The Wizard: From Zero-Ring Wizard to Almighty Lord.

The Hall of Life, a luxurious reception hall.

The room was softly lit, and outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, vines swayed gently in the breeze, casting dappled green shadows.

The air was filled with the faint aroma of black tea and the fresh scent of flowers and herbs.

Beverly stood in the center of the hall, her black and white maid outfit perfectly tailored, the hem of her skirt barely revealing her fair calves, exuding a playful yet dignified air.

She lowered her head slightly, a professional smile always on her lips—it was a habit she had developed as Lynn's head maid.

Not far in front of her, two figures sat side by side.

The second-level witch, Lina, was restless, her hands folded on her knees, her thighs covered in sweat.

Beverly had already prepared exquisite refreshments and steaming hot black tea for them, but Corina didn't touch a bite. Her gaze kept drifting towards the hall door, as if she was waiting for something, or perhaps afraid of something.

In contrast, Princess Lori was much calmer.

She sat gracefully on the sofa, legs together, back straight, her delicate hands gently holding a teacup.

She took a small sip of black tea, the aroma spreading out, but it couldn't hide the faint tension in her eyes.

Just then, footsteps approached from afar.

Lynn appeared at the entrance of the hall.

"master."

Beverly bowed immediately, her voice soft and clear.

Lina sprang to her feet as if propelled by a spring, nearly knocking over her teacup.

She quickly steadied herself, bowed deeply to Lynn, and her voice was clearly tinged with restraint and reverence:
"Greetings, Wizard of the Green Forest!"

Lori slowly put down her teacup, raised her beautiful eyes, and looked at Lynn.

She rose, slightly curtsied, and performed a standard aristocratic bow, her voice clear and composed:
"Green Forest Wizard".

Lynn's gaze swept over the three women, he smiled slightly, and casually waved his hand:

"Please sit down, no need to stand on ceremony."

He whispered something to Beverly, who understood. She lifted her skirt, bowed again, and quietly took her leave, moving lightly towards another VIP room, leaving only Lynn, Lina, and Lori in the large reception hall.

There was a moment of silence in the air.

Lina's attitude was completely different from when they last met.

The reason was simple: during the turmoil of the Nightmare Rift, they finally learned Lynn's true identity.

Not a level three archmage, but a Morning Star wizard.

A noble Morning Star Wizard.

In the wizarding world, this means a completely different status and power.

How could Lina, a mere second-level witch, dare to overstep her bounds in the slightest?

She didn't even dare to breathe too heavily, afraid that she might say the wrong thing and anger the person in front of her who was once "familiar" but is now unapproachable.

Lori, on the other hand, remained the same.

She and Lynn were already acquainted, and even after her identity was revealed, there wasn't much of a commotion.

Of course, that's what they say, but the two women came here today because they needed something from Lynn.

So Princess Lori looked at Lynn, her jewel-like eyes sparkling, her red lips slightly parted, as if considering how to speak.

However, Princess Lori clearly underestimated the power of a Morning Star wizard.

After being forced out of the pass by the "uninvited guest," Lynn did not remain idle.

He immediately contacted acquaintances he usually considered "Morning Star friends," such as the law enforcement wizard Ald and the Warhammer Master.

From their accounts, Lynn finally pieced together the true picture of the Rift Valley.

Although, because of him and the Golden Scales, the Dark Goddess Shar suddenly appeared, attracting the pity of that great figure in the wizarding world, who resolved Shar's troubles in one fell swoop.

But deep within the rift valley lies another, even more troublesome hidden danger.

Sel.

The Moonlit Wizard who devoured Windrunner Itakua and barely reached level seven is now in a state that is too bizarre to describe.

Shar's clone briefly helped him to sort out and suppress the aura of the ancient ruler within him, but that power was ultimately limited.

After Sharl found himself in dire straits, he was caught in a tug-of-war between "sane" and "madness".

What's worse, when that important figure from the wizarding world arrived, he didn't seem to kill him outright.

As a result, the Wizarding Council's attitude became nuanced.

The recapture of the Nightmare Rift Valley is now a foregone conclusion.

However, completely eliminating Sel is far more complicated than simply crushing a Morning Star.

The clashes between the Radiant Moons are never quick and decisive.

Neither the Golden Pen Calligraphy Master nor the Sky-Soaring Demon was willing to risk injury to confront a level seven being who was sometimes lucid and sometimes insane.

