903: Champion Marquis: Throne Russell!
At the Golden Holy Grail · Magic Plant Flight Competition, illusory golden sands appeared in mid-air. As the sands settled into the seats, wizards appeared one after another.
On Locke's forehead, the innate magic eye of the Three-Eyed Tiger-Eyed Cat automatically emerged, enhancing his insight as a Second Ring Wizard. This was clearly a common Gold Magic movement technique from the Hui Ming Borderland.
However, unlike the Golden Dragon Clan, these people's Gold Magic was not open-source, so it was impossible to learn this movement technique by observing their magic.
Besides the golden sand movement, some wizards arrived in semi-illusory golden carriages shaped like griffins. The moment the carriage struck the seat, it would vanish instantly, and the wizards sitting inside would appear in their seats.
These movement methods were truly unique and eye-opening.
At this moment, famous officials from all over the Golden Dynasty were arriving.
In the Golden Dynasty, official positions were half-bound to bloodlines due to Gold Magic, while the other half required personal effort.
But regardless, only the Golden People could rapidly increase their magic level within the Golden Dynasty and obtain corresponding official positions.
Overall, Locke observed that the Hui Ming Borderland was normal and not much different from the Yunze Wetland. However, because different grades of golden bloodline could truly differentiate a Wizard Apprentice's speed in Gold Magic, there was a potential unspoken rule where a wizard's future potential could be seen based on their bloodline grade.
On the whole, the family wizards here were not particularly powerful.
After all, all families and Wizard Academies served the Golden Dynasty. The Golden Dynasty used this method to unify the major wizard families, individual wizards, and Wizard Academies of the entire Hui Ming Borderland.
Not all Wizard Academies here studied Gold Magic, but they were basically all encompassed by the Golden Dynasty's official system.
Locke remembered that the official ranks here ranged from first to ninth grade. Wizards who could reach the seventh grade were already considered high-ranking and powerful. The highest rank for a dean of a small Wizard Academy might only be fifth grade.
The dean of a wizard organization like Lilith's Cottage, before he enrolled, would likely only be able to serve as a sixth or seventh-grade official.
And right now, there was no shortage of fourth-grade and even third-grade high officials arriving.
Locke felt that the official systems of the Hui Ming Borderland's Golden Dynasty and the Pale Pilgrimage had a certain sense of déjà vu.
However, the official system of the Hui Ming Borderland had undergone modern reforms and was recognized by the White Wizard Association. Essentially, these official titles were just teaching positions for a group of wizard mentors; no one could anymore hold the power of life and death over subordinates as superiors once did.
Thus, they only retained the form of the ancient system without its true spirit.
At this moment, the sound of golden chimes suddenly came from afar, ringing out one crisp note after another.
In the arena, a wizard cried out, "Heavens, it's a second-grade official—the Champion Marquis is here!"
In the distant sky of the arena, an illusory golden carriage appeared. Its exterior was extremely opulent and precious, with every corner detail piled with incredible luxury.
At the same time, the one pulling the carriage was actually an ancient Golden Dragon.
However, as Locke looked closer, he realized it was merely an illusion created by Gold Magic and shouldn't be taken as real.
As the magnificent carriage descended, a terrifying magic pressure fell upon them.
It was a Third Ring Throne-level magic pressure!
The so-called Champion Marquis stepped out; he was a direct member of the Golden Dynasty's imperial family, the Third Ring Throne Wizard, Wizard Russell.
The Gold Magic in the air automatically turned into a golden staircase, allowing him to walk down toward the spectator area.
In the competitors' area, Locke had a strange expression, unlike the awe-filled faces of the other contestants.
This was because he had written a letter to Wizard Russell less than half a year ago.
At that time, Wizard Russell had even replied to him.
Looking at it now, he really was a "newborn calf not fearing the tiger," ignorant and fearless. It turned out that Throne Russell's status in the Hui Ming Borderland was so high; he was actually a second-grade official of the Hui Ming Borderland!
He even held a title like Champion Marquis.
Locke remembered that while the official ranks of the Golden Dynasty were now largely symbolic, the peerage system was still very valuable. According to content mentioned in the magic books he had read, legend had it that the titles in the Hui Ming Borderland were forged by Gold Magic, and everyone bestowed with a title would receive the blessing of Gold Magic.
At this moment, the contestants in the seats next to Locke were discussing.
A competing Second Ring Wizard from the Black Iron Mountain Wilderness Wizard Land whispered, "That's Chief Justice Russell, a man of great power in the Golden Dynasty. Just one look from him, and you could lose your life because you might have broken the law. It's said that no one in the entire Hui Ming Borderland dares to provoke him, and no wizard is idle enough to strike up a conversation with this Chief Justice for no reason."
