End of the Magic Era

Lin Yun was barely able to withstand the assault of the hundred of Magic Leopards by relying on it.

As for the Magic Leopard King, he pushed Lin Yun into dangerous situations several times. But Lin Yun used all his power to temporarily suppress the Magic Leopard King…

After getting the upper hand, he still didn’t dare to relax. He cast twenty Flame Bursts in a row, the explosions echoing one after another. He didn’t dare to breathe, in fear of making a mistake that would lose him his advantage.

Lin Yun had already cast thirty Flame Bursts at this time.

Any 2nd Rank High Mage would have already used up all their mana. This was no joke, as Lin Yun completely exceeded his own casting abilities and his spell shortening transcended the rules of magic. It was like a machine being overloaded, placing a huge burden on his mana and his mind.

Even Lin Yun couldn’t fight like this for long.

But now, Lin Yun had no choice but to keep using Flame Bursts to suppress the Magic Leopard King, not giving it any breathing room. If he stopped casting Flame Bursts, the Magic Leopard King would rush over at lightning speed to attack him. At that time, he would have to face the sharp claws that could easily tear through steel.

Lin Yun was now gambling…

He was gambling to see who would collapse first between him and the Magic Leopard King.

Flame Bursts kept being released, rousing the fire elements. Thirty-first, thirty-second, thirty-third, thirty-fourth…

Rumbles could be heard echoing constantly…

One after the other, the Flame Bursts blasted the Magic Leopard King. Deep noises and dazzling sparks filled the air, making it seem like only Flame Bursts existed in this world.

There weren’t any more Magic Leopards in the firing zone aside from the Magic Leopard King, and furthermore, the dark ground was now emitting smoke after that bombardment.

Lin Yun kept casting, rousing his Magic Array to its limit, and pushing his casting as well as his spell shortening as far as they would go.

He cast a final Flame Burst, his fiftieth. The Flame Burst soared in the sky before falling onto the Magic Leopard King like all the previous ones. But this time, it was followed by a mournful and sinister wail. The Magic Leopard King’s bloody eyes gradually dimmed as its charred body finally couldn’t endure its own weight.

The Magic Leopard King’s death triggered some great changes in the battle. The surviving Magic Leopards instantly lost their pillar of support, and fear could be seen in their bloody eyes.

Although Lin Yun had encountered many magic beasts ever since he entered the Traces of Misfortune, only the Magic Leopard King had been a real threat.

But it had now died…

He hardly paid attention to the fleeing Magic Leopards. The Ten Thousand Spell Wheel burst with terrifying power under Enderfa’s control and massacred the Magic Leopards it targeted. The battle soon ended.

Only a dozen Magic Leopards managed to escape, while the rest were icy corpses collapsed on the ground.

His cousins weren’t in the Traces of Misfortune, so Lin Yun had to gather his loot himself.

Fortunately, the level 30 spirit mana crystal kept his interest up as he cleared the loot. After cleaning up the battlefield, Lin Yun remained on the move because he knew that the bloody smell of these corpses would draw many more magic beasts over.

For three days, Lin Yun rushed towards the Tulan Mountain Range in the north. All kinds of magic beasts appeared on the road just like a rising tide. Lin Yun even forgot how many times he encountered magic beasts, but he felt that there were close to a hundred waves. Some had a handful of magic beasts, while some had about a hundred of them.

He even killed two magic beasts on the level of the Magic Leopard King, obtaining a total of three spirit mana crystals. As for the mana crystals over level twenty, he didn’t even know how many he had.

His black robe was covered in bloodstains, but it was the blood of the magic beasts. Over the past three days, Lin Yun spent 99% of his time fighting in the Traces of Misfortune. This might have been his most difficult period since coming to this era.

Even fighting one of the three Sword Saints of the Merlin Family couldn’t compare to this.

It was worth mentioning that fighting in such a difficult battlefield further increased his casting ability and his control over the Ten Thousand Spell Wheel.

The dense, poisonous mist seemed to thin as he progressed. He was getting through the Traces of Misfortune without suffering any mishaps. Now, he was in the edge of the black wasteland. Even after three days of continuous battles, Lin Yun didn’t look awkward. The Magic Array was always revolving to its limits, making him unable to miss any detail in his surroundings.

