Last night’s interaction with the King of Illusions, though only on the level of consciousness, left a profound imprint deep in his spirit, such was the oppressive power from an existence of the Witch King level.
However, this experience also unexpectedly trained his mental resilience.
He could clearly feel that his ability to withstand high-dimensional information had significantly increased compared to before.
"Master, you seem to be in good spirits today."
Ailan’s voice came from outside the door, her emerald figure appearing at the room’s entrance:
"Your meditation last night lasted twice as long as usual. Did you have any special insights?"
"I gained some new understanding."
Ron responded briefly, not revealing more details.
Some knowledge is too dangerous to be easily shared, even with the most trusted aide.
He quickly used magic power to finish his cleansing, preparing to head to the forbidden section of the library.
The Associate Professor-level privileges given by Cassandra yesterday gave him the opportunity to access secret information previously unavailable to him.
Understanding the transition conditions of ancient alchemists and those long-lost ancient crafts were knowledge he urgently needed.
The moment he stepped out of the mobile workshop, Ron immediately sensed the subtle changes in the air.
It was a sort of exhilarating scent similar to the smell of blood.
The crystal display panels along the streets no longer showcased academic research results.
Instead, they were displaying mesmerizing scenes of the otherworld, each frame silently narrating the glories of conquest.
On the first display panel, three blood-red suns hung high in a copper-green sky.
The ground was a forest made of living skeletons, the "trees" were actually enormous vertebrae, hundreds of meters tall, covered in networks of autonomously wriggling blood vessels.
In the clearing of this eerie forest, a group of spider-shaped creatures were prostrating before the conquerors, offering shimmering "marrow crystals" with their eight slender arms.
These indigenous creatures were grotesque in appearance, their heads massive compound eyes, their bodies resembling peeled spiders with exposed innards.
Most unsettling was the sound they made while moving, resembling the cries of infants, a sound that emanated from the display panels, sending shivers down the spines of passing apprentices.
"I heard this ’life marrow’ can multiply the efficacy of magic potions several fold..."
A young apprentice with black spots on his face said, trembling, eyes filled with a mix of greed and fear.
The second display panel showcased a world even more distorted.
There was no solid ground, all matter was in a semi-liquid state, constantly changing shape and color.
In the center of the scene, dozens of jellyfish-like creatures, as large as houses, floated in the viscous air.
Their transparent bodies revealed complex internal organs slowly writhing.
These creatures were using tentacles to offer pulsing "heart fruits" to the wizards standing on a floating platform.
Every time the heart fruits pulsed, the entire scene flickered slightly, as if even the display equipment was affected.
"Functional enhancement material..."
A nearby apprentice wearing heavy goggles mumbled to himself:
"They say consuming just one can increase physical strength to the level of an average Dragon Descendant, but the cost is..."
He didn’t finish, but many apprentices familiar with the matter near that screen knew the cost.
The user’s appearance would gradually transform to resemble those jellyfish creatures until they completely lost human form.
Another scene showed a world shrouded in eternal auroras of ice and snow.
In this world, Frost Giants nearly five meters tall knelt before the conquerors.
These giants offered pieces of "soul ice crystal" radiating a chilling aura with their stiff fingers.
More frightening was that the giants in the scene clearly weren’t offering up willingly.
Thin metal probes were inserted into the back of their necks, a kind of control device.
Every time the probe flashed, the giants mechanically repeated the offering motion, the ghostly fires in their eyes dimmed.
"Complete subjugation..."
An Advanced Apprentice who seemed quite knowledgeable remarked in a low voice, his tone carrying complex emotions: "This goes beyond conquest, it’s..."
"It’s what?" an older apprentice next to him sneered:
"Survival of the fittest is the cosmic law. These alien races are inherently lower life forms. It’s their honor to contribute to the development of our Wizard Civilization."
The apprentices observing fell into a subtle silence.
Some had eyes glimmering with excitement as if they already envisioned themselves on the path of conquest;
Others appeared anxious and uneasy, clearly disturbed by this brutal method of conquest;
Still, others maintained a cautious neutrality, merely observing and pondering in silence.
"Are these scenes... real?" a young girl wearing an Apprentice Badge timidly asked.
"Of course, they’re real." The older apprentice’s tone became more arrogant:
"I have an uncle who is a materials analyst in the conquest team, and he told me these are just the more ordinary worlds among the dozens conquered by Cassandra Tower Master.
The truly valuable spoils aren’t even publicly displayed here."
He lowered his voice, adding mysteriously:
"It’s said that Lord Tower Master even conquered a dimension entirely composed of time, where the natives can manifest memories into physical entities. Imagine if we mastered that technology..."