Another World’s Versatile Crafting Master c1-1074

by Zhuang Bifan

  But one thing was weird. Why did Geresco have the Sky Castle's key?

  It ought to be known that the seventh Sky Castle was built by the High Elves after expending countless years and infinite effort. For the High Elves, this seventh Sky Castle was not only their strongest weapon, but it was also the key to the final step for them to ascend into the domain of gods. The seven Sky Castles had always been in the control of Azshara, the queen of the High Elves, ever since they were completed.

  Although Geresco was known as the God of Mages, back in those days when the High Elves were ruling the world, it was not Geresco that was accepted as the strongest mage in Anril. Instead, it was the queen of the High Elves, Azshara. This female High Elf that carried the M.o.a.na Magic Staff when being born under the Tree of Eternity was the strongest in magic in Anril. Geresco was powerful back then, but to steal the key of the Sky Castle from Azshara was equivalent to sleep talking…

  But for Lin Li, how all of this happened was actually not important…

  It was because Lin Li was very clear that no matter how many secrets or doubts there were in this, he had to get these three treasures in his hands.

  There was no need to mention the Book of Eternity. The last page recorded an incantation that could overturn the whole magic system, and could be described as omnipotent.

  The magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant was equally important. There was no mage that did not want to have more and stronger mental strength. It was especially so for a monster such as Lin Li that had mental strength in the abnormal range. Once he obtained the Evil Eye Tyrant's magical crystal, it could only be described as redoubling his might. This terrifying strengthening of mental strength, coupled with all of the knowledge found within the Book of Eternity, meant that Lin Li almost had a 100 percent chance to reach the realm of Geresco. It was not impossible for him to surpass Geresco, either…

  Furthermore, there was a key that opened up the seventh Sky Castle here…

  For an average person like Hutton or Stephen, the key was just an icing on the cake at the very best. Its purpose was significantly lesser than those of the Evil Eye Tyrant's magical crystal and the Book of Eternity. They could, at best, only hope that they were lucky enough and find the Sky Castle that was lost in space and time one day.

  But for Lin Li, the purpose of this key was not so simple.

  It was because the blueprints of the seventh Sky Castle were currently within the Ring of Endless Storm…

  Ever since he found the blueprints in the Scar of Death, Lin Li had always been researching their secrets. Numerous parts of High Elves Print had already been translated by him. Even though he was worlds apart from deciphering everything in the blueprints, Lin Li understood a few secrets thoroughly just from the few translated sentences.

  These secrets might not have much use now, but with the passing of time, Lin Li's strength would grow stronger and stronger. Breaking through to the Legendary-realm was just round the corner, and even breaking through to the Sanctuary-realm was no longer impossible. At that point, Lin Li could use the coordinates in the key to enter the turbulent flow of time and space and find the Sky Castle that was lost was for 1300 years, thus gaining control over this unparalleled war machine!

  A Sanctuary Master controlling a Sky Castle would not have any fear even when going face to face against a deity…

  "As for who will obtain these three treasures amongst the three of you, you three would have to decide yourselves." After introducing the history of these three treasures of Geresco, Tutankhamun seemed to have let out a sigh of relief, and slowly retreated to the wooden chair after placing down the key in his hand.

  "What should we do?"

  "What you need to is actually very simple…" Tutankhamun suddenly smiled, but this smile was rather weird. "You just need to enter a competition with killing prohibited. Whoever can get the final victory will be able to obtain these three treasures."

  "Competition?"

  "Yes, a competition that is race with death…" After Tutankhamun smiled weirdly. He suddenly stood up from the chair, and then he used a roaring voice to recite an incantation. When the incantation resounded, Lin Li could clearly hear that this was an incantation in the ancient language of dragons…

  After feeling the ancient aura permeating from the incantations, Lin Li could feel something was wrong. Tutankhamun's competition might not be as safe as what he said…

  Indeed…

  Just when the roaring voice settled, the three young mages suddenly felt that their surroundings changed. The l.u.s.trous forest disappeared with a "whoosh", and in its place were fiery flames that blotted out the sky and earth. This was an incomparably weird world. Be it the sky or earth, they seemed to have been lit up by the black flames. Everything within sight was just a world on fire.

