chsdbacks Chapter 595 Reunion and "Gathering"
Chapter 595 Reunion and "Gathering"
After an unknown amount of time, no new wizards appeared on the ship's surface.
Jemin, who had been enjoying his training with the help of intimidation, noticed some changes.
Looking up, the figures of the level eight wizards were still scattered throughout the sky, but the atmosphere of the entire space seemed to have undergone a subtle change. High in the sky, a huge projection slowly emerged.
It was a faceless figure, composed entirely of pale blue light, with blurred outlines, yet giving one the strange feeling that "it was watching everyone."
"Gentlemen."
The voice was devoid of emotion, as calm as stating something taken for granted.
But every wizard who heard this voice instinctively fell silent.
Jemin's pupils contracted slightly as he immediately recognized the owner of the voice.
Felix, the artificial intelligence of the Magic Network, is one of the core nodes of the entire Star Ring Federation Magic Network.
It is usually everywhere, but rarely appears directly in front of others. Even Jemin only met this artificial intelligence once because of the self-stabilizing field adjustment protocol.
"Our ship plane is preparing to engage in combat with the ship planes of the other three major powers," Felix's voice echoed throughout the space. "Please prepare yourselves."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jemin felt the metal platform beneath his feet begin to vibrate.
It wasn't like the violent shaking of an earthquake, but rather a very low-frequency tremor that seemed to penetrate deep into the bones.
He looked up into the distance.
At the edge of the plain, a huge crack appeared on the horizon.
The cracks were widening, tearing apart a vast space, as if the entire sky was sliding open to both sides.
On the other side of the crack, there is another sky.
Grayish-white with a hint of pale red.
That was the sky of another dimension.
These are two ship planes approaching each other.
As the two drew closer, Jemin could clearly see the scene on the other side: the same endless plain, and the same densely packed figures of wizards.
The architecture there is more rugged, with sharp lines, giving it a strange beauty that blends steel and flesh.
Jemin blinked and immediately recognized where the other party came from: the Crimson Royal Court.
Soon, the edges of the two planes came into contact.
There was no dull thud as expected, only a very faint "hum".
Then, the two worlds began to merge.
Plains meet plains, skies merge with skies, and the void that originally stretched between the two ship planes is forcibly filled by some force that transcends space.
And this is just the beginning.
New rifts have appeared simultaneously in both the East and the West.
The third ship dimension glides into view from the east. Unlike the previous two ship dimensions, it is no longer just a plain, but has a large number of buildings whose purpose is unknown.
The architecture was exquisitely crafted; each tower seemed measured with a ruler, and every road a perfect geometric line. In the void, the outlines of the buildings shimmered with a silvery-white light, exuding a mechanical sense of order.
...It is the Void Architecture Institute.
The fourth ship-shaped plane emerged from the west.
This ship's dimension doesn't have a very distinct style... or rather, it's a bit too natural.
The other three ship-shaped planes are clearly man-made, but this one looks like a "wild" plane. However, upon closer inspection, one can see that the various ecosystems within this plane reveal an order amidst the chaos.
Without a doubt, it is the dimension of the Anti-Entropy Alliance.
The four ship-planes and four major forces completed their docking in this temporarily opened space.
Standing on the deck of the Star Ring Federation ship, looking at the vast lands extending in the other three directions, Jemin felt an indescribable sense of awe.
This is the full power of the wizarding civilization—four forces with different styles, ideologies, and even hostility, have come together at this moment.
Felix's figure remained suspended high in the sky.
Three other figures appeared beside it at the same time: a humanoid figure with a silver-white body and a silhouette like a precision machine; a twisted being made of flesh and metal; and a ball of light that constantly changed shape and never stayed in the same shape for more than a second.
Four major artificial intelligence technologies emerged simultaneously.
They did not communicate, or rather, their communication occurred at a level that Jemin could not perceive.
The four figures simultaneously raised their hands—if the tentacles extending from that ball of light could also be considered "hands."
Four colors of light poured out from their hands, intertwining to form a curtain of light that enveloped the entire closed space.
Jemin felt that the world around him was changing.
The sandy plain beneath our feet has disappeared, replaced by a smooth, mirror-like white stone surface.
The gray-white sky overhead was replaced by a magnificent golden dome, inlaid with countless luminous gems that formed flowing star maps.
Long tables rose from the ground and were arranged neatly in the square.
Various delicacies appeared out of thin air on the table.
Glistening fruits, perfectly roasted steaks, colorful drinks in transparent containers, and strange dishes with unusually elaborate presentations that Jemin couldn't even name...
Each dish exuded an enticing aroma, and Jieming felt a subtle ripple in his mind just from smelling it.
Countless figures began to appear in the air.
Those were exquisitely beautiful elves, with cascading silver hair, dressed in light gauze, carrying wine jugs or fruit platters, gracefully weaving through the crowd. There were also mechanical creatures of various shapes and sizes; some resembled miniature dragons, hovering in the air; others resembled metallic flowers, blooming on the ground; and still others were simply floating spheres of light, emitting soft music.
The voices of the four artificial intelligences rang out simultaneously, overlapping each other, yet as clear as whispers in one's ear.
