The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

The Ivory Turtle ultimately came to grips with the harsh reality and reluctantly decided to stay by Alavin's side. After all, what choice did it have? Its fate was sealed by enchanted chains. "Are you done talking?" Balder pushed the door open and entered.

"Come in and take a seat." Alavin stretched languidly, having had a refreshing sleep. With the Mallister family issue resolved, his mind was at ease, and he felt light as a feather.

"Where's the little turtle?"

"Call me Grandshell." The Ivory Turtle lay on its back on Alavin's shoulder, limbs sprawled out, swinging its tiny feet, wagging its little tail, and leisurely nibbling on an Elixir Fruit. "Grandshell??"

"Good, you shall be rewarded!" The Ivory Turtle casually tossed an Elixir Fruit.

Balder instinctively caught it, a walnut-sized brown fruit heavy in his hand, like a lead ball. The Elixir Fruit was shrouded in a dense earthy aura that occasionally settled on its surface and then churned, morphing into various beastly silhouettes struggling for freedom. With his experience, Balder recognized at a glance that this was a Super Elixir Fruit with a core of earthen might. A treasure almost on par with the Legendary Elixir Fruit, imbued with pure Terran Power, highly tempting to Mages who practiced earth-based Combat Magic.

Balder took a deep breath, genuinely astonished by the grandeur implied by the title "Grandshell."

"This Grandshell was very important," Alavin said with a chuckle, gesturing towards the turtle.

"Well said, have a reward." The turtle dug out another Elixir Fruit from its shell and flicked it to Alavin.

Alavin caught it and shook his head with a wry smile as the creature truly fancied itself as some kind of an elder.

Balder clicked his tongue in wonder at the turtle's bold personality.

"What's the situation outside?"

"The Northlands have truly been stirred this time. Everyone's talking about Stormcast and discussing the eighteen royal statues-we've become famous. Many have come to the wilderness in recent days, drawn by the majesty of the statues."

"I suppose many are cursing me," Alavin said with a laugh. He intended for this deterrent effect-the more they cursed, the more it showed their fear, and if they were afraid, they wouldn't dare bully his kin. "The Hidden Essence and the Skyborne Rivers have activated their protective barriers, declared their Organizations sealed, and ceased to involve themselves in the Northlands' affairs, no longer speaking of vengeance. I believe they are genuinely afraid. Lord Viperbane and Lord Skyveil have uprooted their families and fled to the Midlands."

"They fled?" Alavin was surprised. He had expected Lord Viperbane and Lord Skyveil to seek an alliance with other royal households for revenge. After all, their power was formidable, and with Archmages still within their Organization, along with numerous other mages, they could muster a significant force.

"They know to avoid your blade and preserve their strength," Balder explained. "Those of Lord Falconcrest are no fools. Were they to seek Lord Falconcrest's aid for revenge? They would swallow you whole in due time."

"Midlands," Alavin repeated, chuckling. He had been planning to explore the Midlands after settling matters in the Northlands, to join an expedition to the Luminous Sanctuary and meet the talents from other realms. Now, it seemed two fierce Lords had already taken residence there. No doubt, as soon as he set foot in the Midlands, they would be ready to pounce. "What is it?"

"Nothing much. Has the Blessed Citadel responded?"

"The Blessed Citadel's delegation stayed at the Stellar Precepts for a few days before departing."

"Didn't the Stellar Precepts Commander kill one of their Elders?"

"It was an accidental death; he'd surely find a way to reconcile the matter. The Northlands are in a delicate state now, and the Stellar Precepts once the foremost Organization, is now isolated. They can only seek help from the Blessed Citadel, which has been yearning to control the Stellar Precepts for years. Both sides have mutual goals, and this might be their

opportunity-it's a matter of who can use whom."

Balder saw the truth clearly. After this incident, the remaining three Lords would band together more tightly, and a new alliance of five Organizations would form. The Stellar Precepts had suddenly become the weakest from the strongest, and unless they could take control of the Skyborne Rivers and the Hidden Essence, they had to seek other allies. The Blessed Citadel was an excellent choice; it all hinged on their negotiations. If they agreed, the Stellar Precepts would become the Blessed Citadel's claw and fang in the Northlands. If not, the Stellar Precepts would do everything in their power to control the Skyborne Rivers and the Hidden Essence.

"Awake, are you?" Eyla pushed the door open, her vibrant and youthful charm immediately filling the room with color. Her stunning figure and alluring persona made the entire chamber seem more lively. Her radiant face seemed a masterpiece crafted by the heavens themselves, and her rosy lips curved into a subtle, enticing smile. Her attire today was modest by her usual standards, not as revealing as it often was, yet her thin garments could scarcely conceal her seductive curves. Her ample bosom, slender waist, and long, shapely legs exuded an astonishing allure.