Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

After Ian stated his conditions, the atmosphere in the hall became slightly tense.

The high priest stared at Ian with his purple eyes, as if trying to see through his true intentions.

"Lord Marcus, why be so resolute?"

Karen Deer's voice remained calm, but the vast aura he had been hiding finally showed a slight fluctuation.

"I'm sorry, I've just arrived here and don't know much about the situation. I need to consider whether to accept this mission."

Ian shook his head, his gaze calmly meeting Karendil's.

"At the very least, I need to know what price you're willing to pay."

This is not just bargaining, but also a test of the Silvermoon Council's true bottom line and sincerity.

Two Level 4 Morning Star Elders have already perished within its walls; the risks and rewards must be balanced.

Karendil was silent for a moment, a complex look flashing in his eyes. "What you want are all sacred artifacts of the clan. I cannot decide this alone. How about this..."

He raised his left hand, and moonlight energy gathered in his palm, condensing into a book made of a halo, containing detailed information about the Zerg.

"This is information about the world on the other side of the rift, including some records from the early explorations by Elders Carlisle and Thran."

"You can take a look first. As for the reward, I need to discuss it with the priesthood." Karendil pushed the Book of Light toward Ian.

Ian reached out and caught it; the Book of Light transformed into a piece of moon-white jade the moment he touched it.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 202ᴋᴋs.ᴄᴏᴍ]

"I will arrange for you to stay at the Moonlit Palace for one night, and I will give you an answer tomorrow."

"During this period, please do not leave the temple area at will, as there are still sporadic insect swarms infiltrating the highlands."

Ian put away the jade piece and nodded in agreement.

The other party's reaction was as he expected; demanding payment before doing anything would indeed put them in a difficult position.

The other party's hesitant attitude also means that this task is not indispensable to him, which is actually a good thing.

Led by Cecilia, Ian arrived at a secluded courtyard on the east side of the Moon Palace.

The courtyard is built of moonstone, and the interior is simply and elegantly furnished. The ancient trees outside the window emit a soft light, casting a gentle glow inside.

"Gah, there's energy here." !

Gaga flew off Ian's shoulder and rolled around on the soft moongrass blanket.

Ian walked to the window and looked up at the sky.

The pale purple crack still hung high, but the silver moon barrier above the courtyard was clearly thicker and had no effect on this place at all.

He opened the jade book, probed it with his spiritual power, and a massive amount of information flooded into his mind.

The game includes detailed illustrations of Zerg units, their behavior analysis, energy fluctuation characteristics, and fragmented combat footage transmitted back by two fallen elders.

Ian turned the pages one by one, his expression gradually becoming serious.

Data shows that the Zerg's organization and tactics far exceeded his previous estimates.

They are not chaotic beasts, but highly unified war machines.

"If it were just clearing out stragglers who slipped through the loopholes, that would be fine, but to delve deeper into the other side's world..."

Ian closed the book, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. The risk was indeed great, but what about the reward?

The World Tree branch he wanted most was indeed a top-tier material for building the Wizard Tower's energy core, but was it worth risking his life for it?

He sat cross-legged on the moonlight grass carpet, closed his eyes, and began to practice meditation to calm his mind.

Within the spiritual sea, the golden halo transformed into five-colored star trails that intertwined and flowed.

The Starry Night Ritual has come to an end, and he urgently needs a higher-level meditation method to continue nurturing this star core.

Without advanced meditation techniques, relying solely on the origin of the world, his soul cannot undergo a qualitative change.

Moreover, the opportunity to obtain the origin of the world is not always available.

The Silver Moon Elf has a lineage spanning hundreds of thousands of years and possesses profound knowledge. It must have a complete high-level meditation method, which is another reason why he was willing to come here.

Time flowed slowly, and night deepened.

Moonlight streamed through the window, spreading a silvery-white blanket across the ground.

Gaga was already curled up asleep in the corner, her little belly rising and falling gently with her breathing.

