In the wizard's cultivation system, every time one breaks through to a higher realm, a permanent magical imprint is etched into the spiritual domain.
However, this process is not without preparation.
To successfully form the imprint, one must first construct a corresponding level of spell template in advance.
Lynn's promotion, on the other hand, had been rather abrupt.
Before heading to the Thirteenth Material Plane, he had never expected that he would break through multiple stages in such a short time and directly step into the level of a second-level wizard.
As a result, he had not prepared a second-level spell template beforehand.
Fortunately, his mind still retained much of the knowledge passed down from Maple Tree regarding Second Level wizardry.
And within those fragments of memory were several complete Second Level spell templates.
In some ways, these templates were even more suited to Lynn's path than what he might have discovered on his own.
After all, the development of wizardry had long since branched into countless schools and directions.
There were broad categories like elemental wizards, nature wizards, mechanical wizards, and so on and even within a single category, there were subtle, nuanced differences.
Take mechanical wizards as an example: some pursued the construction of mechanical legions and aspired to become lords of steel armies; others devoted themselves to full-body mechanical transformation, chasing the legendary realm of "flesh is weak, machine ascends."
As for nature wizards, their future path undoubtedly centered around the cultivation of extraordinary plants born from their own power.
Such a path required a system of spells that harmonized with nature and supported their growth.
Yet, in the southern regions of the wizard world, while nature spells weren't exactly rare, they were difficult to access for someone like Lynn, lacking a powerful background, and still weak in ability.
Therefore, even if he hadn't stepped foot into the Thirteenth Material Plane, he likely would have chosen one of the nature templates provided by Maple Tree.
After careful consideration, Lynn finally made his choice.
He selected a Second Level nature spell template named "Verdant Canopy's Descent."
As the name suggests, it was a high-level spell designed specifically for arboreal extraordinary plants.
From a functional standpoint, "Verdant Canopy's Descent" did not fall into the typical categories of offensive, defensive, escape, or healing spells.
It was a domain-type composite spell, one that combined multiple effects and condensed the will of nature into a defined space.
Yes, a domain spell!
This type of spell is essentially a collection of many capabilities.
On the bright side, it encompasses offense, defense, control, healing, and more a true all-rounder, the very definition of a "jack-of-all-trades" spell.
But as the saying goes, "A jack-of-all-trades is a master of none." Domain spells often lack sharpness and specialization, making it hard to match the sheer potency of single-function, highly refined spells.
At the lower tiers, domain spells are extremely rare.
Only high-tier wizards typically have the mental strength and spell foundations required to cast and control them.
Powerful domain spells from high-tier wizards can overwhelm others simply through the sheer weight of their magical tier, negating the shortcomings of their generalist nature.
But Lynn's "Verdant Canopy's Descent" was only a second-level domain spell.
Though not the lowest-level beginner spell, it was still inferior in raw power compared to other second-level spells that focused solely on destruction or impenetrable defense.
Still, it was the best option available to Lynn at the moment.
Among all the knowledge passed down by Maple Tree, this template aligned most closely with Lynn's current cultivation path and his direction as a nature wizard.
That said, Lynn couldn't help but complain a little in his heart.
Maple Tree, being a high-tier being, should've had vast knowledge and yet, when it came to Second Level spell templates, the selection was pitifully small.
He couldn't help but suspect that this was tied to Maple Tree's background.
Many powerful factions enforced strict contracts to prevent the spread of core spells. Even inheritors might not be allowed to share such knowledge freely.
The limited selection Lynn received was probably a byproduct of these restrictions.
"Well… better than having nothing at all," Lynn muttered quietly, his gaze falling to his palm.
He slowly extended his hand, and as his energy channels activated, waves of verdant energy rippled outward from his body, like spring awakening and the earth warming.
If fully extended, the domain covered an area of several dozen meters in radius.
Within this domain, Lynn's spiritual recovery rate improved, and the strength of his extraordinary plants received a notable boost.
"No wonder this nature spell synergizes so well with extraordinary plants… The most important element here is still my companion plant, Yfgríd..."
With a thought, Lynn summoned Yfgríd's presence to the far edge of the domain, and in the blink of an eye, it returned to his side.
Under the domain's enhancement, Yfgríd could now perhaps exert power equivalent to that of a Second Level wizard.
But in reality, Yfgríd itself was still only at First Level…
"If Yfgríd's tier improves, then this domain spell can still be upgraded," Lynn contemplated.
"When it breaks through to Second Level, perhaps my second permanent spell imprint can unleash the full potential of 'Verdant Canopy's Descent'..."
Thinking this, Lynn focused his mind on checking on Yfgríd's status in his spiritual domain.
