Moon Pincer Peninsula, in a valley of the Highland Alliance.
A surge of power burst forth from the stone temple, enveloping much of the valley in the blink of an eye, startling everyone within, including Ivan, who was exploring the Meditation Method. My Virtual Library Empire
“Scented Butterfly is finally undergoing her transformation,”
Ivan said with a smile to those around him as he observed the situation.
Comparing it to the transformation of the Black Scythe Lord, Scented Butterfly’s was undoubtedly more relaxed. However, this did not mean she was more powerful, but that she was reaping the benefits, aided by the Bloodline Essence Power of the Black Scythe Lord and protected by the Insect Breathing Method.
Among all insect pets, Scented Butterfly had mastered the Insect Breathing Method to the highest degree, surpassing even the Silkworm Queen.
With such a proficient Insect Breathing Method, Scented Butterfly avoided many internal consumptions, making the transformation process smoother, saving a great deal of time and energy.
“This power is different from what Scented Butterfly controlled in the past,” Justine said, sensing the spreading power.
“It must be affected by the Black Scythe Lord’s bloodline,” Ivan also perceived. It was indeed different, somewhat more ‘evil’.
As the unintended power released during Scented Butterfly’s transformation affected the valley, the vitality of the plants and trees was slowly stripped away. They yellowed, withered, and died at a visibly rapid rate, frightening the few insects and birds hidden within into fleeing.
Soon after, a cluster of blue vapor drifted out from the temple, gathering midair. Along with the existing phenomena of element particles and the stripped vitality of the plants, it formed a vast sea of blue cloud mist.
In the cloud sea, green leaves, blue vines, and fragrant grass emerged, but these were just embellishments.
The most eye-catching was a lush flower in the center of the cloud sea, surrounded by colorful halos, its overwhelming fragrance intoxicating everyone nearby.
“Scented Butterfly knows how to make an entrance,” Ivan joked.
“She probably isn’t aware of that at the moment,” Justine remarked.
“This makes it even more evident,” Ivan laughed.
Hearing his words, Justine paused for a moment, thought deeply, and then agreed wholeheartedly.
“How is your strength progressing?” Ivan noticed an enhancement in Justine’s aura and couldn’t help asking.
“Not bad, I’ve replenished my essence with Pan Iron Root, advancing to the final stage of Level 3,” Justine replied.
“Do you need more Pan Iron Root?”
“No need, Pan Iron Root is only to replenish what’s missing. It’s almost done, and it’s losing effectiveness.”
Given that Justine always had a clear understanding of her situation, Ivan didn’t inquire further or interfere too much.
While they chatted casually, the flower in the cloud sea slowly bloomed, revealing a creature, tens of meters long yet somewhat graceful.
‘It still has wings similar to butterfly wings, but there are horns on its head, somewhat resembling a Western dragon.’
Ivan thought to himself as he glimpsed Scented Butterfly’s form and was immediately reminded of an image, the goddess from an alien world, Mavis Margaret. Scented Butterfly likely took after this goddess.
Could Mavis be a dragons species?
“Sorcerer Ivan, I’ve transformed to Level 3,” Scented Butterfly announced without the imperiousness of dragon kind, shrinking in size and moving closer to Ivan, her multitude of emotions condensing into a brief statement.
“Not bad at all. It’s not easy for you to reach this stage. With such strength, you could dominate most places,” Ivan wasn’t stingy with his praise.
The growth of creatures has a limit. Breaking through this limit is extremely difficult, especially for beings like Scented Butterfly.
So far, his Level 3 beast pets included only the swamp ant and the Silkworm Queen, and now, the newly advanced Scented Butterfly. If others did not encounter opportunities, they would remain stagnant.
“Don’t say that. My current fortune is all thanks to your support,” Scented Butterfly humbly rejected taking any credit, well aware of her own journey, which had greatly benefited from the opportunities provided by Sorcerer Ivan.
After ascending to Level 3, besides a significant improvement in her physical condition, Scented Butterfly gained three unique abilities: Rejuvenation Technique, Green Leaf Cut, and Source of Wood Poison.
Source of Wood Poison was her newly acquired ability.
This ability allowed her to control a toxin that brought withering and decay to all living things, an exceedingly dominant poison clearly influenced by the Black Scythe Lord’s power.
“Such a lethal poison; if someone got ambushed, even I would suffer.”
This was Justine’s assessment while helping to test it, and with her formidable capacity, she was somewhat wary, let alone other creatures.
Seeing this, Ivan was all the more appreciative.
However, before he could enjoy this for long, Locke, using the other Level 2 rapid wood silkworms that traveled tirelessly night and day, approached a certain distance, activated the communication mark, and relayed a message from afar.
