It was very quiet inside, with no accumulated dust, clean as if the house's owner had just finished tidying up specifically to host him.
The ceiling of the house was low and dome-shaped, with a leaf-shaped window opened on one side.
Looking out through the window, one could vaguely see the shadows of enormous gray stone pillars, one of which emitted a beam of light that stood out prominently against the gray sky.
"Boom!"
Ronan's eyes flickered as he saw a second gray stone pillar suddenly light up at that moment, its brilliance dazzling, complementing the first illuminated pillar.
"Another seat has been taken."
Claire walked in from outside, but it wasn't because one of the thirty-two genius seats had been filled.
"Ronan... may I call you that?"
Claire's expression was slightly serious as she said to Ronan, "There are some things I think it's necessary to inform you about. Follow me."
Ronan followed Claire out of the small room, puzzled. Claire took a deep breath and pointed in a direction, saying, "Look over there."
Claire directed Ronan's gaze to the opposite side of the two illuminated stone pillars, where he saw a shimmering curtain of colorful light. The wizards participating in the contest had previously entered through this layer of light.
Ronan stared at the curtain for a while and suddenly spoke, "Is that curtain moving?"
"Yes."
Claire nodded and said solemnly, "To be precise, it is contracting inward. The entire space of the fairy ancient city is shrinking; this is one of the rules of the contest.
The curtain will eventually shrink to the point where only thirty-two stone pillars remain. Any participants excluded from the curtain will be eliminated by the rules. I learned about this rule from the notes of a senior wizard who participated in a previous seat contest, but I didn't expect it to activate so quickly."
Ronan remained silent, quietly contemplating.
The contraction of the curtain effectively drove the wizards within the fairy ancient city toward the positions of the thirty-two stone pillars, compressing everyone's space for movement, forcing them to fight each other, and thus selecting the true strong, the wizards who could truly bear the title of "genius."
Looking at the life of the legendary mage Helams, he had almost grown up in conflict.
Countless suppressions, struggles, and battles... ultimately forged Helams into the first genius wizard in the history of the Upper Ring Continent.
It was only natural for him to establish such rules in his legacy.
However, this rule was not so friendly to Ronan, who at this stage needed time to buffer.
Ronan understood what Claire meant by informing him of this and, after some thought, calmly said, "If the curtain shrinks to the vicinity of this house and I haven't come out yet, then you should leave first and not worry about me."
Claire nodded with a complex expression and said nothing more.
Ronan did not delay any further and directly walked back into the room.
He first set up a simple defensive rune array and an auxiliary mental power growth array in the room. Ronan sat cross-legged at the center of the two arrays and took out the strange cowbell he had received from Bones Knell Mafflin.
As his mental power probed inside, Ronan felt resistance within the cowbell.
This was a legacy-type magical tool with a certain spatial storage function, perhaps representing the "Bones' Death Knell" lineage, as Ronan sensed an extremely ancient and rich wraiths aura emanating from this cowbell.
The cowbell still bore the exclusive mental imprint of Mafulin; to confirm this, Ronan would have to erase the imprint.
Of course, he certainly didn't have time to do that now.
After the battle with Mafulin, Ronan had gained a preliminary understanding of part of his own strength.
After two purifications of his mental power, Ronan's mental power, both in quality and quantity, exceeded that of an average early-stage third-level wizard.
So although he was only at the late second level, the actual gap between him and the mid-third-level Mafulin was not as great as others perceived.
In the state of the Lake of Extreme Boiling, his fighting spirit burned, further narrowing this gap.
Moreover, with three types of law domain powers entering the second resonance, combined with the Tundra Frozen Soil seal, he had long had the capital to confront Mafulin head-on.
Of course, Mafulin's downfall was also greatly related to his extreme underestimation of Ronan.
The spell he intended to cast as his trump card, as well as the cowbell now in Ronan's hands, had never even been used.
He had underestimated Ronan to the point that when Ronan found an opportunity, he was directly crushed.
"Even the most composed wizard, when facing an opponent a few small levels lower, or even one major level lower, will inevitably develop a sense of contempt. The low realm of mental power is my shortcoming, but it can also be considered an advantage."
Ronan couldn't help but reflect; many things in this world are inherently two-sided, depending on how one views them.
