Chapter 1231: Chapter 106: Heart Like a Knife Cut_4
The middle-aged Mage stood up feeling exceedingly threatened and mumbled, "What kind of magic is this, how can it be controlled so freely?"
Xuan Yue was surprised and said, "What level of Mage are you if you don’t even know this? When one’s spiritual power becomes strong enough, naturally, one can control their own magic."
The middle-aged Mage’s face flushed red as he said, "I, I am an Intermediate Magician. Since you indeed practice magic, you can stay for now, and we’ll discuss further when the Guild leader returns."
Xuan Yue looked at the unnatural expression on the middle-aged Mage’s face and asked, "Could you tell us what the Magicians in the Guild are doing? Why is there nobody around?"
The middle-aged Mage grumbled, "It’s all because of those guys across from us. They keep provoking us, so the Guild leader decided to show them what’s what." Realizing he might have said too much, he quickly shut his mouth and cautiously looked at Xuan Yue and Ah Dai.
Xuan Yue caught the implication in his words and, surprised, said, "I heard there are two Mage Guilds in Andis City; which one are you?"
The middle-aged Mage proudly said, "We are certainly the most authentic Mage Guild. The great Mage Larthas is our Guild leader, and aside from the Church, he is one of the three grand Mages. How could those self-righteous fools compare? They claim authenticity, yet they don’t even have a single Mage who has reached the mage level."
Xuan Yue and Ah Dai understood from his words that this was the Mage Guild of the Empire of Tian Jing. Xuan Yue signaled with her eyes to Ah Dai to keep quiet, then she stepped forward, approached the middle-aged Mage, and smiled, "Yes! I’ve long heard of the boundless magical power of Mage Larthas, so I specifically came to join. It seems I have indeed come to the right place. Under his guidance, my magic will surely advance leaps and bounds. Since you joined the Guild before us, you are our senior. I hope you will guide us juniors in the future."
The middle-aged Mage, being one of the lower-tier mages in the Guild due to limited talent and subsequent laziness after twenty years still only an Intermediate Magician, felt immensely flattered by Xuan Yue’s praises and pompously said, "Rest assured, once you join the Guild, I will take care of you. I’ve been in the Guild for some time now; I’ll try to get you recommended to the Guild leader. With his guidance, your magic will inevitably improve rapidly."
Watching his proud demeanor, Xuan Yue inwardly chuckled, sighed, and feigned regret, "I always aspire to interact with highly skilled Magicians. It’s a pity the Guild leader isn’t here. I think perhaps we should go check out the other Mage Guild; maybe they have some powerful Magicians?"
As he looked like he was about to leave, pulling Ah Dai with him, the Mage Guild of Tian Jing, feeling understaffed compared to continental Guilds, quickly intercepted them, "Don’t go! It’s pointless going over there; they don’t have anyone either. It’s better to wait here for the Guild leader to return."
A sly glimmer flashed in Xuan Yue’s eyes as she curiously asked, "Why isn’t there anyone there? Isn’t it said that the continental Mage Guilds have more members?"
The middle-aged Mage hesitated briefly, thinking it wouldn’t hurt to tell them since their Mages were gone, and these two newcomers were unlikely spies. Hoping to keep the Mages and earn rewards upon the Guild leader’s return, he gritted his teeth and said, "I’ll tell you the truth. Due to ongoing provocations from those folks, a few days ago, our Guild leader sent them a challenge. Andis City has strict regulations, so they agreed to meet outside the city in Pilu Valley for the contest. If we win this time, we’ll drive those people out of Andis City and even from the Xori Federation. If you join our Guild, your future prospects will be limitless."
Ah Dai and Xuan Yue were both shocked, staring at each other. They had not expected the conflict between the two Mage Guilds to have escalated to the point of armed confrontation.
Ah Dai’s heart tightened. He was very fond of the Mage Guild; when he first stepped onto the continent, he was deeply moved by the Guild’s practice of providing stipends to all mages. He absolutely did not want to see mages harming each other. Sighing, he said, "Brother, let’s go check it out. Hopefully, we can stop them."
