Lynn's spiritual domain was now filled with vaporized spiritual power. Thanks to the high-pressure environment and the continuous influx of external energy, the spiritual force within his domain had been forcibly compressed into a fully vaporized state.
As a result, his spiritual domain had reached the very limit of a First-Level Wizard it could now hold 175 points of spiritual power.
But even then, the external surge of spiritual force showed no signs of stopping!
Lynn's cultivation was rising like the tide, climbing higher and higher, charging rapidly toward the threshold of Second-Level Wizard!
At that very moment, deep within the Seven-Star Temple, Lynn sat cross-legged, his body bathed in a soft cyan radiance.
From the center of his forehead, spiritual energy began to spill out, drifting into the air like mist, forming a scene that was both sacred and mysterious.
Not far away, Qi stood quietly, watching Lynn with a furrowed brow, seemingly deep in thought.
In this most recent raid, the amount of faith power they had extracted from the Seven-Star Temple was unimaginably vast hundreds of times greater than the last time!
This immense spiritual harvest also meant that the Azure Sky Spirit housed within Lynn was able to absorb and convert a tremendous amount of faith power and in doing so, it generated an unprecedented surge of spiritual force that poured into Lynn in return.
Like a vast ocean, this power washed over Lynn's spiritual domain.
In Qi's eyes, Lynn's once immature spiritual field was now expanding, evolving, and breaking through at a speed he had never seen before.
He muttered under his breath,
"Looks like… he's going to break through to Second-Level very soon."
But what Qi didn't know was that while he was watching Lynn from the outside...
Lynn's consciousness had already sunk deep into his spiritual domain where he was speaking with the Maple Tree Spirit that resided at the core of the Azure Sky Spirit.
"Keep going."
Lynn's voice was low, firm, and filled with an obsession so intense it felt like it could tear his mind apart.
"Give me more spiritual power!"
The Maple Tree's voice rustled through the spiritual winds, laced with a hint of hesitation:
"Your spiritual power is already enough to break through the Second-Level threshold… Do you still want more? This isn't wise."
At this moment, the tree's consciousness was coiled deep within the heart of the Azure Sky Spirit its ancient, slumbering form embedded like old roots in the void. Quiet and unseen, it had fully seized control of the spirit's spiritual source.
When faith power entered the Azure Sky Spirit, most of it was absorbed by the spirit itself yet a small portion was consistently redirected to Lynn.
And now, with just a single thought, the Maple Tree could unleash a tidal wave of spiritual force drenching Lynn's spiritual domain.
To a Wizard, the spiritual domain was their soul's core the only vessel capable of holding spiritual power.
And while spiritual power was the very foundation of supernatural strength, if it exceeded the domain's capacity, it would be like pouring too much water into a ceramic cup at best, it would crack. At worst, shatters completely.
Like blowing up a balloon inflating it too much, and it bursts.
But Lynn was different.
As a Nature Wizard, his spiritual domain wasn't empty. Within it, a strange and spiritual plant had long since taken root, bringing vitality and resilience to the entire domain making it far stronger than that of a typical First-Level Wizard.
That was why he dared to make such a mad request.
And the Maple Tree knew this too. After a pause, it added:
"I can give you more spiritual power but understand this…"
"If your domain overloads, the pain will be immense. You could suffer mind-rending agony, splitting headaches, even a total collapse of consciousness…"
If spiritual power was left unrefined or unpurged, the sheer excess could cause the soul to tear, the brain to burst, and the mind to spiral into chaos.
Of course, Lynn knew all this. He took a deep breath and said with finality:
"This is a rare chance. Compared to a bit of pain, I'd rather take it all in at once and grow strong quickly… You should be able to sense my domain's current limit
just fill it to the brim!"
The Maple Tree fell silent for a few seconds. It could clearly "see" Lynn's spiritual domain was now swollen to its absolute edge spiritual power surging inside like a stormy sea, pressing hard against the limits, nearly spilling out.
But it also heard the unyielding resolve in Lynn's voice.
And so, it didn't argue further.
Instead, it took full control of the Azure Sky Spirit
BOOM!
A dazzling surge of cyan-green divine light burst from the center of Lynn's forehead, like the first thunder of spring, overflowing with vibrant energy!
This light was more intense, more blinding than ever before.
Spiritual power flooded into Lynn's body like a reversed river of divine energy!
