The Wizard: From Zero-Ring Wizard to Almighty Lord.

Chapter 178 Seven Star Temple
Chapter 178

Amidst flashing red lights and blaring sirens, Lynn returned to her room.

Behind him, a graceful figure quietly followed.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sweeping over the other person's face, which was hidden by a hood and mask, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"This doesn't seem like Sonia..."

Lynn flicked his fingers slightly, gently pulling aside the hood and mask to reveal a stunningly beautiful face with deep purple eyes that shone like stars in the night sky, both dazzling and mysterious.

"As expected... Astrid, it's you."

He sighed softly, gently lifting Astrid's fair chin with his fingers, trying to catch even the slightest fluctuation in her expression.

However, the latter simply stared at him calmly, his gaze as indifferent as still water, like a puppet devoid of any emotion.

She wouldn't resist no matter what Lynn did to her right now.

"Times have changed... The once high and mighty 'Crucible Princess' has now been reduced to a communication tool being used by others... What a pity, what a pity..."

A complex emotion flashed deep in Lynn's eyes, a mixture of melancholy and irony.

He wasn't lamenting Astrid's fate, but rather his own inability to speak with that once proud and vibrant soul.

If the real "Astrid" still existed, what would her expression be if she realized she had fallen to this state?
Anger? Humiliation? Or resentment?

Only such genuine emotions could allow Lynn to truly experience the thrill of revenge!
However, what stands before him now is nothing more than an empty shell stripped of its own will.

Lynn looked away, shook his head, and stopped looking at her. Instead, he walked to one side of the room and pondered his possible actions for tonight.

He had already experienced the entire process of "plundering the goddess's faith" once, so he was no stranger to the whole process.

All he had to do was wait.

Once a message arrives from "Qi", he will use Astrid as the central connection to open a passage and guide him there.

Lynn tapped the table lightly, her eyes flickering slightly, and murmured softly:

"Tonight... are the wizard army and the goddess army really going to war?"

He picked up the glass of ice water on the table, took a small sip, and pondered the changing situation.

"At this time, if I sneak away... I shouldn't be considered a deserter, right?"

………………

"If I can achieve something tonight, I might really get a huge promotion..."

His gaze gradually calmed, but his thoughts unconsciously turned to the division of the wizarding system.

"Formal wizards are divided into three levels: Level 1 Wizard, Level 2 Wizard, and Level 3 Wizard."

"While there are certainly gaps between them, this improvement is not a qualitative leap, but rather a gradual process."

"If we want to visualize it, we can measure it using mental energy values..."

"A first-level wizard's mental strength is approximately between 100 and 175 points."

"The starting mental strength for a level two wizard is 200 points, with an increase of only 25 points. The maximum should be 275 points."

On the surface, a level two wizard in the early stages doesn't show much improvement in mental strength compared to a level one wizard at their peak.

However, the reason why a second-level wizard is stronger than a first-level wizard is not just due to the increase in mental power, but also because of the improvement in the level of wizardry.

As the purity of one's mental energy increases, the level of witchcraft that can be released will also rise, resulting in a true leap in combat power!

Lynn closed his eyes, lost in thought. His consciousness was like a vast starry sky, his spiritual power flowing through him like invisible smoke, slowly spreading within his spiritual realm.

Ultimately, a wizard's growth comes down to the mastery and sublimation of spiritual power.

When a wizard transforms from a third-level apprentice into a full wizard, a qualitative change occurs in their life level, and their species level also evolves. One of the most significant changes is the dramatic expansion of their spiritual realm!

However, this expansion only occurs once during the breakthrough, after which the mental realm will be fixed and will not expand again during the formal wizard stage.

Unless there is another leap forward, a species-level transformation, such as to the Morning Star level...

Otherwise, one can only be confined to the current scope of the spiritual realm.

In other words, the advancement of a wizard's realm is not achieved by expanding the mental domain, but by continuously compressing mental energy within a given space to improve its quality!
The growth of a formal wizard is like a series of refinements and sublimations of spiritual power, a process that can be roughly divided into three stages:
Level 1 Wizard, capable of transforming spiritual energy into vapor.

During this stage, mental energy is still relatively loose, like a pervasive mist, easy to control but also extremely easy to dissipate.

In this state, witchcraft relies on the quantity of spiritual power rather than its quality, resulting in relatively basic spell effects and limited power.

Level 2 Wizard, Liquefying Mental Power.

When a wizard enters the second level, their spiritual power begins to become more fluid, flowing like liquid mercury within the spiritual realm.

