968 - 976

Desert Tribe

A gruesome massacre unfolded by the lake in the grassy plains.

A group of strangely dressed men on one-humped camels attacked the group of adventurers. They wore the trademark attire of the desert, white, loosely fitted robes with a scarf wrapped thickly around their heads, revealing only a pair of wolf-like eyes.

With a whistle from the leader of these camel riders, his men encircled the adventurers, where some of them had even drawn their bows.

Looking at this turn of events, the expression on those adventurers took a turn for the worse.

They were already lacking in numbers, without even mentioning the high-grade equipment being used against them.

"What are they saying?" The female wizard Allerie asked the assassin after casting a few layers of defensive spells on herself.

"They said that… We have intruded on their land, and must use our blood and lives to wash away our sins…"

The assassin leader face darkened as he hurriedly explained, "We're in deep trouble, these are the desert tribes. The original inhabitants of the western desert, and this is the place they call home. They also possess a strange ability for casting curses."

"Hacaree! Hacaree!"

The desert warriors immediately rushed forwards and released the arrows nocked.

A few bamboo-thin warriors leapt high in the air, brandishing sabres with gems embedded in them as they slice downwards in an beautiful arc.

"Good timing!"

The assassin leader shouted as he struck with the dagger in his hand.

An icy blade flashed past as many of the desert warriors fell of the ground, the sabre in their hands shattered into pieces like dancing butterflies.

"Head! How can you strike first and even deal such a fatal blow!"

The other adventurers looked on in disbelief at the leader.

"We don't have a choice…" The assassin smiled wryly, "'hacaree' means don't leave anyone alive…"

However, they did not have the leisure of conversing moments later. The desert tribe leader hopped off his camel and dashed towards the assassin.

*Peng!*

A thick and bulky saber whistled through the air, and the gale force brought upon them made the assassin somewhat apprehensive.

*Clink!*

"Howling moon art!" The assassin howled and clashed his dagger against the sabre. A surge of qi dispersed into the surroundings, leaving countless pits on the surface of the desert,

*Shing!* Just when the two blades were about to clash, a blade from the desert leader's body flashed. Another small dagger appeared in his hand and he thrust it directly at the assassin's eye.

"Secret technique — Dual Serpentines!"

"Leader!" The female wizard cried out as she pointed with her index finger which glowed and shouted, "Mage Sword!"

An illusory blade appeared in midair and deflected the fatal blow from the desert leader.

"Damn it! Get lost!"

In this situation of life and death, that assassin too unleashed all his might and roared. The muscles on his body began to bulge and very soon, he had turned into a smaller version of a giant.

The dagger in his hands now exerted a larger force, which sent the desert leader staggering backwards.

That desert leader cried in a high pitched tone and hopped away as nimble as a swallow, her eyes clear as water.

"A woman?"

This assassin felt the back of his neck tingling. His carelessness almost had his eyes gouged by a woman.

"Leader, what now?"

At this moment, the arrows fell like rain, throwing the rest of the party into disarray.

"Gather by Awar's side, we will break from the encirclement. Allerie, concentrate and support if needed!" The assassin gave his orders.

"Hah! Berserk!"

The party member Awar was the group's berserker and meatshield. He produced a low grunt and the muscles on his body bulged.

"Bull's Strength! Bear's Endurance!"

Allerie, on the other side, had also added multiple layers of buffs which glowed.

"Hah! Kill!"

After entering berserk mode, Awar seemed to change into a human tank with the shield in his hands, sending many of the desert warriors flying with blood momentarily.

"Wodarnike! Arberdoniya!"

The female desert leader gave a few commands and directed her men to rows of defense. It seemed as though as she did not want to stop until this group of adventurers were dead.

"Your opponent is me!"

The assassin inhaled deeply, before a layer of battle qi was imbued on his rustic dagger.

In the face of peril, this assassin had shown his most tenacious side. He decided to engage directly with the enemy's leader, buying time for his teammates.

*Shing!*

The female desert warrior did not say a word. Instead, she crossed her sabres and unleashed her explosive force.

Her body seemed to leave behind an afterimage as she dashed towards the assassin. Her attacks came from all directions, her arms seemingly boneless in their flexibility.

"Hng! Scorching gale blade!"

The assassin shouted coldly. With his eyes blazing, the blade in his hand formed a gale which matched the power of a sandstorm, parrying the attack of the female warrior.

"Ooh… There are actually martial art techniques in this area…"

Leylin leisurely watched on from the air, applying a layer of illusion magic around him.

"That female warrior is nearing the strength of a Legendary, but her technique is at the legendary rank! The desert tribes do have some talents… This group of adventurers are in danger…"

Leylin's estimates were extremely accurate. In a situation where one was in an unfamiliar setting with a smaller number of people, the disadvantage could not be made up by just a sudden burst of strength.

*Thud Thud!* Yellow sand flew in the air. Facing against a berserker like Awar, those desert warriors chose not to engage head on, but to ride their camels, dragging along multiple metal chains behind them.

*Peng! Peng!*

The furious roars of the berserker carried on, yet he was still trapped like a bug in a spiderweb, and could only resist to no avail.

Some time later, the berserker's roars grew softer, and his physique turned back into the original size, looking dispirited.

"Not good, his berserk mode has ended!"

Looking on, Allerie went forward and shove a spiritual force potion down Awar's throat, her face filled with worry.

Even with the resolution of the assassin, he could not help but be demoralised looking at the current circumstances.

"Hmm… If there aren't any reinforcements, then most likely this group of adventurers will perish here…"

Leylin concluded while in midair, "However, their backup has arrived…"

Leylin's face turned solemn as he looked at a direction, pulling his distance away, as if somewhat apprehensive.

While he had used illusory magic to cover his tracks, he was still very likely to be discovered if someone of the same rank was here.

*Zoom!*

At this moment, in the direction where Leylin was looking at came a very hazy and loud noise. It sounded like the chirps of a thousand birds, and thunder from the sky.

*Boom!*

A bright starlike object appeared in broad daylight, with a dazzling afterimage as it shot over with a whizzing noise.

When the object drew closer, it was made out to be a thrown spear. The friction it produced while speeding through the air had turned it a bright red, as if it was going to melt anytime.

This scene could only be made out with Leylin's visual prowess. As for the desert tribe, they could only see a dazzling light shooting towards them, piercing several warriors and camel at the same time, finally landing before the female leader of these desert warriors.

*Clink!*

Against such an attack, the desert leader face turned solemn. She withdrew both her hands and crossed them, into a jagged cross symbol.

*Bang!*

A loud explosion sounded as steam rose from the ground, followed by the smell of rust.

After the dust and sand had settled, the female desert warrior was no longer there, only broken bits of the sabre were scattered around where she stood.

"Uwuuu~~"

As if receiving some sort of order, the sand tribe immediately turned their backs and fled, not lingering for one bit.

They retreated quickly and in the span of a few breaths, no one from the sand tribe could be seen, only flurried tracks from the camels remained.

"It's our lord! He's here!"

Allerie squealed, as the assassin and other members heaved a sigh of relief.

"You guys are late!"

A giant, metallic arm reached for the spear as its owner spoke in a booming voice.

He had curly, wine-red hair, and a silvery unibrow. The expression on his face was extremely stern, commanding respect and intimidation.

"Our apologies! Lord Rogero, there were some circumstances on the road…"

The assassin's face turned slightly pale and spoke in a soft voice.

"Also, thank you for saving us, my lord…"

Allerie's eyes held a tinge of adornment, but Rogero did not care the least.

"You bunch of useless creatures! Such a simple matter and you already can't deal with it…Moreover…"

Rogero's gaze seemed dazzling to Allerie, as he looked from her face down to her belly, causing her to turn red.

"You were being followed and no one knew it, you group of fools!"

Rage began to replace the puzzled look on Rogero.

"Hn? Followed? No way, I…"

The female wizard looked blankly at the spear pointed at her, feeling flabbergasted.

Soon after, she was stunned as she looked at her hands.

The original jade white skin now was covered in thick tumors filled with pus. As those tumors erupted, it caused her to wail loudly.

*Sssii!*

White smoke rose from the body of the female wizard, and her blood-curdling screams struck fear into the heart of others. When the smoke had dissipated, the female wizard no longer stood there, but only a puddle of pus left on the sand.

Frostfall

"What…What happened? Allerie…she…" The assassin stared blankly ahead.

"What a venomous spell, is it a curse-type magic or a poison element spell?"

Rogero squatted by the pool of pus, his expression extremely solemn.

"Right after I discovered a trace, it was decisively broken? The killer behind this is extremely cunning and cold-blooded… It'd be a worthy opponent…"

"Allerie! Allerie!"

Only realising what had happened now, the members all cried out in anguish. Especially Awar, who knelt to the ground, and seemed to have suffered a mental breakdown.

