Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

The renowned author, Seven Degrees of Sunset Red, has joined Cola Novels with his new work, "Wizard: My Skills Can Break Through Infinitely!"

The next morning.

Before the morning bells of the council chamber had even rung, Edel was already standing outside Elder Darcy's door.

The deep purple robe hung at his feet, its hem remaining perfectly still.

She raised her hand and gently tapped three times on the heavy oak door with her fingertips.

Knock, knock, knock—the sound of knocking echoed in the empty corridor.

"Come in," Darcy's voice called from inside the door.

Edel pushed open the door and entered. The room was dimly lit, with only a crystal lamp on the corner of the table casting a dim yellow light.

Elder Darcy sat behind a large ebony desk, holding an ancient book in his hands.

The pages were yellowed and the edges were frayed, as if the book had been read countless times.

He looked up at Adele. "What is it?"

With a solemn expression, Edel walked to the desk and stood there.

"Elder Darcy, I have something important to report."

"For you to take this so seriously, it must be something important. Speak."

"I would like to request the elders to open the fourth level of the family's secret vault."

Darcy stopped turning the pages, his eyes gleaming.

"The fourth level of the secret vault? Why would you do that?"

His expression was serious, and the air in the study seemed to freeze instantly.

"Yesterday, when Guest Marcus entered the secret vault, he sensed a trace of abyssal energy hidden deep within it."

After he finished speaking, the study fell silent.

Elder Darcy slowly put down the ancient book in his hands, the pages closing with a soft "click".

He stared at Adele, his pupils revealing fine silver veins.

Are you sure?

Edel nodded solemnly, "I'm certain that Elder Marcus has an extremely keen sense of the abyss's presence."

"He was the first to notice my father's pollution."

Elder Darcy lowered his head in thought, recalling some of Ian's methods.

This guest elder was an expert in purification potions and was the first to discover the abyssal contamination in Titu and stabilize the outbreak.

Ian does indeed possess an extraordinary sensitivity to the abyss.

"A level three wizard's perception is infallible."

He stood up, his grey-white robe casting a shadow in the dim light.

"This matter is of great importance; I must convene the council of elders immediately."

Half an hour later.

All nine elders were present in the family's core council hall.

Elder Darcy sat in the center, his long gray hair cascading over his shoulders, his eyes calm and deep.

Elder Soren sat to his left, his withered fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

The other seven elders sat in order, each with a different expression.

Edel stood in the center of the hall, her deep purple robes casting a solemn shadow on the stone pillars.

She repeated what she had just said to Elder Darcy, her voice clear and unhurried.

After he finished speaking the last word, whispers began to circulate among the stone chairs.

"Fourth layer... Abyssal aura..."

"An area that only the clan leader can enter..."

"Titu went there three years ago, and then..."

Elder Darcy slightly raised his hand, and all sounds gradually disappeared.

He looked at Adele, and that piercing light in his eyes reappeared.

Where is Lord Ian now?

"It's at No. 7 Wisteria Lane. You can come anytime."

Elder Darcy nodded and turned to Elder Soren.

"Soren, what do you think?"

Elder Soren was silent for a moment, then said, "Let's investigate thoroughly."

He decisively stated his position.

"Titus's corruption, Edmund's fall... all prove that the family has long been infiltrated by the abyss."

Soren's tone was icy, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"The fourth level of the secret vault is the most core forbidden area of ​​the family. If something goes wrong there..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but all the elders understood.

If even the fourth level of the secret vault is contaminated, then the Just family... will truly be rotten to the core.

Elder Darcy nodded slowly and looked at the other seven elders.

"Let's begin the vote. First, I agree to initiate a full investigation of the secret vault."

As soon as he finished speaking, eight auras lit up without the slightest hesitation.

The midday sun was blinding, and the sky was a deep, clear blue.

An invisible shadow loomed over the entrance to the Just family's secret vault.

Five elders have arrived and stand before the rune-encrusted gates of the secret vault.

Elder Darcy, Elder Sauron, and three other level-three wizards with imposing auras.

They wore uniform greyish-white robes and had the elders' badge on their chests.

The metal badge gleamed coldly in the sunlight, like a silent declaration.

The guards were four level-two wizards, dressed in silver armor and carrying halberds.

Upon seeing the five elders arrive together, their expressions became tense and reserved, and cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.

"Open, open the door..."

The captain of the guard's voice trembled as he took out a specially made access token from his pocket and pressed it into the groove in the center of the giant gate.

