Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 346 Backtracking
Ron slowly loosened his grip on the hilt of "Blood Oath," a lingering fear washing over him from the deep-seated hatred that had gripped him to the bone.

Even with only a brief encounter, Morgan's obsession still tried to take root in his heart, seeking a seed of anger to cling to.

"How are you feeling?" Yutel's phantom floated to his side, his silver eyes filled with concern.

"More direct than I imagined."

Ron rubbed his temples, trying to clear the lingering external emotions from his mind:

"This level of imprinting of will has transcended the scope of enchanted weapons."

"A correct judgment."

Yutel nodded in satisfaction:

"A true master sword will gradually absorb the imprint of its master's soul over a long period of use."

They are no longer inanimate objects, but living entities carrying memories and will.

The old professor's ethereal figure drifted to the next display stand, where a longsword radiating a holy light floated.
"This one is 'Exorcism,' which once belonged to the Templar Silas."

The sword's blade was as transparent as crystal, with golden light flowing inside.

Even through the protective barrier, Ron could feel that pure and burning sense of justice.

The hilt of the sword is engraved with intricate holy symbols, and every detail exudes sacred majesty.

"Templar Knights..."

Ron shared what he knew:
"I remember historical records stating that they were a religious armed force specifically dedicated to fighting against the Abyss?"

"Yes, and Silas is the most outstanding one among them."

Yutel's tone was filled with complex emotions:
"He used this sword to purify countless abyssal creatures and was once hailed as the 'nemesis of darkness' and the 'incarnation of light'."

But then, the old professor's voice became heavy:

"Unfortunately, even the purest light cannot last forever in this world."

Ron noticed that although the sword still radiated a holy light, there was a strange dark color faintly revealed deep within the radiance.

The dark color spread slowly like ink drops in milk; though tiny, it was extremely noticeable.

"Silas eventually discovered a cruel truth."

Utter's voice was as if narrating a sad allegory:

"The 'holy light' he believed in actually came from a parasitic will from another dimension. Those so-called divine powers were essentially no different from the corruption of the abyss."

Ron recalled his fear of the origin of "The Star Eater's Whispers".

The cultivation method that establishes a connection with higher-dimensional beings is inherently full of uncertainty.

"How did Silas find it?" he asked cautiously.

"During a purification mission deep into the abyss, he encountered an ancient being."

Yutel's phantom became even dimmer:

"That being told him that the so-called 'holy light' was just another form of control."

The believers thought they were doing good, but in reality they were just collecting souls for a foreign will.

“Silas was reluctant to believe it, but when he began to investigate further, the truth he discovered was far more terrifying than he had imagined.”

The old professor's voice was filled with deep sympathy:
"The souls of those abyssal creatures that he 'purified' were not liberated, but were instead transported to the source of the 'holy light' and became some kind of nourishment."

Ron stared at "Eradication," and in his "supernatural perception" vision, the hidden darkness was slowly writhing, like some kind of living parasite.

"The pain of shattered faith is more cruel than any physical torture."

Yutel exclaimed:

"Silas ultimately chose self-exile, returning to the abyss with the goal of 'eliminating evil,' and never returned."

"This sword records the entire process of his faith being shattered."

The old professor warned:

"Anyone who comes into contact with it will feel that sense of despair and betrayal."

For those with unwavering faith, this is almost a fatal spiritual shock.

Yutel continued forward and arrived at the fourth display stand.

A bizarrely shaped longsword floats here, its blade a deep blood red, with liquid slowly flowing across its surface.

"This one is 'Bloodthirster'."

Yutel's tone became unusually serious:

"Its former owner, the Bloodthirsty Knight Maca, was one of the most controversial magic swordsmen in history."

Ron examined the sword carefully.

They discovered that the flowing liquid was not ordinary blood, but some kind of highly active life essence.

The inside of the sword seemed to have countless tiny blood vessels pulsating, like a giant heart.

"Maca's philosophy is very simple—to sustain war through war."

