Chapter 121: Chapter 120: Hearing of Irena Again
Ian was shaken, but his face betrayed nothing.
The list showed her ranked third, with her total Merit Points more than five times his—a truly terrifying track record.
He returned the book to Eugene and didn’t ask for information about Irena.
Eugene put away the book and continued with his orientation. Three specks of light appeared in his palm.
"These are your benefits. Take a look and choose one."
Ian looked up:
"1: 3,000 Merit Points."
"2: One hour of personalized guidance from a Level Two Wizard."
"3: A standard-issue Tier One Witchcraft Artifact (choice of offensive, defensive, or support type)."
His eyes twitched slightly. ’This is an unexpected surprise.’
’3,000 Merit Points are substantial, but it isn’t what I need most right now.’
’Guidance from a Level Two Wizard... I was just promoted and indeed have many questions.’
’But there’s a limit to the problems that can be solved in an hour. Plus, I harbor secrets and need to be cautious about close contact with a High Tier Wizard.’
’In that case...’
"I’ll take the third option: a defensive Witchcraft Artifact," Ian decided.
’In terms of offense, I have my newly acquired Talent Witchcraft, Frost Ash Beam, which has immense potential.’
’I don’t lack support for now. And one can never have too much defense.’
His battle with Sterling had taught him a profound lesson about the importance of a Shield.
"A wise choice."
Eugene nodded, dismissing the other two specks of light, and took a Dark Silver bracelet from within his robes.
The bracelet had a simple, ancient design. Its surface was engraved with overlapping, curved Runes, and a gray Gemstone was embedded in the center.
"The Ring of Overlapping Peaks, a standard Tier One Defensive Witchcraft Artifact.
"Once activated by injecting it with Spiritual Power, it can generate a three-layered Energy Shield around your body. Each Shield layer’s strength is equivalent to the full defense of a Level One Vaporization Wizard. After all three layers are broken in sequence, it automatically absorbs ambient stray Energy to slowly recover. A full recovery takes twelve hours."
"Its greatest feature is ’layered buffering.’ When an attack breaks through each layer of the Shield, its power will be partially deflected and dispersed, making it difficult to inflict piercing damage. It offers excellent protection against both physical and energy attacks."
Eugene handed the bracelet to Ian. "It’s already unbound. You can brand it with your Spiritual Power later."
Ian took the Ring of Overlapping Peaks. It was cool to the touch, and its internal structure was intricate.
’This is indeed a practical Defensive Witchcraft Artifact, especially suited for dealing with high-intensity, sustained attacks.’
"Please thank the command headquarters for me," he said seriously.
"It is what you deserve," Eugene smiled.
"Well then, this concludes my guidance. Your residence Token will show you the way.
"Additionally, the Knowledge Scrolls have been transported to the receiving Array inside residence No. 73. Please be sure to collect them."
He bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Ian stood in the wide corridor, holding the Token and the bracelet.
Wizards occasionally passed by. When they glanced at the Ring of Overlapping Peaks in his hand, their eyes held a knowing look.
It was a standard benefit for a New Wizard—nothing too rare, but it was enough to make weaker Level One Wizards envious.
’This is the direct benefit of an increase in authority.’
The transition from Apprentice to Official Wizard wasn’t just a leap in strength. It was a complete upgrade in resource acquisition channels, status, and treatment.
Following the faint guidance from the Token, Ian passed through several corridors and arrived at the rear of the fortress.
A heavy Metal door slid open automatically, and the view before him opened up.
The core area was not filled with dense buildings as he had imagined. Instead, platforms had been carved out of the steep cliff face.
On each platform sat a stone house or a small building, each with a unique style. They were separated by at least fifty meters and connected by floating stone steps or covered bridges.
Vines emitting a soft glow crept up the cliff face. The air was filled with pure and tranquil Magic Power. A deep breath was enough to invigorate the spirit.
It was so quiet it was almost solemn. Faint Energy fluctuations from the distance indicated that the owners of some residences were either in Cultivation or conducting experiments.
Ian stepped onto the floating stone steps leading to the eastern cliff face.
The steps were held up by a Force Field and felt as solid as level ground under his feet.
Along the way, he passed several residences and could sense the faint auras emanating from within. Some were as scorching as fire, others as deep as an abyss; none were weak.
