Chinese professors at the Wizarding Academy

"A desolate wasteland?"

The name itself gives people a chilling feeling, as if just hearing it will subconsciously evoke a sense of fear.

Gu Chen couldn't help but repeat the ominous name in his mind, alarm bells ringing in his heart.

Isera, standing to the side, also noticed Gu Chen's change. His smile remained, but the ease and carefree look in his eyes was gone; his emerald green eyes were now fixed on Gu Chen.

"right,"

"Although it's not the core area of ​​the Black Forest, but only the middle area, the strength of the magical beasts living there is quite common at the third ring. Even a third-ring wizard like me, who is a nature-type wizard, would be in great danger in the Dead Wasteland."

"It is said that the Dead Wasteland is the embodiment of the 'death' aspect of the Black Forest. It is a paradise for the dead, the source of the Black Forest's death magic, and has many other names, such as the Forbidden Zone of Life, the Forest of Despair..."

"And it's rumored that even fifth-ringed magical beasts exist within the desolate wasteland!"

"What's even more terrifying is the omnipresent death magic in the desolate wasteland. It has a natural corrosiveness; once you're touched, you'll be constantly on the path to death. What's most disgusting is that death magic treats wizards below the fourth ring equally. No matter how high your ring number is, it's useless; the effect remains the same."

"Although its interior is extremely dangerous, it also abides by the laws of nature, and the powerful nature will naturally restrain the expansion of the desolate wasteland."

At this point, Ysera paused, turned her head to look at the vast golden oak forest behind her, her meaning quite clear.

Gu Chen realized what was happening and took the initiative to speak.

"Senior, do you mean that this golden oak forest grew out of the Black Forest to curb the expansion of the desolate wasteland?"

Gu Chen's answer pleased Ysera.

"Yes, you're very smart."

"Although life and death are opposites, they can also coexist. Only when the energies of life and death are balanced can stability be maintained and prevented from getting out of control."

"As a nature wizard and a member of the Emerald Ring, my mission is to guard this Golden Oak Forest on the edge of the middle Black Forest, while also monitoring the changes in the Desolate Wasteland."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen immediately realized what was going on.

Although Ysera didn't say it, she was chased down the stream by that spiritbeast.

According to Isera, this golden oak forest is located on the edge of the desolate wasteland.

In other words, if it weren't for Ysera's help, he might have been chased by the Spiritbeast all the way to the Desolate Wasteland.

What's the point of living then? The number of Spirit-Binding Shadow Beasts in the Dead Wasteland is practically wholesale; they're just eaten like snacks.

Just thinking about this makes me break out in a cold sweat.

Ysera continued speaking.

"As you probably guessed, I didn't save you as a charity. I need you to do something that's inconvenient for me."

"The desolate wasteland is now... very volatile."

"I don't know why, I have no clue about it."

"I don't need to know the reason, I just want to know what I should do."

Gu Chen took the initiative to pick up the conversation, but also interrupted it.

We definitely can't let him continue talking. What if he says something I shouldn't know, and I foolishly listen to it? That would be like waiting to die.

"Hehe, I'm appreciating you more and more."

Ysera smiled.

"The requirements for entering the Dead Wasteland are extremely strict. Its death magic poses a serious threat to almost all schools of wizards, even death wizards. The more death attributes a death wizard's magic is tainted with, the stronger he becomes."

"But getting involved with death doesn't end well. If a death wizard enters the desolate wasteland, he will most likely become stronger and stronger, and then die."

"And for example, the life wizards, the life magic they possess is not enough to completely counter the death magic of the desolate wasteland."

"So... I came up with a solution."

"That's you."

Isera's tone was firm.

"I?"

Gu Chen was stunned.

"Of course, it's not just you who can go in, but your status as a blood wizard."

"Blood wizards are so hated by everyone because of their characteristics that even the notoriously cruel Gray Tower Academy has very few of them. Their system of needing other people's blood to advance is unacceptable to other wizards."

At this point, a hint of disgust appeared on Ysera's usually indifferent face.

Gu Chen thought to himself, just how hated are blood wizards?

