front of Locke.

A scarecrow holding a scythe appeared on the illusionary screen.

“Hello. You must be Locke Augustine? I am the Scarecrow Wizard [Levy].”

“I’m sorry, this is my true form. I was once a Star Ring Wizard, but during a void exploration, I was ambushed by a Titan. Although I survived using a special school of chrysanthemum magic, my spirit entered this scarecrow body I created for myself, controlling it. However, my ultimate magic collapsed as a result, causing me to regress to the second ring.” “However, the essence of my ultimate magic is still illusory. It’s just that without a complete life, I cannot progress or possess sufficient magical pressure.”

Locke bowed to him. “Wizard Levy, you have truly sacrificed a great deal for the pursuit of truth. I admire you.”

The Scarecrow Wizard Levy laughed, though his words betrayed his true feelings.

“Not at all, not at all. I admire you very much too.”

“Wizard Grand told me that Wizard Locke braved all obstacles and fearless of authority to investigate the laboratory accident that happened to his colleague, which I also admire.”

The Scarecrow Wizard said to Locke, “Wizard Locke, I’ve created a scarecrow puppet for you. I’m handing control over it to you; you can simply use this puppet to enter the White Wizard Association ahead.”

He shifted the perspective of the True Sight Crystal.

Locke saw a magnificent building of interwoven gold and white, nestled among seven mountains.

That was clearly the White Wizard Association of the Seven Mountains; Wizarding Lands.

In front of the camera was a small scarecrow woven from black straw, with a True Sight Crystal on its head. The white wizards passing by all looked towards the True Sight Crystal on the scarecrow’s head.

Locke saw a package of data sent to his Water Hyacinth System. He accepted it and unfolded it. A scrolling crystal ball appeared on his illusion screen. He could manipulate the scarecrow and see what the True Sight Crystal above the scarecrow’s head was seeing through the Water Hyacinth System.

Locke glanced at the wizard Grand and nodded slightly, expressing his appreciation for the puppeteer’s magical skill.

After all, these things seemed simple, but they were definitely not something an ordinary puppeteer could do.

Locke said, “To be able to establish a connection across wizarding lands, your puppeteer friend’s skill is quite impressive.”

The scarecrow wizard, Levi, laughed heartily, “Wizard Locke, you flatter me. I’ve only focused on studying puppetry magic because I can’t advance any further. Besides, I’m just borrowing your resources; without your Cloud Swamp Wetlands’ water hyacinth system, how could I find a way to connect across wizarding lands?”

Levi said, “Alright. Wizard Locke, I also really want to help that Probus wizard. We wizards should pursue truth, and truth is one kind of truth.” “

I’m happy to be able to help a wizard like you.”

Locke exchanged a few words with him, then controlled the scarecrow to enter the White Wizard Association. The white wizards inside the building, seeing a scarecrow with a crystal ball of true sight on its head, all avoided it, as if they had seen something terrifying.

Locke quickly found the office area of the Department of Education.

A crystallized wizard staff member in the corridor of the Department of Education’s office area saw Locke’s scarecrow and his expression turned strange. He seemed to have known in advance that Locke would be visiting, but he was unsure whether he should bow to the puppet.

Logically, Locke, as a Grand Wizard of the Star Ring, should certainly bow.

However, asking a crystallized wizard to bow to a puppet was unacceptable to his pride.

In the end, he simply nodded.

The crystallized wizard led Locke to the door of an office and said, “Lord Augustine, you can ask the staff in this archive room about what happened back then. It contains all the records of the Academy over the years. The generalist wizard working here is a crystallized wizard. He is incredibly learned and possesses a vast amount of historical knowledge. I hope he can help you. However… the events of that time are indeed too sensitive. I don’t know if this wizard will be willing to help you.”

“I can only bring you here,”

Locke nodded, manipulating the scarecrow. He knew that without the help of the scarecrow wizard Levy, reaching this office would have been extremely difficult.

After all, having connections and not having connections are two different things.

Although Locke thought this would only take him a little more time, he was determined to accomplish this. He needed to find out what happened back then and use it to stimulate the Probus wizard, enhancing the competition ritual and triggering the deepest memories preserved within the bitter wood.

Locke manipulated the scarecrow to push open the door to the archives. The room was filled with bookshelves, each holding a book. There was little dust, but seemingly to protect the books, there were few windows and only a handful of magical lamps. Three elderly wizards were working there:

one crystallizing wizard and two liquefying wizards. Judging from the type of badges worn on their robes, they were generalist wizards. Generalist wizards had a harder time finding work, usually working for the White Wizarding Guild or the libraries of large academies.

Locke guided the scarecrow over and spoke through the crystal ball above its head.

“This crystallizing wizard, you must be in charge here. I’d like to ask you about some things from your past.”

The old wizard glanced at the scarecrow, his expression somewhat strange, but he immediately bowed.

He recognized the signature on the scarecrow—it was the work of Master Levi, the most powerful puppeteer in the wizarding community. Therefore, the one controlling the scarecrow was likely a high-ring wizard as well.