Looking on, the assassin sighed. He had long since knew that Awar had feelings for Allerie, but the female wizard had only set her sights on strong people, which left Awar feeling rather dejected.

But now, the two of them will never be together.

"Is this a venomous curse-type magic by the sand tribe?" The assassin asked as he looked at the sand that left no corpse behind, a chill running through his spine.

"It's very likely not the sand tribe, but the person that had followed you before you entered the desert!"

Rogero shook his head, and the spear in his hands whizzed in a whistling sound.

"Let's go! We can't waste any more time on this. The prophesied event is about to happen… We must reach Snowfall Valley before then…"

"Yes, my lord!"

The assassin and the rest did not have any objections, and very soon set off on their journey.

Only the sizzling pile of pus remained, as if reminding someone that it was once the life a high ranked class which had perished.

...

"Rogero?"

Leylin walked out from the darkness in the distance. "I've heard of this name before, he is a legendary that specialises in using spears. Having a high reputation amongst the western region, I never thought that he'd be here today…"

"The gathering of weeping crows and the blood moon… It's soon approaching. I wonder how many experts who are blinded with greed will still be coming…"

Leylin raised his head and looked in the sky as he muttered, before vanishing from the spot.

At this point, he no longer needed a guide.

Because Frostfall Valley was in fact the sacred grounds of the sand tribe, which they had protected for generations.

When he appeared again, Leylin had entered the oasis. He looked around at the mess on the ground and picked a sand tribe corpse from it. Very soon his eyes had flashed with various memory fragments.

"So it's there…"

Spells which could retrieve memories were already considered rare, but this skill to do so from a corpse would shake the world.

After getting the information he needed, Leylin formed a giant scorpion with the sand and looked towards a direction.

He then sat on it and with the point of his finger, the sand scorpion began to sprint towards the direction as if it had life within its body.

...

However, after arriving at Frostfall Valley, the ongoing scene still left Leylin somewhat flabbergasted.

Corpses! Corpses that filled the area for as far as the eye could see! Many of the sand tribe members had numerous injuries on the bodies. Their faces carried rage, and even utter fear.

It seemed like there were traces of a castle, but right now it had been destroyed by a powerful force and reduced to just a rubble.

"This doesn't seem to be the style of Rogero and his men…"

Leylin stroked his chin, and looked at a pair of corpses that had died while fighting each other. The sand tribe warrior had a malevolent expression, as he gnawed off the throat of his opponent. The other party had plunged a dagger into the sand warrior's skull, and his eyes were still moist, as if he had planned to sacrifice himself to kill his opponent. However, there was one thing that could not escape Leylin's eyes.

"The aura of death… Is this a necromancy-type magic?"

Leylin reached his hand out and grabbed a black gaseous matter above the corpse.

"It seems like a necromancer came here and raised the undead to wipe the forces of the sand tribe here…"

A necromancer! It was a sub-class of wizards, who fervently delved into the research of the physical body and spirit. They dealt with corpses everyday and in the dark, they engaged in the research of souls which was a taboo. Their presence was unwanted second only to arcane wizards, but were still outcasted the same.

However, a truly strong necromancer had prowess much stronger than peers at the same level. Their summons of the undead would be enough to trample and annihilate kingdoms.

"To crush the sand tribe here with an undead army, this necromancer is very likely a Legendary too…"

Leylin inhaled a deep breath and followed the trail of destruction into the valley.

The further in he walked, the more he could see traces of a bitter battle. Occasionally, there were a piece of bone lying on the floor, seemingly from a broken undead skeleton.

After entering the middle section, Leylin saw several figures.

In the middle section of the valley was a huge field, as if the core of the sand tribe. It was now a mountain of corpses.

Several figures stood facing each other, seemingly in a confrontation.

Rogero and his men were inside. Leylin even saw that Legendary monk that he felt apprehensive about!

The monk shifted a corpse into the ditch. The corpse had a soft body and eyes clear like water. Her eyes spoke of the desire to live. It was the female desert leader from earlier, but now all signs of life was not found.

"Someone else is here!"

Leylin's arrival roused the attention of others. They observed him with wariness in their eyes.

Naturally, Leylin did not reveal his true features, but to use the image of Kukulkan. He wore a mask and dressed in black robes. His appearance was the manifest of evil.

A faintly discernible trace of divine force surrounded the area, preventing all sorts of detections and probings.

"What an intense demonic aura!"

Rogero gripped the spear in his hands tightly, as faint sparks of lightning flashed at its tip.

As for the monk, he put down the task he was doing and looked at Leylin in a hostile manner.

"Haha… I never thought that it'd be someone from our camp!"

Although there were several groups of people standing on the field, it was distinctly divided into two sides.

The monk, Rogero, and a few paladins drew close to each other, which was evident that they had formed a camp together.

As for the other side, they were a few powerful people who were alone. Most of them chose to mask their appearance like Leylin, and exuded an aura of evil as well.

However, on the contrary of the opposing camp, the good alignment, these people did not trust each other as much and maintained their distance from one another.

The person who spoke was a purple haired woman who carried a snake headed whip with nine falls. Behind her stood several powerful people who too took up a very large headcount.

"I'm Evida, and I welcome you my friend. I wonder who you are…"

The purple haired woman's eyes were filled with doubt. After all, the number of Legendaries were limited, and she should have recognised him. However, the vibe that Leylin gave off to her was extremely foreign, and dangerous!

This piqued the curiosity of the woman.

"If I'm able to bring this Legendary stranger to our camp, our divine god will definitely give me a handsome reward…"

As she thought of this, her eyes were only more coquettish, and even her words sounded as if they were honey-coated, intoxicating and tantalising.

However, Leylin did not bother with her at all. Instead, he chose to walk to a corner and give off an unfriendly vibe.

"Damn it, is he blind?"

Evida could only curse him, and doubted her beautiful appearance.

"Well… Now that we are opposing each other, there are simply no benefits to be gotten!"

Evida stared furiously at Leylin and stood out to speak to the good alignment camp. "That skeleton demon has already entered the deeper parts. Do we have to fight here and let it take all of the benefits?"

Evidently, the evil faction still held the upper hand with numbers despite their lack of trust in one another.

"We're here to capture the skeleton demon Illyrio. The floating city is not our concern!"

The leader of the paladins was a middle aged man wearing shining armour. He made his declaration in a low voice.

Even paladins had to learn to compromise. If they, at this moment, begin to shout things like 'eliminate all evil', the only outcome would be them being grinded to a pulp by the evil alignment.

"Cough… We want a certain item from the floating city!" Rogero said.

"Very well! Although there are certain conflicts of interest, but it doesn't mean that we cannot mediate! Why don't we enter the floating city, and obtain the items we want to our own capabilities?"

Evida suggested.

It was apparent that none of these people here wanted to take action with the absence of a tangible benefit.

When two parties have close to equal strength, coming to an agreement was a common matter.

Even though the opposing camp had not mentioned a word, the legendary monk quietly made his way to the deeper parts of the valley after burying the corpse.

"Hng!"

Evida snorted cutely with a satisfied expression, as she brought her men deeper in. The two parties too began to make their way in.

Leylin followed casually behind the group and continued his thoughts, "Skeleton demon? Eeriole? That powerful Legendary? I never thought that he would be here too. It seems like the castle earlier which had been reduced to a rubble was his doing…"

Judge

This was a lich! They were the pinnacle of necromancy, having abandoned their bodies and split their souls to obtain some degree of immortality. Some extremely powerful liches were even strong enough to face gods!

Skeleton Lich Illyrio was someone Leylin had heard of before. Rumour had it that an accidental leakage from one of his soul experiments had contaminated and killed half a kingdom! The paladins had put him on the wanted list, and he was an extremely vile existence that had to be wiped out at all costs.

'Not all legendary necromancers are liches, but all liches are legendary necromancers… His movements make him seem like he's a high-ranked legendary, above rank 25…' Leylin immediately marked the lich as the biggest threat to his operation.

Evida looked around, suddenly asking, "The Dead Sea scrolls passed down by our church indicate the floating city will appear deep in Frostfall Valley. Do you have any more information?"

The group sunk into silence. Even if they had possessed the information, it wouldn't be revealed so easily. Rogero was the one who spoke in the end, "We have information from the esteemed diviner Frederic, our location is even more vague…"

"Then things are going to get troublesome… Illyrio has a partial inheritance from ancient arcanists, and probably knows more about the floating city than we do. He might even have entered the dimensional fortress already…" Evida bit at her lips.

'Hm?' Upon seeing this, Leylin shook his head inside, 'Seems like they don't have accurate information either. Looks like I'm the one that knows more…'

He couldn't help but recall the time and location he'd decoded. It would be when the black crows cried out to the bloodmoon, within the Frostfall Valleys slanting to the east of Cygnus.

