Chapter 147: Death and Planes

On Instructor Clark's face, a faint smile rarely appeared.

From behind him, he took out a brand-new wizard robe and a badge shimmering with profound light.

"Gao Jie Ming, this is the badge of a First-Rank Official Wizard, along with your official robe."

Instructor Clark handed the badge to Gao Jie Ming; it was not cast from simple metal but crafted from some translucent material, engraved with complex wizard runes, seeming to contain a miniature elemental storm within, representing recognition of a First-Rank Wizard's elemental control.

The robe was woven from special black silk threads, capable not only of effectively isolating external energy interference but also serving as a symbol of official wizard status, with numerous blank areas reserved for wizards to inscribe enhancements themselves.

Gao Jie Ming took the badge and robe, feeling the powerful force contained within them, and a ripple surged through his heart.

From today onward, he could shed the title of apprentice and become an official wizard recognized by the entire wizard civilization.

This was not merely an honor, but the crystallization of his years of bitter cultivation, as well as a passport to a broader future.

"Very good." Instructor Clark nodded with satisfaction. "Your performance exceeded my expectations. I look forward to more surprises from you in the future."

"Thank you for your guidance, Instructor." Gao Jie Ming bowed respectfully, then stepped behind his instructor to observe the ceremony; apart from a few students whose talents were truly too poor, all other graduates smoothly received the badge and official robe representing a First-Rank Official Wizard.

Those who failed to reach the First-Rank Wizard level due to insufficient talent mostly wore stubborn expressions on their faces, unable to resist glancing frequently at the spatial teleportation array nearby.

There lay the entrance they would soon use to travel to other planes for conquest.

If upon enrollment all students harbored fear of military service, then after so many years, those apprentices unable to break through to First-Rank Wizard due to their own talent limitations were instead the most eager to participate in planar warfare.

The number of apprentices varied across different disciplines; most from the logistics division completed their graduation ceremonies very quickly.

The academy did not delay; any wizard whose entire discipline had finished the graduation ceremony could depart immediately.

Thus, while some combat divisions were still continuing their graduation ceremonies, on the other side of the hall, those graduates about to depart for conquest on other planes had already begun boarding the massive spatial teleportation arrays one after another.

Array patterns lit up beneath their feet, bright light flashing; each teleportation carried away a batch of young, passionate figures, deploying them to planes currently being conquered or explored by the workshop, to undertake the responsibilities expected of an official wizard—expansion and the collection of new knowledge.

Standing behind Instructor Clark, Gao Jie Ming watched those retreating figures, and a strong sense of emotion inevitably rose within his heart.

He clearly remembered that the last time he attended such a ceremony was five years ago.

Back then, he sat in the audience, watching those graduating wizards embark on their journeys with high spirits, their eyes filled with longing and curiosity for the wizard world—

Hey, wait, wasn't that the case?

Gao Jie Ming couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

He remembered—although he had studied for only five years back then, he felt he could already pin every newly graduated wizard present to the ground and defeat them.

Thinking of this, Gao Jie Ming's gaze inevitably became evasive.

Sweeping his vision over other students who, like him, had passed the Plane Nuolun Workshop trial and temporarily had not departed for conquest on other planes, Gao Jie Ming felt a strange, indescribable unease stirring in his heart.

It was only when he saw Augusta standing proudly behind the combat division instructor that Gao Jie Ming finally remembered who was missing.

Subconsciously searching for a somewhat unfamiliar figure, he asked casually, "By the way, where is Horn?" while his eyes continued scanning the crowd.

As a young genius possessing an eighth-grade elemental talent, Horn had once been a prominent figure in the academy during his freshman year; with such outstanding talent, he should have been one of the focal points of this graduation ceremony.

Hearing this, Amy remained calm in expression, her tone exceedingly ordinary, as if discussing a trivial matter: "Him? He's dead."

"Dead?"

These few short words struck Gao Jie Ming's heart like a cold bolt of lightning.

He looked at Amy; her expression remained just as calm, as if stating a fact long since accepted.

Victor nearby merely nodded slightly in agreement: "Yes, he died earlier while we were on the Elosia plane."

Horn is dead?

A complex emotion surged within Gao Jie Ming's heart.

It was not regret or fear, but rather a sense of bewilderment and complexity similar to hearing that an acquaintance had died.

As a "young genius" with an eighth-grade elemental talent, many believed Horn would travel far on the path of wizardry; he had once been an outstanding figure in many people's minds and had received considerable expectations.

Amy continued to explain: "Unfortunately, ever since passing the academy's trial, he inexplicably became somewhat arrogant. He focused more on accumulating connections than on improving himself, spending every day busy networking with scions of various noble families within the academy and attending various banquets, while becoming much more negligent in his studies."