Xuan Yue said, "Alright! Let’s go now, or we might miss the exciting part." With that, she pulled Ah Dai and headed outside.
A middle-aged magician hurriedly stopped them, saying anxiously, "Don’t go! Didn’t we agree to stay here and wait for the branch president to return? That place isn’t for you to go to."
Xuan Yue chanted a spell, and a sacred aura suddenly burst forth. With a wave of her hand, a white light enveloped the middle-aged magician’s body. She smiled and said, "Did I ever say I would stay? I don’t think so. Thanks for the information though; we might come back if we get the chance." After speaking, she pulled Ah Dai and left the Tian Jing Empire’s Mage Guild. The spell she used could restrict the middle-aged magician’s movements for an hour.
Upon leaving the Tian Jing Empire’s Mage Guild, Xuan Yue looked around and said, "Brother, I don’t think it’s a good idea to go there just like this. The area is full of magicians, and I’m sure someone will be guarding the entrance to the valley to keep outsiders out. If we just go like this, it’s very likely we’ll be stopped outside. Forcing our way through will definitely draw attention from both sides, preventing us from observing secretly. It would be better if we could find two plain Mage Robes to wear, so we can avoid conflict. My ceremonial robes are too conspicuous."
Ah Dai had a sudden idea, looked towards the continent’s Mage Guild to the south, and gave a slight smile. "No worries, I have a plan. Don’t forget, I’m a member of the Mage Guild!" He said, and went straight towards the continent’s Mage Guild. Xuan Yue paused briefly, watching Ah Dai’s tall figure from behind, and sighed softly. "Big brother, why do I find it harder to detach myself from you the more I’m with you? But I really can’t bear to leave you!" She expressed a forlorn look in her beautiful eyes, slowly following him.
The situation at the Continent’s Mage Guild was much like that of the Tian Jing Empire’s Mage Guild. After Ah Dai and Xuan Yue entered the guild hall and called out a few times, a young magician who looked about the same age as Ah Dai and slightly taller than Xuan Yue came out. He had a scholarly air, wore a light blue Mage Robe, and was clearly a Wind Magician. His handsome face and robust figure exhibited a very strong magical essence, clearly much more proficient than the magician they encountered at the Tian Jing Empire’s Mage Guild. The young man didn’t slight them despite their ordinary clothes, and greeted them with a slight smile, "What brings you two to the Continent’s Mage Guild?"
Before Ah Dai could speak, Xuan Yue rushed to say, "We are here for the magician certification. Is it possible now?" She felt that this magician seemed very insightful and wanted to see how he would respond.
The young magician seemed to expect Xuan Yue to say this and nodded, "No problem, I’ll test both of you. Who wants to start?"
Ah Dai was startled, knowing such a young magician being responsible for the test indicated his formidable strength. It seemed that the Continent’s Mage Guild was indeed stronger than the Tian Jing Empire’s Mage Guild, at least in terms of its reserve talents. Xuan Yue smiled and said, "Then I’ll go first, but be careful!"
The young magician appeared very confident, casually drawing in the void, causing a space rift to appear. He reached inside and pulled out a blue Magic Wand. The Magic Wand’s design was simple, not very eye-catching, yet seemed to hold powerful magic elements. Xuan Yue was briefly stunned. The fact that he could use a space rift meant his level was at least that of an Advanced Magician, if not a Great Magician. Being so young and already so talented, his potential was certainly no less than hers. His strength ignited a competitive spirit in Xuan Yue. She hummed softly, mimicking his action, slicing the air, and a golden rift opened. Without needing to reach inside, the Angel Wand already floated out. As the wand fell into Xuan Yue’s hand, a sacred aura burst forth. A soft golden light continuously spiraled around her delicate body. Standing there, she looked like a celestial being, her expression cold and proud as she gazed at the young magician before her.
