The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

The humanoid object, woven from countless thin black threads, had no internal support. A stone thrown at it would have passed right through its body in an instant.

The Energy Flame was an absolute counter to Magical Plants, unless they had mutated to develop a specific resistance. Or, if they possessed such immense Vitality that they could regrow no matter how much they were burned.

The Black Death Vine clearly possessed no such Extraordinary Traits. When Wang Ya unleashed his Fear-Burning Fire at full power, the plant was utterly unable to resist. As its body was continuously incinerated, it shrank until all that remained was a black, fist-sized ball resembling a clump of yarn.

In terms of Life Force, this thing was far more formidable than the Blood-sucking King Vine.

The latter could never have withstood being burned by the Energy Flame for so long.

Wang Ya placed it in a special container and stored it in his red metal ring.

Only after the temperature had dropped considerably did Bai Gang and the others dare to approach.

The scorching heat still baked the mortals present, making them miserable.

Their eyes were filled with awe and reverence for Wang Ya.

The fog still lingered; defeating the Black Death Vine had caused no change.

Wang Ya had a good idea of what was going on.

’A Wizard Ruins out in the wild. Over the long years, its Witch Array can no longer sustain its cycle. A breach has opened, allowing energy fluctuations to emanate from it.’

’Some of the living things inside must have escaped at the same time.’

’I’ll just deactivate the True Sight Ball in my sleeve. The Black Death Vine was the objective of the task. Now that the suspected Witch has been dealt with, all I need to do is submit a report.’

’There’s no need to report anything more.’

’As long as no further problems arise, an omission like this is permissible.’

’It’s one of the unwritten rules, after all.’

Throughout history, there had been other lucky individuals who found themselves in similar situations.

Wang Ya prepared to enter the Wizard Ruins and explore, hoping to find something useful for himself.

However, he didn’t get his hopes up.

For anything to be of value to him, it would have to have come from at least a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice or an Extreme Wizard Apprentice.

The fluctuations from the Witch Array suggested it was a large-scale Fog Array, which meant the Wizard who built these ruins wasn’t particularly powerful.

’A Level 2 Wizard Apprentice at most, though a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice is also a possibility.’

”You may all return now. I’ve dealt with the Witch, so you don’t need to worry anymore. The crisis is over,” Wang Ya said, glancing at the people behind him with an exceptionally flat tone.

Bai Gang, ever tactful, sharply ordered the members of the Knight Guard Team to get a move on.

As he was leaving, he gave Wang Ya a slight bow and said with a smile, ”It is the Black Earth Kingdom’s honor to have been of assistance to you, esteemed Master Wizard.”

’A smart man!’

’He knows his place, and he knows what things he should and shouldn’t know.’

’And very ambitious!’

Wizards didn’t reject such individuals; in some respects, they even tacitly supported them.

Only people like him could keep the Dark Land from stagnating and ensure it remained vibrant.

As Wang Ya ventured deeper into the fog, he began to understand why the place was called the Thorn Area.

Thorns were everywhere he looked, covering the ground and clinging to the tree trunks, blanketing the entire area.

The skeletons of various animals were tangled in the thickets of thorns. Some were rotting and reeking, while others, much older, had been reduced to grim, white bones.

This was an area the Black Earth Kingdom had never explored, a place that remained unknown.

Wang Ya deduced that the Black Death Vine must have escaped recently, which matched the one-year timeline mentioned by the King of Black Earth.

Otherwise, given a few more years, this area would no longer be filled with thorns, but with a colony of Black Death Vines.

The Eye of Truth located the weak point in the Witch Array’s breach. With a single, combined blast of Extraordinary Spiritual Power and Particle Energy, everything the array had concealed was laid bare before him.

...

”Things are really about to change this time. I wonder how many Wizards in positions of power will be taken down by the internal investigation.”

”Tell me about it. My clan warned me to stay at headquarters for a while, not to leave the grounds under any circumstances, and to avoid any out-of-line behavior.”

The sounds of discussion echoed through the Salon Association. Figures clad in Wizard Robes sat on sofas or stood holding a Wizard’s Beverage, taking a sip from time to time.

Zack Antuun was also among them, though he kept to an inconspicuous corner.

Everyone present was a talented Wizard from one of the Wizard Clans. Only young clan Wizards recognized for their power, character, and other qualities were qualified to receive an invitation.

They listened as the Mad Brothers complained about being confined to their clan’s lands, unable to leave until they advanced to Level 3 Wizard Apprentice, and so on. The other talented Wizards offered some sympathy and began voicing their own frustrations.

All of their troubles were related to the Natural Tower Wizards infiltrating the Dark Land and the chain of consequences that followed.

”But honestly, I have to admire Wang Ya Harak,” Riley Shebel said, and the other Wizards present strongly agreed. ”He’s so good at stirring things up. Every Wizard Task or objective-based mission he takes on causes a huge commotion.”

Whether it was the Evil God incident, the Secret Realm competition, or this latest affair... come to think of it, that was absolutely true.

Rod Stark said with a neutral expression, ”It’s a double-edged sword. All those Wizards who were affected or whose interests were harmed might take their anger out on Wang Ya Harak. His life is about to get much more difficult.”