This was the edge of the Traces of Misfortune. Although it wasn’t as dangerous as before, anyone that was below 9th Rank High Mage could lose their life to a moment of carelessness.

A pitch-black python was coiled in the jungle fifty meters ahead. Its sinister triangular eyes were staring at Lin Yun, and it looked as if it was ready to dash forward.

A level 25 Black Forest Python.

To Lin Yun, who was on high alert, no magic beast could hide from him. A spark appeared in his hands as he got ready to insta-kill this magic beast. But he suddenly frowned. He looked in the distance and felt some mana fluctuations. He released three Mage Eyes and found four people with decent strength approaching, although they were still several hundred meters away.

A 5th Rank High Mage, 4th Rank Expert Swordsman, 6th Rank Expert Swordsman, and a 3rd Rank Divine Archer…

This lineup would be considered formidable even in Noscent, but they were in the outskirts of the Traces of Misfortune. To Lin Yun, this group was walking on the edge of a blade. If unlucky, they would meet a group of berserk magic beasts and possibly face destruction.

But, there were many people who liked to court disaster in this world, and Lin Yun didn’t plan on meddling in the business of others.

“Black Forest Python!”

The young High Mage released mana fluctuations in the blink of an eye, raising an Ice Wall in front of them just by raising his hand while firing a dozen Frost Spikes at the Black Forest Python a few dozen meters ahead of him..

The young High Mage couldn’t hide his joy as his eyes were fixed on the Black Forest Python, completely ignoring Lin Yun on the side. He was quite a skilled caster, and his fighting experience, as well as his power, was a bit better than Leon’s.

The Black Forest Python who was getting ready to hunt suddenly got disturbed and naturally became angry. The cold aura spread for a few dozen meters and withered the forest in a split second. At the same time, a shadow flew out at a crazy speed, easily dodging the young mage’s Frost Spikes.

But what awaited it were eight Frost Lances…

It didn’t manage to dodge in time and was hit by two of them. Its bloody maw suddenly opened, and its snake tongue slithered as a pungent smell spread out. It spit a ball of poison at the young mage that had angered it.

It was the perfect time for a Runic Shield, and sure enough, the young mage cast it just as the Ice Wall collapsed, blocking five poisonous balls before it dimmed. The young mage’s face was still expressionless as he used those five seconds he gained to cast a Fire Dragon spell, suddenly engulfing the Black Forest Python.

The Black Forest Python let out a mournful sound as it was hit by the flames.

A lightning-like silhouette flashed up with a sword that was erupting with flames and gave the fatal strike to that Black Forest Python. This was an extremely beautiful woman with a fair complexion and red hair reaching her waist. Looking at the python on the ground, she asked, “Orson, is this satisfactory? It took an entire day to track this Black Forest Python. This should be enough for a Great Alchemist like yourself? You rarely take out any potions, yet you always ask us to collect magic materials. Don’t look for me for something like this next time…”

The Divine Archer and the Expert Swordsman caught up at this time. They saw the corpse of the Black Forest Python and couldn’t help looking happy.

“Who are you?”

The happy young High Mage finally noticed the strange person not far from them. He was wearing a tattered robe covered in blood stains while holding an ordinary-looking magic staff. His mana fluctuations put him at about the 2nd Rank of the High Mage realm. Orson couldn’t help frowning, disdain apparent on his face.

‘A 2nd Rank High Mage dared to come here on his own… He truly wouldn’t even know how he died.’

“I…” Lin Yun looked at the Black Forest Python before looking at this group of four. He hadn’t planned on staying and only wanted to pass by, but just as he was about to respond, the young High Mage interrupted him.

“I know what you are thinking, you found the Black Forest Python first…”

The young High Mage noticed that strange-looking mage looking “greedily” at the Black Forest Python’s corpse and couldn’t help coldly snorting while looking at Lin Yun with disgust. “A rarely seen Level 25 magic beast, its entire body can be used as magic materials of considerable value. This isn’t something an inferior High Mage like you can take…”

“…”

Lin Yun was innocent, yet that young High Mage seemed to have mistaken him for someone coveting spoils of the battle.