Residence No. 73 was located in the middle section of the cliff face. In front of the door was a small, flat stone platform, enclosed by a low stone railing, from which one could overlook parts of the stronghold below.
The residence was a two-story stone building with a simple exterior, constructed from grayish-white stone. A faint runic luster flowed across its surface.
Ian pressed the Token into a recess on the side of the door.
HUMMM!
The stone door slid inward without a sound.
The moment he stepped inside, a wave of pure, gentle Energy with a fresh scent washed over him.
’The effect of a Tier Two Purification Array is far beyond what my old Tier One Array Disc could achieve.’
It not only completely dispelled the underground Chaos and contamination but also adjusted the Magic Concentration to an active state most suitable for absorption during Meditation.
The first floor was a living room and Cultivation area of about forty square meters. The furnishings were simple but of high quality.
There was a long hardwood table, a few high-backed chairs, and a soft cushion in the corner specifically for Meditation. On the other side was a material processing bench and a small Alchemy Workstation.
The light from the Lighting Crystals embedded in the walls was soft and adjustable.
The most conspicuous feature was the floor in the center of the living room. A complex, three-meter-diameter Array was inscribed there. At its core hovered three fist-sized, slowly rotating, pure Crystals.
This was the core of the Tier Two "Source Purification Array."
The second floor contained a bedroom and a quiet room, intended for deep Meditation or secret experiments.
All the windows were made of one-way translucent crystal; you could see out from the inside, but from the outside, all you could see was a blurry halo of light.
Ian looked around and nodded in satisfaction.
’This is the kind of Cultivation environment an Official Wizard should have.’
He walked to the center of the living room and took the three faintly glowing Knowledge Scrolls from the fixed teleportation disc next to the Array—the very ones he had just exchanged for.
At the same time, he put the Ring of Overlapping Peaks on his left wrist. His vaporized Spiritual Power seeped into it, easily leaving its brand.
The bracelet glowed faintly, then its light receded, making it look like an ordinary ornament.
But he could clearly perceive the three dense and stable Shield structures lying dormant within, ready to be activated at any moment.
"Gaga! This place is so comfortable! The Energy is so pure!"
Gaga jumped out of the Shadow, excitedly flying around the room before finally landing on the windowsill to look down below.
"Look, the Apprentices look so small! Gaga!"
Ian walked to the window and looked out at the stronghold.
The square was still bustling with people. Apprentices were busy, trading, and arguing...
But up here, there was only tranquility and abundant Energy.
A single step, yet worlds apart.
He retracted his gaze and looked at the Knowledge Scrolls in his hand, then at Sterling’s legacy in his Dimension Bag.
The *Molten Fire Thirteen Star Ring Secret Technique*, the *Heart of Magma* formula, the *Crimson Secret Scripture*, the three newly acquired pieces of knowledge, the Defensive Witchcraft Artifact, and the residence in the core area.
’Resources, knowledge, and environment—everything is in place.’
’What I need to do now is to assimilate all of this and convert it into tangible combat strength before the final phase of the Demon Hunting war arrives.’
He walked over to the Meditation cushion and sat down cross-legged.
The first thing he picked up was *Refining and Controlling Spirit Power after Vaporization*.
The Scroll unrolled, and silver text flowed into his consciousness like water...
Outside the window, the eternally dim twilight of the underground world filtered through cracks in the rock strata, casting faint patches of light.
Meanwhile, down in the square below, discussions about the "New Wizard who triggered a paranormal Rule phenomenon" were still circulating quietly in certain small circles.
Robert finished his day’s tasks and returned to the outer barracks.
He listened as his companions excitedly discussed the rumor, silently polishing his Magic Staff.
The image of Ian’s calm departing back, along with those eyes with their deep, flowing silver light, resurfaced in his mind.
He clenched his Magic Staff and muttered to himself, "Official Wizard... I have to cross that threshold as soon as possible, too."
At a window in the Silver Ring’s station, Mira gazed toward the core area, a complex expression in her deep violet eyes.
Finally, she sighed softly and turned back to her own Meditation.
Everyone was struggling forward in their own way on this brutal frontline.
Inside the stone house, Ian slowly opened his eyes. The silver light flowing within them grew more solid.
His control over his liquefied Spiritual Power had improved another degree.
He picked up the *Essentials of Building Tier One Compound Witchcraft Models*, his gaze serene.
Time flowed by quietly amidst this focused Cultivation and accumulation.