At long last, he had a moment to reflect on the breakthroughs he had achieved to feel the power of a Second Level wizard firsthand.
Deep within the Spirit of the Azure Sky, Maple Tree quietly observed this unfamiliar world.
This was the outer plane of the Divine kingdom the very source of supernatural power, the sacred space where gods forged their divine realms.
"As for the gods..." Maple Tree finally spoke, his voice low and thoughtful. "I know a little about them. And truth be told… the current situation might not be entirely bad for us."
Before he had even finished, Lynn had already shifted his attention from the spiritual realm and was listening intently to the words of this high-tier being.
"That 'Goddess of the Weave' her true form is likely a Supreme Deity. Her divine realm shines like a galaxy, her faith spreads far and wide, and she commands countless followers. I suspect she could easily sustain many material planes like this one."
"However…" Maple Tree paused, his gaze deep and unreadable. "From what we can perceive right now, this divine realm appears to be… undeveloped."
"It's still in a nearly primitive, nascent state as though it hasn't been fully infused or reshaped by divine power."
"So I have a theory: this isn't the divine realm of her true form, but rather a projected divine realm… belonging to one of her divine avatars."
He spoke with a calm tone, but every word sent a ripple through Lynn's heart.
"In other words, the other party has yet to fully establish her dominion over this divine realm. She does not yet possess the true authority of a god-king over her divine kingdom."
"Someone like her likely cannot, as the true gods do, reshape the heavens and earth or dictate all things with a single thought."
If a true deity had fully forged their divine kingdom, their spiritual will would permeate every inch of the realm, transforming them into a creator.
With a mere thought, they could raise the sky, summon mountains, birth the sun and moon, and set the laws of the world in motion.
Every life within such a divine kingdom would instinctively bow to their divine authority.
But clearly, this world had yet to reach that level.
If the Weave Goddess's incarnation had not completed the construction of her divine realm, then she would struggle to directly lock onto Lynn using her divine authority, let alone suppress him with the will of her divine kingdom.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Lynn's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope.
If this was true, then he might still have a sliver of a chance!
"The immediate priority…" Lynn muttered to himself, rapidly organizing his thoughts.
"I must quickly find other wizards, or get in contact with that otherworldly being Qi. He surely understands this world better than I do."
The situation was clear now. Lynn knew he could not afford to remain in place.
If he hesitated, once the Weave Goddess gained complete control over her divine kingdom, even his last hope would vanish.
So, he made a swift decision: explore the surroundings and seek allies or information.
Unfortunately…
Perhaps because they had entered a projection of a divine realm, the laws here had shifted. The very fabric of this world was filled with interference and isolating forces.
Lynn tried to use a communication device to contact other mechanical wizards, but the faint signal vanished like a stone sinking into the sea no response whatsoever.
With no way to contact his comrades, Lynn had no choice but to press forward alone, navigating this dreamlike and bizarre world.
Underfoot, he stepped on soft, floating clouds, surrounded by a sea of vibrant, dazzling mist.
These clouds were no ordinary vapor. Their colors were so rich and saturated that they bordered on grotesque, painfully bright to the eye.
It was as if shattered rainbows had been scattered across the sky, dazzling and surreal, giving one the illusion of being inside a dream.
The space here was indescribably vast and empty.
It was as if time and direction had been erased no north, south, east, or west remained.
The entire world was wrapped in endless layers of multicolored clouds. No end was visible, no boundary above or below only drifting mist and a mysterious rhythm pulsing through the air.
In this dreamlike sea of clouds, Lynn was alone, so small he seemed like a speck of dust.
His figure slowly disappeared into the thick, vibrant fog, swallowed by layer upon layer of dreamlike clouds, gradually fading from view, impossible to find again.
If one were to pull back the perspective higher and higher, up through millions of cloud layers to the highest point of this plane
They would discover that this was a self-contained, sealed divine realm.
It was vast beyond imagination, nearly infinite, filled to the brim with clouds of every color.
Within the swirling mist, countless strange and fantastical visions danced dreamlike, poetic, and beautiful yet always tinged with unease and pressure.
This was no natural land, but rather a reflection of a god's dream a manifestation of divine will.
Even though millions of beings from the previous battlefield had been forcibly drawn into this place, they had not managed to fill it.
On the contrary, they were like raindrops falling into the sea quickly swallowed and isolated by the divine realm.
This meant that almost every intruder in the divine kingdom had become completely isolated.
A fortunate few wizards encountered one another by chance and formed groups, preserving a shred of safety and hope.
But far more were left alone some facing enemies from the moment they arrived.