"It's about time…" Leylin looked up, gazing into the horizon. The sun descended slowly, the light dimming. The temperature of the region dropped, as was the norm in the western desert. The daytime sun could roast people alive here, and the night could freeze them to death. Few could survive besides some like the sand tribes.

'It's the right month and time. The location is slanting to the east of Cygnus? Based on astrology, that should be…' Leylin's eyes twinkled as he immediately calculated the precise location of the floating city. 'If the skeleton lich obtained an arcanist inheritance as well, he should be lying in wait there…'

"Since we know that it's deep within the Frostfall Valleys in general, how about we split up in our search?" Evida suggested at that exact moment.

"Mm, sure." Rogero and his group of powerful elites from the good faction naturally didn't want to mix with an evil person like Leylin. They immediately agreed.

The legendary monk showed his intent with action as well. Numerous figures scattered as they cast many detection spells, everything dazzling Leylin.

Just as Leylin planned to head in a certain direction, an aroma travelled over as Evida followed close behind Leylin, "What is it? Do you wish to head that way, my lord?"

"Mm, I'll take a look. The floating city will create a huge ruckus when it appears anyway, anyone will be able to find it within the valleys…"

Leylin would always decline invitations from this woman who might have been connected to the gods.

"But the people who enter first will still have better chances. Or am I wrong?" Evida's beautiful eyes were trained on Leylin as she spoke, hinting at something.

"Do you intend to go this way? I can leave it to you…" Leylin rolled his shoulders back nonchalantly.

This attitude caused Evida to feel doubtful.

"Hehe… How could I steal your path? I was just joking…" She twisted her beautiful hips after she spoke, leading her powerful group away. It caused Leylin to blink. 'Has this woman discovered something?'

*Rumble!* All of a sudden, something happened! Bright, brilliant holy light rose from a direction, filling the skies and brimming with holiness and righteousness.

"Illyrio, accept punishment of justice!"

A thick voice travelled all over, holding within a steel determination.

"It's a paladin, and a legendary one at that!"

Leylin and other evil ones had terror showing in their eyes as if they had met their natural enemy, while staring at the silver rays in the sky.

"It's the Judge!" "Quick, go there! He's discovered the lich!" Other paladins cheered as they twisted the blades of light in their hands. As if trying to threaten him, they glanced over a few times like children that could now rely on their parents.

Evidently, once their legendary judge took care of Illyrio, they definitely wouldn't mind wiping out this evil that was Leylin.

"Keke… Felbard, I see that you haven't died yet…" The sound of a cold snicker could be heard. A dense wave of dead spirit clouds covered the skies that even the holy light could not penetrate through.

*Roar…* Along with the intense dragon roars and terrifying dragon aura, a tremendous bone dragon with two heads revealed a bit of itself from the clouds.

"Die!" The legendary paladin exclaimed, body burning with holy flames as the sword in his hands turned into a pillar of light, breaking the dark clouds apart.

The dead spirits spread out, revealing a crystal skeleton with a black robe. The lich now stood at the head of the ancient dragon, and with a wave of his hands, countless bons appeared to form a bone shield with skeletal decorations, withstanding the paladin's sudden attack.

"It's him! Illyrio! That must be the place where the floating city is about to appear… Go!"

Immense energy undulations alarmed all of those powerful existences as they darted towards the place where the battle was.

"Damn it… he's so unprofessional at hiding. I was planning to lead a few away…"

Leylin sighed inside and headed in Illyrio's direction. That was the exact opposite direction he was planning to go towards!

Leylin had intentionally made a wrong choice, hoping to cheat a few of the strong beings. Unfortunately, the appearance of this legendary paladin had spoiled his plans.

"On this day… nobody can obstruct me!"

After announcing something so huge, the fire in Illyrio's eyes blazed brighter as he extended his palm made of bones and caressed the head of the bone dragon.

[Legendary Skeletal Strengthening!] [Boost to Legendary Pet!]

Berserk spell rays were launched at the bone dragon. *Roar!* It burst out in an earth-shattering, angered snarl, and its terrifying dragon breath was launched, corroding everything in its way.

"A legendary dragon's breath?" After seeing the attack, the legendary paladin immediately looked grim and covered himself with a milky-white armour.

[Holy Light Protection]!

[Holy Light Cross Slash!]

A cross of pillars of light rose in the air, colliding violently with the bone dragon's breath and began to be consumed rapidly.

The terrifying storm from a battle between two high-ranked legendary beings finally caused some fear amongst the surrounding powerful beings.

It was only at this moment that they remembered the reputation of the skeletal lich and the legendary paladin.

Of course, there were also some who proceeded forth fearlessly, and obviously those with similar strength.

"Even the pet is a Legend? As expected of a high-ranked one!"

Leylin moved forward unhurriedly, getting closer and closer to the centre of the battle. Terrifying waves of wind swept through the area, but that did not even result a crease in his clothing.

"You are indeed powerful! I'm sorry, but I think I might need your help later!"

Evida now looked extremely grim. The black-robed people behind her all came in front while taking turns to block the stray ripples from the battle. After seeing Leylin dealing with the situation without issue, she immediately drew close to him with a charming smile.

"My goal is also the floating city, so there's no way we can work together. The spoils won't be easy to split…"

Leylin apathetically shook his head to reject her.

"You never know. My target isn't the entire floating city. Besides, the people there will need us to work with them to cope…"

Evida's serpent head whip pointed at the paladins and monk ahead, looking relaxed.

"Hm? Crap!"

However, at this moment, Leylin's expression suddenly changed as he retreated by a large distance.

"What's going on?"

Evida looked puzzled, and soon felt a surge of spatial force crashing to her body, causing her to be sent flying while coughing blood.

The few black-clothed beings in front of her had been burnt to ashes under the immense force, and nothing was left behind.

*Rumble!*

The lich and paladins who were in battle in mid-air simultaneously stopped, and then flew back by a large distance.

A powerful spatial storm that formed a tornado began to wreak havoc on the area.

Leylin looked up at the moon in the sky, which now had a bloody-red creeping all over it.

"When the black crows cry out to the blood moon! It is time… The floating city will soon do a spatial leap here. I never expected the storm formed before the appearance would be so violent…"

Shadow City

"It's the floating city! My floating city is finally about to appear!" The skeleton lich Ilyo burning gaze was fixed on the core of the spatial storm, the fire in his eyes blazing brightly.

*Rumble!* The air trembled and the earth thundered, and the Frostfall Valleys lamented as if unable to take on the pressure.

Whether those of the good or evil factions, they all gazed up after retreating a large distance, watching the miraculous scene of the appearance of the floating city.

The stars that filled the skies seemed to lose all their lustre, and it was as if a supernova was born in the sky as a star more dazzling than any other descended, enveloping the world with colour.

*Bzzt! Bzzt!*

Terrifying spatial undulations spread in all directions and in the blink of an eye created a gigantic and deep pit in the ground. The shadow of a dimensional plane loomed over, as if there was a single point of it trying to fuse with the prime material plane!

Even while it was a tiny dot, that was only in comparison between the sizes of two worlds. The tiny point that linked the two unceasingly increased till it formed the figure of the floating city!

This was a large base that was a hemisphere. The shadows of the roofs of many buildings could be seen, forming a large human city.

In the Nether Arcanist Era, the floating city not only was the main area for arcanists, but also a large city and social hub. It could easily fit a hundred thousand people without it getting crowded.

The four elemental plane seemed to have opened a special energy channel as immense energy surged and whistled forward.

It was as if the end of the world for the western desert. If not for there being few people here already, there might have been a terrifying catastrophe or deaths here.

...

After goodness knew how long, the astounding storm finally dissipated, and everything calmed down.

A dark shadow was projected to the ground, hiding the glow from the stars and the moon.

Leylin looked up and found a large shadow. This was the base of the floating city. This immense and vast city had now completely descended into the prime material world!

Watching the large body of the city as well as the bright arcane runes, the whole world seemed to stop breathing.

Deathly silence! In that moment, even the Legends on the ground sunk into a temporary silence.

"Keke… my floating city!"

Ilyo was the first to react, riding his bone dragon mount and pouncing towards the city.

"Dream on!" The legendary paladin obviously could not just watch as he got to the city and soared up high as if stepping on air, body moving rapidly.

"We're going too! That's the floating city, and the only one in the World of Gods! It's the crystal of the Nether Arcane civilisation…"

Other legends also began to get restless.

...

In that moment, within the floating city where nobody seemed to be around, sparks flickered within a certain control room. Lights gathered to form flower elves that were around ten centimetres tall.

The little faces now looked stiff as they spat out in a robotic tone, "Dimensional leap completed. Damage to floating city at 1.77%. Energy consumed at 75.99%. Activating maintenance procedures."

After which, a glaring red alarm sounded as a layer of screen projections showed Ilyo outside.

He had his bone dragon pet fight against the legendary paladin while he headed towards the city, and was right about to enter the city's territory.