"If the Winterland hadn't been destroyed within the Mechanical Heart, this battle might have been won more easily."
The Winterland magical tool set given to Ronan by the Lanst family's Solaya had provided him with significant support for a long time, but unfortunately, it had been corroded by the Golden Curse in his battle with Ashen Witch Moriel; after all, it was only a second-tier magical tool set.
Ronan casually thought about this, quickly gathering his focus and formally preparing to break through to the third-level wizard.
The difficulty of advancing from a second-level wizard to a third-level wizard, once the soul power met the promotion standards, was actually not as great as that of advancing from first to second level.
Ronan didn't need to prepare anything; the necessary breakthrough materials had always been carried with him.
He casually pointed, and black Ithium quickly shot toward the window, the flowing metal covering the only window in the small house, completely blocking all light from entering.
After doing all this, Ronan closed his eyes.
In his mind, three faint golden mental power crystals trembled slightly, shedding some fine sparkling light, and under the guidance of his soul power, began to slowly converge in one place. Outside the small house, Claire was faithfully executing his duty to protect Ronan.
"Whoosh—"
A figure suddenly flew past overhead, and Claire's body tensed slightly as he looked up, making eye contact with a third-level wizard who hurriedly passed by.
The latter looked somewhat puzzled at Claire's appearance but did not linger for long, quickly averting his gaze and leaving.
Claire's grip on his staff relaxed slightly, his expression calm.
As the chief genius of the medium-sized wizarding force "Hand of Arcane Power," Claire was indeed not as formidable as a top-tier lineage like Bones' Death Knell, but he also had his own pride.
He was not afraid of ordinary third-level wizards, even those at mid-third level; his own magical tools and spell lineage were not to be underestimated.
Claire stood in front of the small house, his mental power spreading out, keeping an eye on the surrounding situation, as well as the two directions: the contraction of the outer curtain and the situation of the central stone pillars being illuminated.
In just a short time, Claire saw two more stone pillars light up.
He remembered what he had seen in the notes of senior wizards from "Hand of Arcane Power." According to the notes, in the contest for genius seats that that senior wizard participated in, the first gray stone pillar representing a seat was only lit on the fifth dawn after entering the fairy ancient city.
Yet in their current session, four pillars had been lit on the very first day! It should be noted that the gray stone pillars representing seats could not be lit so easily.
Only by defeating enough opponents and accumulating sufficient gray smoke could one gain the certification of "genius" and step onto the genius seat.
The participants in their current session far exceeded previous ones in both number and strength.
The Azure Mist Society was established for this reason; otherwise, with his and the other members' proud personalities, how could they have come up with the idea of "banding together for warmth," which was almost a disgrace?
"Boom!"
A silent rumble echoed from afar as the fifth stone pillar lit up.
Claire's gaze shifted sharply, unable to suppress a low curse: "What a monster!"
But speaking of which, wasn't the guy in the small house behind him also a monster?
At the second level, crossing one major realm and two minor realms, he had killed Bones' Death Knell in a near-overwhelming manner. If it weren't for Claire witnessing it with his own eyes, anyone telling him about it would probably be met with scorn.
Now that he thought about it, Claire's eyelids couldn't help but twitch slightly.
"The person I found utterly displeasing just half a month ago, and now I willingly guard him like a follower..."
Claire couldn't help but shake his head, "The world is truly marvelous."
As he sighed, a communication stone emitted a sound.
Claire took one out to check, his brow furrowing slightly as he quickly replied, then his expression calmed down, continuing to quietly guard.
"From the Central Life Court, Selina, Levi from the Chaos Secret Society, Adam from the Psionic Dawn, and the ancient spirit mage heir, Evacue."
On the rooftop of a tall ancient fairy building, the composed black-haired wizard Havid squinted his eyes, gazing at the five pillars of light ahead, identifying the figures standing on the pillars while quietly reporting their identities.
"We should be grateful that the Ashen Witch, who can confront Princess Selina of the Life Court without falling behind, has been kept out by the rules and couldn't enter. Otherwise, our Azure Mist Society's hope of securing a position among the top thirty-two would be utterly bleak."
Havid exhaled, retracting his gaze, and spoke in a low voice to the person beside him.
Compared to the confident demeanor he once had in front of Azure Mist Society members, Havid, the first president of the Azure Mist Society, now appeared weakened and burdened.
