Chapter 63: An Unexpected Delight
The news of war victory spread across the entire Wizard World like the wind.
In an era where the front lines were always retreating, this grand victory significantly improved the atmosphere in the Wizard World.
As a vital hub in the Wizard World, the Tower of Truth was naturally filled with a joyful atmosphere.
Passing through the Teleportation Gate, Richard's keen senses detected a shift in the surrounding atmosphere.
The Wizard Society had long been shrouded in an invisible oppressive atmosphere of continuous failure, but at this moment, that atmosphere seemed to have temporarily disappeared.
Richard casually glanced at the Working Wizard beside him. Typically, these wizards were always stern and expressionless.
But now, nine out of ten of them carried a subtle smile.
"It seems this victory is quite effective," Richard remarked casually.
"Absolutely," Ali responded with a smile on her face. "This is a major victory. Since the war began, we haven't achieved anything this big."
"Indeed, it's a grand victory."
Richard's tone was elongated, a hint of trouble between his brows.
"But this victory might not be a good thing for what I plan to do next."
Just like the greatest obstacle to dismantling a feudal system is an honest official, the greatest obstacle to dismantling an existing command structure is the accomplishments achieved under it.
War is a place that refrains from change. While new tactics may produce miraculous results, they are also likely to result in significant flaws.
A strategy that can operate for a long time must have an inherent logic.
This logic may be somewhat outdated, but it is complete.
Without saying more, Richard took out his Communication Crystal Ball and found Jimmy's contact.
Upon connecting, Richard directly asked, "Master Jimmy, does the Headmaster have time? I would like to meet him."
"What's the matter?"
Jimmy was a bit nervous at Richard's serious tone. They just won a great battle at the front line, why would Richard want to see the Headmaster right away?
Could someone have set a trap for him at the front line? Or was someone deliberately downplaying his war merit?
"It's nothing. I just have something I want to discuss with the Headmaster," Richard reassured Jimmy, noticing the misunderstanding, and softened his tone.
"Everything is fine at the front line. I earned quite a bit of war merit this time. If the Master is free after talking, how about we have a meal in Flying Dragon No. 2 World?"
"Flying Dragon No. 2 World? You've earned quite a lot this time! Looks like we're going all out this time."
Seeing that nothing was wrong, Jimmy's tone also relaxed.
"The Headmaster's body is still at the front line, but his clone is still awake. You can see him anytime."
"Alright, Master, please open the door. I'll go over," Richard said.
After ending the communication, Richard turned to Ali.
"I'm going to the Headmaster's place. Are you coming with me, or going back first?"
"Hmm..." Ali hesitated and pondered for a moment, "I heard there are quite a few materials inside the Crown Throne's research institute that we can't find outside.
If it's not much trouble, I'd like to take a look."
Richard laughed, "It's no trouble at all. You go to the Secret Realm first, and I'll open the Secret Realm Rift when I get there."
"Alright."
...
On the other side of the World Community, in the Galaxy Great World.
As the mother world of the Galaxy Mayflies, the Galaxy Great World is a humid world.
In this vast land, streams and swamps are everywhere, with countless mayflies living in them.
Across the vast swamp, groups of Mayfly are seen harvesting algae with their nets—it's the main food source for most of the Galaxy Mayflies.
On the plains, larger Mayfly Subspecies are herding Magic Beasts. Their bodies are as large as buffalo, and their antennae are evolved to be long and tough, creating a sonic boom with a light flick.
The Galaxy World is a world with a clear hierarchy, where the land is a breeding ground for larvae.
And once the larvae becomes First Level Creatures, they fly up to the sky and enter the unique "Stars" of the Galaxy Great World.
It's difficult to see the starry sky in the Galaxy Great World because numerous sky islands, moon-like, block the starry sky's radiance.
These sky islands were once territories of the former dominators of this world, creatures called Feather Worms by the Galaxy Mayflies. But after the rise of the Galaxy Mayflies, these creatures were assimilated through Bloodline techniques, becoming one of many Mayfly Subspecies.
Suddenly, an intense energy vibration emanated from the topmost sky island in the Star Cluster Sky Island.
The vibration was so strong that it almost disrupted the sky island's trajectory in the Gang Wind circulation.
On the sky island, a giant amber emerged slowly from a lake the size of a room. In the center of the amber, a massive colorful Mayfly shuddered abruptly.
Crack!
The amber shattered, and the giant colorful Mayfly flew out.
"This loss is truly severe this time."
The Mayfly let out a low hum, exuding an intimidating pressure. Even though it was just a trace, it was enough to instill fear in Level 5 Creatures.
Suddenly, a white Mayfly flew out of the Void and landed in front of the colorful Mayfly.
