Randall had long been an Insect Control Master, so naturally he had his own channels for gathering information, and soon he came back with some rather unsettling news.
“Someone is selling potions disguised with an insect aura, allowing non-Insect Control Masters to enter the secret realm, and as you might know, that realm actually contains a lot of attractive things that many people have long coveted.”
“Really? That’s totally unscrupulous.”
Ivan, having been briefed by Randall, knew that the secret realm was not easily accessible, especially for those who were not Insect Control Masters. With the special potion now available, he couldn’t imagine how many sorcerers it might attract.
The ability to concoct such potions must require a profound research into insects, presumably by another Insect Control Master.
For the community of Insect Control Masters, the sudden increase of so many rivals for resources was undoubtedly a very disgusting affair.
“The more the merrier.”
Randall said with an indifferent laugh.
The master and apprentice arrived at a tavern, which was already populated with some sorcerers who had come to participate in the grand event. Many recognized Randall; as soon as they entered, several people came up to greet him.
“Hey, Randall, how come you’re not dead yet?”
“Shoot, I’m forty years younger than you, and if you’re not dead, I sure as hell can’t be.”
“I hope you find nothing in this exploration.”
“Thanks, but I hope you last more than a minute in there.”
Not everyone was as enthusiastic as those who greeted each other, and Randall, familiar with the place, found a corner to sit down.
After settling down, Ivan looked around and noticed quite a few ‘senior’ Insect Control Masters, many of whom bore insect-like features. Some had grown antennae, resembling those of a Shadow Ant servant, while others had insect patterns on their faces, appearing quite horrifying, and so on.
It looked as though their bodies had undergone modifications.
However, this was an unavoidable issue for Insect Control Masters—insectification. Insectification, as the name implies, is assimilation by the insect aura, causing the body to develop insect-like features and even organs.
Insectification had both positive and negative impacts on the sorcerer.
“Randall, it’s been years, and you’re still so burly.”
“Randall, you’ve not visited us for so long, that’s really heartless of you.”
Soon, Randall’s friends, a man and a woman both from the Wandering Sorcerer Fellowship, arrived.
The three had met during an adventure where they had barely escaped with their lives, and their collaborative efforts had forged a deep friendship.
“There you are, Brandt, Molly, this is my apprentice, Ivan.”
Both sat down at the table, familiarly eyeing Ivan, whom Randall had brought along, and only after Randall’s introduction did they realize, thinking to themselves that this fellow had finally taken a competent apprentice. Read new adventures at empire
“So, has your Blackbeard Crown theory been verified?” Molly asked, suddenly curious.
“That’s right, Ivan helped me confirm it, ha ha,” Randall nodded slightly, proud.
“Well done, you’ve finally resolved a burden,” Molly said, approvingly glancing at Ivan.
Ivan was internally stunned; his mentor had even shared the theory of the Blackbeard Crown with these two, indeed they must be very close friends. He also faintly sensed that this sorceress named ‘Molly’ seemed to look at Randall with a different intention, perhaps containing a hint of affection.
“My friends, you seem to be doing well, noticeably stronger,” Randall knew them very well and could sense something unusual about them from close by.
“We’ve joined an organization, the one that’s been quite prominent recently,” Molly answered in a lowered voice without hesitation upon his inquiry.
“Molly, we really shouldn’t talk about it,” Brandt quickly cautioned, reminding her that they were bound by a contract that prevented them from disclosing certain information, especially since Randall’s apprentice was not their friend.
Seeing that the three had more to discuss, Ivan timely proposed a stroll through Descending Clouds City.
Regarding the organization that was gaining attention, he knew a bit about it. In recent years, a power had been stirring up trouble on the Moon Pincer Peninsula, apparently trying to recruit sorcerers, especially those from the Wandering Sorcerer Fellowship.
Their purpose remained unknown; it was unlikely they were coveting the increasingly barren land of the Moon Pincer Peninsula, nor was it known if they were the same organization to which Sorcerer Jeeson belonged.
Outside the tavern.
Like most places on the plateau, Descending Clouds City had a very blue sky scattered with many white clouds, and occasionally a cloud mixed with other colors would drift by.
Soon, Ivan withdrew his gaze and walked along the street.
Four days later.
Not far from Descending Clouds City, a cloud with a faint red hue appeared in the sky.
The cloud was immense, resembling a mountain range stretched across the sky, one end of which was being pulled down by an unknown force, seemingly about to crash to the ground.
Ivan, having joined the crowd outside Descending Clouds City, sensed a force erupting from the earth, incessantly pulling at the mountain-like cloud. The force seemed heavy, yet was elusive, making his perception unclear.
With a soft sound, the Red Cloud Ridge landed.
“The Red Cloud Realm is opening.”
“The Cloud Realm is unpredictable, and it’s uncertain what type of terrain is inside this year, hopefully nothing too chaotic.”
“Don’t get your hopes up, it’s always chaotic in there.”
Watching the Red Cloud Ridge that had landed, the sorcerers chatted in groups.
The Red Cloud Realm was a peculiar secret realm, inherently as unpredictable as the clouds themselves. Sorcerers who entered would find each visit different from the last.
There were not only sorcerers present, but also some 3rd Class apprentices, who were trying their luck but dared only to stand far back.
“Sorcerer Ivan, be sure to be cautious once inside. If you find yourself overpowered, simply reveal a non-insect aura, and the realm will expel you, remember that,” Molly specifically warned him on behalf of Randall.
In her view, he was Randall’s apprentice and must have only recently become an official sorcerer, less experienced than the other, more senior sorcerers, and safety should be his priority.
“I understand, thank you for the reminder, Sorceress Molly,” Ivan nodded slightly.
At this, Randall gave a light laugh, knowing well that his apprentice was no simple individual and needed no worrying over; perhaps he would even reap rewards beyond their expectations.
Accompanied by a sound like the chirping of ancient insects, the Red Cloud Ridge split open a rotating portal, which quickly expanded, waiting only to stabilize before the sorcerers could enter.
“Fellow sorcerers, you should really thank me this time, for the more Insect Control Masters that enter the secret realm, the denser the insect aura gathers, and the more valuable the resources that appear inside. That’s the real peculiarity of the realm.
I must also correct you all, it’s called the ‘Dead Insects Cloud Realm,’ not ‘Red Cloud Realm.’ Did you get that?”
Someone shouted, drawing the attention of most of the crowd.
A masked sorcerer, his mask chipped to reveal the mouth and eyes, faced many onlookers displaying a smile that was polite yet effortless.
Seemingly quite familiar with the Red Cloud Realm, this masked sorcerer casually shared a significant piece of news about the secret realm, prompting further thought.
“Well then, I will go ahead.”
Without waiting for someone to argue, the masked sorcerer dashed toward the now-stable portal to the secret realm.