640: Entering the Abyss River and the Eighteen Levels of Dungeon
Witch Shirley snorted coldly while furrowing her brows; the reputation of the Qionghua Enclave for having zero values was on par with that of the Eastern Border Region and the Spiral Basin.
The Black Wizards and White Wizards of these two Wizard Lands were always inextricably mixed.
Of course, there were still subtle differences between the two.
The Spiral Basin primarily recruited talent indiscriminately, absorbing Black Wizard talents, and with the Six Towers Land nearby, a large number of wizard geniuses would flock there.
In contrast, the Black Wizard Alliance of the Qionghua Enclave relied on money to purchase vast amounts of real estate and identities, disguising themselves as members of the [Celestials].
At least on a legal level, no faults could be found.
As an outsider Holy Master, Witch Shirley naturally wouldn't meddle in such matters.
At the main gate of the Ashen Cult Academy's castle, Wizard Warwick said, "We should enter the Abyss River as soon as possible, then use dragon-seeking techniques to locate the tomb of the Nameless King's wife."
"You three, let us go."
The four entered the Ashen Cult Academy castle, passed through the corridors, and entered a dungeon. Severed limbs from various races were scattered everywhere within.
People were wailing inside the prison cells.
Witch Shirley cast an unfriendly gaze toward Warwick and McKinley.
Witch Shirley whispered to Locke, "Junior brother, be careful. This is their Black Wizard territory, after all."
"If you sense something is wrong, immediately use the Spell Model [Summoning the Styx Ferryman] to leave."
Wizard Warwick looked at Locke and Witch Shirley, explaining, "This is the laboratory material storage for our Ashen Cult Academy. The people imprisoned here are all rebels from various Colonial Worlds who resisted the spread of civilization."
"Though it looks a bit frightening, please rest assured that nothing in this dungeon violates the laws of our Qionghua Enclave White Wizard Association. Even if some things skirt the edge, we have already paid sufficient fines."
"This is a legal dungeon."
Locke glanced at Warwick and said, "I am not concerned with that. Don't forget the purpose for which we came here together."
Wizard Warwick took off several layers of magical robes. Now that he was back on his own turf, he finally didn't have to live in constant fear.
His body resembled a Silver-cast Werewolf, and an Innate Magic Eye appeared on his forehead—the Abyss Eye of Wisdom, which looked like an eye of cast silver.
At the same time, Wizard McKinley glanced at Locke as his body also underwent changes. His hands transformed into the wings of a Stygian Butterfly, with patterns of Abyss Fire on the butterfly wings.
Those were the characteristics of an Abyss Demon Butterfly.
Wizard McKinley said, "It's been a long time since I've seen a White Wizard with such courage, actually following us deep into a Black Wizard's dungeon. However, please rest assured, we are all Archaeology Wizards."
"If not for our sake, then for the sake of our profession."
"Archaeology Wizards are rare enough in this world. Even in the Ashen Cult Academy, there are only a few dozen, and we operate under a system of secret apprenticeship."
"On the surface, the Ashen Cult is not an Archaeology Wizard academy."
"Therefore, do not worry that we will act against you in this dungeon. The source of the Abyss River comes from the Abyss and passes through countless Abyss Planes. The river water has long been tainted by Abyss power. If we didn't use the resentment and death energy of these death row inmates to suppress the Abyss power, the creatures on the entire floating reef would likely be contaminated by Abyss Energy, their bodies turning into Abyss creatures and their souls becoming abyssalized."
"By then, my Ashen Cult would surely suffer heavy casualties, and the wizard organization would effectively dissolve."
"Thus, the entrance to the Abyss River is indeed at the deepest part of this dungeon."
Witch Shirley looked at the miserable humanoid creatures in the dungeon, suppressing the urge to vomit as she forced herself to walk down.
Locke, having seen Abyss Planes before, had some tolerance for this bloody scene.
At the same time, he realized that neither McKinley nor Warwick likely had clean hands.
Warwick could act so orderly in front of him only because they were of the same rank.
Some people are polite as gentlemen within their own social circles, but that doesn't mean they remain that same gentleman when they enter the lower echelons of society.
