Above the vast ocean, an agile white pigeon carried the witch's message, traversing waves, islands, and storms, finally arriving at the clear sea where a magnificent floating city stood!

The White Tower Sea, home to the largest naval base—the mobile ship-city known as the Book Tower.

The white pigeon slowed its speed, passed through the outer barrier of the Book Tower, descended, and landed on the broad Scroll Avenue.

On this grand avenue, every person was a hunter covered in wounds.

To gather more intelligence, the White Tower Federation had dispatched two warships to explore the Fog Sea, attempting to find information about the Black Blood Empire and the Blackfin Crew.

However, within the boundless mist, both warships were completely lost, dealing a heavy blow to the Hunter Association of the White Tower Federation.

Following the hunters' failure, twelve resource-mining rift islands along the border were simultaneously attacked by pirates, suffering severe losses.

Below, children of refugees from the border islands continuously called out for their mothers.

The white pigeon's azure eyes looked at the battered children and instinctively quickened its pace, continuing upward toward the top level of the Book Tower—

The residence of the Book Saint, the Spiral Library Tower!

It soared against the wind, arriving at the spiral door of the top level.

There, lying before the spiral door, were numerous third-tier female Transcendents, all covered in wounds.

Among them were even blonde noble ladies from the White Tower Federation's top families.

They lay weakly on the ground, muttering incessantly.

"Impossible! I ranked first in the White Tower University's intermediate spiritual energy assessment! I came here bearing my family's honor! These commoners!"

"Should I not have mocked her as a country bumpkin?"

"Who exactly is that woman?"

"That one question—why did I change my answer?"

"Why didn't I choose C?"

Before the spiral door, many seekers of knowledge lay on the ground, murmuring to themselves.

These usually rational and elegant scholars had already descended into madness.

The white pigeon glanced at them, not particularly surprised, and flew straight through the spiral corridor adorned with oil paintings, continuing upward toward the highest level.

It flew over the heads of countless wounded students and finally reached another open door.

The spiral library housing fifty million books!

The white pigeon passed through the doorway.

A massive cylindrical library came into view.

In the spacious hall, towering bookshelves reached toward the ceiling, with fifty million books neatly arranged within.

Among them were many ancient supernatural books.

Their pages were yellowed, their characters faded, yet they exuded an indescribable Book affinity power, enveloping the entire library in a solemn book energy.

Yet, in the very center of this dignified library hall filled with books, stood an item that seemed entirely out of place—

Beneath the star-and-moon carved ceiling hung a enormous rocking cradle.

The suspended cradle swayed gently, and from below, one could faintly see strands of azure-blue curly hair and a small hand flipping through a book.

Above the cradle, countless writhing, obscure spiritual energy characters could vaguely be seen.

This was none other than the strongest Saint of the Book Tower in three hundred years—the Book Saint, Aslina!

Beneath the cradle were the third-tier students who had reached the final round of examinations.

These students had all collapsed, lying breathless on the ground, completely drained of physical and mental strength.

Finally, only one white-haired girl covered in bloodstains remained half-kneeling, quietly pleading for the Book Saint to announce the results.

She panted heavily, not daring to utter another word.

Beside this girl stood a trembling water spirit, its eyes filled with fear.

This robotic-like white-haired girl was the only student in the entire library who hadn't collapsed.

Is this the victor of the Book Witch trial...? The white pigeon's eyes flashed with doubt.

Among the many geniuses she had imagined might pass the trial, there was no such person!

Then, the white pigeon gently flapped its wings downward, transforming into scattered feathers.

Immediately after, a feathered woman emerged from the white feathers.

This was the Disaster Messenger of the White Tower Sea, Emma!

Emma mastered the rare Cup Lamp skill "White Pigeon Transformation," allowing her to freely switch between pigeon and human forms.

The White Tower Disaster Messenger didn't hesitate, immediately half-kneeling and speaking solemnly:

"Book Saint, Disaster Messenger White Pigeon Emma, here to report crucial intelligence!"

