Chapter 405 None of Us Are Good People

After returning to his own territory, Mage Shaoke saw Mage Roman and the White-robed Cleric busy at work. However, they were not attending to their own tasks but were gathered in the living room, poring over a large pile of books. Shaoke's three daughters were also there, reading.

Seeing Shaoke return, the five female spellcasters seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. They had been worried that Shaoke might have clashed with the people of the Yisage Empire at the Bloody Fortress, leading to unforeseen complications. After a brief recounting, Mage Roman and the others finally relaxed. As for when the Brahmastra family would retaliate, that was not their concern. If their own family grew strong enough, they might even take the initiative to destroy the Brahmastra family completely.

"Are these your family's collections?" Shaoke asked, looking at the books on the table. They appeared very ancient, and he did not recognize some of the scripts. "May I look at them?"

Mage Roman nodded. She was already this mage's wife, so naturally, he was allowed to view these items. "We are currently short-handed to interpret these spells," the female mage said. "These books are of great use to us. If we can decode them quickly, it will greatly benefit the family's future development." She handed Shaoke a thick, large-format book containing methods for training warriors, along with techniques for aura and martial arts. But now, they needed a mage to interpret them.

The necklace contained only a vast collection of books, with no magical materials or magical items. According to Mage Roman, if all the books were taken out, even the hundreds of floors in the mage's tower here could not fully hold them.

In the following days, they continuously selected books to interpret. Each time a book was decoded, it was transcribed. Once a certain quantity accumulated, the mages would send these books to Hegel for his use. This process lasted for decades. At Mage Roman's request, Shaoke also invited the Blue-robed Female Mage to help interpret the books.

Of course, the Blue-robed Female Mage was very grateful for Shaoke's goodwill. Although they were currently interpreting books that were not Shaoke's, the time would come when they would interpret his books. Thinking about the power and glory of the Roman family, the female mage could not help but become excited. Many of these books were original copies from various eras. Each successful interpretation often yielded insights into the spellcasting of ancient spellcasters and even more ancient ones. These insights could indirectly enhance the mages' spellcasting abilities.

One day, while everyone was interpreting books in the room, Shaoke suddenly felt a disturbance in his meditation space. Setting aside his work, he returned to the meditation space. Everything inside was now composed of black crystal structures. The eight-tiered altar was also filled with solidified mental and magical energy. This signaled that he was about to advance. However, he did not wish to do so immediately, as he was currently interpreting an ancient book that contained a minor technique for advancing from the ninth rank to the tenth tier. Unfortunately, the book did not contain a high-level advancement method.

"Mage Xueye, what is it?" the Blue-robed Female Mage asked, putting down her book and stretching as she looked at Shaoke, who had just emerged from meditation. "If you're tired, you could take them outside for a walk." She stood up, indicating that she would go outside for a stroll. Mage Roman, however, remained completely absorbed in her books. Moyu'er and Lan Wei'er looked up, intending to join the Blue-robed Female Mage for a rest, but they also hoped their father would come along.

Sensing his daughters' wishes through his mental strength, Shaoke nodded in agreement. After kissing his two still-occupied wives, he went outside. Having been cooped up in the room for three to five days, the mages felt invigorated by the cold wind. In the distance, the Blue-robed Female Mage leaned quietly against a large tree, her small feet in blue high boots idly kicking the snow on the ground. A stranger would never believe that this female spellcaster was a powerful ninth-rank mage.

Both daughters simultaneously took Shaoke's arm, and they walked over to the Blue-robed Female Mage, standing with her. "Mage Xueye, is it time for your advancement soon?" After a moment of silence, the female mage stood on tiptoe to break off a twig, playing with it. "Are you really planning to use the advancement method of the Violet Family back then?" She leaned her entire body against the tree, looking very weary. Of course, Shaoke sensed something through his powerful mental strength.

The mage nodded, confirming his impending advancement. His daughters were delighted, especially the youngest, Moyu'er. She excitedly hugged her father and called out to him twice, then stood on tiptoe to kiss him. Lan Wei'er, barely containing her excitement, kissed his cheek.

The Blue-robed Female Mage smiled at Shaoke and his daughters. At that moment, Shaoke steadied his two daughters and continued answering her question. "The tenth-tier advancement methods in the Roman family are not much different from those of the Violet Family. Unless we have the bloodline of the Roman family, we cannot use those advanced methods."

Pausing, he added, "But I have already compiled some techniques for advancement. If we use them, I think the success rate will be much higher." He then shared the techniques he had obtained, concluding with, "If that doesn't work, we could trade some things with the Death Mage Corps. I think they would be very willing to exchange with us."

The Blue-robed Female Mage sighed and said quietly, "I can't be sure that the Death Mage Corps will give us good advancement methods. To get them, I think just exchanging books and magical materials won't be enough." After a moment's thought, she added, "I believe they will definitely make us agree to some conditions, perhaps to join them in hunting down some of their enemies."

