Inside the reception room, Wizard Bode had been waiting for quite some time.
He sat upright in a soft chair, with a specially made orange-yellow beverage on the table in front of him. The cup was slightly warm and emitted a faint, refreshing aroma.
Beverly stood to one side.
She was dressed in a dignified and elegant head maid's uniform, with a black and white long skirt that had clean lines and accentuated her figure perfectly, revealing only her fair forearms and calves.
She stood upright and restrained, with a perfectly appropriate professional smile on her pretty face, neither obsequious nor aloof.
Wizard Bod chatted with her casually, making small talk.
The conversation didn't go deep, ranging from the latest wind direction in the mountain city to some trivial matters.
Beverly's response, however, remained calm and natural, demonstrating impeccable composure and showing no sign of unease.
This stirred a sense of emotion within Wizard Bod.
This elven maid under the wizard Lynn's command is indeed extraordinary.
Facing the Morning Star Wizard's gaze, she neither deliberately tried to impress nor instinctively backed down; her responses were clear and articulate, making her very pleasant to listen to.
Thinking back to his own elven maids, no, let alone elven maids, even the witches he kept as mistresses...
When facing oneself, no one can be as calm as Beverly.
As the saying goes, comparing goods will make you throw them away, comparing people will make you want to die...
Of course, Wizard Bod didn't have any designs on Beverly, because Beverly was the one who came out to greet him, the Morning Star Wizard.
That means that, to the wizard Lynn, Beverly represents his will to some extent.
Beverly is not a character that can be easily exchanged or given away like the elves or witches that Bodhurst keeps.
If one were to brazenly ask for Beverney, it would likely provoke the malice and hostility of a Morning Star wizard.
Experienced wizards like Bod would naturally not be replaced, since Beverly, while performing well, was only so-so.
In terms of appearance, she was only considered above average by the standards of Morning Star Wizard; she was not the kind of beauty that could topple kingdoms.
In terms of strength, he's not even at the weakest level one. Even if the wizard Lynn really gave him some to play with, he'd be broken in no time...
The elves and witches that Wizard Bode kept in his own home far surpassed Beverly in both physique and appearance, as well as their physical endurance...
Just as Wizard Bod was lost in thought, a series of footsteps approached.
He looked up.
Lynn has arrived.
Beverly looked at the newcomers, and after a brief exchange of glances with Lynn, she gave a slight bow to the two Morning Star wizards.
She then quietly stepped back a few paces, turned and left, leaving the guest room intact for the two of them.
………………
"Lynn the Wizard".
Wizard Bod spoke slowly, his tone unhurried.
"The Morning Star Wizarding Conference that you asked me to inquire about before... now, we finally have some progress."
Lynn did make this request to him not long ago.
But that was not the kind of "open exchange meeting" that the Wizard Council within the Mountain City tacitly approved or even encouraged.
The mountain city is never short of opportunities for interaction.
From formal wizards to Morning Star wizards, various gatherings under the guise of academics, resources, and cooperation have sprung up one after another. The procedures are standardized and the content is compliant, and almost every one of them is under the supervision of the council.
But these were clearly not what Lynn was looking for.
What he needs is a meeting of dark wizards.
It's a type of gathering that's assumed to exist, but never made public.
Anything circulating there, whether it be experimental data, forbidden knowledge, or resources obtained through dubious means, is not suitable for public display within the Mountain City.
In fact, these things are not only attractive to dark wizards.
Even the White Wizard was equally interested in much of it.
The only difference is that white wizards usually don't do the work themselves. But "buying the results" is not within their moral boundaries.
There is a saying that goes, "If there were no buying, there would be no killing."
But for wizards, there is never a true "Mother Mother".
White wizards are simply more concerned with order and more adept at self-discipline than black wizards, rather than being fundamentally different in terms of good and evil, and are not moral paragons or saints.
When it comes to their own cultivation, the white wizards don't mind buying some "blood-stained" content and materials.
