Deep within the dense forest, towering ancient trees stretched toward the sky, their thick foliage blocking out the sun. Only the occasional breeze stirred the scattered patches of light and shadow.
Lynn, clad in a wizard's robe, moved swiftly as if carried by the wind. His robe fluttered lightly with his rapid pace, and faint crystalline wind elements shimmered around him evidence of the Windwalk spell's enhancement. It made his movements agile and fast, allowing him to weave effortlessly through the forest.
He was heading straight toward the source of the dragon's roar.
As he passed through the dense woods, the terrain ahead gradually rose, revealing a towering mountain peak in the distance.
Lynn halted and looked up. At the mountain's summit, he could vaguely make out the silhouette of a black dragon.
Instead of rushing forward recklessly, he lowered his gaze slightly, rubbing the deep-blue ring on the index finger of his left hand.
The ring was unadorned, with no engravings or embellishments, appearing ordinary at first glance. However, it held significant value.
It was the most precious piece of loot Lynn had obtained from the Lord of Nightshadow Fortress a spatial ring!
Though Lynn had previously owned spatial tools, they had been standard-issue items from a past Furnace mission. Those tools merely offered basic storage without any security measures; anyone who got their hands on them could freely access their contents.
Moreover, the storage capacity of such tools was only about the size of a palm. To carry them conveniently, Lynn had sewn two inner pockets into his robe to store them, though it remained an inconvenient arrangement.
This deep-blue ring, however, was entirely different.
Not only was it far more practical for storage, but its internal space vastly exceeded that of the standard spatial tools he had used before spanning hundreds of cubic meters!
Unfortunately, upon inspection, Lynn found that aside from some clothes, food, and books, the ring contained neither potions nor enchanted artifacts.
The truth was, that the Lord of Nightshadow Fortress had exhausted his supply of potions during previous battles, and his collection of enchanted items had been destroyed by Aestria and the black dragon.
Before he had a chance to replenish his resources, he was ensnared in the [Landscape] trap set by the Lionheart Knights leading to his demise.
Thus, Lynn had found no unexpected treasures within the ring.
Even so, the spatial ring alone was already a satisfying acquisition.
Buzz
A faint glow pulsed from the deep-blue ring as a soft, translucent shimmer radiated from it.
In the next instant, a crystal vial appeared in Lynn's hand. The bottle's surface reflected a gentle silver sheen, and inside was a clear, shimmering liquid.
Without hesitation, Lynn uncorked the vial and drank it in one swift motion.
A cooling sensation spread through his mouth, followed by a refreshing warmth that surged through his body and into his mental sea, washing away his fatigue and sharpening his thoughts.
As the saying goes, even a lion exerts its full strength when hunting a rabbit.
Despite his considerable advantage, Lynn was fully prepared.
At the mountain's summit, the wind howled fiercely.
Numerous figures had gathered there, all clad in the robes of the Furnace. Their expressions varied, but without exception, each of them was tense and on high alert.
At the center of their encirclement lay a black dragon.
This black dragon was not particularly large, measuring only two or three meters in length. However, its long, slender neck and tail granted it an air of unique elegance.
Were it not for these features, its short, stocky hind legs and delicate forelimbs would have made it appear bulky and awkward.
The most intimidating aspect of the black dragon was undoubtedly its massive, leathery wings. When fully spread, its wingspan reached nearly ten meters, resembling a dark canopy stretching across the sky.
Its body was covered in dense black scales, which reflected a cold, metallic sheen under the sunlight giving it the appearance of a creature forged from iron.
"ROAR!"
The black dragon let out an enraged bellow, baring its serrated fangs in a display of ferocity.
Deep within its throat, fiery energy churned, coalescing rapidly as if preparing to unleash a devastating fireball.
However, in the next moment, only a feeble flicker of flame sputtered out no more than the weak glow of a lit match.
The black dragon's pupils contracted slightly, a flicker of fury flashing through its eyes.
This cursed space was suppressing its power. It couldn't even conjure a proper fireball!
The surrounding wizards and apprentices wasted no time. Seizing the opportunity, they unleashed their spells, weaving together a web of enchantments to ensnare the dragon completely:
The ground softened into a treacherous mire, swallowing the dragon's claws and anchoring it in place.
Thick vines erupted from the earth, twisting like iron chains around its limbs, binding it tightly.
A translucent blue barrier of flowing water rose from all directions, sealing the dragon within a prison of liquid energy.
The black dragon thrashed and roared in defiance, but against the combined might of so many Furnace wizards, it was steadily pushed toward the brink of defeat.
