Chapter Seventy-Two: Radiant Glow

Qi Xiao organized all the information he had gathered and formed an initial idea. However, this idea focused on the Blood Fusion Elixir as its core, which was mainly effective in suppressing and delaying the disease rather than curing it. Qi Xiao admitted to himself that, with his current abilities, he was not yet able to develop an antidote.

As dusk fell and the night brought uncertainty, Qi Xiao had no intention of going out. Instead, he rented a room at a tavern and worked through the night. He carefully reviewed Granny Yue’s records and analysis of the Blood Plague and discovered a curious coincidence: the disease originated from the Blood Thrall clan of the Demonic Resonance Plane. Now, only a few branches of this clan remained, and one of them was led by Butler Merck. In fact, Qi Xiao himself kept two young blood thralls in his own room.

“I could go back and ask Grandpa Merck about this, though I wonder if it’s a taboo subject,” Qi Xiao mused as he leafed through the records.

At dawn the next day, Qi Xiao left Pat City. Though he had considered traveling around for a bit, he realized that these wizard towns were not much different from those within the organization and offered little opportunity for real growth.

Qi Xiao sped through the sky for two days without encountering another wizard. It seemed that the ambush he’d experienced last time was a rare occurrence. On reflection, it made sense: wizards were few and far between, even more so in the skies. If anyone did choose to lurk in the clouds waiting to rob passersby, they’d likely starve before finding a single victim. Most likely, the middle-aged wizard who attacked him had acted on a whim after a chance encounter.

Qi Xiao arrived at the Arcane Vault at midnight two days later. As soon as he entered the organization’s territory, his gaze was drawn to a distant burst of radiant light. In the western sky, clouds of dazzling, multicolored light bloomed brilliantly, so vivid and resplendent that they shone even brighter against the dark night.

Qi Xiao calculated the direction and felt a jolt in his heart. He immediately thought of the mysterious object his mentor had obtained and its effects. Yet, his teacher was never one for ostentation—such a spectacle could only mean that something unexpected had happened.

Worried, Qi Xiao flew toward the light. As he drew nearer, the scene became clearer: layers upon layers of radiant clouds rolled through the sky like golden waves, rising and falling in the darkness.

Upon landing on the island, Qi Xiao sensed a faint but undeniable aura of mystery. The island’s heart was crowded with apprentice wizards, among whom Raymont’s flaming red hair stood out sharply.

Guiding the Azure Veil, Qi Xiao sailed to Raymont’s side. The brilliance of the flying carpet drew many curious glances, and even the radiance in the sky seemed to pale beside it.

“What’s going on, senior? And where did all these people come from?” Qi Xiao asked in a low voice. Raymont, looking exhausted, replied with a sigh, “Lakeheart Island never turns away members of the organization… The teachers are busy with whatever is happening in that light, so no one is paying attention to the crowd. Since there were no instructions from the teachers, there shouldn’t be any problem with them watching.”

Qi Xiao fell silent. Within the Arcane Vault, aside from facilities like the Mission Hall and the Duel Tower, there was the so-called Four Islands and Sixteen Pavilions, twenty “factions” that were all equal and subordinate to the Vault, each led by at least one formal wizard.

Of course, there were other areas with resident official wizards, like the Withering Wood where Feng’s mentor, the “Mushroom Witch” Vivienne, resided. Still, the Four Islands and Sixteen Pavilions bore the responsibility of teaching apprentices, and members without mentors could come freely to ask questions. While formal wizards rarely deigned to answer, their disciples would usually do their best to help.

Lakeheart Island was usually quiet, partly because it was remote and isolated in the center of the lake. More importantly, spatial wizards were exceedingly rare—Qi Xiao had only met himself and his teacher in two months with the organization. He’d heard talk of a senior brother he’d never met who also specialized in space magic. Naturally, those who did not practice spatial arts had no reason to come here, and Qi Xiao enjoyed the peace.

This was the first time he’d seen so many people crowding the island. Feeling helpless, he kept his distance and joined Raymont in silently watching the kaleidoscopic sky.

But Qi Xiao soon realized that the radiance was only growing more intense. The sky was awash with colors, each layer more breathtaking than the last. In the darkness, the overlapping waves of light were truly mesmerizing.

Fortunately, before his anxiety could mount, three figures emerged from the glowing clouds. As soon as they landed on the island, the surrounding apprentices hurried to bow, some even dropping to one knee in nervous reverence.

Qi Xiao offered a slight bow and frowned at his teacher. Midiel appeared much as always, dressed in an elegant, antique suit, though a faint glow still clung to him. To his left stood a witch Qi Xiao knew well—the “Voice of the World,” Eleanor, whom he had met once before. The final figure, however, was unfamiliar.

This wizard, though young, had striking, chiseled features—a strong jaw, high cheekbones, deep-set eyes with a hint of mischief at the corners. His hair was an unusually dark black, tousled in a way that matched his aura. Thick, well-shaped brows, a straight nose, and sculpted lips that curled into a devilish smile made him unforgettable.

He wore a tailored black coat with a slightly raised collar and a silver necklace adorned with a black gemstone pendant, complementing his enigmatic, rakish demeanor.

Though Qi Xiao had never seen him before, the aura he exuded and his familiarity with both Midiel and Eleanor spoke volumes.

“Good evening, Lady Eleanor. And this is… Lord Demos?” Qi Xiao ventured.

At once, the young man’s lips curled in a teasing grin, shattering the gravity of his appearance. “Hahaha, is my unique charm so irresistible that you recognized me at a glance, little Qi Xiao?”

By now, Qi Xiao had met enough official wizards to accept that nine out of ten of them were eccentric, if not outright mad. Calmly, he greeted Demos once more.

“Teacher, what happened here?” he asked.

Midiel did not answer at once. With a sweep of his hand, all the apprentice wizards around them vanished, presumably sent back to their dormitories. Only then did he speak, his tone flat, “Nothing much. I made some adjustments to the entropy value. Everything is within expectations.”

Qi Xiao didn’t fully understand, but as long as things were within his teacher’s expectations, he was reassured. Clearly, the three wizards had further matters to discuss. Not wanting to overstep, Qi Xiao excused himself, pulling Raymont with him back into the bubble-space.

As the two students disappeared, Midiel’s expression darkened. He turned to Demos, his voice cold: “Explain. What happened?”