Finding such a shady exchange meeting is a secret to everyone, and given Lynn's relationship with Wizard Bode, Lynn shouldn't be directly seeking opportunities from him.
The reason Lynn sought out Wizard Bod was quite practical.
Originally, he could have accessed some secret communications at the Morning Star level through the Spirit Eye Wizard and the Meteor Council.
However, as the Meteor Council completely retreated into the Nightmare Rift, and then the Spirit Eye Wizard himself perished, this path was cut off.
But the wizard Bod was different.
He had been in the Morning Star realm for a long time and was recognized as a "veteran" in the Mountain City.
In addition, his position in the Hall of Guidance in the Wizarding Council meant that the number of Morning Star wizards he knew was far beyond Lynn's imagination.
He had a full range of channels, both overt and covert.
As for why Wizard Bod would agree to this less-than-honorable task, that's even simpler.
While the neighborly relationship of over twenty years certainly existed, it was far from enough to make a council wizard actively meddle in the secret communications of dark wizards.
In this kind of situation, the risks and rewards are not proportional.
The problem is that Lynn gave too much.
There were so many that even Wizard Bod was surprised.
He had initially thought that this newly elected Morning Star member had limited experience.
However, when the actual transaction took place, it was discovered that Lynn actually possessed treasures that were quite valuable even to a mid-stage Morning Star Wizard.
Faced with such "sincerity," Wizard Bode had no choice but to go with the flow.
As Lynn and Wizard Bode's "cheap friendship" deepened, Lynn also successfully obtained the address and information of the dark wizard exchange meeting.
Of course, this was just a message given to Lynn; Wizard Bode himself wouldn't go. After all, while the content discussed at the Dark Wizards' Meeting was valuable, it was still in the middle of nowhere.
For a wizard like Baldr, who had lost his will to fight and was only thinking about enjoying the remaining two thousand years of his long lifespan, this was a different story.
They certainly wouldn't risk going to the Dark Wizards' Meeting.
In those kinds of places, there's no oversight. Once someone sets their sights on you, even if a fight doesn't break out inside the meeting, a life-or-death struggle is inevitable once you leave...
So, after giving Lynn all sorts of information, Wizard Bode left.
As for who Lynn wants to find and how to get there, that's Lynn's own business.
………………
After seeing Wizard Bod off, Lynn quickly returned to the basement.
"The location of the exchange meeting... was chosen quite carefully."
He muttered something to himself, his tone carrying a hint of scrutiny.
"Located within the territory of the Black Wizards, and at the intersection of the two great forges..."
Lynn raised his hand and waved it casually.
The next moment, a parchment carrying a faint life force emerged from the void.
On the surface of the parchment, the originally dormant patterns seemed to be awakened and slowly moved, the lines extending and intertwining on their own, quickly outlining a complex and delicate picture.
A dense array of messages then appeared, forming a complete intelligence map of the Southern Region.
This active parchment is valuable in itself.
It was an intelligence-type magical artifact that Lynn obtained through special channels by using a large number of magic stones from the Spirit Eye Wizard's Treasury.
It must be said that both the Spirit Eye Wizard himself and the treasures, influence, and resources he left behind were of immense help to Lynn.
Even though the other party has long since passed away, their legacy continues to provide assistance to Lynn.
The overall layout of the southern region is clearly divided on the parchment.
At the very center is the mountain city marked along the deepest part of the central axis, where the Wizard Council is located.
On either side of the central axis lie the White Wizard's territory and the Black Wizard's territory, clearly defined and distinct.
When Lynn's mental energy focused on the dark wizard's area, the image on the parchment immediately changed.
The originally macroscopic area was quickly brought closer and broken down, and the Black Wizard's territory was fully revealed.
Within this region, it further differentiated into a vast network of four intertwined and overlapping forces.
Those are the four great furnaces of the Black Wizard's domain: the Furnace Stone; the Abyss Furnace; the Shadow Furnace; and the Furnace Temple.
All the forces from all sides are at the Radiant Moon level.