Locke: "..."
This... another wizard from Ancient Vine Village named Leon Newman looked up at Throne Russell with admiration.
"But this wizard possesses what can be called perfect magic; he is a pioneer on the Path of Truth."
Ancient Vine Village and the Black Iron Mountain Wilderness were two Wizard Lands bordering the Hui Ming Borderland. Even now, wizards from these two lower-level Wizard Lands still held deep admiration for the Hui Ming Borderland.
For them, entering the Hui Ming Borderland to participate in the Golden Cup was like a pilgrimage or a way to realize their life's ideals.
Meanwhile, wizards from the Fission Wasteland, Tianjiang Riverbank, Qionghua Enclave, and Spiral Basin were relatively taciturn. For them, their admiration for the Throne Wizard before them was simply because he was a Throne Wizard.
At this moment, the wizard Leon Newman, sitting in front of Locke, suddenly turned back and said, "Wizard Augustine, I hadn't heard much of your great name in our Ancient Vine Village before. However, before the competition, I've learned a bit about you. Although your work, the Great Mingli Dragon Sparrow, has a huge advantage in this competition, I am a wizard from Ancient Vine Village. We wizards of Ancient Vine Village might be lacking in other areas, but we will never admit defeat before the battle."
Leon Newman looked at Locke, his eyes full of fighting spirit.
"I will use my work, the flying man gourd, to win the final championship. Let's wait and see."
The Second Ring Wizard from the Black Iron Mountain Wilderness sitting next to him hesitated to speak.
He also wanted to make a bold declaration like his fellow from Ancient Vine Village, but after thinking it over, he gave up. After all, he felt the gap was simply too large.
The wizards of their Black Iron Mountain Wilderness Wizard Land were more pragmatic; they truly had no confidence in competing with the Great Mingli Dragon Sparrow. If he made a bold claim now, it would likely just make him a laughingstock.
There were many high-level officials of the Golden Dynasty here, as well as spectators from the lower-level Wizard Academies under the Golden Dynasty. If he returned home after losing face, what would he do?
Especially since the Golden Dynasty was a superior Wizard Land in his eyes, a sanctuary in his heart.
His every word and action represented the face of the Black Iron Mountain Wilderness wizards in the Hui Ming Borderland.
Locke scanned the contestants below. Most of them avoided his gaze, not daring to meet his eyes. They had clearly given up before the race, only hoping for a ranking and having long lost hope for the championship.
There were a few, like Leon Newman, whose eyes were filled with the intent to challenge.
Even the two wizards from the Black Iron Mountain Wilderness, who appeared not to compete with him, were actually tough beneath their soft exterior, already competing with him in secret.
Of course, some contestant wizards didn't even show up in person, only sending their students or disciples to deliver their entries. Clearly, these people were not focused on this event.
Locke propped his chin with his palm, looking down from his high position at the contestants who had intentionally sat below, with no one sitting in the same row as him.
These people all harbored a faint hostility toward him.
Not that they saw him as an enemy, but they saw him as the biggest boss of this competition.
As long as he was there, they knew in their hearts that it was impossible for them to take the championship.
Because of his presence, three wizards had even withdrawn from the competition before it started. In the eyes of many wizards who didn't know the inside story, even that genius Breeder from the Mamluk Grand Canyon hadn't withdrawn because of a Black Wizard's scheme, but because he was scared off by Locke.
Therefore, in this competition, he had effectively become the target of everyone!
But so what?
From the first day he entered Golden Crown Mountain, he had been resented by many wizards outside its gates. Those people hoped every day that he would fall so they could enter Golden Crown Mountain.
No matter what he did, he couldn't change that outcome.
Just like now.
But it didn't matter.
Because he came here to participate in the competition and win the championship, not to play house.
Since he wanted to win the championship, he had to beat everyone here.
At this moment, at the highest point of the spectator stands, the Champion Marquis, Wizard Russell, entered the area. Whether it was the staff of the Golden Cup Organizing Committee or Wizard Bruce and his witch secretary, they all stood up to salute this Third Ring Throne Wizard.
Every Third Ring Throne Wizard must have made some eternal contribution to the Wizard Civilization.
Otherwise, they could not have become a Third Ring Throne.
Therefore, even Wizard Bruce and the others from Dragonfall Land didn't show the same arrogance they had toward the Golden Cup Organizing Committee staff, but instead bowed their heads in salute to Throne Russell.
Because this was saluting the truth.
Saluting every wizard who worked silently in pursuit of the truth.
To despise a Throne was to despise themselves.
Throne Russell instantly vanished from before them and reappeared in the next moment, positioned between Wizard Bruce and the Sun Ring Wizard Director of the Golden Cup Organizing Committee.
