Chapter 382: Advancement and Banquet

In that instant, all conversations ceased abruptly, experimental glows extinguished, and contemplators lifted their heads.

Whether seventh-level beings seated high above or newly advanced apprentices below, all instinctively straightened their spines.

Every wizard in the hall restrained all unnecessary energy fluctuations, their gazes uniformly locking onto the diminutive figure beside the main seat.

The hall fell so silent a pin drop could be heard; even breathing was deliberately minimized.

Fearing the slightest noise might disturb the being who had closed his eyes, his aura beginning to resonate faintly with the entire plane—Grand-Mentor Anton Buchanan.

An intangible yet vast pulsation emanated from his small frame.

This pulsation was neither sound nor pure energy shock.

It was more like a “rule’s” heartbeat, an “existence’s” breath.

Initially subtle, like a heart’s rhythm, it rapidly intensified and spread—like ripples from a stone dropped into a still lake—transcending the hall’s bounds, sweeping grasslands, skimming mountains and rivers…

Ultimately enveloping the entire plane contained within the tower!

Everyone clearly “heard” this pulsation, resounding directly in their soul depths.

Then, an indescribable “awkwardness” surged like a tide into every being’s heart.

Not pain or oppression, but a deeper discord from cognition and instinct.

As if a familiar song suddenly went off-key, survival air mixed with foreign elements, the ground beneath both familiar and strange.

“Roar!!”

“Shriek!!”

“Hiss!!”

On the plane’s grasslands, the varied penned colossal beasts grew restless first.

They roared and stampeded uneasily, anxiously clawing the earth—as if sensing a shift in the world’s foundation yet unable to comprehend, venting unease through instinct alone.

Jie Ming sensed this plane-wide “awkwardness,” horror in his heart.

Was this a high-level wizard’s advancement?

Mere advancement aftershocks directly affecting an entire plane?

At that moment, he heard Mentor Clark’s low, clear explanation transmitted directly to him, Viola, and Ang:

“No need for alarm. This is Mentor’s controlled law ‘alternating’ and ‘solidifying’ with the plane’s inherent laws. He is attempting to imprint his ‘reason’ into this plane’s underlying rules.”

“This is the inevitable process of eighth-level advancement. Teacher’s power is sufficient; succeeding in law solidification during this special state means he can perform it independently henceforth, even outside it.”

Law solidification!

Imprinting one’s law into plane foundations!

Jie Ming’s heart shook—he finally understood the awkwardness’s source.

Though previously discussed with Mentor Clark regarding eighth-level solidification’s immunity to ninth-level world modifications.

Now, Jie Ming truly felt eighth-level wizards’ terrifying might!

No longer mere “utilizing” or “guiding” laws—but directly “modifying” and “defining” local rules!

No wonder Wizard Noren ignored Helios and Morpheus’s joint [Spatial Anchoring Field] for casual teleportation—that level “lockdown” likely laughable as a line in sand.

Jie Ming finally grasped: eighth-level “law solidification” was essentially a castrated ninth-level authority.

Both modified the world—ninth-levels broader in “scope” and “degree,” eighth-levels limited along mastered laws!

“Carefully comprehend this pulsation,” Mentor Clark reminded. “This is a rare chance to observe law essence alternation—greatly beneficial for your futures.”

Jie Ming immediately focused, pushing All-Purpose Eye to its limit, immersing his mind fully in the omnipresent vast pulsation, attempting to capture its mysteries.

Yet the pulsation was profoundly elusive—like moonlit flowers in water.

He clearly perceived its existence and plane-wide influence, yet struggled to parse specific law information.

Like an epic sung in unknown tongue—melody grand, soul-shaking, lyrics incomprehensible.

He stealthily glanced at Mentor Clark, and above at Wizard Noren, Augusta, Dionysius, etc.

All focused intently, wisdom gleaming in eyes—clearly immersed in revealed law truths, gaining immensely.