  The thing that made one's blood curdle was that these black flames were not hot at all, but instead were icy cold. Standing at the side felt like ice was being stuck on. Furthermore, Lin Li could clearly feel that an incomparably heavy death aura was permeating these black flames. This death aura did not have the stench of the Undead, but it was heavier and purer. When one stood there, it immediately felt like the blood all over the body had stopped flowing…

  "F*ck…" When the black flames appeared, Lin Li's face immediately turned pale.

  Icy cold black flames. A death aura that was pure and heavy. If this wasn't the 27th floor of the Abyss, then what was it?

  The 27th floor of the abyss was called the Abyss of Tharlen. In the ancient language of the dragons, Tharlen also meant destruction. This was a world that was filled with darkness and evil. Lin Li was not sure about Anril, but there was a saying in the Endless World: the Demon Lord that ruled the Abyss of Tharlen was actually the Dragon of Destruction, Azardas. This ancient dragon that controlled the rules of darkness and evil placed one of its shadows into the Abyss of Tharlen. This shadow did not have thoughts or consciousness. It only had a portion of the Dragon of Destruction's power, and it was loyal to Azardas' will.

  Azardas used this method to break through the limits of rules in Anril, allowing his shadow to constantly absorb power coming from the Abyss while undergoing countless expeditions in the planes of the Abyss.

  Although the Abyss of Tharlen was only the 27th floor of the Abyss, the demons within were definitely more terrifying than those from the 30th floor, or even the 35th floor…

  Back then, Lin Li's hunter that wielded the Stars of Fury received a mission to enter the Abyss of Tharlen after killing Azardas. It was just that this mission did not mention what he had to do after entering the Abyss of Tharlen, and nobody told Lin Li whether the Abyss of Tharlen had any relation with Azardas. Furthermore, Lin Li had too many issues afterward, such as training the mage's survival skills and using the Scroll of Wishes to make a wish, etc…

  All in all, it was delayed in the long run. When Lin Li was swallowed by the black hole, he never had the time to complete this mission that filled him with doubts.

  He did not think that he would enter the Abyss of Tharlen in another world after a year or so…

  "Things are going to get spicy…." Thinking about this possibility, Lin Li could not help but frown.

  The Abyss of Tharlen was still that Abyss of Tharlen, but he was no longer the same person. The Lin Li that was wielding the Stars of Fury in Endless World could've been said to be an invincible entity. Even one of the four great Dragon Aspects, Azardas, was slain by him. Although the Abyss of Tharlen was incomparably dangerous, it was not enough to make him flinch.

  But now…

  Lin Li lowered his head and looked at the black robe on his body. How was sending a mere level-19 Archmage to a place like the Abyss of Tharlen any different from using meat buns to hit dogs? Level-10 Minion Demons, level-15 Demons, and Greater Demons ranging from level-18 to 20 could all be forgotten. With Lin Li's current abilities, he would be a match even for a Greater Demon that was level-20. But what if he were to encounter Azardas' shadow?r />
  That was the shadow of one of the four great Dragon Aspects…

  Even if it were to inherit a fraction of the Dragon of Destruction's powers, it was definitely not something the current Lin Li could resist. Azardas controlled the dark and evil forces of the whole of Anril. Even if it was a shadow with 10% of his power, it would still be a terrifying existence that was close to Sanctuary-realm.

  Although Lin Li was now rated as the first person under the Legendary-realm, and he could still go up against a Legendary powerhouse like Sendros when he controlled both Holy Light and Gloomy Dark while having a Humerus Wyrm behind him, this did not mean that he had the power to challenge someone at the peak of the Legendary-realm. Lin Li could rely on the power of Holy Light and Gloomy Dark to close the gap between him and someone at level-20, 21, and even 22, but when the opponent reached level-24, the power of both sides could be said to be miles apart. Holy Light and Gloomy Dark would no longer be able to protect him from the Legendary-realm powers. As for the Humerus Wyrm… It would just be a laughingstock when facing a powerhouse that was close to the Sanctuary-realm…

  "This is the 27th floor of the Abyss. It is mentioned in many legends in Anril, and it's also called the Abyss of Tharlen. Now, what the three of you need to do is to think of a way to find a palace located in the deepest depths of the Abyss of Tharlen. After that, use the Teleportation Portal in the palace to teleport back here. Whoever is able to win this competition will win the three treasures that Geresco left behind."