Sometimes, a person's gentlemanly side and their demonic persona can coexist.
The four continued down the stairs. The smell of rot, blood, and an increasingly dense Abyss power drifted through the air.
A skinned, abyssalized Pigman in the dungeon let out a wail. "Please, save me."
"I beg you."
Before him stood a Black Wizard First-Class Wizard Apprentice, performing some cruel experiment with a skinning knife.
That Black Wizard was clearly a necromancer, his eyes filled with fanaticism. "The muscle distribution of pigmen from different branches is indeed different. I've skinned over five hundred pigmen and finally verified this..."
"Especially pigmen infected by Abyss Energy and abyssalized; they are even more distinct."
Witch Shirley's eyes were cold as she waved her hand, causing the Pigman to die instantly, ending his pain.
The Black Wizard was instantly enraged and about to curse, but when he looked up and saw Warwick and McKinley, along with two One-Ring Wizards he didn't recognize whose magic pressure was incredibly powerful, he was so terrified that he quickly knelt on the ground.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Apprentice Valentine said. "I must have done something wrong to anger you, Masters."
"Please forgive me."
"Great Lords."
Witch Shirley swept her contemptuous gaze over him, a fierce light flashing in her eyes. "Hmph, it would be better if all filthy things were dead."
Apprentice Valentine immediately began to tremble all over in fear.
The hierarchy within the Ashen Cult was strict. A high-level wizard killing an apprentice like him, even without reason, was of no consequence.
So, unlike ordinary White Wizard students, Apprentice Valentine was truly trembling with fear, his face turning pale.
If Witch Shirley insisted on killing him now, he would be doomed unless a Official Wizard stepped in to protect him.
Wizard Warwick smoothly chuckled and said, "Valentine, your methods are too cruel; even I find them unpleasant. Not to mention this Great Witch Shirley."
"Apologize to this lady. She is a prominent figure from a top-tier Wizard Academy."
"Golden Crown Mountain, do you know of it?"
A flash of confusion appeared in Apprentice Valentine's eyes.
He knew of Golden Crown Mountain; it was a Wizard Academy famous even among White Wizards, the representative academy for high-efficiency agriculture.
However, as a prestigious thousand-year-old school in White Wizard Society, why would Golden Crown Mountain be willing to set foot in the deepest, most terrifying eighteen levels of the Ashen Cult's dungeon today?
Apprentice Valentine quickly snapped out of it and prostrated himself before Witch Shirley.
Regardless of Witch Shirley's identity, she was a Official Wizard, an existence on an entirely different level from him.
If she wanted to kill him, she could do so directly.
The White Wizard Society of the Qionghua Enclave itself emphasized survival of the fittest and advocated for the elimination of weaker beings.
The Black Wizard Society of the Qionghua Enclave took this principle to the extreme.
Apprentice Valentine continued to kowtow on the cold, hard granite floor.
Witch Shirley did not appreciate it at all, showing only a look of disgust. "This truly sickens me."
"Junior brother Locke, let's go."
Wizard Warwick shrugged and floated after them. "Understandable. Actually, McKinley and I don't like these scenes either. We are Archaeologists, not death mages."
"We understand you."
Witch Shirley looked at Wizard Warwick in confusion and said, "If that Black Wizard Apprentice just now were committing evil out of experimental necessity, then so be it. Though it violates the law, it would still be understandable."
"But part of why he did that just now was simply to commit such malicious acts for the sake of torturing a mortal."
"The two of you, as fellow Archaeologists, shouldn't lack even this bit of self-pride."
McKinley just smiled upon hearing her words and did not answer.
Warwick explained, "The eighteen levels of the dungeon are basically the territory of the Necromancy Academy. They can't go out in the open, so they have a lot of pent-up anger."
"However, you're right; they are psychopaths. Of course, I must emphasize again that all the death row inmates in this dungeon are from biological groups in Colonial Worlds who were disrespectful to our Wizard Civilization and took the initiative to attack us."
"Therefore, there is nothing illegal about the entire dungeon!"
"We even invited Contractors from a law firm to come and help us judge the situation, and our academy has won several cases before."
