Chapter 399 Completion and Other Matters

After the blood of the magical beasts was prepared, the mages mixed various gem powders into it, forming the essential materials for constructing the magic array. Tens of thousands of professionals worked tirelessly, and only after a full year, when all the magic materials were ready, did everyone begin the actual spellcasting for construction.

A large volume of magical fluids were simultaneously poured by the mages onto the site, and soon the spell trench, over a person's depth, was filled. At that point, the mages, as planned, suspended themselves at certain positions and began chanting incantations. As the complex incantations commenced, the magical fluids in the entire array started to rotate rapidly. A flood of magic scripts and strange structures was condensed by the mages in the void using willpower or mana, then integrated into the fluids. When the incantations ended, the mages all left the massive array at top speed, and the ground that bore the giant array underwent violent changes.

The earth trembled, and twelve peaks rose from the ground. As the mountains ascended, countless arrays emerged in the air, seemingly chaotic yet systematically imprinting themselves onto the peaks, reinforcing the peaks' structure. The distant mages, who had retreated, did not observe this transformation but instead continuously cast spells to stabilize the surrounding area, preventing cracks or other problems from developing during this massive change. Fortunately, other nearby settlements had already moved away, and there were no civilians present, so there were no unnecessary casualties.

Such changes persisted for three full days before coming to a halt, and by then, the basic transformation of the settlement was complete. The twelve peaks, towering ten thousand meters high, stood silently in the region, and by now, the original carved array was no longer visible. At this point, the mages' foundational work was finished.

The mages floated silently in the air, sensing the settlement's changes. When Shaoke released his willpower to perceive, he clearly noticed more imagery information about the Ancient Spellcasters he had sensed. Other professionals experienced the same, though not as much as Shaoke.

With all changes complete, some professionals couldn't help but cheer. After a few days of rest, everyone busied themselves once more.

They had to carve sufficient magic arrays on these peaks, as these arrays would ultimately become crucial defensive measures for protecting the settlement. Shaoke, Mage Roman, and the others all participated.

The construction work lasted ten full years, and by the end, the entire settlement and a ten-thousand-mile-wide radius were planted with trees and stocked with magical beasts, forming a man-made forest. By then, all the Ninth Tier Professionals had gathered here. After some thought, Shaoke also moved Mage Roman and the others to live here. His family was looked after in turns by Lan Wei'er and Anling'er.

Shaoke's Wandering Alliance, under the leadership of the Blue-robed Female Mage, resided on one of the peaks, where dozens of other Wandering Alliances allied with the Blue-robed Female Mage were gathered.

Most of the Ninth Tier Professionals gathered here spent their time in the gigantic mage tower atop their respective peaks. This tower housed copies of all the alliances' books and records of information images discovered by professionals through their communion with the heavens. Studying these over long periods was greatly beneficial. At regular intervals, everyone gathered in the tower for lengthy discussions on magic, sharing their understanding of various spells.

On the peak where Shaoke was located, there were three hundred wandering organizations. No single organization held authority over the others; matters were usually decided collectively. Though this took some time, no one minded, as there was little difference between acting quickly or slowly, especially for these long-lived professionals.

Atop the white, expansive mage tower, under an active defensive spell, two mages—a man and a woman—floated. Fierce winds mixed with snow and clouds slammed heavily into them, each impact making the female mage sway, while the male mage merely adjusted the angle of his outermost shield and remained barely motionless.

Long, jet-black hair reached the feet of the male mage, who had his eyes closed and held a black staff, appearing very mysterious. The female mage wore a black robe, topped with a black cloak embroidered with countless magic scripts and arrays. She too had black hair, though shorter than the male mage's hair. In her hand, she gripped a bizarre staff, over a person's height and as thick as a baby's arm, topped with nine beast heads. Their horns formed a strange framework, at the center of which burned a green, oily flame.

At intervals, the green flame would suddenly burst, then drift out of the protective spell, forming a strange pattern in the air. But under the strong wind, the pattern sometimes failed to take shape before being blown apart. At such times, the female spellcaster would struggle with her willpower to control the flame, drawing it back to her staff's top.

