"Almost." Vera didn’t mind his interruption. "Although these Ancient Fairies appear peculiar, their civilization once reached the level of a High Plane. Within their bodies lies sothing called Life Essence, which can enhance Life Force and Spiritual Power; it’s a great supplent for any life form."
Leon set down his glass and said in a deep voice, "Precisely because of these things, that Plane was later targeted by multiple high-dinsional civilizations. After a chaotic war, the Ancient Fairy civilization declined and the Plane’s will perished. But the shell of that Plane remains, still containing countless treasures."
Vera nodded, "We have three main objectives for this trip."
"First, the Life Essence. Although the Ancient Fairies are extinct, their remains and the relics they left behind may still contain residual essence. Finding it would significantly boost Life Force and Spiritual Power."
"Second, the Key of Rules. It’s a materialization of rules containing complete rule fragnts that can help us comprehend Rule Power. This is the key to advancing to Level 3."
For Duke and the other Level 2 Mages, the most important goal is to comprehend the rules and control Rule Power to advance to Level 3 Wizard.
And the object known as the Key of Rules can serve this purpose; it’s a materialized concentration of certain rules, containing Rule Power that helps Wizards comprehend Rule Power. However, such objects are extrely rare and hard to find.
The Ancient Fairy Plane, as a High Plane, indeed holds a probability of encountering such items as the Key of Rules.
"Third, other remaining treasures. In the relics of a High Plane, any random object could be more precious than anything we’ve ever seen."
After speaking, she glanced at everyone present.
"This Plane is very dangerous. Although the Plane’s will is dead, the various threats left over from past wars remain—space cracks, energy storms, and possibly other Planar predators lurking in the shadows. Additionally, we’re not the only ones from the Wizard Plane heading there. The channels from the Central Islands are no secret; undoubtedly other forces have their eyes on it too."
She paused.
"So, I need to know—are you all willing to go together?"
There was a mont of silence at the long table.
Leon was the first to speak, "I’m in."
Edmond nodded, "I’m in too."
The other three exchanged looks and nodded as well.
Duke fell silent in thought for a mont; this journey was undoubtedly high-risk.
After all, the Ancient Fairy Plane is a High Plane; even though the civilization within is extinct, many dangers must still lurk there.
Coupled with the potential encounters with civilizations from other Planes, these are unpredictable factors.
However, the rewards are indeed alluring, especially for Duke and the other Level 2 Mages.
The Key of Rules is the gateway to becoming a Level 3 Mage, sothing that can’t be easily attained through sheer dedication and practice.
Vera and the others must also recognize the high risks, which is why they invited Duke to join.
They had conducted a thorough background check on Duke, including so of his experiences within Black Sail, concluding that he wasn’t a dangerous or unstable person, rely a Wizard with so opportunities who diligently practiced.
Vera and her group didn’t invite Morris or Samuel because, although those two were strong, they were too dangerous.
If they were to choose to act together, their companions needed to be strong and reliable.
It should be ntioned that Samuel ranked tenth in the Illusion Tower, whether he concealed his true strength or that’s as far as he could go, no one knew.
After so contemplation, Duke raised his head and looked at Vera.
"When do we set off?"
A trace of faint satisfaction flashed in Vera’s cold eyes.
"In three days," she said. "During these three days, everyone can prepare. The environnt of that Plane is unknown, so it’s always good to have ample supplies."
"As for the authorization needed to go to the Ancient Fairy Plane, don’t worry. My teacher happened to give a token, allowing for one exploration attempt."
This is the primary reason this banquet could take place; a resource-rich Plane like the Ancient Fairy Plane, full of potential opportunities, is a coveted prize among Wizards.
Not everyone is authorized to go, and Vera, being a student of Thorn Flower, is given considerable importance by Dele, thus having the chance to obtain this token.
The banquet continued, but Duke said no more.
He simply sat quietly, occasionally sipping his drink, listening to the others discuss what preparations were necessary or what they might encounter on that Plane.
Edmond leaned over, speaking in a low voice, "Lord Duke, it’s great to be going with you this ti. I watched your performance in the Illusion Tower very closely. The twenty-eighth floor—so strong!"
"Just lucky," Duke replied casually.
Edmond wasn’t bothered and continued, "If we encounter danger, I hope you can cover a bit..."
Leon, overhearing nearby, sneered, "Edmond, is that all you’re capable of?"
Edmond blushed, "I’m just being practical! Lord Duke ranks fifth, and I’m ninth—four places apart!"
Vera didn’t join in their banter, rely observing quietly.
Her gaze lingered briefly on Duke before moving away.
When the banquet ended, night had already fallen deeply.
Duke stepped out of the banquet hall and onto the corridor bridge.
The light from Sky City turned to a deep silver-blue, illuminating the intersecting bridges like a flowing river of stars.
With three days until the start of the mission, he needed to prepare thoroughly.
The Ancient Fairy Plane was once a High Plane, and even with its will dead, the remaining dangers were enough to claim the life of any careless person.
The better prepared he was, the greater his chances of survival.
He didn’t lack Magic Stones.
The dividends accumulated from Giant Rock Comrce Association and Black Sail, along with various other savings, left him with a total of one billion five hundred million Magic Stones in his Space Ring.
Over the next three days, Duke nearly scoured the comrcial streets of Zone 7.
He purchased a large number of Level 2 Magic Potions: healing, restoration, detoxification, ergency types; each adequately stocked.
He also acquired a batch of Witch Arrays—alert, concealnt, binding, teleportation—each with different functions.
Additionally, he replenished a large stock of commonly used Magic Potion Materials, Casting Materials, and so life-saving Alchemy Creations for critical monts.
Altogether, he spent over thirty million Magic Stones.
Three days later, at the Seventh District Teleportation Plaza.
When Duke arrived, Vera, Leon, Edmond, and a few others were already waiting.
The group was small; including him, there were seven in total—Vera, Leon, Edmond.
The other three were among the elites from the West Coast batch.
Within this group, only Edmond hailed from the East Coast; the rest were all from the West Coast.
Today, Vera wore an action-conducive gray-blue Magic Robe; her long hair tied into a neat ponytail, lending her a more efficient deanor with less aloofness.
She held a palm-sized token in her hand, resembling a semi-translucent leaf, with faint golden light flowing through its veins.
"Is everyone here?" She glanced over the group, nodding slightly, "Let’s go."
The seven of them crossed the plaza, heading to a small Teleportation Array in the northwest corner.
It was a zone specifically used for cross-Planar travel, heavily guarded by several Level 3 Mages in council uniforms stationed by the array.
Vera stepped forward and presented the leaf-shaped token.
The leading guard took the token, examined it closely, infused it with Magic Power for perception, and finally nodded.
"Ancient Fairy Plane," he said, "a three-month term. After three months, you must return via the Wizard Plane’s base there. Overti will be at your own risk."
Vera nodded, "Understood."
The guard waved his hand, and the Teleportation Array behind him slowly lit up.
Blue light rose from the array, sketching complex rune patterns in the air.
"You may enter," said the guard.
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