The old wizard said, “My lord, it is I. What period do you wish to inquire about? I remember every detail vividly.”

“Please ask,”

Locke said. “I wish to inquire about the title of Guide of the New Century from sixty years ago. I remember the Academic Affairs Office here was one of the judges. I want to know the selection criteria for the title of Guide of the New Century, and why it was ultimately awarded to the White Frost Witch.”

Upon hearing this, the old wizard’s expression froze, fear flashing in his eyes, and his body trembled slightly.

Locke sensed something was wrong.

The White Frost Witch clearly didn’t possess such power that an old staff member of the White Wizard Association in a wizarding territory completely unrelated to the Southern Wizarding Capital would be so terrified by his question. The Death Selection Society was a secret society composed of third-ring potion masters. Although their purpose was unknown, these were all high-ring white wizards and potion masters.

They obviously didn’t possess such power that they could frighten an insignificant crystallized wizard whose interests didn’t conflict with theirs. Why?

The old wizard wore a pained expression, seemingly pondering what to do. He glanced at the two liquefaction wizards, but upon closer inspection, he discovered that one was already gone, and the other was about to leave, having said he was going to deliver some documents to his superior before disappearing. He was now the only one left in the entire archives room.

The old wizard looked at the high-ring wizard who had asked him the question, gritted his teeth, and bowed, saying, “May I ask, sir, who are you?” Locke manipulated the scarecrow puppet and said, “I’m not much of a sir. I am Locke Augustine, a Star Ring Wizard from Cloud Marsh Wetlands and Golden Crown Mountain. I have been ordered by Golden Crown Mountain to reopen the investigation and find out what happened sixty years ago.”

The old wizard paused, then bowed again, saying, “Sir, you are a great man, why make things difficult for a nobody like me? I’m old, I just want to retire here, I…”

“Your question is too sensitive. I must consult my superior before I can give you an answer.”

Locke, of course, wouldn’t listen to this evasive excuse.

“Who is your leader? I can go find him now. Is it the director here?”

The old wizard was startled and quickly replied, “Sir, the director is new. He doesn’t know anything about these things. If you ask him, he’ll definitely come back to me. The director is a new leader from the Star Domain Sea; he knows nothing about what happened sixty years ago.”

Locke knew that some officials of the White Wizard Associations in the wizarding lands were from their native wizarding lands, but some White Wizard Associations directly under the Star Domain Sea might be sent by members of White Wizard organizations from the Star Domain Sea or other wizarding lands.

There were also some White Wizard Association staff in the wizarding lands whose members were partly native wizards and partly from outside the lands.

Locke manipulated the puppet to ask a very crucial question.

“Then let me ask another question. Don’t feel awkward. The question is, where is that old chief from sixty years ago now?” The old wizard was also afraid of offending Locke, so he couldn’t remain silent. This question wasn’t sensitive, so he quickly said, “The old chief was promoted. She went to the Rain Swamp in the Three Swamps, where she serves as a captain in the Demon Hunter Division. I heard a few years ago that she was still a Star Ring Wizard.” Locke was stunned for a moment. Sixty years had passed, and she was still a Star Ring Wizard?

But sometimes such things could indeed happen. Many wizards’ advancements were measured in centuries.

Starting from the Star Ring, it wasn’t just a matter of resources. Those

who could be created with resources were just ordinary geniuses.

True geniuses were difficult to mass-produce.

If it weren’t for the three great mountains of the wizarding world, some wizards might be able to forcibly increase their magic pressure with resources and break through to the Lunar Ring and Solar Ring, but the problem was that with those three mountains, it was difficult to accumulate them with resources.

“The fact that this person holds important positions in various White Wizard Associations indicates she has a powerful background. But she’s remained a Star Ring Wizard for sixty years. With her background, if she could achieve pseudo-forging through academic connections, she would have done so long ago. This shows her aptitude is so poor that even with academic connections, she can’t break through.”

“This means her foundational talent is very weak. Considering her background, she might be a descendant of a high-ring wizard from some superior wizarding region.”

If that’s the case, this witch’s aptitude level will drop another notch.

Because her becoming a Star Ring Wizard likely relies on ancestral blessings. As a descendant of a high-ring wizard, one should receive some of the high-ring wizard’s blessings, making breakthroughs naturally easier than others, since their parents’ essence enters their bodies, and they also receive their parents’ resources.

“This old wizard is hinting at something. It seems there’s more to the story than just the White Frost Witch.”

Locke asked the old wizard, “Then tell me about those less sensitive things from sixty years ago. How about that?” The old wizard looked troubled.

“This…”

“Director?”

“Oh no, sir, the Director is here. I can’t answer anymore.”

At this moment, the door was pushed open, and a Sun Ring Wizard walked in. He glanced at the scarecrow and the old wizard, then said to the old wizard, “Leave this to me. Mr. Locke, are you here for Professor Probus?”

The old wizard bowed to the Sun Ring Wizard.

“Director Link, I didn’t say anything just now. You…you mustn’t fire me. I owe a lot of money, and without this job, I’ll have to become a debt slave. Please don’t blame me, considering I’m a senior here.”