Chapter 31: Wraith's Breath (Please keep reading, please add to your collection, and please recommend!)

Chapter 31

The Emerald Island Great Forest was indeed vast and boundless. Even with Lynn and his two companions traveling day and night as wizard apprentices, it still took them nearly ten days to finally locate the encampment of the Crucible Army.

They had to credit the fact that they hadn't been entangled with apprentices from the Nightshade Bunker or the Bitter Cult along the way; otherwise, it likely would have taken much longer.

It was no wonder the Crucible Army could wage guerrilla warfare against the Nightshade Bunker and the Bitter Cult using the Emerald Island Great Forest as cover.

During these nearly ten days of travel, the three of them had encountered quite a few battles.

By the grace of the Goddess of Luck, their most difficult encounter was merely being besieged by four third-tier wizard apprentices; they had not run into any formal wizards.

Relying on the powerful defense of the Heart of Flower Language, Lynn barely managed to withstand the pressure before Sonia and Colin, two third-tier wizard apprentices, stepped in to deal with the four apprentices.

The various skirmishes during this period allowed Lynn to quickly adapt to the combat rhythm between wizard apprentices.

After all, practice is the best teacher.

Finally, several third-tier wizard apprentices from the Crucible, acting as sentries, allowed Lynn and his companions to pass through after verifying their identities, granting them smooth entry into the Crucible Army's camp.

Looking ahead, numerous tents were pitched amidst the dense forest.

Clearly, the Crucible Army had not felled trees to build their stronghold, but had instead tried to preserve the original state of the forest to facilitate the flexibility and mobility required for guerrilla warfare.

At the center of the camp, several large, square military tents stood out prominently. They occupied a significant area and were clearly the quarters for formal wizards.

Without even guessing, one could tell these were the high-level command posts of the Crucible Army.

Lynn looked around and noticed that although there were many apprentices and tents in the camp, it did not feel overly crowded.

It appeared that this was not the entirety of the Crucible Army's deployment; there were clearly other divisions elsewhere.

As night fell, the three gathered in the same tent, conversing in low voices.

"I've made some inquiries. The outpost we are currently at is just one of many Crucible outposts. Clearly, the Crucible's wizard lords are unwilling to concentrate everyone in one place; after all, that would make the target too obvious."

Sonia had easily obtained a significant amount of important information thanks to her striking appearance.

"Previously, each outpost would typically only exist for three to five days, after which an attack would be launched against the Nightshade Bunker or the Bitter Cult. Once the attack concluded, the apprentices would disperse, while the formal wizards would regroup."

She paused, seemingly hesitating before continuing

"However, we have already been at this outpost for a week. The wizard lords don't seem to have any intention of moving. Instead, they have gathered a large number of apprentices and seem to be planning to recruit even more strength."

Lynn and Colin exchanged a glance, thinking silently.

"Do the Crucible's wizard lords intend to stop fighting guerrilla wars against the Nightshade Bunker and the Bitter Cult? But if those two third-tier powers join forces to attack, if the strength sent by the Crucible isn't powerful enough..."

All three of them thought of the same person at once—the Black Dragon Witch!

The Crucible's multi-front warfare was managed by the Black Dragon Witch, though she was currently busy on other fronts.

However, the current actions of the Crucible wizards were not difficult to deduce: she should be arriving at the Emerald Island Great Forest very soon.

And when that time came, it would most likely be the moment the Crucible Army launched a large-scale counteroffensive against the Nightshade Bunker and the Bitter Cult!

After a discussion, the three returned to their respective tents, each lost in thought.

The night was deep. Having finally arrived near the Crucible Army, they no longer needed to take turns on guard duty and could rest peacefully.

However, after returning to his tent, Lynn did not rush to sleep; instead, he entered a state of meditation.

Due to the recent Crucible war, Lynn had not had much time for meditation, and his cultivation progress had slowed significantly.

But as the saying goes, many a little makes a mickle, and strength is built through accumulation.

Today, he felt as though he had made a slight breakthrough.

Inside the tent, Lynn held the crystal ball tightly against his chest, his mind tranquil and completely immersed in meditation.

After an unknown amount of time, Lynn finally opened his eyes and picked up the crystal ball to observe his mental strength.

"Lynn: Mental Strength 11, Constitution 3."

"Mental strength has finally increased by one point. I'm one step closer to becoming a third-tier wizard apprentice."

Lynn exhaled softly.

Since this expedition began, he had encountered far more wizard apprentices than he had during his six months staying at the Crucible.

By observing their mental strength through the crystal ball, Lynn had gained a rough understanding of the gap between second-tier and third-tier wizard apprentices.

The mental strength of a second-tier wizard apprentice generally ranged between 10 and 15 points, while a third-tier wizard apprentice typically possessed more than 25 points.

The strongest third-tier wizard apprentice Lynn had encountered was Colin, who reached 38 points.

"Once I break through to a third-tier wizard apprentice and possess 25 points of mental strength, the limitations of the Life Seed will be greatly reduced. At the very least, I'll be able to cast several spells instead of just one like I can now..."

Lynn's gaze became sharp. He knew that although being conscripted to the battlefield was full of danger, it was also an opportunity to acquire supplies and resources.

"When the Black Dragon Witch descends and the Crucible Army breaks through the two major powers, that will be my moment to seize resources."

Lynn calculated silently in his heart. What he needed to do now was first master the spell he had obtained from that apprentice—"Wraith Breath."

He pinched the bridge of his nose and gently summoned his progress panel

………………………………

Name: Lynn Cole

Realm: Second-tier Wizard Apprentice

Talent: Heaven Rewards the Diligent

Progress

"Wraith Breath" [10%]

"Introductory Processing in Alchemy" [100%]

"Frost Arrow" [100%]

"Fireball" [100%]

"Life Chronicles" [100%]

"Basics of Alchemical Maintenance" [100%]

"Cultivation Knowledge of Earth Rhinos" [100%]

"Basic Meditation Method" [100%]

………………………………

Although "Wraith Breath" was also a mid-tier zero-circle spell, perhaps because Lynn's affinity for negative energy was low, his learning progress was far slower than that of "Fireball" or "Frost Arrow."

However, with the bonus from his talent, as long as he put in the effort, he would eventually see results.

Therefore, despite the slow pace, the progress bar for Wraith Breath was still steadily accumulating.

Previously, due to the journey, Lynn had not been able to focus on his cultivation; now was the perfect time to utilize his time for learning.

Moreover, given the special circumstances of being on a battlefield, knowing even one more spell would significantly increase his survival probability. Thus, Lynn dedicated all his meditation time to "Wraith Breath."

He only meditated to recover when he was exhausted; at all other times, aside from necessary physiological functions, he spent his time grinding the progress bar for "Wraith Breath."

In this manner, at noon on the fourth day after entering the camp, Lynn successfully maxed out his progress bar for "Wraith Breath" and mastered this negative energy spell.

And at that very moment, a dragon's roar descended from the high heavens.

The Black Dragon Witch had finally arrived!

(End of Chapter)