Chapter 424: The Power of Legends (Patreon)

Chapter 424: The Power of Legends

With the anesthetic in place, the two disciples of the Great Wizard naturally began their observations of the live specimens.

Before long, Delis returned with a black-robed Wizard in tow. The moment Richard saw her, he smiled and stepped forward to greet her.

The one Delis had brought was none other than the sole disciple of the Black Tower Great Wizard, Ellie’s mentor—Susanna.

"Master Susanna, it’s been a while. You’re as radiant as ever."

Susanna looked at Richard in surprise, her tone laced with astonishment. "Richard, what are you doing here…" But before she could finish, realization dawned on her, and her voice grew even more shocked. "So it really was you who took down Belert!"

The circle of Third Circle Wizards wasn’t large, and figures like Belert were far from obscure.

When Susanna heard of Belert’s demise, she had initially assumed it was the work of another Wizard who shared Richard’s name. Never had she imagined that it was actually Richard himself.

"Just luck," Richard replied modestly.

Susanna clicked her tongue in amazement as she scrutinized Richard. He was now clad in the meticulously modified Personal Armor of a Mechanist, with not a trace of energy fluctuation emanating from him.

The very picture of an expert.

Recalling the past, Richard had been nothing more than a clever apprentice in her memory. Yet in just over a thousand years, he had risen to become a Third Circle Wizard capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her.

"Are you two done catching up?"

Delis’ voice cut in at just the right moment.

The legendary Old Wizard spoke expressionlessly, "Time isn’t exactly on our side. While theoretically, the military’s next adjustment of the operational zone might include this hive, I always plan for the worst. Clearing out this hive isn’t like smoking out wild bees—just set a fire and hide. It’s far more complicated."

Hearing this, Richard and Susanna wasted no more time on small talk and quietly waited for the legendary Wizard to outline his plan.

Seeing that they had finished their reunion, Delis continued, "Our primary objective is the complete eradication of this hive, so everything I say next will be based on that goal.

These Star River Mayflies possess a psychic link, and their cooperation is built upon it. If we want to eliminate them, we must sever that connection—Chairman Richard, do you have a question?"

Delis frowned as he noticed Richard raising his hand.

"There’s a major issue. These Mayflies aren’t just connected psychically—there’s also a faint energy link between them."

Richard pointed to his eyes. Now that he was a Third Circle Wizard, there was no need to hide certain things anymore.

"I have a soul ability called Energy Vision. I can directly see the energy links between these Mayflies."

Before Delis could react to Richard’s words, Susanna’s eyes widened in shock.

She had practically watched Richard grow up. How could she not know he had a soul ability? If he’d possessed such a thing, he would have been snatched up by Erix and the other resident Third Circle Wizards the moment he entered the academy—there was no way they would have left him for Jolod.

"It awakened when I absorbed some soul essence," Richard explained to Susanna via mental transmission.

Although the energy vision wasn't a major issue, Richard had never brought it up voluntarily to avoid unnecessary complications.

This was the first time he had actively mentioned his soul talent.

Delis gave Richard a slight nod. "Good. Thank you, Chairman Richard, for raising this issue in time. Otherwise, we might have suffered greatly."

In any military operation, intelligence problems could directly affect the outcome.

If Richard hadn't pointed this out promptly, they might have ended up fleeing in defeat in the upcoming battle.

Delis pondered for a moment before continuing, "Leave the task of severing their mental and energy links to me. I'll ensure these ephemeral swarms don't form a complete entity during the battle.

All you need to do is quickly eliminate the scattered swarms.

Also, Susanna, I recall you're a curse Wizard. I need you to interfere with the combat ability of that Third Circle ephemeral when it moves—using curse Spellcraft.

Remember, interference.

This operation is mutually beneficial for everyone. If you outright kill it with a curse, it'll be detrimental to your subsequent battles.

Moreover, I believe a lethal curse might backfire on you, so don’t recklessly experiment like an apprentice."

Delis's words were quite blunt. If this were the Susanna Richard remembered, she would have slammed the table and started arguing with the Old Wizard.

But in reality, Susanna responded with a look of shame, offering no rebuttal.

"Seems like something happened between these two," Richard mused inwardly, amused.

"As for how to quickly eliminate these ephemerals, I also have some advice for everyone. Please pay close attention."

After addressing Susanna, Delis immediately turned his attention to the other three.

"I know you're all extraordinary individuals—future Great Wizards. But on the battlefield, I suggest you follow the advice of an old-timer like me carefully."

