A Wizard's Secret

Some larger civilizations had risen rapidly, some talented figures had also become ultimate existences, and even mobilized the origin of the natural order, easing the process. In particular, the fourth-grade ultimate Emperor existence, which had not been born for a long time, had begun to rise. It was as if the Void Zone had returned to its former age of glory and prosperity.

Meanwhile, some of the rare ultimate fourth-grade Emperor existences had appeared one after another, and without notice, became the avatars of the origin of the natural order and existences like the Thirty-six Emperors.

Within the span of three thousand years alone, the fourth-grade Emperor ultimate existences had risen significantly, and the supreme existences such as the Thirty-six Emperors had risen dramatically from the remaining six to thirty-six.

The Thirty-six Emperors were just about the toleration extent of the Void Zone. Even in ancient times during the golden age of the Void Zone, only the Thirty-six Emperors existed! The common life forms were naturally in the dark about what had happened but the Thirty-six Emperors knew well that this was a war far more devastating than the one against the Vestigial Tribe in the ancient times as it concerned the life and death of the entire Void Zone!

“Everyone, we’ve searched for over three thousand years but still, we’ve yet to discover Merlin that the great will of the Void Zone had us look for.”

“It can’t be helped. The great will of the Void Zone has been so wary and cautious of Merlin. He must be someone of extraordinary feat. Don’t forget, he single-handedly killed three Emperor existences.”

“We can only be patient and continue the search. Us Thirty-six Emperors may be powerful but the Void Zone is far too vast. No one can say that they’ve looked through every single dimension.”

On an isolated dimension somewhere in the Void Zone, several Emperor-level contenders were currently inspecting every inch of their surroundings with furrowed brows but discovered no signs of Merlin.

Merlin was the culprit who had cause the turmoil in the Void Zone more than three thousand years ago, and posed a threat bigger than even the Vestigial Tribe. Therefore, in just three thousand years, although the Void Zone may have appeared glorious, in reality, it had fallen into a crisis, which was the reason why the Void Zone had allowed the birth of so many powerful contenders.

The fellow Emperor-level contenders shook their heads powerlessly as they flew off into different directions and continuing their search.

...

“Bang.”

On an open space, two teenagers of about fourteen to fifteen years of age, with long blond hair and a pair of purplish eyes, were the rulers of this huge dimension, the Purple-eyed Tribe!

Only now, between the two teenagers who were fighting against each other, the slighter one was beaten to the ground with a single fist as the teenagers behind jeered.

“Haha, Stedman’s so dumb. It’s been a month, and he still hasn’t mastered Storm Fist.”

“Stedman may be the clan elder’s son but he’s the most useless one of them all. He’s not qualified to enter the interclan tournament. He’d only embarrass us.”

The group of teenagers sneered and mocked the scrawny teenager who had clenched their fists, and resentment fueled their hearts.

However, he was born less gifted, and it seemed that he was slower than others. Things that others would spend days to learn would take him months, and even then, he may not be able to master it. It would take him a long time to ponder a more complicated fist technique.

“C’mon, let’s go. Don’t bother with him.”

The teenagers then left on their high horses. Although Stedman was born a noble, the clan elder had many other sons and could care less about him, the dull one which resulted in them riding atop his head.

After a moment, Stedman got up from the ground, brushed away the dirt, and took his leave, arriving at a relatively small residence.

The residence was only a part located in the most isolated area of the huge manor in front. He looked at the manor filled with luxuriously decorated rooms; those were the residences of his brothers. As the clan elder’s son, this was one of their privileges. Unfortunately, Stedman was born dull, and had long since lost his father’s favor, and had to live in the most secluded room in the manor.

It was a good thing that Stedman had always been introverted and preferred solitude. It was good enough that he had a little, isolated house to stay in.

“Creak.”

Stedman opened the door, and wiped away the remaining tears on his face. Even though he was not gifted and slower than others, he was a very prideful person. He had spent nighttime practicing Storm Fist as well but despite spending two or three times the hours than others, he still failed to catch up with others’ progress.

Until now, he had yet to even master a simple Storm Fist, much less activate the powers of the Purple-eyed. Mastering the power of talent was his dream.

Throughout the entire continent, the Purple-eyed people held a very special power, and that was the Purple-eyed talent which was in the blood of all. Only the most powerful Purple-eyed people would be able to activate its powers and gain the mighty powers of the talent and rise above others.