Locke suddenly spoke up, "That river ahead must be the Abyss River. It looks quite like ordinary river water."
At the deepest part of the dungeon ahead, the terrain suddenly opened up, revealing a dock at the very bottom of the dungeon.
AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite
On the magic alloy dock, there were some magic devices, as well as some Wizard Apprentices and a Official Wizard, who were busy dealing with something.
The dock was located on an incomparably wide river; the surface of the river was like a lake, vast and expansive, allowing ships to sail and move across it with ease.
However, the surface of the great river looked quite ordinary.
Witch Shirley spoke before Warwick: "Locke, look at that dock. It is covered in seal magic from the Protection School."
"The entire river appears ordinary, but in reality, its surface is covered in sealing power, which is why it can remain so calm. It is not an ordinary river, as your naked eyes might suggest."
Locke used his wizard vision, [Spiritual Vision], and immediately saw layer upon layer of Spell Models on the river surface in front of the dock, suppressing the river.
Otherwise, the Abyss Energy within the entire river would likely erupt instantly, corrupting everyone nearby.
And killing all life force in the vicinity.
Warwick laughed: "Witch Shirley is truly knowledgeable."
"It seems you are well-traveled. No wonder you are accompanying Locke this time, but you really do not need to be so guarded against me. Locke and I are close friends."
"I am very grateful to Locke for preparing the Abyssal Werewolf potion for me. In the future, there will be many times I will need to rely on him."
Witch Shirley did not respond to this.
At this moment, Wizard McKinley picked up a stone from the ground and threw it toward the river surface next to the dock.
The stone fell into the river, and the previously calm and ordinary river surface suddenly erupted with intense Abyss Energy. Many Wizard Apprentices on the dock were sent stumbling by the surge of Abyss Energy.
That Official Wizard hurriedly deployed an Eternal Defense Field to cover the dock, and cast a Protection School Spell Model, [Forced Seal], at the river surface, adding a seal to suppress it.
The Official Wizard cursed at McKinley: "McKinley, what are you doing! Are you sick in the head?"
McKinley chuckled and then said to Locke: "See that? This tributary of the Abyss River is not as docile as it looks on the surface."
"Just to keep it 'quiet', our academy has to spend massive resources every year."
"If we didn't use the resentment and death energy of death row prisoners from the eighteenth level to counteract the overflowing Abyss Energy, I'm afraid..."
Witch Shirley sneered.
Locke also realized that the true purpose of the dungeon's death energy was likely to mask the Abyss Energy and prevent the Ethics and Morality Review Committee from coming to investigate.
Regardless, creating such a large Abyss River tributary in the Qionghua Enclave could potentially trigger a thorough investigation by the Ethics and Morality Review Committee.
After all, the Ashen Cult is not an ordinary Black Wizard organization; it also holds the status of being a member organization of the White Wizard Association.
If the White Wizard Association insisted on coming to investigate, the cult would have no solid reason to refuse.
Of course, this is only in theory.
In reality, this academy is not under the supervision and control of the local branch of the White Wizard Association.
The four of them arrived at the dock. Wizard McKinley exchanged a few words with the Official Wizard on the dock, and they were granted the right to step onto the Abyss River.
Many Black Wizard Apprentices secretly looked at Locke and Witch Shirley, seeming very surprised that two White Wizards would come here.
When Locke looked at them, these Black Wizard Apprentices would either lower their heads in submission or offer fawning, flattering smiles.
Warwick chanted a spell, and suddenly a ferry of the Styx Ferryman appeared on the surface of the Abyss River. "The three of you, I have noted the coordinate position of those ruins on the Abyss River. Let the four of us take turns using the Spell Model to summon the Styx Ferryman to travel to that area."
"The journey is long, and the environment on the surface of the Abyss River is harsh, complex, and dangerous. Therefore, to ensure maximum safety, I suggest we take turns using the spell to summon the Styx Ferryman."
Locke and Witch Shirley had no objections.
After paying four Underworld Gold Coins, the four of them stepped onto the ferry together. The Styx Ferryman glanced at the four of them, then pushed off with its oar, moving through the waters of the Abyss River.