What started as a faint mist at his brow had now grown into dense fog, engulfing his entire figure.
The entire chamber was now bathed in a storm of spiritual force, a cyan-green tempest.
Meanwhile, outside Qi had already sensed the disturbance.
His pupils shrank as he stared at Lynn's rapidly "rising" spiritual presence, his expression unusually grim.
"What's going on? The Azure Sky Spirit's… feedback strength suddenly spiked?"
"Could something have gone wrong?"
He had no way of knowing.
The transformation of the spiritual domain was an extremely private matter even someone of Qi's level found it difficult to peer into Lynn's true internal state.
But he also understood that this was a critical moment for Lynn's breakthrough. If he were to interrupt now, the consequences could be disastrous.
"Let's hope the divine power stored in this temple is enough to satisfy the Azure Sky Spirit…"
A trace of concern flickered in Qi's eyes.
More than anyone, he understood just how rare this opportunity was.
With the divine power of the Seven-Star Goddess Temple now compromised, those divine factions would surely begin reclaiming the spiritual power stored in the lower temples ahead of schedule.
Even if they succeeded in another hunt later, the harvest would likely be nothing compared to this time perhaps not even a fraction of it.
Boom!
An overwhelming surge of power erupted from within Lynn like a volcanic explosion!
His aura soared in an instant, transcending the peak of the First-Level Wizard stage he had already reached.
Now, with the massive infusion of spiritual power, it was as if he had shattered an invisible shackle, hurtling headlong toward the threshold of Second-Level Wizard!
His spiritual domain quaked violently deep within his mind, it was as though a lock had been pried open, unleashing dormant potential and awakening a slumbering will.
The surging spiritual power within him resonated with his consciousness like never before, like a great bird spreading its wings in a roaring wind, soaring toward the sky!
He kept his eyes closed. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but his body remained motionless as if enduring a trial at the very edge of his limits.
Though the Maple Tree had once said that the three stages of a formal wizard's path were part of a greater overarching phase and that advancement within the phase didn't compare to the evolutionary leap of crossing into a new phase even so, the progress was still significant.
And this advancement brought with it improvements on every front.
First and foremost: spiritual power.
The Second-Level Wizard stage also had three phases, much like the First Level. But the key difference was that each phase of the Second Level started from a full 100 points higher.
Whereas a First-Level Wizard's spiritual power grew from 100 to a peak of 175,
A second-level Wizard's spiritual power started at 200 and could reach as high as 275!
This was no small leap.
Beyond spiritual power, Second-Level Wizards also gained the ability to construct a second permanent spell imprint within their spiritual domain, allowing them to inscribe a true Second-Level formal spell.
Second-level spells were vastly superior to those of the First Level.
Once the imprint was successfully formed, a Second-Level Wizard could easily overwhelm any First-Level Wizard.
Along with this imprint came the infusion of energy factors into the body this would further enhance the wizard's physical form.
The path of a wizard had never been solely about power. It was a journey of life's transformation and elevation.
Each breakthrough represented a profound remaking of the self.
Thus, beyond strength, Second-Level Wizards were simply more advanced beings.
This manifested most clearly in their lifespan:
First-Level Wizards typically lived up to 250 years, rarely exceeding 300.
Second-Level Wizards, however, could live up to 500 years.
This wasn't just added time it was the capital to pursue truth, delve deeper into experimentation, strategize across generations, and gain true control over one's fate.
In the wizarding world, Second-Level Wizards were no longer obscure figures.
They were powerful enough to found their sects, stake claims to lands rich in resources, or even form wizard clans that would stand the test of time in a world of chaos and order.
Even if they didn't choose to rule independently, major forces wizarding academies, supernatural organizations, and even colossal powers like the City of Machines would eagerly offer them a place.
For First-Level Wizards, entering a place like the City of Machines required multiple layers of testing: skills, knowledge, compatibility…
But for Second-Level Wizards? No tests for direct admission.
This policy alone showed the highest recognition of Second-Level status across the entire world.
At that moment, Lynn's entire body was bathed in a vivid, emerald glow.
It was a green light like the breath of spring, full of life and rhythm, dancing gently around him.
That radiance was the manifestation of the Azure Sky Spirit.
The light flowed like water from his pores, then reversed like falling rain into his body again and again in a continuous cycle.
