Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

Seven Degrees of Sunset Glow says: Read this book!

As the morning mist dissipated, Nassenger slipped out through the back door of a goldsmith shop in the south of the city.

He was dressed in a gray, fitted outfit, and had sharp eyes.

"Goods from the Rose Merchant Guild..."

He crouched in the shadows of the alley, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the cold scabbard of the short blade at his waist.

"The last three transfer records all point to 'Black Crow Alchemy'."

That was an inconspicuous property under Edmund's name.

On the surface, it deals in low-level alchemical items, but there are three secret rooms hidden underground in the warehouse.

Nassenger went inside and checked it out himself last night.

The sealed room was filled with unopened, lead-sealed boxes, their surfaces engraved with isolation runes...

It's exactly the same as the metal box in Ian's lab.

"It really was you..."

He let out a low, cold laugh, like the guttural sound of a wild beast spotting its prey.

I stood up, turned around, and disappeared into the sparse crowd of people in the early morning.

Behind them, the curtains on the second floor of the alchemy shop swayed slightly, revealing a pair of gloomy eyes.

"This is troublesome...we must move immediately."

……

At the same time.

At number 12 Golden Oak Street, a dozen or so people had already gathered outside the Potions Workshop.

There were representatives from small and medium-sized families, managers of the chamber of commerce, and two wandering wizards dressed in gray robes.

Edel stood on the steps, her deep purple wizard robes fluttering gently in the morning breeze.

She held a crystal tube in her hand, inside which dark silver liquid slowly flowed, and starlight floated in the depths.

"Gentlemen."

She spoke, her voice cool and clear, yet it reached everyone's ears distinctly.

"Through the painstaking research of Wizard Marcus, we have successfully developed a new type of purifying potion."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. "I'll call it the [Soul-Soothing Potion]."

The potion in Adel's hand is a weakened version of the purification potion, which has a very strong purifying effect on negative energy corruption of wizards below level two.

A subtle commotion arose in the crowd.

Several old wizards narrowed their eyes, silently extending their spiritual energy to try and sense the fluctuations of the potion.

A barely perceptible smile played on Adele's lips as she flicked the tube shut with her fingertip.

In an instant.

A clear, cool wave, carrying an aura as vast as the starry sky, spread out.

Like a spring breeze sweeping across frozen earth, like morning light shining into a deep well.

All the extended spiritual energy paused slightly upon contact with the fluctuations.

Unconsciously, I relaxed, like a taut string suddenly being smoothed out.

"this……"

An old wizard with white hair contracted his pupils and unconsciously tightened his grip on the handle of his staff.

He has been stuck at the peak of level one for twenty years.

The old, hidden wound at the edge of my spiritual sea aches faintly every time I meditate.

But after that brief moment of fluctuation... the pain actually lessened slightly.

Although it is only a trace, it truly exists.

"Miss Edel."

He stepped forward, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly.

"This potion...is effective for old wounds on the soul level?"

Adele re-plugged the tube, and the fluctuations subsided.

"【Soul-Soothing Potion】is primarily used to combat the erosion and contamination caused by foreign energies, as well as abnormal agitation at the soul level."

She spoke calmly, looking at the restless crowd, before changing the subject.

"Of course, the specific effects vary from person to person."

She turned and looked in the direction of the family castle.

"I have submitted an application to the council of elders, suggesting a small-scale trial within the family."

"Especially those members who...are exposed to complex energies for extended periods and need peace of mind."

She spoke the last few words very slowly.

Deep within his deep blue eyes, a fleeting glimpse of dark gold veins appeared.

……

Three days later, in the evening.

In the side hall of the ancestral hall's council chamber, candlelight cast five withered shadows onto the stone wall.

The shadow stretched long, twisting and intersecting in the corner.

"One hundred bottles of the brand-new Tier 2 [Soul-Soothing Potion] shall be submitted."

The old wizard at the head of the group tapped the edge of the stone table with his fingertips, producing a dull knocking sound.

"You want to price each bottle at two hundred magic crystals, paid for by the family treasury?"

He raised his eyes and looked at Adele, who was standing below him.

His gaze was calm, yet scrutinizing.

"Are you sure... the medicine is completely harmless?"

Adele bowed slightly, her posture respectful, but her back remained ramrod straight.

