Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1551: Chapter 1549: Choosing the Past or Mirai (The Beast King’s Talent Is Hard to Use)

Erasing the Magic Crest wasn’t just Fang Zheng’s impulsive thought but a decision made after thorough consideration.

Because the Magic Crest itself is a shackle for magicians.

This becomes clear with Fiore and Haine. They don’t want to inherit the Magic Crest, yet they have no choice. In ancient times, choices were limited, but in modern society, people have more options and are less tied to the past. Fiore, for example, prefers to explore different worlds, and Haine would simply leave if not for his sister’s health condition.

There are quite a few magicians like this; not just the new-age magicians, but also many inheritors from prestigious families have similar thoughts.

Essentially, it’s like inheriting a century-old store. I don’t want to inherit my family’s old shop; I’d rather learn painting or play music. But the world for magicians is much darker and crueler.

Normally, according to Fang Zheng’s hometown approach, you would surround the cities from the countryside first. But in this world, Fang Zheng directly faced the Clock Tower instead of trying to rally dissatisfied magician lineages, due to the unique environment of the magician race.

In Fang Zheng’s homeland, individual differences between people aren’t that obvious. A farmer with a pitchfork can block a landlord from entering. But in the magic world, the power of Magic Crests is incredibly strong, especially the ancient family-inherited crests.

The distinction between ancient and new magician lineages is like that between top-up sycophants and green rookies. Even if both are newly created characters, one is born crazy top-up with experience buff from head to toe with heirlooms, while the other can only use plain equipment to fight monsters.

Of course, Fang Zheng doesn’t aim for complete equality. Humans are naturally social-class animals; even primitive people without Magic Crests would elevate themselves with trophy skull necklaces or tattoos. In schools, academically successful students are superior, and in the Olympics, faster runners outrank slower ones.

Moreover, humanity’s development relied on class-led competition.

So it’s normal for some to start with a fully equipped heirloom while others begin with a blank slate.

But when those with heirlooms unite to exclude blank players from leveling up in instances, that’s another matter.

That’s why Fang Zheng wants to erase all Magic Crests.

Indeed, Magic Crests aren’t inherently evil but have become power tools for nobility trying to retain control through the old ways. They can freely oppress newcomers with their powerful Magic Crests. Similar to seizing wealth from landlords, not because the land is bad, nor because landlords are bad—there are good landlords—but the landlord class monopolizes agriculture, forcing others to work for them, pay rent, and provide harvests. This threatens the survival rights of most farmers, unable to ensure adequate food and clothing.

That’s why there’s a need to redistribute farmland, unifying it, leaving what belongs to the state, and the rest for private use.

Moreover, nobility magicians declare the only magician goal is the pursuit of Origin while branding those not pursuing it as inferior, which is extremely malicious.

This forces other magician lineages to follow suit. Perhaps many aren’t interested in Origin but started with research or simple curiosity. Under the Mage’s Association Shadow, all dissent is erased, forcing magicians to battle for the same goal like worker ants.

In this situation, uniting new-generation magician lineages makes little difference—defeats remain defeats.

Thus, Fang Zheng must first confront the Clock Tower, erase the Magic Crests of the Twelve Lords, completely defeat their families and ruin their power, giving new-generation magicians confidence to support and follow the World Tree of a Thousand Realms.

Oh, there’s also the Sanctuary Church afterward.

But it’s not too late for Fang Zheng to confront it after dealing with the Mage’s Association. He burned down the Full Sky of Gods and Buddhas in the World of the Immortal Sword; what does he care about a foolish church?

After his chat with Lainis, Fang Zheng returned to Japan with the girls, found Fiore, and handed the Library of Ten Thousand Demon Eyes to her for safekeeping. Fiore was extraordinarily surprised at Fang Zheng collecting so many Magic Eyes. But as Magic Eyes are valuable, she accepted them.

Fang Zheng isn’t worried about someone robbing the World Tree of a Thousand Realms’ Demon Eye repository. The reason is simple—he’s already summoned hundreds of Heroic Spirits at the World Tree base and Liyuan for watch and guard.

Though there’s no Holy Grail War, Heroic Spirits aren’t necessarily immobile from the Throne of Heroic Spirits—many heeded Fang Zheng’s request, eager to experience modern life, and some resonate with Fang Zheng’s ideas.

After all, many Heroic Spirits fought against tyrants and overthrew oppressive regimes; after hearing Fang Zheng’s details of the current situation between the World Tree and the Mage’s Association, they’re willing to lend Fang Zheng a helping hand.

Of course, to disguise their identities, Fang Zheng gave them various roles. Elder Shan is responsible for guarding the gate at Liyuan, Charlotte has become the chef, and Medea is disguised as a student within Liyuan—they’re all enjoying themselves.

Fang Zheng did not summon Berserkers, just to be safe.

Maybe due to psychological shadows.

He feels that summoning a Berserker would surely bring forth a grinning muscle-bound man...

Also, he didn’t summon Lancers; the reason is simpler.