Each time she did this, a large amount of flame escaped her control, drifting in the air for a while before, lacking willpower and mana support, quickly dissipating. After another magic hour of this, the female spellcaster, pale-faced, moved to the male mage's side and said something without another word. He nodded, and she returned to the tower, while the male mage remained suspended with eyes closed.

"How do you feel?" When the female mage had just returned to the top of the tower, a White-robed Cleric quickly cast healing spells to aid her recovery. "Anling'er, is Xueye going to stay up there a while longer?" the White-robed Cleric asked after the healing was done. "Didn't you tell him it's been over ten days since he last ate?"

The female mage was Anling'er, the child of Shaoke and the maidservant from years ago. Her complexion now looked much better, the disturbance in her meditation space caused by great willpower depletion having subsided. "I told him, but Father said he needs to stay up there a bit longer. Next time I go up, I'll definitely persuade him to come down," Anling'er, once stern, now gave a slight grin as she hugged the White-robed Cleric's arm and pressed her, "Are you missing Father?"

The White-robed Cleric, who seemed around thirty, gave Anling'er a mock glare. Having lived here for nearly a century, her daughter's personality had changed greatly, now daring to tease her. "That's not something you should be asking. Go see Moyu'er and Hegel; they've been waiting for you downstairs." The White-robed Cleric ruffled Anling'er's head, then waved her hand, returning to their own settlement, as Moyu'er and Hegel were waiting for their sister to teach them some magical knowledge!

Watching her daughter leave, the White-robed Cleric glanced once more at the male mage suspended above, then sighed and turned away from the top of the massive tower. She also had tasks to attend to and couldn't stay long waiting for her husband. Though she dearly wished to, work forced her to go. She truly didn't know when she'd see him next. She and Mage Roman hadn't been intimate with the male mage for more than a month. For these carefree female spellcasters, that was a terrible situation. They disliked going so long without conversation or other activities, as it often left them feeling lonely.

After the White-robed Cleric left the tower's top, a powerful, almost physical psychic energy suddenly descended from the male mage in the air, piercing through the tower carved with countless magic scripts and arrays. It lingered for a while where the White-robed Cleric had stood, then returned around the male mage.

This nearly physical strand of psychic energy quickly traced patterns around the mage, forming a strange image that hung silently in the air. Then, under the mage's control, the image spun rapidly, emitting tiny silver lights. Though these specks escaped the protection of the defensive magic array, the male mage's strong willpower still kept them suspended in the wind. After over a magic hour, the image formed by willpower vanished, leaving only countless silver specks in the air. After the mage controlled them for a long time, they quickly merged into his body, entering his meditation space.

Once inside, they flew to his altar. The arcane fire burning on the altar had no effect on these specks, and over a dozen wild beasts in the altar eagerly devoured the silver lights. After they finished, the mage began his routine inspection of his meditation space, a necessary task for mages.

The land formed by the Nine-Serpent Array rotated slowly, imperceptible to most mages who were not deeply familiar with their own space. The male mage, Shaoke, our protagonist, had only noticed this rotation decades ago due to his strong willpower and the silver light.

If the mage was willing to expend a great deal of mental and magical energy to follow the rotation, each full turn of this Nine-Serpent land brought vast amounts of image information and strange fluctuations. The volume of recorded images was enormous. And each time the mage sensed those strange fluctuations, his meditation space underwent subtle changes. He only noticed that each such fluctuation made his space purer and sturdier. In his experience, sensing one such fluctuation was more beneficial than ten days of deep meditation.

Of course, one full rotation of the Nine-Serpent array took nine real-world days, during which the mage had to continuously follow the rotation with his willpower and mana. Any interruption meant no images and no mysterious fluctuations beneficial to him. This was a rule he discovered after countless experiments.

The mage did not expend effort to follow the rotation now, as he had done that while suspended in the air. Instead, he processed the newly sensed images and then, following his usual order, probed his meditation space.