Utter explained:

"This sword can absorb the essence of the blood of slain enemies and transform it into the power of the user."

In theory, as long as one keeps fighting, one can gain endless power-ups.

"That does sound very tempting."

Ron objectively commented:

"But this way of increasing power inevitably comes at a price."

"You guessed it right."

Yutel shook his head with a wry smile:

"The crafting process of the 'Blood Drinker' is extremely complex. Maca incorporates the blood essence of hundreds of different creatures into it, including dragons, magical beasts, and even abyssal creatures."

"This fusion gives the sword great adaptability, but it also creates hidden dangers."

The old professor's voice became increasingly warning:
"As the number of bloodlines absorbed increases, the chaotic factors within the sword will gradually affect the user's mind and body."

Ron activated "Supernatural Recognition" and was immediately stunned by the scene before him.

In his unique perspective, the "blood drinker" is practically a living bloodline storage room.

Countless different bloodline factors surged wildly inside the sword, devouring, fusing, and splitting each other, forming a chaotic yet active ecosystem.

"For the first ten years that Maca used this sword, he was indeed invincible."

Yutel continued to narrate this tragic story:

“He would become stronger after each battle, and his bloodline abilities would become more and more diverse. But starting from the eleventh year, his humanity began to undergo subtle changes.”

"At first it was just a change in appetite; Maka began to crave raw meat, especially the flesh and blood of monsters imbued with magic."

The old professor's tone became even more somber:

"Then came the distortion of his mindset; he began to regard all living beings as 'blood resources,' including former companions and friends."

"In the end, Maka completely lost his humanity and became a monster that only knew how to kill and devour."

Yutel exclaimed:

"Although he has gained unprecedented power, he is no longer 'Maka', but a puppet of the will of 'Blood Drinker'."

This ending reminded Ron of his research on bloodline modulation.

Although he was always very cautious, he was indeed constantly trying to fuse different bloodline factors.

Maka's tragedy reminded him that he must always be wary of seemingly powerful shortcuts.

"It seems that you collected these swords not only as a memento, but also to warn future generations."

Ron said with deep feeling.

"exactly."

Yutel's phantom nodded slightly:

"Power itself is neither good nor evil, but the way one acquires power determines one's ultimate fate."

Each sword represents the limit of a path, and also a lesson learned from failure.

After saying that, the old professor began to drift towards the deepest part of the collection room.

The environment there was distinctly different from other areas; a sense of oppressive solemnity permeated the air, and even the passage of time seemed to slow down.

"Finally, I want to show you..."

Yutel stopped in front of a special display stand, his tone becoming unusually serious:
"The mysterious sword I found in the deepest part of the abyss."

Ron looked up and was immediately stunned by the sight before him.

It was a longsword completely bound by black chains, hovering in the center of a specially made sealing array.

The chains were not made of ordinary metal, but of some kind of living substance, with a dark red liquid flowing on their surface like blood.

On the other hand, the space around the sword also exhibits a subtle distortion.

It's as if reality itself loses its stability in the face of this sword, and is constantly at risk of being torn apart with cracks that are difficult to heal.

"This sword..."

Yutel's voice trembled slightly:
"I found it in a collapsed temple."

It is bound by thirteen different seals, each representing a sealing technique from a different era.

Ron did not risk prying into it. Since Yutel had already revealed its true nature, risking to pry into it would be tantamount to thinking that he hadn't been corrupted enough.

"Even with my abilities, I can only remove seven of the seals."

Yutel frankly admitted:
"After the seal was broken, I could feel a kind of... incomprehensible will within the sword."

The old professor's phantom floated back and forth in front of the sword, the silver light reflecting strangely in the distorted space: "The level of this fragment of consciousness may even surpass that of an ordinary apostle. Its very existence is affecting the surrounding structure of reality."

What do you think is the origin of this sword?

Ron asked cautiously, while trying to suppress the fear emanating from the "extraordinary recognition."