"Elder, you are wise. The main ingredient of this potion is a holy light-type purification material, which is further blended with the blood of the direct descendants of the Shihen family. All the ingredients are traceable."

Her tone was certain.

"I have personally tested the drug three times, and my mental energy is functioning smoothly with no adverse reactions."

The old wizard remained silent for a moment.

The other four elders exchanged glances, a silent communication flowing in the air.

Finally, the one sitting on the far right, with the deepest wrinkles on his face, slowly spoke.

"Approved, Adele. You did a great job. Your score will be increased in the subsequent evaluations."

Second-tier purification and soul-soothing potions are already rare resources, proving that Edel has the ability to introduce "new resource channels" to the family.

His voice was hoarse, like a broken bellows.

"The potions will be distributed tomorrow: three bottles each for Edmund, Edwin, Adrian, and Ashia..."

"The remainder will be stored in the family's secret vault for unforeseen circumstances."

Adele lowered her head. "Yes, ma'am."

In the shadows, a very faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

……

West of the city, Edmund's private estate.

Only one crystal wall lamp was lit in the study, its light enveloping a corner of the desk.

Inside the tube, the dark silver liquid flowed under the light, starlight rose and fell, and the vortex of order slowly rotated.

So beautiful...it's breathtaking.

"[Soothing Potion]..."

He repeated the name softly, his fingertips lightly tracing the tube wall. .

"Has the matter been clarified?"

From the shadows, a hunched figure slowly emerged.

He was an old wizard dressed in a gray robe, with a pure white mask covering his face, revealing only two cloudy eyes.

"I checked."

The old wizard's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against a stone surface.

"The main ingredients, auxiliary ingredients, and refining techniques all seem to be... normal."

"I used seven detection arrays, three bloodline resonance techniques, and even the 'Eye of Truth'."

His eyes, hidden beneath the mask, narrowed slightly.

"The medicine is completely harmless; on the contrary... it has an extremely strong nourishing effect on the soul."

Edmund stared at the potion in his hand, the dark purple patterns deep in his pupils slowly shifting.

It was as if something had awakened in my eyes.

"This potion... is too perfect."

He spoke suddenly, his voice soft but carrying a chilling undertone.

"So perfect...it doesn't seem real."

The old wizard remained silent.

The only sounds in the study were the soft crackling of the fireplace and the howling wind outside the window.

After a while, Edmund slowly stood up and walked to the window.

"You said..." He had his back to the old wizard, his voice fading.

"If I add a little 'seasoning' to the potion..."

Before he could finish speaking, the old wizard understood.

The eyes beneath the mask suddenly contracted, a flicker of fear flashing deep within the murky pupils.

"Young Master, this is too risky." He swallowed hard, lowering his voice even further.

"The elders are keeping an eye on things, and so is Edel's..."

"That's why we need to add it," Edmund interrupted him, turning around.

The candlelight shone from the side, cutting a line between light and shadow on his face.

The bright half of his face remained calm and composed.

The dark half... a wide grin spread across his face, revealing an almost manic arc.

"I want her 'goodwill' delivered by herself..."

"It became a poisoned blade aimed at her heart."

He raised his hand, and a wisp of dark purple flame ignited at his fingertips.

At the center of the flames, tiny tentacles could be vaguely seen wriggling.

The surface of the tentacles is covered with fleshy buds, each of which opens and closes silently, as if breathing.

The old wizard trembled, lowered his head, and dared not look any further.

Edmund stared at the flame at his fingertips with a fascination, as if he were looking at the most precious treasure in the world.

……

No. 7 Wisteria Lane, three basement levels.

Ian sat cross-legged in the center of the isolation array, his eyes closed.

Within the spiritual sea, the crystallized core slowly rotated, its surface star trails shimmering with a pale silver light, like the Milky Way in the night sky.

The meditation method of "Starry Night Ritual" is fully activated in the consciousness.

Countless stars are arrayed in the sky above the spiritual sea, each one drawing upon the invisible stellar power in the void.

But tonight... he made one more move.

His consciousness sank deep into his mind, touching the illusory image of the floating panel.

Pale golden runes began to flow along the edge of the semi-transparent light curtain.

The rune structure is extremely complex, with each stroke containing rules that transcend comprehension.

Ian "looked" toward the center of the light screen.

There are dozens of glowing dots marked on it, each corresponding to the location of a [Soul-Soothing Potion].