‘This is ridiculous…’

“I am right, aren’t I? I advise you not to be too greedy! You are a mere 2nd Rank High Mage. So what if you discovered the Black Forest Python first? Are you even able to kill a Level 25 Black Forest Python? If not for us, you might have been swallowed by that Black Forest Python…”

The young High Mage didn’t even feel like looking at Lin Yun. He crouched beside the corpse of the Black Forest Python, soaking in his joy. He was a 5th Rank High Mage at the age of 29, while also standing at the peak of the Great Alchemist realm, just one step away from the Master Alchemist realm.

While stationed in the camp, he noticed the aura of a Black Forest Python and became overjoyed. The skin of a Black Forest Python was one of the magic materials he needed. It was very rare and might not even be available for sale even if he had the money. He had called a few friends and tracked the aura of the Black Forest Python.

They spent an entire day before finally finding the tracks of the Black Forest Python.

But, the strange looking mage was greedy beyond redemption. ‘He thinks that he would be able to kill it? Truly ridiculous! Even by relying on his pitiful strength as a 2nd Rank High Mage, he would have died if we had come twenty seconds later.

‘He doesn’t know how to be grateful… Yet he still knows how to be greedy. Greedy people usually have bad ends…’

“To tell the truth, this rare magic material would never be able to show its true worth in your hands. Only in the hands of Great Alchemists like us could it turn into a precious magic item.”

After saying that, the young High Mage lost interest in this discussion and stood up. He didn’t even look at Lin Yun as he turned to his three companions. “Alright, Yilu, Hanks, Gauthier, we left the camp a day ago, we should quickly return to avoid worrying the others.”

“I think there must be a misunderstanding…” Lin scratched his nose, feeling that this situation was rather ridiculous. ‘Do I look like a greedy person?’

“Misunderstanding?”

The young High Mage only sneered. He felt that he had already made the situation clear. If that greedy mage obstinately persisted, they would have to settle this with force.

Seeing the state of that strange mage, he knew that he had experienced a fierce battle and wasn’t in top shape. And then the Black Forest Python appeared next to him, yet he hadn’t discovered it.

Moreover, he was only a 2nd Rank High Mage.

This strength wasn’t sufficient.

“Orson, you really are misunderstanding.”

The red-haired Expert Swordswoman went to Lin Yun’s side, her flaming sword already sheathed. She didn’t look at Lin Yun arrogantly like the young High Mage did, and she greeted him with a smile. “Hello, we are members of the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group, I am Yilu. My companion’s words were a bit harsh, I hope you won’t take offense.”

“Mafa Merlin.” Lin Yun looked thoughtfully at Yilu. He wasn’t attracted by her good looks, but was instead considering something. ‘The Temple Knights and the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Groups appearing at the same location, how coincidental is this…’

Two of Okland’s three strongest mercenary groups were here. This forced Lin Yun to pay attention to this matter.

“Merlin Family?” Yilu looked at Lin Yun with bewilderment.

After all, the Merlin Family was one of the three Great Families of Okland. Few people around didn’t know about them. Yilu and the others weren’t ordinary people either, as they were members of the number one mercenary group of Okland. It would be very strange if they didn’t know of the Merlin Family.

“Yes.” Lin Yun nodded to confirm.

“I think he is just a branch member. Why else would he look like this?” That young mage called Orson sneered before looking disdainfully at Lin Yun. He hadn’t heard of a Mafa Merlin in Okland, so he definitely shouldn’t be part of the main branch and probably didn’t even have the qualifications to enter the Merlin Family Manor.

Orson knew of the three geniuses of the Merlin Family, those that could stand shoulder to shoulder with him. Apart from them, he didn’t pay attention to anyone else in the younger generation.

And the direct descendants of the Merlin Family wouldn’t be like him, showing such greed because of a Black Forest Python.

Orson’s first opinion of Lin Yun was that he was someone who had never seen the world. If he had, why would he care about the magic materials from a Black Forest Python and miss the opportunity to befriend such important figures?

Orson was very likely to become an Archmage, and most likely also would become a vice leader of the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group.

A vice leader of the number one mercenary group of Okland was a very influential person, befriending him would be striking it rich…’That Mafa Merlin is so ignorant… Why else would he miss the opportunity to befriend me?’

