Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

The banquet lasted for two hours. After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they took their leave one by one.

Lynn was about to leave when Grom called her back.

"Lord Lynn, please wait a moment."

Grom took out several spatial pouches and a bone plate from his pocket and handed them to Lynn.

Lynn took it and probed it with his mental energy.

The bone plate contains the names of various colleagues, their communication frequencies, and some numbers.

And those with pockets...

The first bag contained... 20,000 magic stones!

The second 20,000...

The third 20,000...

Six bags, totaling 120,000 magic stones.

Lynn was stunned.

"This is..."

He looked up at Grom.

Grom smiled and said, "It's a small token of my appreciation from your colleagues, a farewell gift for you. Take it."

Wow—so generous?

Lynn remained silent for a moment, then understood.

For the past ten years, he has kept a low profile at the outpost and has had little contact with anyone except Haske.

These 120,000 magic stones were less a matter of "colleagueship" and more an investment.

Hmm... I have the same idea as Roland.

A young man who has risen from the first ring to the third ring in ten years has unlimited potential. While he can still build some connections, spending some magic stones to make a good relationship is a win-win situation.

He didn't refuse, carefully put away the spatial bag, and solemnly clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you all, I will remember this."

Since his colleagues think so highly of him, he should accept the position. Perhaps he can help them out when he rises to prominence in the future.

Grom nodded in satisfaction.

Then he took out a spatial bag from his pocket and handed it over: "This is a small token of my appreciation."

Lynn probed with his spiritual power and found another 30,000 magic stones.

He frowned slightly and pushed the bag back: "Sir, this is too valuable, I cannot accept it."

"Here you go." Grom shoved the bag back into his hand.

"We've worked together for ten years, and although we haven't seen each other often, you're a reliable, honest, and trouble-free person. You're sure to go far in the future, and I find you agreeable."

"These magic stones are nothing. Just remember this old man when you become successful in the future."

Lynn tried to decline, but Grom had already turned and walked out, waving his hand as he went:

"Alright, stop dawdling. Go back and pack your things. Be careful on the road."

Lynn watched his retreating figure and finally gave up on refusing, putting the bag away safely.

"Thank you, sir."

...

Back in Shadow Mine, Lynn began preparing for his departure.

An army of the undead, various materials and equipment, planted potions, and inscribed magic circles...

I have been here for a full ten years, which is more than the time I would have spent in the academy.

He has grown from a fifteen-year-old boy into a twenty-five-year-old young man.

Hmm... I'm a father of two now...

Although one is still swimming in the River Styx...

As soon as I entered the fortress, a small figure rushed over.

"Father!"

Lin Shu hugged his leg tightly, tilted her head up, and looked up with bright, sparkling eyes.

Over the years, Lin Shu and Lin En haven't had many opportunities to spend time together, but due to their blood ties, Lin Shu still relies heavily on Lin En.

Lynn looked down at her.

The six-year-old child, barely reaching his waist, had two little braids and a chubby face, completely different from the baby in swaddling clothes he was six years ago.

Xixi followed behind, bowed to Lynn, and then tactfully stepped aside.

Lin Shu has already begun her cultivation.

As arranged by Lynn, she cultivated earth magic as the main focus and soul magic as a secondary focus, which was the most suitable path for her talents.

She is now a first-class apprentice, which is only the beginning, but it is already quite good among her peers.

"Father, are we moving?" Lin Shu asked, tugging at his sleeve and looking up.

Lynn nodded: "Okay, back to the academy."

"Academy?" Lin Shu blinked. "What kind of place is that? Is it fun?"

"A place for cultivation," Lynn said, looking at her. "That place isn't suitable for you. You should go back to the Night Song family with Xixi."

Lin Shu's smile froze on her face.

"Back...back to the Night Song family?" She released her grip, took a step back, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Father doesn't want me anymore?"

Lynn crouched down to be at eye level with her.

"It's not that I don't want you." His tone was calm, but gentler than usual.

"The Bone Spire is a dark wizarding academy, where one cultivates the path of the undead and death. You, on the path of the earth, will only be hindered there."

"The main world environment is more suitable for your cultivation, and the Night Song family will fully support you. Why suffer at the academy?"

Tears welled up in Lin Shu's eyes. She bit her lip and whispered, "But...but I want to be with Father..."

Lynn remained silent for a moment.

He raised his hand and took out a small, silver-white longevity lock from his pocket.

The lock is engraved with intricate runes, and a crystal the size of a grain of rice is inlaid in the center.

"Here, take this."

He hung the longevity lock around Lin Shu's neck.

The buckle feels slightly warm when it touches the skin, but then returns to normal.

Lin Shu looked down at the lock on her chest, then looked up through teary eyes: "What is this?"

"I crafted it myself," Lynn said, pointing to the runes on the lock.

"It contains defensive magic that will automatically protect you in case of danger, and also a spatial teleportation spell that will teleport you to a safe place at the last moment if the defenses are broken."

His fingers lightly traced the lock: "Inside, I've sealed off a space; only you can open it."

"When you grow a bit older and your mental strength is strong enough, you'll be able to unlock the first level. Inside, you'll find the meditation methods, witchcraft, cultivation resources, magic stones, and magic potions you'll need..."

"At each stage, you can unlock a new level, enough for you to cultivate to become a formal wizard."

Lin Shu was stunned.

She looked down at the longevity lock on her chest, her small hands gently touching the runes, and tears finally streamed down her face.

"Father..." she choked out, "I...I will always carry it with me...I will always carry it with me..."

Lynn raised her hand and gently ruffled her hair.

Although Lynn didn't pay much attention to this "adopted daughter" at first, she still developed some feelings for her after spending several years together.

But the path of a wizard is long, and he cannot stop because of these romantic entanglements.

Now, the only thing I can do is keep her away from me and let her grow up in a safe and comfortable environment.

He stood up and looked at Xixi, who was not far away: "Take good care of her."

Xixi nodded quickly, "Don't worry, sir, I will definitely take good care of Lin Shu!"

Lynn didn't say anything more and turned to walk towards the fortress hall.

Behind her, Lin Shu clutched the longevity lock to her chest, crying as she whispered, "Father... I will work hard to cultivate... When I become a formal wizard, I will come to find you..."

Lynn paused, but did not turn around.

...