Chapter 358 - 197: Level 3 Crystallization Limit, The Path Beyond a Legendary Knight

Chapter 358: Chapter 197: Level 3 Crystallization Limit, The Path Beyond a Legendary Knight

The odds of Pei Ze breaking through such a competitive field were slim.

Shao Hong smiled and said, "Regardless, it’s already quite an accomplishment for Pei Ze to have qualified for the Battle of the Holy Ring. Both Red Lotus City and Blue Bay City are sending Wizards. If Chenxi City didn’t have a representative, it would be a huge loss of face."

Everyone present agreed with this sentiment.

Losing to Blue Bay City would be one thing, but being overshadowed by Red Lotus City would be utterly humiliating.

Fortunately, Pei Ze hadn’t disappointed them and had successfully secured his spot.

"Let’s wait and see," Shao Hong said. "What if Pei Ze manages to surprise us all?"

"That’s true."

The others laughed and voiced their agreement.

Of course, none of them actually took it seriously.

After all, the possibility was far too slim.

...

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Pei Ze had received a notice early on. His teacher, Mo Weng, would lead the escort to the Tower of the Holy Ring.

But when he arrived at the Potion House, he was surprised to find Gu Yi there in addition to Mo Weng.

"Lord Gu Yi..."

Pei Ze was about to greet him when Gu Yi cut him off.

"None of that. We’re both Level 3 Wizards now. Just call me by my name."

Gu Yi waved his hand, his eyes filled with both amazement and wistfulness as he looked at Pei Ze.

When he first met Pei Ze, the young man had only been a First-level Wizard Apprentice, barely surviving an encounter with a single Demonized.

Now, five years later, Pei Ze had already reached the same level as him, becoming a Level 3 Wizard.

This rate of advancement was enough to make Gu Yi feel ashamed.

Pei Ze hesitated, glancing at Mo Weng.

Among Wizards, power determined status. According to the unwritten rules, he was indeed entitled to interact with Gu Yi as an equal.

The problem was, Gu Yi and Mo Weng were friends of many years. In all their time together, Gu Yi never addressed Mo Weng as ’Lord’.

Out of respect for his teacher, Pei Ze was reluctant to address Gu Yi so informally.

Noticing Pei Ze’s glance, Mo Weng waved a hand. "Let’s not get caught up in formalities."

Since Mo Weng had spoken, Pei Ze readily complied. Just then, Mo Weng spoke up, his gaze sharp as he stared at Pei Ze.

"You’ve broken through to the Crystalized stage?"

Pei Ze froze for a moment, but he didn’t hide it, nodding frankly. "Yes, Teacher."

Although his Mental Force Field masked it, the spiritual fluctuations of Wizards at different stages still varied slightly. Gu Yi couldn’t tell, but Mo Weng, being an Elemental Mage, had sensed it.

At Pei Ze’s confirmation, Mo Weng’s expression showed he had expected as much. Gu Yi, on the other hand, was stunned for a moment before gasping lightly as it sank in.

’A Level 3 Crystalized Wizard?’

’Didn’t they say Pei Ze had only just advanced to Level 3 Wizard a short while ago?’

’It’s only been about a year, and he’s already broken through to the Crystalized stage?’

Gu Yi was utterly shocked. He looked at Pei Ze as if he were a monster.

He himself was only a Level 3 Crystalized Wizard, yet he’d been matched by a young man who wasn’t even twenty-five. The crucial part was that Pei Ze wasn’t even one of the Chosen. This stirred up some particularly complex feelings.

As his thoughts churned, Gu Yi suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to meet Mo Weng’s eyes.

He instantly understood the meaning in Mo Weng’s gaze. ’Don’t compare yourself to Pei Ze. You’re just asking for misery!’

Gu Yi gave a wry, silent laugh and shook his head, pushing the unnecessary thoughts aside.

Mo Weng gazed steadily at Pei Ze, a flicker of gratification in his eyes. "It seems you might just give us a surprise in the Battle of the Holy Ring after all."

Gu Yi froze for a second before it dawned on him.

’That’s right! I originally thought Pei Ze would just be a participant with no real chance of winning the Battle of the Holy Ring. But now that he’s a Level 3 Crystalized Wizard, his strength isn’t any less than many of the Chosen. It’s not impossible for him to take first place!’

Gu Yi grew excited at the thought.

If Pei Ze could win the Battle of the Holy Ring, it would be absolutely incredible news for Chenxi City!

"I’ll give it my all, Teacher," Pei Ze said with a serious expression.

Mo Weng nodded, gratified, then rose and looked out the window.

"Alright, it’s getting late. Time to set off."

Pei Ze was about to ask how they were getting to the Tower of the Holy Ring, but before he could speak, his vision blurred. When he came to his senses, he was no longer in the Potion House, but standing in a spacious, brightly lit living room.

A crystal chandelier, a fireplace, a sofa, and steaming black tea on the coffee table—it was like being in the drawing-room of a nobleman’s mansion.

Mo Weng sat down on the sofa, and Gu Yi sat down as well, casually picking up a cup of tea from the coffee table. He seemed perfectly familiar with the place.

"Have a seat," Mo Weng said to Pei Ze. "Chenxi City is quite a distance from the Tower of the Holy Ring. It’ll take us about half an hour to get there."

A thought struck Pei Ze, and he blurted out, "Teacher, are we inside your Wizard Tower right now?"

A flicker of amusement crossed Mo Weng’s eyes as he nodded.

Pei Ze’s eyes instantly lit up.

’This is my first time inside a Wizard Tower.’

He was itching to explore, but now was clearly not the time. Pei Ze could only suppress his eagerness and take a seat on the sofa.

After taking a sip of tea, Pei Ze suddenly remembered something. "Teacher," he asked, "what is the path for a Knight after they advance to Tier Nine Legendary Knight?"

Mo Weng paused mid-sip. Gu Yi was even more startled, staring at Pei Ze in astonishment. "You’ve advanced to a Tier Nine Legendary Knight?"

"Not yet."

Gu Yi breathed a sigh of relief. ’Right,’ he thought. ’Even with Pei Ze’s talent, it would be impossible for him to break through to the Level 3 Crystalized stage and advance to a Tier Nine Legendary Knight at the same time. That would be too ridiculous.’

"I’m still a little way off from becoming a Tier Eight Legend."