"So, this guy unfortunately died during the previous trial," Victor added, his tone carrying a hint of regret barely perceptible.

Yet this regret seemed directed more at the fall of talent than at sorrow for the individual.

Gao Jie Ming felt slightly emotional.

Although he and Horn were actually not close at all, one could even say they had almost no interaction.

Still, hearing that a once-rising genius had died so silently inevitably stirred some emotion within him.

He recalled Horn's confident, even somewhat arrogant demeanor back in the academy.

Such talent, yet because he took a wrong path, wasting precious time and energy on meaningless "connections," he ultimately perished in the cruel plane trial.

In the world of wizards, this was an exceedingly common occurrence.

Talent is certainly important, but more crucial are the thirst for knowledge, the pursuit of power, and the determination to constantly improve oneself amidst fierce competition.

Wizards who indulge in worldly power and interpersonal relationships, or who rest on their laurels relying solely on talent, no matter how high their starting point, will eventually be eliminated by this cold and efficient system.

Gao Jie Ming withdrew his gaze and looked at the official wizard badge in his hand.

It seemed to remind him that true power has always rested only in one's own hands.

Connections, resources, honors—these are all external things; only one's own strength is the foundation for standing firm across the multiverse.

Just as the crowd gradually dispersed and the hall regained some tranquility, Instructor Clark's steady voice sounded beside Gao Jie Ming: "Gao Jie Ming, come to my office."

"Yes, Instructor." Gao Jie Ming replied respectfully, then followed his instructor's pace, weaving through the academy's familiar corridors.

Instructor Clark's office was, as always, simple and uncluttered.

The instructor walked behind his desk and gestured for Gao Jie Ming to sit in the chair opposite.

"Sit down." Instructor Clark's voice carried a hint of relaxation barely perceptible.

He picked up a stack of documents from the desk, and simultaneously, Gao Jie Ming's Magic Net terminal received an encrypted message.

"These are the plane materials you applied for earlier." Instructor Clark came straight to the point, pushing the documents in his hand toward Gao Jie Ming.

Gao Jie Ming's gaze was immediately drawn to that stack of documents.

It was a demon plane he had obtained based on the highest contribution during his trial on the Elosia plane earlier; now, finally, the matter was settled!

"Based on the workshop's survey and assessment, as well as your own wishes, the demon plane selected for you is the foremost among the demon planes within the Elosia plane cluster."

Mentor Clark's tone was calm, yet the information contained in his words made Gao Jie Ming's heart race.

"This plane is called 'Purgatory Sulfur,'" the mentor said slowly. "In terms of physical size, it even surpasses the surface area of the main Elosia plane. It is a vast and primitive land, filled with active fire elements and extremely frequent geological activity."

Gao Jie Ming's eyes instantly lit up with incredulous brilliance.

This meant the plane possessed extremely abundant resources, as well as vast space sufficient to support countless large-scale experiments!

Mentor Clark gestured for Gao Jie Ming to look at the information on the Magic Net terminal: "These are the detailed survey reports regarding the plane, along with the plane coordinates you are about to receive. The Noren Workshop has already installed a permanent spatial portal within that plane. These coordinates serve as the 'key' to the spatial portal. Through it, you can travel between the Noren Workshop and that plane at any time."

He paused, then added, "After you arrive at that plane, you may change the specific coordinates of the spatial portal at any time based on your needs and safety considerations. Of course, if you have other requirements, you may also hand over the coordinates to people you know; all of this is up to your preference."

Gao Jie Ming took a deep breath to calm his inner excitement.

This represented an entire, genuine plane truly falling into his hands.

"Due to its harsh environment, this plane is primarily inhabited by fire-attributed elementals, heat-resistant magical beasts, and a minority of demons born deep within volcanoes. Their numbers are vast, and while powerful, they possess extremely strong aggressiveness. You must make adequate preparations," Mentor Clark warned.

"I understand, Mentor. I will be careful," Gao Jie Ming nodded.

"Additionally, if you require it, the workshop can arrange a logistical construction team composed of low-rank wizards for you. They will be responsible for the preliminary development and resource collection of the plane. Specific authorization has been sent to your Magic Net terminal for you to arrange as you see fit," Mentor Clark continued. "Do you have any other questions?"

"No more, Mentor. Thank you very much to you and the workshop for your support!" Gao Jie Ming sincerely expressed his gratitude to Mentor Clark.

Mentor Clark nodded imperceptibly. "Go. The path of a wizard lies in exploration and practice. Good luck."

"Yes!"

Gao Jie Ming lingered no longer; unable to contain his eagerness, he stood up, bowed once more to Mentor Clark, and hurriedly left the office.