Now, his meditation space was crystalline, the entire land appearing as if made from countless crystals. Magic scripts and arrays diligently absorbed the mental and magical energy in the air, tempering the land and the mountain beneath the altar. Star-like magic scripts in the sky also shone down beams of light, further hardening the space.

After a detailed check, he focused on the altar. Earlier, he had only observed the wild beasts swallowing silver lights, not examined it thoroughly.

His altar was now covered with hundreds of types of magic scripts. After absorbing enough mental and magical energy, they flew off as before, wandering through the space. At this point, four of the eight layers of the altar were filled with spiritual liquid. When all layers were full, the land would fully crystallize, and only then could the mage qualify to advance to a Tenth Tier existence.

Scattered soul fragments in the altar had mostly dissipated over time, though a small part had been swallowed by the wild beasts. After checking these fragments, he withdrew from the meditation space. Without plants to refine soul energy, the fragments would completely dissipate in his space over time. Fortunately, he had prepared enough souls long ago, enough to support the technique he learned from ancient texts.

After exiting, the mage continued floating with eyes closed. Though he hadn't eaten for over ten days, fruits replenished his energy, so he felt no hunger. Spells formed quickly before him, then dissipated under his control, even ninth-tier spells. He could easily create and dismiss them, a feat achieved over centuries in this new settlement, at the cost of working without rest for tens of days. This often drew complaints from Mage Roman and the White-robed Cleric, but they didn't stop him, understanding his reasons: strength, to survive better in this world—nothing more.

A day passed, and Anling'er returned, floating beside him as before. At intervals, she released her flame to control it, a practice from her class change to Ancient Fire Controller. Though she could no longer use other types of attack spells, her formidable power still easily killed her enemies.

Shaoke watched his daughter and, noting she lasted longer than before, praised her. Then he followed her down to their home here. Awaiting him was Mage Roman, who had been informed and was waiting silently in their room.

Their home on the peak was not a mage tower but an ordinary wooden structure, simple yet spacious, strengthened by the artisans' high skills. After a century of snow and wind, it still stood firmly on the peak.

His two wives and children, except Lan Wei'er, who managed the family, were all gathered here. Moyu'er, now a Seventh Tier Mage, clung to his arm like her mother when he arrived. The gentle White-robed Cleric and Anling'er brought delicious dinner and wine. Grown-up Hegel added logs to the fireplace, then asked his father some questions after he sat. Following ancient customs, they dined. Throughout, Shaoke kept his eyes closed, giving the impression of blindness. He had lived like this for decades.

After dinner, his daughters cleaned up, and the White-robed Cleric and Mage Roman rested beside him on long chairs. Young Hegel, also a Seventh Tier Mage, received his father's blessings and asked more magical questions, which Shaoke gladly answered. Then his daughters returned, and they chatted about light topics for no more than two magic hours before Shaoke sent them to their studies. Though they were strong spellcasters, to him, they were still children needing guidance.

"Father, I plan to leave soon and travel to the capital of the Barbarian Empire to gain experience," said Hegel, who looked very young, inheriting his mother's golden curls. His handsome face had made him popular with young women during past travels. Shaoke had intended for him to take over the family after reaching Eighth Tier, freeing Lan Wei'er and Anling'er from those duties. Of course, if Lan Wei'er preferred to continue, Shaoke would establish a new family for her—but only after she married.

Shaoke thought for a moment. "Stay with your sister Lan Wei'er until Anling'er relieves you. Only then can you leave." He added, "When do you plan to go?" He needed to discuss with the Cleric and Mage Roman to prepare essentials.

"Father, I've already told Mother. I'll leave tomorrow," Hegel said. He disliked this life surrounded by powerful professionals with rigid, ancient ways—the young mage's nickname for them. He feared staying permanently would turn him into one of them. That his sisters and mother hadn't changed, he attributed to their frequent departures with his father.

Shaoke fell silent, and Hegel grew tense, turning to Mage Roman and the White-robed Cleric for help, worried his father would impose more demands. But Shaoke's response set all fears aside.