Lynn's gaze lingered on the four names for a moment, his expression growing increasingly calm.
As the saying goes, the more you know, the more you understand reverence.
Back when he was only a Level 3 Archmage, he had already heard of the "Four Great Forges".
At that time, all he knew was that these were the top forces among the black wizards, incredibly powerful.
How strong can it be?
He didn't actually have a clear concept.
Until now.
After reaching the fourth level of Morning Star Wizard, Lynn had figured out the cultivation path of this realm and truly understood the meaning represented by the Morning Star level.
He knew very well that a level six Morning Star Wizard was comparable to a Celestial God.
The level and terror of the Moonlit Wizards, who are above this level, are naturally even more unimaginable.
This is precisely why the Forge forces, entrenched deep within the Black Wizard's territory, are all the more formidable.
"The strange phenomena I witnessed when I first went to the Forgestone..."
Lynn murmured to himself, his tone slow, recalling the memories of that time.
"It has probably gone beyond the scope of the rules... Perhaps, that is the realm that the Radiant Moon Wizard can reach."
His eyes narrowed slightly, and his thoughts drifted back to those years.
On that occasion, he went to the Forgestone to pay homage to Hercules.
When he stood atop Obsidian Mountain, his gaze sweeping over the ridge and into the distance, he was momentarily speechless.
Emerging from the deepest part of the earth's veins is a colossal waterfall of immense size.
The waterfall doesn't cascade down; instead, it flows upstream, like a galaxy rolling upside down from the sky, soaring straight into the clouds.
Starlight sparkles amidst the waterfall.
Enormous whales swam slowly among them, their scales reflecting the starlight. With each swish of their tails, they seemed to stir the heavens and earth themselves, like elven beings born outside the rules.
Further away, the earth cracked open.
Beneath the rift lies not a dark abyss, but countless points of light, like stars, rising and falling within it.
Upon closer inspection, they were astonished to discover that these were enormous beasts carrying glowing carapaces, walking slowly and heavily beneath the earth, as if supporting the very foundation of the world.
High in the sky, numerous elements intertwine, evolving into a magnificent celestial dome.
Colorful and strange creatures swam slowly within, their trajectories unpredictable and their forms indescribable, like a dream, yet so real it was unsettling.
Magnificent. Vast.
Magnificent. Absurd.
This was Lynn's first impression of the Furnace Stone.
It was not a world that followed common sense, but rather a strange land stripped from the deepest part of a dream.
A waterfall flowing backwards, a colossal, star-like beast soaring through the air, and subterranean life shimmering like stars...
All of these elements combine to create a magnificent yet unfamiliar wizarding realm.
At that time, Lynn felt only pure shock and wonder.
They seem to "know what it is," but they have absolutely no idea "why it is."
But now.
When he re-examined that memory with the eyes of a fourth-level Morning Star Wizard, he truly realized that those strange phenomena were by no means accidental.
That's more like a natural manifestation of some higher-level power overflowing outwards.
"If that really is a crystallization of the Radiant Moon level..."
Lynn let out a soft breath, her tone tinged with self-mockery.
"It's such a pity back then, I didn't understand anything."
Insufficient strength is a common problem in the wizarding world.
Even if an opportunity presents itself, one may not be able to recognize its value.
With a quick change of heart, Lynn composes herself.
This time, the Dark Wizards' Exchange Meeting was held at the border between the forces of the Abyss Forge and the Shadow Forge.
In other words, they will not actually step into the core areas of the two melting pots.
In other words, he was destined never to see such a magnificent sight again.
"I'll go and take a look again sometime in the future if I have the chance."
With a firm resolve, Lynn focused his mental energy once more.
The images on the parchment changed; the previous map of the territory was erased and replaced by the information provided to him by the wizard Bod.
Lynn knew little about the Abyss Forge and the Shadow Forge.
All that is known is that they are on par with the Forgestone, both being Moon-level forces within the Black Wizard's domain.
"Among the four great melting pots..."
