Chapter 422 The Mayfly Nest (Patreon)

Chapter 422 The Mayfly Nest

Though Richard's words were calm, they struck Stio like thunder.

As the veil of subconsciousness was lifted, the hidden contradictions now stood plainly before Stio.

Wizards were merely fortunate, not possessing any truly unique abilities.

The Astral World was vast, practically infinite. There would always be other races, just as enlightened as Wizards, who would wage war across the stars.

In an instant, a profound terror—one Richard himself had once experienced—engulfed Stio's heart.

After acknowledging the existence of more than one civilization, the mystery of the Precursors' disappearance swirled in his mind like an unshakable Spell.

Stio had witnessed the might of the Precursors firsthand. Even their relics were treasures to Wizards.

Yet if such formidable beings had vanished, wouldn't Wizard civilization also face annihilation at the hands of another race? The thought of how Wizards treated other indigenous peoples made Stio feel as though his heart were being crushed, leaving him struggling for breath.

"Don't be afraid, Stio," Richard said calmly beside him. "If the sky falls, the Truth Wizards will hold it up. Our role as mere foot soldiers is simply to follow their lead into battle.

Besides, we're not weak.

With some luck, we might even secure a promotion to Great Wizard during the war."

Richard's words eased Stio's fear slightly, and he managed a strained smile.

"True. We're not weak at all."

According to the map, Richard and Stio were located a hundred kilometers north-by-southeast of the rebel base, deep within the military's designated competition zone.

The coincidence made Richard wonder if this had been planned by the military.

A hundred kilometers was no great distance for two Third Circle Wizards.

Even while remaining vigilant against ambushes, they covered the distance in just two hours.

Upon arrival, before Richard could even stop, he sensed an invisible blade hurtling toward him.

Hum!

Richard's Magic Barrier failed to block it for even an instant—the blade sliced right through.

Frowning, Richard instantly encased himself in a barrier of viridian high-energy radiation.

High-energy radiation wasn't just for offense; when properly contained, it could also serve as a shield against certain attacks.

Though the invisible blade was formidable, it stood no chance against the penetrating power of the radiation. Its Spell structure disintegrated instantly, collapsing into chaotic spatial turbulence.

"Oh? Quite an unusual barrier."

A black-robed Wizard emerged from the shadows of the trees, wielding a guandao with no blade.

Though Richard knew this was just a test, he couldn't help feeling irritated.

"You haven't seen the half of it," Richard said coldly.

With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a concentrated beam of radiant energy. The viridian light flashed past, piercing through the black-robed Wizard's Magic Barrier and several defensive Spells in an instant.

Sizzle…

The air filled with the scent of scorched flesh.

A charred hole gaped in the black-robed Wizard's right chest, still smoking.

"Our friend here has quite the temper."

The black-robed Wizard glanced at his wound, then casually waved his staff, casting a life Spell to accelerate his recovery.

"That must have cost you dearly."

Richard replied coldly, "Just returning the favor."

The high-energy radiation, while enhanced in power and penetrative capability under the effects of the Radiant Convergence Cannon, came at the cost of losing the microscopic-level cellular damage typical of ordinary radiation.

This made recovery far less challenging for the black-robed Wizard. Losing a few organs, bones, and some flesh was hardly a critical issue—with some restoration, he could still fight without significant impairment.

"I am Anthony. I presume the master was also invited by Master Delis to join the operation against the Star River Mayflies?"

As he spoke, Anthony subtly glanced at Stio behind Richard. While he acknowledged Richard’s strength, the Wizard behind him seemed, in his eyes, somewhat unqualified.

"Correct," Richard answered succinctly. "I am Richard, and this is Stio."

Hearing Richard’s name, Anthony paused briefly before asking with surprise,

"You’re Richard? The Richard from the Richard Jolod Commerce Guild?"

Richard gave a slight nod. "Indeed. Judging by your techniques, may I ask which Great Wizard you study under?"

Anthony replied modestly, "I dare not claim such an honor. My mentor is the Great Wizard of Flashing Void."

The name elicited no reaction from Richard, but Stio behind him grew visibly excited.

Through a mental message, Stio conveyed to Richard: "The Great Wizard of Flashing Void is also a Sixth-Circle Great Wizard, merely a few thousand years younger than the Dean. His mastery over spatial techniques is unparalleled. I once had the privilege of campaigning under him. He even fused his domain with a Secret Realm—within that domain, the Great Wizard of Flashing Void is akin to a living deity."

After listening to Stio’s praise, Richard nodded slightly.

"So you are a disciple of the Great Wizard of Flashing Void. No wonder your spatial blades are so formidable."

Anthony sighed. "No matter how impressive, they pale in comparison to the master’s radiation shield. To constrain high-energy radiation into a defensive barrier—such a concept is truly visionary. No wonder you were able to create the Magic Support Vehicle, a weapon that completely defies conventional Alchemy Weapon design principles."