Ian's meditation deepened, and his consciousness sank into the depths of the starry sky.

Suddenly, the surrounding scenery began to distort, like a reflection in water, with ripples spreading outwards.

Moonlight, stone houses, blankets... everything is blurring and dissolving.

Ian suddenly opened his "eyes" only to find that he was not actually awake, but was floating in a strange void.

There was no sense of up, down, left, or right in the surroundings. Countless emerald halos began to flow, intertwining to form the outline of a forest, the branches of trees, and leaves.

The air is filled with a rich sense of life; with each breath, one can almost feel the rhythm of the plants growing and the stars moving.

"Is this... a dream?"

The fact that they were able to pull him in silently indicates a significant difference in strength between them.

Ian cautiously looked around, and with a slight thought, he felt much more at ease knowing that the blazing star core in his mental sea was still there.

The entire space did not exhibit any hostility, only a gentle sense of being watched.

"Welcome to my dream." A clear and gentle voice came from ahead.

Ian turned his head and saw the emerald halo converge, transforming into the figure of a young girl.

She stood barefoot on the moonlit "ground," her figure slender and graceful, even taller than ordinary moon fairies.

Its features are so exquisite that it seems unlike any mortal being, but rather like the embodiment of the rules themselves.

The girl, dressed in a simple white dress, smiled slightly at Ian, exuding a strange charm that was both ancient and innocent.

Ian's heart skipped a beat.

It wasn't because of the other person's stunning appearance, but because the panel at the edge of my field of vision vibrated silently!

The pale gold lettering appeared like flowing water, at an astonishing speed.

[High-level life form detected... Information comparison in progress...]

[A juvenile World Tree has been discovered; its life form is a manifestation of the will of rules.]

[Level: Level 5 Limit]

[Status: Growth Stage]

[WARNING: The target's life form is far beyond that of the host; caution is advised.]

Ian's breath almost stopped. This girl was a tree? The World Tree!

It is not a subspecies or remnant root in the information, but a living, immature World Tree itself.

She has actually reached the limit of level five, and is only one step away from level six.

Nicholas never mentioned this news, and perhaps not many people in the entire wizarding world know about it.

Moreover, the fact that she can appear in the dream in this form means that her control over the rules of the dream has reached an unbelievable level.

"My name is Azshara." The girl took two steps forward, her emerald eyes curiously scrutinizing Ian.

Her voice was soft, yet it resonated throughout the dream, carrying a vibrant sense of life.

"You're Ian Marcus, right? I just learned how to pronounce that, I hope I didn't mispronounce it."

Ian quickly calmed down, and the light from the blazing star core in his mental sea subsided slightly.

He nodded slightly, his gaze meeting Azshara's calm eyes.

"It is I, Azshara... What brings you here, Madam?"

He didn't reveal the other party's true identity. Since the other party referred to himself as "Azshara," he would continue to communicate based on that identity.

Azshara smiled slightly, a sly glint in her emerald eyes, as if she had discovered some interesting toy.

But she immediately looked a little apologetic, "It was indeed a bit presumptuous of me to invite you here in this way."

"But I can't show myself directly in the present, because there are other forces watching over Silvermoon Highlands as well."

She raised her slender finger and tapped it gently.

The surrounding emerald dreamscape began to change; the moonlight and trees receded, and a three-dimensional void image emerged in the center.

In the video, a small tree emitting a silvery-white halo floats in the air.

Countless fine roots extend from the base of the sapling, plunging into the surrounding void and greedily absorbing energy.

"As you can see, I am still in my growth stage."

Azshara's voice was lower, revealing an ancient and weathered quality that did not match her appearance.

"Growth needs nutrients, lots and lots of nutrients."

"I dare not touch the very essence of the wizarding world, so I extend my roots into the void to draw upon the free-floating void energy."

"But the void... is not safe."

In the video, countless roots of the sapling extend in all directions, with one root extending particularly far, its tip glowing slightly, as if touching a special "node".

