Sorcerer: I want to be an Academic Prodigy

Chapter 688: Chapter 652: Victory and Sudden Change_2

Unfortunately, none of De Witt’s arrangements could be fully utilized; most of them ended up wasted.

“Lord.”

“Lord.”

“Hmm, well done—all of you, especially Yun Fen.”

Before long, Yun Fen, Sai Wolf, and others stormed aboard the Skeleton Battleship, each stepping forward eagerly to report, even though their bodies bore various sizes of wounds.

In the clash between the Black Star legion and the Bloodbone pirate group, after an intense battle, the Black Star legion emerged victorious.

The entire Bloodbone pirate group, save for Dokali who defected in time, were mostly annihilated. Those who survived could only wander the vast star seas, eking out a fearful existence.

Aboard the Skeleton Battleship, many lifeforms previously abducted by the pirates—including a handful of humans meant to serve as food and blood offerings—were rescued.

Soon after the great battle, Black Star resumed its voyage, continuing onward toward the Danaila Plane, now trailed by the Skeleton Battleship.

…

Life is as fleeting as smoke, dissolving and gathering without form.

The Black Star traveled across the boundless star river, and after another year and a half of its long journey, it finally arrived near the Danaila Plane.

“Haha, we’re back.”

“Three decades gone in a blink, it feels like yesterday.”

Having been away for decades, everyone couldn’t help but feel a wave of happiness upon returning to familiar territory.

The first stop was the Little Black Moustache Plane, which also served as a stronghold for the Black Star legion. Within this plane, Ivan reunited with the long-lost King of Ten Thousand Woods, Gena Swinburne.

To a Void King Wizard whose lifespan stretched over two thousand years, thirty years seemed relatively brief.

Their conversation was sparse—a mere exchange of greetings; they had all the time in the world to share tales of this journey later.

Next, Ivan directly opened a portal from the Little Black Moustache Plane, heading back to the Danaila Plane. Yet, upon entering Danaila, he instantly sensed that something was amiss.

“Who?”

Space turned upside down as Ivan sensed danger, attempting to break free.

But the force enshrouding him was unfathomable; he was transported elsewhere before he could resist—into a shadowy black expanse.

How unexpected. He was already at his doorstep, yet he’d fallen victim to someone’s scheme.

Frowning deeply, Ivan scanned the surroundings warily while his mind churned with suspicions and possibilities.

It wasn’t long before a figure appeared directly ahead of him, stepping out of the darkness with deliberate, audible footsteps.

It was someone familiar—someone who had only existed in his memory.

Ivan’s pupils contracted. This… this couldn’t be, could it? How could it be this great figure—Mother of Earth Core, whose appearance he had only learned of through Jenny?

And yet, here she was—right before him.

“I am not the Mother of Earth Core.”

Though she was identical to Mother of Earth Core, the woman’s expression was cold as she spoke.

Her demeanor and gaze were utterly indifferent, as if bereft of emotion—not resembling a vibrant living being but rather an elevated, unyielding arbitrator.

“Greetings, Your Excellency.” Ivan dared not be disrespectful, knowing full well that the figure before him was unquestionably beyond king-level—a being of immeasurable might.

“No need for ceremony. I brought you here for one reason alone—to confirm whether you have betrayed the Danaila Plane. Nothing more.” The figure continued.

“Your Excellency’s wisdom shines above all. I, Ivan Marichardon, would never betray my home plane—I…” Ivan’s heart tightened as he hastily explained himself.

“I see it clearly. You indeed have not betrayed us,” the figure interjected.

At her affirmation, Ivan finally exhaled in relief. Though he couldn’t discern how she had reached her conclusion or what her true identity was, it was evident she was an eminent figure of Danaila.

He refrained from overthinking the rest.

“Do you know why I doubted you?”

“Please, enlighten me.”

“There remains the faint aura of the Elf Plane’s collective will upon you. I can assert that you’ve had intimate contact with it—something that easily warrants suspicion, does it not?”

