CHAPTER 499: 06 HALF PLANE

"You can’t kill me! My tutor is Fire Wizard Viers. If you kill me, he will never let you go!"

Facing the relentlessly advancing Carl, Tas, knowing he was outmatched, bellowed loudly, threatening, "Tutor Viers is already a Second Circle Wizard. You won’t be able to defeat him, no matter how powerful you are."

"Oh!"

Carl paused, frowning. "Fire Wizard Viers is a Second Circle Wizard now?"

This wasn’t surprising. When Carl had first advanced to Wizard, Viers had already been seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough. So many years had passed; he might have found it.

"Indeed!"

Seeing Carl hesitate, Tas was overjoyed. "Let me go, and this matter ends here. I will definitely not tell my tutor to seek revenge on you later."

"Heh..." Carl chuckled upon hearing this. "Do you think I would believe that?"

"Besides, Fire Wizard Viers surely has more than one disciple. Would he really go to great lengths to avenge you?"

"He will! He definitely will!" Tas took a step back, hastily saying, "I am my tutor’s favorite disciple! Moreover... moreover, I carry my tutor’s Bloodline!"

"Is that so?" Carl nodded. "Then I am reassured."

"What?" Tas was stunned. Then his vision blurred, and he saw a headless corpse.

It looks familiar!

It’s my body...

As his head hit the ground, his consciousness sank into endless darkness.

Carl finished searching the body and then turned his gaze towards the Fireball on the ground, curiosity in his eyes.

"Interesting! To think a spiritual body of less than Third-tier could survive outside the flesh. This is a first for me."

It was common knowledge in the Wizard World that only the ’souls’ of Three-Circle Wizards could leave their bodies.

And now, the Fireball on the ground clearly belonged to a First Circle Wizard.

However, this Fireball was not the ’soul’ of a Three-Circle Wizard; it was using some kind of Witch Artifact. It was likely that it could only function similarly to an Artifact Spirit from now on, never again able to return to a physical body.

"Friend," the Fireball bounced on the ground, emitting a faint voice, "thank you for killing the Black Wizard. Otherwise... today, I doubt I would have escaped their pursuit."

"I am Mammon. My husband is Albert, a Late First Ring Soul Wizard."

Soul Wizard Albert. Carl had never heard of him.

But he could sense the caution in her voice and her eager desire to flee.

"Mammon."

Carl smiled, straightening up. "Pleasure to meet you. Then... until we meet again."

With that, he strolled away into the distance.

Huh? He’s just walking away?

Mammon was puzzled, then made the Fireball hop along to follow. "Friend, could you do me a favor? I will surely reward you generously once the task is completed."

"What favor?"

"My husband is injured and requires some medication, but I am currently unable to deliver them."

"You’re already in this state and still thinking about your husband?"

Carl stopped walking, looked back, then shook his head. "It’s not that I won’t help you, but as you’ve seen, I’ve just crossed a Second Circle Wizard and am barely able to protect myself."

"Hmm..."

"You can head back."

Flying Skill!

With a light wave of his Magic Wand, Carl transformed into a breeze and flew towards the sky, vanishing after a few flickers.

Go back?

Mammon looked back. Thick mist covered the valley.

The Dream Market?

Her current situation was like a fish on a chopping block, defenseless against anyone with malicious intent. She had just encountered a Wizard who bore no ill will towards her, yet he chose not to help.

Thinking it over, Mammon made the Fireball leap towards the Dream Market.

At this point, she had to take the risk.

***

Transformed into ’Conni,’ Carl, the owner of the Dream Market, sat on a stone chair, watching Mammon, from whom he had just parted.

To show sincerity, Mammon dispersed the ’flames’ around her, revealing her ’true form.’ It resembled a fist-sized Crystal Ball. The core of the Crystal Ball was a constantly rotating star, and Mammon’s consciousness resided within.

This was a pseudo Third-tier Inheritance Witch Artifact. Although not of low Tier, it was not very useful. Aside from some spatial storage capabilities, it could only serve as a ’shell’ to house consciousness.