"About a year ago, this root accidentally touched a 'resonance frequency'."

"That's another world, the world I call Exok, and a peculiar fluctuation suddenly emanated from within it."

"The fluctuation was very subtle, but I could sense it."

Azshara looked at Ian, a complex expression appearing in her emerald eyes.

"I followed the fluctuations and tried to communicate with the intelligent life in that world."

"Fortunately, I made contact with a 'Wavecaller,' a special group among the native inhabitants of the world of Exoc."

The image shifted, revealing a blurry, humanoid figure.

He knelt before the altar, surrounded by strange crystals, chanting ancient incantations.

"The world of Exoc belongs to a humanoid race, and the 'Summoners' among them have a unique talent."

"They can bypass the barriers between worlds and establish a direct spiritual connection with intelligent life in other worlds."

"Even... by sacrificing souls from other worlds, we can send our own powerful members to the corresponding world."

Azshara's voice carried a rare hint of solemnity, "This peculiar talent directly bypasses the blockade of the world's will."

"The wizarding civilization conquered countless worlds by relying on war fortresses, rule-based confrontations, and the overwhelming force of its legions."

"Only by breaking through the world's barriers step by step and suppressing the world's will can the true form of the strong descend."

"But Essock's Summoners... can 'jump' over them directly."

Ian's pupils contracted slightly, and countless thoughts raced through his mind. The first thing that came to mind was his [Phase Weaving Soul Technique].

If he were to obtain such extraordinary talent...

Alternatively, if the Wizarding World mastered this technology, the cost and risk of invading other worlds would be greatly reduced.

No, it's not just an intrusion...

This ability to communicate directly across global barriers has immeasurable value in various aspects such as intelligence, transactions, and infiltration.

"I established a stable connection with that Realm Summoner, but it was also on that occasion that the will of the extraterrestrial mother nest tracked down my roots."

As Azshara continued her narration, the images changed again, this time showing a world on the verge of destruction.

The earth cracked, the sky was covered with dark purple fissures, and countless swarms of insects surged like a tide.

But in some mountains and deep forests, there are still scattered strongholds of resistance, where the surviving intelligent life in Esok fights tenaciously, relying on ancient barriers.

"The world of Exoc had previously suffered an invasion from the Abyss, and its world will fell into a deep slumber in order to resist the erosion."

"When the world was at its weakest, the Void Hive discovered it, and the Zerg army tore open the rift and poured in. Now it has occupied more than 70% of the territory."

"But the most crucial thing is..."

Azshara pointed to the special Zerg creatures shimmering with crystalline light behind the swarm in the image.

Crystalloid worm.

They gather at energy nodes around the world, constantly devouring and absorbing the world's origin.

"The Void Mother has created a large number of Crystal Core Insects, which are frantically devouring this world. It is now entrenched outside the world's barrier, commanding the swarm to attack, while simultaneously converting the Crystal Core Insects into their origin."

"Once the transformation of the origin is complete, the mother nest will receive it and then completely devour this world. At that time, it will launch a full-scale attack on the rift on the Silvermoon Highlands side."

Azshara withdrew her hand, and the Emerald Dream returned to peace.

She looked at Ian, her emerald eyes gleaming with longing.

"The origin of the world of Exoc is vast, as it was once a middle world, though it has now declined."

"If I can obtain those transformed origins, I can take the final step and advance to level six."

Ian listened in silence, his mind racing, realizing why the Silvermoon Council was handling things so awkwardly and with such difficulty.

On the other side, there is not only a Zerg hive, but also a medium world on the verge of destruction but still putting up resistance.

The fall of the two Morning Star Elders is probably not just a simple matter of encountering high-level insectoids.

"You want me to enter the world of Exoc and seize those transformed origins?" Ian asked directly.

Azshara nodded, her long hair swaying gently with the movement. "Yes, but the Wizarding Alliance must not know."

