Chapter 176 128: One Month Later, Kaze's Scheme

The silvery-white luster in Wang Ya's eyes slowly faded as he disconnected from the Dream World.

It had taken Wang Ya only a single second to go from the Dream Gap back to the real world.

This was simply unbelievable.

Entering the Dream World was incredibly difficult. Once in the state of the Dream Gap, a Dream Wizard would need to expend considerable effort to sever the connection between the Dream World and their consciousness before they could completely shut down their Dream Sense and return to reality.

Typically, this would take at least half a minute.

A powerful Dream Wizard, once exceptionally proficient and in possession of their own Dream Territory, could shorten this time to under five seconds.

Yet Wang Ya had used this special Dream Witchcraft he created to accomplish something that countless Dream Wizards found impossible.

The Extraordinary Knowledge he had recently learned had also elevated the Eye of Truth's algorithmic, storage, and analytical abilities to a new level.

The assistance from the Eye of Truth was secondary. The key was that he himself was astonished by his own comprehension of Dream Witchcraft. Creating it felt as natural as eating or drinking; it wasn't difficult at all.

While under the influence of his Dream Sense, Dream Power surged toward him like a tide, as if he possessed some point of attraction.

The creation of the Dream Gap had also been remarkably smooth.

'This is probably the Potential the Illusory Dream Wizard was talking about.'

One point that had once troubled him was this very issue: the difficulty of detaching from the state of the Dream Gap and reconnecting with the real world.

Left with no choice, he had drawn upon the basic Extraordinary Knowledge of Dream Wizards and the inherited knowledge from the Illusory Dream Wizard on neuron training, strengthening, and Sublimation... to finally create a special Dream Witchcraft specifically for "logging off."

He named it [True Transformation].

Being permanently trapped in the Dream World due to having too much Potential, ending up in a state like the Illusory Dream Wizard, was absolutely unacceptable to Wang Ya.

[Current Active Neurons: 2.5%]

[Dream Power: 2 Units]

[Dream-Recalling Meditation Method: Basic Chapter (9/9), Advanced Chapter (4/12 Wizard Runes)]

[Current Spirit Power: 23.6]

[Dream Witchcraft: True Transformation, Eye of Dreams, Heart of Dreams, Dream Sword]

Wang Ya had replaced the Vast Sea Meditation Method with the Dream-Recalling Meditation Method, focusing more on enhancing his Spiritual Power and cultivating and strengthening his neurons.

Its rate of improvement would far exceed that of the Vast Sea Meditation Method, but of course, its difficulty would also be far greater.

Enveloped by Teleportation Fluctuations, Wang Ya reappeared on the shore of Heart Dream Lake.

The figure of the Illusory Dream Wizard gradually materialized from a swirl of maple leaves.

"It seems you are ready."

Wang Ya nodded earnestly at the Illusory Dream Wizard.

The Illusory Dream Wizard stepped aside, revealing a large yellow door. It pulsed with a strange, distorted color, as if sewn together from tangled lines.

"Remember to see, to hear... and then to swing your sword. Although the Illusory Dream Garden is my territory, some Dream Creatures still manage to break in. If you feel you've gathered enough, crush this sphere, and I will bring you out."

Wang Ya took the yellow, thumb-sized sphere. It felt like glass. He tucked it into his sleeve and then strode directly into the Illusory Dream Garden.

A figure slowly materialized beside the Illusory Dream Wizard, shrouded in a strange, subdued dark light that obscured its face and body.

"Illusory Dream Wizard, isn't it a bit too soon to let your disciple enter the Illusory Dream Garden?"

"I believe he can find his own Wizard Path. The dangers of the Illusory Dream Garden are merely the most basic. The true Dream World is fraught with peril. If he can't even adapt to this, then he might as well just inherit my Wizard Path..."

The Illusory Dream Wizard's words were resolute, yet somewhat detached.

The Gloom Wizard chuckled. "But your Illusory Dream Garden is connected to the true Dream World. If this little fellow wanders into the wilds of the Dream World, it will be troublesome."

"My disciple, Polaris, just recently woke from a coma. The danger of the Illusory Dream Garden lies in its mental and spiritual impact on a Wizard's brain..."