  Chapter 448 - Aztek

  "Is this… Is this the Abyss of Tharlen?" asked Lin Li. Like him, the expressions of the other two young mages changed as well. Although they did not know what the Abyss of Tharlen looked like, they knew the place from the many legends of Anril. That was a place filled with darkness and evil. No one knew how many brutal and devious demons hid within those burning black flames.

  "Fret not, the Abyss of Tharlen now is not the same as in the past. The two forces—Darkness and Evilness—that had been supporting the Abyss of Tharlen had been deteriorating since the Dark Age. Did you not realize that the power of these black flames is not as scary as what was said in those legends?"

  Tutankhamun's words struck Lin Li. He was right. The intensity of those black flames was really not as scary as in the Endless World. In fact, the black flames of the Abyss of Tharlen were as terrifying as the Undead Plague in the Endless World. They had a corrosive quality that could engulf normal humans in close proximity with their Darkness and Evilness.

  The pure black flames before his eyes did not bring any other danger apart from the intense death aura they were emitting. No one would be harmed from standing near it or from putting his hands through it.

  It seemed that it was true that the Dragon of Destruction in Anril had fallen…

  The thought of it gave Lin Li a clearer picture. Now that the Abyss of Tharlen was deteriorating by the day, even if the Dragon of Destruction existed, it would not be as daunting as the invincible lord that resided 35 levels deep into the Abyss.

  "When do we start?" That was the only question Lin Li asked.

  "Anytime…" As Tutankhamun spoke, the surroundings started to distort. What followed was the vanishing of the figure that donned a long black robe. "The Teleportation Portal is just on top of the throne. Wish you luck!" That voice reverberated the sky filled by black flames.

  After watching Tutankhamun disappear, the three young mages were not in a hurry to find the palace in the Abyss of Tharlen. They stood in their spots agreeably, and each had a gaze filled with vigilance and enquiry as they glanced at the other two buddies.

  The three young men were the top young mages in the entire Felan Kingdom. Firstly, the speed of Lin Li's progress was unprecedented. He rose from a mage apprentice to a Legendary-mage in less than two years1. The two other young men had grown up in the Dark Blade and the Malfa Family, respectively. They were both heirs of the two huge forces. How could the three of them not understand the meaning behind this situation?

  The Abyss of Tharlen was located 27 levels deep into the Abyss. Even if there was no shadow of the Dragon of Destruction there, it was not a place for ordinary men to challenge. Not to exaggerate, the danger level of the Abyss of Tharlen was not lower than that of the Black Current in the Sunset Mountains. Not to mention the great demons above level-20, there were hundreds and thousands of Minion Demons and normal demons in that Abyss. Even if the three young mages were talented, they would not be any better if they had to battle with those demons.

  Even Lin Li, the most powerful of the three, did not have the confidence to find that palace by himself.

  The three young mages were all very clear that the only way to go far in the Abyss of Tharlen was to collaborate with one another. If they were to split up, it would be heart-stirring in every step they were to take alone. Lin Li did not have full confidence to battle hundreds of demons. How different could Hutton and Stephen be?

  On the other hand, the three mages were rivals. If one of them took one step ahead of the rest, it would mean a smaller chance for the other two to acquire the three relics. It would not matter if they were other items, but Geresco's relics had tremendous importance that no mages would offer to others. Even Geresco once said, "I will not let God hinder my pursuit of the truth of magic."

  Hence, the three young mages stood there in silence. No one offered to collaborate.