With a hum, the rune array lit up layer by layer, spreading outwards in concentric circles from the center.

The giant gate slowly opened inwards, behind which were stone steps leading downwards.

Elder Darcy was the first to step forward, followed closely by the other four elders.

The group quickly passed through the first level, the second level, the third level...

On each floor, there were dedicated officials waiting, their heads bowed and backs hunched, not daring to look the elders in the eye.

The energy concentration in the air is higher with each layer.

The five elders remained unfazed, their spiritual power already forming an invisible net, silently sweeping over every bookshelf, every crystal cabinet, and every corner.

This is a spiraling stone staircase leading downwards, with the entrance sealed off by a layer of pale silver light.

Complex runes flowed across the surface of the light curtain, emitting powerful spatial fluctuations.

This seal can only be opened by the clan leader.

Elder Darcy stopped and looked at Elder Soren.

"You're here?"

Elder Soren nodded and stepped forward.

A special golden token was pressed against the surface of the light screen, and ripples spread out, flowing along the patterns of the runes.

Three seconds later, the light screen silently cracked open, just big enough for one person to pass through.

The five elders entered in turn.

The fourth floor is even smaller, only half the size of a basketball court, with two rows of bookshelves lining both sides of the wall.

In the center was a stone platform, on which were placed several items.

A fist-sized dark silver crystal, devouring all light and shadow around it... Level 4 Eternal Shadow Remnant.

A scroll of parchment bound with dark gold silk thread... the family's most core inherited text.

Beside it, there was a thick stack of notebooks, which contained the notes and insights left by countless previous patriarchs and Morning Star wizards.

At the very edge, there was... an inconspicuous, old parchment scroll with torn edges.

The parchment scroll lay haphazardly in the corner of the stone platform, its surface covered in dust, as if it had been forgotten for many years.

Elder Darcy's gaze immediately fell on the old parchment scroll.

Just now, when he scanned the parchment scroll with his mental energy, he sensed an extremely faint... distortion.

The distortion was subtle, like an undercurrent beneath the surface of water; it was impossible to detect without careful observation.

However, he was a peak level three archmage, and his sensitivity to rules was deeply ingrained.

"This is it."

Elder Darcy's voice was soft, but firm.

Elder Soren stepped forward, his withered fingers hovering above the parchment scroll, scanning it inch by inch with his spiritual power.

Three seconds later, he withdrew his hand, his face turning ugly.

"The aura of the abyss... though concealed by some secret technique, it certainly exists."

His voice was filled with suppressed anger; how could such a dangerous item be kept in the family's core secret vault?

Judging from the age and marks on the parchment, it has been here for many years.

"The material of this parchment scroll... doesn't seem to be from the wizarding world."

Upon hearing this, the pupils of the other three elders contracted simultaneously.

They knew very well what it meant that it wasn't from the wizarding world.

"I wonder which former clan chief did this, or if they took him away and disposed of him."

With a flick of his long sleeve, Elder Darcy released a pale silver crystal box that flew out and hovered above the parchment scroll.

The box was opened, revealing that its interior was covered with sealing runes.

The parchment scroll was lifted by an invisible force and slowly fell into the box.

The lid closed, instantly isolating all traces of life.

The nine elders returned to the council hall and took their seats again.

The pale silver crystal box was placed in the center of the long table.

"What should we do?" an elder asked, his voice hoarse.

"Destroy them directly?" another elder suggested.

"no."

Elder Soren shook his head, his withered fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

"The fact that this parchment scroll was placed in the secret vault means it must contain important information, perhaps even... information about the Abyss's infiltration methods."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Titus's corruption, Edmund's depravity, and this parchment scroll... there must be a connection between these three."

Elder Darcy nodded. "Sauron has considered everything carefully."

He looked at the crystal box, his eyes deep.

"Let's seal it first. After Titu awakens, he can review it personally. After all... he is still the clan leader."

After he finished speaking, all the elders fell silent.

Titu is reviving... How long will we have to wait? A year? Two years? Or even longer?

But this is currently the safest approach.

"agree."

"agree."

……

The nine elders unanimously approved it.

Elder Darcy rose, walked to the long table, and pressed his fingers on the surface of the crystal box, his fingertips flashing with a dazzling silver light.

The silver light spread like a living thing, carving intricate sealing runes onto the surface of the box.

Each rune contains the binding power of the time rules.