Each cycle seemed to cleanse both his spirit and his flesh.
Aside from that refreshing green aura, there was also a faint mist lingering around Lynn's body.
This wasn't ordinary mist it was a sign of spiritual power becoming tangible.
Like a veil of pale silver gauze, the mist-shrouded his entire body, swirling and curling through the air, half-hidden and half-revealed, adding a mysterious and unfathomable aura to him.
This was spiritual mist a rare phenomenon that only appeared when a wizard was on the verge of breaking through to the Second-Level, caused by the sudden overflow of rapidly surging spiritual power.
Within the entire wizard system, for most first-level wizards, breaking through to the second level was an arduous and meticulous process.
They not only needed a complete and reliable advanced meditation method but also had to gather a suitable spell template.
And with the aid of specific magical potions, they would catalyze their spiritual energy, pushing their consciousness into a high-intensity impact only then would they have a chance of carving the second permanent spell imprint into their mental domain.
But at this moment, Lynn was breaking every convention.
Although he hadn't acquired a complete meditation method, the Azure Sky Meditation he possessed was already sufficient to carry him through the entire path to Second-Level.
This meditation method was extraordinary, inherited from the Divine Dynasty of Nature, and perfectly suited for a nature wizard like him.
As for the Second-Level spell template, while Lynn hadn't sought one out himself, he had already inherited numerous rare templates from Maple's memory.
Those elegant, refined, and nature-infused spell structures had long been repeatedly studied and etched into his mind.
The only missing piece was the potion.
For most wizards, magical potions were the key to breaking through.
They ignited latent spiritual power, enabling the mind to undergo a short burst of high-intensity shock and thereby forcefully construct a spell imprint.
But Lynn didn't need potions at all.
The spiritual energy fed back by the Azure Sky Spirit surged like an ever-flowing spring, wave after wave pouring into his mental domain.
That sense of abundance was almost absurd as if he were "so rich it overflowed."
There was no pressure, no constraints just a boundless tide of natural spiritual energy that lifted, enveloped, and transformed his entire being!
Even Maple, in his prime, had never experienced such "extravagant waste" of spiritual energy during his advancement from first level to second level.
"Fortunately… ever since Maple awakened, I've been preparing for this day, memorizing every required template in advance."
Lynn murmured, his voice laced with barely restrained excitement.
With that, he slowly closed his eyes, letting his consciousness sink deep into his mental domain.
There, vast and profound, was a starry sea of void.
At its core shimmered a faintly glowing spell imprint like an ancient carved rune, standing firm in the depths of his mind.
This was Tranquility of the Void, the illusion spell he had trained from the very beginning of his First-level journey.
Through countless meditations, real combat, and fine-tuning, this spell had long since evolved into his first permanent spell imprint.
Now, he would carve a new "brand" into this mental world!
An imprint worthy of a Second-Level wizard a truly powerful, stable, and nature-attuned spell totem.
Next to the Tranquility of the Void imprint, Lynn stretched out a mental hand and began outlining strange, ancient symbols in the starlit void.
These symbols didn't come from thin air. They were part of the deeply memorized template content he had stored in his mind, now awakened one by one from memory.
The power of the Azure Sky Spirit continued pouring in, allowing this spell totem to transform from imagination into a slowly forming, solidifying construct within his consciousness.
Each symbol drawn required a release and consumption of spiritual energy.
But with the endless supply from the Azure Sky, Lynn could almost afford to waste it lavishly.
Though the surging flow of energy still caused his head to throb violently his consciousness threatening to derail more than once he gritted his teeth and endured.
He had rehearsed this process thousands of times. Every stroke, every curve, every twist was etched into his muscle memory. He could draw them blindfolded without error.
This was a carving destined for success all it needed was time.
Time slowly passed within his mental world. Outside, the temple remained deathly still.
The glow of the Azure Sky Spirit still shimmered vibrantly like fresh leaves in an early spring forest, full of life and renewal.
Lynn sat cross-legged at the center of the grand hall, posture straight as a pine tree. The spiritual mist swirling around him grew denser by the second, making him look like a soul statue on the verge of breaking free from its cocoon.
He remained motionless, yet it felt as though the entire temple was breathing and resonating with him.
Qi stood silently, watching the figure enshrouded in azure light. Though calm on the surface, a hint of uncertainty stirred within him he truly had no idea when Lynn would finally break through.