The Ice Witch's resurrection and the collapse of the A-rank rift were events that would affect the entire ocean's landscape!

However, facing Emma's urgent request, the Book Saint in the cradle gave no response for a long time.

"Ah—"

After a long while, the Book Saint let out a lengthy yawn, closed the book in her hand, and spoke in an extremely lazy tone:

"Speak, what's the big matter?"

White Tower Disaster Messenger Emma briefly reported the known intelligence:

"According to our latest information, the recently famous Black Hunter has teamed up with the Ice Demon Pirates to clear an A-rank rift."

She had long heard about events in the Witch Sea.

Things like the Black Hunter, the Azure Beast, and such.

But none of these could pique her interest.

"Simultaneously, the Ice Witch has resurrected, and the mutation rate of the A-rank rift Great Sea Coffin has reached critical levels.

It's now confirmed that within one day, a major collapse will occur, and its leaking energy will affect the entire ocean!"

In that instant, even the near-death third-tier Transcendents on the ground couldn't help but show expressions of shock.

Most girls who reached this place had achieved some recognition in White Tower Federation University.

They understood all too well what an A-rank rift meant.

In the barren Witch Sea, there might actually be three A-rank rifts appearing.

Moreover, within one month of the rift's emergence, someone actually cleared an A-rank rift!

Both the appearance of A-rank rifts and someone capable of clearing them were enough to make these still-young third-tier Transcendents feel unprecedented shock.

Even the final examination passer, An, couldn't help but have her pupils contract, biting her bleeding lip, her body trembling!

What is Qi up to now?

This news even overshadowed her successfully passing the examination.

"The Ice Witch!"

Swish!

A petite figure reacted, suddenly performing a kip-up and sitting upright.

At that moment, everyone present was startled.

They hadn't seen Book Saint Aslina's true appearance, or those demonic eyes filled with runes and circuits, for a long time.

A petite blue-haired woman leaned against the cradle, her messy curly hair cascading like the deep night ocean, a few strands playfully falling beside her cheeks as she flipped through pages.

She wore loose robes, the hem swaying slightly with the cradle's gentle rocking, her eyes with heavy dark circles flashing with rare shock!

"The Ice Witch has returned?"

The Book Saint asked again.

This matter required her to sit up and discuss!

"Yes, she has returned, even though you said last week she couldn't possibly return now..."

"Did I say that?"

The Book Saint said lazily.

"You did, I have records."

"..."

The Book Saint fell silent for a second, then said:

"Give me the disaster detection work records."

"As you command, Book Saint."

Emma summoned a white pigeon and had it deliver the records to the Book Saint.

The Book Saint took the records and quickly scanned through them.

They contained detailed data on the rift distribution in the Witch Sea.

According to the data, the number of rifts in the Witch Sea was still increasing!

The more the Book Saint read, the more her brows furrowed.

Disaster Messenger Emma watched the Book Saint's expression and couldn't help but swallow.

Most of the time, the Book Saint wore a lazy, indifferent expression.

But now, her face showed rare worry.

White Tower Messenger Emma asked:

"Book Saint, what are your instructions?"

The Book Saint propped her chin with her hand, tapping her thigh, and asked:

"Currently, how many signs of A-rank rift emergence have appeared?"

"As predicted, in the Witch Sea, besides the already existing Great Sea Coffin, both the coastal waters and the Fog Sea show potential for A-rank rift emergence..."

The White Tower Messenger's eyes flashed with fear:

"This dimensional tide's scale far exceeds the previous one!

According to historical records, this scale will greatly surpass the last one."

"No..."

The Book Saint, who had somehow produced an ancient yellowed book, said:

"This scale will surpass any in history."

Then, she tilted her head, placing a hand over her ear.

In her ear came the sounds of waves, crabs crawling across sand, and from the border, indescribable noises resembling countless infants screaming in unison.

"That bastard should be resurrecting about now."

The Book Saint crossed her legs and commanded:

"Emma, convey my decree.

Except for necessary meteorological tower guards within the White Tower Sea, all meteorological detection messenger squads are to standby at the Book Tower!