'Discovered intruder. Strength at grade A3, determined to be high-ranked Legendary. Activating energy membrane… Beep! Energy membrane damaged at 52.33%, unable to be activated. Changed to automatic defensive mode. Activating magic missiles with automatic calibration and firing.'

With the commands from the intellectual core, the armours at the sides of the floating city opened up to reveal steel cannons that were like a beehive. In that instant, the floating city turned into a large porcupine!

'Target calibrated. Launching magic missiles!'

*Boom!* A boiling hot white energy of pillar whistled as it shot out of the cannon, arriving before the skeleton lich in a moment.

"Oh, shit."

The skeleton lich somehow managed to show immense fear on his expression.

*Tzz tzz!* After the glowing white rays, there was no sign of the lich left whatsoever.

"It- it can't be! That's a high-ranked Legend!"

The terrifying might of the cannon finally scared off the greedy Legends. Only then did they remember what made the floating city so terrifying.

"This is only the automatic cannons without a legendary arcanist working it. The most powerful dimensional cannon of laws and pure energy defensive membrane has yet to appear…" Leylin gazed up at the floating city that was showing off its strength, the fervour in his eyes becoming more obvious.

"But… that bone dragon hasn't disappeared. Seems like Ilyo isn't a high-ranked Legend for nothing…"

Leylin noticed this and slowly retreated without leaving traces behind.

*Whoosh…* Now, white light flickered. A layer of bone powder turned into a gale and blew by the area Ilyo had disappeared.

The ashes from his bones converged to form a crystal skeleton.

"Tsk tsk… thankfully, I still had a substitute. This amount of strength is as expected of the floating city…"

Ilyo floated in the air but no longer had the guts to just enter. He used the joint in his wrist to and used his palm to support his chin, the fire in his eyes dimming.

"It's getting difficult… Even with the dimensional leap consuming most of its energy reserves, just the least powerful automatic defences can't be broken through by a legend as long as the intellectual core exists… If I don't obtain control over the floating city soon, the personifications of the gods will definitely strike out… Things will be troublesome then…"

Ilyo gritted his teeth, "It's a pity that I only obtained a portion of the inheritance of the arcanists and didn't become one. If not…"

At this moment, the floating city produced a loud rumble.

WIthin the core control room, the personification of the core that were the flower elves had screens that appeared before them, gathering images of the people below.

'Beep! Discovered arcanists! Activating transmission mode. Starting spell formation to receive them!'

Numerous screens shifted till they locked onto two beings. One had a silver mask and looked extremely mysterious, and it was Leylin, who was planning to make his move!

The other was actually Roglo!

*Rumble!* With the sound, a bridge of light shot out from the top of the highest building of the floating city, landing on Leylin and Roglo who were caught unprepared.

With a flash of light, the two disappeared.

"Huh? What's going on?"

Evita froze.

"Crap, the two that disappeared should have been arcanists! The master of the floating city must have set up a certain procedure for his legacy. Only when arcanists appear will the floating city take them in and even transfer the authority to control it!

Ilyo now looked very anxious.

"What do I do? What do I do?"

Just when Ilyo was gritting his teeth, a new situation broke out at the ground.

"I have no choice… god!"

Evita closed her eyes, and the next time she opened them, there were now a pair of dark golden eyes. A tremendous might had descended into her body.

"The personification of a god has descended! So she used the method of having the god possess her body!"

"Has a god already found out about this place? How quick!"

"God!" The guards Evita had brought along, who were lucky enough to survive, quickly knelt.

"We can't let other organisations get control of the city! They've activated a spatial channel, which means there's a hole in their tight defences! I'll send you right in, so find it at all costs!"

'Evita' spoke unhurriedly, and a faint goddess' image appeared behind her.

Mighty divine force turned into a terrifying wave that swept those black-clothed people into the city.

The consumption like this must be terrifying, because once all this was done, Evita passed out and crumbled to the ground.

"Now's the moment. It's a good chance!"

Making his mind, a rhombus-shaped red-blue metal tile was shattered and formed spatial force. This allowed Ilyo to go along the gods' tears and enter the city.

Dazzling divine force rays flickered on the legendary monk and paladin, allowing them to enter the floating city.

"Is this… the inside of the floating city?"

Leylin's eyes blinked open as he took in his surroundings.

"Yes! Welcome to Shadow City, where the flowers of the Nether Arcanists never wither!"

A flower elf projected itself in front of him, flapping the translucent double wings behind it as it surrounded Leylin.

"Congratulations, Arcanist! You have obtained a chance to inherit the floating city and all knowledge of the mighty Great Silver Hand!"

"Chance?"

"Yes. As two have been determined to be qualified, one of you will inherit the floating city!"

The flower elf spoke primly, obviously carrying out the will of the original master loyally.

"Speak. What is to be done?"

It was impossible for this intellectual core to go against its procedures. Besides, this floating city was not a ruins of the past, and since the flow of information and firewalls were still intact, using his mind and the A.I. Chip to invade it would be just stupid. This was why Leylin went straight to the point.

"This is the floating city's core energy room, and also where the Mise energy core is…"

The flower elf showed an image. This was within an empty room, where there was a floating ball emitting lights that showed the heat it emitted.

Test

"This is your current location!" The fairy showed Leylin a map, indicating his current position within the floating city.

"You must compete with the other qualified person. The first to reach the power room will obtain the authority over the Mise energy core. That will allow you to take control of the floating city and get control over the core…"

The fairy's bright eyes were trained on Leylin, voice robotic, "Please take note. Master has set up various hindrances along the way, and… Because I do not have enough power, a few invaders have entered the floating city…"

Scenes flashed and separated into smaller squares, allowing Leylin to see the skeleton lich, legendary paladin, monks and other people.

"Have a few worms snuck in as well? With the floating city's own defensive strength, there should be a few specific methods or gods acting in the shadows that allowed them to break through the outer defences of the city."

Leylin grinned, thinking back to Rogero who had also been chosen.

"I never expected this… a legendary with a reputation for his combat skills also has the strength of an arcanist! Rogero, you've cheated a whole continent… Pretty good… but unfortunately, you met me!"

Even if it was just a conjecture, Leylin knew what the floating city's master had planned. It was definitely something to do with testing the power of arcanists.

He was now a legendary arcanist. Even in the Netheril era, he had about the same strength as the master of the city, which made him qualified to enter the arcanist elder union and obtain his own floating city. He was obviously unafraid.

On the other hand, Rogero too had become a legendary based on his combat skills. However, even with training hard in private, his arcanist ranking wouldn't be that high.

In this area, Leylin could overlook his opponent.

"The most important thing right now is to get control over the city before the gods react!" Leylin took a look at the map that the fairy projected, and the A.I. Chip recorded everything before choosing the most suitable route.

"You who are qualified, I hope you can succeed in becoming my master!" The fairy glanced at Leylin's back, and then gradually disappeared…

After walking through a path styled in a futuristic, sci-fi way, Leylin entered a drawing room.

*Chi chi!* Two magic golems that looked like monkeys stood in wait, large robotic eyes shooting out red lights.

"Gatekeepers? Even with the A.I. Chip choosing the most optimal route, I need to pass through at least 20 stages. I need to quicken my speed…"

Leylin did not stop walking and walked in between the two puppets, figure disappearing into the path.

After he left, the two magic golems exploded into pieces… At the other side, Rogero was advancing quickly, his lance emitting terrifying qi as he ripped a steel door apart.

"An opportunity! The best opportunity!"

Rogero's eyes blazed, "I've hidden my arcanist inheritance for so long, and I finally have this chance! The floating city will definitely be mine…"

At this thought, the image of his competitor showed up in his mind as his emitted a bloodthirsty air.

"I must get the floating city. All who get in my way must die!"

...

Compared to the test that the two of them got, the other invaders were treated poorly.

*Boom! Boom!*

"There's so much wealth from ancient civilisation, and every single item is priceless. The price of one would be enough to purchase half of a large city. Why do you still keep chasing after me?"

Ilyo turned and yelled, sounding distressed.

"Destroying evil is the role the heavens have given to me. Did you think mere greed over wealth can confuse me?" The paladin looked resolute as he followed behind relentlessly, causing the skeleton lich to have to run tirelessly and feel annoyed.

Usually, he could just turn back and fight three hundred rounds with the paladin. With the floating city and remains of historical civilisation for him to explore here, having to waste his energy on fighting caused Ilyo to feel his heart bleeding.

"Just you wait…" He knew that paladins had brains like concrete, and could only come up with ways to eliminate him.

"Beep! Detected invader. Automatically activating defence mode. Activating metal golems!" Once the two entered a plaza, a robotic voice sounded out. A large gate suddenly opened as a puppet with armour walked out. Many energy fields surrounded it, causing the skeleton lich and paladin to sense immense danger. They could not help but stop in their tracks.