“High Mage Merlin, your situation seems a bit bad…” Yilu frowned as she looked at Lin Yun’s robe. She could feel that the aura of that young High Mage was very chaotic. It seemed that he had gone through a fierce battle, and that his situation was critical. Thinking of this, Yilu fished out a valuable potion and handed it over to Lin Yun. “High Mage Merlin, you should drink this. May I ask where you are going? Our Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group’s camp isn’t far. You can follow us back to camp if you’ve lost your way or if you wish to go back to Okland. After all, this place is very dangerous and not very safe…”

Like Orson, she thought that Lin Yun wasn’t an important branch member of the Merlin Family. He looked young and was a 2nd Rank High Mage, showing that his gift in the field of magic was pretty good. He would be among the best when compared to the talents of the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group, only a bit inferior to Orson.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help trying to rope him in. A Merlin High Mage with good magical talent but who couldn’t gain the support of the Merlin Family would definitely not amount to much in the future. It wouldn’t be hard for him to become a captain if he became a member of the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group.

Giving him a precious potion and inviting him to the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary camp, this wasn’t treatment everyone could enjoy.

What she meant was very obvious.

Lin Yun’s brain would have an issue if he couldn’t understand.

But it turned out that she overthought.

“Thank you for your good intentions, Expert Swordswoman Yilu.” Lin Yun shook his head, refusing Yilu’s potion. His outer appearance aside, Lin Yun was actually doing quite well. How else could he rouse his Magic Array?

He didn’t like to owe others…

“Expert Swordswoman Yilu, I’d like to discuss something with you.”

“Hmm… What is it?” Yilu looked at Lin Yun with disbelief, thinking, ‘He declined! He actually declined! How could he decline?’

Yilu couldn’t understand, ‘Does he not put the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group in his eyes? This is impossible! Who knows how many powerhouses try to join the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group every year! There is no lack of Expert Swordsmen, High Mages and Divine Archers…’

“I want to hire you to lead me to your camp…”

With magic beasts all over his path, it was very inconvenient with Xiuban and his three cousins not around, but meeting the Heaven Enlightening mercenaries settled this issue.

He didn’t want to owe others, so he would hire them.

This was a business transaction.

Yilu had yet to speak when Orson rushed in front of Lin Yun in anger, pointing his finger at Lin Yun’s face. “Can you afford our commission? Liyu said you could follow us to camp, how can you not differentiate good from bad? Who do you think you are? An Archmage? You want to hire us?”

“I didn’t say I wanted to hire you…”

Orson’s face suddenly turned ashen as he was rendered speechless.

“…”

Seeing Orson eating a loss, Yilu held back a smile. “Alright, High Mage Merlin, let’s not talk about hiring. We will take you back to camp, and if you insist on paying our fees, then you can do as you wish.”

The matter of the commission was set aside for now.

The chance to rope a gifted 2nd Rank High Mage into the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group was of utmost importance.

If he followed her to the camp, he would be able to see the power of the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group and might even take the initiative to ask to join.

Although magic beasts kept attacking, they met no troubles thanks to the mercenaries. The only problem was that annoying one in the group.

Many magic beasts slumbered under the cover of the night.

At long last, they reached their destination, a brightly lit, spacious valley. Makeshift tents spread as far as Lin Yun could see. To his amazement, the tents were built into a triangular formation.

‘Is the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group not the only one stationed here?’

“High Mage Merlin, you should stay in the tent for the night, don’t run around recklessly.” Yilu could hardly hide her disappointment. Ever since the group of four came back from Traces of Misfortune, she kept dropping hints to Lin Yun on numerous occasions, yet that young High Mage remained unmoved and always changed the topic.

It was to the point that when he returned to the camp, Yilu’s attitude had become cold.

That High Mage called Orson originally wanted to criticize Lin Yun, but was summoned just as he arrived.

“Our Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group isn’t the only one stationed here…” Yilu stopped and lowered her voice. “The Temple Knights and the Red Dragon mercenaries are also there, so you shouldn’t run around. It’d be very troublesome if something happened…”

‘As expected…’

Lin Yun smiled and feigned doubt. “Expert Swordswoman Yilu, what is happening in the Tulan Mountain Range? How come Okland’s top three mercenary groups are all present?”

“Cooperation.”

After saying this, Yilu planned to persuade Lin Yun to join her mercenary group once again. In her eyes, the Heaven Enlightening Mercenary Group was the best home for him. If he could get some contributions and gain some importance, then becoming an Archmage wouldn’t be an issue.

But before she could say anything, Lin Yun stretched, looking exhausted.

“High Mage Merlin, you should go rest first. But remember my words, don’t run around at night…”