Chapter 299

The mist flowed slowly through the air like a tide, and that skeletal figure hovered silently.

Lady Ailan set down the teacup in her hand.

There are only a handful of people in the entire Wizard World who can command a Spirit Realm messenger of this level.

In fact, the messenger had originally intended to communicate with her just now, and that newspaper was also brought by the messenger, but it was interrupted by Lilia's sudden return.

"Greetings, Ms. Ailan."

The messenger spoke, its voice like an echo from hell:

"I have been entrusted by Professor Youteer to deliver an important letter to you.

That report about Luo En Ralph just now was a bonus gift specifically prepared for you by the Master."

Lady Ailan took the envelope sealed with special runes, her fingertips feeling the familiar energy fluctuations.

She was all too familiar with this sealing technique.

Only the caster themselves or the designated recipient could open it; any attempt to peek would cause the letter to instantly turn to ash.

"Wait."

She said briefly.

Lilia was still in the backyard tidying up the moonlight grass, and faint clattering sounds drifted over from time to time.

Lady Ailan walked behind the counter, carefully tore open the envelope, and unfolded the parchment inside.

Those familiar strokes of handwriting came into view:

"My dear Ailan:

Time flies, and I have also reached the final stage of my life.

Regarding Luo En's achievements, you should have already seen them in the attached newspaper.

This young man's potential has exceeded everyone's expectations.

The balance of rationality and restraint in him reminds me of you when you were young.

The same calmness, the same pure pursuit of knowledge.

Cassandra is about to return, and the influence of the Conquest Sect is expanding day by day.

And Luo En's talent dictates that he cannot remain aloof in this storm.

I need that item you are keeping.

Not to reopen old wounds, but to provide Luo En with an opportunity for historical exploration.

Luo En has some kind of connection to the main participants of that incident, which can provide him with extra protection during the historical backtracking.

I know what this request means to you.

If Luo En can gain enough from that lesson, perhaps he can avoid repeating the same mistakes.

There is not much time left, my dear student; neither of us has many choices.

Your mentor, Youteer"

Lady Ailan's fingers trembled slightly, the letter casting swaying shadows under the candlelight.

She slowly closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting involuntarily toward that past she tried to forget but could never escape...

That was over a hundred years ago.

Salin Wesitra... that close friend whose talent was only slightly inferior to hers, that partner who should have walked hand in hand...

Lady Ailan could never forget that blood-red dusk.

Salin appeared in her laboratory with a strange smile, those blue eyes that were once as clear as water now filled with malice.

"Ailan, I have finally understood the essence of truth."

Her voice was still sweet, but something contained within it made one's hair stand on end:

"We have always been pursuing the wrong path. Power should not be bound in this fragile flesh; the soul is the only destination.

Let me liberate you, just as He liberated me..."

That night, Lady Ailan made the most painful and necessary choice of her life.

The memory ended there, and she slowly opened her eyes, looking at the broken staff in her hand.

That was a souvenir used to warn herself, reminding herself never to forget that bloody lesson:

In this world, the most dangerous things are often not the enemies in the open, but those by one's side.

"Perhaps... it is time to let the young man know the truth."

She whispered to herself in her heart: "At least, do not let the same tragedy happen again."

Lady Ailan placed the staff into a specially made protective box and then walked toward the Spirit Realm messenger waiting outside the door.

"Tell Mentor Youteer that I agree." She handed the protective box to the messenger:

"But I have one condition.

If that young man shows any signs of being corrupted during the historical exploration, interrupt the connection immediately."

"I will convey your words, Ms. Ailan."

The messenger took the box, and the mist began to slowly gather: "The Master says this young man is trustworthy."

"I hope so." Lady Ailan said coldly:

"But in the wizard's world, the term 'trustworthy' is often the most dangerous illusion."

………………

Crystal Spire, North District high-level residential area.

Elliot led Luo En and Princess Yi Fu through the gorgeously decorated corridor to the residence of Master Walun.

"Master Walun's collection is truly breathtaking."

Elliot pointed to a painting on the wall depicting abyss exploration:

"This is a documentary record of the 'Bone Expedition' in the early Third Era, and the painter himself was one of the survivors of that expedition.