Most of the light spots remained still, emitting a soft, pale silver glow.

That's a normal fluctuation in order.

But there are three points of light... that are different colors.

Dark red, like congealed blood.

Deep within the light spot, one can vaguely see dark black lines wriggling, with tiny ripples spreading along the edges of the lines.

The ripples were so weak that they were almost imperceptible.

However, it cannot escape the panel's detection.

[A deep-sea contamination source resonance detected...]

[Pollution source location in progress...]

[Location 1: West of the city, Edmund Manor, third floor study of the main building]

[Pollution Intensity: Level 2]

[Coordinates 2: West of the city, Edmund Manor, Underground Chamber]

[Pollution Intensity: Level 4]

[Coordinate 3: West of the city, Edmund Manor, East Guard Tower]

[Pollution Intensity: Level 2]

Ian slowly opened his eyes, and a flash of silver light disappeared deep in his pupils.

"really……"

He muttered to himself, his fingertips unconsciously tapping his knees.

Edmund's body was tainted with level three pollution, which was expected, but the other two auras...

"Even their core members have had contact with the Abyss?"

The contamination on the two people was very faint, more like residue from indirect contact.

"Perhaps... it's a 'gift' from Edmund?"

He recalled the contents of that encrypted notebook.

The spread of contamination from the abyss does not necessarily require direct contact.

Through certain mediums, such as contaminated materials or items engraved with runes...

Even a wisp of breath can plant a seed.

Ian stood up and walked to the stone platform.

The city map was spread out on the table, with three dark red dots that looked like three malignant tumors, slowly pulsating on the map.

He extended his finger and hovered it above the point of light that represented Edmund's study.

Mental energy seeped into the panel, and the resonance frequency began to be adjusted.

It's like tuning a very precise lock; the lock cylinder turns, and the gears mesh.

The pale silver power of the Order of the Stars transformed into an extremely subtle fluctuation through the panel's changes.

The fluctuations are transmitted in the opposite direction along the "imprint of order" embedded in the potion.

Silently... it seeped deep into those three points of light.

……

The family's monthly gathering took place a day later.

The event was held in the banquet hall on the east side of the castle, where long tables were set with exquisite silverware and crystal glasses.

The candlelight flickered on the chandelier, casting a warm glow.

Edmund sat to the left of the main seat, wearing a dark gold-trimmed robe, with a gentle smile on his face.

He was talking quietly with an elderly man in a gray robe beside him, occasionally raising his wine glass to take a sip.

The movements were elegant and impeccable.

Edwin sat opposite him, the collar of his dark red robe slightly open, revealing the hideous scars beneath.

He gulped down the strong liquor, but his eyes kept glancing at Edmund, his gaze gloomy.

Adrian sat at the end of the long table, dressed in dark green, with long, slender fingers, slowly peeling a grape.

Edel sat next to Ashia, her deep purple wizard robes gleaming dimly in the candlelight.

She lowered her head and sipped the fruit wine in her glass.

Seemingly calm, yet her fingertips unconsciously brushed against the rim of the cup.

Ian sat in the corner of the guest area, wearing an ordinary gray robe, with his shoulder curled up in a ball.

There was a glass of water in front of him, which he hadn't touched from beginning to end.

He just sat quietly, his eyes half-closed.

Halfway through the banquet, Edmund suddenly stood up.

He picked up his wine glass, a bright smile on his face.

"Gentlemen."

His voice was clear and bright, with a captivating magnetism.

"Family affairs have been busy lately, making it a rare occasion for us to gather. I propose that, for the glory of the Just family..."

Before he could finish speaking...

Ian quietly opened his half-closed eyes.

Deep within his pupils, a silver light exploded like a volcanic eruption.

He had just quietly meditated on the [Starry Sky Ritual], and the [Abyss Soul Pact] in his spiritual sea once again sensed a wisp of the will of the abyss.

Within the mental sea, the panel vibrated silently!

At the edge of vision, dark red characters cascaded down like a waterfall of blood.

[The resonance frequency has been locked...]

[The Mark of Order is activated...]

[Abyssal Contamination Source Resonance Intensity: Peak Value!]

[Introducing the will of the abyss, resonating with the imprint...]

[Violent Purification!]

The scene remained noisy, with no unusual phenomena visible to the naked eye.