Locke informed him of the bad news he had gathered and revealed his intention to personally visit the Black God Society.
After hearing the message from a thousand miles away, Ivan’s expression darkened somewhat.
“This guy indeed has some guts, if the situation is true, it’s indeed necessary for him to go there in advance,” Justine clearly agreed with Locke’s decision.
“Yes, Locke is also a responsible one,” Ivan also expressed his approval.
“The situation is unclear, and delays could lead to changes, how about I go to the Blood Ring Mountains immediately and join Locke to bring out Sorcerer Randall? You can come over after the situation becomes clear,” Justine then suggested.
“Do I look like someone who is scared?” Hearing this, Ivan rolled his eyes at her and seeing that she wanted to continue persuading, he simply waved his hand:
“No need to say more, I have my own plans, I definitely won’t capsize in this gutter, just wait and see.”
That day, Ivan bid farewell to Justine, Pearney, and others and set off at top speed towards the southern region of the Chanay Continent.
…
Southern region, Pengdala City.
Although Locke had made up his mind, he didn’t recklessly head to the Black Mist Rift Valley but instead arrived at his original destination, Pengdala City, a rugged medium-sized city.
The next day upon arrival, he started gathering information in the Pipidite district, which specifically catered to sorcerers.
Taverns, trading houses, hotels – he was seen everywhere, eagerly inquiring about Randall, acting rather conspicuously.
“Are you the disciple of Sorcerer Randall?” As he expected, someone came to his hotel that evening and asked right away, seemingly knowing something about him.
“Yes, you can call me ‘Ivan’.” Locke responded.
“It seems Sorcerer Randall informed you, haha, Sorcerer Ivan, now that you’re here, you’re one of us, I’m Fanta Snow, a good friend of Randall’s.” After confirming the aura, Fanta recognized him as a practitioner of the Black Beard Chapter.
No doubt, anyone who practiced the Black Beard Chapter was definitely one of their own.
However, he didn’t realize that Locke’s situation was special; he hadn’t completely mastered the Black Beard Chapter but he could perfectly mimic Ivan’s aura. With his half-baked skills in the Black Beard Chapter, he blurred the line between truth and deception.
“Come with me, I’ve been eager to introduce you to the Black God Society,” Fanta, without further scrutiny, immediately extended the invitation.
“I’d like to meet Randall first,” Locke remained unmoved, but he remembered Lilith’s words – it seemed that the message was true.
Without even needing a thorough investigation, the Black God Society really had a way to control those who practiced the Black Beard Chapter, unafraid of stirring up turmoil.
“You needn’t worry too much, our Black God Society is just a loose organization of Insect Masters, built for the exchange of insect-rearing techniques. Since the day it was established, it’s never forced its members to undertake any missions. I swear by the Mother of the Earth Core on this.”
“I can also assure you, the location of the Black God Society is very special, it is also a sacred ground for practicing the Black Beard Chapter and rearing insects. Randall is currently preparing to advance to Level 2 Sorcerer and probably won’t have time to meet you.”
Fanta continued, pulling even the name of the Mother of Earth Core into his assurance, making his words more convincing.
“Really?” Locke was clearly shaken.
“By the Mother of Earth Core, I—” Fanta was straightforward in taking the oath.
“If that is the case, then I will go with you and see,” Locke finally agreed.
Afterward, under Fanta’s guidance, the two left Pengdala City and plunged into the vast Blood Ring Mountains, arriving soon at the Black Mist Rift Valley nestled in the mountains.
“Don’t just see this place as barren mountains and wild ridges with nothing inside, it’s quite special inside—you’re sure to have your eyes opened,” Fanta joked, flying down into the ravine while gesturing for Locke to follow closely.
Below the valley was a narrow, dim underground crack that felt oppressive.
Passing through crossroads, avoiding traps, after a long distance, the path ahead began to brighten, revealing a wide underground fissure.
If one ignored that they were underground, the scene could be seen entirely differently: one side was cliffs and caves, presumably the residences of sorcerers; the other side was a deep chasm filled with swirling black mist that occasionally solidified into massive insect shapes.
With the glow of the surrounding bioluminescence, Locke took in everything and also saw a brighter smile on Fanta’s face.
“Sorcerer Ivan, we’re here, welcome to the Black God Society.”
“Good! What a sacred place for practicing the Black Beard Chapter.”
Locke kept looking around, a smile also appearing on his face.
His words were not false—indeed, the aura around was conducive to practicing the Black Beard Chapter as well as rearing insects.
Being half of the Insect Race, he keenly discerned something else—the environment seemed more beneficial for rearing insects; this place felt more like a nest of insects than a gathering place for sorcerers.
This point raised his suspicions.