Book Tower intelligence hunters divisions one through three, enter the Witch Sea and fully collect intelligence on the Black Hunter and Ice Demon Pirates.

"Ah, right, wasn't there a hunter team that previously had contact with the Black Hunter? Arrange for them to see me again."

White Tower Messenger Emma took out paper and pen, recording these commands one by one, then asked:

"Book Saint, any other tasks?"

The Book Saint lowered her head, continuously tapping her chest where her heart was:

"Notify the Book Tower to enter level one combat readiness. After three hours of rest and repairs, officially enter the Witch Sea."

The moment she finished speaking, White Tower Messenger Emma stopped recording.

"Level one combat readiness? Enter the Witch Sea?"

Once the Book Tower entered the Witch Sea, it would plunge the entire ocean into chaos!

Unlike ordinary ships, the Book Tower was the embodiment of the White Tower Federation Navy—the most massive naval base!

The severity of this matter far exceeded even the cooperation between the Blood General and the Blackfin Crew!

The White Tower Messenger said:

"Book Saint, I must receive orders from the Tower Master and the Sea Hunter Association President to enact level one combat...

The Book Tower rashly entering the Witch Sea would be declaring war on Beiguo!"

The defeated students on the ground couldn't help but widen their eyes.

They never imagined that after failing their exams, they would immediately hear such explosive news.

However, they still had one question.

Who is the Black Hunter? Everyone from the White Tower Federation looked puzzled.

In the White Tower Sea, the Grand Mage General Looking at the News, one of the Blackfin Crew's Seven Sea Pirate Generals, was far more famous than Chen Qi.

The White Tower Messenger took a deep breath and asked again:

"Are we truly entering the Witch Sea?"

Facing the Disaster Messenger's doubt, the Book Saint simply smiled slightly:

"Three hundred years ago, the White Tower and Beiguo Federation fought a naval battle—a war to compete for the A-rank rift 'World Flood.'

Now, the Book Tower's ten-thousand-meter-long ship hull originates from that very conflict."

The White Tower Messenger paused.

The White Tower Federation's massive naval power was built upon this ten-thousand-meter giant ship.

Without A-rank rifts, there would be no Book Tower!

The strategic value of A-rank rifts exceeded imagination.

And the forbidden artifacts within could change the landscape of the supernatural world.

The Book Saint flipped through her book.

Currently, the unique forbidden creations within the Great Sea Coffin rift—the Rift Blade and the Ice Snow Coffin—remained unclaimed!

As long as someone achieved a B+ rating or higher, they had a chance to obtain these two forbidden artifacts!

Each forbidden weapon was enough to establish a family!

The ocean is becoming interesting... she murmured:

"The rift war doesn't depend on us. The moment the A-rank rift collapses, the war has already begun."

Everyone present grew excited.

They couldn't imagine the scenario of Beiguo and the White Tower Federation going to war!

After all, they had maintained peace for three hundred years.

In recent years, the White Tower Federation and Beiguo had been the closest of allies.

The Book Saint continued:

"No one can resist the temptation of A-rank rifts. Whether it's the Goldenfinch Kingdom or the Black Blood Empire, they will all charge into the Witch Sea like hungry wolves."

Then, noticing everyone's doubts, the Book Saint smiled slightly:

"Rest assured, we're merely entering the Witch Sea. No need to worry about Beiguo's hostility. Soon, Beiguo will be begging us to enter the Witch Sea."

Begging us to enter... The White Tower Messenger felt a flicker of confusion.

Why would Beiguo beg the Book Tower to enter the Witch Sea?

She silently noted down this command.

And the moment she stopped writing, the Book Saint snapped her fingers.

In the White Tower Messenger's eyes, scene after scene abruptly appeared.

The Disaster Messenger's Lamp affinity instinct could predict major disasters.

In her twenty-seven years of life, she had witnessed countless city-destroying calamities and encountered numerous terrifying disasters within rifts!

She had long grown accustomed to maintaining calm facing any catastrophe.

