"Mother Alice."
Green respectfully bowed. After Mentor Peranos left, Mother Alice was regarded by Green as the living legacy of the mentor, entrusting her with the management of everything at the experimental base.
With a gentle smile on her aged face, slight crowâs feet at the corners of her eyes, and a few silver strands of soft hair on her forehead, Alice looked at the prized disciple whom her wizard partner considered the inheritor of his will, and she nodded in satisfaction.
"Green, have you prepared to establish a Sorcererâs Tower and achieve Stigmata this time out?"
"Yes."
Green nodded affirmatively. The two-colored light beneath the Face of Truth seemed incredibly confident, which made Alice feel his confidence as well, and her smile grew wider.
"If your mentor knew, he would certainly be very happy. Although he did not achieve Stigmata himself, he has already taught two disciples who have."
Alice waved her hand, indicating to Valo beside her: "Go, accompany your junior brother for a good tour of this Pinnacle of Heaven Abyss Experimental Base. It has changed quite a bit over the hundreds of years."
With his mechanical left eye constantly rotating and an elemental light ball obediently perched atop his head, Valo, despite his withered appearance, smiled just as heartlessly as he did during his wizard apprentice days, though now he was indeed a Second-Level Wizard.
"You old lady really worry too much, hahaha, can you see thereâs no need for me to accompany him?"
Among the many wizards present, whether they were from the Isar Family aiding the Blood Sail Alliance with dozens of wizards, or the dozen wizards Green saved from the Dark Domain, or even those wizards achieved under his mentorship during his tenure at Heisota Sorcerer Academy and Nine-Headed Fury Wizarding Academy, as well as several aiding wizards from the Zijin Fragrance Family, there were familiar faces aplenty. Valo, however, chose to look meaningfully and ambiguously at Wizards Mili and Kretia.
With silver strands, a snow-white wizard robe, and a pure Ice Marrow Crystal at the center of her forehead, Mili seemed like an Ice Sprite from the deep winterâspotlessly holy, calmly smiling at Green.
Meanwhile.
Kretia wore a tempting short skirt with fiery red scorpions printed on it, showcasing an alluring and explosive figure, a swath of snow-white flesh exposed on her chest, with a deep ravine in the center, fiery red lips beneath her fluttering eyes, and teeth lightly biting her lip corner in a mysterious smile.
Alice slightly shook her head at Valoâs joke.
Back when Green pleaded with Mentor Peranos, she was also present, and she greatly admired and liked this disciple who dared to love and hate.
"Hehe, young master, who are you planning to choose?"
On Greenâs shoulder, Xiao Ba was laughing mischievously.
"Why, didnât your Leafy choose to stay?"
Green paid no attention to Xiao Baâs joke but instead hoped to keep Lulianmian, in hopes that through the relationship between Xiao Ba and Leafy, she would remain. Although Lulianmian was only a Second-Level Wizard, her potential was indeed greatânot necessarily weaker than Mili or Kretia at this moment, and possibly even stronger, it was unknown.
"Her? Her Sister Lulianmian is determined to continue the Demon Hunting career and achieve Stigmata. This visit stimulated her ambition even more. With the civilization war imminent, if no hope arises by then, she will surely come seeking your shelter. Otherwise, beneath Stigmata, all are cannon fodder and ants in a civilization war. I, Master Eight, have already reserved a spot for her."
"Yes."
Green nodded. After greeting many familiar faces, he said deeply: "Everyone, disperse. This is now our home, and I will visit each of you. For now, let me understand the specifics."
With that said, Green flew over to meet wizard apprentice era friend Yorkliana.
The unfamiliar wizards gathered at the Pinnacle of Heaven Abyss Experimental Base returned to their laboratories in small groups after witnessing Greenâs aura, occasionally whispering low discussions.
"Is this the legendary Shadow of Despair Grimm? Such strong presenceâno wonder a Great Sorcerer who once shook the Wizard World centuries ago. I wonder who is stronger between him and the Five-Star Abyssal King Guramo?"
"Of course, itâs Shadow of Despair Grimm, the Great Sorcerer. Heâs a centuries-old monster, while Guramo is merely a rising star from the Abyssal Underworld."
"Thatâs not necessarily true. Itâs said that..."
Yorkliana with her withered face smiled at Green and said, "Congratulations."
"Whatâs there to congratulate, haha, have you been able to adapt here over the years? After all, the research conditions here certainly are inferior compared to the Central Region of the Holy Towers."
Regarding this friend from wizard apprentice times, and the memories of her brother Yorkris, Greenâs words were relaxed.
"The wizards here are very conscientious, lacking the impetuousness of over there. Besides, Eight Rainbows Nevis visits me regularly, so itâs not lonely at all."
Saying so, Yorkliana gently laughed.
"As for you, still clinging to past matters? Itâs clear that both of them are very concerned with youâthe soon-to-be Stigmata Great Sorcerer. Anyone here can see it."
Hmph!
Xiao Ba grumbled, "I saw it ages ago too."
Amid Yorklianaâs surprised and relaxed laughter, Green also shook his head with a smile and, after some time, whispered: "So many years have passed, the deep-seated memories have become instinctâwhat is there to let go or not let go? Itâs just... having experienced it once, who knows if there will be a second time after Stigmata."
"Afraid to start because of fear, it seems you havenât forgotten yet..."
Green and Yorkliana strolled like ordinary good friends, chatting freely atop the Pinnacle of Heaven Abyss.
...
"This is the Energy Block research base. Over the years weâve discovered..."
Saladin explained some demonstration research processes to Green.
Initially, Green used the Metal Destroyer civilization exploration and research as a pretense to establish this large laboratory.
Over the years, itâs been made clear that this isnât a domain a Great Sorcerer can casually assemble some low-grade wizards to research.
Even Green, with his understanding from the previous Annihilation Force experimentation thence, had gained some insights regarding wizard-thinking through the observation records of Annihilation Energy Reactor 2.0 operated by Dark Wizard.
Presumably, only the Holy Towers or organizations like Dawn Wisdom, and Demon-Hunting Merit Wizards would have the capability to decipher civilizational mysteries.
However, this Metal Destroyer civilization research base was merely Greenâs gimmick for gathering future Wizard Academy mentors, and based on what is seen, the outcome already exceeds Greenâs expectations.
Accompanied by Saladin, Green leisurely strolled around the laboratory, then began to attentively inquire about the ordinary human adaptation since brought into the Abyssal Underworld.
"Master Green, everything else is fine, except deep within this Demon Ancestor Crater. Two hundred years ago, a powerful magical beast attacked several wizards on mining missions and two natural villages. Based on judgment, this beast probably possesses Third-Level peak strength."
Green nodded.
"Understood. Iâll take a look in a few days." (To be continued. If you are enjoying this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)