Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Merlin kept silent. Apparently, it was truly arduous for snow sprites to transform themselves and to enhance their abilities. It was also inexplicably cruel that they had to devour their own companions to have a chance at transformation.

The flame sprite that Merlin was currently suppressing had not undergone any transformation despite surviving countless years in the ancient monuments. As such, its abilities did not grow. Perhaps it was because there were no other flame sprites around for it to devour, thus it could not transform.

In the entire kingdom of the Frost Lord, the only snow sprite that was comparable with a Seventh-level Spell Caster was the Frost Lord alone. All the other snow sprites, despite their attempts to transform, had not succeeded.

Merlin suddenly recalled that the Frost Lord had made him sign a contract to defeat another snow sprite that was also equivalent to a Seventh-level Spell Caster.

Previously, Merlin had wondered why the Frost Lord would want to defeat such a powerful snow sprite, but now he realized the Frost Lord had a very important purpose.

“Frost Lord, you’re thinking of devouring a companion in order to transform further?” Merlin asked in a low voice, his gaze unwavering from the Frost Lord.

Besides this, Merlin could not think of another reason why the Frost Lord would spend so much effort to defeat a similarly-skilled Seventh-level snow sprite.

The Frost Lord replied after a long pause, “You’re right. Right now, I can only protect these snow sprites temporarily. There are many Spell Casters in Subzero Snowfield who are much more powerful than I am. Perhaps they could not be bothered, or do not bear any bad intentions towards the snow sprites, therefore they had never acted against my kingdom. Nonetheless, entrusting our safety to the will of others will not last forever. We snow sprites have to control our fate in our own hands! Therefore, I need to become more powerful, and the only way is for me to transform is to devour a companion!”

A steely look of determination rose in the Frost Lord’s eyes.

“Frost Lord, how long will it be until we can depart? I cannot afford to spend a few years here!”

Merlin was referring to the contract. No matter for what reason the Frost Lord wanted to defeat the other Seventh-level snow sprite, Merlin was only concerned about discharging his obligations under the contract and to leave this place. He did not want to be confined in this place for a long time.

“Soon, just wait for a bit. Once Wizard Blackmurk is ready, we can move.”

Once the Frost Lord mentioned Wizard Blackmurk, Merlin’s heart thumped, and he glanced expectantly at Ernie. Wizard Ernie quietly replied, “Master, Wizard Blackmurk is a Seventh-level Spell Caster, but his reputation in Subzero Snowfield is savage. He has an Alchemy Creature that is completely venomous all over. He excels at concocting venoms so deadly that even Seventh-level Spell Casters have to be careful. Even the slightest contamination from his venom would corrode all defensive spells. In Subzero Snowfield, Wizard Blackmurk is so fearsome that even the Eighth-level Wizards are unwilling to provoke him. I wonder what price the Frost Lord paid to persuade Wizard Blackmurk to come.”

Just the mere mention of Wizard Blackmurk revealed a trace of trepidation on Wizard Ernie’s face, which shed light on his infamy in Subzero Snowfield. Additionally, most of it constituted villainy, that even Wizard Ernie felt terrified of him despite being at the same level.

Actually, upon achieving Seventh-level, the gap between Spell Casters becomes more pronounced. The comparison between an average Seventh-level Spell Caster and a top Seventh-level Spell Caster could be as different as heaven and earth. Merlin and many other Spell Casters might be able to cross-levels and vanquish average Seventh-level Spell Casters, but the top Seventh-level Spell Casters had an arsenal of powerful spells and were also supported by Fusion Demon Abilities. This league of top Seventh-level Spell Casters were truly formidable that even Merlin was not a worthy opponent.

Wizards Ernie and Watson were considered average Seventh-level Wizards. They had neither powerful spells nor Pandora Demon Abilities, so in comparison, they were far from the powerful Seventh-level Spell Casters.

