Chapter 60:

The trembling sound grew sharper, reverberating through the room. It struck Xu Xi’s eardrums and penetrated deep into his mind.

As the vibration’s frequency reached its peak, Xu Xi’s mental power surged. What began as a gentle stream quickly transformed into a torrential river, wild and uncontrollable.

Sweeping.

Crashing.

Consuming.

The energy wrapped around the surrounding elements, drawing them into its flow.

“It’s not enough…” Xu Xi murmured, gripping his magic wand tightly.

In an instant, over a dozen contract magic circles appeared in midair, and elemental spirits materialized from the void.

These were the elemental spirits Xu Xi had contracted over his years in the simulated wizarding world, thanks to his elemental perception and Mortal Wisdom.

Earth, wind, water, and fire.

Light, darkness, thunder, and air.

Life, death, nature, and destruction.

The sheer number of elemental spirits was staggering. They poured in from their respective planes, providing Xu Xi with an overwhelming tide of elemental energy.

Only this immense surge of energy could satisfy his vast magical reserves and unparalleled mental strength, which far exceeded that of ordinary magicians.

BOOM!!!

The elements roared, and magical power surged.

After repeated waves of elemental flushing, Xu Xi’s mental power became purified. He successfully gained control over the once-violent elements.

This was not the passive communication of an apprentice, nor the resonance of a formal mage.

This was dominance—imposing his will to command and control the elements entirely.

He had ascended.

Grand Mage.

Promotion successful!

“I didn’t expect this breakthrough to bring such a massive improvement in strength,” Xu Xi remarked, exhaling deeply. Cracking sounds echoed faintly around him.

His immense mental power continuously influenced his surroundings, manifesting a subtle, invisible aura of brightness and sharpness, even when his eyes were closed.

After ten minutes of meditation, Xu Xi calmed the euphoria of his breakthrough. When he opened his eyes again, they had returned to their usual appearance.

“Great magician.”

“Grand Mage.”

“The difference in names is just a single word, but the gap in strength is as vast as heaven and earth,” Xu Xi thought inwardly.

“A Grand Mage leaves behind ordinary spellcasters entirely, embarking on the path of godhood.”

Familiarizing himself with his newfound power, Xu Xi extended a hand. A soft, hazy light appeared in his palm, radiating a gentle warmth.

The light morphed into fire, then water flowed from the flames.

Under Xu Xi’s will, the elements shifted effortlessly: fire and water, wind and earth, light and dark, life and death.

Finally, all the elements condensed into a single point, flickering at his fingertips before dissipating with a faint sound as he withdrew his mental power.

This was the privilege of a Grand Mage—the ability to manipulate familiar elements at will.

Shape them.

Extend them.

Control them.

If perfected, this control could create an individual elemental domain, marking the next step to becoming a Holy Domain Magician.

“It’s incredible,” Xu Xi murmured.

From this stage onward, the magic system began to mirror the divine path, elevating its status and essence step by step. Ultimately, this journey led to igniting divine fire, ascending to godhood, and becoming a true master of the world.

This was the road to immortality.

Condense knowledge, master laws, and grasp the essence of the world.

But the journey was extraordinarily difficult—no less challenging than achieving physical immortality.

“No extraordinary path is ever easy,” Xu Xi acknowledged.

He sighed lightly. “It’s a pity I can’t ignite divine fire this time and experience godhood for myself.”

With a wave of his magic wand, the elemental spirits dispersed, returning to their respective planes. The remaining elemental energy lingered in the air, shimmering dreamily in vibrant colors.

Xu Xi watched this beautiful display in silence.

In just fifteen years of simulation, aided by Mortal Wisdom, he had risen from an ordinary mortal to a Grand Mage capable of commanding elements.

With his current trajectory, Xu Xi felt confident he could one day ascend to a Holy Domain Magician. But that was likely his limit.

Becoming a true god—or even a demigod—was far beyond his reach.

…

[Mortal Wisdom] had given Xu Xi unparalleled talent. Whether it was cultivating mental power, mastering magic, or understanding the world’s truths, this entry provided immense support.

But there was a cost.

Everything Xu Xi achieved was confined to mortal limits, including his lifespan.

…

In the dimly lit meditation room, Xu Xi gazed at his 29-year-old hands under the yellowish light.

They remained slender and agile, seemingly untouched by time. But a closer inspection revealed faint traces of age.

“The river of time is truly insurmountable,” Xu Xi muttered regretfully, raising his eyes to the ceiling.

The ceiling, made of reinforced steel and stone, was thick enough to block out all external disturbances.

Yet Xu Xi’s gaze seemed to pierce through it, reaching far beyond. He envisioned the heavens above, where the gods reigned, coldly observing the world below.

“At my current pace, I could break through to a Holy Domain Magician without much delay,” Xu Xi speculated. “That would leave me time to explore ways to transcend mortality and achieve godhood.”

“But…”

He sighed deeply.

“The gods of this world have thoroughly suppressed the elemental laws.”

This truth had been imperceptible before. But as a Grand Mage, Xu Xi could now sense the stagnation in the world’s elemental laws—a deliberate restriction imposed by the gods.

This yoke made advancing as an elemental mage exceedingly difficult, let alone uncovering the world’s ultimate truths or igniting divine fire.

With limited mortal lifespans and divine interference blocking the path forward, Xu Xi couldn’t envision any realistic chance of godhood.

“It seems I’ll have to settle for stopping at the Holy Domain Magician,” he said with a calm smile.

It was enough.

Though a faint regret lingered in his heart, Xu Xi was satisfied with his accomplishments. Still, part of him couldn’t help but dream of the glory of ascending to godhood—a fantasy fueled by years of reading heroic tales.

“If godhood isn’t an option, I’ll turn my focus elsewhere,” Xu Xi resolved.

“A rare red entry like Mortal Wisdom must not go to waste.”

“And there’s one more thing…”

“Before my time runs out, I’ll make sure Krisha is ready to stand on her own.”