With that, he began outlining the next steps of the operation.

Delis's actions lived up to his legendary reputation.

He was incredibly adept at warfare, as naturally as eating or drinking. But what was even more astonishing was that, despite his expertise, he remained extremely cautious in battle.

His advice to Richard and the others covered everything—from how to kill swiftly, to handling emergencies, to escaping efficiently if the situation spiraled out of control.

Frankly, Delis was treating the Third Circle Wizards like fresh recruits on their first battlefield.

Richard didn’t mind this attitude—in fact, he quite liked it. Having a veteran lay out the plan so he didn’t have to think for himself was a great feeling.

But the other Wizards weren’t as easygoing.

"Master, we’re not green recruits," Anthony said irritably.

As a student of the Great Wizard, he wasn’t used to being looked down on like this.

Delis glanced at him, his expression unchanged, as if he was accustomed to such reactions.

"You’re free to ignore my plan," Delis said coolly. "But if you delay our progress, I’ll make sure you’re kicked out of the competition the moment this is over."

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

Anthony's expression darkened, the space around the head of his guandao staff subtly distorting.

Though Delis's exploits were legendary, no matter how extraordinary, he was still a flawed product who had failed to ascend to Great Wizard.

If it came to a fight, Anthony didn't believe he would lose to this old Wizard.

Noticing the energy fluctuations from the staff, Delis silently turned his gaze toward Anthony, his eyes suddenly turning pitch black.

The next moment, Anthony's face changed drastically.

With a slight movement of his staff, several invisible spatial blades instantly shot toward Delis. Meanwhile, the shadows around him began crawling up his body like parasites.

Hum! The spatial blades passed through Delis's body as if through an illusion, causing no damage whatsoever.

Yet the shadows controlled by Delis wrapped around Anthony like a cocoon.

Anthony tried to use a spatial Spell to break free, only to find these shadows rooted deep within him. No matter how he teleported, the shadows clung to him like a persistent curse.

He could sense these shadows absolutely had the power to strangle him to death.

"Little one, did you think just because I failed, someone like you could push me around?"

Delis's voice remained calm, as if he were merely discussing what to eat for dinner.

"If you make another mistake even a Wizard Apprentice wouldn't commit, I won't hesitate to throw you out of this mission. You're welcome to go crying to Great Wizard Flashvoid afterward, begging him to uphold justice for you.

Let's see whether he comes to crush me or tosses his useless student into the Twisting Labyrinth."

At the mention of the Twisting Labyrinth, Anthony's expression changed again.

As Flashvoid's student, he knew exactly what that place represented.

Within that labyrinth composed of spatial fragments were sealed countless natives from other worlds, along with terrifying creatures his teacher had deliberately cultivated.

And Anthony knew this maze wasn't just for sealing enemies—it also served as a disciplinary measure.

He remembered clearly how one senior brother, due to carelessness, had caused heavy casualties to a ten-thousand strong White Wizard legion.

When his mistake was discovered during the post-battle review, the furious Flashvoid had thrown him into the Twisting Labyrinth.

When he finally emerged, the man had gone completely mad.

Anthony couldn't suppress a shudder. Very few knew about this incident—how did this old Wizard know about it?

Noticing Anthony's reaction, Delis calmly dispelled the Spell and continued outlining their next steps.

Soon, the plan was finalized.

Everyone understood their assigned roles clearly.

First, they laid a layer of trap Magic Arrays around the insect nest's perimeter to prevent any surviving ephemera from escaping.

Then they began eliminating the patrol units on the outskirts, weakening the ephemera swarm's strength as much as possible.

The nest soon reacted.

At the lake's bottom, a human-sized ephemera suddenly opened its eyes. Within its enormous compound eyes instantly appeared images of the lake's surroundings.

With a thought, it summoned a second-level ephemera to its side.

"Tai, those Wizards have discovered us."

The ephemera called Tai trembled visibly.

Over the past few decades of war, it had been deeply impressed by the Wizards.

The brutality of the Wizards towards the natives had opened his eyes to unprecedented cruelty.

"General, what do you require of me?"

A faint glimmer of light flashed within the general's body before he coughed up a crystal.

"This battle is unwinnable for us, and I am certainly doomed to die. Therefore, you must now shoulder the responsibility of gathering intelligence."

"When the Supreme Lake finally reacts, our people will undoubtedly reclaim this world."

"That will be the moment for you to fulfill your purpose."

(End of Chapter)