With this exchange of mutual flattery, the tension from their earlier probing dissipated.

Under Anthony’s guidance, Richard met another Wizard invited by Delis.

The moment they faced each other, Richard exclaimed, "You’re a student of the Frost Grand Wizard?"

Opposite him, Aulei gave a slight nod.

"I am Aulei, disciple of the Frost Grand Wizard. It seems the master remembers my mentor quite vividly."

"Of course," Richard said solemnly. "Without the Frost Legion, my Magic Support Vehicle might still be gathering dust today."

"You flatter me too much."

After another round of polite exchanges, the group finally turned to business.

Aulei retrieved a cluster of cyan ice crystals from his pocket, within which was frozen a Star River Mayfly the size of a human head.

"These natives are troublesome. The one I’ve sealed is a second-tier specimen, but when fighting alongside hundreds of first-tier Mayflies, its combat prowess rivals that of a Third Circle Wizard.

"And within that nest, there are at least tens of thousands of first-tier Mayflies, along with over a hundred second-tier ones. Deep inside the nest, there should also be an injured third-tier Mayfly."

Aulei’s report left Richard silent for a long while.

"To be honest, with just a few Wizards like us, isn't our strength a bit too weak against natives of this caliber?"

Calculating these mayflies, they must possess combat power equivalent to over a hundred Third Circle Wizards. If that third-level mayfly deep in the nest takes action, their combined strength might rival that of a third-level creature that has broken through physical limits.

Although they have legendary Wizards like Delis on their side, after his failed attempt at Great Wizard promotion, how much of his former peak strength does Delis still retain? "It's manageable," Anthony said nonchalantly beside them. "These mayflies are formidable, but we're not weak either. Ordinary Third Circle Wizards aren't particularly difficult for us to handle."

"Moreover, these mayflies offer substantial points. A hundred first-level mayflies equal one Wizard's worth."

"A single second-level mayfly directly equals a Third Circle Wizard."

"Even if we can't eliminate them all, we can clear out some to earn points before retreating."

As a student of the Flash Void Great Wizard, Anthony's spatial Spellcraft was naturally perfected. Escaping posed no difficulty for him.

Richard frowned slightly. Just because Anthony could flee didn't mean he could.

If he had to escape, at best he could hide in a Secret Realm. But if monsters camped the Fissure coordinates, guarding the exit, he'd be powerless.

In this world, Richard had no intention of summoning Ulysses.

This was a military world—their images might very well be displayed in some Great Wizard's Crystal Ball at this very moment.

If releasing Ulysses revealed any clues, the losses would be catastrophic.

"I need to see for myself," Richard spoke up. "Without witnessing it firsthand, I can't feel confident relying solely on intelligence."

"By all means," Aurei stepped aside. "Five kilometers behind me lies the mayfly nest."

Richard gave a slight bow. "My thanks."

...

Beyond the Star River World, the Great Wizard Bronze Spear, standing thousands of meters tall, observed every detail of the world through a mirror.

"The Wizards in Sector Four have begun eliminating mayfly nests."

"Is that so."

Beside the Bronze Spear Great Wizard, another equally massive Wizard fiddled with his Crystal Ball, showing no interest in observing the battle.

"Galon, stop tinkering with that Crystal Ball," the Bronze Spear Great Wizard said helplessly. "You also voted in favor of this military key cultivation program."

"Can't you pay some attention and look for promising talents?"

"I simply don't understand what's in that Crystal Ball that fascinates you so."

Grand Wizard Galon didn't even lift his eyes, completely ignoring the Bronze Spear Great Wizard.

"While I voted for the plan, you know my votes always follow the Alchemical Throne—whichever way He votes, I follow."

"Personally, I find this program rather dull."

"Which of us old-timers doesn't have exceptionally gifted students? But how many truly become Great Wizards? I've taken hundreds of students, yet only two became Great Wizards. Unless we follow the natives' method—using world origin force to forcibly break mortal limits—"

"Otherwise, they must enter the soul labyrinth for that final leap."

There are only two types of Wizards who can emerge from the soul labyrinth: those born with absolute rationality, natural Wizards, and those tempered by years of trials, forged through blood and fire.

Can such Wizards be deliberately cultivated? Though I have no doubt about the wisdom of the Alchemy Throne, in this matter, I believe He has committed the Alchemy School's common mechanical fallacy.

Mistakenly thinking that everything can be produced through a standardized process."

Listening to Grand Wizard Galon's blunt critique, the Great Wizard of the Bronze Spear could only respond with a bitter smile.

A Wizard standing just one step away from truth can afford to be this audacious—even daring to openly criticize a Truth Wizard.

"Fine, if you won't look, then don't. But among the Wizards in Sector Four, there's one from your academy.

Seems like that so-called 'lucky star' you mentioned."

"Hmm?" Grand Wizard Galon suddenly raised his head. "You mean Richard?"

(End of Chapter)