Chapter 127: The Mechanical Wizard

The Red Marsh was a vast and boundless wasteland that seemed to stretch into infinity. As far as the eye could see, it was nothing but a muddy expanse overgrown with wild grass, making every step an arduous struggle. 

However, more perilous than the treacherous terrain was the lingering sorcerous radiation from an ancient war. This place had once been a battlefield where Wizards waged devastating conflicts, and to this day, the residual magic still cast a dark and ominous shadow over the entire region. 

Beyond that, the dense water vegetation concealed unknown dangers perhaps ancient creatures long in slumber, lying in wait for unsuspecting prey to stumble into their deadly traps… 

For Lynn and Darwin, though, these threats were not the primary concern at least not yet. Both possessed the ability to fly, allowing them to bypass most dangers directly. 

The real issue was that Darwin's armor relied on sunlight to replenish its energy. 

And the Red Marsh was a land of perpetual darkness. 

Due to the lingering effects of ancient wizardry, thick, heavy clouds loomed over the sky, forming an impenetrable canopy that completely blocked out the sun's rays. 

After departing from the Atlas Mountains, Lynn, and Darwin had flown for about half an hour before reaching the edge of the Red Marsh. 

The journey had begun under a bright, clear sky, with the sun shining overhead. But as they neared the Marsh, the weather took a sudden and drastic turn the once radiant sky now churned with ominous storm clouds, as if they had stepped into an entirely different world. 

The two had no choice but to stop at the Marsh's outskirts and take advantage of the last remaining sunlight to recharge Darwin's armor. 

Seizing this opportunity, Lynn recalled everything he knew about the Red Marsh. 

The Marsh was unimaginably vast, spanning an area that could encompass over a hundred kingdoms the size of Elruia. 

More importantly, it had been the primary battleground of the war between the Black Wizards and the White Wizards in the southern region. Its danger level far surpassed that of the Atlas Mountains. 

After all, the mountains had been merely a secondary battlefield. 

In ancient times, a powerful Wizard had unleashed an earth-shattering spell that tore open the land, leaving a colossal, gaping chasm in the heart of the Red Marsh as if a blade had carved a deep wound into the earth itself. 

That abyssal rift was Lynn's destination: the Nightmare Rift. 

In other words, the Nightmare Rift was encircled by the Red Marsh. They had to traverse the Marsh first before they could reach their goal. 

"The Nightmare Rift is one of the most important gathering places in the southern region," Lynn murmured, eyes blazing with determination. "Several neutral Wizard cities are located there…" 

Hope ignited in his heart. 

As long as he could reach one of the neutral cities within the Nightmare Rift, he would finally be safe! 

Even a powerful Morning Star Wizard wouldn't dare act recklessly in those cities. 

As long as he remained within city limits, he could take advantage of the protection they offered, focus on his cultivation, and steadily increase his strength. 

For Lynn, everything was finally falling into place he only needed a secure place to train. 

Over the past half-month, his strength had surged dramatically. He had fully absorbed the Divine Blood Pill, successfully increasing his mental power to forty points! 

At the same time, thanks to his innate talent, he had finally grasped the fundamental properties of "General" energy particles and successfully initiated his studies into the Laws of the Void! 

Now, all that remained was to master the Art of Unwavering Command and the Art of Metamorphosis. Once he combined them to create the first-tier defensive wizardry Tranquility of the Void, he could attempt to break through and become a full-fledged Wizard! 

Once he ascended, his power would undergo a qualitative transformation! 

More importantly, his lifespan would increase, and his status would rise. He would finally secure a place in the world of Wizards! 

Even in a brutal place like the Spirit-Eye Furnace, where apprentices were treated as expendable, full-fledged Wizards still commanded respect. That alone spoke volumes about their standing. 

As Lynn pondered his future path, Darwin's voice called out to him. 

"Alright, Lynn, we can move out now… but…" 

Clad in his armor, Darwin stared at the bleak, overcast sky ahead, hesitating for a moment. 

Lynn spoke calmly, offering him a free lesson in the supernatural. 

"While most of the sun's rays are blocked by the clouds, some light still manages to penetrate. Otherwise, this place would be pitch black…" 

"As for your Sunstone Armor, it will still recover energy just at a slower rate, not completely halted." 

Darwin's eyes shone with admiration as he listened. 

With that settled, the two resumed their journey, flying deeper into the Red Marsh. 

Outside the Red Marsh A Storm Rises 

Half an hour after Lynn and Darwin had disappeared into the Marsh, a dark figure descended from the sky, landing with a thunderous crash. 

His black robe billowed wildly, and a surge of violent sorcerous energy exploded in all directions, sending muddy water splashing across the Marsh. 

It was the same Wizard who had pursued them from the Atlas Mountains the Wizard of the Furnace of the Stone! 

"Damn it!" 

The black-robed Wizard's gaze was ice-cold as he glared toward the depths of the Red Marsh, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent. 

"During their escape, those two must have used some unknown method to drastically increase their speed…" 

"If I hadn't pushed myself to the limit, I would have lost them completely! But now… I've been closing the distance!" 

A sinister smile curled at his lips, his expression filled with chilling intent. 

He was more than eighty percent certain those two were the targets of the bounty! 

"The Red Marsh…" 

He narrowed his eyes, studying the land shrouded in darkness, his gaze growing even colder. 

