Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 260 The City in the Sky

"And the largest and most magically concentrated main city is home to the Archmage Cassandra, whose core tower is also the location of the Crystal Spire..."

The formation of the ethereal body is a crucial step for a Dark Sun Wizard to advance to the rank of Grand Wizard.

How this process works, what conditions are required, and what special techniques are involved are all things that Ron does not yet know.

"While enjoying supreme status, these tower masters also bear inescapable responsibilities."

Reynolds continued explaining, drawing a complex circle in the air with his hand as an example:

"By regulating the flow of magic through the core tower, we can purify the polluted energy that constantly seeps from the abyss."

His expression turned serious:

"Without their constant purification, the entire Central Land would soon be eroded by the abyss and turned into a twisted wasteland."

Ron nodded thoughtfully, his pupils reflecting the distant city skyline:
"So the prosperity of the Central Lands is, to some extent, related to its proximity to the Abyss?"

“A clever deduction, of course, but that’s only one important reason.” Reynolds gave him an approving look.
"But precisely because it's close to the abyss, the concentration of magic here far exceeds that of the outside world, nurturing countless geniuses. Of course, risks and opportunities coexist..."

His gaze deepened, as if he had seen some unknown danger:
"Pollution and blessings are like two sides of the same coin."

The greatest geniuses are often the ones most easily tempted by the abyss.

Throughout history, there have been many gifted wizards who went astray and ultimately became apostles of the abyss.

Ron silently took the warning to heart, but his heart was filled with a strong interest in the "gift" from the abyss.

Pollution and power, danger and opportunity—these are the questions he has been pondering.

How to gain power while avoiding danger, and how to turn pollution into something useful—these are the core elements of the "furnace concept."

"This explains why the proportion of extraordinary races here is so high."

Ron pulled his thoughts back and glanced at the various buildings in Dawn Harbor.

There are shell-shaped buildings clearly designed for aquatic races, as well as high-altitude platforms prepared for flying races, and some buildings whose shapes do not even conform to human aesthetics and logic.

Reynolds nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"Indeed, the outlying ports are the most prosperous and diverse areas, where almost every extraordinary race you can imagine from the main world has a presence."

He acted like a local tour guide, pointing out different areas of the port:

"The area that shimmers with a pearly luster is the aquatic community, and the buildings all have water channels."

In the distance, what looks like a beehive is the settlement of the Sky Race;

Near the cliff, shrouded in mist, lay the dwarves' forging grounds, where they tirelessly produced all sorts of extraordinary artifacts.

His eyes held a look of nostalgia:
"When I first arrived in the Central Lands, I bought my first ritual dagger in the Dwarf District, and that dagger is still serving me to this day."

Ron nodded casually, but deep down he was already analyzing more important changes.

He could clearly sense the unusual activity of the "Star Projection" property, that unique ability originating from the original wizards, thriving in this high-concentration magical environment.

It's like a thirsty traveler suddenly falling into a clear spring, every cell greedily absorbing the sweet rain of energy.

His magic recovery speed increased by at least three times, and even the quality of his magic was purified to a higher level without him realizing it.

That subtle change was like the fermentation of alcohol, both intoxicating and keeping one on the edge of rationality.

However, this change is both exciting and dangerous.

Accumulating energy too quickly can damage magical pathways or destabilize energy structures, much like forcibly pouring too much water into a delicate glass container, which may burst at any time due to internal pressure.

Ron quickly constructed a temporary energy buffer network within his body, like weaving an intricate spider web, channeling the excess magic into it to prevent the magic pool from expanding excessively.

This technique requires extremely precise mental control, but for him, who was already close to mastering "spell construction," it was already a piece of cake.

"You may soon experience the 'magic overload' that I mentioned earlier."

Reynolds observed Ron's subtle reaction, a hint of concern in his eyes:

Even formal wizards need a certain period of adjustment when they first arrive in the Central Lands.

It is recommended that you maintain a low intensity of magical energy flow for the first few days to allow your body and mind to gradually adapt to this high-concentration environment.

