Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 203 Morning Star Experience Card
"What do you intend to do?" Mrs. Allen countered. "We both know the rules of the altar: once you enter, you can't enter again. Unless..."

"Unless a special existence is found."

Valen continued, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "An existence that possesses the strength of a formal wizard, yet is not subject to the limitations of a formal wizard."

His gaze was fixed on Mrs. Allen: "For example, someone whose strength is usually below that of a formal wizard due to special circumstances."

Mrs. Allen's smile froze instantly: "You want me to come in?"

“Yes.” Valen nodded, his voice carrying a hint of pleading:

“Although you have the strength of a formal wizard, according to the rules, you are not yet a true ‘formal wizard’. The restrictions of the bloodline altar should not apply to you.”

"You've got a good plan," Mrs. Allen sneered.
"Why should I risk entering a potentially out-of-control alternate dimension?"

Valen took a deep breath, seemingly suppressing some emotion:

“Allen, this isn’t just about the interests of the Crystal Spire. If that clone is as powerful as Elliott says, the consequences could be dire once it’s fully developed.”

"You still haven't answered my question." Mrs. Allen's eyes sharpened. "Why should I help you?"

Valen remained silent for a moment, then finally sighed:
"For Ron's sake. If the clone goes out of control, Ron himself will likely be the one to suffer in the end, and the reason for this problem may be far more complex than just Ron's abyssal item..."

"You mean, someone's sabotaging us?"

Mrs. Allen took a step closer, the magical fluctuations driven by the drug still powerful, but her tone held a hint of concern: "Has the bloodline altar been tampered with?"

"This possibility cannot be ruled out," Valen thought to himself.
"Since the last time the 'Eye of the Abyss' was discovered operating within the school, we have strengthened our defenses in all aspects, but the Bloodline Altar, due to its special spatial attributes, has always been an area that is difficult to fully control."

"Let's not talk about these things anymore," Mrs. Allen waved her hand, a hint of anxiety showing in her emerald eyes.
“But you’re right, the priority now is to ensure the safety of those inside the altar. I will go in, but on one condition.”

"If it's within my capabilities, I'll agree," Valen said, frowning slightly before giving a reluctant reply.

"Ron Ralph is my student."

Mrs. Allen's eyes sharpened: "I expect you to assure me that you will not force him to sign a soul contract with the Crystal Spire."

Valen's expression became complicated.

As a member of the Crystal Spire, he has a responsibility to discover and recruit all kinds of geniuses.

According to Elliott's description, Ron's potential is clearly far beyond that of an ordinary apprentice, and he could stand out even among the elite of the Crystal Spire.

Such geniuses, by convention, must be bound to the Crystal Spire through a soul contract.

On the other hand, he and Allen are old acquaintances.

He knew very well that Allen would not easily compromise if he did not agree to this condition.

Moreover, if Ron is really as terrible as Elliott described, forcibly binding such a potential danger might not be a good thing for the Crystal Spire.

"I can promise not to force him to sign a contract, but to use verbal constraints..."

Valen said cautiously, "But if it's his choice, I won't interfere."

Although Dark Sun-level wizards are controlled by soul contracts and clan bonds, they are still top-tier combatants and naturally possess sufficient authority.

Mrs. Allen stared at Valen, and when she heard him mention "Word Binding," her body flashed with magical light to confirm it.

After confirming, she nodded slightly:
"That's acceptable. Since we've established a 'verbal bond,' if you break your promise..."

“I know the consequences,” Valen interrupted her.

“After all, even after being imprisoned for over a hundred years, you still possess the strength of a peak Moon-level being, and with the amplification from the ‘Seven-Colored Star Dew,’ you are enough to pose a threat to me.”

Moreover, once wizards of the same level make a promise to each other, there are many ways to deal with them if they break the verbal bondage.

Mrs. Allen gave a cold smile: "I'm glad you remember that. If you break your promise, I won't let the opportunity pass."

Valen watched the pink-haired witch's figure disappear into the portal, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

The Crystal Spire team's losses have exceeded acceptable limits, and if any further accidents occur, he will find it difficult to explain to the higher-ups at the Crystal Spire.

But at the same time, Ron's amazing potential also gave him hope for a turning point.

Bringing such a genius back to the Crystal Spire might offset the losses of this trip.

"I hope everything goes well," Valen murmured to himself, beginning to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances that might arise.

………………

"Dale, did you feel it too?" Ron stopped and frowned slightly.

The air in the distance seemed to thicken, and a chilling energy fluctuation emanated from it.

The oppressive force was so real that it made it hard to breathe.

It was almost indistinguishable from the aura of a formal wizard, and in some ways even more eerie and dangerous.