"It's the metal golem! The legendary golem!" The lich sounded as if he was sighing in awe, "Such a high-ranked golem is the top secret of the Netheril arcanists. Wizards now can't create imitations of it…"

*Boom!*

After this, however, the skeleton lich could no longer laugh. The golem instantly vanished in an instant, and the next time it reappeared, it was behind Ilyo, large steel fist aimed at his head.

"So fast! It's almost like instant shifting. Is this really a golem?"

Spells flashed continuously at Ilyo's body as he quickly set up several bone walls, the bone spurs and bone lances shooting towards the key areas of the golem and bringing with them great gusts of wind.

*Crackle!* The many attacks reached the defensive surface layer of the metal golem and created sounds like rainfall, and then scattered.

*Rumble!* *Ka-cha!* The golem cared not for these attacks and raised its huge fist, preparing to strike at the bone wall.

There was a huge whistling sound in the air, and the bones flew everywhere. A defence that a lich had formed with all his strength actually was completely destroyed under this attack!

*Boom!*

By the time the legendary paladin arrived, all he saw was the lich embedded into the wall. He was perfectly 'printed' onto the wall, neck twisted at a very odd angle. If he was alive, he would long since have died.

Even if he was a lich, the fire in his eyes had dimmed quite a bit, and he was evidently gravely injured.

"You monster full of evil! Prepare to be judged by justice!"

Upon seeing this, the paladin heaved a deep sigh of relief, both hands raising the large sword that signified light and judgement.

'Beep! Enemy discovered!'

However, before the paladin's sword could fall, a metal golem had already arrived behind him, electronic eyes emitting dangerous red rays.

For legendary metal golems, there could be liches or paladins, but all were invaders and needed to be exterminated.

If Leylin had been here, he would have exclaimed 'Such high technology'! Or 'Transformers', but unfortunately, the paladin with an inflexible mind did not have so many stray thoughts.

In his eyes, metal golems like these were not much better than demons of the abyss or devils of hell.

'Beep! Enemy scanned to be model of 'paladin'. Activating extermination plan number 2. Activating extreme gravity engine. Activating nuclear furnace!'

The steel golem made sounds that the paladin could not understand then spread its arms.

*Boom!* The gravity around suddenly increased, and the ground caved in, now seeming extremely solid.

The chest area of the golem opened up to reveal a red hot furnace that rotated in a turbine, producing a frightening whirr.

"What- what monster is this!"

Noticing that his attack at full power had been easily blocked, his exemplary sword that was almost legendary grade melted in the furnace at the golem's chest. No matter how strong his mind was, the paladin now held hints of despair…

A similar scene could be witnessed at various parts of the city. The outsiders who had entered without permission were now under terrifying attacks, and there already were casualties.

After all, the floating city was a nest of the Great Arcanists of ancient times, so how could they just allow enemies to barge in?

At this moment, other 'guests' had also arrived outside the city.

"I never thought even with the consumption from dimensional leaping, the defences of the floating city is still so terrifying. The divine force that the body I'm possessing can amass is nearly depleted…"

'Evida' opened her eyes, gazing at the large floating city while looking expectant.

However, this relaxed look only maintained for a moment. Evida quickly turned to the other side, "Her Highness, Mystra, and others…"

"We meet again…"

A young girl dressed in black walked out from the shadows, having the dignity and coldness that only gods possessed.

She gazed at the empty area next to her, looking hostile.

Golden lights flashed, and numerous orc gods also appeared. They were all avatars, causing fear to appear in Evida's eyes.

For true gods to descend into the prime material plane, there was the most dangerous truebody saintly form, as well as an avatar and possessing a body.

An avatar was a clone formed of divine force and godhood, while possessing a body would require taking the body of a follower.

In comparison, possessing the body might be safe, but the power could not compare to an avatar.

"After the hall meeting of the gods, there have been few gatherings between many gods…"

An elderly being wearing white, scholarly attire had a wise look in his eyes. This was Oghma, the god of knowledge and a powerful greater god.

"After all, this has to do with arcanists and the floating city…"

The other gods all went quiet, focusing on the Weave Goddess, Mystra.

Banishment

"Arcanist civilisation must never be allowed to be revived. That is the bottom line!" Mystra announced first. The many gods who had gathered revealed a tacit understanding.

While they were confident that their avatars could enter the floating city, they were still afraid of the enemy. Who knew if there were traps specifically meant for gods, left behind by the Great Arcanist in the city?

"It's not advisable to go against it for too long. How about we…" However, just as Oghma broke the silence, an astounding change happened in the city.

Dazzling rays enveloped the city and teleportation rays filled the area, causing it to seem translucent.

"Dimensional leap? No, it's a random teleportation. Stop it!" The many gods quickly made their moves, using powerful divine force to form a golden sealing web. However, they were too late. The floating city completely vanished, leaving behind gods exchanging gazes.

...

A while ago.

Near the core power testing room, Rogero stared hard at the blue test tube in front of him, looking nervous.

"The expectations that the Great Arcanist had for his successor are a little too much. Even as a high-ranked arcanist, it's still too difficult to successfully brew the mild blue light potion. Thankfully, I have this…"

Rogero placed a white crystal under the test tube, and in the moment that it made contact with the test tube, the crystal instantly heated up.

"A stabilising potion that increase chances of success by 50%— The dream stone, Sage Abofeld! Success or failure shall be decided in this moment!"

Rogero took a deep breath and placed another pipette at the mouth of the test tube.

"If the potion turns blue, that means it's a success. If not, it's a failure… There's only one step till I get the inheritance…"

Rogero prayed the most devoutly he ever had in his whole life. "Whatever god you are, please bless me! If I can succeed this time, I will become your most pious follower…"

It was unclear if a remote god had favoured him, or if this was luck.

The moment after the pipette dripped a bit of the potion, the entire test tube began to boil.

Thick liquid boiled and kept changing colour, till it stabilised to a faint blue.

At the beginning, the blue was not stable, and Rogero could feel cold sweat beading on his forehead. However, the dream stone that that was like white crystal emitted white rays that enveloped the entire test tube.

The mild blue potion stabilised, and he immediately looked elated, "It's a success!"

He quickly darted over to the crystal door with a large vertical pupil carved in and splashed the freshly-made mild blue light potion onto the eye.

*Tss tss!*

After the potion made contact with the eye, it was as if sponge met water as it was absorbed.

Rogero looked nervous as he waited for the results, feeling uneasy and nervous.

'Beep! Brewing of mild blue light potion is successful!'

Time seemed to pass slowly, but it also seemed to be mere seconds. When the robotic voice sounded, Rogero could not help but give a whoop of delight.

*Rumble!*

The eye rolled and produced the mechanical sound of unlocking. The large door slowly opened, revealing a path straight to the power room.

"Haha… I've succeeded. I've succeeded!" Rogero roared in his excitement. "As expected, there aren't many arcanists left around. That black-clothed person might be an arcanist, but his ranking can't be higher than mine. I definitely was the one to pass the test first, so I'll get full control…"

While looking emotional, Rogero's footsteps never slowed.

The path was short. With his speed, he quickly reached the core power room and saw the Mise energy core that was continuously providing the floating city with strength, floating in the air.

"Haha… as expected, I was the quickest!"

Upon seeing that nobody was around, Rogero could not hold himself back and chuckled loudly.

"Mine, mine! The ancient floating city, the remains of the Great Arcanist and all the arcanists' treasures all mine and mine alone…"

Rogero looked expectant as he headed to the Mise energy core.

He looked moved and greedy as he reached his trembling right hand out.

The fairy appeared nearby, watching on expressionlessly.

"Intellectual core, hand over control to me!" Rogero shouted, "As the master, I'll definitely treat you well…"

*Beep!* The fairy nodded expressionlessly, and the flooring under the Mise energy core opened up to reveal something like a control desk. A purple crystal flickered with dazzling rays above.

"Good job!"

Rogero laughed heartily and his right hand reached forward.

However, just a centimetre away from the purple crystal, something happened!

Glaring rays surged and enveloped his body. These were spell rays from a teleportation spell formation.

The high-ranked legendary arcane spell: Dimensional Banishment!

"No! Mine… my everything…" Rogero looked unresigned as he vanished, leaving behind his voice that echoed in the empty secret room.

"Aha… he took so long to get here. I waited so long…" A transparent human figure walked over from a corner of the secret room. The illusion on his body gradually disappeared. This was Leylin!

He was now yawning, looking nonchalant. "He couldn't even recognise the dimensional banishment trap. Ha, to think he was a high-ranked arcanist. Looks like there's something wrong with his inheritance. I'm pretty sure it's incomplete…

"But even if he recognised it, the way to get rid of this legendary spell is for it to work once. He made me wait for so long…" Leylin looked dissatisfied.

"Only a legendary Great Arcanist like you can detect the arcane spell trap that master set up!"

