Chapter 243: Martha

After Teacher Martha finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something and asked:

"Meng Ying, the Abyssal Rift has just opened—could it be that you…?"

Then she felt it didn't make sense.

Because Meng Ying was only Second Rank a few months ago; even if she had made a pact with the Abyssal Demon God to leap directly from Second Rank to Sixth Rank, the cost would have been immense.

That would require the magician to sacrifice many pure souls.

If a magician truly chose such a path and gained the Abyssal Demon God's power, they would inevitably carry some trace of evil aura.

If such a magician existed, they would hide away until one or two years later, after completely concealing those evil auras, before reappearing.

Because making a pact with the Abyssal Demon God is strictly forbidden.

Such a magician has already become a pawn of the Abyssal Demon God and will eventually fall into darkness.

But the Abyssal Rift had only just closed not long ago, and now Meng Ying appeared before her—her aura was powerful, yet utterly open and clean, not a single trace of evil.

Moreover, she radiated a warmth that made one feel comforted.

Even a hint of sacred aura!

This made Teacher Martha think of another possibility!

"Teacher Martha, let's go inside and talk!"

Meng Ying said to Teacher Martha.

Teacher Martha came to her senses, nodded, and said: "Good! When I saw you, I was too excited—come with me quickly!"

Teacher Martha led Meng Ying and Mia into the mage tower, taking them to the second floor, where a small study could serve as a reception room.

As a Sixth-Rank Archmage, Teacher Martha held high status in the academy; few were invited into her tower, and no large reception room was needed!

"Who is this?"

Teacher Martha asked.

Mia said: "Teacher Martha, I'm Mia of the Winged People; my grandfather is Viscount Hoke."

"Ah, Viscount Hoke's granddaughter—I've heard of you!"

Teacher Martha said warmly.

After some pleasantries, Meng Ying finally said:

"Teacher Martha, I have forever dedicated my faith to a great deity."

Teacher Martha had already suspected as much.

Hearing this, she asked: "Which one?"

Meng Ying said: "The Great Flame Lord."

"The Flame Lord?"

Teacher Martha pondered the deity's name.

As long as a deity's divine power doesn't wane, they have no lifespan issue; over endless ages, the number of Heavenly Realm deities has grown substantial.

Teacher Martha had studied some Heavenly Realm deities, but she had never heard of the Flame Lord.

"Could it be some new deity?"

Teacher Martha couldn't help but feel concerned.

Magicians generally are relatively cautious about surrendering their faith, especially high-ranking ones—Teacher Martha herself still worshipped no deity.

The stronger one becomes, the more cautious one is, because powerful magicians themselves may one day become deities.

Of course, some magicians—even Saint Realm magicians—deliberately worship deities to study faith power and divine power.

Worshiping a new deity carries risk, for new deities can perish; should they fall, their most loyal followers often suffer consequences.

For some reason, just as Teacher Martha was about to speak, she suddenly recalled the endless flames within the Demon Insect Abyss!

The flames that had utterly consumed the Demon Insect Abyss!

In fact, after the flames faded and all the students had left the Demon Insect Abyss, Teacher Martha had not left immediately.

She had seen the great hole in the Demon Insect Abyss!

That meant the Demon Insect Abyss had been burned through!

That was terrifying!

Burning through one layer of the Abyss!

Even special flames would find that nearly impossible!

But that flame had done it!

And after returning to the Magic Academy, Teacher Martha had received word: one Abyssal Rift had been sealed by flames—flames that blocked the Abyssal Demon Gods' power!

Putting the two together, Teacher Martha had immediately sensed that the flame must have been cast down by some powerful deity.

A deity bold enough to seal an Abyssal Rift, openly block all Abyssal Demon Gods, and dare to oppose them!

A flame deity bold enough to descend its power into the Abyss, burn an entire layer to ash, and even pierce through it!

This deity must be extraordinarily powerful!

But who this deity was, Teacher Martha did not know.

The Magic Academy's high council didn't know either.

Now, hearing Meng Ying's words, Teacher Martha suddenly realized: could Meng Ying's Flame Lord be none other than that mighty deity who had sent down the flames to burn the Abyss?

Only such a deity could have elevated Meng Ying from Second Rank to Sixth Rank in just a few months!

Thinking of this, Teacher Martha couldn't help but feel envious!

A few months ago, Meng Ying was still a Second-Rank magician; because of her outstanding magical talent, Teacher Martha had always wanted to take her as a disciple!

Well, now Meng Ying called her Teacher Martha only because Teacher Martha had taught her in class—not in a one-on-one master-disciple relationship.

Yet only a few months later, Meng Ying had become a Sixth-Rank Archmage!

It seems Meng Ying is especially valued by the Lord of Flame!

After thinking for a moment, Teacher Mara did not press further.

Excessive questioning of another's faith is not a good act!

The Magic Academy does not forbid students from worshipping deities—that would be openly declaring war on the gods, and the Academy's higher-ups are not that foolish.

Moreover, Meng Ying has become a Magic Master; if she does not wish to remain at the Magic Academy, the Academy has no right to force her to stay.

"Meng Ying, your progress is tremendous—congratulations, you've now caught up to me."

Though Teacher Mara felt a pang of emotion, she genuinely rejoiced for Meng Ying.

Meng Ying thanked Teacher Mara and said, "Teacher Mara, this time I wish to purchase a large quantity of Empty Magic Stones. Could you assist me?"

"Empty Magic Stones?"

Teacher Mara repeated the phrase, likely puzzled as to why Meng Ying wanted them.

She did not press further, saying, "Of course—I can provide them. The Academy's warehouse has many. How many do you need?"

Meng Ying said, "As many as you have, Teacher. What's the price of Empty Magic Stones?"

Teacher Mara said, "Outside, Empty Magic Stones cost ten gold coins each—usually only magic apprentices buy them for testing. Since you're a student of the Academy, I'll make a decision: I'll sell them to you at five gold coins each."

Facing Teacher Mara's goodwill, Meng Ying did not refuse, and thanked her:

"Thank you so much, Teacher Mara. By the way, I also need to buy ten Magic Bags."

Magic Bags—spatial bags—each small pouch can hold many items, and their price is quite steep.

Teacher Mara said, "The Academy has many Magic Bags, but each costs a thousand gold coins; those with larger internal space cost over ten thousand gold coins. Meng Ying, do you have that much gold?"