This Blackmurk was obviously not an average Seventh-level Spell Caster, so much so that even Wizard Ernie was terrified of him.

“Hum”.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze whooshed past, then immediately followed by vortex forming in the sky. Its effects were so distinctive that even a First-level Spell Caster would be able to sense that the change was brought about by someone controlling the Wind Elements.

Merlin squinted slightly. Someone was coming!

The Frost Lord looked at the vortex in the sky and its lips curled into a mysterious smile. It said slowly, “We just mentioned Wizard Blackmurk, and he’s here! Looks like we don’t have to wait too long, we can depart soon!”

The Wizard Blackmurk mentioned by the Frost Lord was apparently arriving now. Someone who was specially invited by the Frost Lord would surely be quite outstanding, in addition to Wizard Ernie’s trepidation at the mere mention of his name, Blackmurk must be extraordinary. Hence, Merlin also expanded his Mind Power to observe his surroundings

Soon, a small black dot appeared in the distant sky. Amidst a vortex with unparalleled force stood a blue-robed old man looking down in disdain.

“Whoosh”.

The old man landed in just one stride. Every step he took seemed to be shrouded by black smog. At the same time, behind him was an indistinguishable monster that was three-meters tall and dark as night. A nasty stench lingered after every step, and its body was covered with a strong corrosive venom.

It was the Alchemy Creature that was covered in venom. The venom even made Merlin feel threatened.

“Skrr-skrr-skrr”.

Wizard Blackmurk led the Alchemy Creature forwards, and wherever they stepped was filled with a foul stench. Looking bizarrely creepy, it was accompanied by a trace of black smoke. A pitch-black, tar-like sticky substance oozed out and rapidly corroded the pure white ice crystals.

“Hehe, Frost Lord, I came as promised!”

Blackmurk grinned slightly as he led the Alchemy Creature to stand before the Frost Lord. His glance swept over Merlin and the others but did not stop on them, his attention fully tuned to the Frost Lord.

The Frost Lord’s face twitched slightly as it threw a repulsive gaze at the Alchemy Creature behind Blackmurk. In a deep voice, the Frost Lord said, “Wizard Blackmurk, let me introduce to you the Dark Fire Incarnate who recently sent waves in Subzero Snowfield, Wizard Merlin! This time, I’ve invited Wizard Merlin to join us in challenging Paolo.”

“The Dark Fire Incarnate?”

Blackmurk was momentarily stunned, then he shifted his gaze onto Merlin.

Blackmurk’s gaze was aggressively penetrating as if he was trying to see through Merlin’s entire body. Nevertheless, Merlin was not at all afraid of Blackmurk, so both their gazes met and began to challenge one another mid-air.

“Hmph. What is this Dark Fire Incarnate nonsense? He’s naught but a mere dark wizard, how dare he call himself an incarnate? Frost Lord, I don’t care whom you invite along, but people who aren’t powerful enough should not be weighing us down, it will only embarrass us!”

“Bang”.

The Alchemy Creature behind Blackmurk took a violent lurch backward, and its huge body broke the ice layer. Following that, accompanied by a foul stench, it leaped forward like a flash of lightning straight at Merlin.

On the other hand, Blackmurk stretched out a scarlet tongue and licked his dry chapped lips with a cruel glint in his eyes.

Merlin’s eyes narrowed but did not panic. Instead, he gently extended a finger and made a small tapping gesture.

“Roar”.

Flames, endless flames, formed a wall of fire and blocked the Alchemy Creature from advancing. When black venomous substance was shot out of the Alchemy Creature, it would immediately be burned to ashes by the pale white flames without a trace.

“Oh? Interesting!”

This was the first time Blackmurk had met Merlin. Although he had previously heard of Merlin, they were all rumors. Apparently, rumors about the Dark Fire Incarnate was already widespread in Subzero Snowfield.