Stedman had dreamed of the day where he would be able to master the power of talent and become one of the strong and powerful so that no one would ever make fun of him again.

“I’ll succeed because I have a secret!”

Determination colored Stedman’s face as he clenched his fists tightly. Indeed, he had a secret. Just a few days ago, something that could change his destiny had happened.

“Lord Merlin, are you there?”

Stedman appeared nervous but there seemed to be no one in the room, and he was not sure who he was talking to.

“Stedman, you may come in.”

An unfamiliar voice sounded but no one else apart from Stedman was able to hear it because the sound had come from his mind.

Stedman was brimming with excitement. He was able to enter the Illusory Subspace;

this was the fortuitous event he had encountered a few days ago. In his mind, a person who called himself Merlin had a peculiar subspace, and had allowed him to enter at will.

“Whoosh.”

Stedman concentrated his focus. Then, his consciousness drifted into a subspace, and despite it being a subspace, it was an incredibly real, authentic world with blue skies, white clouds, mountains, rivers, forests, and so on.

On an open space, stood a building with a peculiar architectural design. Stedman knew that this was where the mysterious Lord Merlin was living in, called the “castle.” In short, there had never been such a strange building on the continent.

This was the Illusory Subspace. Stedman loved this subspace, and the best thing about it was that there was endless time here for him to practice Storm Fist technique as long as he wanted.

For instance, an hour outside could have meant a full day in the Illusory Subspace, and this was why Stedman was so confident.

With the Illusory Subspace, he believed that even though he may not be able to catch up with others by just multiplying his efforts but if he could have more than ten or even twenty times more time than others, he would certainly be able to make up for the gap in his talent.

Stedman entered the castle and saw two men dressed in eccentric. He knew that one was Lord Merlin, and the other was Lord Titus. Both of them were very mysterious and powerful people.

Even though he had never seen them in action but how could they be any less than spectacular to be able to be in this peculiar subspace. As such, Stedman greatly respected both of them.

“Lord Merlin, Lord Titus!”

Without even turning back, Merlin, clad in black robes, simply nodded. “You’re here, Stedman. Did you get beaten up again?”

Stedman, somewhat embarrassed, replied, “Nothing escapes Lord Merlin. However, that’s personal. I’ll resolve it myself!”

“Good. Hurry up and go practice then. The same rules apply. An hour outside is a day inside. With your Mind Power, you’ll only be able to withstand twenty-four times of the time difference!”

After having said that, Merlin disregarded him. Stedman, on the other hand, had given a respectful bow, and headed into the castle. He knew that there was a special training room in the castle to help him practice his fist technique.

Since learning of the Illusory Subspace, and encountering Merlin and Titus, Stedman had entered the Illusory Subspace every day to practice his fist technique. Each day, his practices would last all day long.

In the Illusory World, a day was only an hour outside.

Time flew by quickly. As a tired, sweaty Stedman sat down to rest, he looked at the time. An entire day had passed, and he was exhausted. He knew that this was his limit.

With his current Mind Power, he was only able to last a day in the Illusory Subspace before he had to leave and rest for a night before he could return.

Stedman was taking deep, heavy breaths when he could not help but sigh. “Lord Merlin mentioned that my Mind Power is weak. If it were stronger, I’d be able to withstand a longer time flow rate so an hour outside would then become several days or longer inside the Illusory Subspace. By that time, I’d have even more time than others to practice my fist technique.”

Stedman only cared about time. As for exhaustion, he had never felt tired. Every day, he trained hard, hoping that he would someday become strong and would no longer be looked down upon.

“It’s time I bid farewell to Lord Merlin.”

Stedman left the room, and returned to the living room in the castle. There, he saw Merlin and Titus still seated in the hall, and respectfully said, “Lord Merlin, Lord Titus, I shall be taking my leave now.”

“Remember to practice the Mind training drill, I taught you when you go back. It’ll help you improve your Mind Power and stay inside here longer in the future.”

The black-robed Merlin said evenly as Stedman gave a determined nod. He knew that the Mind training drill was very precious, perhaps even more so than the fist technique passed down in the clan as it could allow him to spend more time in the Illusory Subspace.

“Go now.”

Merlin waved a hand, and Stedman’s consciousness slowly exited the Illusory Subspace, leaving behind only the black-robed Merlin and Titus who had been silent all this time.

After a long moment, Titus spoke languidly, “It’s been three thousand years, Merlin. The Illusory World has just about been restored, hasn’t it?”