Her explanation silenced Shaoke's two daughters. They no longer felt the excitement of their father's upcoming advancement to the tenth tier. They had not realized that such a seemingly simple advancement involved so many considerations. At this moment, they gained a new understanding of the efforts their father and mothers had made for them.

The four talked about some other matters outside before returning to the room. It was now dinner time, and the female spellcasters had to prepare the meal. So only the mage remained in the large living room, leaning back in a chaise lounge by the fireplace, reading a book. Soon, various exquisite dishes were brought in by the women. After arranging them properly according to custom, everyone sat down to dine together. After dinner, the Blue-robed Female Mage stayed a while longer before returning to her own room. Of course, she would come back tomorrow morning to help prepare breakfast.

After the Blue-robed Female Mage left, Shaoke did not continue reading other books. Instead, he studied the book on tenth-tier advancement techniques while transcribing its contents onto elemental paper using modern magic script. He was doing this for the Blue-robed Female Mage, hoping that these techniques might help her in her own future advancement. Most importantly, he did not want her to fail in her advancement and die or lose her spellcasting ability. Of course, these were the worst-case scenarios; typically, a practitioner who failed an advancement would permanently lose the chance to advance further, but not necessarily die.

Days passed. After fully interpreting that book, Shaoke did not immediately use the advancement techniques. Instead, he discussed with the Blue-robed Female Mage and gathered all the ninth-rank spellcasters of their alliance. This gathering took place in the great mage tower. Seven spellcasters arrived, while others merely observed.

"These are the five techniques I have mastered for advancing to the tenth tier," Shaoke said, placing five scrolls onto the long table. The Blue-robed Female Mage also took out two scrolls and placed them on the table. She had mastered only two techniques. "I think we should share all the advancement techniques we possess and combine them. That way, our chances of advancing to the tenth tier will be much higher. What do you think?"

"But some of us have advancement techniques, and some don't," Mage Meigan said, licking his lips. "And you've presented many techniques. If we just pool them together for everyone's use, isn't that too much of a disadvantage?" Several other mages expressed similar doubts, but these were all resolved by Shaoke and the Blue-robed Female Mage. Of course, those who contributed more techniques would receive more compensation in the alliance later. In the end, each mage contributed one or two advancement techniques. Although some were duplicates, no one felt embarrassed.

There were six or seven different techniques for advancing to the tenth tier. Over the following period, everyone worked hard to organize and deduce these techniques to apply them all during their future advancements. Of course, some techniques could not be used together. After extensive trial comparisons, they eventually selected a few special combinations. Shaoke was the first to attempt a practical test of these combinations.

The mage sat quietly. The White-robed Cleric quickly cast some auxiliary spells on him. Then Shaoke began meditating using the combination of techniques they had deduced.

As time passed, a layer of solidified energy at the bottom of the altar gradually coalesced into a crystal embedded with countless magical scripts. After forming this crystal, Shaoke continued compressing more solidified energy into it until it could no longer be compressed. That was not the end, however. He still needed to compress a large amount of solidified energy into this crystal until its structure completely matched that of the altar. Only then would he stop. At that point, he would form another crystal block and repeat the process until all the solidified energy in the altar was gone.

When Shaoke emerged from his meditation space, the other ninth-rank beings stared at him intently. "How does it feel?" the Blue-robed Female Mage asked nervously. The cleric's small hands were tightly clenched, as if worried that something might go wrong with the man before her.

Shaoke nodded. "Everything went well. I believe these techniques are entirely suitable for us." He stood up. Forming that crystal embedded with magical scripts had consumed a lot of his energy, but everything went smoothly. He felt that his mental power and magic were slightly purer than before.

Since the techniques were feasible, the others no longer worried about failure rates in future advancements. After discussing some practical aspects of using the techniques, Shaoke left with the White-robed Cleric. He had been staying with the Blue-robed Female Mage for quite some time, and now he had to return.

Life resumed its calm routine. Every day, Shaoke interpreted books and worked on modifying his altar. Such a leisurely life suited him. During this time, he almost forgot that he was once a transmigrator. This peaceful existence continued until, eighty or ninety years later, Hegel sent news from the alliance's stronghold, disrupting his tranquil life.

"Father, recently, some people from the Yisage Empire have been frequently entering our territory. They have killed many innocent civilians. Over a dozen mages from our family who were training abroad were killed by these people. But we lack the strength to oppose them." The letter further urged his father to come and help deal with these enemies if he was willing.

Upon hearing this news, Shaoke closed the book in his hand and turned to the Blue-robed Female Mage. "Why hasn't the stronghold sent any news about this until now?" He recalled the incident at the Bloody Fortress in the Blue Feather Empire eighty years ago, suspecting that everything was part of the Brahmastra family's retaliation. He stood up and adjusted his disheveled robes.

