Chapter 257 - 156: War Breaks Out, The Essence of Wizard Civilization

Chapter 257: Chapter 156: War Breaks Out, The Essence of Wizard Civilization

This is insane!

It was the only thought running through Gu Lin’s head.

She had always known Pei Ze was exceptionally talented, even monstrously so.

But she never imagined that in less than a year, he was already on the verge of becoming a Second-level Wizard!

This rate of advancement was simply terrifying!

After becoming a Wizard with the help of a Purified Soul Crystal, Gu Lin had felt a little smug, thinking the gap between her and Pei Ze had narrowed.

But now, it seemed that far from narrowing, the gap had only grown wider!

For a moment, Gu Lin was overcome with both shock and dismay.

Pei Ze was also startled.

’This Vampire Wizard’s perception and insight are far too sharp,’ he thought. ’She saw through so many of my secrets with a single glance, and that was with my Mental Force Field still active. If I were to let it down, she would probably see everything.’

’High-tier Wizards really are a terrifying bunch,’ Pei Ze thought, a chill running down his spine.

"Your blood smells good, too," Annie said, her nostrils flaring slightly. "But it’s still far from being as good as Gu Lin’s."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lin discreetly rolled her eyes.

’That’s one compliment I’m not the least bit happy to receive.’

Pei Ze looked from Gu Lin to Annie, a flash of understanding in his eyes.

’So that’s it,’ he mused. ’I was wondering how Gu Lin ended up with a High-tier Wizard like Annie. It seems Annie has taken a... special interest in her. They must have struck some kind of deal, which would explain how she became a Wizard so quickly.’ Pei Ze had noticed the Mental Force Field around her long ago—the unique mark of a Wizard.

’Logically, it should have been impossible for her to advance this fast. After all, as a fellow Wizard Apprentice who had also practiced a top-tier Advanced Meditation Technique, even Yin Xue had taken nearly three years to do it. Even if Gu Lin is more talented than Yin Xue, she couldn’t be *that* much better. Not everyone has a cheat like the Eye of Omniscience.’

"Where are you headed?" Gu Lin’s voice interrupted Pei Ze’s thoughts.

Gathering his scattered thoughts, Pei Ze didn’t hide anything and said frankly, "I’m going to buy materials to inscribe an Alchemy Engraving."

Seeing Gu Lin’s confused expression, Pei Ze patiently explained what an Alchemy Engraving was.

After listening, Gu Lin’s jaw dropped slightly.

’An Enchantment Pattern even more advanced than a magic tattoo!’

’And its effects and power are more than two or three times greater!’

’If only I could get one inscribed too...’

As if remembering something, Gu Lin’s face flushed slightly. She glanced at Pei Ze, but quickly collected herself and looked at him expectantly. "Can you help me inscribe one too?"

Before Pei Ze could speak, Annie poured cold water on her hopes.

"Don’t even think about it, Gu Lin. The requirements for an Alchemy Engraving are much higher than for a magic tattoo. Without the constitution of a Third-level Legend, you can’t even transform into an Alchemy Body, let alone inscribe an Alchemy Engraving."

Gu Lin looked at Pei Ze, who just smiled and nodded, and her face fell with disappointment.

Unlike Pei Ze, she wasn’t very diligent about her Cultivation Breathing Technique. Even though her constitution had strengthened considerably after becoming a Wizard, she was still only at the level of a Tier One Legendary Knight, a far cry from a Tier Three Legendary Knight.

Annie chimed in with a "thoughtful" suggestion at just the right moment. "I have a way to help you rapidly strengthen your constitution... if you’re willing to pay an equivalent price."

Gu Lin subconsciously gripped her own hand and glared at Annie.

Every day for the past while, Annie had been drawing two hundred milliliters of her blood. Although the process wasn’t painful, the feeling was far from pleasant.

But the thought of the Alchemy Engraving made her waver.

"How much... blood do you want?"

Unexpectedly, Annie shook her head slightly. "Even the most delicious things become tiresome if you have too much at once. Two hundred milliliters a day is enough for now."

Now it was Gu Lin’s turn to be confused. "Then what kind of payment do you want?"

Annie smiled faintly, her lips moving slightly as if she were using a Communication Skill.

The next moment, an incredibly conflicted expression appeared on Gu Lin’s face.

In the end, however, the temptation of the Alchemy Engraving won out. The young woman bit her lip and nodded decisively.

"Fine, it’s a deal!"

The corners of Annie’s lips curled up.

Watching their interaction, Pei Ze’s mouth twitched slightly.

Gu Lin then remembered Pei Ze was still standing there. Her face flushed, and she quickly started to pull Annie away, only to turn back after a few steps.

"I almost forgot to ask. You’re still in Red Maple City—are you planning to answer the War Order?"

Pei Ze nodded slightly. "That’s right."

Gu Lin’s face lit up. "Me too! I’ll see you on the battlefield, then."

Pei Ze smiled and nodded.

After Gu Lin and Annie left, Pei Ze continued on his way to the shop.

After purchasing the materials, he inscribed the Energy Force Field and Dimensional Flash that very night. The process went very smoothly.

After inscribing the Alchemy Engravings, Pei Ze was left with only Twelve Thousand Merit Points.

He then bought seven standard units of a metal composite, raising his Silver Star to +7 in one go.

Of the more than fifty thousand merit points he had acquired since returning from the Secret Silver Resource Point, only just over six hundred now remained.

If other Level 1 Wizards knew how fast he was spending, they would probably be left dumbfounded.

’Now I just have to wait for my spiritual energy level to reach the critical point.’

Pei Ze let out a long breath, drank a bottle of Resonance Potion, and began his Meditation.

As he took the potion more frequently and his spiritual energy level increased, its effects had grown weaker and weaker.

Combined with his Visualization Secret Technique, his daily Meditation could now only increase his energy level by 0.17.

’At this rate, it’ll take over a month to reach an energy level of 96.’