The figures surrounding the dragon all wore the robes of the Furnace.
And among them, the one giving the orders was naturally a high-ranking member of the Furnace.
At the heart of the gathering stood an elderly man with white hair and a long beard, draped in a deep blue robe.
This was none other than Grand Wizard Helen, someone Lynn was well acquainted with.
Yet, despite his position, Helen was not the true authority here.
At this moment, he stood with a respectful bow, speaking in a carefully measured tone:
"Lord Alder, I have already dispatched people to locate those you mentioned…"
The figure he addressed with such deference was not the master of the Furnace but rather an Enforcer Wizard clad in a robe of starry night.
Alder gazed at the black dragon in silence. His celestial robe rippled faintly, its surface shimmering as if reflecting the endless expanse of a starlit sky. An air of unfathomable authority radiated from him.
His deep, piercing eyes remained unreadable. Upon hearing Helen's words, a slight smirk played at the corners of his lips.
"Heh…"
Alder chuckled softly, his tone calm and unhurried:
"There's no need to be so nervous. The greatest criminal of the Astral Furnace isn't you lot it's that so-called Spirit-Eye Wizard."
Hearing this, Grand Wizard Helen felt a subtle sense of relief, his expression easing slightly.
But Alder's next words sent a chill down his spine.
"However…"****" Alder's tone shifted, the smirk on his lips deepening.
"Since you people followed that Spirit-Eye Wizard to this godforsaken place… if all goes well, there will be no issue."
"But if anything goes wrong… then you, too, will not escape judgment."
The atmosphere instantly tensed.
The surrounding wizards held their breath, the air thick with an oppressive silence.
Upon hearing this, Grand Wizard Helen's expression grew solemn. Without hesitation, he pledged:
"Lord Alder, rest assured! I have relayed all of your orders. Whether it's that outsider, the Spirit-Eye Wizard, or even the Spirit-Eye Wizard's students they are all on the wanted list! If there is any news, I will report to you immediately!"
Helen's voice was firm and unwavering, his tone devoid of hesitation.
He was a man of pragmatism and adaptability.
Once, within the Furnace, he had been the staunchest supporter of the Spirit-Eye Wizard, almost a trusted right-hand.
Both openly and in secret, he had stood firmly by the Spirit-Eye Wizard's side, offering unwavering loyalty.
But the moment Alder revealed his identity as an Enforcer Wizard, Helen immediately grasped the power shift.
Without the slightest delay, he switched allegiances, decisively cutting ties with the Spirit-Eye Wizard throwing his full support behind Alder.
All problems stem from the Spirit Eye Wizard!
The Third-Level and Second-Level Wizards were merely following orders; they did not know the true situation and were, therefore, blameless.
Alder watched everything unfold, a cold smile flashing across his eyes.
He knew full well that just a few words from him had been enough to make Helen willingly betray her former master even to the extent of bringing the entire Furnace system's wizards and apprentices to serve under him.
The source of all this was the deterrent power of his identity as a Law Enforcement Wizard!
At this moment, his gaze slowly landed on the imprisoned black dragon in the center, and he spoke indifferently:
"A fire-attribute dragon, jet black all over, with tightly packed scales… It seems to be a Scale Armored Flame Dragon."
Alder narrowed his eyes, his voice growing colder.
The black dragon glared at Alder, its throat trembling slightly as searing fire elements surfaced faintly ready to erupt at any moment.
However, Alder simply let out a dismissive chuckle. Then, his tone sank, his gaze sharp as a blade:
"I know you have a contract bond with the Spirit Eye Wizard. You refuse to break your oath and betray him."
The black dragon's pupils shrank sharply!
Alder raised his hand slightly and continued in an indifferent tone:
"If we were anywhere else, I might even admire your loyalty..."
His words suddenly turned cold, and a chilling aura surged forth!
"But!"
Alder's voice dropped to a low growl, brimming with murderous intent:
"The Spirit Eye Wizard is already suspected of colluding with otherworldly forces and betraying the Wizarding World!"
"I now have the authority to strip him of all his rights for life! No need for a trial in the Wizard Court I can execute him on the spot!"
The black dragon's body trembled slightly, and the ferocity in its eyes visibly dimmed.
Alder pressed on, his voice heavy like a boulder, each word weighing down on the black dragon's heart:
"If you insist on keeping the contract and refuse to obey me, that makes you his accomplice!"
"When I leave here, I will report this matter to the Dragon Clan. Your father, your mother, your kin, your bloodline… How do you think they will see you then?"
The black dragon's breathing grew erratic, the struggle in its eyes becoming more intense.
