Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Time is also known as moments.

The light flowing in the river is time itself; this is the river of time in the universe where the wizard civilization resides.

Generally speaking, those who are not saints cannot reach this place.

Master Xujing was no ordinary person.

What makes him special is that he, a person from a civilization of immortals and gods, was able to enter the timeline of the universe where the wizard civilization resides.

This indicates that the five saints of the Supreme Council of the Wizarding Civilization did not oppose Master Xu Jing's actions.

In this way, Master Xujing was able to so easily step from the wizarding world into this river of time.

The faint light emanating from Link's body was the "light of life" that Master Xu Jing had spoken of.

Every step leaves a trace.

Two beams of light traveled from the source of time in other universes. Whether in the universe of immortals and gods or in the universe of wizards, they would surely leave some trace.

It was through those traces that the Celestial Court of the Immortal Civilization and the Supreme Council of the Wizard Civilization jointly found the ray of light that fixed the fate of Celestial Venerable Michel.

The problem now is that, from all perspectives, the light that fixed the fate of Michelangelo was very likely not the one of the two lights whose fate is unknown.

Even that single beam of light had already lost its contents.

Both the Heavenly Court and the Supreme Council wanted to determine whether it was true or not as soon as possible, or to find the contents of the light as soon as possible.

This will help the immortal civilization cope with the crisis of the end of Dharma, and help the wizard civilization to further accumulate power and completely defeat the civilization of gods.

The Supreme Council's approach still adheres to the principle of transaction.

Take a bit of the Light of Life from Link, and compensate him with a fire elemental spirit, Alfretna.

The Heavenly Court's approach appeared relatively mild.

It's still a transaction, but it's non-invasive and won't cause Link any substantial loss; it just takes some time to accompany him.

Just like how Master Xujing spent some time accompanying Link to this place and that, giving him an endorsement, so that Link could bluff to some extent.

Link's previous actions can be described as a wizard's version of borrowing someone else's power.

In the long river of time.

Master Xujing watched as the faint light emanating from Link resonated with the flowing time in the river, and listened intently to the faint light's apparent whisper.

However, Master Xujing could not hear clearly what the faint light was whispering.

Judging from Link's expression, he didn't seem to have heard clearly either.

But is this really what Master Xujing saw?

The identity of Celestial Master Xu Jing cannot be confirmed.

For a level 5 sage-level wizard, controlling their facial expressions and subtle emotions is incredibly easy.

Given Master Xujing's status, it wouldn't be difficult for him to understand Link's thoughts and intentions.

But doing that is very disrespectful.

Therefore, Celestial Master Xu Jing asked directly, "Did you hear me clearly?"

Link snapped out of his daze and nodded, replying, "I heard you clearly."

This answer was slightly unexpected by Master Xujing, but it was also reasonable.

Since we're going to repay a favor, let's repay it completely.

No loss, no debt.

"May I ask you what you heard?"

When asked, Master Xujing's attitude softened somewhat.

"certainly."

Link nodded again and said, "I only heard one syllable. I don't know what language it is, but I can naturally understand its meaning: ruins."

"ruins?"

Master Xu Jing first repeated it to himself, then asked, "Can you repeat that syllable?"

"I'll give it a try."

As he spoke, Link tried to recall the syllables he had heard in the whispers of the dim light, and tried to imitate them by repeating the syllables.

However, both attempts ended in failure.

Even though the faint light kept whispering that syllable in Link's ear, Link couldn't recall it or repeat it.

With a slight frown, Link truthfully recounted his experience to Master Xu Jing.

This candor stems from a desire to understand the current situation from Celestial Master Xu Jing.

"Da Yin hope Sheng."

After listening, Master Xujing used a term from the realm of immortals and gods to describe Link's experience.

Upon hearing this, Link seemed to understand something.

But Link himself couldn't quite put his finger on what he had realized.

Let's leave it alone.

Looking around at the river of time, Link asked, "Master Xu Jing, does 'ruins' specifically refer to anything?"

"We have no clue yet."

As Master Xujing spoke, he extended his right hand.

This time, without needing to be emphasized, Link took the initiative to firmly grasp Master Xu Jing's right hand.

Another step forward.

Having experienced the same wondrous experience once again, the two returned from the river of time to the island in the stormy sea.