The Illusory Dream Wizard was speechless for a moment, finally understanding why the other had come.

He opened his palm, and a cup of chocolate-colored liquid, just like the one Wang Ya had once drunk, was offered to the Gloom Wizard.

"Then I thank you for your generosity, Illusory Dream Wizard."

The Gloom Wizard took the cup of liquid, and his figure gradually vanished.

Even though the Illusory Dream Wizard was backed by the Dream World, allowing him to explore and capture more unique Dream Creatures...

...to use up three cups of 'Black Wine Spirit' in a single day still made his eyelid twitch uncontrollably.

'That Gloom Wizard's nose is really sharp,' he thought. 'He could smell the 'Black Spirit Wine' from the Dark Tower of the Dark Wizard, all the way over here.'

'That little girl got lucky.'

...

A month passed, leaving Kaze Antuun deep in a state of conflict and distress.

「Wizard's Residence.」

「In the study.」

The light was dim, illuminated only by a single, faint candle. Kaze Antuun sat in the shadows, his face devoid of expression. On the desk before him lay a few books and some written text.

But beside them, a much larger pile of crumpled-up wastepaper was growing.

"Sigh..." The candlelight flickered and swayed with his breath.

He had thought of many plans, but ultimately abandoned them all.

The Black Sun Badge wouldn't be easy to get. Wang Ya Harak's status was too troublesome.

The rules did indeed keep everyone in the Dark Land in check, but his opponent had an Official Wizard as a teacher and was backed by an entire Extraordinary Faction.

The Antuun Clan couldn't afford to blow the situation up and let word get out.

Nor could they use their one and only connection to ask the Rhine Lineage to intervene.

The fewer people who noticed something was amiss, the better it would be for the Antuun Clan.

The only viable option seemed to be to drag Wang Ya Harak into the Battlefield, with the Black Sun Badge as the wager, plus some other hefty price from their side.

The winner would take all.

'A living Battlefield, of course. If I chose a deathmatch, I'd probably die mysteriously in my sleep the night before the fight.'

As the head of the Antuun Clan, he knew some things about the Illusory Dream Wizard.

That was what made it so tricky.

But even with the Battlefield approach, he couldn't think of anyone to send.

The Antuun Clan was in decline. Their only outstanding member, Zack Antuun, had already been defeated by Wang Ya in the Secret Realm competition.

'I can't possibly step up myself and fight a mere Level 2 Wizard Apprentice on the Battlefield, can I?'

It would be inappropriate in every sense; a complete loss of face... He figured the Illusory Dream Wizard would likely lose his own face and personally come to challenge him in response.

'Perhaps Wang Ya Harak already knows the secret of the Black Sun Badge, and that's why he refused me.'

In the dim light, Kaze Antuun's expression flickered, growing somewhat grim.

'Looking back, my actions that day were rather foolish.'

Suddenly, a message arrived in his Wizard Mark.

Kaze Antuun's expression immediately shifted. A look of joy flashed in his eyes, and he subconsciously unleashed his powerful aura. The entire study was thrown into chaos as books tumbled to the floor and the candle was instantly extinguished.

But Kaze Antuun paid it no mind, his laughter echoing through the room.

"Hades, well done! I never thought you'd give me such a surprise! You've reached the threshold of a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice."

"Advance to Level 3 Wizard Apprentice within three months... With this, that plan might actually be possible."

A fiery passion burned in Kaze Antuun's eyes. The Black Sun Inheritance would finally return to the hands of the Antuun Clan.

'I'll go challenge Wang Ya Harak right now. With three months' lead time, no one will know that Hades is about to advance to Level 3 Wizard Apprentice.'

Both are Level 2 Wizard Apprentices. As Wizards from an Inheritance Lineage, they represent the face of their respective Extraordinary Factions. A challenge between Wizards of the same level is reasonable and, generally speaking, would not be refused.

Those from an Inheritance Lineage are the most outstanding and brilliant Wizards.

If one lacks the confidence to even defeat a Wizard of the same level, they cannot be considered a Heritage Wizard at all.

A slight curve formed on Kaze Antuun's lips. 'Wang Ya Harak, you have gained much, but there are also burdens you must bear.'

'Everything is reciprocal.'