Seeing this, Alder's lips curled into a faint smirk, and his voice grew eerily soft:
"I am giving you a chance a path to redemption."
"Otherwise, don't blame me for not giving you a way out. You should know, that I have quite a few friends in the Dragon Clan… If not, I wouldn't have wasted my time talking to you."
The black dragon shuddered all over, its fangs clenching slightly. The resistance in its eyes was wavering…
However, at that very moment, Alder's nose twitched slightly, and his brow furrowed sharply.
"Hmm?!"
His deep eyes narrowed, his gaze snapping toward the distance.
"This aura… and the shift in the world's laws…"
His expression grew serious as he quickly turned around, looking toward the depths of the mountain path.
There, a lone figure walked forward.
It was a tall and slender wizard, his steps steady and his presence serene.
With each step he took, faint blue specks of light shimmered in the air around him, like stars in the night sky drifting unpredictably yet carrying an air of mysterious rhythm.
This person was none other than Lynn, who had rushed all the way here!
At the mountain's entrance, two apprentices clad in long robes stood guard, their eyes wary as they watched the approaching figure.
One of them caught sight of the crest on Lynn's robes, his gaze shifting slightly before he barked out in a low voice:
"Halt! You are an apprentice of the Furnace. Grand Wizard Helen has already drafted you you are not allowed to act independently!"
At these words, a flicker of doubt flashed through the other apprentice's eyes. He, too, sensed the unsettling aura around Lynn but dared not act rashly.
Because this place was no ordinary battlefield!
Behind them stood Grand Wizard Helen and numerous other wizards.
Moreover, the rules of this space suppressed everyone's power, limiting them all to the level of a Third-Level Apprentice.
Even so, there remained an insurmountable gulf between Third-Level Apprentices!
A true Third-Level Apprentice was nothing compared to a full-fledged wizard who had merely been suppressed to that level.
If a fight broke out, the outcome was already decided!
Not to mention the Second-Level Wizards and the high-ranking Third-Level Grand Wizards present.
For this reason, despite the tense situation, Grand Wizard Helen still maintained control over the Furnace's wizards, keeping the order of the group intact. The Furnace's wizards knew full well that, in this eerie space, only by following Helen's command would they have any chance of escaping alive.
Yet at that moment, a cold, unquestionable voice suddenly rang out from behind:
"Seize that apprentice. Something's wrong with him."
"Capture him alive! All together!"
The moment those words fell, the air grew tense.
The two apprentices exchanged a glance, their eyes turning cold as a trace of killing intent flickered within them.
"Earth Shift!"
The ground trembled violently, as if resonating with some unique rhythm seeking to entrap Lynn, preventing him from making a move.
"Swamp Spell!"
Boom!
Working in tandem with the Earth Shift, the Swamp Spell took effect with even greater potency!
The ground beneath Lynn suddenly quaked!
The solid rock and dense soil rapidly softened, twisting and writhing like a living creature, transforming in an instant into a pitch-black swamp!
Gurgle… Gurgle…
Strange bubbles churned as the black sludge spread, like a monstrous maw seeking to swallow Lynn whole…
Yet, faced with this sudden assault, Lynn remained calm, utterly unfazed.
In truth, with his current power as a full-fledged wizard, there was no need for concern in this space.
As the swamp churned and the black mud surged, he closed his eyes slightly, a deep blue radiance flickering across his form tiny specks of emerald-green light shimmering like fireflies in the night.
At the same time, he murmured an incantation:
"Yfgríd."
The moment the words fell, the entire battlefield shifted!
Gurgle… Gurgle…
The black swamp, which had been roiling violently just moments before, abruptly froze!
All movement, all signs of sinking halted in an instant, as if some unseen giant hand had pressed the pause button!
Beneath the swamp, something ancient and unfathomably powerful had awakened…
"Yfgríd" was the extraordinary plant born from Lynn's Life Seed!
Long before this, he had used it to hunt the Lord of Nightshadow Castle, annihilating the invaders. The shadowy roots that had emerged back then had become his deadly blades.
Now, Yfgríd once again demonstrated its formidable strength.
Its true form was a tree!
The earth nurtures trees, trees take root in the earth, extending deep beyond sight, drawing upon all its nourishment…
At this moment, beneath Lynn's feet was no longer mere soil it was a domain filled with Yfgríd's countless roots!
And the so-called "Earth Shift" and "Swamp Spell"?
They were nothing more than the shallow tricks of two mere Third-Level Apprentices how could they ever hope to shake the root domain of Yfgríd?
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