After discussing it, the two chose the safest but most time-consuming method: to slowly work it out.

Several years, more than ten years, or even longer.

The victory lies in the fact that it is undamaged and does not harm the foundation of the Radiant Moon.

The tone of the rift valley was thus set: surround it without killing it, exhaust its sanity, and wait for it to completely collapse.

It's only a matter of time before it's recovered.

Under these circumstances, Elven wizards like Princess Lori and Lina found themselves in the most awkward position.

The mechanical city has been regained control by the mechanical wizards. The Meteor Council wizards and high-ranking elf officials who had previously terrorized the city have been almost entirely purged.

Lori, Lina, and the others barely escaped because they had protected Darwin and Martha on the third floor and also had a connection with Lynn.

But that's about it.

Lori was only a level three archmage and had no right to protect the entire elven race's power in the Rift.

The only people she could save were her personal guards who had accompanied her to the third floor.

The rest were either taken captive by the mechanical wizards or scattered and fled in the chaos.

Princess Lori came to Lynn not because she hoped he could protect the remaining Elven forces in the Rift.

She knew perfectly well that Lynn still harbored this grudge against the elves, and their only remaining connection was likely directed at her alone.

It would be virtually impossible for him to risk parliamentary repercussions by sheltering hundreds of elven wizards.

She's not that naive.

Her purpose for this trip was simple and pragmatic:
She only asked Lynn to protect herself, Lina, and the dozen or so of her closest guards.

If the opportunity arises, I will borrow his power to send them to a powerful force far away from the Nightmare Rift Valley, using their long-distance teleportation array to completely remove them from this troublesome place in the Southern Region. That's all.

Lori is a smart woman.

She was well aware that the Elven race's top combat strength was on the verge of collapse.

Despite being a Morning Star Extreme Realm expert, Duke Windshadow Follett was still trapped deep within the Rift Valley, sharing a corner with Sel.
Perhaps a few other Morning Star wizards of the Elven race have survived by sheer luck, but so what?

The Meteor Council is doomed, and the Wizard Council will surely reclaim Nightmare Rift.

In a decade or so at most, those Morning Stars of the Wind Spirits will also face arrest, interrogation, and even execution by the Council.

Given this situation, the elves are in a very awkward position, so it's better for them to withdraw as soon as possible.

So, she took Lina and her most trusted guards and went to Lynn's place immediately.

At this moment, Lynn didn't even need to ask.

He only needed to look at Lori quietly to sense the layers of distracting thoughts emanating from her body.

That mix of unease, anticipation, tension, and a hint of wishful thinking, like fine rain, clearly brushed against his senses.

For a Morning Star Wizard, if a low-level wizard is preoccupied, although he cannot read minds directly, he can easily understand the other party's intentions and emotions through the overflowing mental fluctuations.

Just like it is right now.

Lori pursed her red lips, hesitant to speak, opening and closing her mouth several times as if she were struggling to find the right words to avoid sounding too humble.

Looking at her like this, Lynn couldn't help but smile.

He spoke softly, his voice low and gentle, yet reassuring:

"I already know why you've come."

"Given our relationship, this little thing shouldn't be so difficult to talk about."

Lori and Lina looked up at the same time, a hint of surprise and disbelief flashing in their beautiful eyes.

Lynn paused, then continued:
"Alright...you can stay at the Temple of Life for now. Once I've finished what I'm doing, I'll personally escort you to the Eastern Regions."

"I'm also going to the Eastern Regions, so we can go the same way..."

"what……!"

Lori's breath hitched, and her beautiful eyes instantly sparkled.

Lina's eyes welled up with tears, her fingers gripped her skirt tightly, and her voice trembled.

"Thank you so much, Wizard Qinglin!!"

Lynn not only offered to shelter them, but also personally escorted them away from the Southern Region, which far exceeded their greatest wish for this trip.

It's safe and secure now.

Lynn clapped her hands lightly.

Soon, a level two human witch dressed in a black and white maid outfit quietly walked in.

Her movements were light and graceful; her skirt swayed slightly as she bowed, and her voice was soft.

"master."

Lynn nodded slightly, his tone casual yet unquestionable:

"Make arrangements for these two distinguished guests and their entourage. Guest rooms, food, and security are all provided."

"Yes, sir."