Yutel remained silent for a long time, and the phantom became even dimmer:
“Some knowledge is more dangerous the more you know. The level this sword involves is beyond what you should be aware of at present.”

He turned to Ron, his voice filled with a stern warning:

"I took it out of the sealed vault specifically to show you so that you would understand... that there are forces in this world that we cannot understand, nor should we understand."

Humility and reverence are sometimes more important than courage and wisdom.

Ron nodded in understanding, knowing that with his current strength, contact with beings of this level would only bring disaster.

After the introduction, Yutel turned to him, his eyes revealing anticipation:
“Your historical research skills have reached a considerable level, and I can sense your unique perception.”

The old professor pointed out:

"Why not try using your skills to analyze these Master Swords? Except for that sealed sword which you absolutely must not touch, you can try the others."

This suggestion made Ron's heart race.

Through his historical research skills, he was able to recreate fragments of memories from the masters of these swords and personally experience the battles of those legendary magic swordsmen.

"These swords contain fragments of their owners' memories before their deaths. With your skills, you might be able to recreate those crucial moments."

Yutel continued to explain:

"Not only can you learn about their history, but more importantly, you can learn the combat skills and craftsmanship of ancient magic swordsmen."

"This kind of opportunity is once in a lifetime."

Ron frankly expressed his interest:
"Being able to personally experience the battles of ancient magic swordsmen and learn the essence of their skills will be of great help to my research."

"I will make sure you are safe."

Yutel promised:

"If any anomalies are detected, I will immediately force a disconnection."

Moreover, my ethereal core is located deep within the observatory, providing the strongest protective barrier.

Under Yutel's guidance, Ron first took a bottle of "mental stabilizer".

Then, he sat down in the magic circle in the center of the collection room.

This magic circle is composed of silver runes, which can enhance historical perception and provide multiple protective barriers.

"Remember, you are just an observer and experiencer; don't try to change anything."

Yutel gave his final instructions:

"The weight of history is far greater than you can imagine, and any attempt to intervene may have unpredictable consequences."

Ron took a deep breath, placed his hand lightly on the hilt of "Frostbite," and activated the "Historical Research" skill.

The walls of the collection room flow like water, blurring the boundaries of time.

The first thing you see is that cursed land.

The sky was covered by thick, blood-red clouds. There was no sun or stars, only that oppressive dark red light.

The air was thick with a nauseating, corrosive odor, and with each breath, one could feel a sticky malice wriggling in their throat.

The scene on the ground was even more terrifying.

What should have been a plain covered with green grass is now filled with twisted chunks of flesh and white bones.

Countless corroded corpses lay half-buried in the soil, their eye sockets still flickering with the flames of undying resentment.

Ron finds himself "possessed" by Edric.

The first impression of the other person's physique is "powerful".

Standing nearly two meters tall, with muscles as solid as steel, every heartbeat conveys a chilling power coursing through his veins.

"The final battle..."

Edric gazed at the corrupted legion gathering in the distance, his voice filled with relief and resolve.

Ron could sense the complex emotions Edric was experiencing:
A calm acceptance of impending death, regret for not being able to save more comrades, deep hatred for the Corrupting Legion, and anticipation of reuniting with loved ones.

On the distant horizon, the Corruption Legion began its attack.

That was a nightmare army composed of various abyssal creatures:
Corrosive Finger Monster – A twisted monster the size of a house, its body is composed of eight enormous human fingers, each as thick as a battering ram and with nails as sharp as knives.

The Howlers—worm-like monsters hundreds of meters long, composed of countless twisted human bodies, whose mouths are always emitting shrill screams.

The flesh giant—standing tens of meters tall, its body is made of rotting flesh and blood, and with every step it sheds rotten organs, emitting a stench of death;
Nightmare Knight – A headless knight riding a burning bone horse, wielding a blood-dripping spear, whose hooves leave behind an ever-burning, eerie green flame.

"Come on, you disgusting things."

Edric gripped Frostbite tightly, and the blade was immediately covered in a thick layer of frost, with moisture in the air instantly condensing into ice crystals.

