Chapter 410 Search and Allocation

"How do you feel?" asked Mage Roman, frowning after stopping the attack. She believed the other party must have had a way to counter her spell attack, but they didn't use it, making it hard for her to judge the specific power and shortcomings of her spell. "Why didn't you actually counter that spell attack?"

Shaoke shook his head and explained to Mage Roman, "I could no longer use normal spells to counter your attack. If this were a real battle, I would consider using Death Will or other special spells to hunt the spellcaster." He then asked in return, "When you cast this spell, couldn't you cast other spells at the same time?" He voiced the confusion he had just discovered.

The female mage nodded, then shook her head. "If it were like just now, I couldn't use other spells for attack. But if I completely relinquish precise control over this spell, I can still freely cast other attacks. However, in that case, your dispel would break that spell." With that, she shrugged, feeling that her recent spell attack was still acceptable.

Shaoke thought for a moment and added, "In future chaotic battles, I believe your spell's power will be even greater. But in one-on-one combat, some powerful mages are capable of defeating you." He then listed the impressions he had felt when facing that spell and detailed the spells he believed could counter such mental attacks, hoping Mage Roman would keep them in mind. Of course, due to the vast variety of spells, Shaoke only understood a small portion, but even so, Mage Roman felt comforted, as he was helping her.

Shaoke did not stay outside for long. After instructing the female spellcasters on some matters, he left his residence and went to the place where the Blue-robed Female Mage lived.

The Blue-robed Mage's dwelling, also built of logs, was not far from theirs. Since only she among her family was a ninth-order mage and she hadn't brought anyone else here, she lived alone. Fortunately, Mage Roman and others often visited, so she wasn't too lonely during her stay.

The snow piled thick before the small house, evidently untouched for a long time. After leaving his mental imprint on the door, Shaoke entered. The room was simple, with just a plain bed, some bookshelves, and a writing desk, which was a necessity.

The Blue-robed mage had been gone for a long time. Frowning, Shaoke left and headed to the mage tower on the mountain peak, intending to ask the stationed mages about her.

"I haven't seen her for a long time either," said a female spellcaster on guard duty. After learning Shaoke's purpose, she quickly gave her answer and checked previous records to confirm that the Blue-robed Mage had not yet returned. With no clues, Shaoke returned to the Wandering Alliance's encampment, where he briefly checked on his family before visiting the Blue-robed Female Mage's family's residence. There, he still couldn't detect her aura. These findings made him uneasy.

"Maybe she went to the ruins of the Fallen Imperial Capital," guessed Mage Roman when she learned of Shaoke's thoughts. "The Blue Feather Empire—perhaps she returned there." She suggested Shaoke take the staff belonging to the Blue-robed Mage to those two places for detection, as the staff could transmit messages to its owner within a certain distance. With a special incantation, it could also pinpoint her exact location.

Mage Roman's suggestion was quickly accepted by Shaoke. He hastily packed his belongings and used the teleportation array to travel to both locations.

Unfortunately, he detected no trace of the Blue-robed Female Mage in either place. He considered exploring the ruins, but given his situation and the ancient information inside the ruins, he chose to retreat. He dared not take risks at this time, as he had not yet ascended to the tenth tier.

Hovering over the lake above the ruins, Shaoke pondered. Many young people were playing on the lake's surface, having long forgotten the events that occurred here years ago. Most residents were ordinary people with short lifespans and limited written records, making it hard to record things from the distant past. Some knowledgeable individuals knew about the place, but after so long without incidents, they had given up warning the commoners to stay away.

Shaoke stayed there for a day and a night before returning to his base via the Blue Feather Empire's teleportation array. Upon his return, he temporarily suspended his three daughters' tedious interpretation work and sent them to the Misty Forest to collect the blood of the Snow Peak King. This idea was supported by Mage Roman and the others, as Lan Weier and her sisters rarely acted independently. For a long time, going to the Misty Forest for materials had become an important task for the three female mages.

Although the three female spellcasters were reluctant to leave Shaoke and their mother, opportunities to go out and relax were rare, so they had no reason to refuse.

After the three left, Shaoke also temporarily halted his interpretation work and focused entirely on his meditation space, planning to ascend as quickly as possible and then join Mage Roman in searching for the Blue-robed Female Mage. He had already decided to search the ruins for her. The alliance couldn't be without her for too long, especially since her sudden departure worried many. Shaoke later informed Mage Meigan and his wife, a ninth-rank female warrior, and asked them to help in the search.

Days passed, but there was still no news of the female mage. Temporarily putting his worries aside, Shaoke intensified his preparations for ascension. Just as he was ready, unexpected news forced him to halt his plans.

It was time for the decennial gathering of ninth-order professionals. All ninth-order members of the Wandering Alliance were to meet and discuss matters, the most important being the distribution of all proceeds from the Barbarian Empire. Previously, the Blue-robed Female Mage had handled negotiations with other alliance leaders, but with her disappearance, Shaoke took over the task.

On the appointed day, Shaoke, Mage Roman, and others arrived at a plain surrounded by mountains. No commoners were present, only countless trees and magical plants. The mages' meeting began above the forest. The White-robed Cleric and others were not qualified to join, as they were not ninth-order professionals.

"Everyone, these are the past decade's revenues from the Barbarian Empire," said the female Hebrew leader, holding a thick list detailing all magical materials and precious resources.

"I believe the shares of some alliances should be reduced this time, because they violated the empire's rules and contributed nothing to its development." She then listed over a hundred imperial Wandering Alliances, including the Blue Feather Empire alliance Shaoke belonged to. This infuriated the mage, but he didn't question the reason immediately; instead, someone from another empire did.

The first to step forward was an undead spellcaster, the leader of the Saul Empire's Wandering Alliance. With a piercing laugh, he loudly asked why their alliance had been included. "I think our alliance has done no harm to the Barbarian Empire, so there's no need to cut our income!" He flew forward, with over a dozen undead professionals following him.

"You did no harm, but in the past decade, you have contributed nothing to the empire," said the female Hebrew leader, licking her lips. "Last year, the empire clashed with neighboring ones. Most professionals stationed in the capital joined the army to resist the invaders, but those from your Saul Empire did not."

"No one informed me," the undead mage protested. "We were conducting experiments. When war came, you forgot our existence. Don't you know? Necromancers are the most powerful on the battlefield!" He waved his bone staff violently to vent his frustration. However, his outburst did not faze the female Hebrew leader.