"When you feel the magical tide of that empty city, you will understand what I mean by 'high concentration'."

His voice became like a dream:

"There, magic flows like a tangible substance, forming a colorful aurora curtain."

At certain moments, one can even witness molecules surging with the magical tides, transforming the entire sky into a flowing oil painting, breathtakingly beautiful.

Ron nodded slightly:

"I've already sensed something unusual. My body's magic pool is like an overinflated balloon, still drawing in more and more air."

"This is actually a good sign, indicating that your physical and mental structure is strong enough to withstand the initial impact."

Reynolds patted Ron on the shoulder, his tone becoming relaxed and humorous:
"Those newly arrived advanced apprentices usually need to gradually adapt by walking at the transition point, just like children training to swim, gradually increasing the depth of the water."

Otherwise, at best, they will faint and remain unconscious; at worst, their magic circuits will be permanently damaged.

His tone carried a hint of teasing:
"Some unlucky ones may even need one or two months to fully recover their normal spellcasting abilities, during which time they can only live like ordinary people."

The airship slowly descended, beginning its final preparations for landing.

From the air, the entire view of Dawn Harbor gradually unfolded before the two.

It was a magnificent city built almost entirely of crystal and rare metals.

Each building is meticulously crafted like a work of art, gleaming in the morning light.

Unlike ordinary cities, Shuguang Port was designed using some kind of complex geometric principles.

The city has a radial structure, with twelve main roads extending from the central square.

Ron keenly realized that the layout of these main roads was not random, but rather formed a sophisticated energy guiding network that connected the entire city into a unified magical circulation system.

But what is most striking is that the entire city is not built on flat land, but is composed of hundreds of islands of varying sizes.

A three-dimensional city structure is formed by interconnected magical bridges that shimmer with light or various flying devices.

Some islands are at different altitude levels, creating a stepped visual effect;
Some islands rotate slowly, seemingly searching for the optimal angle to absorb magic;

Some islands are covered with lush vegetation, forming the spectacular sight of sky gardens.

"The entire central land was originally a single, unified landmass."

Reynolds continued, his voice carrying the air of someone recounting an ancient legend:

"But during the 'Great Exploration of Planes' in the Second Era, it was struck by collisions with many smaller planes, causing the earth's crust to shatter into countless floating islands."

The energy surge was so immense that it even altered the fundamental laws governing this region.

A hint of awe flashed in his eyes:
"The wizards of that time did not choose to restore the original state, but instead adapted to this geographical change and built this three-dimensional city complex, thus creating a unique architectural wonder."

The airship eventually docked at the top of a huge mooring tower.

It was a colossal building hundreds of meters high, its tower entirely composed of shimmering pale blue crystals that glowed softly in the sunlight.

Ron had never seen this crystal before. Through his "supernatural perception," he discovered that the crystal had the property of automatically absorbing and filtering external magic, thus maintaining a relatively stable energy environment inside the tower.

This feature is extremely friendly to visitors new to the Central Region, providing a gradual transitional space for adaptation.

The disembarkation process was much more complicated than Ron had anticipated.

Each passenger must pass through a special energy screening gate, undergoing dual authentication of their identity and magical characteristics to prevent harmful abyssal contamination or other dangerous items from being brought into the Central Lands.

As Ron stood in front of the screening door, an anomaly caught the attention of everyone present.

The magic-sensing crystal on the door frame suddenly turned into an extremely rare pure gold and emitted a pleasant hum, as if paying homage to some special being.

The inspector, dressed in a dark blue uniform robe, was frowning and reprimanding the passengers in front of him.

His expression changed abruptly when he turned to Ron, his businesslike indifference instantly transforming into almost fawning respect:
"Please, please follow me, Your Excellency the Primordial Wizard!"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement:
“We have prepared a special passage for you.” Ron raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of wariness in his eyes.

