Chapter 312 - 192: Virtual Laboratory, The Eye of Truth’s Transformation, The Advent of a New Era

A young, black-haired woman in a Blue Wizard Robe descended slowly to the ground, having reined in her Particle Energy. Her eyelashes were long, her eyes as clear and translucent as jade. Her skin was fair and delicate, with a rosy, pinkish hue, and her thin lips were a soft pink. Her beautiful eyes gazed at Wang Ya, filled with a reserved affection.

An old Wizard with silver hair and a wrinkled face, his long, trailing Wizard Robe dragging behind him, landed somewhat unsteadily. His beard drifted in the wind, and he clutched a wooden Magic Staff, a Witchcraft Artifact, in his hand.

The old Wizard seemed to give Wang Ya a wide grin, revealing a mouth full of rotten teeth as if they were old acquaintances.

Wang Ya felt a little uneasy. ’When facing Victor and the Oby Brothers, I didn’t have to be so careful. Even if they noticed something and grew suspicious, they wouldn’t overthink it.’

’After all, the lives of those four are tied to mine.’

’But these two are completely different. One is Komore’s childhood sweetheart, caught in a tangle of emotions and deeply in love with him. The other is an Official Wizard from the Sack Clan and Komore’s childhood mentor, who taught him the basics of Extraordinary Knowledge. He knows him very well.’

’If they discover that I’m not the real Komore, that I’m an impostor, then all my previous efforts will have been for nothing.’

’It could even bring considerable trouble for my true self, Wang Ya.’

The more nervous Wang Ya felt, the calmer and more composed he became. In his mind, he reviewed every one of Komore’s movements and gestures he had observed through the black eyes, combined with the half-month he had spent studying Komore’s memories.

Vividly realistic personas began to form in his mind.

Wang Ya even cast a suggestive and guiding Dream Witchcraft on himself, making him believe that he *was* Komore.

"Lola, why are you here?" Wang Ya said hesitantly, his eyes filled with complex emotions, mindful of the others present.

"You have to come back with me this time, Komore. Your life shouldn’t be wasted here." Qiudongqiu looked at Wang Ya apprehensively. Not many people knew about the Black Sun Ruins.

Even within Komore’s clan, very few were aware of it. She had brought the Mystic Turtle Wizard here without Komore’s consent.

Qiudongqiu steeled herself. ’Even if Komore resents me for this, I can’t worry about that now. I have to get him back to the Black Tower.’

In these one hundred and twenty years, too many people had taken the stage that rightfully belonged to Komore.

People were even starting to forget the man who was once the strongest Level 3 Wizard Apprentice.

She had to pull Komore back onto the right path.

"Fine, I’ll go back with you."

"Ah!"

Komore’s reply left Qiudongqiu stunned. Her eyes widened, and she was at a loss. She had been prepared to have the Mystic Turtle Wizard forcibly take Komore away, a plan he had already agreed with.

"Komore, are you serious?"

Wang Ya said with a gloomy expression, "There’s no need to stay here any longer."

Qiudongqiu sensed that something was off. This didn’t sound like something Komore would say, or a decision he would make. His attitude toward her also felt much colder, as if he had become a different person.

The Mystic Turtle Wizard narrowed his eyes and said with a frown, "A fierce battle took place here. The power level was that of an Extreme Wizard Apprentice, and there was an attack by a Beast Tide, scorching from an Energy Flame, and even the aura of a Dream Wizard."

Wang Ya was slightly startled. ’As expected of an Official Wizard. A month has passed, yet he can still find clues.’ He maintained his gloomy expression and said in a low voice, "Teacher Mystic Turtle, are you here to drag me back by force?"

Qiudongqiu’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Wang Ya’s face cautiously. ’So it’s come to this after all.’

Based on the changes at Licorice Camp and Komore’s attitude, she began to piece together what had happened.

’Could it be that this fierce battle, triggered by unknown reasons, caused such a change in Komore?’

Victor used his Extraordinary Spiritual Power to send Qiudongqiu a message.

The message struck her like a bolt of lightning. She instinctively covered her mouth. The Black Sun Ruins had been stolen by someone else, and it was suspected that a traitor had leaked the information.

’No wonder Komore has changed so much. He waited for one hundred and twenty years.’

Qiudongqiu automatically filled in the blanks, and her gaze toward Wang Ya grew even more sympathetic.

"It’s time to go back. The Sack Clan is one of the Star Clans and possesses the legacy of a Level 2 Wizard. You’ve already learned the Ten Thousand Tribulations Particle Energy, so why grasp at the shadow and lose the substance?"

The Mystic Turtle Wizard sighed and said, "Komore, I can help you track these people down, confirm their identities, and take care of them for you. In exchange, you will return with me to the Black Tower. The thing you were waiting for is gone, vanished into thin air. It’s time to put it behind you."

"The pressure within the clan is also immense. More juniors are rising through the ranks. Although you are of the Direct Lineage, many still see you as a thorn in their side."

Wang Ya raised his head, looked the Mystic Turtle Wizard straight in the eye, and said very seriously, "That won’t be necessary, Teacher Mystic Turtle. I know who these people are. I will take back what I’ve lost myself."

"I will go back, and I will also reclaim the honors that once belonged to me."

A cold wind blew through Wang Ya’s golden hair. His gaze and expression overlapped with the image of Komore in his prime, and he said coolly, "The title of the strongest Level 3 Wizard Apprentice in the Black Tower might change, but only from ’strongest Level 3 Wizard Apprentice’ to ’strongest Extreme Wizard Apprentice’."