"Hegel, once you're ready, you can leave. Remember, once you leave this settlement, you are no longer known as part of the Snow Night Family. You must face any dangers or troubles alone," Shaoke said, patting the White-robed Cleric's arm. "We won't protect you as before. Remember, you are now a powerful spellcaster."

Hegel thanked his father and ran off to pack. Moyu'er, close to him, went to help, since girls were more meticulous and could prepare things better. Shaoke discussed other matters with Mage Roman and the Cleric. They decided to wait a while and then visit their holdings in the northern Misty Forest of the Blue Feather Empire.

That night, the three passionately embraced, and the next day, they sent Hegel off. The departure was noted by the Ninth-order beings on patrol.

"Maybe we should escort him partway? There are many high-level magical beasts here. I worry he might not handle an accident," the White-robed Cleric said anxiously, glancing at Shaoke, but he didn't agree. Mage Roman comforted her instead.

She smiled, smoothing the Cleric's windblown hair and putting her hat back on. "Don't worry, Hegel left alone last time, and he was only a Sixth Tier Mage then," she said, pulling her own hat tight to keep snow from falling inside. "Besides, he's hunted several Seventh Rank magical beasts here, and even killed two Eighth Tiers recently."

Only after Hegel's figure was fully hidden by snow-covered trees did the White-robed Cleric relax. Shaoke then told his two wives to return to the wooden house to check on Moyu'er and Anling'er. They had also wanted to leave with their brother, but Shaoke stopped them, as being together wouldn't help Hegel become independent.

The two female spellcasters kissed Shaoke and went inside, while he floated up, releasing his willpower to scan. He wanted to ensure his son reached the mountain's foot safely, where the chance of encountering high-level beasts was lower.

For a whole day, Shaoke floated in the air, tracking his son's progress. Only when Hegel reached the base the next day did he return to his room.

Not because he wished to stop observing, but because a guest had been waiting in his room for a long time.

From the natural fluctuations emanating from the guest, Shaoke quickly identified her as the leader of his Wandering Alliance, the Blue-robed Female Mage. She was chatting with the four women in the room and, seeing Shaoke enter, performed a greeting before explaining her visit.

"Mage Xueye, I plan to go with you to the Misty Forest soon. I want to take a break outside," she said, handing him a few books to continue deciphering. Shaoke nodded, taking them. She had helped build their holdings in the Misty Forest, so he had no reason to stop her. He told her the departure date.

He then carried the books back to his room. Moyu'er quickly followed, ready to prepare supplies for her father.

"Father, let me come with you this time," Moyu'er said. She was currently undergoing a lighter form of seclusion, following the Roman Family's methods, and could still travel. But later, she wouldn't have that right and would have to fully focus on her studies to advance to Eighth-order beings. "I don't want to stay here alone." Entering the room, Shaoke sat cross-legged on the bed, nodding in agreement. Moyu'er happily hugged him, kissed his forehead, and asked for his blessing before bustling around.

She quickly organized the scattered books, added three or five firewood branches to the fireplace, wiped the glass window carved with magic scripts, filled a copper pot with water, and placed it on the rack. Then she quietly watched Shaoke, who had entered deep meditation. After nearly half a magic hour, she sighed softly, gently closed the door, and returned to the living room, where the Blue-robed Female Mage was still chatting with Mage Roman and the others. She listened quietly.

Half a magic hour later, Shaoke awoke from meditation. The copper pot on the rack hissed over the fireplace flames. He poured himself a cup of water, then sat by the fire, beginning to decipher the spellbooks the Blue-robed Female Mage had given him.

These books were compensation from the Maple Leaf Empire to her. After decades of study, Shaoke had finally learned, with the help of scholars from other super empires, the obscure script used in them, enabling full comprehension.

