High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1843: Chapter 64: The Current State of the Black Prison

As Zheng Qing’s first academic year was drawing to a close, the war that erupted in the Black Prison World had a profound impact on this world, which had already descended into darkness and silence.

The grand blood and flesh sacrifices of wizards and demons, coupled with the birth of an ancient one and several legends, brought a tide of vibrant magic power to the Black Prison World.

When the war ended, after Professor Emma and the true form of the gigantic bird Ziz, who had transformed into two suns, left one after another, the Sea Demon King, who leapt out of the River of Destiny, left a deep mark in the sky of the Black Prison World — centered on the shadow cast when the Sea Demon King’s Blue Star rose, a naturally formed ’sun’ was slowly born in the void.

Although it is now just a faint blue, illusory shadow, it already illuminates the entire world like a moon. And in the foreseeable future, as the newly arisen ancient one slowly awakens, the light of this ’sun’ will become increasingly brilliant.

The new sun, guiding the surging tide, improved the originally almost lifeless state of the Black Prison World from the outside in, like the spring thunder and drizzle on dry land, nourishing the parched world.

A new cycle began.

New life thus reappeared in the world.

However, the Ruins World is called the Ruins not just because it lost its sun, and it cannot be completely saved by just one or two active magic tides. The many monsters born in the long-desolate depths of the world, like vines and insects clinging to a big tree, shaded the tree from light and gnawed holes in its body, constantly corroding the foundation on which the world survives.

For instance, the Corrosion, born in stagnant deathly places, pumps magic power from between heaven and earth like a water pump, producing poisonous miasma that corrodes the world’s crystal wall; or the Ogre Tribe, which scattered after that great war, rapidly growing and spreading like locusts in the New World with the help of surging magic and abundant corpses.

And the most terrifying, the Earth Dragons, which transformed into demi-godlike creatures by devouring and twisting the earth’s energy during the sorting of the earth’s veins, seeped into the deep earth like poison and consumed the newly born magic power like black holes, leaving deserts devastating and barren wherever they passed.

”...The magic powers that escape during the surge of magic tides are very beneficial to ordinary wizards, and these pests are all targets that must be eliminated. So the school eventually chose this place as your training ground.”

Old Verne pointed at the top few names on the parchment list and succinctly summarized:

”Killing demi-godlike Earth Dragons can dissipate the twisted earth energy, clearing Corrosion, and hunting Ogres can make the world healthier... For second-year students, these are excellent training targets.”

”This wave of magic tides will last for several years. At its initial stage, which is now, the quality of escaping magical powers is highest.”

”Feeling them, guiding them, seizing this rare opportunity can allow you to accumulate magic power faster and become stronger. Don’t waste the opportunity the school is giving you.”

The old man took a sip of the still steaming tea.

Inside the tent was silent, except for the faint sound of young wizards breathing and the incessant cawing of a Raven outside the tent.

A hungry Firefly fluttered its wings, falling from the top of the tent, hovering unsteadily around the old wizard in the gray robe, finally resting in the old man’s gray and white beard, sucking the drops of tea hanging on it.

It swelled its belly, slowly flickering dimly.

As if it put a period to the old man’s explanation.

Li Meng rubbed her fingers, tiptoed, staring at the fat Firefly, seemingly wanting to catch it, itching to try.

Old Verne decisively pinched his beard, caught the wayward bug, and handed it to the Little Witch to avoid his beard being harmed.

This small interlude also brought a few young wizards immersed in the Black Prison changes back to their senses.

”So, we don’t need to prepare for Flerek because we have experienced the most critical node in the Black Prison World’s transformation...that is, during the time of the Sea Demon King’s advancement.”

At this point, Zheng Qing glanced at the still lively Little Witch, paused, and suddenly asked:

”What about her?”

This question seemed a bit out of nowhere. Although no names were mentioned, a few companions followed his gaze and knew what the Warlock meant.

Li Meng is the only member of this team without Black Prison war experience, which means she must spend some time preparing for Flerek.

”I’ll stay in the camp with Xiao Meng, helping you prepare some magic potions,” Jiang Yu immediately replied, ”You can discuss and explore one or two areas first...”

”There aren’t many exploratory battle formations suitable for four hunters,” Zhang Ji Xin crossed his arms, brows furrowed deeply.

”I don’t need you to accompany me!”

Li Meng suddenly shook off Jiang Yu’s hand firmly, her little face taut, rarely showing a few parts of seriousness and resolution: ”I’m about to enter the second year, can’t I even take care of myself? You can’t follow me all my life!”

This rather intense response from the Little Witch not only took Jiang Yu by surprise but also shocked the other Warlocks. Zheng Qing had never seen her have the courage to resist Jiang Da Headmaster’s arrangement before.

He couldn’t help but secretly give a thumbs up to Li Meng.

Jiang Yu glared angrily at the boy, then looked at her cousin, a hint of hesitation on his face.

Sensing the witch’s concern, Old Verne cleared his throat and reassured her, ”The safety of the camp need not be worried... I, Sistanda, and a few other old-timers will stay at the camp to do some logistical work for you. For example, provide a safe and warm place to sleep, or cook some chickpeas to fill your stomachs. Hmm, just think of us as those task-issuing NPCs in a game world...”

”You also play video games?” Zheng Qing suddenly widened his eyes.

The other few companions, except for Xiao Xiao, all looked puzzled, clearly not understanding what the old man and Zheng Qing were talking about.

”I, only I play.”

Old Verne corrected gently, ”I just seem to be older when in fact I am not even a hundred years old... Wizards my age have some quirky hobbies more or less.”

”Playing games is not strange at all.” Zheng Qing always felt that something was odd.

”But it’s strange for wizards,” the old man pinched his beard and chose to end the topic, turning his head to the other young people, ”Before going out, I need to remind you young people, this is not a hunting ground, but a real otherworld. Safety is more important than the task.”

”A normal team might need to waste a day preparing for Flerek, but you, I think, can go out with just a little rest.”

”This is a huge advantage.”