For the sake of Luck E.

Afterwards, Fang Zheng transformed back into Red Ponytail for a special visit around the Twelve Lords’ lineages.

Unfortunately, the effect was minimal.

Strictly speaking, Fang Zheng’s objective was still achieved.

Which is to declare war.

And now, she’s at the last family of the Mage’s Association’s Twelve Families.

The territory of Animusphere.

”Whew... It’s really cold.”

Fang Zheng exhaled, rubbing her hands, while the blonde girl beside her watched her with interest.

”I didn’t expect that Miss Red Ponytail would also fear the cold.”

”What’s strange about fearing the cold? It’s just a bit chilly.”

While talking, Fang Zheng looked at the blonde girl beside her.

”Frankly, Lainis, I didn’t think you’d come along.”

”Recently, the Clock Tower has been stirred up quite a bit because of the World Tree of a Thousand Realms incident. After all, Miss Red Ponytail, you barged directly into their house, boldly making declarations...”

Upon saying this, Lainis smiled faintly.

”I assume you already know the consequences, right?”

”This isn’t a political negotiation, so why bother with their opinions?”

”Could you satisfy my curiosity then? Who’s willing to accept your World Tree of a Thousand Realms invitation?”

”So far? Trambelio and Baluretta have made some moves, but they seem unable to accept erasing the Magic Crest.”

”That’s quite normal, after all, the crest means everything to the mage lineage. Can’t there be some compromise?”

”No compromise.”

Fang Zheng shook his head.

”Erasing all Magic Crests is necessary. They can choose to preserve the records within the crest by other means, but the Magic Crest itself must be removed. This is the root of the current diversification issues within the mage world.”

”I see, that’s problematic then.”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Lainis sighed, and at that moment she squinted her eyes, looking towards the distance.

”Oh, it seems they have arrived.”

As Lainis spoke, two figures slowly appeared from the other side of the mountain path in the cold wind, one was a young girl about eleven or twelve years old, with long silver hair and determined eyes—she was the successor of the Animusphere line that Fang Zheng previously met on the Magic Eye Collecting Train—Olga Marie Asmiret Animusphere.

Beside her was a tall middle-aged man with silver-white slicked-back hair, dressed in a suit coat, holding a cane, slowly walking towards them.

”Yo, Olga Marie, long time no see.”

Fang Zheng waved to her, and Olga Marie, upon seeing Fang Zheng, hesitated, her expression slightly changing, and bowed to greet him.

”Long time no see, Miss Red Ponytail.”

”Seeing you’re doing well puts my mind at ease.”

After exchanging pleasantries with Olga Marie, Fang Zheng turned his gaze to the man beside her.

”So, this must be the Clan Leader of Animusphere.”

”Marisbury Animusphere.”

The man introduced himself calmly.

”I have heard of the matters concerning your World Tree of a Thousand Realms, frankly speaking, Animusphere is not interested.”

”But I am very interested in the Animusphere lineage.”

Fang Zheng cheerfully looked at Marisbury.

”Celestial bodies have always been the symbol of humanity’s longing and exploration of the unknown; the stars above, the trajectories of the sun and moon—all these changes, mysteries, meanings, and the existence and development of the universe. Is this not the goal of your celestial bodies department? In fact, your celestial bodies department does not fit in with the other families at the Clock Tower, correct?”

”...What’s your point?”

”It’s simple—exploration and observation of celestial bodies is the progressive history; people gradually master and discover and explore new constellations, star systems, planets... this contradicts the traditional views of the Mage’s Association. Hence, Animusphere lineage isolates themselves in deep mountains, reluctant to engage in the Clock Tower’s conflicts, isn’t that right? For you, the more you explore the starry sky, the more infinite mysteries there are, thus the Mage’s Association’s ancient conservative research model doesn’t align with you.”

”...”

Listening to this, Marisbury remained silent, while Olga Marie and Lainis displayed surprise on their faces. They knew that the Animusphere lineage hardly ever left the deep mountains, but originally thought it was merely due to a reclusive lifestyle, not realizing there might be such a reason?

The celestial department inherently does not fit with the Clock Tower?

”You should clearly understand my intention, but I won’t bother with political slogans for you, let’s make it more practical.”

Fang Zheng fixed his gaze on Marisbury.

”Abandon the Magic Crest, leave the Clock Tower, join the World Tree of a Thousand Realms, we’ll offer you ample compensation.”

Fang Zheng’s approach to Animusphere differed from other families for the simple reason that he was inviting the Animusphere lineage as scientists.

That’s right, Animusphere studies celestial bodies and the cosmos, though their history with magecraft is Earth-based, this magecraft research is equally beneficial to outer space exploration.

”Interesting.”

Marisbury chuckled lightly.

”Then, what can your World Tree of a Thousand Realms offer us?”

”That’s a great question.”

Upon hearing Marisbury’s inquiry, Fang Zheng gleefully snapped his fingers.

Instantly, the ground began to tremble, and a massive shadow suddenly manifested, shrouding the sky.