“We are all going to die today, but I guarantee you will die a much more gruesome death than I have.”

Edric raised "Frostbite," and Ron could feel the Arctic dragon blood surging wildly within him.

The feeling was like having liquid nitrogen injected directly into your blood vessels—cold but powerful.

Centered on Edric, a massive frost ripple spread outwards.

Wherever it passed, the air condensed into ice crystals, the earth was covered with a thick layer of ice, and even the corrosive miasma was frozen into a solid.

This is a domain skill, which only the strongest in the Bloodline Knight system can unleash, with strength approaching that of a Wizard of the Moon level.

The Corrosive Finger monsters charging at the forefront were instantly frozen into ice sculptures, and with a single slash of Edric's sword, they shattered into millions of crystalline ice shards.

But the Corruption Legion was simply too numerous, swarming like locusts.

Even though Edric's frost can freeze a large number of enemies, the subsequent attacks continue unabated.

Ron follows Edric's perspective, experiencing every swing of the sword, every block, and every dodge:
Faced with the howling creature's sonic attack, Edric conjured a massive ice wall to defend himself.

The sound waves, capable of shattering rocks, crashed against the ice wall with a thunderous roar. He then used the recoil to leap up and pierce the monster's sonic core with his sword.

When facing the flesh-and-blood giant head-on, he did not choose to fight with brute force, but instead used the freezing properties of "Frostbite" to gradually freeze the giant's joints.

First the knees, then the elbows, and finally the neck, completely dismembering it.

The Nightmare Knight's lance ripped through his shoulder, and blood splattered on the snow like red plum blossoms.

With a backhand strike, Edric severed half of the knight's body, and even the eerie green flames could not melt his frost armor.

After several hours of fighting, Edric was exhausted.

His bloodline power was nearly exhausted, the frost on "Frostbite" had become dull, wounds covered his entire body, and blood had stained the snow red.

The Corruption Legion's trump card has finally appeared: a "Dead Soul Dragon".

This monster was once a hybrid dragon with a noble bloodline.

But after being corrupted by the abyss, it became a terrifying fusion of flesh and metal.

The once beautiful dragon scales have been replaced by twisted devices, and the giant wings are covered with a dense network of pipes.

"Hahaha……"

Edric laughed shrilly, his eyes flashing with madness:
“I never imagined it would be you, my old friend, in the end… Seradin, I’ve come to see you off on your final journey.”

The sword began to emit a blinding white light, the surrounding temperature dropped sharply, and even the space itself began to form ice crystals.

"Eternally frozen!"

This was the strongest ultimate technique created by Edric and "Frostbite" together, and it was also the final echo of his life.

A beam of icy light pierced the sky and the entire plain was completely frozen.

The corrosive dragon was struck by the icy light, and its massive body was instantly frozen.

Moreover, the freezing effect was spreading at an alarming rate, turning the entire battlefield into a world of ice and snow.

The corrupting creatures that were still attacking were all frozen into statues, their malice and suffering forever sealed deep within the ice.

The time travel ended, and Ron's consciousness returned to the collection room.

[Historical Research (Proficient) Experience Points +1]

Bloodline Shaping (Proficient) Experience Points +1

[Melee Combat (Proficient) Experience +1]

……

"How do you feel?"

Yutel's voice roused him from his reverie.

"Shocking."

Ron answered succinctly:

"Edric's combat skills and mental fortitude have exceeded my expectations."

………………

Meanwhile, deep within the Sea of ​​No Light, on the fifth level of the Abyss.

"My little darling, Mommy is going to prepare a really, really delicious meal for you today."

Nari's voice was as soft as a feather brushing against flower petals:

"Yesterday, Mom went to a very, very far place to find the most nutritious food for you."

It carefully retrieved today's "special menu" from deep within the storage room.

Each of those precious materials, carefully preserved within biological vesicles, exudes a unique and powerful energy fluctuation.

(End of this chapter)