A rosy smile appeared on the Mystic Turtle Wizard’s aged face. He clapped his hands lightly. "Now *this* is the person I remember. The pride and confidence that a genius Wizard of the Sack Clan’s Direct Lineage ought to have."

Qiudongqiu’s gaze was like a pool of autumn water, brimming with affection. This was the Komore she knew.

Wang Ya breathed a sigh of relief internally. ’Nailed it!’

...

Wang Ya’s return didn’t cause any ripples. He quietly returned to the Three-Layered Space of the Illusory Dream Tower.

Ten years had passed. Although some stories of his deeds still circulated, they were gradually being replaced by the achievements of exceptional newcomers, who had become the new center of attention.

The hottest topic was probably the new Secret Realm competition.

The Wizard Freshmen were eagerly rubbing their hands together, preparing for five years, all for the Secret Realm competition five years from now.

The change from two and a half years to five was likely a result of studying the Secret Realm competition from Wang Ya’s batch.

The betting pools for the Secret Realm competition were also being prepared in advance.

Wang Ya used his Wizard Mark to check some of the rankings when he had a moment.

Among the current popular Wizard Freshmen, there was a small Wizard team called "Heart of Perseverance" and some new blood from the Wizard Clans. Compared to Wang Ya’s batch of Wizard Freshmen, the quality was much lower, especially on the Wizard Clan side.

This wasn’t hard to figure out. The last Secret Realm competition was for spots in the Dark Cultivation Plan, which was why the Ten Great Wizard Clans had started cultivating their members in advance, creating intense internal competition.

The Dark Cultivation Plan was a once-in-fifty-years opportunity, and this cycle would be skipped. However, obtaining a spot on the Dark Star was not so easy either.

Wang Ya was now considered a Wizard of the older generation, similar to the Wind Wizard and Lando Wizard of the past.

Speaking of those two, he hadn’t seen them in a long time, nor Wizard Yi Si or Xugus Wizard. Ever since the new batch of Wizard Freshmen entered the Lower House, the Extreme Wizard Apprentices seemed to have gone into hiding.

’It’s really quite strange!’

Soon, Wang Ya got his answer from Kelan Wizard.

"They are preparing for the Dark Secret Realm, shoring up their weaknesses, and improving their Power in every way possible. They’re also adjusting their various states to ensure their willpower is at its sharpest. The Dark Secret Realm is almost equivalent to a chance to break through to become an Official Wizard."

"Almost all the Extreme Wizard Apprentices have left the main campus. They’ve gone to the various jurisdictions or other special places to temper themselves." Kelan Wizard then asked Wang Ya through the Dark Wizard Mark, "By the way, are you planning to participate in the Dark Secret Realm, or will you wait for the second centennial to participate?"

"Among us Extreme Wizard Apprentices, you’re still considered part of the junior batch. It would be much easier for you if you participated in the second centennial."

Wang Ya changed into an experimental Wizard’s Robe and tightened the cuffs. Sensing the message from Kelan Wizard, he replied with a smile, "Senior Sister Kelan, the first centennial and the second are not the same. You once said that this is the tide of an era. If one doesn’t even dare to face the first wave, how can they ever hope to be the one who rides the waves of that chaotic era?"

In her office in the Library, Kelan Wizard’s long, slender fingers turned a page of the manuscript in front of her. An old Wizard stood beside her with a slight bow. He had now become the most highly regarded Wizard in Kelan Wizard’s service.

"Interesting, Junior Brother. In that case, I’ll look forward to your performance. But remember, without the Power of an Extreme Wizard Apprentice, you won’t even be qualified to participate."

Kelan Wizard’s laugh, melodious and clear, echoed through the office. The old Wizard was stunned; it was the first time he had ever seen her display such emotion.

...

"Tower Spirit, what’s the status of the Blood-sucking King Vine? And have there been any noteworthy changes with the Evil God’s Heart recently?"

Wang Ya strode into the Level 2 Laboratory, the very room where the Evil God’s Heart was kept.

The Tower Spirit replied, "The Blood-sucking King Vine’s condition is stable. Its Biological Energy is constantly increasing, and its demand for natural particle energy is growing. The current stage of the Cultivation Witch Array can no longer meet its needs."

Wang Ya issued a command, "Switch the Level 3 Cultivation Witch Array to a Level 2 Cultivation Witch Array."

A pleased expression appeared on his face. The natural particle energy gathered and released by a Level 2 Cultivation Witch Array was enough to supply a Beast King, or even Extraordinary Creatures of a higher level.

This proved that after its fusion, the Blood-sucking King Vine would very likely advance to the Beast King stage.

"The Evil God’s Heart has consumed the nutrient solution and is maintaining its original activity. There has been neither an increase nor a decrease."

Wang Ya raised an eyebrow. The will fragment of the Gendas Evil God was still inside a Dream Foam, stored within his Dream Territory.

’The Evil God’s Heart itself is part of a trinity. It shouldn’t have lost its intelligence and been reduced to mere instinct just because it’s missing this fragment of consciousness.’

’This doesn’t make any sense.’

Just as Wang Ya was frowning in thought, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his eyes.

Far from panicking, a joyful smile spread across his lips.

’This means the transformation of the Eye of Truth is complete.’

[Notice: Eye of Truth transformation complete. New function unlocked: Virtual Laboratory.]

At this moment, the deep blue, fragmented light in Wang Ya’s pupils transformed, suffused with a faint, ink-like blackness. An even finer stream of data now flowed within them.

...