The sky over the Black Mist Jungle displayed an unusual clarity, with the faint mist that usually hung in the air completely cleared away.
Even the black mist that perennially shrouded the treetops had entirely dissipated, as if welcoming some significant presence.
In the central square of the School, dozens of apprentices systematically arranged the preparations for the welcoming ceremony.
The advanced apprentices wore uniform robes trimmed in purple, standing solemnly on either side of the square.
Each person was trying hard to control their breathing and posture, afraid that any slight disrespectful action might bring reprimand from their superiors.
Some elementary apprentices were busy cleaning the ground, even using fine brushes and special potions to wipe each stone slab, ensuring they were spotless and new;
Members of the law enforcement team appeared fully armed in various corners, their expressions alert and tense, their hands always ready to instantly cast a spell.
Ron stood at the edge of the square alongside other members of the sequence.
He wore a fresh robe trimmed in purple, with a silver badge symbolizing the members of the candidate wizard sequence on his chest, his expression calm, but his eyes contained caution and curiosity.
"It’s quite rare for the Deputy Dean to personally order that all sequence members must attend the welcoming ceremony."
Trish whispered beside him, her long brown hair neatly tied at the back, looking very different from her usual casual style:
"Who on earth is the visitor to the Crystal Tower?"
Ron shook his head slightly, "I’m not sure, but judging by this scale, it’s at least someone of Moon level or higher."
Of course, he wouldn’t admit he already knew it was a terrifying existence of Dark Sun level that was coming.
His gaze swept across the square, noticing that almost all of the official wizards were present.
Including the usually reclusive masters—Soron, Yuni, Maxim...
The most striking was the Deputy Dean Hayek, standing at the edge of the array.
Today, he unusually donned a formal robe with purple and silver trim, looking solemn and serious, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the sky, clearly awaiting something.
A peculiar energy fluctuation suddenly came from the sky, so powerful that it almost froze the air of the entire square.
Everyone’s gaze involuntarily lifted to the sky, including those formal wizards.
Initially, it was just a small black dot, but as it moved closer, its silhouette gradually became clear.
It was a gigantic gargoyle, at least seven or eight meters tall, with wings spreading to an impressive length of about fifteen meters.
With a ferocious head, its eyes glowed blood-red, and the entire body was covered in hard stone scales.
However, unlike ordinary gargoyles, this massive creature’s body seemed made of some semi-transparent obsidian material, within which faint lights and complex mechanical structures could be seen.
With every flap of its wings, it left a distorted energy trace in the air, surrounded by an energy field that shielded it from external interference.
"That’s... a gargoyle flying machine!"
An apprentice couldn’t help but exclaim, his voice filled with awe and shock.
Ron couldn’t help but widen his eyes as well.
The gargoyle flying machine, a symbolic means of transport of the Crystal Tower, often appeared in books, but seeing it with his own eyes was still astonishing.
Such a perfect blend of biology and mechanics was a height far beyond ordinary alchemy, requiring profound research into soul extraction and embedding to achieve.
Every movement of the flying machine was smooth and natural; spreading wings, gliding, diving, decelerating, all precise and graceful, resembling a real creature rather than a man-made creation.
"They say that inside such a flying machine is a complete soul core, contributed ’voluntarily’ by a wizard in order to continue serving the Crystal Tower..."
Trish’s voice carried a hint of fear.
When the gargoyle flying machine finally landed on the central array, the entire square fell silent, and everyone held their breath.
The massive stone wings folded slowly, the red eyes gradually extinguished, and the colossal body became completely still, like a refined sculpture.
"There’s a cabin door on the side of its spine..."
Ron keenly observed that it was indeed a cabin-like structure, hidden within the gargoyle’s spine, with intricate rune seals along its edges.
With a faint metallic sliding sound, the cabin door slowly opened, emitting a soft golden light from within.
A figure emerged from inside.
It was a man appearing to be around fifty years old, dressed in a simple and plain gray robe, absent of any flashy decorations or badges.
His face was ordinary, with a short gray beard on a square chin, his hair half-white and meticulously groomed;
Of average build, neither tall nor short.
His demeanor was gentle and composed, much like an ordinary scholar.
If this person were placed among ordinary people, he might not attract much attention, even possibly overlooked due to his ordinariness.
However, the moment his feet touched the ground—
An astounding oppressive force burst from his body, sweeping across the entire square like a tsunami!
This wasn’t a deliberate display but a completely natural outpouring of energy, as if his very existence was a massive energy vortex, unable to be fully contained by his flesh.
This magical pressure was a hundredfold, even a thousandfold stronger than any wizard he had encountered!
"Such overwhelming magical pressure!"
Ron felt that even breathing became exceedingly difficult at that moment, as if an invisible mountain was pressing on his chest, compressing his lungs to the point where they couldn’t expand.
More terrifying was his realization that his spiritual power was entirely out of control before this surge, becoming chaotic and disordered, rendering even simple magic construction impossible.
Looking around, he saw not only himself but nearly all members of the candidate wizard sequence facing the same plight:
Some nearly fell to their knees, faces pale, trembling all over;
Others were drenched in sweat, their eyes wide open, full of terror.