He originally thought that his special identity would only be recognized when he came into contact with specific people, but he did not expect that the infrastructure here could automatically identify the characteristics of the original wizard.

Moreover, the other party's change in attitude was so drastic that Ron almost found it comical—the sudden attentiveness was as if it were directed at a prince returning home.

It seems that the identification system in the Central Lands is far more sophisticated than imagined, which is both a convenience and a potential risk.

He turned to look at Reynolds, who gave him a knowing look.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ron had no choice but to follow the prosecutor into a lavishly decorated private passage.

It was a private passageway covered with a deep red carpet, with waiters in silver suits standing on both sides, ready to offer assistance at any time.

The entrance to the passage was inlaid with shimmering golden runes, and a peculiar floral fragrance filled the air, invigorating the senses. It was clearly a special passage prepared for VIPs.

At the end of the passage stood a middle-aged woman dressed in a shimmering silver robe. Her light-colored hair was styled into an intricate bun, adorned with a few tiny magic crystals.

He wore an intricate star-ring badge on his chest, signifying his high status within the Dawn Harbor administrative system.

"Warrior Ralph, welcome to the Central Lands."

The lady-in-waiting gracefully performed a witch's salute:

"I am Melanie, the reception manager of Dawn Harbor. Based on the information transmitted by the system, we have prepared a personalized reception process and temporary accommodation for you."

"My entourage and luggage are still on the airship."

His voice revealed no emotional fluctuations, yet it naturally exuded an air of authority.

“We have already sent people to assist you, so you don’t need to worry about these small things.”

Melanie's smile was warm and genuine, without a trace of affectation.
“If you don’t mind, I can show you around Dawnharbour first, and then we can go to the temporary accommodations prepared for you. You can rest there and get used to the magical environment of the Central Lands before we finalize our itinerary.”

Ron turned to look at Reynolds, who was about to go through the checkpoint and seemed to have gotten used to this kind of tiered treatment.

"Can my companion, the wizard Reynolds, come along?"

He asked in a calm but undeniable tone.

Melanie's eyes flickered slightly, her gaze quickly shifting between Ron and Reynolds in the distance, as if trying to assess the relationship between the two.

Then she smiled, her posture becoming even more respectful:

"Of course, that's your right. Primal wizards enjoy specific privileges and invitations in Dawnport, which is also a sign of our respect for your status."

She turned to Reynolds and made an inviting gesture:

“Wizard Reynolds, it is an honor to have you join our tour. The Port Authority has completed a fast verification of your identity information.”

Reynolds strode over, giving Ron a meaningful look:

"It seems you've started to use your privileges to your advantage."

A mocking smile appeared on the man's lips:
"The influence of the Primal Wizards is greater than I imagined. Usually, only wizards at the Moon Rank or above can enjoy this kind of treatment."

The rest of the trip was arranged perfectly.

A luxurious flying carriage pulled by six phantom beasts was already waiting below the docking tower.

Ron astutely noticed that such carriages did not seem to be common in Dawn Harbor.

Passersby stopped to watch, their eyes filled with amazement and envy. Clearly, this was a special mode of transportation prepared for a visitor of extremely high status.

As Ron and Reynolds boarded the carriage, Melanie gave a brief explanation of the origins of this mode of transportation:

"This is the 'Cloud Shadow' type ceremonial carriage, usually prepared only for core members of various academic schools or special guests. The carriage body is made of moonlight crystal, which can subtly adjust the interior environment according to the passenger's mood to ensure a comfortable journey."

Her voice carried a barely perceptible hint of pride:
"These carriages are designed and made by the artisans of the Crystal Spire, and it is said that each one requires an enchanter to spend nearly a year meticulously crafting it. There are fewer than ten in the entire Dawn Harbor."

The carriage slowly rose into the air, beginning its city tour.

From a bird's-eye view, the layout of Dawn Harbor becomes even clearer—the entire city does indeed present a precise radial structure.

Centered around the massive central plaza, twelve main thoroughfares extend outwards like rays of sunlight, each pointing precisely to a specific location.