"Those who stayed behind at the stronghold might have thought they could handle these Yisage people," the Blue-robed Female Mage said, frowning deeply. The Barbarian Empire had been peaceful for a long time; there was no reason for war. She then mentioned the incident at the Bloody Fortress. Shaoke nodded in agreement.

"Continue your work here," Shaoke said, pointing to the books, addressing Mage Roman and the others. "Do not leave easily. The Brahmastra family might be watching us."

"Let Lan Wei'er go with you," Mage Roman said with a sigh. She picked up the book that Shaoke had dropped on the floor. She truly did not want Shaoke to leave now, as their interpretation work had reached a critical stage, and in some textual interpretations, they still needed Shaoke.

Shaoke frowned. "After the situation there stabilizes, I will let Lan Wei'er join me. Otherwise, if someone engages me in battle, Lan Wei'er won't be able to help much." Ignoring Lan Wei'er's pout, he asked the Blue-robed Female Mage to take care of his wives, then picked up his staff and left. Tearing open space, he appeared tens of thousands of miles away at the Wanderers Alliance stronghold.

"Tell me exactly what happened," Shaoke said, appearing directly in Hegel's room. Hegel was discussing some matters with his wives while several young children crawled on the floor nearby.

"Father," Hegel said, surprised by how quickly his father had arrived, but he quickly stood up, and along with his wives, paid their respects. Following Shaoke's instructions, he quickly recounted the incident. After listening, Shaoke frowned deeply.

It turned out that these Yisage Empire people did not attack the stronghold directly but instead brutally killed civilians in small towns. This situation had persisted for over a decade. Initially, Hegel had sent guards to fight them, but due to strength differences, they gradually failed to hold them off. By now, the area around the Wanderers Alliance stronghold in the Blue Feather Empire had become the most chaotic part of the Barbarian Empire. A large number of mercenaries gathered there, further worsening the situation.

Shaoke stared at his son, deeply disappointed. A simple problem like this had not been resolved. He wondered if he had made the right decision in entrusting the family to him.

"What ranks are the Yisage Empire practitioners?" Shaoke asked, twirling his staff. "Why didn't you send the death warriors to intercept their harassment?"

Hesitating, Hegel said, "They don't have eighth-order practitioners. The highest are only sixth rank." Seeing his father's displeased expression, he quickly added, "These people often join mercenary groups or even serve as officials in some towns. Indiscriminate killing would make the situation around the stronghold very bad." He stopped abruptly, as Shaoke had interrupted him.

"Notify the other families. Have them gather in the meeting hall," Shaoke said. He went to the meeting hall first and waited. Soon, hundreds of family rulers arrived. Shaoke took out the token representing his authority and said, "Mobilize all the guards from your families. Anyone causing disturbances around the stronghold is to be killed on sight." He added, "Don't tell me they are officials or envoys of some empire. I'm telling you: anyone suspected of causing chaos here is to be eliminated. I don't need evidence. I want the towns around the stronghold to be stable within a month, with no more unexpected civilian deaths."

"But, honorable mage, this would..." A seventh-rank mage stepped forward to object, but Shaoke waved him off. He did not want to hear any dissenting opinions.

"I believe over the past two hundred years, a large number of death warriors have gathered here," Shaoke said, slowly turning his staff. "Hegel, mobilize all of them. Also, write down the organizations you suspect of being under the Yisage Empire's influence here. I will personally lead the forces to destroy them."

Under the mage's coercive orders, everything was swiftly carried out. When over three thousand death warriors stood outside, Shaoke once again felt the scenes of slaughter from his youth.

One by one, mercenary groups were completely annihilated by the mage and his warriors. Anyone with ties to the Yisage Empire was torn to pieces. Three days and three nights passed. The cities beneath the Wanderers Alliance stronghold became a replica of the Bloody Fortress. The thick scent of blood and gore drove everything into madness. Under the mage's orders, anyone connected to the Yisage Empire was killed. Even the city lord was slain by Shaoke and his death warriors, simply because he had married a woman from the Yisage Empire. After that, Shaoke led the death warriors to other places.

With his powerful mental strength, Shaoke also wiped out bandit groups hiding in the forests. Even villages that had supplied food to these bandits were erased by the mage's spells, regardless of whether they had done so out of necessity or other reasons.

Of course, during this time, the imperial capital sent people to stop him. But after Shaoke launched a spell attack, they left, allowing him to do as he pleased. In just one month, millions of people disappeared from the area under the Wanderers Alliance's control. All were beheaded, and the mage used their heads to construct a skull tower on the main road leading to the stronghold. After finishing this, Shaoke gave Hegel some final instructions and then left. He did not return to Mage Roman and the others but went alone to the Yisage Empire.