Chapter 1005: Chapter 761: Joining the Ancient Mage Tower
Behind the small hill, Long Yi, who had been out of sight for a long time, recounted the recent events to Belle, and the more exciting parts continually made her exclaim in amazement. Especially when Belle heard that Lingling’s current body was actually made of Cosmic Stone, she became even more astonished.
"Cosmic Stone! Oh, my heavens, no wonder I’ve been feeling my strength surge within me, it’s actually the Cosmic Stone!"
Belle told Long Yi that Cosmic Stones like this were already rare in the middle planes, let alone in the upper planes where the Crystal Demons resided; they were virtually untraceable. So, even in the more powerful upper planes, the presence of the Cosmic Stone was scarce and pitiful.
"Do you need it? I still have some," Long Yi said.
"No, no, no, the Cosmic Stone is too precious! I can’t accept it..." Belle repeatedly waved her hands in refusal.
"It’s not precious, I have a lot of it. Don’t believe me? Just access Lingling’s memory and see," Long Yi said.
As Lingling was Belle’s avatar, their memories were naturally shared. After a moment’s thought, Belle immediately knew that Long Yi indeed had plenty.
"Then... just a small piece will do, I want to try replicating the Cosmic Stone," Belle said.
In fact, Long Yi wanted Belle to create a body for herself out of Cosmic Stone as well. But Belle told Long Yi that for Crystal Demons, the most powerful wasn’t necessarily the best. After all, Lingling was just a weapon; her strength could keep increasing. Belle, on the other hand, was a living being and there were compatibility issues to consider.
This theory was new to Long Yi, but he respected Belle’s choice.
After gifting Belle a small piece of Cosmic Stone, Long Yi finally remembered the real reason he had called Belle this time.
"Behind the planar rift, is it the Crystal Demon plane?" Long Yi asked.
Belle glanced over, then with a slight flick of her hand, a small crystal flew out from within.
"Judging by the markings on this crystal, it’s a planet we gave up on a long time ago. It’s probably the temporary refuge that the Crazy Demons used when they drove us out of our homeland. There are none of our people there now," Belle said.
"I see, then I can rest easy," Long Yi said.
"What’s going on? Are they causing you trouble? Should I blow up this planet?" Belle asked.
"You can blow up an entire planet?" Long Yi incredulously asked.
"That’s my new ability—I can make the crystals of an entire planet resonate and explode at once. The explosion is enough to destroy everything on that planet," Belle said.
"Impressive! But there’s no need for such drastic measures for now. We’re just here to see what they’re really up to," Long Yi said.
"I see, this is no longer the Human Realm, and our powers are not restrained here. If you wish to deal with any enemies, please tell me, and I will make sure they regret coming to this world," Belle said.
"Don’t worry, if that time ever comes, I won’t forget you!"
After Belle left, Lingling returned to Long Yi’s private space.
"What’s next? Shall we continue to investigate?" Silverlight asked.
"No, it’s enough to know this much," Long Yi said, "At least we now know that the Ancient Mage Tower is researching the crystal bodies of the Crystal Demons. And since Crystal Demons are our friends, we already have an advantage due to this information asymmetry. Next, I think it’s time we truly interact with that so-called Ancient Mage Tower."
Right at that moment, everyone behind the rift returned to the Mage Tower. The giant metallic structure began to ascend slowly, heading toward the direction of the rift, and flew out of the rift.
"Let’s hide for now!" Long Yi pulled the group into a nearby cave.
Meanwhile, inside the Ancient Mage Tower, an elder said to another elder,
"Master Elma, we have discovered several people secretly spying on us."
"Don’t worry, Master Solis, they are merely a bunch of ants living on the lower floor, curious and admiring us. They are full of interest in everything we do. But if they really want to uncover the secrets of the powerful Crystal Demons, they are simply courting death. So, let them be," the elder replied.
"Your wisdom shames me."
The Ancient Mage Tower disappeared from view, but Long Yi alone entered the planar rift. The surrounding crystals, infused with Demon Power, bore many marks of having been cut, and the cutting tools that were left behind showed a mixture of Giant craftsmanship with numerous modifications.
What exactly is the Ancient Mage Tower researching? Crystal Poison? Or Demon Power? Or are they studying both?
Long Yi couldn’t guess and didn’t bother to.
After returning from the spatial rift, the Great Explorer brought them back to their residence.
Then Long Yi and Ai Lin separately informed Saint Danze and Saint Jialin that they were about to visit the Ancient Mage Tower!
This news made both Saint Jialin and Saint Danze both happy and sad. They were pleased that two such powerful mages had emerged from their Empire, and entering the Ancient Mage Tower was definitely a great honor. But they were saddened because Long Yi and Ai Lin were leaving just after defeating ancient powerhouses, before they had time to share the fruits of victory with the Empire!