That's the 'Heart of Dawn' square.

Melanie pointed to the open area in the center that was shimmering with light:
"It is not only the geographical center of the city, but also the hub of the entire energy network. The tower in the center of the square can sense any abnormal magical fluctuations within a hundred miles and is a core component of the city's defense system."

Ron calmly activated "Supernatural Recognition" and carefully observed the tower.

The tower is densely covered with defensive runes of different systems, and each layer flashes with energy fluctuations at different frequencies, forming a multi-layered and redundant defense and monitoring network.

This level of complexity far exceeded any defensive construction Ron had ever seen before, with some of the rune patterns even beyond his comprehension.

"This level of defense system"

Ron was calculating in his mind:

"It would require the personal involvement of an alchemy master to achieve such a precise structure and coverage. The strength and foundation of the Central Lands are indeed far beyond what the peripheral schools can match."

"Dawn Harbor is not only the gateway to the Central Lands, but also one of the most important trading centers."

Melanie continued:

“Every year, more than 10,000 airships or large ships pass through here to enter the central land. The city is home to races and professionals from all over the Huan Yuan Continent Group, making it a veritable melting pot of the extraordinary.”

The flying carriage hovered over the main area, allowing Ron to overlook various distinctive neighborhoods and buildings:

"Sage Street" is a gathering place for potion makers and alchemists. The street is lined with various bookstores, alchemy equipment shops and small research institutes, and the air is filled with the mixed scents of various potions and materials.

The "Crystal Wall District" is the residence of some wizards, where all the buildings are constructed from priceless energy crystals that shimmer with dazzling light in the sunlight.
Sunset Square is a paradise for artists and performers, where all kinds of magical performances and rare art transactions take place, and the air is filled with the strange melodies of demi-human musicians.

There is also the "Elemental Valley," specially designed for elemental creatures, where the environment can automatically adjust the temperature, humidity, and magic concentration according to their needs, allowing those races with special environmental requirements to live comfortably...

"This level of prosperity," Ron assessed to himself.

"The rare materials that can be found everywhere here would probably be considered treasures by the Black Mist School."

The flying carriage eventually came to a stop in front of an exquisite building located in the western part of the city.

This is a three-story detached villa with an elegant yet dignified architectural style.

There is a small garden in the front yard, where various exotic flowers grow and emit a faint fragrance.

The entire building was shrouded in an almost invisible energy barrier, which Ron could sense was a privacy protection spell that could block most of the magical detection from the outside world.

"This is the 'Jade Courtyard,' a temporary residence prepared for distinguished guests like yourself."

Melanie said respectfully:

"The institute has a basic alchemy laboratory and meditation room, which should meet your basic needs for a short stay."

Ron nodded his thanks, while in his mind he was already calculating how to make the most effective use of this unexpected favor.

Temporary accommodation means he can do some necessary preparations before deciding on his next move.

“Wizard Reynolds, where do you live?” Ron turned to Reynolds and asked.

“My residence is in the East District, about an hour’s flight from here.”

Reynolds answered, then suddenly slapped his forehead as if he had remembered something:
"By the way, shall we exchange our communication badges?"
In a few days I'll be reporting to the Abyss Observatory's base in Dawnport. If you're interested, you can come with me to learn more.

Ron thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement:
"I am indeed very interested in the Abyss Observatory, but my schedule is still somewhat uncertain. If I have time then, I will contact you using the communication badge."

The two exchanged magical imprints of their communication symbols.

After watching Reynolds leave, Ron turned to Melanie:
"If it's convenient, I'd like to learn about the registration process and possible academic exchange channels in Central Land. As an outsider, I hope to integrate into the academic environment here as soon as possible."

Melanie nodded respectfully:

"Of course, esteemed Wizard Ralph."

In fact, as a Primal Wizard, you have the right to submit an application directly to the School Alliance's 'New Star Reception Office,' where they will arrange suitable introducers and necessary resource support for you.

(End of this chapter)