The fairy now bowed low to Leylin, "While I'd already confirmed that only you, who is also a legendary Great Arcanist, can take over the city that is the glory of the Netheril era, I had to do this for procedure's sake. Please be understanding…"

"It's nothing much… Proceed with the transferring of authority please. There might be more variables from the passing of time…"

Leylin headed to the control desk. The dimensional banishment spell had now been completely removed.

"The Mise energy core… Rumours have it that any item that touches it will be hit with something like a legendary disjunction spell and crumble into numerous particles. How powerful can this be?"

Leylin sighed, right index finger touching the purple crystal.

'Beep! Confirmation of qualified person. Beginning transferring of control.' The fairy cooperated with the operation. Leylin felt that his self linked with the entire city, and that it seemed to become part of his body, and he could even see scenes of the invaders.

[Beep! Obtained control over floating city. Supplementary scan ongoing.]

The A.I. Chip's voice sounded. With its help, Leylin could easily control the floating city. In terms of his proficiency, he immediately reached the level of the original owner.

"The energy reserves are at less than 50%, and there are also divine force undulations detected outside?"

Leylin looked at the report and frowned slightly.

"Fairy, begin preparations to teleport floating city. Activate concealing spell formations and spatial location confusion spell formations…"

Leylin commanded.

"Understood, master! The previous master always called me Shaylin, but you can call me something else…" The exquisite face of the fairy broke out in a smile and carried out his order.

"Also, send me to these locations. I still need to take care of a few worms before teleporting…"

Leylin waved his arms high spiritedly, but at this moment, his expression changed.

A strange beast skin scroll automatically floated from his dimensional pouch. The seals that Leylin had put on had all cracked.

The Mise energy core emitted terrifying energy undulations, creating a pillar of light the size of a thumb at the middle, shining on the scroll all of a sudden.

The energy that could break up all matter did not cause the scroll to be damaged, but the luster on it grew more dazzling as it slowly opened up. It revealed an arcane spell model that was so complicated it was terrifying.

[Beep! Discovered high-rank arcane spell model. To scan?] The A.I. Chip asked.

"Yes!"

With Leylin's order, the A.I. Chip immediately scanned and recorded the model. After which, the scroll seemed to be done with its mission and rolled itself back.

"As expected, this scroll isn't something dead but contains some will of Distorted Shadow?"

In Leylin's tests, the scroll obviously sealed something amazing. If it were opened suddenly, it might result in terrifying contamination or curses.

But now, under the radiation from the only Mise energy core in the continent, this seemed to be the correct way to open it. He had been given a terrifyingly complicated arcane spell model.

"This…"

Leylin took a look at the A.I. Chip's taskbar. As the spell model was exceedingly large and difficult, the effects and abilities still needed time to be deciphered. The only thing Leylin could confirm was that this spell had a very high grade!

"The price for all these arrangements and even giving me my bloodline ability is finally showing itself?"

Leylin looked solemn, but his eyes were now full of bloodlust and violence all mixed together.

"What are you standing there for? Teleport quickly!"

Leylin yelled at the fairy who seemed to have been scared stupid.

Annihilation

Leylin knew the principle of equal exchange. However, seeing some of the tricks Distorted Shadow had pulled on the sly, he was left in a bad mood.

At this moment, he decided to vent all of his anger on the intruders. The teleportation light shone, and Leylin's body vanished. As for the intruders in the different parts of the floating city, they were about to meet their maker!

...

It was a complete mess at the arcane field.

The metal golem's head was missing a huge chunk, and the right arm was ripped off. As for the energy core, it stopped functioning completely.

Even though it stood still, but that malevolent and dangerous feeling still radiated from its body, striking fear into the hearts of others.

"Pant…Pant… Thank you!" The legendary paladin half knelt on the ground in the middle of a pool of blood. He was grievously injured.

"Cough…Cough… Saving someone from dying and banishing evil… Cough cough… Is what we were born for…" This was the monk from before, but his injuries were far more severe. His chest had already lost a huge piece of flesh, and blood flowed from his lips endlessly.

Even with the constant healing spells, it was impossible to restore his body to a fighting state.

"The floating city is really this strong… Just one metal golem and it's so troublesome…" The paladin sighed, apprehension still in his eyes.

He fought a bitter and losing battle with the golem earlier. If not for the sudden appearance of the monk, who used his tough body to take on most of the hits, he would have died a long time ago.

"Hey hey… And me? Why haven't you thanked me…" The crystal head of the skeleton lich began to chatter.

Under extreme danger, he put all past feuds behind him and chose to team up with the other two. After an arduous battle they had won, but this demon was unlucky, left with only its head intact.

At the moment, the paladin gritted his teeth and stood up before walking over. "Banish all evil!"

"Wh…Damn! We were allies mere moments ago, how can you just about face?" The lich began to wail, "Help…Save me…"

In actuality, he wasn't afraid at all. As long as his phylactery survived, he could resurrect after death. It just required a very long time.

"Forgive me. Even if we worked together, to eliminate evil is my calling." The paladin stood in front of the lich, holy light forming a sword in his hand.

"Scram!" Teleportation light flashed at that moment, and the paladin grew stupefied as he was knocked away.

"I'm in a very bad mood right now. Tell me, how do you all want to die?" Leylin walked out in the silver mask, looking at the three injured people like a god of death.

This made Ilyo feel as if he had met a demigod being in the distant past. Intense, overbearing evil that can devour everything whole.

"It's that Legendary from the evil camp, now that he has control over the floating city's teleportation portals, does it mean that the authorisation has been handed over to him?"

The crystal skull on the floor tumbled several rounds before stopping, the dark fire in its eyes stopped flickering.

"What an intense evil… The magnitude now is countless times more than before… Had he just been putting up a front all these while?"

The pupils of the paladin and the monk narrowed, as they tracked the item that they were struck by. It was the decapitated heads of the other contenders inside the floating city!

"You are the only intruders left, after disposing the lot of you I will begin the transfer of authority…"

Leylin's features were hidden under his mask, so no one knew his current expression. Only his pair of eyes could be seen, cold and indifferent, as if it could freeze the soul of one who looked into his eyes.

The evil black light covered the grounds. Compared to him, the aura of the demon seemed like a kiddy item.

"Cough…Have the others been slain by you?"

The paladin coughed, time to time spitting blood from his lips.

"Most of them had perished under the arcane traps. As for the rest, they have been done in by me. It's only you three left…"

An icy killing intent was prominent in Leylin's voice. Suddenly, he appeared behind the legendary monk, "You possess the most threat amongst the three of them…"

"So, let me invite you to go to hell…"

Leylin's right hand seemed to turn into a pair of devilish claws which tore through the hardened defense of the monk, reaching for the heart directly.

"Urgh… Before this trip, I felt the restlessly during one of my meditation… As if some great evil was about to be borne… Hence I followed my heart and was directed to the western desert…"

Droplets of blood dripped down, momentarily taking away the pain seen on the monk's face. He inhaled violently, as if pacing back and forth through death's doors.

"I originally thought that… It was the descent of the floating city, which would bring great destruction to the world. But I know now it's was due to your existence…"

The monk struggled to force the words out of his parched lips.

"Too much nonsense…" Leylin clenched his fist, and the monk's heart was shattered into countless bits.

"Dead?"

The paladin and Ilyo's eyes dimmed, as if seeing something unbelievable happening within minutes.

"Even if I have to ignite my soul, I have to stop the evil in this world…"

The next moment, the monk's eyes which had dulled violently opened, and emitted light rays even stronger than the sun. His right palm now took on a golden hue as he gently pushed out. The force felt even stronger than being crushed by a mountain, and even the air was pushed away. It was unstoppable.

Legendary technique — Vajra's Palm!

*Boom!* The golden palm pushed through the phantom behind Leylin's back and turned the construct behind into smithereens.

"You're not bad huh! Old man, is this the legendary ability — Life After Death? You are indeed a powerful and gifted monk, even after your body is destroyed, you are able to sustain life for a period of time…"

The monk's life was extremely tenacious, and now with this legendary ability, even if his heart was taken and having sustained grave injuries from before, he could still produce such a might.

"Giving your all to beat me huh? Why do I feel like a final boss like the great demon king in the novels of my past life…"

Leylin squinted his eyes, and saw all of the righteousness represented behind the palm of the monk.

"A pity that an attack of this magnitude… It's not enough to hurt me…"

Leylin mocked, as his nostrils flared. "Let me put you into utter despair…"

The floating city can never land in his hands, if not the world will enter even more suffering…"

The paladin now too struggled to get up, "The final holy buff…"

Radiant rays shone on the paladin, and stopped all of his injuries in their tracks. Very soon, a sword made of light appeared on his hands.

"In the name of righteousness…" The paladin held his sword up high, the energy swirling into a violent gale.

"Divine Intervention!"

The radiant sword made of holy light carried the intent of killing as it sealed Leylin's retreat route.

"Blazing Point! Vajra's Palm!"