  That was a very hilarious scene. The first difficulty that the three top mages of the entire Felan Kingdom, or even Anril, faced was not a frightening demon, but an issue that would not be a problem to ordinary people…

  "Hey, you two…" The heir of the Malfa Family finally broke the silence with an awkward cough. Just when he wanted to suggest a temporary collaboration, Hutton noticed tremors in the black flames around them…

  What followed was a booming noise mixed with roars and growls. At the start, it sounded distant. However, the sound grew exponentially while causing the ground to shake. It was as though there were thousands of soldiers and millions of horses charging towards them.

  "What the hell…" Stephen gasped in shock. Everyone knew the dangers in the Abyss of Tharlen. However, none of the three mages had expected Lady Luck to bring such a massive number of demons to them the very moment they set foot into the territory of the Abyss of Tharlen…

  The booming noise shook the ground. A fool would have known that a troop of demons would be hundreds and thousands in strength!

  What did hundreds and thousands of demons entail?

  It would be easy if they were all Minion Demons. If they were Demons or Greater Demons, the three mages would have no place to put their tears…

  Lin Li took a quick glance at the situation. The black flames that filled the place gave them no place to hide. "Let's fly up," said Lin Li in a low voice after a moment of hesitation.

  "Alright." That was Stephen. Everyone knew that was the only option when this man did not voice out any opposition to Lin Li's ideas.

  The battle with the hundreds and thousands of demons would be similar to digging their own graves. Archmages did not have the unlimited ability to cast spells. They would be immediately drowned in the tide of demon troops once they took a break from the recitation of spells.

  The Levitation Spell was the only way to get to safety. Apart from the more unusual species, ordinary demons had no ability to fly. These demons would only develop a pair of wings and know how to fly when they reached level-18.

  The three men cast the Levitation Spell and swerved up 100 meters into the sky almost at the same time.

  The troop of demons was like tide waters when viewed from 100 meters up in the sky…

  "Holy sh*t…" Lin Li gasped as he broke out in a cold sweat. That was a troop of Azteks, one of the notorious demons that resided 20 levels into the Abyss. They were birthed from fire and lived near the mouth of active volcanoes. They could move through blazing fire, bathe in lava, and had natural resistance to all fire element spells. The exp
losion of the powerful Pyroblast on their body would be like a tickle to their skin…

  The Minion Demons of Aztek type were easier to deal with. They had not learned any spells, and did not have high intelligence. Without the orders from a Greater Demon, they could only attack instinctively. Their hot lava-like bodies were their only weapons. They would pounce on their enemies when they felt threatened, killing either themselves or their enemies…

  The Azteks would acquire some fire element spells such as the Flaming Storm and Hell Fire once they reached level-15. Although the impact of these spells was not as powerful, it would be another story if hundreds of Azteks were to cast those spells together…

  That was not the scariest part. Azteks above level-15 had a spell called 'Live Bomb'. It was a spell that could terrify even Greater Demons. However, the target of this spell was not an enemy, but rather themselves. Azteks above level-15 could turn their body into a bomb and cause an explosion that could rival Pyroblast. It could break apart any type of magic defense and magic shields. Lin Li might not be able to withstand more than five Live Bombs even with his Elemental Shield.

  There were at least 100 level-15 Azteks on the ground, and around 10 of them had a pair of red wings…

  That meant the 10 demons were at least level-18…

  "Phew, at least I'm in the air…" Lin Li commented as he broke out in a cold sweat. If he had cast the Levitation Spell any later, he would have been caught up by the horrendous number of Azteks, which would tear his body to shreds.

  Lin Li knew his safety would not last long, for he saw a few Azteks with red wings flying up from the ground…

  "Hey, you two. Let's escape…" Lin Li made a very wise decision as he rubbed his nose…

  It was not that the three young mages did not have the ability to defeat the 10 level-18 Azteks, but that there was no need to do so. To Lin Li, there was a great risk to take part in the battle. It would be no laughing matter if the level-18 Azteks cast the Live Bomb. Not to mention Stephen and Hutton, even Lin Li had no confidence that his magic shield of be of help then.