CHAPTER 502: 09 PROGRESS

「Half a month later.」

Name: Carl

Constitution: 28

Spiritual Power: 23

Source Material: 0.2

Level: Second-Order Holy Knight, Second Circle Wizard

Abyss Bloodline Fusion: 56%

Witchcraft: Water of Life, Six-Star Soul Killing Technique, Thunder Wings, Thunderclap’s Fury, Power of Tides...

Martial Arts: Ten Thousand Buddha Hands (Thousand Hand Realm), Holy Demon Transformation (Fifth Layer), Angel’s Sting, Sky Wolf Illusion Demon Fist...

It truly is the legendary Spirit Fruit. Just one was enough to elevate my Constitution from 23 to 28.

I have also reached the fifth layer of Holy Demon Transformation!

Carl took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.

It’s such a pity that such things are only useful the first time they are consumed, allowing the consumer to be reborn. Otherwise, I would have tried to get a few more from the Rebels.

He then took out the Jade Talisman.

This Jade Talisman was a Fourth-order Artifact, capable of deceiving the heavens and tricking the divine if intact.

But unfortunately, it was severely damaged, now at less than one-tenth of its peak power, yet still potent enough to suppress the Green family’s methods.

The problem was... time was limited!

Once activated, it could only be used for ten days or so at most. After depleting the stored energy within, it would be completely destroyed.

Fortunately, I have a basic grasp of the Twelve Star Palaces; even if Barn advances to a Three-Circle Wizard, I still have a chance to save my life.

As for killing a Three-Circle Wizard... that possibility is nearly negligible unless I can truly master the Twelve Star Palaces.

Steadying his mind, Carl stepped out of the Wizard Tower.

「A few days flickered by.」

The ’Rebel’ had not reappeared. Instead, there were rumors that Badden was spotted near the Dream Market.

TAP... TAP...

Carl lightly tapped on the armrest, his eyes darting quickly.

"Master," Evgeny said, her face etched with concern, "The news hasn’t spread yet. However, given the style of the Six Rings Tower and the Green family, it’s highly possible they’ll move against us."

It might not even be about avenging their kin. Given Badden’s character, he’s probably just upset about our last encounter.

Carl touched his forehead.

Last time, Badden nearly died at my hands. He surely harbors resentment and would be well-prepared if he decided to act this time.

"No word from that person?"

"None."

"It seems a Second-Order Holy Knight is still no match for a Second Circle Wizard," Carl sighed. "If it were about recruiting a Second Circle Wizard, the resistance organization would surely not stand by idly."

Knights were inferior to Wizards. This was common knowledge.

The resistance organization was interested in him because a Second-Order Holy Knight has a lifespan of five hundred years.

Five hundred years. Provided one doesn’t die prematurely, one is bound to become a Second Circle Wizard.

But as long as Carl didn’t reveal that he was a Second Circle Wizard, others would only regard him as a Second-Order Knight.

A Second-Order Knight was naturally not as powerful as a Second Circle Wizard.

"Master," Evgeny said thoughtfully, "You didn’t agree to their recruitment on the spot. They probably want to make you suffer a little for it as a lesson."

"Rest assured, someone will help you at the critical moment. Then, you will have no choice but to join the organization."

"It’s better to rely on oneself than on others," Carl stated. "Any news from Albert?"

"There is." Evgeny nodded. "He has met with the Second-Order Barrier Master as you instructed. I’ve also made some inquiries..."

"Barrier Master Mick, with a particularly mysterious heritage, might really have a way to resolve the trouble with the Green family."

"Hmm." Carl nodded slowly. "You’ve done well."

"You’ve worked hard these years. I’ve prepared some things for you. Take them and leave the market later."

"Ah!" Evgeny looked astonished.

"The current situation is severe; it’s not appropriate for you to stay at the market," Carl waved his hand. "Not just you."

"Harvey, Old Brin, and Anglie—all of them need to leave. I plan to take this chance to refine the Dream Treasure Bead."

"And then..."

"Wherever I am, that will be the Dream Market. When the situation stabilizes, I’ll notify you to come over."

I plan to flee for a while. Barn and his nephew aren’t likely to stay in the Magic Forest forever; they’ll probably leave when the Star Gate opens in a few years. Once this period has passed, it won’t be too late for the Dream Market to reopen.