The divine agents of the Weave Goddess were more familiar with this unique divine kingdom.
They understood the terrain, knew the rules, and quickly adapted to the environment.
Thus, before some wizards could even adjust to the new rules or the altered gravity, they were hunted down without even having time to react.
And somewhere in the heart of this dreamlike realm, at the center of the cloud sea, a solitary and radiant figure stood suspended in midair.
It was a woman.
She wore a gown as black as night, its hem gently fluttering amidst the clouds.
Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders to her waist like a waterfall. Her skin was flawless, her face breathtakingly beautiful like a sculpture of divine jade, untouched by mortal dust.
Her gaze was cold and unreadable, her eyes reflecting the illusions hidden within the clouds, yet showing no flicker of emotion.
She was the true master of this divine kingdom the incarnation of the Weave Goddess.
Just as Maple had suspected
Though she possessed a divine spark and the power to forge a divine kingdom, she was not the true original deity. She had not spent millennia perfecting every law and rule of this realm.
Therefore, the divine realm she had summoned was still in a state where chaos and infancy coexisted.
There was no complete order here, no fixed laws.
Clouds surged, space twisted, and the boundaries between emotion and thought were blurred. Even the flow of time could differ drastically from one region to another.
But none of this concerned her.
Because she knew whether the divine realm was perfected or not the one she sought...
That unique intruder had already fallen under the influence of her divine authority.
She closed her eyes, whispering mysterious incantations, as the clouds around her stirred gently, like a slumbering beast breathing.
Standing at the center of her domain, she extended her will-like tendrils slowly, precisely.
She was sensing, locking on, and waiting.
"My perception doesn't lie…"
She murmured, her voice ethereal with an undertone of inexplicable tremor.
"You… carry the breath of life and nature… How could you possibly be dead?"
Her brows furrowed ever so slightly, and her beautiful eyes opened a crack, seeming to pierce through the boundless clouds to gaze upon that yet-unmanifested thread of fate deep within the divine realm.
"Shantia… have you truly fallen?"
"My faith was twice devoured by what appeared to be your divine spark… Was that your response to me? A call? Or…"
A flash of something indescribably complex flickered through her eyes hesitation and speculation interwoven in thought.
It was a possibility she had never dared to imagine.
In the distant Pantheon Hall, the Goddess of Life and Nature Shantia was once a pivotal pillar of the divine pantheon.
Her death was an unforgettable humiliation, a disaster etched into the annals of divine history.
In that ancient cross-world war, Shantia, in all her godly glory, had fallen on a battlefield where realms converged her divine spark vanishing into the void.
The Pantheon had since lacked a seat. The entire divine civilization lost its eternal oasis, its origin point.
Yet more terrifying than this shame was the fact that Shantia's divine spark had never reappeared.
Gods could die, faith could be severed, and divine realms could collapse but as long as a divine spark remained, a new deity could eventually reclaim that authority.
However, the Goddess of Life's divine spark seemed to have evaporated, vanishing completely from all levels of existence.
No heir.
No destination.
No divine resonance.
This meant that from that moment on, the entire pantheon lost its supreme dominion over "life" and "nature."
Nature could be subdivided and barely sustained by lesser deities of forest, storm, flora and fauna, seasons…
But "life" that most fundamental authority remained vacant.
Even she, the Goddess of the Weave.
Even the High Gods of War and Conquest, or those of Darkness and Light...
They were all beings of extraordinary stature, wielders of concepts such as "eternity," "immortality," and "undying."
Their lifespans were long virtually endless.
But not eternal.
Not the absolute immortality that Shantia once commanded.
In the current pantheon, the gods could still perceive time's passage, however slow still feel life ebbing, second by second.
It was so slow it could almost be ignored. But the very awareness of it... was already a form of diminishment.
A silent warning to all the gods.
Without the divine spark of the Goddess of Life, they could still live long but they were no longer eternal.
Even if their end would come in eons, even if death by battle was far likelier than natural decay...
They were no longer complete.
A faint but deep anxiety and unease had already spread through the heart of every divine realm, becoming a shadow the gods refused to face.
The Goddess of the Weave slowly opened her eyes. The mist in them faded, revealing a cold determination.
"If not for that mechanical wizard… I might've already caught the lucky one who inherited the divine spark. If I could just confirm it was truly Shantia…"
"Even if it meant the High Gods descending, even if it led to war with the wizards… it would be worth it."
"But now… he's here, within my divine realm. I will find him…"
She whispered to herself, as an overwhelming aura of a true god radiated from her being.
With this sudden surge of divine power, even the very fabric of this realm began to shift.
As a full-fledged deity, she now held the right to reshape the heavens and remake the earth.
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