"Once the alliance's higher-ups, especially the Sun Wizards of the six major powers, learn that there is a source of a middle-level world that can be plundered, they will definitely get involved themselves."

Ian understood the deeper meaning: the six major powers would never sit idly by while a World Tree was about to advance to level six.

A Level 6 Sunburst Wizard is currently the most powerful force on the Wizarding Continent. True Spirit Wizards will not appear in the internal struggles of the human race.

Azshara's voice carried a hint of helplessness, but also a touch of stubbornness.

"I am the foundation of the Moon Elf race, and their hope for the future."

"I must fight for enough resources for my own growth, and for theirs as well."

Ian understood this feeling, just as the will of the Xuanhuang World had made a deal with him, all for the sake of becoming stronger.

"Why did you choose me?" Ian asked, looking puzzled.

He was confident that he had concealed himself well, and that even the high priest had not been able to see through his disguise.

A strange look appeared in Azshara's eyes.

"I noticed you the moment you entered Silvermoon Highlands. Your rules are unique: gravity, heat, and purification, which are perfect for dealing with swarms of insects."

"And you have a kind of aura that makes me feel very comfortable."

She tilted her head slightly, her nose wrinkled, revealing an adorable girlish expression.

"I smelled the scent of order, a pure and reassuring order."

Ian felt a slight stirring in his heart. What the other party sensed was probably the combined characteristics of his Star Core God Body and the panel.

"But it's dangerous there, I don't want to go."

Ian shook his head, indicating that his strength was insignificant.

"Ha!" Azshara smiled brightly, making the entire Emerald Dreamland even brighter.

"You don't need to be so modest. I will give you ample reward, starting with the supreme meditation method of the Silver Moon Elf race, the Moon God's Codex."

"This is a complete inheritance that leads directly to the sixth level of the Sun Wizard, suitable for almost all attributes, especially skilled in dream manipulation and soul forging."

"I know your meditation method has reached its limit and you need a new meditation method and path."

Ian's heart skipped a beat, pointing directly to the Level 6 meditation method, which was exactly what he needed most right now, but not to change his path.

The Starry Sky Ritual was indeed insufficient to support the continued growth of his soul and the fiery star core; he needed to find a higher-level meditation method or deduce it himself.

The latter requires far too much time and resources.

"Secondly, I can give you a branch of the World Tree that can be transplanted."

Azshara raised her right hand, her fingers gently tracing across her left arm, and a small, vibrant green branch, radiating a rich life force, appeared in her palm.

The branches were only arm-length, yet they seemed to contain the vitality of the entire forest and the vastness of the void.

"Use this as the void energy core of your wizard tower; it will be enough to sustain you until level five."

"Even... if you can nurture it to adulthood, its potential will be even greater."

Ian's gaze fell on the branch, his eyes burning with intensity.

The rules and energy levels contained within it far exceeded those of any material he had ever seen.

The branches of the World Tree truly deserve the title of "treasure".

"And..." Azshara casually put away the branch, her emerald green eyes looking intently at Ian.

"If you can successfully bring back enough Origin, it will help me advance to Level Six."

"In the name of the World Tree, I promise to help you three times within the next thousand years."

"As long as it doesn't violate my core rules or endanger the survival of the Moon Elves."

Ian took a deep breath, recalling the World Tree at level five, and the promise of three interventions after advancing to level six.

This value is immeasurable to others, but for myself, it is far less than that branch and the meditation method.

"I need your assurance," Ian said in a deep voice.

"How can I guarantee these promises will be kept? How can I ensure I won't become a pawn once I enter the world of Exoc?"

Azshara seemed to have anticipated his question.

She raised her hands, and in the center of the Emerald Dream, countless starlight converged, condensing into a golden contract scroll.

The scroll unfurled automatically, revealing complex and ancient contractual text, each character radiating a rhythmic energy.

Above the scroll, a huge, translucent eyeball, composed entirely of rules, slowly emerged.