"...Yes," Evgeny nodded in agreement. Despite gaining her long-awaited freedom, she felt a sense of reluctance.

Working under Carl, she had felt quite at ease. Over the years, she had hardly ever been scolded. With Carl frequently in seclusion, she managed all external affairs. This sense of control had become addicting to her.

Packing up the Twelve Star Palaces, Carl placed the Dream Treasure Bead into a prepared vessel for it to self-repair.

Originally, the four major family clans each held a part of the Dream Treasure Bead, which was naturally fragmented and damaged.

This time, Carl had refined the Treasure Bead.

Once the fissures were repaired, he could take complete control.

Then, the mists enveloping the entire valley would be absorbed into the Dream Treasure Bead, and Carl could come and go at will.

Ten days! Estimating the time, Carl looked into the distance and said, "Just right. I’ll use this time to deal with that Fire Demon Viers and settle that matter."

"Recall!"

With his eyes wide open, Viers let out a furious roar as the fireball, several meters in diameter in mid-air, rapidly shrank.

In the blink of an eye, it turned to the size of a fist and shot toward his chest.

PHWOOSH!

The fireball entered his body, merging with his heart, and the restless energy gradually calmed down.

"Good!" Badden’s eyes lit up, and he couldn’t help but applaud softly. "No wonder they call you the Fire Demon. This Fire-Melting Wizardry of yours is truly formidable, to even absorb the energy core of a Divine Son into your body!"

HUFF... Viers let out a long breath before smiling and speaking, "For Young Master Badden, these are the main advantages of my legacy. Thankfully, the Divine Son has lost his Divine Power; otherwise, I would need to advance to a Three-Circle Wizard before I could absorb it."

"Haha..." Badden laughed. "That’s quite good already."

"With this item, once my Second Circle Perfection is achieved, I have a ninety percent chance of advancing to a Three-Circle Wizard and laying the foundation for the Fourth Circle."

Upon saying this, his eyes couldn’t help but sparkle.

Viers returned the smile but couldn’t contain his curiosity as he asked, "Young Master Badden, the Black Night Goddess of Ancient Times has fallen. Shouldn’t her Divine Son also perish?"

"No!" Badden shook his head. "Only the followers of a Divine are bound to them. Once someone becomes a Divine Son, they possess an independent persona."

"They can even refine Divine Power, Divinity, and so on... and even usurp a Divine’s position after committing deicide."

"So that’s how it is!" Realization struck Viers. "But isn’t the Divine Son on the Knight Path? Can Knights really be that powerful?"

"A Third-tier Knight, also known as a Taboo Knight," Badden began, "is called ’Taboo’ because, in the eyes of the Divine or Wizards, they’ve touched upon things they shouldn’t have."

"A Taboo Knight’s body is almost immune to most witchcraft. Their Martial Arts Will can withstand mental interference. Even the erosion of Divine power has little effect on them. Furthermore, a Third-tier Peak Knight is termed a Demigod."

"Demigod..." He chuckled lightly. "By seizing a Divine’s Divine Rank and igniting the Divine Fire, a Demigod can become a true Divine—a Lower God."

"Oh!"

Viers understood.

This kind of knowledge, even on the Kaliem Continent, is only possessed by some top factions and Wizard Families. The Wizards of the Magic Forest are completely ignorant of it.

Kaliem Continent...

Viers’ eyes gleamed with excitement.

Having helped Badden retrieve the energy core of the Divine Son, I’m certainly going to follow him to the Kaliem Continent. After all, even as a Wizard of the Green family, Badden will need decades to reach Second Circle Perfection. During this period, the energy core will need to be housed within me. Originally, I could have taken one other person to the Kaliem Continent. Alas!

Tas...

Clenching his teeth, Viers spoke up, "Young Master Badden, before we leave, I need to avenge my disciple. Otherwise, I will be left with lingering regrets."

"Tas?" Badden sighed faintly. "A very talented young man. I was planning to introduce him to a female blood-relative at the Six Rings Tower, but who could have foreseen..."

"Do you know where your enemy is?"

"I do!" Viers nodded. "Less than a day’s journey."

"Go quickly and return quickly," Badden said. "Don’t delay things."

"Yes."