But there was no helping it, after all, it was an invitation from the Ancient Mage Tower.
So, on the appointed day, the Emperors of both the Divine Auffa Empire and the Sanctuary Empire took a battleship together, sending Long Yi and Ai Lin to the designated coordinates.
But there was nothing around them.
"Are we early or late?" Long Yi looked out the spaceship window into space.
"The timing should be just right, but for such a lofty Ancient Mage Tower, there has to be some earth-shattering entrance ceremony, right?" Little Zi said.
As she was speaking, a resounding sound, like that of a horn, came from the tranquil space. Clearly, it was not air that transmitted the sound in the vacuum, but powerful mana.
Amidst the horn-like vibrations of mana, a light as dazzling as the sun burst forth from the dark space, surrounded by swirling runes. A huge metallic structure slowly emerged from the light, its appearance given a holy effect by the brilliance. Emperor Saint Jialin and Emperor Saint Danze couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. However, when they looked towards Long Yi, they found that the people by his side all bore the same expression.
Disdain.
An entrance that involves creating your own lighting effects? How insecure can you be?
Actually, if they hadn’t seen it before, perhaps girls like Ai Lin and Little Zi might have been somewhat impressed. But having just seen them groaning while cutting and transporting the Crystal Demon tribe’s crystals, and now witnessing this light show here?
Seeing that Long Yi and Ai Lin were unimpressed by such effects, the two Emperors also hummed disapprovingly and stopped their praise.
Suddenly, a pillar of light shot out from the side of the Ancient Mage Tower, passed through the spaceship’s shields, and directly opened a Teleportation Gate on the ship.
Then, an old man walked out from it.
"Long Yi, Ai Lin, Silverlight, Little Zi, as well as Xiaodie, I, on behalf of the Mage Tower, welcome your arrival! I am your guide, Balak. Please follow me through this Teleportation Gate. Once you enter, you will officially become members of the Ancient Mage Tower!"
After speaking, Balak extended his hand, gesturing for them to move forward.
Long Yi nodded, then looked back at Saint Danze, "Don’t worry. If the Ancient Mage Tower isn’t fun, I’ll come back to you."
After that, Long Yi turned and stepped into the Array. Ai Lin, Silverlight, Little Zi, and Xiaodie also entered the Array.
Balak was the last to enter the Array, not once glancing at Emperors Saint Danze and Saint Jialin from start to finish.
The two Emperors did not feel there was anything amiss.
Indeed, this was the sort of pride that the Ancient Mage Tower should possess. Although Long Yi just said they would come back, that was absolutely impossible. Because once they entered the Ancient Mage Tower, they were no longer people of this world, they were to become more noble.
Upon emerging from the Teleportation Array, Long Yi found himself amidst a group of young people. Ai Lin, Little Zi, Silverlight, and Xiaodie had disappeared, but he could still feel them through their bond.
At the same time, an odd Array appeared on the back of Long Yi’s hand, bearing the number written in Giant text: one.
What does this mean?
"Alright, this is Long Yi, who will be joining all of you today."
Balak appeared beside them and said.
"Is he one of the noble descendants of the Ancient Mage bloodline?" a young man asked.
"He’s so muscular; is he really a Mage? He looks rather slow," another youth inquired.
"I can’t sense any surges of powerful mana from him, can he really pass the assessment?" another young person questioned.
"Stop!" Long Yi shouted, "Someone come and explain what exactly is going on?"
Balak suddenly frowned, "Mr. Long Yi, since you have entered the Ancient Mage Tower, you are now a member of it. Please restrain your attitude, as you must abide by the rules here."
However, Long Yi laughed, "Shouldn’t you tell me what the rules are first?"
Balak was taken aback, "You don’t know the rules here?"
Long Yi was even more puzzled, "Should I know them?"
Balak suddenly laughed, "Ah, I forgot, you don’t have the noble blood of an Ancient Mage; you’re merely a groundling and have no idea about the rules here."
Long Yi was momentarily stunned, scrutinized Balak’s eyes for a while, and then said word by word, "The reason for your disrespect towards a newcomer like me must be one of the following. First: you’re an idiot by nature, but considering how you were on the spaceship, that doesn’t seem likely. Second: you’re trying to intimidate me, but sadly, I respond better to kindness than to coercion. Third: I must have killed a favorite ancient powerhouse of yours."
As Long Yi was speaking, he stopped.
"Judging by the twitching of your facial muscles and the sudden dilation of your pupils, it seems we’re looking at the third reason. Let me guess, who is it? Adaman? No... Delas? That’s not it either... Could it be you’re Nielan? Oh! It actually is Nielan! Hehe, no wonder, Nielan was quite the schemer. Too bad he encountered me, otherwise he might have brought the power of thirty ancient powerhouses into the Ancient Mage Tower this time, right?"(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
