Vol 3. Chapter 124: Red Moon Tower

“Get out of my way!”

Accompanied by the girl’s furious roar, silver-white holy aura abruptly compressed at the silver-haired girl’s fingertips before erupting into a powerful beam of energy that blasted straight ahead.

“BOOM!!”

Along with an earth-shaking explosion and a brilliant flash of silver light, the chest of the final rock golem was instantly pierced through by the blast.

With its core shattered, the golem lost the power that kept it moving. Starting from the gaping hole in its chest, its entire body rapidly collapsed into countless pieces of rubble that scattered across the ground.

With that, all three golems that had fought Mengxi were finally destroyed.

However,

After dispersing the silver-white light sword in her hand, not the slightest trace of joy from victory could be seen on Mengxi’s beautiful face.

Because,

Although she had dealt with all three golems, they had already accomplished their purpose of delaying her.

When she once again looked toward the sky, there was no longer any trace of the masked man.

“Damn it!”

Furious, Mengxi punched straight through the massive tree beside her as though venting her frustration.

At this moment, Mengxi’s face was filled with anger and unwillingness.

It was rare for the girl to lose control of her emotions like this.

And the reason was not merely what had happened just now, but everything she had experienced throughout the entire day.

The Abyss Demon horde’s overwhelming invasion; Xue Tianao attacking Sister Yumo; and now, the Child of Destiny being ‘rescued’ right before her eyes—all of it left Mengxi feeling powerless.

Strictly speaking, Mengxi’s strength at the Mid Sixth-Tier undoubtedly placed her at the very top among those of her generation.

But when facing truly powerful opponents, she was still helpless.

Earlier, when Xue Tianao had attacked Sister Yumo, Mengxi had been completely incapable of stopping him and had instead needed Sister Yumo to protect her.

That alone had already left Mengxi extremely frustrated.

And now?

An unknown powerhouse had effortlessly rescued Xue Tianao right out of her hands, while she had been held back by a few worthless magic golems.

That powerhouse had not even bothered to look at her properly.

‘I’m still not strong enough...’

The current me,

Is still far too weak.

Even with divine power, I might not be able to fight against truly powerful opponents.

As I am now, forget protecting Sister Yumo—I can’t even protect myself...

As expected,

‘I have to complete the Saintess Trial...’

I have to increase my strength as quickly as possible.

I have to reach the Seventh Tier as soon as possible.

At this thought, the dejection within Mengxi’s eyes was gradually replaced by intense determination.

As her gaze became increasingly resolute, however, the confusion within the girl’s heart also grew stronger.

Slowly raising her head and looking toward the horizon where the masked man had disappeared, Mengxi narrowed her beautiful light-purple eyes.

A solemn look appeared within them.

Had he really been someone who came to rescue Xue Tianao?

Although she had been extremely unwilling to accept her failure, once Mengxi calmed down, she quickly recalled several things that had seemed strange during the confrontation.

The look in that man’s eyes when he held Xue Tianao’s soul...

There had been no urgency, no anger, no concern...

It had not looked remotely like the gaze one would give a companion.

Moreover,

Within that gaze,

‘There seemed to be some mockery, and... disgust...’

At this thought, the silver-haired girl became even more puzzled...

--

Meanwhile,

Elsewhere,

In stark contrast to Mengxi’s unwillingness, anger, and confusion was Xue Tianao’s current state of mind.

After learning the mysterious man’s identity, Xue Tianao, who was already ecstatic about surviving certain death, became even more delighted.

If he still had a body, he probably would have started dancing on the spot from sheer excitement.

Staring at the crimson moon emblem on the right side of the mysterious man’s face—

Or rather, Anfrell’s face—

All of Xue Tianao’s previous unease and panic had completely disappeared, leaving behind nothing but boundless joy.

There was nothing more delightful than surviving certain death only to stumble upon an enormous opportunity immediately afterward.

‘To think he’d actually be from the Red Moon Tower. I really didn’t expect this.’

Xue Tianao could not help sighing inwardly.

The Three Towers—

The Holy Tower, the Ethereal Tower, and the Red Moon Tower.

These three towers were sacred lands of magic and knowledge throughout the entire Anqieka Continent.

Whether human or another race, mages, alchemists, magic swordsmen, potion masters, or any other seekers of knowledge all held an indescribable reverence toward the Three Towers.

Countless seekers of knowledge yearned for the opportunity to study within the Three Towers, because they contained knowledge far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

Among other things, even Lost Magic and Ancient Magic that had long since disappeared from the continent were preserved within the Three Towers.

Although the Three Towers had relatively few members, their influence across the Anqieka Continent absolutely could not be underestimated.

All the major academies had close ties to them, and even many of the continent’s renowned Grand Mages—including several Magic Gods—had been trained by the Three Towers.

Although the Ethereal Tower had been dragged into a spatial rift during an ‘accident’ several centuries ago and ultimately torn to pieces, the prestige of the Three Towers had not diminished because of it.

The influence of the Holy Tower and Red Moon Tower had continued to expand rapidly over the following centuries.

Today, the influence of these two sacred lands of mages was even comparable to that of the Four Great Empires. Taking their power to rally others into consideration, they might even surpass them.

Before today, Xue Tianao had constantly been thinking about how he could win over the Holy Tower and Red Moon Tower and turn them into his allies.

After all, as long as he could obtain the support of even one of the towers, countless mages across the continent would become his allies.