"We still have a chance."
The person beside Havid remained calm.
He was a handsome young man with hair like golden threads and eyes like silver lakes, half of his face obscured by a silver-white metal mask, adding to his deep and mysterious aura.
It was O'Ryan.
"I understand."
Havid nodded, "I am already gathering members to come. Our goal is to secure at least one position.
The owner of this position can be either you or me."
Havid looked at O'Ryan, but O'Ryan seemed lost in thought, his gaze constantly drifting toward a certain direction.
From there, faint, terrifying howls reminiscent of wraiths echoed, and a sickly green energy shimmered intermittently.
Noticing O'Ryan's gaze, Havid frowned and couldn't help but speak, "O'Ryan, I know what you're thinking, but now is not the best time."
"No."
O'Ryan turned to look at Havid, his eyes calm as he spoke, "On the contrary, now is the most suitable opportunity.
Once we enter the ranking battle, if we encounter Andariel again, we will only have our own strength to rely on. Do you think, given Andariel's character, that he would allow any of us to survive in a one-on-one duel?"
"...When all the Azure Mist Society members gather, our strength will be unprecedentedly powerful. This is also our only chance to reclaim everything from Andariel..."
O'Ryan gently placed his hand on the metal mask on his face, as if his fingertips could feel the wounds beneath the mask. "Havid, have you forgotten those who fought alongside us but ultimately perished? Have you forgotten the experiences of being trampled and humiliated by Andariel? And Guweil, the concept of the Azure Mist Society was proposed by him, yet he never had the chance to join the Azure Mist Society he envisioned."
Havid's expression changed, and he gritted his teeth, "We can completely wait until all the Azure Mist Society members have grown before..."
"How many people do you think from the entire Azure Mist Society will ultimately step into the dawn? Who has a greater chance of advancing to dawn than Andariel?"
O'Ryan spoke coldly, "Even if someone can achieve that, by then, seeking revenge on Andariel will not merely represent personal grudges.
It could very well provoke a full-scale war between two forces! Can you convince 'Wind of Dawn' and other forces to unite and declare war on 'Mask of Ghostly Poison'?"
O'Ryan stared into Havid's eyes, "Or have you never thought about revenge at all?"
"Enough, O'Ryan!"
Havid's expression darkened, and he spoke coldly, "You are not qualified to command and question me.
The action plan of the Azure Mist Society is not something you and I can decide; the flames of revenge are about to consume you."
As Havid spoke, he habitually picked up a communication stone to check, and suddenly, he froze.
His previously serious expression turned strange.
"What's wrong?"
O'Ryan also noticed Havid's abrupt change in emotion, temporarily breaking away from their argument to inquire.
Havid held the communication stone in his hand, momentarily unsure how to express himself.
Finally, he spoke softly, "I just received a message from Claire. He said that Ronan from your Silver Magic Ring is about to prepare for his advancement to the third level, and he will guard Ronan's successful promotion, so he cannot come to join us for the time being..."
"Uh..."
O'Ryan was instantly taken aback upon hearing this.
After a moment, O'Ryan's voice finally rang out.
"Are you sure you received a message from Claire?"
Outside the fairy ancient city, countless wizards were focused on the battles within.
Everything happening inside the ancient city felt distant, hazy, and vague to them.
But even just a hint of spell light occasionally bursting forth was enough to excite some.
When the first dazzling beam of light lit up, the crowd of wizards gathered outside the fairy ancient city erupted in great commotion.
Some knowledgeable individuals excitedly exclaimed, "Someone has already stepped onto the ladder leading to the legendary Helams, the born mage!"
With each subsequent beam of light, the external wizards would be shaken, speculating on which southern prodigy would take a seat this time.
"It seems the young wizards of the south are quite impressive."
Moriel swayed like a swing, sitting in mid-air on her red lotus staff, gazing at the few white beams of light piercing through the layers of mist in the fairy ancient city.
"Even if Selina is the first to occupy a seat, the others aren't far behind her. This foolish woman is performing rather poorly; I hope she doesn't end up being outdone by someone from the south, or I would truly laugh my head off."
Moriel yawned, muttering to herself.
Suddenly, a voice came from below, "Princess Selina will surely reach the top; in the south, no one can surpass Princess Selina!"
