Chapter 258 167: Eight Years Later, Becoming Dark Star

Grim Particle Energy filled the world, colliding with the opposing White Bone Particle Energy.

BOOM!

The collision of Biological Force Fields between Extreme Wizard Apprentices was terrifying. Dust and plants alike were crushed into nothingness by the pressure.

"Denno, your Power has grown, but your aura is unstable. You are no match for me. Surrender now, and I might spare your life."

The wind pressure flattened Wizard Yi Si's robes and hair. He stood upon the Void, looking down from on high at the ragged Denno Wizard below, whose robes were torn and who was gasping for breath.

Denno Wizard looked even more ancient than before. His face was exceptionally ferocious, with veins bulging on his skin and his pupils shot with blood. It was clear he was in an unstable emotional state.

He did not answer Wizard Yi Si's question. Instead, as if squeezing out his very last reserves, he drove his White Bone Particle Energy forward, unleashing one terrifying Witchcraft after another, intending to overwhelm Wizard Yi Si.

He was fighting with the determination to die.

A flicker of emotion crossed Wizard Yi Si's frosty face. He couldn't help but be moved, as if recalling his past days in the White Bone Lineage.

Scenes of a helpless, careworn Denno Wizard flashed through his mind.

After so many years, how could there not be a friendship between them?

His raised right hand trembled slightly. He knew that with one swing, Denno Wizard would be engulfed by the White Bone Particle Energy, turned to bone, and utterly killed.

"Why did you have to break the rules? Why did you do this?!"

Wizard Yi Si sighed deeply.

His opponent had used some method of burning his own lifespan and Vitality to achieve a brief breakthrough in Power, but it was still incredibly shallow. Against a true Extreme Wizard Apprentice, he would be defeated in a single blow.

Wizard Yi Si's trembling right hand steadied. His expression grew solemn and resolute. He spoke, almost through gritted teeth, "The rules cannot be broken by anyone. Whether it's you, me, or even an Official Wizard, there is only one outcome: punishment according to the rules."

"Old Denno... farewell!!"

His right hand fell gently.

HISS!

The White Bone Particle Energy behind him, which had stained half the sky, the land, and the forest, transformed into a surging tide. It swallowed the seemingly magnificent Middle-tier Witchcraft spells and the few High-tier ones.

And then, it completely engulfed Denno Wizard as well.

CRACK!

His skin turned to bone from the inside out. As the transformation spread to his face, Denno Wizard suddenly became calm. He smiled at Wizard Yi Si, his lips parting as if to say something... It seemed to be a single word: 'Careful...'.

Wizard Yi Si didn't hear clearly, and he found it difficult to read his lips.

'Careful of what?'

Gazing at Denno Wizard's bone statue, Wizard Yi Si took a deep breath and carefully placed it into his Wizard's Ring.

When the news that Denno Wizard had been killed by Wizard Yi Si spread throughout the Dark Land, it did not spark much discussion.

Aside from the chief of the White Bone Lineage, Xugus Wizard, personally stepping in to control the situation, Wizard Yi Si's act of executing his own friend for the sake of justice had also stunned many Wizards.

In their hearts, they silently classified Wizard Yi Si as someone who should never be provoked.

During this time, Wizards from the Berkeley Clan were continuously rounded up. Some were killed, while others were thrown into the Wizard Prison. As for their ultimate fate, it was unlikely to be pleasant.

This was open defiance and betrayal of the Dark Land.

According to the rules, they had to be executed.

"Beta Berkeley's Dark Wizard Mark has vanished. The only ones capable of this would be Wizards who specialize in souls, consciousness, and illusions."

"The Sea Wizard has already performed a divination. Beta Berkeley is still within the borders of the Dark Land, somewhere in the Divine Eagle Territory. However, it seems they've gone into hiding. Divining their exact location would come at a significant cost."

The Illusory Dream Wizard was speaking with the Gloom Wizard on the plane of the Dream Realm, using a special dream-like perspective.