Warwick said: "The Abyss River is different from ordinary rivers. Ordinary rivers flow from high to low, while the Abyss River flows from low to high."
"The Abyss River originates from a layer within the bottom Planes of the Endless Abyss. Currently, no wizard has confirmed which layer of the Abyss Plane is its source."
"The Abyss River crosses many Abyss Planes and intersects with many Planes in the Endless Void, including our Wizard World."
"Therefore, some current methods of traveling to Colonial Planes involve using the waterways of the Abyss River and traveling by void battleship."
"Back in the Age of Stars, various Wizard Kings who utilized large amounts of Abyss Energy would, in order to repay their debts to the Abyss, place their tombs into the Abyss after death. They did not want their corpses to be defiled by the Abyss and become corpse demons, so many Wizard Kings chose to craft their tombs into impenetrable, magically sealed places and place them somewhere along the Abyss River."
Warwick said to Locke: "This is a very clever approach. Because the Abyss River belongs to the Abyss, but a large part of the Abyss River exists outside the Endless Abyss."
"Using this method, the Wizard Kings can preserve their glory after death."
"Preserving their final dignity."
Wizard McKinley couldn't help but laugh: "Such tombs gather a great deal of magical power, and there are also many treasures inside."
"If one could develop an Abyssal Ruins, it would be enough to sustain an academy for a very, very long time."
By this time, they had sailed away from the dock. The dock became small and invisible, and the tributary of the Abyss River had carried them somewhere unknown.
The sealing energy on the river surface had also gradually weakened.
Furthermore, waves of Abyss Energy were being released toward the four people on the boat.
The river surface that the ferry passed through was deep, black water. It was bottomless, and it was not devoid of life.
On the contrary, there were many species, and the quantity was staggering.
Those were all Demon Fish!
The Demon Fish were excitedly splashing in the river water, constantly slamming their bodies against the bottom of the ferry.
Locke saw that beneath the surface of the Abyss River, there were not only various Demon Fish with red eyes and screaming sharp mouths, but also many primitive abyssal worms. These worms were wriggling like aquatic insect larvae, greedily looking at the four wizards on the river surface from the water.
Warwick sneered, and an aura belonging to an Abyssal Werewolf radiated from his body.
Immediately, those Demon Fish and primitive abyssal worms, upon sensing the aura of a high-level magic creature, scurried away quickly.
The low-level magic creatures that were constantly attacking the ferry disappeared in the blink of an eye.
However, the river surface was no longer calm from then on.
Everywhere, Demon Fish were scrambling to escape, and amidst the splashing water, there were shadows of primitive abyssal worms surging everywhere.
At this moment, Witch Shirley took out a peculiar witch porcelain from her astral ring.
This witch porcelain looked exactly like her.
All the Abyss Energy converged into this witch porcelain doll, causing no harm to her.
Additionally, Witch Shirley activated her bloodline, and some features of a deep-sea octopus appeared on her body.
Her hands did not change, but six giant sea monster octopus tentacles grew from her back.
Locke recognized this as the ancient creature, the deep-sea monster [Kraken]. It was a Second Ring level ancient creature, said to possess the power to destroy countless islands and trigger tsunamis in ancient times.
Relying on the physical bonuses of the Kraken and the proxy-death witch porcelain to bear the Abyss Energy, Witch Shirley was able to be immune to the Abyss Energy.
Warwick's eyes brightened slightly. "That is good technology. That is witch porcelain, right? I didn't expect the witch porcelain technology of the Yunze Wetland to have progressed so quickly; it can actually help the master bear Abyss Energy."
"This is something I did not expect."
"However, the deeper we go, the more concentrated the Abyss Energy will become. Such a small trick cannot possibly last until we reach the location of the Abyssal Ruins. This time, we are going deep into the Abyss River."
"After all, the Abyssal Ruins of the Nameless King's wife drifted for a long time on the surface of the Abyss River before falling to that position and stopping temporarily."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so lucky to discover those ruins in the part of the Abyss River near the Wizard World."
Witch Shirley said: "You don't need to worry about me. I naturally have my own plans."