The Mother of Earth Core waved her hand, peeling away hidden traces of this aura from Ivan’s body, gathering them into a fine strand.

She decisively crushed it.

Her methods were extraordinary; Ivan had no time to react. He hurriedly expressed his gratitude, while pondering when he might have encountered the Elf Plane’s collective will.

Anjie?

A cascade of figures flashed before his mind, and Ivan quickly zeroed in on one—Anjie, whose behavior had struck him as peculiar.

If Anjie was the incarnation of the collective will, everything would suddenly make sense: the Gray Crow’s nest within Annihilation Guts and the Four Seasons Heavenly Girl identity—

As his thoughts raced, a chilling realization burst through Ivan’s mind, shattering his composure.

The Elf Plane’s collective will had developed thoughts akin to living beings?

A will like that vying for the power left behind by the Wisdom Elder—had it become one of Ivan’s future rivals in the inheritance’s contest?

How could this be!

Then, another possibility dawned upon him. Eyes wide with disbelief, Ivan turned his gaze to the Mother of Earth Core. Could it be that she herself was the incarnation of the Danaila Plane’s collective will?

“Perceptive wizard of mankind, you’ve deduced my identity,” Mother of Earth Core remarked impassively.

“Great Mother of All Things, forgive my earlier insolence,” Ivan quickly collected himself, bowing once again with deference.

A plane’s collective will embodies the essence of all beings and entities within the plane. It represents the plane as a whole, not any individual or subset of creatures.

Its actions are driven solely by the plane’s interests, perpetually safeguarding the larger picture, and its character naturally manifests as selfless impartiality.

At this moment, her indifferent stance was fitting for such a nature.

Calling her “Mother of All Things” was a conservative yet appropriate way to address her—unlikely to spark any offense.

“Ivan Marichardon, do you care to recount how you encountered the Elf Plane’s collective will?” Mother of All Things lightly nodded, then asked.

“Certainly, please allow me to elaborate.” Ivan could hardly refuse. He was deeply troubled by lingering traces of the Elf Plane’s will upon him. Were it not for this being recognizing his strength and status, refraining from more extreme measures, Ivan shuddered to think of the consequences.

Now face-to-face with another collective will of a major plane, it seemed prudent to seek her counsel.

Using succinct words, Ivan detailed his encounter with Anjie, including the event where Antoinette escaped, and his meeting with Qingmu Yuanmu under the auspices of the World Tree.

“You are bold,” Mother of All Things commented after hearing him out.

“I wasn’t aware that this journey would be fraught with such peril, nor did I anticipate that the Wisdom Elder’s inheritance would be so deeply intertwined. Had I known, I might have reconsidered stepping into the Elf Plane so recklessly,” Ivan murmured with a wry smile.

“Your experiences have been extraordinary.”

“I must admit that’s true.”

“You need to ascend to the throne as soon as possible.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“——”

Ivan was tempted to inquire further about the strange behavior of the Elf Plane’s collective will but hesitated, fearing he might offend. After all, a will involving itself in the contest for inheritance—a notion unheard of—was baffling.

In the Elf Plane, all things could transform into spirits—so could the collective will itself not be an exception? If so, had it developed desires? The idea shattered any notion of impartiality, turning it to dust.

A collective will with thoughts and desires—such a concept was overwhelmingly terrifying.

The Elf Plane could well be more dread-inspiring than any other major plane.

“Would you mind showing me the seed of your world? I wish to take a look,” Mother of All Things requested.

“Of course, I have no objection.” Ivan agreed readily, handing over the sprouting seed.

“A seed brimming with miraculous power.”

Mother of All Things inspected the seed briefly before returning it: “You may go now. Make haste in forming your throne—I will be watching.”

“Your attention is my honor.”

Ivan responded, and as soon as his words fell, the surrounding space flipped again. He reappeared at the portal where he had previously crossed, quickly leaping through and landing on an altar.

He had arrived in the Outer Truth City, near the Transmission Secret Hall.

Where the renowned Black Flame King stood before him, the wizards guarding this place hurriedly offered their greetings.

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