"Mr. Conni, it’s great to see you again."

"Hmm."

Carl rested his chin in his hand, scrutinizing the Crystal Ball on the table, and said, "Regarding Miss Mammon’s predicament, I can only express my regret. I cannot intervene in matters outside the market."

"...It was my oversight; it’s not Mr. Conni’s fault," Mammon’s voice deepened, and then she continued, "I hope Mr. Conni can help me deliver something to my husband, for which I will pay a fee."

Carl frowned.

"Master," Evgeny spoke in a low voice, "Soul Wizards have a very good reputation, and he is well-liked among Wanderer Wizards."

"Oh!" Carl raised an eyebrow. "You know him?"

"Heard of him," Evgeny responded. "A very talented Wizard, with hopes of advancing to the Second Circle. You know, it’s rare for a Wanderer without family backing to reach the Second Circle."

"I see..." Carl nodded. "How about you make the trip for her?"

"?" Evgeny looked embarrassed and spoke softly, "Master, I have almost never left the Dream Market since childhood. I’m not familiar with the outside world."

"Then who should go?" Carl rolled his eyes.

He nominally had four people under him, but in reality, the only one he truly trusted was Evgeny, with whom he had a contract. Old Brin was an intelligence peddler. Anglie’s identity was unclear. Harvey had a grudge against him.

"This..." Evgeny also hesitated.

"Call Harvey."

Carl sighed. "Let him make the trip."

Compared to others, Harvey had a wife and children in the Dream Market. They were a loving couple, so the likelihood of him absconding was low.

"Yes," Evgeny complied.

"Sigh!" Carl sighed. "For this market, I have made great efforts. I hope the results won’t be disappointing in the future."

After sending Mammon off, he took out the Dream Treasure Bead and began refining it. As his refinement deepened, the fog covering the Dream Market also began to retract inward. Once it was all absorbed into the Treasure Bead, it signified that he could completely detach from this place.

...

「A valley somewhere.」

A group from the Six Rings Tower gathered.

Badden of the Green family narrowed his eyes, watching the slowly opening spatial gate ahead, a look of excitement emerging on his face.

"The Divine Son of the Night Goddess!"

"Third-tier..."

"If we can obtain the residual Divinity on him, let alone advancing to the Third Ring, even the Fourth Circle might be possible!"

Although he was only a Second Circle Wizard who had advanced not many years ago, he harbored great ambition.

Third Ring, Fourth Circle! He even envisioned a day when he could become a Five-Ring Wizard and take control of the family from the current Family Head.

And this, he must obtain in the current half-plane.

"Be careful," Barn spoke solemnly. "This half-plane is nearing collapse. Once the energy level reaches a certain degree, a spatial vortex will form. At that point, even I won’t be able to guarantee pulling people out in time."

"Yes," Badden nodded. "Uncle, can we enter now?"

"Hmm." Barn cast a final glance at Vulcan. "Old friend, I’ll trouble you to keep an eye on the door for us."

"Rest assured," Vulcan’s face was expressionless. "I will ensure nothing happens for a month."

Standing behind him, several Wizards looked resentful. Their eyes flickered, and they lowered their heads without a word. This half-plane was their discovery, containing many opportunities for advancement, yet... it was forcibly occupied by the Green family! Now, they were not only barred from entering but also had to guard the door to ensure the Green family could exit safely. The frustration was palpable.

Unfortunately, the Green family was too powerful. Even Vulcan, the Land Controller and a peak Second Circle Wizard, had to comply obediently.

"Wait a minute!"

Suddenly, the expression of someone in the group drastically changed. His teeth clenched and he spoke in a suppressed voice, "One of my disciples is in trouble."

"Viers," Badden frowned. "Now is not the time to deal with your personal matters."

Considering Viers would still be useful after entering, and it related to his own prospects, Badden softened his voice. "Rest assured! As long as you help me obtain what I need, we will be friends in the future, and the Green family will help you with your troubles."