"Have the Divine Eagle Wizard keep an eye out. Send more Extreme Wizard Apprentices over there on patrol missions. Activate the main enforcement patrol teams and have them inspect the major Wizard Cities periodically."

"That's a good idea," the Gloom Wizard acknowledged before adding, "However, that disciple of yours has brought me another major problem from his last quota mission."

The expression beneath the Illusion Illusory Dream Wizard Mask also showed a trace of helplessness. He knew what the Gloom Wizard was talking about.

That Dark Cave deep in the valley should be a passage leading to the Underground Demon Mountain.

The Demon Mountain has always existed in the subterranean world, a bizarre phenomenon that cannot be fully explored. Its entrance appears periodically in random locations across the Wizard Continent—its pattern is impossible to predict. It's even possible for it to appear directly in the middle of the ocean.

As for how to handle it, the only option is to cordon it off.

There's nothing inside anyway, and any creature that gets too close dies. The only thing to do is wait for it to disappear on its own after a certain number of years.

Still, the Illusory Dream Wizard managed to secure some benefits for his disciple, citing the various merits he had accumulated, such as his contributions to the major internal search and the discovery of the Demon Mountain.

A smile appeared on the Gloom Wizard's childlike face. "If Wang Ya Harak can complete another A Level mission, he will be the first Child of the Dark to be promoted to a Dark Walker. If he then completes another A Level or an S Level mission, I will make an exception and elevate him to the rank of Dark Star."

This time, the Illusory Dream Wizard was truly surprised. In terms of status, a Dark Star was already their equal—though of course, that was just a manner of speaking.

However, their authority and so on were truly not much different from that of an Official Wizard.

The Dark Land would also hide no secrets from a Dark Star.

Among the Extreme Wizard Apprentices, even the one with the fastest progress was only a Child of the Dark, still far from having the mission record required to become a Dark Walker.

"Gloom Wizard, you're being quite generous this time." The Illusory Dream Wizard's tone shifted. "But if he achieves this, becoming a Dark Walker or a Dark Star won't necessarily be a good thing for Wang Ya."

The Gloom Wizard smiled faintly. "It might not be a good thing for an ordinary Wizard, but for a Wizard like Wang Ya Harak, it's a completely different matter."

"'He who is not envied is mediocre.' Since he has the Power and the potential, he naturally has the right to receive corresponding honors."

"Could it be that the Illusory Dream Wizard has no confidence in his own disciple?"

The Illusory Dream Wizard said pointedly, "That young Heritage Wizard from the Dark Lineage, the one called Polaris, is also quite outstanding. He managed to endure for so long in the Illusory Dream Garden. In terms of withstanding danger, he is even above Wang Ya... On this point, he is already stronger than Wang Ya."

"He's merely benefiting from his higher Power. A Level 3 Wizard Apprentice and a Level 2 Wizard Apprentice are different, after all." The Gloom Wizard began to issue a dismissal. "Alright, Illusory Dream Wizard, let's settle it this way."

"I look forward to Wang Ya Harak's performance. After all, the future of the Dark Land rests on the shoulders of these young people."

Back in Heart Dream Lake, the Illusory Dream Wizard's conscious form returned to the surface of the water. Beneath his mask, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

'Relying on young people, he says.'

'I'm afraid those "young people" could live for another ten thousand years and still not outlive that old monster.'

He knew a few things about the Gloom Wizard's background, and he even had some speculations about the slumbering Dark Wizard.

However, it was all just speculation.

'You can't fight the powers that be. Little Wang Ya, let's see if you can withstand this.'

'As expected of those in charge, they're all dirty. Such masters of the balancing act.'

The Illusory Dream Wizard was certain that the Gloom Wizard would say the same things to the Wizard Clans. As for who exactly he would say it to, that was hard to determine.

Time passed, and things were no longer the same.

「Eight years later...」

ps: The Insight Project has pretty much wrapped up. It wasn't entirely satisfying, but at least this volume had a proper beginning and end. For the new volume, I'll strive to further refine the plot, pacing, and writing.