A complex gesture, accompanied by strange incantations, condensed into a milky-white eye floating in the air. After spinning a few times, it shot a beam of light mixed with countless particles. Had an Archer observed with the naked eye, they'd see the white particles were formed of countless magic scripts. As these merged into the book, the content rapidly appeared in Shaoke's mind. This deciphering method, obtained from the memories of divine avatars, he had recorded in his family's magical records as a legacy.

One by one, the ancient magic scripts were deciphered by the mage, and the spell traps and illusions on them rapidly dissipated under the effect of those milky white light points. In just a single magic hour, the mage had interpreted several pages of content.

This was already many times faster than the methods he had used before, and his consumption had not increased much. Of course, this method of interpretation could only be used by eight-rank spellcasters.

Just as the mage was engaged in his interpretation work, Mage Roman and the White-robed Cleric, who had sent the others off, also arrived here. After finishing their own lessons, they removed their robes and lay down on the bed. "Xueye, take a rest first; I want to discuss something with you," she said, patting the spot beside her, motioning for the mage to come over.

"What is it?" the mage asked, placing a bookmark in the spellbook and sitting down. "Is it about the Blue-robed Mage?" Shaoke caressed the female mage's soft skin, then lay down and embraced his wife.

Mage Roman let out a comfortable moan and slightly arched her chest, allowing the male mage to caress her more easily. "She wants to marry one of the female mages from her family to Hegel, but I didn't agree; I just said I needed to discuss it with you." As she spoke, her body suddenly tensed and she convulsed violently because the cleric beside her had also joined in the caressing, which made her very uncomfortable. The male mage teased her for a long time before finally entering Mage Roman. Thus, the three of them talked about some matters while entwined, then fell asleep exhausted. The male mage in particular, as he had not rested for a long time and had expended a great deal of energy today, needed sleep to recover.

In the following days, the mage temporarily abandoned his contemplation of the continent formed by the nine-pointed star magic array, instead devoting most of his time to interpreting the magic books. Moyu'er intensified her studies, not wanting her current laziness to increase the time needed for her future secluded cultivation. With the cleric's help, the mage Roman also researched special spell-like structures that could be carved onto robes, hoping to further improve the quality of everyone's magic items.

Among them, Anling was the most relaxed. She only spent some time managing the magic materials and certain herbs in the huge mage tower; the rest of her time was spent freely flying in the mountains, either teasing the captive high-rank magical beasts or picking natural magic materials and herbs.

Just as the Blue-robed Female Mage had said before, after this strange outpost was established, a large number of valuable medicinal herbs and magical plants appeared in the forest spanning tens of thousands of miles around within just a few decades. Although these species grew tens of times slower than those artificially cultivated in the mage tower, they grew naturally and their effects were much better than those of artificially grown ones—especially the precious herbs. Of course, their growth rate was still somewhat faster than that in other places. Just slightly faster.

Through interpreting the books given to him by the Blue-robed Mage, he learned that this phenomenon was entirely due to the strange huge magic array carved during the construction of the outpost. As for the most fundamental reason, those books did not record it. Although the mage Roman, Shaoke, and others had conducted research, they still did not know the specific cause. Fortunately, no one was in a hurry; they simply recorded the issue in detail in the family's list of questions, waiting for the passage of time to slowly study it. The mage believed that if their generation could not figure it out, someone would surely do so tens of thousands of years later.

Sometimes Anling would casually scatter seeds of medicinal herbs in the forest, and she would also set up spell wards to protect those precious herbs and magic materials. This time, she had just discovered a small yingluo tree, and she quickly used the scroll given to her by the Blue-robed Female Mage to release the ward inside, protecting it from being damaged by magical beasts. Of course, she also left her own mark there to intimidate powerful eighth-rank magical beasts from plundering its fruits. As for ninth-rank magical beasts, she was not worried, because those at that rank already possessed some simple intelligence and knew what they could and could not touch.

As for the cleric, she found a relatively flat spot on the mountainside and began researching some crops there. Of course, this research was just her hobby, since the Maple Leaf Empire had given them enough precious crop seeds to support the use of the Wanderer family. Naturally, if she could develop something better, it would benefit the family even more.