Lynn recalled the relevant records, his gaze slightly lowered.
"The Forge Temple is the oldest and strongest existence."
It can be said that in the earliest times, there was only one Forge Temple in the Black Wizard's territory.
Later, other beings of the Radiant Moon level were born within the Forge Temple.
These beings left their original temples and carved out their own territories, gradually forming the present-day Forgestone, Abyss Forge, and Shadow Forge.
From this perspective...
These three melting pots should be roughly equal in terms of their foundation and level of expertise.
"Within the Forgestone, the Morning Star Wizard is already considered a mid-to-upper-level figure."
Lynn muttered to himself, his tone calm and restrained.
"The situation is roughly the same over at the Shadow Forge and the Abyss Forge... As long as we don't deliberately touch the taboos, there shouldn't be any major problems with safety."
Despite this, his expression did not relax.
Theory is one thing, theory is another.
Lynn was well aware that his judgment was based on the inference of "average level".
But he had personally witnessed, through the Golden Scales, the battle in the Nightmare Rift where the three Morning Star Wizards joined forces to besiege the Wizard of Elo.
When the rules collide, the world crumbles.
That was not a clash of low-level magic, but a direct confrontation of will, rules, and origin.
He himself was just a newly initiated wizard who had just entered the realm of Morning Star.
The foundation is still shallow, and the rules are still anchored at the level of "echo anchors".
If one were to truly engage in a head-on battle with someone of the same level, the danger would be no less than considerable.
"Going alone... is too risky."
With a change of heart, Lynn began to consider another possibility.
Find a fellow Morning Star Wizard.
But the idea was quickly dampened by reality.
Morningstar wizards are rare, not many at all.
And the number of people he truly knew was even smaller.
He mentally sifted through them one by one.
First, the one who was directly crossed out was the Spirit Eye Wizard, who had already completely perished.
Of the remaining individuals, only the Tower Master of White Heart and the Night Shadow Wizard were introduced through the Spirit Eye Wizard.
Nightshade Wizard is a dark wizard by origin.
The two sides have little interaction and no trust in each other, so it's impossible for them to travel together.
Master of Baixin Tower?
This man was a white wizard, more credible than a black wizard, but Lynn had almost no real contact with him, let alone any friendship.
Moreover, these two have most likely been conscripted by the Wizarding Council and are stationed in Nightmare Rift.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't find the time.
Next up is Wizard Grimm.
The disciples of Hercules are most likely still cultivating inside the Furnace Stone and cannot be summoned out by him.
Alder the Wizard?
He is a law enforcement wizard, not a dark wizard, and his stance is acceptable.
However, the two harbored deep resentment towards each other, and inviting him to accompany them would be tantamount to inviting trouble.
Finally, only the Wizard of Bald remained.
He is tactful, experienced, and has a decent relationship with Lynn.
But Wizard Bod has made it clear that he will not participate in the dark wizard's private meetings.
Having considered the matter to this point, the conclusion is already clear.
Lynn slowly exhaled.
"Really... there isn't a single suitable one."
More importantly, the core of battles at the Morning Star level lies in the confrontation of the power of rules.
Even if there are many formal wizards under the Morning Star, they will only become a burden in a confrontation at this level.
In the temple of his life, his subordinates and followers were of no use whatsoever.
"It seems I'll have to go alone."
Lynn's gaze gradually calmed down.
There are less than five years until the exchange meeting officially begins.
During this period, he was still under the protection period granted by the Wizarding Council to newly promoted Morning Stars.
This, ironically, became the most suitable window.
"Perfect... I'll go into seclusion for a while longer. During this time, I'll study some life-saving and escape-related witchcraft..."
The thought settled.
The next moment, the magic array in the basement lit up one after another.
Runes unfolded like chains, interlocking and overlapping to completely seal off the entire space.
The light dimmed. The formation closed.
Lynn's figure was completely isolated from external perception.
Time flies, and five years passed in the blink of an eye in Lynn's basement... (End of Chapter)
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