Dale also sensed this abnormality, and her pupils, which had just evolved into pure gold, contracted slightly:
"Master, what's that over there? It looks scary."

"I don't know, but it's definitely dangerous."

Ron calmly assessed the situation, his fingers unconsciously reaching for the stand-in puppet at his waist, feeling the faint but continuous vibration.

He turned to Trish and Holt beside him:

"The energy fluctuations ahead are approaching the level of a formal wizard. I suggest you leave now."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Holt's eyes, his fingers unconsciously tracing the newly reconstructed colossus core:
"Perhaps the three of them working together could..."

“No.” Ron interrupted him, his tone unusually firm:
"That energy fluctuation is beyond the range that advanced apprentices can handle. Continuing forward will only distract me."

Trish keenly observed Ron's changing expression, a knowing glint in her brown eyes: "You intend to face this alone?"

She paused for a moment, then asked, "Or is there something over there that concerns you?"

Ron didn't answer directly, but a rare hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes:

"I do have some things that I need to take care of."

In his perception, the puppet at his waist was vibrating more and more noticeably, as if it were being drawn to something in the distance.

Trish and Holt exchanged a glance, both reading the same message in each other's eyes—Ron had made up his mind, and they really couldn't help him.

“I have collected several special abyssal plant seeds, as well as moss that can directly sense emotions.”

Trish sighed, her fingers lightly stroking the storage pouch at her waist:

"Although it's a bit of a regret that we couldn't reach the deepest part, the gains have exceeded our expectations."

Holt nodded, a hint of helplessness in his eyes:

"My Earth Elemental Colossus needs to have its fusion ratio with the Crystallized Bone readjusted; its current state is indeed unsuitable for high-intensity combat."

He looked at Ron, a hint of worry in his eyes:
"If you insist on moving forward, at least promise us one thing."

"what?"

"If you find yourself outmatched, immediately use the insignia to leave."

Holt's voice was unusually serious: "Don't be reckless. Nothing is more important than living."

Ron smiled slightly and nodded in agreement: "I will."

Trish gave Ron one last look, her brown hair appearing particularly dark in the crimson light: "Don't do anything foolish."

Without waiting for a response, she had already activated the emblem in her hand.

A flash of white light, and her figure disappeared from the spot.

Holt followed suit, activating the insignia and leaving a whisper before disappearing:
"If we survive, the top spot in the rankings might change hands soon."

With their two teammates gone, only Ron and Dale remained on the platform. The light at the edge of the crystal enclosure seemed to grow even more eerie, like the breathing rhythm of some abyssal creature.

"Master, it seems like that thing over there is looking for you."

"Dair said in a trembling voice, a hint of unease flashing in her pure gold eyes."

"Dair, go back to your spatial bag first."

Ron gave a soft command, his voice calm but brooking no refusal: "What happens next is beyond your control."

The little siren hesitated for a moment, wanting to say something but swallowing it back. Finally, she nodded and obediently crawled into the space bag.

After everyone left, Ron took a deep breath, feeling the power flowing through his veins.

“It’s time,” Ron thought to himself.

He took out the silver Time Guardian pocket watch, his fingertips gently tracing the delicate patterns on its surface, feeling the profound energy contained within.

This is one of his strongest trump cards, capable of achieving a brief but deadly time stop.

At the same time, he extended his consciousness into the ever-changing illusions, awakening the terrifying spell that had been perfectly recorded—Mentor Yuni's "Breath of the Phoenix".

It was a spell far beyond his current control, like a trickle trying to control a massive flood.

Once released, even he himself would find it difficult to predict the ultimate scope and intensity of the damage.

But at this moment, what he needs is this kind of extreme destructive power.

Ron reached down and took the stand puppet hanging from his waist ring, feeling the energy fluctuations within it.

"Letting you absorb such a special entity will undoubtedly increase your energy recharge by a great deal."

Ron pondered to himself, his eyes sharpening.

He began to cautiously approach the source of the energy fluctuations, taking each step with utmost care and maintaining a high level of mental focus, ready to deal with any unexpected situations at any time.

Finally, after passing through the last mist-shrouded passage, Ron saw the being emanating a terrifying aura—

A huge, reddish-gold cocoon-like object, more than three meters in diameter, floated in the center of the crystal platform, its surface constantly flowing with energy patterns that resembled those of a living being.

The patterns formed intricate designs, sometimes resembling human blood vessels, and sometimes like some kind of ancient rune, radiating a chilling energy.

The space around the giant cocoon was clearly distorted, as if it were affected by some invisible gravitational field, forming ripples.

When Ron entered the area, the huge crimson-gold cocoon suddenly began to vibrate violently, as if it had sensed the approach of its natural enemy.