But the moment Ian gave the order...

Edmund's smile froze instantly!

The crystal glass in his hand shattered with a crack, splashing amber-colored wine everywhere.

next second.

He felt as if he had been struck hard by an invisible hammer, and he fell backward violently!

"puff!"

Dark red blood, mixed with black flocculent matter, gushed out of his mouth!

Blood splattered on the long table, instantly corroding the silverware into countless pits.

The soft hissing sound was particularly clear in the deathly silent banquet hall.

"Ugh..."

A beastly roar rolled down Edmund's throat.

He gripped his neck tightly with both hands, his nails digging deep into his flesh, drawing blood.

On the skin's surface, dark purple lines wriggled wildly as if they were alive.

Deep within the patterns, a jet-black liquid seeped out, gleaming with a nauseating sheen under the candlelight.

"Young...Young Master!"

The old man in the gray robe beside him suddenly stood up and reached out to help him.

But he had just touched Edmund's shoulder.

"ah!!"

The old man let out a piercing scream.

The skin on the hand that touched Edmund withered and shriveled at a visible rate.

It has been drained of all its moisture and vitality.

In the blink of an eye, the entire palm turned into charred, withered bones, the surface of which was covered with dark purple mycelium.

The hyphae wriggled and spread upwards little by little.

"Help, help me..."

The gray-robed old man staggered backward, his eyes filled with fear; the pollution far exceeded the level of a second-level wizard.

He tried to shake off the withered hand, but the mycelium had already climbed up his forearm.

Wherever it goes, flesh withers and bones shatter.

It felt like being gnawed away from the inside by something invisible...

At the same moment, two more screams were heard from the banquet hall.

One was Edmund's chief bodyguard, and the other was his personal alchemist.

Both men coughed up black blood, and dark purple lines under their skin writhed wildly.

In just three breaths, he collapsed to the ground, his body convulsing and curling into a ball.

Tiny, granulation-like bumps began to appear on the skin's surface.

The protrusion writhed, split open, revealing a dense array of eyeballs underneath.

His eyes moved, and deep within his pupils were reflected images of madness, pain, and despair...

"Abyss Corruption!!"

At the head of the table, a white-haired elder suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light.

He raised his hand and waved.

A pale golden aura surged forth like a tide, instantly enveloping the entire banquet hall.

All the screams abruptly ceased.

Edmund and his two companions were held firmly in place by an invisible giant hand, unable to move.

But the dark purple lines beneath the skin were still writhing wildly.

It's like countless venomous snakes struggling and hissing beneath the skin.

The white-haired elder, his face ashen, walked step by step to Edmund.

He looked down, staring at that distorted face.

"Edmund..."

The sound was soft, yet carried the weight of a mountain.

"Explain yourself, you and your men..."

"Where did this abyssal contamination on my body come from?"

Edmund opened his mouth, as if to say something.

But all that could come out of his throat was a hissing, leaky sound, like a broken bellows.

His eyes were filled with terror, despair, and... a hint of disbelief and bewilderment.

It seems even he himself couldn't understand why he buried such a deep secret...

It will happen at the very moment when it should least be exposed.

It exploded completely in this most devastating way.

The banquet hall was deathly silent.

The candlelight still flickered, and the silverware still reflected a warm light.

But the temperature in the air had already dropped to freezing.

Everyone around the long table was deathly pale.

Edwin stared intently at Edmund, his fingernails digging into his palms, blood dripping from between his fingers.

Adrian's fingers, which were peeling grapes, froze in mid-air, and drops of juice dripped from his fingertips.

Dark red dots spread across the tablecloth.

Edel slowly set down her wine glass, and deep within her dark blue eyes, dark gold veins and silver patterns intertwined and flowed.

She looked up and glanced at Ian discreetly.

Like everyone else present, she was equally shocked.

Ian had previously hinted that she should try her best to organize a family gathering.

Now, the three elders of the family, Edmund, and almost all the candidates have gathered here.

Adele never imagined that Ian would use such bizarre methods to plunge Edmund directly into the abyss.

"How...did you do that?"

Ian remained seated quietly, the glass of water in front of him motionless.

But the little rascal on my shoulder had already woken up at some point.

Its small, silvery-gray eyes blinked, and it tilted its head to look at the pool of dark red blood on the long table.

Then...she called out softly.

"Huh?"