The monk ignited all of his life force into blazing fuel. The palm which covered the skies seemed to be able to incinerate anything in its path.

The demon Ilyo who was lying at the side had an extremely unsightly expression. He knew that against this wave of destructive attacks, if he was in Leylin's shoes, there would be irreversible damage caused!

"I've already mentioned it… There's no use…"

Under Leylin's mask, there seemed to be… lamentation.

"Right now, I am not someone you guys can oppose…" Against these ultimate attacks, Leylin indifferently raised his hands. "Time…be still…"

*Suuu*

At this instance, the dust stopped in midair, and the air grew thick and dense. Even those attacks which could destroy heaven and earth were stopped.

*Buzz…*

After Ilyo regained his consciousness, he only saw the two corpses of the other two legendary being shattered into pieces.

"That moment earlier…. No, this…. This is an arcane spell at the legendary rank… The divine ability of the legends that can stop time. Only legendary ranked arcanists can cast this spell — Timestop…"

"He is actually a legendary ranked arcanist? Haven't people of this calibre perished a long time ago? Has he survived since the Mise period?"

The dark flame in Ilyo's eyes continuously flickered, as if struggling with his thoughts. The performance that Leylin displayed earlier had scared him.

"I can only stop time in this region… It's still a mile away from fully controlling time. However, power like this is still extremely intoxicating. It is indeed an arcane spell from the limits of rank 8. I could even feel a strand of the laws of time…"

Leylin exclaimed inwardly, before walking to the demon.

"Subjugation, or death?"

"Subjugation? Ahahaha… hahaha, You're very strong, at the legendary arcanist level, and also control the floating city. However, to want me, skeleton demon, one who has a kingdom of undead army, one who has survived three holy wars and participated in numerous holy wars that even gods had transcended and used human vassals… Me, the great demon king, Ilyo, to subjugate? Hahaha…"

As if hearing something hilarious, the mouth of the skull continuously clacked, evidently in a mocking tone.

Phylactery

"Is that right…." Leylin spoke blandly, leaving Ilyo unamused.

Leylin had been of good mind to take him under his wing. After all, this was a legendary expert who could fight many experts at once! He was a treasure trove of knowledge, and a talent in the research of spell models.

Most importantly, he was aligned evil, so there was a possibility of him aiding Leylin.

"Alright… I'll admit that you are very strong, but so what? As long as you're unable to find my phylactery,the most you can do is kill me…"

Ilyo put on a front like a dead pig who was unafraid of boiling water.

"Nope! I can choose to seal you for eternity and prevent you from committing suicide and therefore, resurrecting."

Leylin's shoes stepped on the crystal skull. Ilyo immediately discovered that his connection with the weave had been completely disconnected. He could not even kill himself now.

"Wait a minute…"

Under such extreme terror, Ilyo finally let up. Afterall, being sealed was not a fun thing. Moreover, if there weren't anyone to break to seal later on, it was equivalent to dying.

"Although I could have coaxed you… But you gave me a pretty good suggestion…"

Leylin smiled as he sealed the crystal skull, mockery in his eyes. "phylactery huh?"

As the highest achievement of a necromancer, the lich had chosen to store his soul into the phylactery, and obtain eternal life — as long as the phylactery was intact. Even after death, it could resurrect through the phylactery.

As for the phylactery, it was the most protected secret and the life essence of the necromancers. They would store it in the safest of havens, some even with detection and prophecy-type spells.

To put it in another way, if the phylactery was in the hands of another, the lich would be completely controlled, unless it sought death.

"It's unafraid because of the phylactery huh?"

Leylin stroked his chin. "With the techniques in the world, finding the phylactery of a lich necromancer is extremely difficult. But…"

In the field of soul research, Leylin had obviously surpassed the world of gods' standards. Afterall, he had the accumulation of knowledge from a completely different world.

Moreover, in this demonic life transfer, he saw many familiar things.

'This type of life transfer, together with soul transfer, and also arcanists… No, there are traces of Magus spells in this. It seems like the wizards here have absorbed some knowledge from the Magus World… Although I don't have a spiritual connection to the Magus World, I can still identify traces of it through this clone… Not to mention I have Dreamscape Vision to peer into its most innermost thoughts…'

Leylin now looked at Ilyo in pity. He couldn't kill himself even if he wanted to.

...

Through the Mise core, Leylin teleported into the control room.

"Master!" The flower genie flew to Leylin's side and rested on his shoulders.

"The intruders have been completely wiped, energy required for the activation of teleportation portal is complete…" The flower genie reported in a rather upbeat tone.

"Alright, begin to move! Make sure to mask the coordinates of the space, I don't want those gods to find me…"

Leylin waved his hand, before beginning to operate the teleportation system of floating city. The way Leylin handled the operations expertly left the flower genie blushing.

"Hmm? The other gods are arriving now? Too bad, they're late…"

Leylin smirked at he looked at the screen monitor. He operated the floating city and easily broke through the seals of the gods, disappearing from the Frostfall Valleys.

"He actually got away?" Oghma's avatar looked at Mystra, as a golden light flashed in his eyes. "Prophetic spells are not working, it seems like the person is very used to the functions of the floating city…"

"To be able to control the floating city this quickly, he must definitely be a Great Arcanist! I never thought that someone from the Mise period is still around…"

"It's a problem that you must handle now, Mystra!" The gods broke into fervent discussion, venting their frustrations on the Goddess of the Weave.

Mystra inhaled a deep breath before explaining, "Everyone here witnessed the fall of Netheril. I can guarantee you, not one legendary arcanist managed to survive it…"

"No matter what, this is your job. I hope that you'll be able to handle this matter well…" A golden orc spoke.

At this moment, the other gods were watching on with a degree of schadenfreude. Mystra had always been too powerful, and now that she had suffered a blow, it was time for them to vent their frustrations.

Many of the divine conscients held their discussion in midair before dispersing into different directions, leaving behind Mystra who looked on at the direction of where the floating city disappeared…

...

In a quiet space of void, with boundless darkness surrounding it, the air current whistled violently, as a floating city quietly sat on the turbulent air currents.

This was the outer membrane of the physical world, where many half-dimensions were produced and destroyed. Even gods found it difficult to follow every space that was created in the outer region.

"Shaylin, send me another report of the energy stored and the armoury stock!"

Leylin sat in the control room and asked the flower genie.

"Yes master! Currently, the floating city has 12.77% of energy reserves! The Mise core will be able to regain its lost energy approximately the time of 271 hourglass trickles… Furthermore, there are damages suffered to the external parts of the floating city, and the 23.7% of the firearms are unable to be used. There are two missing legendary ranked golems, and one which is stopped operating as the damage is over 50%!

The flower genie also pulled an image, which was the golem that the legendary ranked paladin and the monk had defeated.

Right now, it had already been returned to the storage and the many golem constructs had been working to repair it, but the progress was extremely slow.

"Apart from all these, there are 3 main cannons which engages in the laws of secondary energy, 347 homing cannons, and 239812 other various cannons. 80% of them are able to function normally, and two of the main cannons have damages amounting to over 20%…"

"As for magic golems…"

"The arcane garden…"

The flower genie displayed every aspect of the floating city, which left Leylin nodding his head in satisfaction.

"This is really a fortress which can rival that of a divine kingdom in its prime… However, it's not as it's full capabilities yet…"

The floating city now had suffered damages and its energy reserves were lacking. Leylin would definitely not choose to use it now to war gods with casualties on both sides.

He had a better use for the floating city.

"Master, that lich has woken now, and kept crying about wanting to see you after sensing something." The fairy reported.

"Oh? It seems like he has realised it, bring him in!" Leylin beckoned.

Seconds later, a golem walked into the hall with loud thudding on the floor. It carried a giant silver tray. On this tray lay a crystal skull, artistic like an ornament, with two dark glows in its eyes.

"Skeleton Lich Ilyo, will you finally subjugate?"

Leylin toyed with a purple-gold coin in his hands as he asked in a teasing manner.

"My phylactery, how could you find…" The lich wailed. He might have very well attacked Leylin if not for the seal.

"Ilyo, I have to admit this is rather clever. You made the phylactery a metal coin of nobility, and even put it in the hands of a coins collector. It took me some effort to find him and to have it handed over…"

Leylin raised the coin in his hand. It was an ancient coin from the previous dynasty, and there were archaic carvings on the edges. The previous owners had kept it with great care, and the reflection of the light on the coin was dazzling. Nobody would believe that this was actually a phylactery of a lich!

Leylin had read some journals of necromancers constructing their phylactery into everyday objects, some even into pebbles at a seabed, that they could never find it again on their own.

While this could prevent their enemies from finding it, but if they were casually picked up and destroyed, their life would be over.

Compared to them, Ilyo's method was much more ingenious. The value of the purple gold coin was extremely high, often representing a hundred gold pieces in the previous dynasty. Now it had become a valuable asset for coin collectors and every of its owners would keep it in a good condition.