To be able to present such a terrifying scene in an artistic form, this kind of courage has been lost."

In that painting, countless wizards in robes were fighting against various twisted creatures.

But what was most eye-catching was not the intensity of the battle, but the figures of the wizards who were "melting" at the edge of the picture.

Their bodies seemed to be slowly dissolving like candles, yet their faces wore strange, satisfied smiles.

"That is the process of abyss assimilation."

Princess Yi Fu explained softly, her expression somewhat uneasy:

"Transformed by some power we cannot understand, changing from humans into something else.

It is said that this process is not painful, and even makes the victims feel pleasure, which is the most terrifying part."

Luo En observed these collectibles silently, feeling more curiosity in his heart about Walun, whom he was about to meet.

As a Dark Sun-level wizard, his experiences must be filled with dangers and opportunities unimaginable to ordinary people.

Soon, they arrived in front of an oak door with hollow carvings.

Elliot knocked three times, and the runes on the door immediately lit up with a gentle glow.

"Please come in."

A slightly hoarse voice came from inside the door.

Pushing the door open and entering, the towering bookshelves on all four walls were filled with various ancient books, and the air was filled with the smell of parchment and ancient ink.

Walun was sitting behind the desk, holding an ancient quill in his hand, seemingly dealing with some documents.

Seeing the visitors arrive, he put down his pen and stood up to welcome them.

This was Luo En observing this Dark Sun-level wizard at close range again.

Walun looked to be about fifty years old, with the typical appearance of an aristocrat.

A high-bridged nose, deep blue eyes, and a complexion slightly pale from long-term research.

But what was most striking was the undisguisable exhaustion deep in his eyes.

It was not physical fatigue, but some deeper spiritual burden.

"Luo En Ralph, we meet again."

Walun took the initiative to reach out, his voice carrying sincere respect:

"To be able to achieve such accomplishments in the Crystal Spire is truly admirable. A Treasure-level assessment, this is the first time in nearly a hundred years." "You are too kind, Master Walun."

Luo En responded politely, while carefully observing the other party:

"I was just lucky and met many excellent mentors."

"Humility is a virtue of the young, but excessive humility is hypocrisy."

Walun smiled and shook his head:

"With your talent and effort, reaching this height is an inevitable result, unrelated to luck."

He invited everyone to sit down in the reception area:

"I heard from Elliot that you have a special interest in abyss research?

This is rare among the younger generation. Most people think that field is too dangerous."

"Knowledge itself has no distinction between good and evil; the key lies in the wisdom of the user." Luo En answered frankly:

"Although abyss research is dangerous, the information contained within it is extremely important for understanding the essence of the world.

Appropriate caution is necessary, but it would be a pity to give up eating for fear of choking."

Walun nodded in appreciation, agreeing with his words:

"A very mature point of view. I had similar thoughts when I was young, but..."

His voice became somewhat heavy:

"Later experiences made me understand that the price of some knowledge is higher than imagined."

Just then, the air in the corner of the room began to twist, and the light gradually condensed.

Youteer's phantom projection slowly emerged, with a complex expression on that face weathered by time.

"Mentor Youteer?"

Walun was somewhat surprised to see his teacher's phantom:

"Why did you appear at this time? I remember you usually don't like such occasions."

"Because the topic we are going to discuss today is quite special."

Youteer's voice was unusually serious, and the light of the phantom was more solid than usual:

"Regarding that incident over a hundred years ago."

This sentence was like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up huge waves.

Walun's face turned pale, his body began to tremble slightly, and his breathing became rapid.

Princess Yi Fu and Elliot looked at each other, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

They were clearly completely ignorant of this piece of history.

"Why... do you still bring up that matter in front of these children?"

Walun seemed to be forcibly restraining some of his emotions:

"I thought... you had already decided to let this matter completely turn into the dust of history."

"Usually that is the case." Youteer's phantom drifted to the side of the desk:

"But the situation is special now; Luo En needs to conduct historical event exploration, and that incident is the most suitable choice."

He turned to Luo En, implying something: "Most importantly, you have some kind of connection to the main participants of that incident.

This connection can provide you with extra protection and guidance during the historical backtracking."

