Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Hill stroked the black magic book, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart.

Although he had long known that his magic book had a life-filled energy cycle of its own, combined with Celene’s Power of the Silvermoon, which was adept at stimulating the cohesion of the soul, so after reaching the level of a divine artifact, it began to slowly develop its own will and soul. But he really didn’t expect that it had matured enough to think about such complex issues.

Although it was a bit too impulsive, after all, it was a newly formed consciousness, still very young and somewhat impulsive.

If the divine artifact is seriously damaged during the formative stage of consciousness, it will truly affect its future... Unless Hill finds various rare soul-related materials to integrate into the magic book, it will be difficult for it to grow into a high-level artifact.

This indeed is the trust the magic book has from the depths of its soul for its creator, but... what if?

People always tend to self-preserve first.

Moreover, what if something really happened to Hill? The scattered pieces could never come together again.

Even if Hill merely fell into a slumber, without enough supplementary soul energy during this critical stage, the magic book wouldn’t need to think about its future anymore.

Hill had never thought that leaving the artifacts and plants so full of attachment and reluctance was so difficult, let alone standing in the cosmic vortex and looking at List’s resolutely determined eyes.

If he really couldn’t return, then... Hill silently sighed. This heavy trust made him momentarily panicked and lost, but ultimately it slowly transformed into determination.

Though it seemed like a solo journey, he was never truly lonely. So much love was enough to sustain his resilient journey to the end.

Hill no longer turned back... When he rushed into this area, Hill knew he could only choose to venture alone.

Although those world peripheries had no monitoring satellites... the fantasy world had such things long before, and elves loved using such alchemical fortresses to observe various galaxies... but if he wanted to turn and leave, he would inevitably encounter traps specially designed for people trying to exit.

As for the lack of monitoring on the inner side, it was because of a rather strong illusion array, the type that makes you think you’re walking in a straight line when actually you’ve detoured a large circle.

But because this kind of formation is typically paired with an illusion array, Hill genuinely didn’t notice it at first.

However, Hill being able to unwittingly veer in was already a blessing from fate to Teraxil, wanting to leave totally unnoticed was simply impossible.

He didn’t even dare to contact the Elemental Realm.

With a bitter laugh, considering the possibility of Aesces contacting him at any moment, Hill cut off his excessive connection with the Elemental Realm... Because of the contracts with those Element Lords, even if Hill sealed his natural attributes, mages could see at a glance that he was someone blessed by the elements.

Previously, Hill always felt that being sufficiently hidden was enough; now he realized how tightly intertwined he was with nature, so tightly that it seemed each step he took was on the fingertips extended by Natural Will.

Even in the starry sky, after taking this step, Hill felt much heavier.

Ever since ascending to a legendary status, the feeling of walking embraced by the air, like a shadow following, had disappeared for the first time.

After checking the black attire on him, similar to the traditional mage robe of Toril, to confirm that the material was merely ordinary shadow filament... this shadow-crafted material allowed him to move more stealthily, significantly increasing the chances of remaining hidden while slightly reducing the possibility of spell casting failure. Even in Toril, many mages liked wearing it.

Mages from the Evil World undoubtedly favored it more.

Technically, Hill shouldn’t easily extract this, as shadows did not favor him, but who could have guessed that while in Toril, Lady of the Night was sitting beside Hill!

When he was extracting the filament, Shaer merely smiled, and Hill managed to pull out dozens of rolls... each over 100 meters long.

Such a good opportunity, he couldn’t possibly extract just once, right?

Thus, after reviewing his overly pure materials, Hill opted for this more fitting choice.

The mages in this world could not possibly fail to make it.

Hill even specially made a dozen identical robes for replacements, to avoid anyone thinking he was being extravagant.

Touching the blood-red, spike-laden headband dyed onto his black hair, Hill effortlessly incorporated a meteorite fragment rapidly descending toward a forward planet: an archmage was using the meteorite fall of the Eighth Ring level.

When entering the planetary membrane, Hill couldn’t help but frown... apart from his meteorite fall spell, that archmage added another spell: to capture stellar realm travelers.

Hill was sure he couldn’t possibly be discovered.

Even after severing ties with the Elemental Realm, the meteorite wouldn’t betray him.

Crashed onto the ground with the fast-moving meteorite, Hill frowned and merged with the earth: damn it, this earth had no life force.

Even as a mages’ dedicated experimental ground, it was a bit too tranquil.

The earth would typically change following environmental alterations nearby, transforming into a ruthless environment if significantly damaged.

Even endless yellow sands wouldn’t carry such a bleak feeling.

Even the Bottomless Abyss carried the scent of sulfur!

This was nearing the Styx!

Hill settled his mind, using all his willpower to slowly sink into the soil... no, although close to death soil, it hadn’t reached that point yet.

The land enveloped Hill at its most rigid and slowest pace.

But the timing was just right, the moment Hill’s final breath was enclosed, sounds of conversation came from a few dozen meters away.

”Ah! Teacher’s meteorite fall has improved greatly!” a male voice with a bit of a drake sound said first, ”Not only are there plenty, but they’re also large, and all are within the target area!

This way, there’s no worry of other magic towers sharing the materials, how nice.”

”Indeed!” another chimed in, sighing, ”Currently, meteorites from outside our world are really dwindling, who knows when, even the summons we do every three years can’t gather enough resources!

I heard from the Dark Enigma Tower next door that they had particularly bad luck last time, finally getting their turn, and only collected a few dozen pieces. Tsk, the material fees barely covered, who knows if they can last another three years.”

”If they can’t, they’ll get devoured by another magic tower!” the drake-voiced speaker said nonchalantly, ”Hasn’t our tower absorbed others before?”

”Would you want such people to come?” a person who had been silent suddenly spoke coldly, ”Not to mention the apprentices with capable teachers who share resources from their teachers.

But those unfortunate apprentices who have lost their teachers, yet are talented despite their age... each one is a threat to us.”

”What can we do?” the drake voice said somberly, ”Even as an official mage, what are we really?

Try our best not to be suppressed by others, don’t harbor ill-will.”

”Sigh...” the other man couldn’t help but sigh, ”Jerry Buck, I know your discontent over your brother’s resources being allocated to newcomers, but absolutely don’t let it show, understand?

Now we all depend on the magic tower for our families to live. For their sake, we have to behave a bit.”

Whew... currently, except for black taro, there’s no edible grain left!

And even the yield of black taro seems to be declining.”

”What?” the drake voice asked in shock, ”Isn’t black taro able to grow even in volcanic ash?”

”Ha~ our world seems unwilling to sustain so many people anymore,” Jerry laughed coolly, ”Why else do you think over these years, the magic tower accepted more and more apprentices, each more talented than the last?

Only the waste leftover from mages’ material collection can grow normal grains.

Then, those poorer waste leftovers that can’t produce grain are mixed with outside soil to grow black taro.

Now, nobles have almost no power, their survival depends on mages... Things aren’t like the past, get it?

Unless mages agree, nobles can’t even sustain their soldiers, let alone hire mages!

The wealth accumulated by their ancestors no longer holds the tempting value for mages.”