However, even after so much preparations, it was futile before Leylin's soul searching method.

"It's not important how I found it… So? Subjugate, or die?"

Leylin added, "Even if you don't agree, I will be able to turn you using the phylactery into a golem. This means is enough to deal with another legendary…"

"If you did that, my lifeforce would be stripped almost to nothing, not to mention that summoning me to the frontlines has the greatest risk of me dying… Do I even have a choice…?"

Ilyo muttered and grumbled, but he still chose to serve. "Great arcanist, master of the floating city! I, Ilyo, will pledge my allegiance to you…"

Distorted Shadow

"Great!" Leylin clapped and removed the restraints on Ilyo. "Since you've chosen to be subservient to me, then we're on the same side. There's no need for a contract or anything like that…"

That's what Leylin had said, but he nonchalantly kept the phylactery into his dimensional pouch under the desolate gaze of the lich.

Compared to any promises, this was the ultimate restraint! With the phylactery, Leylin had plenty of ways to make Ilyo wish he were dead. He knew full well that Ilyo would never dare betray him.

On the other hand, if he were to just give the phylactery back to Ilyo, it was unclear what would happen.

"I will give you part of grade 2 control over the floating city. From hereon, you'll focus on maintaining the arcane gardens and the golems. Shaylin will transfer the information to you soon…"

Leylin waved his hands.

Since Ilyo was now his subordinate, it was natural that he use the lich as much as possible. After all, this was a scholarly-type wizard, and was probably very useful if nurtured.

Ilyo laughed wryly in answer. If this were in the past and he had countless information as well as authority over the floating city in front of him, he would definitely go crazy in his elation. However, if the price was losing his freedom… That was a little too much…

"Understood, Ma- Master!"

"Shaylin!"

After Ilyo left, Leylin commanded the intellectual core.

"While he's submitted already, it's still necessary to monitor him. In addition, if he ever gets near the Mise energy core power room or any grade 1 important areas, I give you permission to kill him immediately!"

"Recorded into main procedures!"

Shaylin looked to have human emotions, but in essence, was an intellectual body formed of a bunch of codes. Her primary goal being to carry out her master's orders, she never hesitated when it came to Leylin's orders.

"Mm. I want some peace now…"

After taking care of all these matters, the floating city was now far from danger and under Leylin's control.

It was only now that Leylin finally had some idle time.

After the flower elf, Shaylin left, it completely went silent. Only the arcane spell lights emitted tender rays of light.

With a flash of silver light at his right hand, the scroll Leylin had obtained from the Netheril Ruins appeared.

"Ancient Distorted Shadow… What do you want…"

The rays from the A.I. Chip shone in Leylin's eyes, "A.I. Chip, how's is the research on this going?"

After getting control over the city, the Mise energy core's tremendous power had seemed to unseal something in the scroll and given Leylin a terrifyingly complicated arcane spell model to him.

Leylin had been using the A.I. Chip to decode it, and only now did he get some idea of what it was.

[Beep! Progress of arcane spell model analysis at 100%. Displaying quantified information.]

After which, the complicated numerical data of the spell model showed itself before him.

[Arcane spell name: Calsas' Avatar. Rank 12 arcane spell (???) Effects: Allows the caster to substitute the Weave Goddess and take over control of the Weave. (Minimum requirements: Great Arcanist, 100% analysis of level 7 Weave.) Description: This is a mysterious arcane spell. With the caster's understanding of the Weave, its might changes. Grasping it allows you to become a powerful higher god in an instant!]

"An arcane spell that surpasses even a legendary arcane spell… Allowing me to become a powerful higher god in an instant?"

Leylin's eyes widened and he stroked his chin, smiling slightly, "Interesting! How… interesting…"

An arcane spell of this grade was obviously not something developed by those great arcanists, but a spell of the Magus World that a peak rank 8 like Distorted Shadow could design.

"This arcane spell model already is out of the domain of arcane spells. It can only be explained with spells from the Magus world. It's at least a powerful rank 7 spell…"

Leylin muttered to himself. Even his main body only grasped one rank 7 spell, which was Alternate World Incarnation, which already had an astounding effect.

"It's at least a rank 7 spell there. If the caster's understanding of the Weave has reached 100% of level 9, that would make this a rank 8 or 9 spell in the Magus World…"

Leylin gasped in awe.

Allowing the spell caster to replace the Weave Goddess and obtain control all of the Weave… What was this?

Based on the rankings of the Magi, that would be like making a Morning Star Magus a peak rank 8 Magus in a moment. That was might comparable to Distorted Shadow, Nightmare King and the Mother Core!

"But… can a frail spirit and mind take on such power? The only probable outcome would be getting control of the Weave and becoming a greater god for a moment, and then dying from the tremendous amount of information and energy being transmitted over. It'll be like a child who decided to touch a high-voltage power grid…"

Leylin now looked grim, "Even if it's my main body of a semi-rank 7 Warlock and help form the A.I. Chip, I'll only barely be able to control the Weave. Due to a difference in my godhood and divinity, my path will be contaminated and be corroded from the conscients of the other gods…"

"But at least I finally know Distorted Shadow's intentions. So he wants to destroy the Weave?"

Even after death, a peak rank 8 Magus still could leave behind a conscient and not disappear even after hundreds of thousands of years. With a slight chance, he could be revived!

Distorted Shadow seemed to have been setting up this plan before and even given Leylin great benefits at the Nightmare Island. That had made Leylin feel very uneasy.

Now, he finally understood what Distorted Shadow had been planning!

His goal was to destroy the World of God's Weave!

"Hehe… You really think rather well of me!"

Leylin knew that besides being a channel for wizards' spell slots, it was also used for the priests' divine spells.

The moment he showed his intentions, he would not only be viewed as an enemy by most wizards, but the Weave Goddess would immediately become his mortal enemy.

The other gods would also not be willing to give up the convenient channel of faith through the weave.

"This meant he would be going against the whole World of Gods!"

"No wonder he chose me! Aside from an outsider like me, even devils or demons wouldn't be willing to do this…"

His eyes twinkled as he grabbed the beast hide scroll.

"Unfortunately… I won't be a pawn for you. If I do become one, I'll do it as the player!"

"Ancient Distorted Shadow… Did you think that your conscient could keep following me in the shadows?"

Leylin spoke in the Magus World's ancient Byron language, voice hoarse and activating a trace of the power of laws.

After which, a formidable sealing force enveloped the hall. This was power he had from controlling the city.

*Hss…*

With immense support from the city and seal from another world, Leylin finally showed off his full strength. A Targaryen figure as large as a world appeared behind him.

*Rumble…* In the remote, faraway Magus World, Leylin's mighty semi-rank 7 body that had been in a deep sleep caused a magnitutde 8 earthquake and opened a slight channel, transferring streams of bloodline force over.

*Hss…*

A terrifying Targaryen with a single horn, devil fleshy wings and and two claws appeared behind him.

There seemed to be slight changes to the Targaryen. There were now traces of dark red fog surrounding it, and its scales were turning dark red. In its eyes that were like stars, there was a blood-red line had seemed to form a third eye.

"Did you think that I wouldn't notice you doing something behind the shadows while I had bloodline power planted in me?"

"Get out here!!!"

Leylin yelled and tossed the beast skin scroll away, his clothes exploding open. Traces of black blood that had been contaminated streamed out from his pores.

A distorted black shadow appeared in the sky, numerous tendrils at ths dies. It seemed to want to hold onto Leylin, but with Leylin's yell and sudden powerful bloodline force, was forced out.

*Xiu!*

There was a sharp whistle in the sky, and the shadow that was Distorted Shadow clashed with the scroll, and then began to burn with phosphorescent green flames.

The flames slowly turned black, and a distorted human figure soon appeared.

"We finally meet… The ancient Distorted Shadow!"

Leylin panted slightly, but he now felt extremely comfortable. Even his soul seemed to have been refreshed, and his connection to his followers' prayers was now more distinct, as if he could produce divinity at any moment.

"Tss… Your body and spirit fuse perfectly with bloodline force, tss.. No wonder the Nightmare chose you…"

Ancient spiritual force sent over this information, similarly using the ancient Byron language.

"Isn't this great? There's no exploitation whatsoever. We're conversing on equal grounds…"

Leylin watched Distorted Shadow in front of him, the Targaryen behind him spitting outs tongue, bloodline force created a dense armour over him.

"Tss tss… Warlock! I need you to destroy the Weave. In return…. I can give you all the inheritances of primordial Magi…"

He seemed to know that Leylin would be difficult to deal with, but more importantly, was aware of the terror of the powerful isolation force of the floating city. He gave up on conspiring anything and proposed a trade on equal grounds.

"Fine, but I will choose when it will be done."

Leylin did not give even an inch, "What is inside the Weave? I can somewhat guess, but I need you to confirm it…"