The liquefied spiritual energy has a higher density and can accommodate more spiritual energy within the same volume of spiritual domain.

This explains why a level two wizard has a higher total mental energy than a level one wizard, even if the size of their mental domain remains the same.

Level 3 Wizard, Solidified Mental Power.

At this stage, the compression of mental energy has reached its limit, like a solidified crystal, with extremely high density, toughness, and stability.

Solidified mental energy can contain a greater amount of mental energy than a level two wizard within the same mental domain space.

This is the key reason why a level three wizard is far superior to a level two wizard in terms of mental strength!
However, the increase in mental strength alone is not enough to bring about a leap in the wizard's combat power.

The core factor that truly determines a wizard's combat power is the advancement of their wizardry level!
The fundamental principle of witchcraft lies in using spiritual power to draw energy factors, guide the great power of heaven and earth, and leverage one's own spiritual power to activate the immense power of laws, thereby unleashing a power far exceeding one's own!
If we look at it purely from a data model perspective, without considering elemental affinity, bonuses from enchanted items, etc.:

Level 1 sorcery doubles the base multiplier, meaning it consumes 25 points of mental energy to unleash a sorcery power of 50 degrees.

Level 2 sorcery doubles the base multiplier, meaning it consumes 25 points of mental energy to unleash sorcery power exceeding 75 degrees.

Level 3 sorcery increases the base multiplier by three times. Even if the same amount of mental energy is consumed, the power unleashed is vastly different.

This means that the higher the level of witchcraft, the more destructive power can be caused by the same amount of mental energy consumption, resulting in an exponential increase!
Lynn suddenly remembered the concept of "multiplication zone calculation" from the game in his previous life.

In some games, damage calculation is not a simple addition, but rather the superposition of different multipliers. The spell level is precisely this irreplaceable core multiplier!

In other words, the amount of mental energy determines a wizard's ability to fight a prolonged battle; while the level of wizardry is the key to determining the explosive power in battle!

Even though the increase in mental power between a level two wizard and a level one wizard is not significant, the improvement in their wizardry level makes their attack power far exceed that of a level one wizard!
With the same mental energy expenditure, a level two wizard can unleash a stronger burst of power, which is the true meaning of a wizard's advancement!

Lynn raised his hand, picked up the glass in front of him, and drank the cold water in it in one gulp. The icy touch slid down his throat and into his stomach, clearing his mind for a moment.

Just then, a faint glow appeared on Astrid's body, a soft and mysterious light that made her graceful figure appear dreamlike. At the same time, behind her, a strange portal of light slowly took shape. As the light shifted, its outline gradually became clearer, radiating a heart-stirring aura.

Qi, we have arrived.

Lynn stared at the gate of light, closed his eyes slightly, and slowly ran his fingertips across his chest. His spiritual power quietly seeped out and established a subtle communication with the maple tree within his body.

He was confirming tonight's action plan, while also making some unknown preparations.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, his gaze calm, and stepped forward without hesitation, his figure appearing exceptionally resolute in front of the deep light gate.

The next moment, the portal trembled slightly, and his figure was completely swallowed up.

tick, tick...

Time passed slowly and imperceptibly, and the entire war fortress continued to function as usual, until a certain moment.

Boom!

The entire war fortress trembled violently, the heavy defensive array shook slightly, and then, one loud alarm after another suddenly rang throughout the fortress!
"Woo——! Wu——!"

The piercing alarm ripped through the sky, and the once orderly war fortress was instantly plunged into a tense state of combat readiness.

Total War Mode, activated!
In an instant, whether they were wizard apprentices inside the fortress, or formal wizards, or even the high-ranking third-level archmages, everyone tensed up and quickly entered battle mode!
Rumble!
Outside, the gloomy sky grew even deeper, with thick, dark clouds churning as if a cataclysmic storm was about to descend.

The war fortress, this colossal structure woven from steel and magic, awakened completely at this moment. Its internal operations accelerated, its magical circuits were fully activated, and it surged with an aura of destruction that was about to devour everything.

Moreover, near the Thirteenth War Fortress, nine other equally massive war fortresses instantly entered a state of war, as if ten sleeping behemoths had been awakened at the same time, releasing a chilling sense of oppression.

In the air, figures of wizards sped past, their expressions serious and focused;
The magical flying vehicles roared and circled, and dense energy barriers flickered throughout the fortress. Everyone had entered the highest level of combat readiness!

Meanwhile, an emergency meeting was underway in the core command hall of the war fortress.