"Your Excellency, the Emperor of Stars wishes to see you... His Majesty appears quite displeased, you'd better be prepared."
The catastrophic defeat of the 2456 world is undoubtedly a severe blow to the Galaxy Mayfly. This defeat means the Galaxy Mayfly won't be able to engage in large-scale warfare for decades.
The loss of mid-level military forces is even more critical, and it's uncertain how long it'll take to recover.
As one of the Commanders of the 2456 world, the Mayfly Quasi-Emperor must give an explanation.
The colorful Mayfly twitched its antennae and emitted a calm chirp from its mouth.
"Understood, I'll head over right away. Just in time, I have information about that prophecy to report to His Majesties."
"Prophecy? Are you referring to..."
The white Mayfly hesitated for a moment, suddenly making its voice sharp.
"Yes," the Mayfly Quasi-Emperor uttered a deep chirp, "it's the Furnace Man's prophecy."
...
Evolution Road Research Institute.
"Hey, what did you do in the Abyss this time?"
The Physique Crown's avatar approached Richard, patting Richard's chest with a thick bear paw, astonished as if seeing a monster.
"This body of yours... Wow, you've completely become an Abyss Demon.
At this level of evolution, it's even stronger than when I first advanced to the Sixth Circle."
Richard laughed heartily, "Oh, there's nothing I can do. My Talent is so evident that once the Abyss saw me, it clung to me, insisting on passing on its legacy."
"You kid, you still boast when praised."
The Physique Crown laughed and cursed, his gaze shifted to Richard's side.
Beside Richard, Ali looked a bit restrained at the white bear in front of her. Her instinct told her that despite the bear's ordinary appearance, she'd probably stand no chance in a fight.
"Who is she?" The Physique Crown asked curiously.
"My Wizard partner."
"Oh? So this is your partner?"
The Physique Crown was slightly surprised, looking at Jimmy with a face implying 'why didn't you mention this to me?'
Jimmy remained expressionless, "I mentioned it in the documents, but clearly, you didn't read them and simply stamped them. I must point out, you shouldn't do that. Why do you always rely on the automatic stamp position when a spiritual power scan would suffice..."
"Alright, alright." The Physique Crown waved his hand, "I trust you to handle things. Don't nag like an old man."
Saying this, the Physique Crown refocused his gaze on Ali.
"This Bloodline... is very valuable."
As the founder of the Physique School, he could clearly perceive the "value" of the Bloodline within Ali.
If Richard's Abyssal legacy merely emitted the brilliance of a bright star, then the brightness of Ali's Bloodline was akin to the radiant moon.
"The combination of a Giant Dragon and Abyss Demon, two equally powerful Bloodlines negating each other's corrosiveness, even causing the Abyss to deem it not an Abyss Demon and thus stop providing the Power of Abyss...
The Supreme's technique is truly unfathomable."
The stronger the Physique Crown became, the more he could appreciate the greatness of the Supreme, lost to the annals of history.
This race, capable of easily creating life and whimsically altering Life Core fragments, was considered Divine on the road of Physique Evolution.
Even the Physique Crown found it hard to imagine how such a powerful race vanished into the streams of history, leaving not even a single corpse.
Was the cost of Sealing the Demon Lord truly so great?
"You don't have any interest in becoming my student." The Physique Crown suddenly said, "Your Bloodline isn't particularly suited for following Richard's path."
Ali's Bloodline is balanced artistry, while Life Editing, an artificial intervention, could disrupt this balance, leading to unpredictable risks.
"What? You... you... want to take me as a student?"
Ali's voice became stuttering, excitement almost prevented her from speaking complete sentences.
Being taken as a student by a Truth Wizard was something ordinary Wizards couldn't even dream of.
"Of course." The Physique Crown said kindly, "If you agree, you're now my student."
Ali looked at Richard. Though her rationality was nearly overwhelmed by the surprise, she naturally sought to get Richard's opinion.
Richard nodded slightly.
Becoming a student of the Physique Crown was greatly beneficial for Ali.
He had no reason to stop her.
Ali turned back to the Physique Crown, worked to calm herself, and performed the Wizard's Salute.
"Crown Throne, I am honored to be your student."
"Haha, that's the spirit! Jimmy, show... Ali around the institute, introduce her to a few of her senior students."
Jimmy slightly bowed, walked over to Ali, and smiled, "Come, let me introduce you to the other students of the academy. If you see anything you like, feel free to speak up."
The two left, and the atmosphere in the room quickly shifted from relaxed to somber.
The Physique Crown sat on the sofa, motioning to Richard to sit opposite.
"Coming to see me in such a rush right after returning from the front lines, did you discover something on the battlefield?"
Richard shook his head slightly, "No, I wanted to discuss our military system with you."