"Bang!"
With a dull thud, a wizard dressed in moon-white robes was sent flying like a sandbag.
Moriel had appeared below at some point, slowly rubbing her delicate fists, fiercely shouting at the Life Court wizard she had just punched away, "Did I give you permission to speak?!"
Turning around, a group of Life Court wizards knelt neatly on the ground, each with some scribbled words on their faces, filled with mockery and ridicule toward Selina, clearly the handiwork of Moriel.
Each Life Court wizard glared at Moriel with indignation, looking as if they dared not express their anger.
Moriel placed her hands on her hips, strutting past each of them in her pretty red shoes, admiring her handiwork with a rather satisfied expression.
In the distance, high above.
Two figures stood calmly, quietly watching this scene.
"Don't worry, once this is over, I will provide you with the potion that can help them wash away the marks."
The black-robed old woman, Vivian, softly comforted a tense middle-aged wizard beside her.
The latter thanked Vivian, his expression quite helpless; his attitude toward her was filled with respect, as if a junior facing a senior.
"You truly care..."
Vivian shook her head, her gaze gently resting on Moriel in the distance, and softly said, "After all, our Moriel is the only bloodline of the Phoenix family in this generation. She is a hundred times more precious than all ten royal offspring of your Life Court. As long as she is happy, everything will naturally be as she wishes."
Upon hearing the words "Phoenix," the dawn wizard of the Life Court's eyes trembled slightly, and then he deeply lowered his head.
As time passed, more and more stone pillars were illuminated within the fairy ancient city.
In a corner of the fairy ancient city, a nearly hundred-meter-tall black stone giant rampaged through the ancient buildings.
It swung its arms, forged from ancient rock, creating a dull and intense terrifying howl in the air. Each swing could conjure an energy storm comparable to a third-level spell.
The black stone giant swatted away the fleeing third-level wizards like flies.
From time to time, there would be a "crack" sound, and a wizard, along with their energy protective shield, would be easily shattered.
No one knew how many third-level wizards had been obliterated by the black stone giant. On the giant's shoulder, a young man shrouded in thick gray clouds gently patted the giant's shoulder, softly calling, "That's enough, Venus, we should go up now."
The black stone giant ceased its pursuit of the third-level wizards, silently striding toward a nearby gray stone pillar.
Before long, a stone pillar was illuminated, and the young man sitting on the black stone giant's shoulder lightly jumped, landing on the top platform of the pillar.
In another location, Jupiter, wrapped in blue-purple lightning, swiftly streaked across the sky.
Several fleeing third-level wizards were instantly caught up by him. They barely managed to cast a few spells and use their magical equipment, but upon a single glance, they were pierced and torn apart by the terrifying lightning.
Jupiter suddenly halted, his purple eyes interwoven with lightning, releasing an aura of majesty akin to a god-king.
He coldly looked down at the few third-level wizards, pale-faced and slowly falling from the sky, calmly stating, "There is still time; I am waiting for your challenge at the seat."
With that, he turned and left, and a stone pillar was immediately illuminated.
Surrounded by rich blood and gray clouds, Rufus stepped forward, enveloped in a thick scent of blood.
He stretched his grotesque and towering flesh-and-blood demon body to the fullest, with exposed muscles and blood vessels writhing upon it.
"Stone Peak"
Lufus let out a low, monstrous roar, his eyes as red as rubies, overflowing with boundless rage and ferocity.
In a fleeting moment, Lufus suddenly vanished, followed by a blinding white light rising to the heavens.
When the illuminated stone pillars reached eighteen in number.
In a secluded fairy chamber, a young man, exuding an aura of malevolence, slowly awakened from his slumber.
He yawned widely, stretching his limbs, his wine-red eyes glowing like agate gems in the darkness.
"It's about time to get up and stretch my muscles."
The young man rose and pushed open the window, squinting at the distant stone pillars that had been lit up.
Dark, ink-like feathers unfurled one by one behind him, shadows rapidly spreading.
"The Court of Life..."
"At the genius gathering belonging to the South, in front of countless people, personally crushing a princess from the Central Wizarding Empire."
"Just thinking about it is enough to get one excited."
The young man chuckled softly, and suddenly, he completely vanished from sight.
Only the quiet room remained, as if no one had ever been there.
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