The maid bowed again, then turned and led Lori and Lina away.

Soon only Lynn remained in the hall.

He leaned back on the sofa, his gaze passing through the floor-to-ceiling windows and landing on the swaying vines outside the hall.

Princess Lori and Lina were certainly not alone when they came to the Temple of Life.

As elves, once discovered by the inspecting wizards of the Wizard Council, they would inevitably face chains and interrogation.

The label of war criminal had long been attached to them, and they were frequently detained, tortured, or even executed.

Their safe arrival here was entirely due to the covert protection of Davin, Martha, and others. Therefore, quietly waiting in another VIP room were Davin, Martha, Chris, and… the human little witch with the same name as the princess, Lori.

After dealing with the elven sisters, Lynn did not leave the reception hall immediately, but stood there for a long time without moving.

Although the problem of the elves is thorny, it is ultimately an outsider's problem and easy to solve.

But the people in the other hall were the ones who were really giving him a headache.

"Sigh... There's no use dwelling on it anymore. They've already arrived, so we have to meet them."

He exhaled a breath of stale air, a rare trace of weariness flashing across his brows, before getting up and walking toward another VIP room.

....................................

Inside the VIP lounge, Beverly stood quietly to one side, her black and white maid outfit appearing exceptionally soft in the gentle light.

Inside the room were four figures: three women and one man, namely Davin, Martha, Chris, and... Lori.

Yes, it's the human witch Lori who shares the same name as Princess Lori.

When Lynn first arrived in the Mechanical City, influenced by her father, the girl developed a girlish infatuation with him.

Later, Lynn was assigned to the ground battlefield, and she even disregarded the danger and followed Daven and the others all the way there.

Although that feeling was still innocent, it was so genuine that it couldn't be ignored.

Lynn didn't know how to get along with a woman who had once been in love with her.

Moreover, Lynn was nominally a teacher, but in reality a puppet, the Spirit-Eyed Wizard.

He died at the hands of the elven Morning Star Wizard while trying to save Lori.

This reason may have caused Lori some psychological trauma.

She was also the reason why Lynn felt somewhat constrained.

Compared to how to treat Lori, dealing with Davin, Martha, and others is actually easier.

The last time Lynn met them, he was a formal wizard.

But only a hundred or two hundred years later, Lynn transformed into a respected Morning Star Wizard.

Despite the vast difference in their perspectives, Davin and the others only genuinely praised Lynn without having any other thoughts.

"tread!"

"tread!"

Footsteps sounded, and Lynn appeared in the VIP room.

The four figures in the hall each had a different expression.

Davin was the first to react, his joy barely concealed. He immediately stood up, his voice filled with the excitement of a long-awaited reunion:
"Brother Lynn!"

He laughed like a child, his eyes shining brightly, as if time had turned back, returning him to the days when he was just as vulnerable.

Martha stood there, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, like a spilled palette.

Envy, awe, relief, bitterness... all sorts of emotions intertwined, ultimately transforming into a standard wizarding ritual.

She lowered her head slightly, her voice low and solemn:
"Greetings, Master Qinglin Wizard."

Chris still had that bright and charming appearance.

Her long, wine-red hair cascaded down her back, and her graceful figure was even more alluring in the soft light, making her look like a beauty who had stepped out of a painting.

However, her relationship with Lynn was the most distant, and she came this time mostly to protect her junior brother, Davin.

She didn't show much emotion, simply bowing gracefully, her voice clear and crisp:

"Greetings, Wizard of the Green Forest!"

Lynn's gaze swept over each one, finally settling on the quiet, almost transparent figure in the corner.

Lori.

The Lori I remember was neither stunning nor alluring.

She was like the girl next door, with long hair casually draped over her shoulders, a slender waist, and eyes that crinkled when she smiled, always reminding Lynn of those carefree afternoons.

She would chat with him casually, her voice soft, like a spring breeze caressing a lake.

That feeling was clean and innocent, like first love itself.

But now, memories and reality overlap, and in the end, they have been defeated by time.

Lori still had that familiar face, but she was no longer the same as she had been back then.

Fine lines have crept into the corners of her eyes, and her once clear and captivating eyes are now somewhat cloudy. Although her skin is well-maintained, it cannot hide the traces left by time.

She was merely a first-class witch; despite her various methods to preserve her youth, she could not withstand the relentless passage of time.