"When will he… take that final step?"
Qi murmured to himself, eyes narrowing slightly.
But just then his pupils suddenly contracted, and his brows furrowed tightly!
Between Lynn's brows, a sudden change occurred.
It was the place where the spiritual mist had always been the thickest almost like a vent to his spiritual world, from which invisible smoke would often drift out.
But now, the mist no longer dispersed aimlessly.
Instead, it began to gather.
Like thick storm clouds rolling in the sky, heavy and oppressive, slowly condensing into a mass of spiritual "thunderclouds" that could no longer be ignored.
As the thunderclouds compressed further, a single translucent droplet, glowing faintly with a silvery sheen, began to form deep within Lynn's brow.
It fell.
This was no ordinary water it was spiritual essence, refined from pure mental power itself!
"Spiritual liquefaction?!"
This was the most direct and iconic sign of breaking into the second level of a wizard's realm.
Spiritual energy was no longer in its loose, gaseous state. Instead, under massive accumulation and intense compression, it began to transform into a higher state of existence.
This transformation didn't just mark Lynn's successful breakthrough it also signified a fundamental elevation in the quality and density of his mental plane!
"He's done it."
Qi murmured to himself, though his gaze remained sharp and focused.
Just then, he noticed another strange phenomenon.
The spiritual mist that had been swirling around Lynn began to rapidly dissipate before his eyes like a sea of fog losing its anchor, dissolving into specks of light that floated into the void.
But it wasn't that the mist had vanished it was undergoing a more profound transformation.
Gentle wisps of luminous fog began to rise from Lynn's body, sparkling with dewdrop-like glimmers.
It was no longer a simple gaseous form, but rather a "spiritual mist" with hints of liquidity crystalline, radiant, like the dew of a pristine dawn, holy and alive.
This was a further evolution of spiritual energy.
"…The Azure Sky Spirit is still feeding him power?"
Qi's gaze grew increasingly complex, as an almost unbelievable thought formed in his mind.
He was sensing the fluctuations in Lynn's spiritual power it was skyrocketing as if a dam had burst.
Two hundred points… two hundred ten… two hundred twenty…
Every ten points meant another internal shift, a structural reorganization within his spiritual realm!
"Two hundred twenty-five… He's already at the peak of the early second level. One more step, and he'll reach mid-tier…"
But the number kept climbing!
Two hundred thirty… two hundred forty…
"This guy can't be serious"
Qi's eyes flickered sharply. Something felt off. The Azure Sky Spirit's actions were far more extreme this time compared to before.
The first time, the spirit had only gifted Lynn a bit of mental energy, keeping most of the divine faith energy for itself.
But this time, it was refueling Lynn again and again almost as if it was trying to push him to the absolute limit of what a Second-Level wizard could reach.
Just as this thought took shape in his mind and he was about to react
The world around them suddenly convulsed!
Qi's eyes narrowed in alarm as a profound sense of danger surged through him.
He instinctively raised his hand and grabbed it, unleashing a burst of dazzling golden light!
The light fell like a divine veil, instantly enveloping Lynn along with the Azure Sky Spirit and forcibly drawing them into a surreal, dreamlike pocket space.
In the next instant, the golden radiance vanished.
All three figures disappeared from the hall.
And just as they vanished
A divine pressure suddenly descended from the heavens above the Seven-Star Temple, shaking the entire realm like a god had awakened!
BOOM!!!
An overwhelming, indescribable force of divine might crashed down from the void, lighting up the entire temple with divine brilliance!
Within that ocean of divine light, a familiar and terrifying figure slowly took form.
It was none other than Mage Bede.
His expression was ice-cold, radiating murderous intent. He, who should have been on the frontlines of battle,
was now standing in the temple gaze as sharp as blades, locked onto the direction where the others had just vanished.
But he didn't immediately give chase.
Instead, he turned first to inspect the sacred Seven-Star Artifact, ensuring its safety.
And then, his face darkened.
He discovered that the divine faith energy within this temple once overflowing was now shockingly thin.
The artifact had exited its awakened state… and had been stalled for who knows how long.
"Damn it!"
Mage Bede clenched his fists, a murderous aura erupting.
The artifact's stalled revival was bound to draw the goddess's attention.
He, one of the Seven Stars, had not only failed the goddess's expectations
She had already sensed everything.
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