CHAPTER 479: 038 MISSING PERSON

Evgeny led Carl to the Pelo family’s underground dungeon. It was pitch black; one couldn’t see their own hand in front of their face.

TAP...

The sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor.

Shallow puddles covered the ground, and a mixture of strange odors permeated the air. The cold, damp atmosphere made one’s body instinctively recoil.

"Master," Evgeny spoke in a low voice, "this is where the family detains prisoners. Some Black Wizards who disrupt market rules and are wanted are held here."

"Sometimes, they are used for witchcraft experiments."

Carl slowly nodded.

Most Wizard witchcraft was inhumane. Performing experiments before casting spells on oneself could increase the chances of success.

This was especially true for Bloodline Magic...

Dissection, observation, and flesh-and-blood experiments made living subjects indispensable.

It wasn’t just the Pelo family; other Wizard Families had similar places to detain criminals for experimentation.

TAP...

Carl stopped walking and looked toward the figure behind the iron door.

The person was chained to a rack, limbs stretched and pinned with iron nails, their breathing so faint it was barely discernible.

Even so, one could still see the man’s handsome features.

"His name is Wodi, an Advanced Wizard Apprentice who seduced various women with his good looks," Evgeny explained.

"When we caught him, at least six women were providing him with various resources for his cultivation."

"Hmm..."

"All those women were married, and one of their husbands was a member of our family."

With that, she shrugged.

"Hmm," Carl nodded slowly.

"Open the door."

"Yes."

Evgeny complied and stepped forward to open the cell door.

The sound of the opening door caused the unconscious Wodi to stir. He struggled to lift his head.

What met his eyes was a pair of eerie, deep, and frightening eyes.

BOOM!

A torrent of spiritual power surged into his Spiritual Inner Sea, shattering his already feeble consciousness into pieces.

A new consciousness quietly took over the body.

「Before long.」

RATTLE...

’Wodi’ loosened his restraints and stretched his body, then flexed his fingers to perform the Water Mirror Skill.

Facing the floating water mirror, he tidied his cheeks and couldn’t help but smirk, "First attempt and it’s a success. Looks like this witchcraft transformation has no issues. Though I must say, this body does have a handsome face!"

* * *

The Seber family was a clan that had risen to prominence two hundred years ago, known for Artifact Refining, particularly Inheritance Witch Artifacts, and constructing Wizard Towers.

Their family seat was over a hundred kilometers from the nearest market, with no Human Clan settlements nearby.

They had settled there because the special geographical environment was highly suitable for building Wizard Towers.

With over two hundred years of heritage, although no Second Circle Wizard had yet emerged from their ranks, the family was already a formidable power in the vicinity.

"Fair lady," Carl, controlling Wodi’s body, said as he arrived at the Seber family residence and bowed to a comely young woman.

"I am an independent Wizard, looking to commission the Seber family to construct a Wizard Tower for me. Could you please pass on my request?"

"Oh!"

He took out a piece of paper. "This details my requirements and the materials I’ve prepared for building the Wizard Tower."

"Ah? Oh!" Lucia blushed and bashfully accepted the paper, nodding. "Please wait, I will tell my father."

"Oh, and..."

"My name is Lucia."

Saying this, she turned and ran towards the courtyard. She felt her heart racing uncontrollably, her cheeks burning.

What a handsome man!

She felt as if her true love had arrived.

Watching her figure fade into the distance, ’Wodi’ couldn’t help but smile.

It was worth specifically choosing a young woman to deliver the message. This face truly has a devastating effect on women.

As for my original self...

I’ve never received any preferential treatment because of my looks.

. . . . . .

"Father!"

Lucia ran into the inner courtyard, found her father talking to someone, and forcefully pushed the paper into his hand. "Someone outside wants us to help him build a Wizard Tower."

"Who?" Luther looked at his daughter curiously. "Do you know him?"

"No, I don’t know him." Lucia hastily shook her head, her small face flushed. "He’s a very handsome young man, an Advanced Wizard Apprentice. His terms are on the paper."

"Alone? An Advanced Wizard Apprentice?" Luther chuckled softly. "Not just anyone can command my services. Give it to one of the younger members of the family; see if they’re interested."

He was an Official Wizard, an expert in constructing Wizard Towers. The price for a Wizard Tower built by his hand was far beyond what an Advanced Wizard Apprentice could afford.

This sort of business was just practice for the younger ones.

"Please, Father!" Lucia clung to her father’s sleeve. "Could you just take a look? If it’s not too much trouble, what harm is there in helping him out this once? I already promised him."

"You silly girl!" Luther shook his head helplessly, casually unfolding the paper and saying, "I still have two Wizard Towers unfinished, both commissions from other families. I can’t push them aside..."

"Hmm?"

