Lu Jun's spirit stirred as he alighted from the carriage and gazed upon the most mysterious Summoning Academy of the Incan Civilization.
It was a serene garden villa, built in ancient marble over four or five floors, with a dozen interconnected buildings, complete with sky gardens here and there.
Surrounding it were varied terrains: artificial lakes, botanical gardens, Gobi cliffs, tropical rainforest—home to countless demon beasts in domestication. Fierce roars echoed faintly in the air.
In the distance lay more buildings. This location was the Incan Empire's sacred core—not just home to the Summoning Academy, but also many of the Empire's secret projects.
Closest was the Psychic Academy—serene and solemn, neatly minimalist, dustless, emphasizing meditative Zen. Adjacent, a silver-white spire of special material emanated a mysterious detachment—that was the Space Academy.
These three Academy's ranked top three in the Empire's research Academies. Each year produced numerous geniuses; they formed the majority of Elder Council members and held significant influence in the Assembly.
Lu Jun understood well—the Elder Council oversaw nearly twenty magical disciplines of varying quality. Most were mediocre, inferior even to some Nine Provinces academies.
Only Summoning, Mind, and Space systems were exceptions.
Lower-ranked were Thunder, Water, Wind, Poison, and Chaos systems—but those were located further out.
"Looking at this, my position as Chief of Summoning is well merited," his eyes brightened. Being trapped in this strange time-space had distressed him—worried whether he could return, and what would happen to the national team in reality if delayed.
But now he wasn't in a hurry. Using his Chief-of-Summoning status, it would be effortless to learn the Incan Empire's Nazca secret summons. Gaining power was possible; being trapped longer didn't matter.
What?! That's "stealing knowledge"? Ridiculous—it's research assistance when done by the Chief Priest!
At the Elder Assembly location, his carriage and servants weren't allowed entry. Around him stood powerful wards—spatial locks, mental mists, storm barriers, and more.
Only Lu Jun proceeded alone.
As he passed along a cobblestone path through a small rainforest, he sensed cold, violent gazes in hidden corners—as if imprisoned by wolves. Each glance he made vanished instantly.
Lu Jun pondered: "Poisonous insects?"
The deadliest demonic creatures in South America weren't forest anacondas, blood-tiger demons, or caiman croc demons—they were the mysterious, ubiquitous Insect Kings.
Tropical rainforest poison insects were world-renowned, explaining why the Poison Academy ranked high in the Elder Council.
Indeed, a nation's magic systems mirrored its environment. With the Amazon, the Incan Empire's Thunder, Wind, Water, Poison, and Summoning systems were naturally formidable.
If not for the Incan Empire accidentally obtaining the Eye of Time-Space, the Space, Mind, and Chaos systems might not have risen to the fore.
Lu Jun's eyes were keen—he spotted Poison Academy priests collecting venomous insect charms in the small rainforest.
Soon, he stood before the Summoning Academy's entrance. Several priestly men stood, intensely discussing among themselves.
Upon seeing Lu Jun, their faces brightened. They eagerly greeted: "Lord Lu Jun, you've finally arrived. Whether the experiment succeeds depends on you."
"Experiment?"
Lu Jun frowned, but before he could speak, a wax-faced man grabbed him and pulled him inside, saying: "Elder Mina has been waiting for you."
Lu Jun, uncomfortable with strangers' enthusiasm, followed the rule of quiet observation.
Inside the Summoning Academy was a vast beast arena—all surrounded by iron cages. Two Summoning mages were fiercely locked in battle.
Lu Jun saw they were both advanced-tier. They used the Summoning high-tier spell Beast Tide Summon. Their faces were solemn. They manipulated star-constellation power, forging wild beast totems that rose behind them into a moon-white Contract Gate.
The spells: Beast Tide Summon · Wild Demon Gorilla! and Beast Tide Summon · Earth-Drake Armor!
Boom—Boom!
Two summoning gates opened. From one burst forth a horde of blood‑ink fueled gorillas. From the other came a bulldozing earth-dragon, scale-armored and yellow, sweeping everything in their path as dust clouds raged.
The spectacle was truly overwhelming—any mage with average composure would freeze in fear.
Lu Jun felt the grounds shake beneath him; buildings swayed. Thankfully, the architecture was sturdy enough to remain standing.
The two duelists were evenly matched. Each summoned around forty Great Warrior-level class beasts.
Lu Jun nodded. As a Summoning adept, he knew that differences in high-tier Beast Tide Summon lay in creature numbers and quality.
Level 1 summoning: standard 40 Warrior-level
Level 2: 80 warrior or trade 20 Warrior-level slots for 1 Commander beast (max 2)
Level 3: 120 Warrior-level or trade up to 4 Commander beasts
Summoning's strategy resembled games like "Starcraft" or "Red Alert"—Warriors as basic units. But with the same number, dedicated summoners could shine.
For example, a Warrior-level Blood‑Patterned Giant Rat couldn't compare to an Earth‑Drake Armor. One Earth‑Drake could easily slaughter three or four rat beasts.
Then there's command finesse. Environmental terrain matters. A summoner who just charges beasts mindlessly is no match for one with precise microcontrol and discipline—just don't be like Commander Kaishen.
(Mo Fan interjects: "But I think you're talking about me?")
Lu Jun knew Summoning's potential was immense. Advanced- and Super-Tier Summoners could utterly obliterate peers. Mo Fan's low presence was partly because his other systems were insane, and partly because of lack of legacy.
At that moment, beneath the beast cages, the two summoners had just completed their Beast Tide summoning. Their eyes flickered with chaotic light, and grey vortices formed behind each. With low roars, they cried: "Chaos · Replication!"
In an instant, Lu Jun watched in awe as a second moon-white Beast Tide Gate appeared beside the first—and a new beast horde surged out.
Eighty warrior versus eighty warrior, a titanic clash erupted. Blood, flesh, and rocks flew as the arena was ravaged.
"So this is the method of summoning replication. Impressive."
Lu Jun marveled. Consider the Fire system—they could kill maybe twenty warrior beasts with a single advanced-tier Fire Funeral. To counter an equivalent summoning, you'd need four advanced-tier Fire mages. The Incan Empire's art was truly worthy of its name.
He looked on with fervor—and a twinge of regret: "If only I could learn this… but sadly, it needs the Chaos system."
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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