In Subzero Snowfield, there were many Spell Casters with fierce reputations like Merlin, so Blackmurk did not care to know. However, the one thing that caught his attention was the rumor that Merlin had obtained the second volume of the Neverending Book.

In the second volume of the Neverending Book, he would be able to find the third volume of the Neverending Book. The reason Blackmurk had not pursued it back then was because he was entangled in another matter, but now that he met Merlin here, he would not hold back any further. Thus, he directly ordered the Alchemy Creature to attack.

Half of Blackmurk’s abilities actually rested upon the Alchemy Creature. As long as a single dab of venom managed to contaminate Merlin’s body, Blackmurk believed that it was enough to induce a headache for any Seventh-level Spell Casters.

This was also the reason why Blackmurk had been able to have such a fearsome reputation in Subzero Snowfield. The venom-covered Alchemy Creature inspired fear among the Seventh-level Spell Casters.

“Knock it down!”

Blackmurk snorted. He had injected so much effort into this Alchemy Creature that it was almost invincible. Regardless of what attack befell the Alchemy Creature, it did not cause too big of an impact.

The same was true of Merlin’s flames. Despite his flames already achieving the ultimate limit of a Seventh-level spell, its power was not fully utilized to attack the Alchemy Creature but was used as a means of defense. Therefore, the Alchemy Creature was not afraid. Despite being covered in a blanket of raging flames, the Alchemy Creature continued its sprint towards Merlin.

Merlin could not help but frown. An Alchemy Creature that was not afraid of death was truly troublesome to deal with. Regardless, he would not allow the Alchemy Creature to come close to him.

Moreover, Merlin also had Flash Wind, so he was only a mere thought away from leaving, and the Alchemy Creature would no longer be able to harm him. Nevertheless, since he was being tested by Blackmurk, he refused to budge!

“Hoo”.

Merlin pointed a finger towards the sky, and in an instant, all the snow sprites in the palace were staring vacantly at the sky. They saw concentrated Darkness Elements gathering in the sky, and the formerly bright sky turned dark.

Subsequently, the sky would turn even darker and eventually pitch-black, to the point that it would not be possible to see their own fingers stretched out in front of their faces!

This was Merlin’s Darkness Illusory Death spell that had been further enhanced by the Darkness Heart. In fact, it was even more intimidating than those powerful Fusion Demon Abilities!

In the blink of an eye, darkness descended!

Blackmurk’s face changed when he felt the presence of a strong illusion. It would not affect him, but his Alchemy Creature was not an inanimate monster. It possessed a tiny sliver of awareness that was deliberately left behind by Blackmurk himself. Otherwise, an inanimate Alchemy Creature would not be able to grow and become stronger.

Now, the tiny sliver of awareness that he left behind in the Alchemy Creature would be threatened by Merlin’s darkness spell, as the Alchemy Creature might very well be entrapped by the illusion.

For the first time, Blackmurk sensed that the rumored ‘Dark Fire Incarnate’ was truly powerful!

“Crack”.

At this very moment, the Frost Lord acted. With a wave of the Frost Lord’s hand, strong Mind Power pierced the darkness and a thick ice wall blocked the Alchemy Creature’s way, separating Merlin and Blackmurk.

“Both of you are my esteemed guests, so please stop. Your respective techniques and strengths will be useful when the time comes!”

The Frost Lord could see that Merlin and Blackmurk were equally matched as long as they did not use their trump cards. This actually impressed the Frost Lord because Blackmurk’s notorious reputation had prevailed in Subzero Snowfield for such a long time that even Eighth-level Wizards dared not provoke him. This was mostly due to the strength of his Alchemy Creature.

The fact that Merlin was able to restrain Blackmurk’s Alchemy Creature was already a testament to his abilities.

“Dark Fire Incarnate Wizard Merlin, I’m very interested in the second volume of the Neverending Book in your hands. We’ll battle again at the next opportunity!”

Blackmurk said with a smirk, his tone laced with deadly venom.