Several days had passed since the Scarlet Cloud Realm rose into the sky and vanished into invisibility.
Outrageous news was disclosed: An evil sorcerer had interfered, causing the Scarlet Cloud Realm to last only one-third of the intended time, significantly reducing the gains of all participants.
Some pointed out that this malefactor even turned an insectified Insect Control Master into a puppet, and with an accomplice, seized the most precious treasure within the Cloud Realm during the chaos, suspected to be a spatial magicalized item.
Once the news broke, many sorcerers within and outside Descending Clouds City began surreptitiously and overtly investigating, stirring up commotion for several days, until the absence of discoveries gradually calmed things down.
Labeled as an ‘accomplice of the evil apprentice,’ Ivan stayed in Descending Clouds City for only one day; seeing that the situation was unfavorable to him, he boldly left the city and began wandering alone on the plateau.
He was very interested in the power bursting from the earth and thought it beneficial to comprehend the Earth Breathing, thereby making a breakthrough to become an Earth Knight. He started searching while keeping a close eye on the Silkworm Queen’s transformation.
Having left the Scarlet Cloud Realm, the Silkworm Queen entered a state of metamorphosis, concealing herself within a chrysalis woven from light, no larger than a fist, shielding her from all perception.
Half a month later, Ivan stopped in a deep valley between high mountains and with a wave of his hand, erected a stone cottage to serve as his temporary shelter.
One day, an unexpected guest arrived in the valley, shouting into the stone cottage.
“Sorcerer Ivan, your associate has come to visit; won’t you come out and meet me?”
“Sorcerer Solomon, casually tracking another sorcerer is not a good habit.”
Emerging from the stone cottage, Ivan saw a black-haired young man with handsome features that blurred the lines between masculine and feminine, even more striking than Carmel’s, seemingly a stranger,
yet he recognized him as the masked sorcerer he had seen before—Solomon.
This eye-catching face was no wonder why the other liked to wear a mask, and what surprised him even more was Solomon’s tracking methods.
“Haha, if I said I just happened to be passing by, would you believe me?” Solomon chuckled.
“Whether I believe it or not, a guest at the door should be invited in. Please, Sorcerer Solomon.” Ivan had a favorable impression of Solomon, despite him being a person who aroused Ivan’s wariness.
“It’s just a makeshift work; it’s rather simple inside.”
The room held only one table and several stone stools, crafted by Ivan without much thought, never expecting they would actually come in handy.
He waved his hand, and fruits and melons that the Scented Butterfly had casually picked from around the area fell onto the table as decorations.
“A humble cottage in the wilderness has its own unique charm.” Solomon made himself at home, picking up wild fruits and popping them into his mouth, seriously commenting on them.
“It’s a pity there’s no wine.”
“I’m not fond of drinking and don’t have the habit of carrying wine with me.”
“Sorcerer Ivan, then you’re missing out on some of the pleasures of life.”
“Neither have you brought any.”
“Haha, that’s true.” After a bit of idle chat, Solomon speculated, “Sorcerer Ivan, are you interested in that power emanating from the earth nearby?”
After approaching the valley, it wasn’t hard to detect that a unique power pervaded this mountain valley, elusive yet real, emanating from deep within the earth.
The power here changed with time, clearest at dawn, which is why Ivan chose to settle here.
“Indeed, I’ve done a fair bit of research on the Knight Breathing Method, and I am currently focused on understanding Earth Breathing,” Ivan responded candidly upon hearing Solomon’s words.
After becoming an official sorcerer, one controls one’s internal forces with spiritual power, eliminating the need for the Breathing Method, and there are numerous ways to strengthen the body, leading many sorcerers to abandon the exploration of the Knight Breathing Method altogether.
Advancing the Knight Breathing Method to its current state was actually not an achievement worth bragging about.
“As a sorcerer, one should never be arrogant towards any kind of power. Your openness is commendable,” Solomon expressed his appreciation, continuing,
“I happen to know a place, do you know the Great Rift Valley? There’s a peculiar deep well there that can make you feel more keenly what the vibrations of the earth are like, maybe you should try going there.”
“This—”
That the other person nonchalantly mentioned an important place left Ivan at a loss for words.
“I’m here uninvited this time, so let’s consider this information a visiting gift from me,” Solomon added carelessly.
It’s hard to feel any animosity towards someone so generous.
Ivan still had to ask clearly, “Sorcerer Solomon, did you seek me out for some urgent matter?”
“Of course, there is.”
“Please, enlighten me.”
“I have a commission for crafting a magicalized item and hope you can lend a hand,” Solomon revealed his purpose without beating around the bush.
“What kind of magicalized item?” Ivan was full of doubts, but he was curious about the magicalized item Solomon specifically wanted him to craft, which was surely no ordinary item.
“A high-level magicalized item. I will provide the blueprints and the materials; you just need to do the crafting,” said Solomon without concealing anything.
It was a high-level magicalized item that now troubled Ivan; he had never crafted such an item, especially one offered by someone like Solomon.
“Sorcerer Solomon, you think too highly of me.”
“No, no, my eyes are quite accurate in assessing people; it is you who underestimate yourself,” Solomon insisted, having reached this conclusion after seeing Ivan in action in the Cloud Realm.
“I apologize, but I must decline your commission.”
Ivan still refused with a bitter smile, aware of his own limitations. Having not yet learned Advanced Enchantment Knowledge, creating a corresponding high-level magicalized item was beyond his capabilities.
Unless he was willing to use a certain amount of the Light of Wisdom, it was not something extravagant he would do just for a commission.
“Won’t you listen to the commission’s reward?” Solomon was not one to give up lightly. Without waiting for his refusal, he continued, “There are element crystals you need for your elementalization phase of cultivation, and I will also recommend you to join an organization with abundant resources.”
Another invitation?
Do these people not have any respect for Mongna Ant Land Cottage?
Ivan slightly shook his head.
“Not to mention other resources, let me give you a simple example, say the Fallen Feather, you must have heard of it, right?” Solomon went on, ignoring Ivan’s reaction.
Of course, Ivan had heard of it. The Fallen Feather was famously known for its ability to break contracts, easily dissolving a century-long academy contract.
Such an item was anything but ordinary; it could be considered a legendary treasure on Moon Pincer Peninsula.
“If you could successfully join our organization, getting a Fallen Feather would be a piece of cake.”
“So, this commission is a test?”
“You could think of it that way, the commission’s reward will not disappoint.”
“Alright, I accept.”
The restrictions Mongna Ant Land Cottage placed on sorcerers were too great. The longer one stayed at the academy, the more intolerable the actions of the Three Great Families seemed. He truly did not want to waste a hundred years there.
Originally, he had planned to strive to break through to become a Level 2 Sorcerer and then negotiate terms with the academy.
Now that he had other options, Ivan was of course willing to give them a try.