The inner iris reflected countless phantoms of the world, exuding an aura of justice, solemnity, and inviolability.

"This is a Level 6 Contract Book," Azshara said softly.

"This eye is the manifestation of the laws of the wizarding world, the Eye of the Contract. It is not a living being; it only follows the rules themselves."

"Its fair contract cannot be violated unless both parties have reached the seventh level of True Spirit."

"Those who violate these rules will suffer the backlash of the wizarding world's rules, their souls will be permanently marked, and their power will be diminished."

Ian stared at the Eye of the Rules, which he had seen in some ancient texts. It was the highest level of contractual justice in the wizarding world.

It is usually used only for major alliances between powers or transactions involving global interests.

Azshara showed him the contents of the contract; the terms were clear and unambiguous:

Ian Marcus needs to enter the world of Exoc and seize the world's origin, which has been transformed by the Crystal Core Worms, if possible.

The source that has been seized must be given to Azshara for her advancement to level six...

Azshara needs to pay for the [Moon God's Codex] meditation method, a branch of the World Tree...

Ian must not reveal the true state of the world of Exoc, or the existence and purpose of Azshara, to anyone.

During the contract period, neither party may harm or betray the other in any form. The contract is judged by the Eye of the Contract and is valid until the transaction is completed.

The terms are fair, with no hidden traps.

Even though Ian was a seasoned contract expert, he read each clause carefully and then quickly weighed the risks and benefits.

First, there are risks. The world of Exoc has been occupied by the Zerg for 70% of its area, making it fraught with danger.

They may encounter Zerg units at the peak of level four or even level five. The attitude of the native inhabitants of the world of Exoc is unknown, and they may be hostile to outsiders.

The level of the mother nest is unknown, but it will not exceed level five, otherwise it would have broken through the world barrier directly.

Now that it is entrenched outside the world, it may intervene personally if it detects anything unusual.

There are also unknown dangers, such as the sudden awakening of the world's will in Essoc, the renewed attention from the Abyss, etc., all of which need to be considered.

The benefits were also obvious: a meditation method that directly targets level six, solving the immediate problem.

A branch of the World Tree, a core energy material for top-tier wizard towers, and a promise of three interventions by a future level six entity.

Finally, there's the clue about the talent that allows for "direct communication with another world."

If he could acquire the principles behind the Exokines' innate talent, combined with panel analysis and purification...

Perhaps he can develop a safer and more efficient way of cross-world communication, and even open up new possibilities for the future "Celestial Path".

"I have the Star-Eating Eye, and I'm confident I can escape even from a level 5 Radiant Moon. My combination of rules is suitable for clearing out swarms of insects, and my survivability is not weak."

"Moreover, this is indeed the best opportunity I have been able to access at the moment."

A resolute glint flashed in Ian's eyes as he looked up at Azshara.

"I agree, let's sign the contract."

Azshara's eyes lit up instantly, and the entire space suddenly seemed to be filled with sunlight.

She waved her hand gently, and the golden contract floated to Ian's face.

Ian extended his right index finger, and a drop of blazing star core power seeped out from the tip, leaving his soul imprint at the end of the contract.

Azshara also left a small green tree mark.

The Eye of the Contract turned slightly, and a beam of light swept across the scroll.

The scroll transformed into two streams of light, which disappeared into the brows of Ian and Azshara respectively.

The contract was formally established.

"Well then, I wish you a safe journey." Azshara's figure began to become transparent, and the Emerald Dream gradually dissipated.

"I will meet you in real life first thing tomorrow morning."

"There are still some details that need to be discussed with Serafina and Karendil."

Goodnight, Ian.

As the sound faded, the dream shattered completely.

Ian opened his eyes abruptly. The moonlight outside the window was still there, and the courtyard was quiet.

Gaga was still fast asleep in the corner, its little paws twitching occasionally.

Everything that just happened felt like a dream.

Chapter update reminder: Chapter 381 Emerald Dream Azshara, read here.