Those present were all high-ranking wizards from the expeditionary front; some were experienced strategic commanders, while others were powerful regional commanders.

Among them were the Great Wizards Yud and Earl, who were solemnly studying the battle situation before them.

While they were simulating the enemy's situation and analyzing the possibility of war, they were also thinking about how to deal with any unexpected situations.

However, just as this pre-war meeting was about to enter its crucial discussions...

hum!
A spatial fluctuation suddenly spread out, and then a majestic projection slowly appeared in the hall!
"...!!"

In an instant, all the commanders' expressions changed slightly. They stopped talking, lowered their heads, and became more solemn than ever before.

"Master Machine Puppet!"

A series of deep, respectful titles rang out almost simultaneously.

The figure gradually became clearer in the projection.

He was a middle-aged man with a gentle appearance, a slight mustache at the corner of his mouth, and sharp, piercing eyes that also held an enigmatic smile.

He didn't look like a high and mighty Morning Star Wizard; rather, he seemed more like a leisurely shop owner, exuding a certain inexplicable affability.

But all the wizards present understood that this friendliness was merely a facade.

This man is none other than Angus, the renowned Level 4 Morning Star Wizard and Puppet Wizard of the Mechanical City!
At the same time, he was also the one who made a deal with the Spirit Eye Wizard to send Lynn to this expeditionary world!

All the commanders held their breath and did not make a sound.

They knew that the arrival of the Machine Wizard at this crucial moment when the war was about to break out was not without purpose, but rather meant to convey extremely important intelligence.

Sure enough, the next moment, the machine puppet wizard Angus narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone low and solemn:
"Besides the Seven Stars mage, Lingge, our detection equipment has also discovered that another legendary mage has quietly lurked in the shadows."

His gaze slowly swept over everyone present, then he emphasized, uttering a name that sent chills down the spines of all the commanders:

"Bede, one of the Seven Stars!"

Upon hearing this, the meeting room fell into a deathly silence.

Immediately, gasps of astonishment rose and fell, and the pupils of every commander contracted slightly, their faces showing disbelief, shock, and apprehension.

A legendary mage, one of the Seven Stars?!

Although they knew little about the exact strength of the Seven Stars, they were certain that each of them stood above the third-level Grand Wizard, second only to the Morning Star Wizard!
If we add the seven-star artifacts bestowed by the Goddess of the Magic Network, then each of the seven stars would probably possess combat power comparable to a Morning Star Wizard!

Now, two Seven Stars have appeared on this battlefield at the same time?!

This is no longer an ordinary war, but a great war that could completely change the course of the interdimensional expedition!

No wonder these experienced commanders all gasped in surprise.

However, the machine puppet wizard Angus seemed to have anticipated their reaction.

He casually stroked his signature mustache, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd, and added calmly:
"The Seven Star Artifacts of the Goddess of Magic Network, each of the Seven Star Mages possesses one."

"But that mage Bed did not take his artifact with him."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tense atmosphere in the meeting room eased slightly.

Without the divine artifact... it means that Bed's combat power will inevitably be unable to truly step into the Morning Star Realm!

While the combat power of legendary mages is unfathomable, their strength has ultimately not yet reached the realm of gods; they are generally still between the late-stage perfection of a third-level archmage and a morning star wizard.

If Wizard Bed hadn't taken the artifact, then no matter how strong he was, he still wouldn't have been able to cross that insurmountable barrier and truly contend with the Morning Star Wizard.

After all, once you become a Morning Star Wizard, even in a civilization of gods, you are already a being who has stepped into the realm of gods!
....................................

Meanwhile, on the other side of this thrilling meeting, a phantom and mysterious space trembled slightly, rippling with faint waves.

Lynn and Qi slowly stepped out of this distorted space.

Night had already fallen over the earth, but the place they had landed in was not as dark as the outside world.

This world is always shrouded in dazzling divine light and dreamlike illumination!
Beneath their feet stood a vast and magnificent palace, radiating a sacred and mysterious light, like a divine fortress standing between dreams and reality.

Qi Wei turned his head slightly, gazing at the magnificent and sacred temple, and spoke in a low, melancholic tone:

"Since the arrival of the Goddess of the Magic Network, the Seven Stars have left the highest sacred mountain and instead built seven Seven Star Temples..."

"And where we are now is one of the Seven Stars, the Temple of Mage Bed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lynn's gaze sharpened slightly, and an indescribable ripple surged deep within his heart.

(End of this chapter)