Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy

Chapter 1159: The New Threat

The shadows covered Valeʼs body, and soon, he swiftly moved across the mountain range, rivers, hills, and other lands until the scorched horizon of the Ashen Plains of Myrrh came into view.

As soon as he reached the vicinity of one of the Forbidden Lands.

He immediately felt the heat in the air… Even the ground itself seemed to breathe fire…

This was Valeʼs first time coming here, but he had heard a lot about this place.

Then, as he reached the edge of the Plains, he halted. His Divine Sense swept outward and noticed the presence of multiple Arcanists.

A large encampment could be seen in the blackened soil of the Ashen Plains.

There were more than forty figures gathered, and based on their equipment, they seemed to be mercenaries with some Arcanist Guild members preparing for their expedition.

Vale then swiftly learned about their strength.

There were ten First‑Class Arcanists. They were also Arcanists from the Elemental Arts.

Then, there were twenty-five Third‑Class Arcanists from the Beast Path. They were weaker but armed with Runic Revolvers, weapons capable of piercing Evil Spirits and disrupting spell formations.

Lastly, Vale noticed the seven Master‑Class Arcanists, all unmistakably from the Alchemist Path…

Vale immediately realized what was going on.

”ʼlchemists… theyʼre here for the fire stone, I guess. Well, even if they cannot claim the main Fire Stone, there are lesser Fire Stones scattered across the Plains. Infusing such stones into their bodies would elevate their craft, granting them greater control over flame.ʼ Vale mused.

He found this intriguing. Rather than avoid them, he decided to join their group.

From a distance, he let his presence be known.

He did not reveal his Divinity, but his Sword Aura was soon triggered.

This Sword Aura wasnʼt just his own Aura developed by himself, but it was his Combat Art Spell. Something that he had actually extracted from a Martial Artist.

After all, the Combat Arts Practitioners or Martial Artists use their Spell Lights to store not just any Spell Models but Aura.

With his appearance, the camp stirred immediately. Their heads turned, and their hands tightened around weapons, ready for combat.

One of the guards stepped forward, blocking his path.

”We will be exploring the Ashen Plains. We donʼt want strangers lurking behind our backs. Leave now.”

Combat Arts Practitioners were certainly well respected. Most of the Police Officers or those Arcanists serving the public had actually chosen this Arcane Path.

So the Practitioners of this Path were known for their righteousness. Still, their expedition was private, and they couldnʼt just invite anyone or let others observe their progress.

Valeʼs gaze was calm as he looked at the guards. ”Canʼt I join you?”

The guard shook his head. ”Too late… The recruitment had ended, and weʼre already full. We donʼt need another Sword Expert here.”

More people wanted to just send him away, but before the tension could escalate, a figure emerged from the center of the camp.

His robes bore the crimson‑gold insignia of a Master Alchemist, and his appearance spread the scent of an expensive herb... Clearly, he was the leader of the expedition, and he must be conducting some alchemy or checking his Alchemy Ingredients before appearing.

”Hold,” the Master‑Class Arcanist commanded...

”Lord Ilya!”

The guards immediately stiffened as they heard the manʼs voice.

He studied Vale carefully as he felt the weight of the Sword Aura. The young man seemed to be in his twenties, but his power was already at the same level as a Sword Grandmaster.

”Youʼre no ordinary wanderer. Few dare approach the Ashen Plains alone.”

The guard stepped aside reluctantly, though their hands lingered near their revolvers.

The leader approached Vale directly.

”You wish to join us? Then tell me, why would a Combat Arts Expert risk the flames of Myrrh? These lands devour steel and flesh alike. What do you seek here?”

Valeʼs lips curved into a smile, as he had already thought of an answer for a while.

”The fire here can indeed devour even a steel, but it also tempers tempers. I just want to explore the place and learn more about my sword.”

The Master Alchemistʼs eyes gleamed with interest. He was cautious, but Valeʼs confidence and aura were something he had never seen for a long time. He couldnʼt help but recall his youth…

Around them, the mercenaries murmured, some skeptical, but the others were also curious.

Finally, the leader nodded. ”Very well. You may join us. But in the Ashen Plains, hesitation means death. If you falter, the flames will consume you.”

As the leader said this, he looked at Valeʼs cane… He could only guess that Valeʼs sword was actually hidden on that unassuming cane.

It wasnʼt a new trick but rather an old one. Still, it was most likely a Sovereign Rank Artifact based on the Aura he had just felt…

ʼWe can probably use his strength to deal with those rampaging Ember Wraiths and the against the Ember King…ʼ Ilya thought as those beings born from the Spirit of Fire were the only ones stopping them from reaching their goals.

This was Ilyaʼs fourth attempt to get the strongest Fire Stone, and he didnʼt plan to fail this time.

***

In the meantime, while Vale was exploring the Ashen Plains, another figure had arrived in one of the Forbidden Lands.

The Abyssal Rift of Zenthra appeared before Sabrina Hoffman…

Large fissures or fractures in space could be seen across the land. There was also a strong, unstable spatial energy around. These fractures were even bending light and sound in unnatural ways.

To mortals, this place was death incarnate… A single misstep could cast them into an endless void or even tear them into shreds.

But Sabrina, a Shadow Immortal, moved through the chaotic space without any issues…

Soon, she moved deeper and deeper until she reached an area where the distortions were strongest, masking any disturbance she might cause.

ʼPerfect.ʼ

She then raised her hand, and shadows started spreading around her… Then, she whispered an incantation…

In just a few moments, a thin portal appeared into existence…

”Move quickly!” Sabrina shouted as she couldnʼt maintain this for too long.

Then, from the portal… Three young figures stepped out…