Youth fades quickly, beauty withers easily; those best years have been quietly stolen away.

All that's left is a heartbreaking face, tarnished by time.

Lynn stood there, looking at her, somewhat dazed.

Lori was also stunned.

She looked up and met Lynn's face, which hadn't changed at all. He was still young and handsome, as if time had been paused on him.

The past came flooding back like a tide, and she felt as if she had returned to the street corner of the mechanical city and seen that captivating figure again.

But the next moment, reality poured cold water over his head.

She began to tremble.

Her eyes quickly filled with tears.

tick.

tick.

Tears streamed down her face, ravaged by time, splashing onto her skirt and creating tiny droplets.

A woman's breakdown often happens in an instant.

The man she once loved saw her aged appearance, while he remained as youthful as ever.

"No...don't look at me!"

Lori turned around abruptly, curling up into a ball like a wounded kitten.

She hugged her arms tightly, her shoulders trembling violently, her sobs suppressed yet unstoppable, one after another, as if the softest part of her heart was being torn apart.

The hall became eerily quiet for a moment.

Davin, Martha, and Chris looked at each other, none of them daring to step forward.

Beverly walked over quietly.

She gently lifted her skirt, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable tenderness:
“Mr. Darwin, Miss Martha, Miss Chris, please come with me. The master has something to say to Miss Lori alone.”

The three exchanged a glance, but ultimately said nothing and followed Beverly away.

The hall door closed gently, making a subtle yet clear "click" sound, like an invisible barrier that shut out the whole world.

In the huge VIP room, only Lynn and Lori remained.

Lynn sighed softly, casually flicked his sleeve, and quietly locked the door.

The spiritual energy enveloped the surroundings like a thin mist, isolating all prying eyes and sounds.

The room was softly lit, and vines swayed outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled green shadows, but they couldn't penetrate the invisible chasm between the two.

He slowly walked towards Lori.

Over the past century or two, time has been like a merciless knife, cutting away too many things.

But at this moment, upon reuniting with an old friend, the uncontrollable wail was like a heavy hammer, shattering the last trace of estrangement in Lynn's heart.

The most fleeting things in life are youth and beauty; rosy cheeks fade from the mirror, and flowers fall from the trees.

He walked up behind her and looked at the woman who was once as bright and cheerful as spring, now curled up in a ball, her back thin and aged.

A few strands of silver hair were already mixed in, and her shoulders trembled slightly, like a candle flickering in the wind.

Lynn did not speak.

He simply stretched out his arms and gently wrapped them around her from behind.

Lori's body stiffened abruptly.

The familiar temperature, the familiar outline, the familiar faint fragrance.

That was the gentlest dream in her memory, but time has turned it gray.

She gave him her heart during the best years of her life.

However, he was caught up in the interdimensional battlefield and was never heard from again.

One or two hundred years have passed, and she has waited her whole life.

She has never had intimate contact with any man, and has never let anyone into her heart again.

Now, this embrace, two hundred years overdue, has finally arrived.

It wasn't the most perfect moment, but in the end, it didn't make her wait a lifetime in vain.

Lori's sobs gradually subsided.

She was stiff at first, as if afraid that it was all just an illusion.

Lynn's embrace was steady and warm, without a moment's hesitation or a word of extraneousness.

His breath was clean and crisp, carrying the unique fragrance of plants and trees of the temple of life, seeping into her nostrils little by little.

Memories flooded back like a tide.

On a street corner in the mechanical capital, she secretly watched his back.

Before the interdimensional battlefield, she chased after him regardless of everything, just to see him one more time;
Those unspoken feelings of affection, like seeds, are buried by time, yet never truly wither away.

Lori's breathing gradually became even, and her shoulders stopped trembling. She didn't turn around, but simply leaned gently against his chest, as if she had finally found her home.

Tears were still flowing, but no longer a cathartic outburst of despair; instead, they were a quiet expression of relief and grievance.

Lynn didn't speak; at this moment, it seemed that saying anything would be superfluous.

He simply tightened his arms, pulling her even closer into his embrace.

Outside the window, sunlight filters through the vines, casting dappled patterns of gold and green.

It landed on the two of them.

Like a belated, tender memory.

It's like... the answer I've finally waited for all my life.

In this stillness, Lori's breath gradually subsided, gradually quieting down, until it finally dimmed and ceased... (End of Chapter)