Releasing his grip, Celestial Master Xu Jing released his Starship and asked, "I've finished what I needed to do here and need to return immediately. Are you coming with me, or will you find another time?"

"Let's find another time. I still have some things to finish up."

Link thought for a moment and gave his answer.

"Well……"

Master Xu Jing pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, I'll put in a good word with the Supreme Council for you and reserve a spot for you that you can go at any time. You can use the entrance to the Celestial Master's Mansion then."

"Thank you for your kindness, but no need, I can handle it myself."

Link declined.

Master Xu Jing did not press the matter. After receiving the reply, he immediately boarded the starship and returned to the Immortal Civilization.

As he watched the Starship enter space directly from the Wizarding World with the permission of the High Council, Link looked down at the reef beneath his feet.

After returning from his journey through the River of Time, Link felt an ever-growing connection with the island beneath his feet, with the wizarding world, and with the will of the wizarding world.

To put it specifically, it's like how you used to control your phone through a tempered glass screen protector in your previous life, and then one day you suddenly peeled off the screen protector, and the gesture control experience suddenly became much smoother.

"so……"

Link murmured silently to himself, "You're all pushing me to face my 'preordained fate,' aren't you?"

Link couldn't help but have such doubts.

Even if a transaction was indeed necessary, the feedback Link received from the Elemental Saint and the Celestial Master Xu Jing was incredibly helpful and timely in improving Link.

Like water, they came one after another.

It gives Link the feeling that since you want to move forward, everyone will push you forward so that you can go faster and farther.

After finishing his self-talk, Link took a deep breath, composed himself, and blocked out useless emotions.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he summoned the highest-grade starship from the Immortal Civilization, which he had stolen from Lotesno.

Link told Master Xu Jing that he still had some things to finish, and indeed there were still some things to finish.

Now, Link needs to finish up those things and get back to work with a clean slate.

Three days later.

The disguised Starship arrived at the Shadow City, the headquarters of a family founded by a Level 6 Sage.

Strictly speaking, there wasn't much affection between Link and Christina.

Link had already foreseen Christina's death on the day she abandoned her daughter Garona and everything else to pursue revenge.

Link had also hinted at this.

Good advice is useless when it comes to a damned devil.

Since Christina wouldn't listen, Link didn't care anymore.

Whether she lives or dies is Christina's own business, and from that moment on, it has nothing to do with Link.

The reason I'm here today isn't to avenge Christina, but to help Garona resolve her inner conflict.

Garona never mentioned her feelings about Christina's death, but Link knew that Garona must be heartbroken.

Genetics is a very stubborn thing.

Christina's obsession was perfectly inherited by Garona.

Just as Garona said, Link's departure this time will be a long one.

Although the Great Sages of Rivo and Soth solemnly promised that Rivo-Soth Academy and the Diomand family would take good care of Garona, Link was still worried.

It wasn't that I was worried about the Academy and the Diomand family making mistakes, but rather that Garona might impulsively embark on a path of revenge against Christina.

Leaving without this worry is simple: just make sure Garona has no grudge to settle.

So Link came here.

One man, one boat, facing alone a family founded by a sixth-level sage.

The battle broke out without warning.

Moreover, it entered the highest intensity from the very beginning.

As the family's headquarters that he founded, the Level 6 Sage who represented Shadow City, bullied the weak, and reduced Christina to dust, invested heavily in this planet.

Concealment, defense, counterattack, retreat—that Level 6 Sage did everything he could: take cover, defend, counterattack, retreat.

Generally speaking, it can withstand the attack of a level 5 sage for a very long time, let alone the attack of a legion of a dozen or twenty level 5 sages.

If that Level 6 Sage himself were also at the family's headquarters, the question wouldn't be how long they could hold out, but rather how much they could achieve after launching a counterattack.

However, this ideal scenario was not even remotely possible when facing an attack from Link.

If the highest-grade starship from the Immortal God Civilization's export version were placed in the Wizard Civilization, what level would it be?

It's also barely good enough to serve as a temporary vehicle for five saints.

The starship, a vehicle of saintly status, activated its attack mode. Wasn't it only natural that its attacks would shatter the three-dimensional defense system built by a level six sage?

The level six sage in Shadow City stared blankly at the system that collapsed in less than ten seconds.

He couldn't understand why he had suddenly encountered such a devastating blow.

Why is that?