Walun was silent for a long time, his fingers tapping the armrest unconsciously.

After a long while, he asked in a trembling voice:

"Ailan... has she agreed?"

"Ailan's record item is already on its way."

Youteer answered concisely: "She set one condition: if any signs of corruption are found, interrupt the connection immediately."

Hearing this answer, Walun gave a bitter smile:

"She still doesn't trust me, even after so many years."

"It's not that she doesn't trust you, Walun." Youteer's tone became gentler:

"It's that she doesn't trust that kind of power; anyone who has experienced that kind of horror will remain vigilant against similar situations."

Luo En keenly sensed the subtlety in the conversation.

Clearly, a major incident involving abyss power occurred over a hundred years ago, and Walun, Lady Ailan, and Youteer were all eyewitnesses.

"Master Walun, could you please briefly introduce the background of that incident?"

He asked directly:

"If I am to conduct historical exploration, I at least need to understand the basic situation to be mentally prepared."

Walun looked at Luo En deeply, his gaze mixed with complex emotions.

Pain, guilt, and almost imperceptible fear.

"Are you... sure you want to know?"

He asked slowly: "Some things, once known, can never be forgotten. That kind of memory will be like poison, appearing repeatedly in your dreams."

"I am sure." Luo En's voice was calm and firm:

"Knowledge itself does not harm people; only the misuse of knowledge brings danger. Moreover, avoiding historical lessons often leads to the tragedy repeating itself."

Walun watched Luo En for a moment, seemingly seeing something familiar in him.

Finally, he let out a long sigh and began to recount the past that had been buried for more than a century:

"At that time, I, Ailan, and a witch named Salin Wesitra were the best of the younger generation of the Crystal Spire."

His voice became increasingly hoarse: "We were all full of longing for higher-level knowledge, especially regarding breaking through the boundaries of life."

Walun paused, seemingly organizing those painful memories:

"Then, we came into contact with some 'ancient documents'. Those documents claimed to come from a lost wizard civilization and recorded the ultimate secret regarding soul transition."

"An abyss trap." Luo En immediately understood the key: "A source of corruption disguised as ancient wisdom."

"Yes." Walun nodded bitterly:

"The arrogance and thirst for knowledge of young people blinded our judgment. We thought that with our own intelligence, we could extract useful knowledge from it while avoiding danger."

His voice became more painful:

"The result... the result was catastrophic. Not only were the three of us severely corrupted, but the entire younger generation of the Crystal Spire was severely damaged."

Walun's hands began to tremble:

"Salin was the first to be completely eroded.

She became some kind of... existence I don't even know how to describe. On the surface, she was still the friend we were familiar with, but internally she had been completely replaced."

"And then?"

Princess Yi Fu asked cautiously, her face also turning unusually pale.

"Then Salin began to spread the corruption." Walun's voice became barely audible:

"She used that sweet voice and familiar smile to persuade more classmates to come into contact with those 'ancient knowledge'. Many people believed her; after all, she was the smartest and most trustworthy one among us."

He covered his face with his hands:

"By the time we realized the severity of the problem, it was already too late.

Many of the younger generation were involved in this disaster. Dozens of promising wizards either died from corruption or suffered mental breakdowns during the purification process."

"What happened to Salin in the end?" Luo En asked.

"Ailan killed her." Walun's voice was like an echo from the grave:

"Ended her life in the most direct and cruel way.

At that time, Salin was trying to cast some strange mental spell on more people, and Ailan released a fatal attack without any hesitation."

He raised his head, his eyes full of complex emotions:

"But killing Salin did not end the disaster.

In fact, her death became some kind of 'sacrifice', allowing that abyss existence to gain more power. The final cleanup operation..."

Walun could not continue, only shaking his head.

"The final cleanup operation lasted for three full years."

Youteer took over the conversation:

"Many of the younger generation were suspected of being corrupted and needed to undergo strict mental examinations and purification treatments. Quite a few people suffered mental breakdowns during this process and were forced to accept 'euthanasia'."

The old professor's phantom became even dimmer:

"And the survivors, including Ailan and Walun, were left with unhealable wounds deep in their souls. Although those seeds were cleared, the clearing process itself caused irreversible damage."

(End of chapter)