"but……"

"However, blood wizards are incredibly resilient. As long as they carry enough blood, they can even forcibly advance through the desolate wasteland while simultaneously absorbing the blood they carry."

At this point, Isera looked at Gu Chen with admiration in her eyes.

"Moreover, you forcibly fused the two completely different energies of life and death in a way that I cannot yet understand. Your arm is a good example."

"This will make your actions in the desolate wasteland even better. After all... you have already walked on the edge of life and death. I believe you have gained new insights into death, life, and even a deeper integration."

Hearing Isela's words, Gu Chen subconsciously looked at his arm, which was still surrounded by a dark golden light.

"Senior, what would you like me to do?"

Gu Chen calculated the time in his mind. He had set off at noon, so it was most likely late at night at Gray Tower Academy now...

Jim must have been waiting in the cafeteria for a long time. Luckily, he left Jim extra magic stone fragments, otherwise, when he returned, Jim might have been thrown outside the cafeteria and killed by those ruthless politicians.

"You just said you don't need to know the reason, but there are some things you can't avoid."

Gu Chen's face darkened upon hearing Isela's words.

"Grey Tower Academy?"

"right."

When Ysera heard the name Grey Tower Academy, even her smile vanished.

"In the most recent wizarding year, Grey Tower Academy built a sealing tower on the edge of the desolate wasteland."

"But ironically, as the sealing tower was completed, the desolate wasteland became increasingly volatile."

"Recently, its boundaries have been expanding, encroaching on the outer areas. The abnormal magical disturbances have led to a monster riot. The Spirit-Binding Shadow Beast, which should have been roaming the edge of the wasteland, has appeared on the outskirts."

"It's a direct sign."

Isela's fingers tapped unconsciously on the wooden armrest, producing a dull thud.

"Grey Tower Academy is tight-lipped about this and has not offered any explanation. Furthermore, the area around the Sealing Tower is guarded by numerous guards and protected by powerful seals. I even suspect that they might... be happy about it."

"The Soul Forge needs fuel, and Death Wizards also occupy a large number of positions in Gray Tower Academy."

"The expansion of the Dead Wasteland means more twisted souls and powerful undead materials."

"But they overlooked, or rather, didn't care at all, that this erosion would disrupt the balance of the entire Black Forest and even the surrounding area. The magic of death would pollute water sources, corrupt the land, and turn ordinary magical beasts into raging monsters. Ultimately... it might affect the academy itself, or even the human kingdoms further away."

As Isera spoke, Gu Chen's face grew increasingly dark.

It seems that in order to survive, I really have to pay a considerable price.

Grey Tower Academy, heavily guarded, sealed... Gu Chen didn't really take most of Ysera's words to heart, but he really took these few things very seriously.

He didn't care much about the Gray Tower, nor did he care much about the human kingdoms in the distance.

Gu Chen just wants to survive, become stronger, and be a good teacher.

However, if the Black Forest becomes filled with death magic, then if Gu Chen wants to hold his talent breakthrough ceremony, he will have to take ten or even a hundred times the risk compared to before...

He was well aware of Gray Tower's ruthlessness; allowing such a crisis to spread, or even deliberately escalating it, could be described as Gray Tower Academy's style...

But if this really happens, before the Gray Tower Academy's Soul Forge even eats you up for failing the test, the raging monsters in the Black Forest, or even the trees and grass, might devour you first.

"The Emerald Ring's duty is to maintain this balance and prevent the desolate wasteland from spiraling out of control."

Ysera's voice was deep and firm. "We need to know the exact source and intensity of the changes in the wasteland. The Grey Tower has established some secret observation posts on the edge of the wasteland, one of which is in the north-central part of the Black Forest, near the 'Sealing Tower' where we are now."

"The 'Source Crystal' can capture and store energy fluctuation data from the environment; it's located inside the Sealing Tower."

He looked at Gu Chen, his gaze sharp:

"I need you to infiltrate that sealed tower and retrieve the Source Crystal."

Gu Chen's heart sank.

Infiltrating the secret facilities of Gray Tower Academy? On the edge of the desolate wasteland? With the strength of a first-ring cultivator?

If you want to die, suicide might be a quicker and more painless option.