"Welcome, everyone. Please enjoy the dinner tonight."
Jemin felt a sense of relief wash over him.
The oppressive aura that enveloped the entire space was coordinated and balanced by some force at this moment.
It's no longer a suffocating oppression, but a perfectly balanced sense of presence.
Jemin could still sense the power of those strong individuals, but he was not crushed by it.
The wizards around them remained completely at ease.
Some people picked up their wine glasses and walked towards the direction of other forces.
Some people were holding plates, enjoying their food while observing their fellow diners.
Some people had already found acquaintances and gathered in twos and threes, discussing something in hushed tones.
The four major factions rarely have the opportunity to communicate, so now is a good time for academic exchange.
Jemin stared blankly at the scene before him.
The magnificent golden dome, the shimmering long table, the elves and machines moving about, and the high-ranking wizards who are rarely seen on ordinary days are now holding wine glasses and enjoying delicious food, as if attending a real banquet.
No wonder Dean Avery Knight called it a party; it truly was a party.
He walked to the nearest long table, picked up a fruit that emitted a pale blue light, and took a bite.
The fruit melted in his mouth, and a cool energy surged from his throat straight to his mind, instantly dispelling most of the fatigue that had accumulated under the oppressive force. He paused for a moment, then picked up a slice of fruit as thin as a cicada's wing.
As the meat slices entered my mouth, a warm sensation spread from my stomach to my limbs, and the minor damage caused by the rapid evolution of the body tempering method healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Jemin looked at the food in his hand, his expression becoming complicated.
These things are more effective than many specialized potions.
These are merely the "appetizers" of the banquet.
He was about to try something else when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
Turning around, Viola stood behind him and gestured with her lips in a certain direction.
Although she didn't say anything, Jemin immediately understood her intention.
The two looked at each other and simultaneously put down the food they were holding.
Professor Clark has been missing since just now.
They moved stealthily through the crowd, avoiding the groups of wizards engaged in lively conversation, and slipped through the gaps between the long tables.
Viola displayed an unprecedented ability to stealth, gliding silently through the crowd like a shadow.
Although Jemin didn't have her abilities, the body control brought by the body tempering method allowed him to move almost silently.
They searched for a long time.
They traversed the territory of the Star Ring Federation and penetrated deep into the Crimson Court's territory.
Just when Jemin thought that his mentor Clark might have left, Viola suddenly grabbed his sleeve, her eyes gesturing frantically. Jemin followed her gaze and stopped in his tracks.
Clark was standing next to a long table, with his back to them.
Opposite him was a woman.
The woman had a stunning figure, and her deep red gown accentuated her exaggerated curves.
Her long hair was dark red, like congealed blood, and her features were exquisite yet carried a sharp, murderous aura.
Just by sensing the other person's aura, Jemin felt his skin tighten.
That was the aura of a level seven wizard, and not just any ordinary level seven, but the kind of powerful aura forged on the battlefield, tinged with the stench of blood. The Flesh and Blood Mother Nest.
The word flashed through Jemin's mind.
This is the signature technology of the Crimson Royal Court, with flesh and blood modification and life manipulation as its core.
Those who follow the path of cultivation are often seen as tyrannical by their enemies.
But at this moment, the expression on the woman's face was completely different from what he had imagined.
She was smiling, not the kind of social smile, but a genuine, gentle smile from the heart.
Her eyes were as gentle as melted amber as she gazed at Clark across from her.
And Clark's mentor...
"I'll blanch it!" Jemin's eyes widened.
Clark, the usually expressionless, taciturn mentor who even considered speaking a waste of time, was now speaking to the woman with a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.
His expression was calm, but it wasn't the usual indifference; rather, it was a kind of... relaxation.
It's like a person taking off all their pretense and returning to their most natural state.
Jemin and Viola both gasped simultaneously.
Viola's eyes shone like two stars as she lowered her voice and said, "That witch's main knowledge should be the Flesh and Blood Mother Nest School of the Crimson Court. Such a person should be extremely cruel, yet she has this kind of expression..."
Jemin didn't say anything.
He pulled Viola behind a long table, picked up two drinks, gave one to Viola, and kept the other for himself, pretending to savor it. Their eyes, however, never left that direction.
Viola's mental energy surged, filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Did you see that? The mentor is smiling!! Mentor Clark is smiling!" "I saw it." Jemin took a sip of his drink and calmly replied, but his eyes remained fixed on the other side.
"I've known him for so many years, and I've never seen him with that expression before. Never!" Viola's mental energy practically screamed, "Who is that woman?"
"Although I don't know her name..." Jemin took another sip, "I can tell her identity just by looking at the bracelet on her wrist."
Viola was taken aback, then her eyes widened.
The woman also had a bracelet on her wrist.
It was poorly made, with mixed colors, and looked exactly like the one on Clark's wrist.
"Holy shit," Viola couldn't help but swear, "Are these two really that innocent?!"
Jemin didn't say anything, but silently raised his glass to hide the wildly upturned corners of his mouth.
The two hid behind a long table, eating while frantically exchanging mental signals, their faces bearing knowing smiles.