He looked at Rex and other third/fourth-level wizards: mostly confused and troubled like him—flowers in fog, glimpsing no path.

‘My law understanding lacks depth, so I can’t directly gain nourishment from this level law alternation.’

Jie Ming grasped the key.

Like elementary students unable to follow university calculus derivations—realm insufficient, forcing futile.

Though disappointed, he didn’t give up.

Ceasing “understanding,” he shifted to full “memorization”!

All-Purpose Eye frantically recorded every minute pulsation frequency shift, soul etching the unique “feeling” of law alternation.

These currently incomprehensible “data” might become breakthrough keys in future stages.

As Jie Ming memorized fully, the plane-wide vast pulsation abruptly intensified!

Buzz!!!

Like billions of strings plucked to highest pitch—or the plane’s rules forcibly twisted tight in this area!

An indescribable terror—like the plane itself’s pressure—descended!

Thud! Thud!

In the hall, many below fourth-level paled, staggering back.

Some even knelt on one knee, barely supporting.

Even Jie Ming felt soul tremor—as if gripped by invisible giant hand, breathing difficult—forcing full Body Forging Method operation to steady.

Only fifth-level and above remained relatively composed under the pressure, though gravely solemn.

At the pulsation and pressure’s peak—

Atop the high seat, Grand-Mentor Anton Buchanan’s childlike body underwent astonishing change!

His diminutive frame inflated like a balloon, bones cracking like thunder, muscles bulging, veins writhing like dragons beneath skin.

His plain black wizard robe stretched taut instantly, then adaptively extended under his vast power.

In mere breaths, the harmless child vanished—replaced by an elder over two meters tall, extraordinarily burly and imposing!

Hair and beard flared, dense silver locks cascading shoulders, matching silver beard like a lion’s mane covering his lower face.

Bare upper body rippled with defined muscles, explosive power, chest covered in thick silver hair—radiating barbaric, ancient aura as if capable of tearing stars bare-handed!

Then, the peak pulsation and pressure receded like tide.

The plane’s “awkwardness” gradually faded, replaced by greater “solidity” and “order”—as if the plane thoroughly tempered and reinforced.

Meaning law solidification complete…

Advancement—successful!

“Congratulations, Grand-Mentor/Mentor/Lord Anton—on advancing to eighth level!”

After brief silence, deafening congratulations thundered in the hall, filled with sincere admiration and joy.

Mentor Clark gazed at his transformed mentor, sentiment in eyes, explaining to his still-dazed disciples:

“No need for surprise. Mentor’s controlled laws involve ‘life cycles,’ ‘form reversion,’ and ‘power origins.’ His usual child form is convergence and sedimentation, aiding comprehension of law’s ‘birth’ origins. This revealed form is his law power fully unleashed—corresponding to ‘power peak’ in his law’s ‘cycle’ apex.”

Jie Ming understood.

‘Life cycles, form reversion, power origins… Indeed tied to life-death cycles, rejuvenation concepts. No wonder such astonishing transformations.’

Atop the high seat, Anton Buchanan—now eighth-level Wizard Anton Buchanan—in his elder form slowly opened his eyes.

His once childlike black pupils now flickered with white specks—as if containing stellar births/deaths, all things’ flourishing/withering truths.

Sensing surging power within, intimately linked to the plane, he smiled broadly—exhilarated and majestic.

“Hahaha! Excellent! Never felt better!” His booming voice thundered, shaking the hall. “Fellow disciples, juniors—my eighth-level advancement is great joy! Banquet! Celebrate!”

With a grand wave, vast alchemical light illuminated the hall.

“Here shall be the feast!”

In instants, the hall transformed rapidly.

Original stone pillars crawled with lush spiritual vines blooming soft glows; ground became streams flowing nectar; air filled with invigorating exotic fragrance; ornate long tables and chairs materialized, instantly laden with rare delicacies and energy-rich wines.

Many banquet dishes were rarities Jie Ming had never heard of or seen.

Naturally, none refused—taking seats one by one.