"senior,"

Gu Chen tried his best to keep his voice steady, but his words were truly bitter, and his heart was also filled with bitterness.

I knew life would be tough, but I never imagined it would be this tough.

"I thank you for saving my life and admire the Emerald Ring's ideals. But... with my strength, going to the edge of the Desolate Wasteland? I'm afraid I can't even handle the twisted monsters on the outer perimeter, let alone infiltrate the sealing tower of the Gray Tower."

"As you said, the area is heavily guarded, and there are seals everywhere."

"This is tantamount to sending me to my death."

Gu Chen's words were as bitter as if he had eaten a ton of bitter gourd.

Ysera seemed to have anticipated his reaction; instead of being angry, she showed a knowing smile.

"I know this sounds crazy, Gu Chen. But you are no ordinary low-level wizard. The miracle you just created on the brink of life and death proves that you possess potential, willpower, and... unique adaptability far beyond what is apparent."

"Especially your life-or-death grip."

He pointed to Gu Chen's newly grown right arm: "The core energy of the desolate wasteland is the magic of death, or more precisely, the power of death and decay."

"Your arm has been fused with the Soul-Eating Death Qi, giving it a natural resistance to the corrosive effects of a deathly environment. It may even... draw power from it and convert it for your own use. This is an advantage that the orthodox wizards of the Gray Tower, and even most members of the Emerald Ring, do not possess."

"Furthermore, your mental detection range far exceeds that of others at the same level, which is crucial for survival on the perilous edge of the wasteland. Most importantly..."

Ysera paused, a deeper meaning flashing in her emerald eyes:

"Grey Tower Academy is hosting a Black Forest Hunt this Sunday; this is my first gesture of goodwill."

"This hunting event is specifically prepared for the first-ring members and apprentices. Of course, this is confidential information, and you will theoretically only find out the day before the hunting event is to be held."

"Hunting events, I'm sure you've heard of them."

Gu Chen fell silent; the resistance of the Life-or-Death Grip to the deathly silence was something he hadn't expected.

And the hunting party...?

Simply put, it's a battle royale. On this day, everyone in the Black Forest is exempt from all the prohibitions of the Gray Tower Academy. They can kill and plunder each other, and only the four strongest people can come out alive.

Upon hearing this news, Gu Chen suddenly understood something.

"No wonder Joe Baker invited me over on Sunday."

"So you were waiting for me here, huh?"

Gu Chen suddenly smiled and exhaled, but there was no joy in his eyes, only speechless helplessness and a sense of relief.

"You really want me dead?"

"It seems Jim really is someone of extraordinary status..."

"It's alright. Since you're so eager to kill my student and me, then I'll give you a good lesson on Sunday."

In his mind, Gu Chen had already made clear arrangements for Joe Baker, and had a deeper understanding of Jim.

When Isela saw Gu Chen suddenly laugh out loud, she didn't react in any particular way, but paused slightly before continuing.

"It seems you understand."

"This mission is extremely dangerous; the chances of survival are slim."

He frankly stated:

"As an advance payment and necessary assistance..."

Ysera flipped her hand, and a thumb-sized emerald crystal bottle appeared in her palm, containing a few drops of liquid that emitted a soft green glow.

"This is 'Life Dewdrop,' a diluted essence of life. It can quickly restore injuries and stamina, and can keep you alive in critical moments. I always adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange. I couldn't completely heal you back then, and you survived thanks to your own methods. This is a small compensation for the fact that the Golden Resin couldn't completely heal you, and it's also your trump card for survival in your mission."

He tossed the bottle to Gu Chen. Gu Chen caught it instinctively. The bottle was cool to the touch, and although the life force it contained wasn't as overwhelming as that of the golden resin, it was pure and gentle, instantly invigorating his weary spirit. This was indeed a good thing.

"Secondly, this is for you."

Ysera then took out a bright green leaf with fine golden veins along its edges, the veins of which seemed to be flowing slowly.

"This is my token. Hold it, and I can roughly sense your location and life status. When you obtain the Source Crystal or encounter an insurmountable, fatal crisis, crush it. I will try my best to come, but I cannot guarantee that I will arrive in time. Remember, you only have one chance, so use it at the most critical moment."