For the entire Snow Night Empire, the significance of that would be enormous.

Aside from the support of those mages, the seemingly endless knowledge stored within the towers was even more tempting, especially those ancient and immensely powerful Forbidden Spells.

If he could learn them, his strength would undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds.

It was precisely because of this that Xue Tianao had previously been so enthusiastic about establishing a good relationship with the Venerable of the Holy Tower, hoping to gain even greater support from him in the future.

To tell the truth, Xue Tianao had also made plenty of attempts to establish relations with the Red Moon Tower.

But they had basically ignored him.

Every invitation he sent, even the invitation to his coronation ceremony, had received no response whatsoever from the Red Moon Tower.

For a time, this had left Xue Tianao bitterly disappointed.

Eventually, he had no choice but to give up on winning them over.

But now?

This organization he had already given up hope on, this organization with which he had such an awkward relationship, had actually sent someone to help him?

To save him?

And the person sent to rescue him was even the Left Guardian of the Red Moon Tower?!

Such a high-ranking figure had personally come for him?

‘Ha, haha, hahahaha!’

Those guys from the Red Moon Tower practically ignored me before, yet now they’ve directly sent someone to save me?

They really aren’t honest with themselves~

As the saying went, misfortune could sometimes turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

When Mengxi had caught him earlier, Xue Tianao had fallen into utter despair. Who could have expected that at the critical moment, someone from the Red Moon Tower would actually rescue him?

If he could use this opportunity to establish a connection with the Red Moon Tower, then all the fear and panic he had just endured would have been worth it.

As expected,

There had been no need for him to worry so much!

He was the Child of Destiny. When necessary, there would naturally be benefactors who came to his aid!

Moreover,

‘The Tower Master invited me?’

Recalling Anfrell’s words from earlier, Xue Tianao could not help feeling intensely self-satisfied.

It seemed,

There were still people who understood the importance of him, the Child of Destiny.

After being looked down upon throughout the entire day, Xue Tianao was now in an exceptionally good mood.

If he were not trying to maintain his image in front of Anfrell, Xue Tianao might even have started humming.

Just as Xue Tianao was immersed in his joy and smug satisfaction,

Anfrell’s calm voice suddenly entered Xue Tianao’s ‘ears.’

“Your Excellency, Child of Destiny, we’ve arrived.”

?!!

Hm?!

We’re here?!

Hearing this, Xue Tianao hurriedly pulled his attention away from Anfrell and looked ahead with incomparable excitement.

Before his eyes,

The dense thunderclouds that had surrounded them moments earlier abruptly dispersed.

As the thunderclouds and black mist faded away, Xue Tianao’s vision suddenly opened up.

In the next moment, a majestic and magnificent tower soaring straight into the clouds appeared before Xue Tianao.

The entire towering structure was constructed from crimson crystal and radiated an ancient, solemn, and murderous aura.

The sight instantly left the Child of Destiny staring in dumbfounded amazement.

‘S-So this is the Red Moon Tower?’

Amazing...

Such an epic and imposing structure inevitably filled Xue Tianao, who was seeing it for the first time, with envy.

After all, compared with the Red Moon Tower, the Skyvault Imperial Palace he had always considered majestic and imposing was simply not worth mentioning.

Yet even as he marveled at it,

Xue Tianao’s attention was quickly drawn toward a beautiful figure outside the tower.

The woman possessed an extraordinary bearing and outstanding features. Her long, honey-colored hair fell in gentle waves, while her pale and delicate face remained indifferent and emotionless.

Beneath dark eyeshadow, her deep-blue eyes, partially concealed by long eyelashes, shimmered with a soul-stirring light.

At that moment, Xue Tianao stopped thinking altogether.

His attention became completely focused on this unknown woman.

The honey-haired woman was indeed beautiful,

But after spending so much time around Mengxi and Yumo, Xue Tianao was not actually ‘attracted’ by her appearance this time.

The reason the Child of Destiny stared unwaveringly at the honey-haired woman was partly because of her extraordinary, otherworldly aura, and partly because of her beautiful eyes.

Those deep-blue eyes were like spiraling abysses.

The instant their gazes met, Xue Tianao’s consciousness was firmly bound within them, causing him to fall into a strange trance.

It was only when Anfrell brought Xue Tianao’s soul before the honey-haired woman that Xue Tianao finally snapped out of his daze.

Realizing that he had lost his composure, Xue Tianao hurriedly greeted the unknown woman respectfully, though his words came out somewhat haltingly, as though he had still not completely regained his senses.

“M-My apologies, I... I lost my composure... Beautiful lady... H-Hello!”

“...”

At Xue Tianao’s reaction,

Especially his decision to address the honey-haired woman as ‘lady,’ Anfrell, who was holding Xue Tianao’s soul, clearly became displeased, his agate-colored eyes narrowing slightly.

However, after noticing the look the honey-haired woman gave him, Anfrell said nothing more and slowly raised Xue Tianao’s soul before her.

Looking at the constantly trembling soul in front of her, which seemed somewhat at a loss,

The honey-haired woman slowly revealed a soul-stirring smile.

Her smile was beautiful, elegant, and gentle,

Yet faintly,

Hidden within it,

Was an almost imperceptible trace of coldness.

“I am Youlan, Master of the Red Moon Tower. Welcome to the Red Moon Tower, Your Majesty Xue Tianao.”