Chapter 460: The News

Ten years later.

After exiting the specialized space-folding test chamber for the Grand Void Step, Gao Jie Ming took the data screen offered by the Black Giant Priest and swiftly scanned the dense array of test parameters.

Maximum movement speed, energy consumption curve, concealment effectiveness against various detection methods, environmental adaptability data…

Statistically, each metric of the modified Grand Void Step had met, and even slightly exceeded, the projected model.

"Good." Gao Jie Ming nodded, a satisfied expression on his face.

Compared to the complex transformation of the Return to Void Armor, which required absorbing vast conceptual knowledge, the modifications to the Causal Traceback Art and the Grand Void Step were far "simpler."

The former focused on information capture and trace analysis—precisely what wizards excelled at—and thus posed no difficulty.

The latter concentrated on spatial phase shifting, energy frequency synchronization, and concealment algorithm optimization.

Fortunately, Gao Jie Ming was exceptionally proficient in spatial knowledge and energy switching principles, so modifying the Grand Void Step consumed little effort.

With the rich experience gained from modifying the Return to Void Armor, and his deepening understanding of spiritual energy laws and wizard rune systems, Gao Jie Ming grew increasingly adept at subsequent modifications.

In just ten years, these two uniquely structured spells had been successfully transformed from cultivation-system techniques into new composite spell models, driven by wizard energy and enhanced in performance.

Thus, offense had the Dispersing Flame Annihilation Divine Light, defense had the Return to Void Armor, reconnaissance had the Causal Traceback Mirror, and mobility had the Grand Void Step.

A foundational combat framework covering the primary dimensions of battle had been preliminarily established.

Gao Jie Ming mentally calculated the time remaining.

"The eighty-year war deadline mentioned by Professor Clark… now leaves less than fifty years." He pondered, "Time is still adequate. Once I upgrade the Xuan Gang Hong Chen Barrier, I might even have room to research one or two more auxiliary or highly targeted spells or wizard devices to further expand my arsenal."

With this thought, he returned to the core laboratory and activated the magic network terminal.

This time, his search keywords were "faith power," "vow essence," "aggregate of spiritual impurities," "conceptual contamination," and related concepts.

To safely utilize the "incense poison" to upgrade the Xuan Gang Hong Chen Barrier, relying solely on the Daoist Library's records on incense deity paths and his prior research into divine power faith networks was still insufficient.

He needed a more comprehensive, up-to-date understanding of the concept of "faith power" within the wizard world's cognitive framework and current research status.

To his surprise, the theoretical research, characteristic analyses, and historical application cases on "faith power" alone were surprisingly "affordable" on the magic network terminal.

Gao Jie Ming had prepared to spend high-tier military merit, yet discovered most related knowledge required only low-tier military merit to purchase.

Of course, this "affordability" was relative.

In-depth research reports, experimental data involving high-tier applications, and specialized analytical models for rare faith phenomena still carried steep prices—often tens or even hundreds of millions of low-tier military merit.

But such prices were no longer a significant burden for Gao Jie Ming today.

"It seems that, in the mainstream wizard understanding, 'faith power'—though an undeniable source of strength, especially prominent in certain civilizations or systems—is not regarded with the same importance as core domains like laws, souls, or spacetime…" Gao Jie Ming analyzed rapidly as he browsed the catalog and summaries.

This wasn't entirely bad.

At least he could now rapidly build a knowledge framework on faith power at a relatively manageable cost, sufficient to safely handle and apply the "incense poison."

Given his prior research into divine power faith networks, he didn't need to purchase an entire knowledge set from basic to advanced.

His fingers tapped lightly as he added dozens of selected faith power materials—covering different angles and levels—to his cart, preparing for bulk purchase.

As he carefully reviewed the abstracts of the final few papers on "purification of faith impurities and their hazardous properties," a priority communication request suddenly popped up in the corner of the magic network terminal screen.

Requester: Viola.

Gao Jie Ming's heart stirred; he immediately accepted the call.

Viola's face appeared on the screen, her expression stern and heavy—something Gao Jie Ming had not seen in a long time, utterly devoid of her usual laziness or occasional malice.

"Gao Jie Ming," she cut straight to the point, voice low, "the war start date is finalized."

Seeing her expression, Gao Jie Ming knew the news was grim. "Earlier than expected?"