With the help of the Starship's probe, Link accurately located the Level 6 Sage who had abandoned the retreat plan.

Link put the Starship into intelligent combat mode, summoned his innate construct set that was most balanced in attack and defense, left the Starship, and came to the sixth-level sage.

"Who are you?"

The sixth-level sage snapped out of his daze and spoke in a strained voice, "What crime have I committed? To deserve this?"

Link's voice came from beneath his natal construct mask: "I am Link Grand, a fifth-level sage from Rivosos Academy, a fellow townsman of Christina, and the adoptive father of her daughter Garona. I've come to take your life."

Who is Christina?

The sixth-level sage's voice grew increasingly hoarse as he asked in bewilderment, "Grand Wizard, I've heard of your reputation, and I know how much the two civilizations of both universes value you, and how the Supreme Council indulges you. But why would you want to take my life because of someone I don't even know?"

"Oh……"

Link chuckled softly, offering no response.

Further discussion is pointless.

Moreover, usually only villains talk incessantly.

Link didn't consider himself a villain. Even though he didn't give a warning and just relied on his superior ships and cannons to break through the three-dimensional defense system of a sixth-level sage family, and then threatened to take the life of this sixth-level sage, his behavior was just like that of a villain among villains.

With his right hand outstretched, palm facing the Level 6 Sage, Link said indifferently, "You now have one chance: either withstand my attack, dodge it, or counterattack and defeat or kill me. The choice is yours."

As soon as he finished speaking, a faint light appeared between Link's brows.

Strands of silver light descended from between the eyebrows, converging at the center of the chest, then flowing down the right chest and arm before surging into the right palm.

The level six sage suddenly felt as if he had fallen into an extremely cold pool.

An endless pressure surged forth, like a massive explosion in the starry sky capable of destroying everything, threatening to crush him completely.

Faced with a life-or-death crisis, the Level 6 Sage could no longer care about the importance placed on the two universes and two civilizations, nor could he care about the indulgence of the Supreme Council.

If you want to take my life, I can take your soul in return!

To rise from a wizard apprentice to his current position, wield his current power, and build his current career, a sixth-level sage is certainly no ordinary person.

With a sudden surge of determination, he immediately began to fight with all his might.

From the perspective of a Level 6 Sage, Link Grand must have something to rely on to dare to step out of such a high-level, strange warship and fight alone against a higher level.

Moreover, this reliance is absolutely no less than that strange warship of such a high level.

Therefore, the Level 6 Sage believed that he truly only had one chance, just as Link Grand said.

Since that's the case, why not just go all out?

A level six sage establishes a clan and manages its headquarters, all for his own benefit, not for the benefit of the clan.

He's gone, what use is the family now?

With a single thought in mind, over hundreds of years of continuous operation, the building was gradually buried, and finally, the self-destruction measures were activated in an instant.

The level six sage himself also adopted his most ruthless stance, unleashing his most powerful attack.

He didn't seek to escape unscathed by killing Link Grand; he only wanted to perish together with Link Grand.

Even if we can't die together, we'll still get Link Grand covered in blood.

"He has guts!"

In response to the actions of the Level 6 Sage, Link smiled faintly and offered his condescending comment.

The Level 6 Sage felt a familiar connection to Link's reaction.

In a daze, the sixth-level sage remembered.

On one occasion, after returning from the front lines against the civilization of the gods to rest, the Shadow City assigned him a small mission: to eliminate a traitor along the way.

That traitor wasn't a high-level wizard, only a level three wizard, yet he was able to unleash combat power equivalent to a senior level four sage.

The task could have been easily handled by a level 5 sage, but it was assigned to him simply because he was going that way.

This made the Level 6 Sage very unhappy.

The traitor was quickly located, and the carefully constructed defense system was easily destroyed. The Level 6 Sage, looking down from above, gave the traitor an opportunity, and also gave himself an opportunity to vent his bad mood.

"You now have a chance: either withstand my attack, dodge my attack, or fight back and defeat or kill me. The choice is yours."

So that was my own original quote!

Watching Link Grand's figure suddenly break free of his lock and disappear along with the strange warship, feeling all his abilities completely bound by the strange warship that had vanished into nowhere, rendering him unable to move, and then being completely reduced to dust in the explosion at the family's headquarters.

The sixth-level sage has grasped the meaning. (End of Chapter)