Chapter 122: Chapter 121: Wizard Gathering
Inside the stone house, the Purification Array operated steadily.
Ian sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, holding the silvery-white Demon Hunting Jade Token in his hand.
After his access level was updated, a weak but continuous stream of information began flowing within the Jade Token.
It was information within the stronghold that only Official Wizards could access.
One particular message caught his eye.
[The monthly "New Wizard Gathering" will be held tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. in the Starlight Hall of the Central Fortress (Eastern Theater Command Headquarters).]
"A gathering..." Ian murmured to himself.
He recalled it was one of the privileges Eugene had mentioned.
"GAGA! A party? Will there be yummy things to eat?" Gaga popped out from the shadows, its little eyes sparkling.
"It’s a Wizard gathering, not a banquet," Ian said with a chuckle, rubbing its head.
"However, there should be some Energy Fruits or drinks served as refreshments."
"Energy Fruits are fine too! GAGA!" Gaga flapped its wings. "Take me with you!"
Ian thought about it.
Summoned Demons weren’t rare in the circles of Official Wizards, so taking Gaga wouldn’t be too conspicuous.
Besides, Gaga’s Omen Eye could perceive emotional fluctuations, which might be useful on such an occasion.
"Alright, but you have to be quiet and not run around."
"I promise to be quiet! GAGA!" Gaga immediately puffed out its little chest, then asked slyly.
"So... can we get a doggy bag?"
Ian gave it a resigned look.
"We’ll see."
「The next evening, at a quarter to eight.」
Ian had changed into a clean gray robe. It wasn’t the standard-issue uniform of the Shadow Moon Tower, but an ordinary Wizard Robe he had purchased at the stronghold’s market.
Its style was simple, with no markings indicating any faction.
He didn’t plan on emphasizing his identity as a member of the Shadow Moon Tower at the gathering, as that would only attract unnecessary attention or hostility.
The matter with Sterling was, after all, a lingering threat.
Gaga shrank itself down and perched on his left shoulder, resembling an unassuming, gray-feathered little bird.
Only when its mismatched eyes occasionally darted about did they flash with an extraordinary glint.
"Remember, don’t speak out of turn. Use telepathy," Ian instructed again.
"I know, I know, GAGA." Gaga covered its beak with a wing, though its eyes darted around curiously.
He left his residence, descended the floating stone steps, and passed through several corridors.
He arrived deep within the Central Fortress, before a heavy oak door.
Two Apprentices from the Silver Ring stood before the door. Their auras were substantial, indicating they were both at the High Level Apprentice Peak.
Seeing Ian approach, the two bowed in unison.
"Sir, please present your Jade Token."
Ian held out the silvery-white Jade Token.
One of the Apprentices took out a Crystal Plate and swiped it gently over the Jade Token.
HUM.
The Jade Token glowed faintly, and Ian’s access information materialized on the Crystal Plate.
"Wizard Ian, please enter."
The Apprentice respectfully pushed open the oak door.
Beyond the door was a spacious, circular hall.
The domed ceiling was about ten meters high, inlaid with hundreds of tiny glowing crystals. They were arranged into a slowly rotating Star Map, casting a soft, moon-like radiance.
In the center of the hall, twelve high-backed chairs were arranged in a circle.
Next to each chair was a small side table, upon which sat a silver tray.
The tray held several fruits that emitted faint waves of Energy, as well as a steaming cup of a shimmering green beverage.
Seven of the chairs were already occupied.
The moment Ian stepped inside, seven pairs of eyes turned to him at once.
Some gazes were scrutinizing, some curious, some indifferent, and others held a hint of hostility.
He could clearly sense that all seven were Level One Wizards, their auras varying in strength.
The strongest’s Spiritual Power was at the Late Stage of Vaporization, while the weakest had only just stabilized their Realm.
Their ages varied as well, from their early twenties to their forties or fifties, and they wore robes of different colors, representing different factions.
"Another one’s here."
A Red-haired Witch sitting on the east side spoke up. She wore a crimson Long Robe, her aura was scorching, and her gaze was aggressive.
"Judging by your looks, you must have been promoted recently. Which family are you from?"
Ian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked to an empty chair and calmly sat down.
Gaga hopped off his shoulder, landed on the edge of the small table, and its little claws stealthily reached for a light-blue berry.
"Eastern Seventh War Zone. Lone Wanderer," he said calmly, giving his affiliation but not his family name.
The Red-haired Witch raised an eyebrow. That was as good as saying nothing.
After his brief reply, Ian picked up the shimmering green drink and took a light sniff.
’A fresh, herbal aroma with a faint calming effect. It must be brewed from some kind of soothing herb.’
"A Lone Wanderer?" another Warlock, a man wearing a deep blue robe with tide-like patterns on the cuffs, looked over. His voice was gentle.
"It’s not easy to get promoted on the underground front lines as a Lone Wanderer."
He was a Wizard of the Tide People, and his aura was as placid as water.
"Luck," Ian said, taking a sip of his drink as his gaze swept over the others present.
Besides the Red-haired Witch and the Tide Person, two others caught his attention.
One was an old man sitting on the north side, dressed in a simple gray robe. His aura was as contained as stone.
He held an unremarkable wooden staff and was resting with his eyes closed, as if completely unconcerned with his surroundings.
But Ian’s Perception told him this old man had the most substantial aura in the entire room.
He was at least in the Late Stage of Vaporization, and possibly even touching the threshold of Liquefaction.
The other was a young Witch on the west side. She wore the dark green Long Robe of the Jade Forest and had pointed ears, golden hair, and exquisite features. Her eyes, however, were ice-cold. A rapier hung at her waist, and her aura was as sharp as a blade.
She had only glanced at Ian once when he entered before paying him no further mind, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the hilt of her sword.
"Loose Cultivator or from a family, it doesn’t matter. Since we’re all sitting here, we’re peers."
A pale-faced young Warlock in the gray robes of the Withered Council spoke up, his tone sinister.
"However... it’s a rule of the gathering that newcomers state their specialties, isn’t it? For the sake of future ’cooperation’."
He put heavy emphasis on the word "cooperation."
Ian looked at him.
’Wizards from the Withered Council always give off an unsettling feeling.’
’Lifeless, with eyes full of scrutiny and calculation.’
"Magic Potions, and I also study some elemental Witchcraft," Ian said evenly.
"A Magic Potion Alchemist?" The Red-haired Witch’s eyes lit up. "What tier?"
"Tier One."
"That’s still impressive," the Wizard from the Tide People nodded.
"Magic Potion Alchemists are scarce on the front lines, especially those skilled at refining Potions that restore spiritual energy."
"Hmph. A Tier One Alchemist can only brew basic Potions,"
the Withered Council Wizard said dismissively. "The truly valuable recipes would never find their way into the hands of a Loose Cultivator."
Ian didn’t take the bait, simply taking another sip of his drink.
Gaga had already finished secretly nibbling on a berry and was using its little claw to reach for a second one.
Stopped by a look from Ian, it sulkily withdrew its claw.
Just then, the old man who had been resting with his eyes closed slowly opened them.
His eyes were cloudy, yet they held a depth that seemed to see through all worldly matters.
"Alright, it seems just about everyone is here."
The old man’s voice was raspy, yet it carried a strange sense of authority.
"As is tradition, we will first share our names, then discuss any recent anomalies we’ve encountered or share any intelligence our colleagues should be aware of."
He looked at the Red-haired Witch. "Freya, you can start."
