Chapter 410: Mana Essence
Ace’s eyes turned pitch black, like an abyssal depth or a towering peak. The 3-ring spell Eye of Fear was activated.
Merely meeting his gaze completely paralyzed Bayen. Bayen’s apprentices were even more thoroughly awed, falling into boundless terror.
Ace looked at Bayen and the others, who were struck by fear and had completely lost their combat capability, and revealed a slight smile. Dense dream mist spread out, enveloping them. Just then, a bright light suddenly burst from Bayen’s eyes. He actually activated Low-Altitude Flight with full power, instantly rushing toward the sky.
Ace’s expression froze for a moment; he hadn’t expected Bayen to break free from control so quickly. To prevent the situation from escalating, Ace pointed his finger at the sky. A Portal appeared directly in front of Bayen’s flight path. Bayen didn’t have time to react and flew straight into the Portal, returning instantly to his original spot.
Ace gave Bayen no chance to react. His shadow spread rapidly, linking with Bayen’s shadow and completely controlling him, rendering him immobile.
Bayen’s eyes were wide and round. A certain holy power seemed to be surging in his expression. Ace didn’t hesitate; he extended his slender right hand and pressed it onto Bayen’s body.
Extremely complex sealing runes crawled densely toward Bayen, instantly cutting off that holy surge. Bayen suddenly came to his senses. His eyes were no longer wide and round; instead, he looked at Ace in disbelief and gave up resistance.
Under Ace’s manipulation, Bayen’s group rested in the largest inn in Tidecaller Harbor. Inside Bayen’s room, Ace reverted to his original appearance.
Pitch-black robe, 4-Ring Hexagram Badge, and a tall magic top hat.
Ace took off his top hat and said softly to Bayen:
“I will let you speak, Bayen. It is regrettable that we meet in this manner. I want to hear your story, and I also want to hear your explanation.”
Bayen looked at Ace, his expression agitated. He felt sensation slowly returning to his body, but his mana was cut off. He could not communicate with his Soul Sanctuary, nor could he mobilize the Demigod’s grace.
“Respected Firelinker Lord Ace, I have always been loyal to the path of magic and have a clear conscience toward the High Tower. I can swear by the Contract of Sincerity. Please verify my loyalty!”
Ace looked at the sincere Bayen and slowly extended his hand. The power of oaths and contracts surged in his hand. He sensed the contract on Bayen; the contract with the Firelinker was still there.
But Ace did not let his guard down. With a solemn expression, he used the power of contracts and oaths to communicate with the Wizards’ Subconscious Sea and said to Bayen, “I apologize, Bayen, but please swear upon our path. Swear that you have always been loyal and have never betrayed us. If you have betrayed us, it is best to tell me truthfully now. Otherwise, once you swear, the River Styx is merciless.”
Bayen didn’t hesitate. He grabbed Ace’s right hand, which surged with the theory of oaths and contracts, and said seriously, “I swear to the path of magic and the River Styx that I have not betrayed the High Tower, nor have I betrayed the wizard collective.”
The light of the oath dissipated. Bayen showed no abnormalities. Through the Wizards’ Subconscious Sea, Ace confirmed that Bayen indeed had not betrayed them.
He removed the seal on Bayen and said apologetically, “I am very sorry, Bayen. I hope you understand. For the fright caused to you and your apprentices just now, I will give you appropriate compensation.”
Ace’s dream world gradually manifested behind him. It was the brilliant Lake of Mana, possessing mysterious and unpredictable charm.
“Now, I solemnly invite you and your apprentices to be guests in my mental imagery dream world.”
Bayen looked at the world across the screen of light, his eyes filled with disbelief. He asked softly, “Lord Ace, what level has your strength reached now?”
Ace smiled slightly and said, “Probably stronger than an ordinary Golden Hero, but weaker than a true Legendary Hero.”
Bayen swallowed hard. He had fantasized about the prospects of the wizard path, but he never thought it would be so powerful, so incredible.
Bayen summoned all his disciples, gathered them in his room, and walked into the screen of light together.
Under the incredulous gazes of Bayen’s disciples, they seemed to cross worlds and arrived at a fantastical land beyond the mundane world.
Stars, sun, and moon shone together. Not far away was the brilliant Lake of Star Mana, shining in harmony with the sky. Beside the lake was a boundless emerald green meadow, with a villa standing there alone.
Dreamlike bubbles emerged not far from the villa. In just the blink of an eye, a magnificent palace appeared out of thin air. With floors paved with snow-white stone and round pillars made of fine-textured Lutoon Stone, Bayen led everyone to follow Ace’s guidance into this newly built palace.
The decoration inside the hall was extremely luxurious. The walls were painted with stories of the High Tower. Bayen gazed at the familiar and unfamiliar paintings, feeling a myriad of emotions in his heart.
True Spirit Ace descended from the sky. He mobilized the entire Lake of Mana, condensing the brilliant Star Mana Essence. That mana essence swept through the entire hall like a torrent, instantly submerging everyone. Bayen and the others were somewhat panicked, but then they realized this was liquefied, concentrated mana.
Miseon took a deep breath and found that this liquefied mana obediently entered his body, flowing freely within, greatly accelerating the magicizing process of his body and soul.
Bayen looked at Ace. Seeing True Spirit Ace nod, he didn’t act pretentiously. In the viscous mana environment, he said, “This is a gift bestowed upon us by the Lord Firelinker. Start meditating right here and now; do not miss this golden opportunity!”
After speaking, Bayen sat down, adjusted his state, and prepared to meditate.
Bayen’s disciples followed suit. They all sat down to adjust their mental state, desperately absorbing the pure mana essence to cleanse their bodies and souls, accelerating the degree of their magification.
True Spirit Ace shook his head gently. He walked to Bayen, grabbed his shoulder, and flashed to the center of the Lake of Mana. He said to Bayen:
“That drop of mana essence is a gift for your disciples. Their strength is at the junior or intermediate level. Under the cleansing of the diluted Star Mana Essence, they can all stabilize their strength as intermediate wizard apprentices, and even have a chance to open their Soul Sanctuary and leap to become advanced apprentices.
“As for your compensation, it is not there, but below—the entire Lake of Mana. This is my source of mana. I will supplement it with Blood Qi Essence to help you thoroughly stabilize your Level 1 Life state and help you plan your path to achieve the status of a 2-Ring Wizard!”
Bayen looked at the surging, brilliant Lake of Star Mana, then looked up at the Sea of Blood Qi pouring down from the sky. Trembling with excitement, he said, “Lord Ace, that I could advance to Level 1 Life is indeed the grace of Demigod Thoth. My life state is indeed unstable. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.”
Ace was very interested in the Demigod Thoth described by Bayen, but now was not the time to discuss that. He had to let Bayen meditate and completely consolidate his life level before they could chat slowly.
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