The patterns on the surface of the cocoon began to flow faster, and tiny cracks appeared on the originally smooth shell, as if the creature inside was eager to break free from its confinement.

Ron instantly understood—the being inside the cocoon sensed his arrival and was accelerating its metamorphosis, attempting to complete the final step ahead of schedule.

Just like Oliver and Cynthia, whom he had seen before, he wanted to prepare for battle before their most vulnerable state was discovered.

There was no time to hesitate.

"Bite down on the second hand!"

Ron silently recited the activation incantation, activating the pocket watch's power.

A sharp beam of black energy shot out from the dial, instantly covering the designated target.

Time stands still

In that brief 0.5 seconds, the small area where the giant cocoon was located froze in place.

The air froze, the dust hovered, and even the surface of the constantly writhing giant cocoon suddenly stopped moving, as if it were being cast in transparent amber.

Without the slightest hesitation, Ron immediately activated the terrifying spell of Thousand Transformations Record:
—Record of the Phoenix's Breath!

A lifelike firebird flew from his palm, every feather as detailed as if it were real, and every inch of flame burning with pure destructive power.

That was no ordinary flame, but a fluidized high-energy polymer containing terrifying power far exceeding Ron's own abilities.

The firebird traced a graceful arc in the air, with an unstoppable momentum, and swooped straight towards the giant cocoon that was trapped by the stagnation of time.

On the surface of the giant cocoon, an eye, also burning with crimson gold flames, peered out.

That eye radiated an inhuman coldness and ferocity, but when it saw the firebird rushing towards it, a fleeting, barely concealed fear flashed across its surface.

The being inside the cocoon seemed to want to break free of its constraints, but it was clearly no match for the power of time freezing.

It is also undergoing a transformation, which places it in a most vulnerable intermediate state.
Like a fly trapped in amber, it can only watch helplessly as its doom descends.

"Do not--"

A distorted yet familiar voice emanated from within the cocoon, filled with despair and resentment.

But the firebird could no longer stop.

The moment it collided with the giant cocoon, the entire crystal platform seemed to be torn apart.

A blinding white light burst forth from the point of contact, intense enough to burn one's eyes.

After the white light came an eerie silence, as if time and space had been frozen at that moment.

Then, a deafening roar!
A massive explosion, comparable to a meteorite impact, swept across the entire area.

An invisible shockwave spread outwards in all directions from the cocoon as its center.

Wherever it went, the crystal pillars shattered, the ground cracked, and the air itself seemed to ignite, forming rings of blazing energy.

Following closely behind was a reddish-gold fireball with a diameter of several meters, the energy concentration inside of which was so high that it distorted the surrounding light, creating a peculiar gravitational mirror effect.

Within the fireball, various bizarre shapes flashed by—faces, claws, tentacles, eyes—as if countless lives were being torn apart and reassembled at the same moment.

Ron activated the fluid barrier the instant the explosion occurred, completely enveloping himself within it.

Even though he was hundreds of meters away from the epicenter of the explosion, the terrifying impact nearly destroyed his protective gear.

The fluid-filled wall was compressed to its limit, and thousands of cracks appeared on its surface, making it look like it could shatter at any moment.

Inside the protective wall, Ron could clearly feel the astonishing heat and pressure coming from the outside, as if he were in a giant furnace.

His skin was red from the high temperature, and the sweat on his forehead evaporated before it could fall.

My lungs felt like they were filled with lead, making each breath incredibly difficult.

The aftershocks of the explosion lasted for nearly thirty seconds, and their intensity and destructive power far exceeded any spell effect that Ron had ever seen at close range before.

When everything finally calmed down, the entire crystal platform was unrecognizable.

The once flat ground has been transformed into a giant crater nearly 100 meters in diameter, with countless crystal pillars collapsing and breaking at the edges, and the once orderly enclosure structure has vanished.

The crystals in the center of the pit were completely melted by the high temperature, forming a thin layer of glassy material that emitted suffocating heat.

Ron slowly removed his protective gear, his back soaked with cold sweat.

If he hadn't activated his strongest defense beforehand, that attack would have been enough to annihilate him and all life forms within a radius of several hundred meters.

"Is this a full-fledged wizard's attack? And it's only at the peak of Morning Star, not even Moon Star level."

Ron muttered to himself, his eyes filled with both shock and longing.

Extinguishing himself from these unnecessary thoughts, he began to carefully survey the battlefield.

Nothing was left at the epicenter of the explosion; not even a trace of energy fluctuation could be felt.

"Did it work?" Ron breathed a sigh of relief, but remained highly vigilant.

(End of this chapter)