Mid-sentence, his expression suddenly changed. He slowly sat up straight, meticulously examining the paper.

"This..."

"A Second Order Wizard Tower?"

"How is that possible?"

A mere Advanced Wizard Apprentice couldn’t possibly possess the materials needed for constructing a Second Order Wizard Tower.

Forget a Wizard Apprentice, even a full Wizard couldn’t manage it!

Even Wizard Families would need many years of accumulation to build a Second Order Wizard Tower.

Just like their own family, the Second Order Wizard Tower they were currently constructing was still incomplete.

No! It had to be genuine.

Luther’s eyes narrowed.

The request on the note was very clear and even listed some data; it didn’t seem like a joke.

Someone with such capabilities wouldn’t make this kind of joke.

"Please invite our guest in first and treat him well," Luther said, his expression grave as he folded the paper. "I’m going to ask your grand-uncle to come over."

"Ah!"

Lucia looked astonished.

Ignoring his daughter, Luther hurried with the paper to the family’s core area to find the Family Head and his uncle, Gai.

Building a Second Order Wizard Tower was something that only the Family Head could approve.

’Gai’, with his white hair and wrinkled Wizard Robe, was the epitome of an Artifact Refining grandmaster, wholly absorbed in his craft.

In the entire Seber family, only he could construct a Second Order Wizard Tower.

"Clan Leader," Luther said, standing below, "I don’t think the visitor is joking."

"Of course not!" ’Gai’ lifted his gaze from the paper and said in a muffled voice, "These terms are more than sufficient for building a Second Order Wizard Tower, and the likelihood of success is also high. I think we can take the job."

"A Second Order Wizard Tower..." The Clan Leader mused, looking up at the ceiling. "Even a Wizard Family that owns an entire market might not be able to construct a Second Order Wizard Tower. Have you confirmed the guest’s identity?"

"Not yet." Luther shook his head. "He’s likely a Core Disciple from a prominent family who, for some special reason, cannot reveal his circumstances."

This kind of situation was common.

A Wizard Tower was of utmost importance to a Wizard Family. During its construction, they feared others becoming aware, so they always sought builders secretly.

The Seber family was no exception.

When they constructed Wizard Towers for others, they usually signed a confidentiality contract, only allowing the tower’s existence to be revealed on the day of its completion.

Sometimes, their builders were even required to stay with the client family until the Wizard Tower was finished, not permitted to leave before then.

This was especially true for a Second Order Wizard Tower.

It was highly likely that ’Gai’ himself would have to oversee the project.

"You’ve both seen the materials listed by this person." The Clan Leader lifted his teacup and took a light sip. "What are your thoughts?"

"Well..." Luther exchanged a glance with ’Gai’. Both looked puzzled, unsure of the Clan Leader’s meaning.

"Luther," the Clan Leader gestured. "Share your thoughts."

"Yes." Luther composed himself and thought seriously for a moment before speaking, "Based on the listed materials, their preparations are more than ample, even excessive in some areas. A typical Wizard Family would likely need centuries to gather such resources."

"Although it’s unclear which family they represent, I believe we can take this job. Furthermore, we should strive to maintain a good relationship with this client. After all, possessing a Second Order Wizard Tower is tantamount to having a Second Circle Wizard backing them."

"Hmm." ’Gai’ nodded upon hearing this, shaking the paper. "I think they must have seized other families’ Wizard Towers; the materials listed here seem to have been salvaged from dismantled structures."

"Well said." The Clan Leader’s eyes narrowed. "I think so too! This person has obtained several Wizard Towers and intends to combine multiple First Order Wizard Towers to construct a Second Order one."

"What a coincidence!" the Clan Leader said, his eyes narrowed. "One of the towers they dismantled was forged by my own hands."

"Oh!" Luther’s eyes lit up. "Whose?"

"The Walker family of the Dream Market," the Clan Leader continued, squinting. "And Conni, the current controller of the Dream Market, possesses at least four First Order Wizard Towers. He certainly has the means to construct a Second Order Wizard Tower."

Conni? That name had recently been causing quite a stir in the Dream Market, so both Luther and Gai were naturally aware of it.

"It’s him?" Luther’s expression changed. "This man has offended the Six Rings Tower. In that case, perhaps we shouldn’t take this on."

"We’ll take it!" the Clan Leader chuckled. "Why not? He hasn’t mentioned where he’s from or who he is. As long as the payment is sufficient, why wouldn’t we accept?"

"Brother," ’Gai’ blinked. "Are you suggesting I go to the Dream Market to construct a Wizard Tower for him? I’m afraid if I go in, I might never come out again. Moreover, doing so will surely antagonize the Six Rings Tower, and our family cannot withstand that kind of pressure."

"Heh..." The Clan Leader laughed. "Who said anything about you going?"