Wizard Bruce said to Throne Russell, "Throne Lord. I am Wizard Bruce from the Wind Seeker Holy Land. It is an honor to meet you."
"The White Wizard Association of Dragonfall Land is very eager to cooperate with the White Wizard Association of the Hui Ming Borderland to counter the increasingly aggressive Star Domain Sea."
Throne Russell said, "Our differences with the Star Domain Sea aren't that large. It's just that some people want more benefits, and some feel that others don't deserve so many benefits, only they themselves do."
"It's just internal strife."
"Say no more. I heard that even before the race, a Magic Plant with the potential to win the championship appeared. What was it called, the Great Mingli Dragon Sparrow?"
Wizard Bruce smiled and said, "Indeed it is. Throne Lord, that is an excellent flying magic plant. I never realized there was a plant among flying magic plants so suitable for modification into a flying vessel. Whether it's instantaneous explosive power, flight speed, or carrying capacity—yesterday, it even performed a scene before me where twenty-six flying magic plants together lifted a massive magic creature."
"It was very impressive."
Throne Russell said, "Mm. Since even you say so, Bruce, it seems there is indeed some merit to it. Speaking of which, I have a bit of a connection with the young wizard who developed this Great Mingli Dragon Sparrow."
Wizard Bruce's pupils constricted slightly.
"Ah?"
Throne Russell said, "He once consulted me for information on golden foxtail grass and green foxtail grass. Later, because of that, he published a paper in a Second Ring first district journal."
Wizard Bruce's face twitched, because even for a Sun Ring Wizard, a paper in a Second Ring first district journal was something very worthy of showing off.
Throne Russell said, "Probably because he is humble, I enjoy giving him pointers. Although I am a Throne Wizard and he is like an ant to me, I still like to elevate such humble young talents."
Wizard Bruce broke into a sweat. He said to Throne Russell, "I understand. Throne Lord."
Wizard Bruce bowed to Throne Russell and sat back in his seat. He was drenched in sweat, clearly realizing that some of his previous actions had touched the nerves of the High-Ring Wizards.
No, was the Star Domain Sea really putting that much pressure on the Hui Ming Borderland and Dragonfall Land?
Was the determination of the White Wizard Associations of the two Wizard Lands to unite and increase their voice in the Eastern Border Region Council truly that strong?
To the point where they wouldn't even allow him, a Sun Ring Wizard, to show the slightest bit of negligence.
Wizard Bruce's heart sank slightly; these matters were too far removed from him.
When the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up.
But there were some things he had to care about, like Throne Russell saying he knew that wizard from the Yunze Wetland.
He had originally wanted to take a gamble on the possibility that Locke might not win the championship, or even if he did, he could use Locke's lack of connections here to push the price down.
But now that Throne Russell had made his stance clear, it was impossible for him to use his status as a Sun Ring Wizard to bully the young man anymore.
Throne Russell glanced at Wizard Bruce. He wasn't angry, because wizards from Dragonfall Land leaned more toward being merchants; they were always testing every opportunity to suppress opponents and lower prices. Thus, Throne Russell knew that what was hidden behind this wizard was merely Dragonfall Land testing the confidence of the Hui Ming Borderland.
He was also just a pawn being used by the High-Ring Wizards.
After all, the ones who sent him were the High-Ring Wizards of Dragonfall Land.
And a High-Ring Wizard obviously had the ability to make a judgment on what kind of personality a wizard should have when sent to the Hui Ming Borderland to achieve their goals.
Champion Marquis · Throne Russell spoke to announce: "Every Golden Holy Grail is valued by the Golden Dynasty. Therefore, the Grand Chancellor of the Golden Dynasty specifically sent me here to observe. All you young talents have traveled thousands of miles to participate in the Golden Holy Grail. Today, there will surely be a wonderful competition on this field, watched by all the wizards of the Hui Ming Borderland."
In the spectator stands, Locke heard the wizards whispering.
"The Golden Dynasty doesn't have a Wizard Great Lord now, so the Grand Chancellor is the highest official, right?"
"Probably similar to the most influential dean in the most powerful wizard university in our Wizard Land..."
"Something like that... but the Grand Chancellor of the Golden Dynasty also seems to hold a concurrent post as the president of the White Wizard Association here."
Throne Russell spoke again.
"I now declare the official start of this Golden Holy Grail competition."
"The conditions for completing the race are simple. After the referee announces takeoff, fly along the chained hanging paths in the sky. The first person to arrive at the destination is the champion. Along the way, a large number of flying magic creatures will break free from their chains and launch attacks against you."
"But I believe the flying magic plants personally cultivated by you Breeders will prove superior."
The next chapter will be posted tomorrow during the day.