"Yes." Viola nodded. "We just received confirmed intelligence: the Star Ring Federation's final coordinated start time… is significantly earlier than even our worst internal estimates."

She paused, then delivered a precise number: "Twenty-five years from now. Official war commencement."

"Twenty-five years?!" Gao Jie Ming's brow tightened involuntarily.

This cut over twenty years off his preparation time!

For wizards, who plan and accumulate over centuries or millennia, twenty years may not seem long—but it's enough to disrupt meticulously laid plans and rhythms.

For himself, many research projects originally scheduled for later—such as further refining new spell modifications or optimizing cannon-fodder legions—would now have to be shelved or drastically scaled back.

He could only concentrate all resources on ensuring the final perfection of his core combat capabilities.

And Gao Jie Ming was still relatively fortunate.

Remember, wizard techniques are wildly diverse.

Some wizards specialize not in standard combat spells or general technologies, but in large-scale war machines, specialized ecological legions, or one-time strategic arrays requiring long preparation, specific environments, or on-site construction.

These methods often possess immense power or unique effectiveness in specific domains, but demand long preparation cycles and lack flexibility.

The sudden acceleration of the war timeline would strike these wizards the hardest.

And precisely these "big-weapon" or "specialized" wizards often play decisive roles on the frontlines or in critical tactical phases.

The Star Ring Federation's decision to set this clearly premature date was no accident.

It means the Void Annihilation Tower and the Chaos Secret Cult exerted greater pressure in prior negotiations.

Their choice indicates their own war preparation cycles are shorter and they favor early decisive battles.

This indirectly confirms the enemy began targeted preparations earlier than Plane Nuolun Workshop.

"Has the war zone been determined?" Gao Jie Ming suppressed his thoughts and asked another critical question.

"Confirmed." Viola's expression didn't ease; it grew even heavier. "The Star Ring Federation has designated a specially modified, ultra-large abandoned dimension."

Hearing "ultra-large abandoned dimension," Gao Jie Ming immediately understood why her face was so grim.

Ultra-large dimensions are resource-rich and have relatively stable, intact laws; they are rarely fully "abandoned."

Once labeled "abandoned," it typically means their core resources are long exhausted.

The environment may be extremely hostile or unstable, possibly having suffered catastrophic trauma.

And for the Star Ring Federation to "provide" and "modify" it, while emphasizing "ultra-large"…

It was almost certain this battlefield was a special construct, forcibly fused and solidified from fragments or debris of multiple abandoned dimensions.

Its purpose was clear—to provide a vast enough arena capable of withstanding high-tier wizard battles, while maximally depriving both sides of the ability to exploit battlefield environmental resources.

On such a battlefield, conventional tactics—like improvising fortifications, catalyzing local lifeforms for aid, or drawing dimensional energy to replenish consumption—would be severely crippled.

The contest would hinge more on each side's carried resource reserves, immediate combat power, and raw tactical execution.

This was clearly not favorable for Plane Nuolun Workshop.

Although Plane Nuolun Workshop's wizard numbers led the three wizard factions, facing the other two factions simultaneously still left them at a disadvantage.

Except for the level-eight wizards, whose combat strength was roughly equal, all other equivalent-tier combat forces were numerically inferior.

"A direct attrition war… certainly not good news." Gao Jie Ming's brow furrowed deeper.

This meant the war's brutality and resource consumption might far exceed initial estimates.

"That's the situation," Viola said, voice weary but eyes still sharp. "Professor instructed me to notify you: prepare. Prioritize enhancing immediate combat power and survival capability above all."

"Understood." Gao Jie Ming replied solemnly.

The communication ended; the screen darkened.

The laboratory fell silent for a moment.

Gao Jie Ming stood still, staring at the unfinished faith power knowledge purchase interface on the terminal, his gaze flickering.

The urgency and anxiety triggered by the news were swiftly calmed.

It was done; anxiety served no purpose.

Only by exhausting every resource and making the most of these final twenty-five years could he arm himself to the teeth.

"Fortunately, the core spell modifications are complete." He pinched the bridge of his nose, his gaze regaining calm focus. "The basic combat system is finished. Though total combat power will be significantly lower than originally envisioned, immediate combat capability won't be too far behind. But… the upgrade of the Xuan Gang Hong Chen Barrier must be prioritized immediately."

He no longer hesitated. His fingers moved swiftly across the screen, confirming and purchasing all the selected faith power knowledge.

(End of Chapter)