Over the years, Owensâ strength has steadily improved. On one hand, itâs due to Leviâs assistance, and on the other, he seems to have encountered no bottlenecks, which surprises Levi. Levi himself relies on his âcheat codes,â but what does Owens rely on?
Levi has a hunch.
The downgrade of the Shadow World and those fragmentary Ashen Worlds are likely related to the Underworld, Nightmare World, Astral World, and Abyssâthese super realms. Their conflicts might have caused this.
Aside from that, no other force can downgrade a super realm... Oh right, thereâs also a Dark Insect race that needs attention nowadays. .
"Perhaps once the Ash Dragon recovers its memory, it might reveal something, as it is one of the high-ranking members of the Ashen World."
...
The Land of Darkness.
A world dominated by oceans, surrounded by demonic aura, where a group of fully armed Council of Ten Thousand Clans employees gazes at the empty Sea Clan city and the rampaging demons.
"Whatâs going on here? Whereâs the Sea Clan? Someone give me an explanation!"
"Lord, that group of Sea Clan was coaxed by a so-called Sturgeon Queenâs Descendant âLiberator Baghdadiâ and seized the opportunity during the demon chaos to kill the Guardians of this world and escape on smuggled ships..."
"Damn it! This is a breeding base for the budding Destructive Mage warrior candidates that even the big shots are watching. Go chase them, bring those Sea Clan back! You bunch of useless fools couldnât even keep an eye on the Sea Clan."
"Our people have already gone in search, Lord, please be patient. We have informants in the nearby Land of Darkness markets. As soon as this Sea Clan tries to purchase supplies, weâll find them."
...
The Land of Darkness.
An antiquated, black shark-shaped spaceship drifts deep in space. On its prow sits a brawny Sea Clan man of late-stage level 6 strength.
This is Baghdadi.
Back then, he unwittingly followed the Sea Clan and was placed in the new worlds by the Council of Ten Thousand Clans, over seven hundred years ago.
In the ensuing Sea Clan civil wars, Baghdadi quickly rose by relying on the Sturgeon Emperor Bloodline and other fortunate opportunities, defeating one strong enemy after another.
Not long ago, during the demon chaos, the only level 7 expert of the Sea Clan was killed. Baghdadi seized this opportunity to usurp power and become the Sea Clanâs leader.
His high position allowed him to learn some truths and conspiracies.
The Council of Ten Thousand Clans did not aim to help the Sea Clan rebuild their homes;
they merely wanted to breed the Sea Clan like livestock for experiments in the so-called Destructive Mage project to confront the Wizard World.
Baghdadi certainly did not want to see his compatriots being used this way, so he led his people in rebellion against their local rulers, escaping the new worlds and starting a drifting life in the Land of Darkness.
Now, he doesnât know where to go.
He canât return to the Wizard World.
Firstly, because the Sea Clanâs defection to Nora is a grave crime, and secondly, itâs too far.
He opened his palm, where eight weapons exuding a dark golden hue floated in the void, each differently styled.
These are Tokens from the Monarchâs Treasure.
He has eight here, with four remaining, most likely left in Nora.
The Immersed Ancient Castle holds three, while the ancestral trident... he somehow lost it.
"Ah, if I could enter the Monarchâs Treasure, perhaps Iâd still have a chance to reach level 8, or even the Sea God Realm of the past. Although not enough to contend with large civilizations, finding a place in this Land of Darkness for the Sea Clan to settle wouldnât be difficult."
...
Sorren Continent.
Inside a secluded mansion.
The Golden Walker brewed a cup of Heart-Cleansing Tea, inhaling its aroma with a sense of joy.
"After waiting for hundreds of years, this Heart-Cleansing Tea has finally sprouted, and it is indeed extraordinary. Although it doesnât have a marked effect on someone of my realm, drinking it regularly over the years is greatly beneficial... Surely Louise over there has other Ancient Tomb race treasures. An eighth-level strength within the Ancient Tomb race is considered high aristocracy. Under the Nine Dragons Emperor are nine adult pure-blood Dragons, all extraordinary. Now that she has fallen, one wonders if those pure-blood Dragons have been buried with her? If one could be captured, or obtain a corpse, its value would be immeasurable."
The Golden Walker was originally responsible for managing alien race affairs and, after being promoted to Grand Wizard, ascended to a leadership position.
In this role, he has also amassed considerable profit from those alien races who sought refuge in the Wizard World.
Of course, having accepted favors, he generally ensures results, as all dealings are mutually agreed.
He senses that with his promotion to Grand Wizard, the fortunes of the Golden Lightning family are on the rise again.
How to leverage this golden age to further elevate his family, thus transcending ordinary top-level wizard organizations to become a major force influencing the wizard civilization, is now his focus.
First, he must find ways to support the family in producing more primordial soul wizards and Grand Wizards, which in turn will further enhance his own progress in the Great Wizard Realm.
If he can become a Legendary Wizard and secure a seat in the Supreme Council, all the better.
He harbors great ambitions: to shape the Golden Lightning family into a superfamily lasting a million years.
If others can become the Grand Council Chairman, so can the Golden Lightning family!
"Speaking of which, the Dusk Palace Master is overly ambitious, daring to annex the Witchâs Family, but alas, he is favored by the Black Abyss Sovereign and cannot be reprimanded."
Earlier, he had given an interview, attempting to probe the higher-upsâ stance on the Ancient Dragon Continent.
If the higher-ups revoked the merger, it would signify that the Ancient Dragon Continent hadnât reached a point of daunting concern.
Unfortunately, the higher-ups acquiesced.
Thus, the Golden Walker abandoned unrealistic ideas. The current situation on the Sorren Continent requires him to tread cautiously.
Otherwise, even as a Grand Wizard, he would face significant challenges. The familyâs prior decline was due to the younger generationâs reckless behavior.
"Enough, itâs time to strategize again, perhaps with Louise from the Ancient Tomb race, to secure some opportunities."
...
Time flows by.
Five years later.
The year 750 in Nora, the 538th year of the Blood Battle.
In the Ancient Banyan Fairyland, Levi awakened from his seclusion, grinning with joy.
"The Tyrone Wizard Ruins have been found. Now itâs time to see if I can acquire the last of the four major body tempering techniques."
Gandaph has already merged techniques of the Eight-Armed Demon God and Ten-winged Sky Dragon, and the authentic Nine-Headed Prison Snake body tempering techniqueâs cultivation has also progressed smoothly. Only the Thousand-Eyed Titan Body Tempering Technique remains to complete his endeavors in Perfection.