Yet at this moment, her hands still trembled uncontrollably.

Her pupils reflected a darkness that didn't belong to this world.

Above the boundless Rift Sea, a giant eye resembling a bloody mouth gazed down upon this world from the sky!

In the coastal whirlpools, a giant hand slowly emerged from the abyss!

In an unknown location, a sealed Sea God statue was being pulled out by countless twisted believers!

"This is..."

The White Tower Messenger trembled uncontrollably.

The scenes she witnessed were all disasters related to A-rank rifts!

But most crucially, these disasters were all occurring above the Witch Sea, not within the rifts!

There was another extremely terrifying aspect:

All the A-rank rifts would collapse!

The Book Saint explained:

"This disaster isn't something Beiguo alone can withstand."

All A-rank rifts collapsing... The White Tower Messenger felt an ominous premonition.

Under normal circumstances, the collapse of a single A-rank rift was enough to distort the ocean's landscape.

If multiple overlapped, it might birth a forbidden rift beyond A-rank.

"I understand, Book Saint."

The White Tower Messenger nodded.

If all A-rank rifts were to collapse, then no matter what, the Book Tower must enter the Witch Sea.

Otherwise, the White Tower Federation might completely lose its maritime dominance!

White Tower Messenger Emma stood up to take her leave.

"I hope that Ice Witch doesn't come bother me too soon. I still need to teach my new disciple—"

The Book Saint let out a long yawn, then looked down at An and the water spirit who had been kneeling for a long time.

The Book Saint asked:

"An, why are you trembling?"

"I..."

An didn't know how to describe her feelings.

While she had been diligently preparing for the trial, striving to reach the fourth tier and grow stronger, Chen Qi had actually become a legend and cleared an A-rank rift!

That detestable guy! As both a teacher and a student, beneath her calm exterior, An felt intense desire stirring.

"Is it about the Black Hunter?"

The Book Saint asked.

"..."

An's pupils abruptly contracted.

Why would the Book Saint know about her secret relationship with the Black Hunter?

Was it Melanie...? An suddenly thought, her eyes showing fear.

If the White Tower Messenger wasn't lying, then now all high-tier Transcendents wanted to find the Black Hunter!

The Book Saint said nonchalantly:

"Just some speculation, don't be afraid, An. You have the talent to connect with A-rank rift Magic Net.

Did you know?

Even many fifth-tier Saints cannot connect with an A-rank rift...

You're a miracle among miracles, a genius among geniuses, though I've seen quite a few."

"..."

An swallowed.

Suddenly, the Book Saint thought of something, leaning down on her arms:

"According to my deduction, the Black Hunter is a witch's disciple.

Rest assured, under my guidance, you will surpass the Black Hunter, An~"

Surpass Qi... An couldn't help but be drawn in by the Book Saint's promise, quickly saying:

"Thank you for your blessing!"

The Book Saint let out a long yawn:

"From now on, you're my student. You need to pay tuition of one hundred million Shell Coins."

One hundred million Shell Coins? An looked up, completely bewildered.

After passing this trial, she still had to pay tuition!

She spoke from her heart:

"I have no money."

"..."

The Book Saint paused for a moment, then raised her small hand, pointing at the water spirit beside An:

"Then use that pet to pay the debt. I happen to need a water spirit."

The water spirit? An swallowed.

From the moment she entered the library, the Book Saint had been staring at the water spirit!

Rumors said the Book Saint loved sleeping and had high requirements for sleep quality.

An mustered her courage and asked:

"Book Saint, no, Teacher... do you need a pillow?"

The water spirit was soft—it would make a super comfortable pillow.

Pillow? The Book Saint tilted her head in confusion:

"No, it's for a bath scrubber. I've always wanted a water spirit as a bath scrubber."

"Ah?"

An was dumbfounded.

The Book Saint narrowed her eyes and yawned:

"Alright, it's late, An. Come up to my bed. I'll tell you some secrets about the Ice Witch."

"Ah?"

Get on your bed? The usually calm An couldn't help but let out another 'Ah?'