Only those formal wizards, though their expressions were grave, their foreheads sweating, could barely maintain their composure without being affected.
But even their breathing became rapid, evidently also feeling immense pressure before this force.
What was even more shocking was that this energy leakage lasted less than a second before the visitor completely reined it in, reverting to his ordinary appearance.
That terrifying oppression disappeared instantly, as if it had never existed.
However, this brief moment was enough for everyone present to understand one fact:
The seemingly ordinary middle-aged man before them was a bona fide Dark Sun Wizard!
This was a terrible power that surpassed the Moon level, almost reaching that of a Great Wizard!
"Welcome, Master Valen."
Vice Dean Hayek stepped forward to greet him, a rare hint of nervousness in his voice.
The Dark Sun Wizard referred to as "Valen" nodded slightly, his voice gentle and calm, like a spring breeze brushing over the lake:
"Hayek, I hope you’re well. I’ve come this time for the activation of the Bloodline Altar. I hope I haven’t disturbed the normal order of the school."
The way he spoke was very ordinary, without any pretense, like a regular scholar conversing with a colleague.
"Not at all, your arrival is precisely what we have longed for."
Hayek responded enthusiastically, the respect in his tone even more evident:
"Everything has been prepared according to your instructions. The energy nodes of the Bloodline Altar have all been awakened, awaiting your personal presiding."
Valen’s gaze slowly swept across the square, his brown eyes seemingly able to penetrate all disguises.
"Are these the members of the Candidate Wizard sequence?"
He asked, with a hint of interest in his tone.
"Yes, these are the most outstanding apprentices of our school. They will participate in this trial of the Bloodline Altar."
Hayek introduced, with a hint of pride in his tone:
"Some of them have shown extraordinary potential, especially the members in the top ten of the sequence."
Valen nodded gently: "Very good, young people are always full of hope. I look forward to their performance on the altar."
He turned to Hayek:
"Now, old friend, shall we go and initiate the ceremony? Before that, I wish to inspect the state of the altar. Last time I came to Black Mist Jungle, I found that the energy nodes in the North Fourth District were somewhat unstable. I hope this time it’s been fixed."
"Of course, please follow me."
Hayek gestured invitingly, leading Valen away from the square, followed closely by several other important Official Wizards.
As the powerful wizards left, the tense atmosphere in the square gradually eased.
Many people heaved a sigh of relief, as if they had just been through a life and death trial.
Many still had weak legs, needing to lean against the wall or a companion to stand steady.
"So...so terrifying..."
Trish’s voice still trembled slightly, her face still somewhat pale, eyes lingering with fear:
"Is that the power of a Dark Sun Wizard? Just standing there, enough to make everyone in the square unable to breathe?"
Ron did not immediately reply, his heartbeat not yet fully settled.
He even felt that the path of his spiritual power was slightly disrupted due to the shock just now, requiring some time to return to normal.
"Is this the path I am heading towards?"
He asked himself inwardly, yearning within: "Such terrifying power, just the slightest leak of breath is enough to make the lower ones collapse and die?"
"Ron? Are you okay?" Trish’s voice interrupted his thoughts, her eyes showing concern.
"Ah, sorry."
Ron snapped back to reality, taking a deep breath to adjust his state:
"Yes, that kind of power...completely beyond imagination. In that moment, I even felt my spiritual power completely suppressed."
He glanced around, noticing many apprentices still trembling slightly.
The terrifying memory of that moment, for some of the weaker willed, may have already left an indelible shadow.
"That Master Valen...he looks so ordinary, yet possesses such terrifying power."
Trish quietly marveled, eyes filled with both fear and admiration:
"Dark Sun Wizard, it’s said that even in the entire Crystal Tower, there aren’t many such existences."
Ron nodded:
"The most shocking thing is his degree of control over his power. That power leak was clearly intentional, yet precisely controlled within one second, demonstrating authority without causing substantive harm. This precise control may be even more awe-inspiring than the power itself."
"Why do you think he did that?" Trish curiously asked, a hint of confusion in her tone:
"Such a powerful wizard, shouldn’t need to display their power in this way, right?"
"Perhaps...he was giving us a lesson."
Ron mused: "For true upper echelons, just a thought can shatter the body and mind of the weak."
The apprentices in the square gradually dispersed, returning to their posts or accommodations.
But Ron noticed that everyone’s eyes had subtly changed, with some becoming more determined, their eyes ignited with the flame of pursuing strength.
The arrival of the Dark Sun Wizard, in a way, changed these young apprentices’ worldview.
"Ron, what are you thinking about?" Trish watched his dazed expression and asked curiously.
"I was thinking..." Ron’s voice was deep, a rare eagerness flashing in his eyes:
"The Crystal Tower...what kind of place is it truly? The knowledge, resources, and opportunities there must far exceed what we can imagine, to cultivate such existences."
Trish nodded, a hint of yearning flashing in her eyes as well.
The two walked in silence on the way back, each immersed in thoughts of their future paths.
Occasionally, other apprentices would pass by, each casting envious glances towards them:
The qualification to participate in the trial of the Bloodline Altar was an honor in itself.