A few minutes later, the sealing was complete, and the surface of the crystal box was covered with a layer of fine silver patterns.

"Send him to the deepest cell in the family dungeon."

Elder Darcy withdrew his hand, his voice icy.

"I will leave a mark, and no one shall approach before Titu awakens."

Two guards dressed in dark silver armor stepped forward and carefully picked up the crystal box.

His footsteps were heavy as he disappeared through the side door of the council chamber.

No. 7 Wisteria Lane, three basement levels.

Ian sat cross-legged in the center of the stone chamber, his eyes slightly closed.

After receiving Edel's message, his mental energy silently spread out.

It covers the entire Wisteria Lane and the entire East City East District.

He was sensing the hidden abyssal aura emanating from the fourth level of the secret vault.

An hour ago, that scent was still there, faint but clearly discernible.

but now……

Ian opened his eyes, and three star orbits slowly rotated deep within his pupils.

"That aura of the abyss has completely disappeared."

He murmured to himself, his voice echoing in the silent stone chamber.

"That's good. The crisis is temporarily over, and I can now move on to the next thing."

Gaga emerged from the shadows, landed on his shoulder, and stared at Ian's face.

"Ian, what were you doing just now?"

"It's nothing, just confirming a few things."

Ian rubbed its little head and examined it carefully.

"Mid-stage Tier 2! And quite stable, still a lot of resources needed to reach the late stage."

"...I've only just been promoted, and I'm already going to become stronger again."

Ga Ga puffed out its chest, its feathers slightly ruffled.

"If there were lots and lots of Shadow Crystals, and high-quality Blood Essence..."

"Adding some special shadow potions, it will probably take... a year?"

The little guy's voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

Ian pondered to himself that a year was neither long nor short.

"Okay, then I need to prepare the resources for your promotion first. I probably won't be going out for a while."

He turned and walked toward the worktable in the corner of the stone chamber.

Unfold a sheet of parchment, pick up a quill pen, and begin to write.

"At least twenty second-tier Shadow Crystals and five second-tier Shadow Monster Blood Essences."

"Shadow-type potion main ingredients: Ghost Grass, Tomb Moss, Shadow Spring Water..."

"Auxiliary materials..."

Lines of writing appeared on the parchment, quickly filling an entire page.

Ian put down his pen, picked up the parchment, and blew on the ink to dry it.

"These... should be enough to help you advance to the late stage of the second tier."

He looked at Gaga, "I will gather them all before activating the next interdimensional projection."

Gaga's little eyes lit up instantly, like two burning stars.

"Really? Really?"

"You're my best friend, how could I lie to you?"

Ian smiled as he looked at Gaga's excited expression.

"A late-stage second-tier Shadow Messenger... should be able to briefly carry me into the Shadow World, right?"

He was really looking forward to that moment.

Gaga immediately felt incredibly warm and nodded vigorously.

"Ian, I'm sure I can get you in."

The little guy spoke with great confidence, patting his chest with his little wings.

"The Shadow World... is the home ground of us shadow creatures! Inside, my strength can increase by at least 50%!"

"Furthermore, I can travel farther and avoid enemy attacks..."

It talked on and on, like a floodgate had been opened.

Ian listened quietly, the silver glint in his eyes flickering slightly.

The Shadow World...

This is a dimension completely different from the wizarding world, with different rules and unique energy attributes.

Each world community will give rise to a relatively independent shadow world.

No one knows exactly how many world clusters exist in the entire void universe.

Its vastness and omnipresence are in no way inferior to the Nightmare World and the Abyss World.

However, each of these shadow worlds is relatively independent and far less renowned than the latter two.

"If we could briefly enter the Shadow World, it would be a completely new resource area for me and Gaga."

"These resources must be gathered as soon as possible; we'll head to Stormwind tomorrow."

Ian put the parchment away and placed it in his dimensional ring.

"Let's visit Lucian and see if we can trade for something good."

Stormwind, one of the seventeen cities of the East, is known for its thriving trade.

Lord Lucian, a level three lightning wizard, is outgoing and has many friends.

"Hehe, we'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."

Ian turned and headed for the stairs.

The little bird, with its wings slightly spread, landed on his shoulder, its small eyes full of anticipation.

"Let's go to Stormwind! Let's find some good food! Let's find some treasure!"

Ian chuckled and ruffled its hair. "The main purpose is to find resources."

"Yeah, but you can grab something to eat while you're at it."