"This place is far more dangerous than the Atlas Mountains." 

"Even a first-tier Wizard must tread carefully here. I'd like to see how you manage to escape this time." 

Boom! 

The moment he finished speaking, his figure vanished in an instant, leaving only a dark afterimage. 

Like a raging storm, he charged into the Red Marsh, relentlessly following the residual traces left behind in the air! 

The scent was growing stronger… 

Closer and closer! 

.......................... 

Inside the depths of the Reed Marsh, tangled aquatic plants spread in all directions, and a lingering poisonous mist blanketed the land in eerie silence. 

A giant toad covered in warty patches lay hidden within the grass, its entire body motionless as it concealed itself with utmost effort. 

Its tongue trembled slightly, coiled like a spring, ready to lash out at any moment. Deep within its pupils, the surrounding scenery was reflected, as it waited patiently for the perfect moment to strike its prey with a fatal blow. 

A single lick from its venom-coated tongue could feel an elephant in mere seconds. 

However 

A violent gust of wind suddenly erupted! 

Boom! 

A blue figure descended from the sky like a shooting star, tearing through the air in an instant. 

The storm-like winds swept across the land like razor-sharp blades, uprooting the grass in one swift motion and even sending the massive toad hurtling through the air! 

In the next second, that blue figure had already dashed deeper into the marsh, leaving behind only a scene of utter devastation in its wake. 

The blue armor shimmered with radiant runes, glowing streams of energy flowing across its surface. 

"Davin, you just said… someone has locked onto us?" 

Lynn clung tightly to the armor. His physique, though only at a mere three points, made him as steady as a rock even at high speeds, he remained unaffected. 

His tone was calm, but his gaze sharpened slightly. 

"And they're approaching at an extremely fast pace?" 

Davin's expression shifted, his eyes fixed intently on the detection feedback displayed on his armor. A hint of panic seeped into his voice: 

"Yes, Brother Lynn! The armor has already detected someone closing in on us at an incredible speed…" 

Davin's voice wavered slightly, clearly unaccustomed to handling such situations. 

But Lynn understood that no matter how dire the situation, staying calm was paramount only with a clear mind could he come up with a solution. 

"Who's chasing us? Could it be someone from Furnace Stone?" 

Lynn's gaze darkened. He was well aware that he had escaped from the Mirage, meaning the people of Furnace Stone had likely marked him. 

Being hunted down by them wasn't surprising. 

However, there was something odd about this situation. 

They had spent a long time traversing the Atlas Mountains, yet if it truly was Furnace Stone pursuing them, they should have been caught much earlier.

But strangely, it was only after entering the Reed Marsh and flying some distance that Davin detected their pursuer… 

Just then, Davin suddenly let out a startled cry: 

"Brother Lynn, they're here!" 

Lynn's pupils contracted sharply, and every hair on his body stood on end. His Echo of Vitality was already surging, and Yfgríd within his mental domain was prepared to strike at any moment! 

Yet before Lynn could react, a clear, melodious voice like the chirping of an oriole rang out from the skies: 

"Which squad are you from? You've been outside the assessment zone for quite a while now. Did you get lost?" 

The voice drifted through the air leisurely, carrying a tone of casual curiosity. 

Lynn was momentarily stunned. 

He had carefully observed those from Furnace Stone before not a single one of them was a woman. 

So why was he suddenly hearing a woman's voice? 

A few seconds later, a flying vessel appeared in the sky, silently approaching them.

The aircraft was around twenty meters long, its exterior dark gray, blending seamlessly with the clouds as if equipped with some sort of stealth technology.

Its sleek, streamlined design minimized air resistance, while multiple jet nozzles at the bottom still emitted faint traces of residual energy. 

At a glance, it exuded an overwhelming sense of technological sophistication! 

Having already adapted to the ways of this wizarding world, Lynn couldn't help but feel a tinge of astonishment at the sight of such advanced technology. 

"Hm? Wait a minute why is your model so outdated? And why is someone hanging onto it?" 

The flying vessel's hatch slowly opened, and a graceful figure leaped out. 

It was a woman, her brown hair flowing freely, her eyes burning with intensity. 

She had a tall and slender frame, her tight-fitting combat suit accentuating her curves. Every inch of her exuded an air of efficiency and raw power. 

Her lips pressed together slightly as if in thought, her star-like eyes filled with suspicion and scrutiny. 

Yet, Lynn's focus wasn't on her figure at all. 

Instead, his attention was locked onto the barely perceptible energy radiation surrounding her! 

Without a doubt, this woman was a fully-fledged wizard! 

Lynn's heart sank slightly. 

He had no idea what "assessment" or "squad" she was referring to. 

But his time spent in Furnace had taught him one thing: in the presence of a true wizard, apprentices had no rights, especially in a lawless wilderness like this, where a wizard could swat them away like mere insects. 

Thus, Lynn swiftly adjusted his expression and responded in a calm, steady tone: 

"I am a wandering wizard heading to Nightmare Rift. I have no idea what you're talking about." 

At the same time, he covertly controlled Yfgríd, allowing his Echo of Vitality to slowly release an aura that mimicked the energy radiation of a fully-fledged wizard! 

From a distance, Lynn now appeared to be surrounded by a faint veil of magical energy, indistinguishable from a true wizard! 

-support me on Patreon for more chapters, 120+ chapters in there

patreon.com/LordoftheReader