Chapter 268: Rising Fame
"The predecessor of the Starry Sky Tower was a Wizard Tower, believed to have been left behind by a powerful Traveling Wizard who died in battle. Due to extensive damage, only the structure remained intact. Consequently, the All Things Assembly took over and transformed it into the Starry Sky Tower we see today," Tanna explained as she led Su Nan and Lize into the tower.
The first floor was a spacious, circular hall paved entirely with White Jade Stone, exuding an air of luxury.
Within the hall, evenly spaced blocks of Cyan Stone Tablets over two meters high stood densely, resembling a stone forest.
The surfaces of the tablets displayed intricate text, recording detailed mission information.
Su Nan glanced around and noticed that the missions primarily focused on gathering Wizards to explore certain planes, hiring individuals to conquer planes, or purchasing specific types of information.
After surveying the area, Su Nan quickly lost interest.
Wandering Wizards who had not joined a faction might find this place appealing, as it allowed them to earn resources and acquire information. However, for Su Nan, the purpose of this Task Hall was inconsequential.
The resources he sought were unlikely to be found here.
Additionally, genuinely valuable information was not expected to surface in a place like this.
This was also a circular hall, albeit smaller in size.
The number of stone tablets was also reduced, distributed around the hall's perimeter in a circular formation.
Many Wizards stood in front of the tablets, gesturing and whispering among themselves.
Su Nan approached one of the stone tablets and examined the text inscribed upon it.
【Arena No. 13】 【Ringmaster: Trevor Evans】 【Affiliation: Steel Construct】 【Rank: Second Stage Crystallization Wizard】 【Wager: Shadow Steel Golem x 10】 【Challenge Fee: 5000 Lower Magic Stones】
Noticing Su Nan's gaze, Tanna explained, "Here at the Arena Duel, the rule is that only those of the same level as the ring leader can initiate a challenge. A Second Level Wizard can challenge another Second Level Wizard, and a Level 3 Wizard can challenge a Level 3 Wizard. Therefore, anyone daring enough to issue an Arena Duel is likely a Crystallization Wizard, boasting some of the best combat power at their level."
Lize glanced at the stone tablet, a look of recollection crossing his face. "I remember that Steel Construct was a third-rate Wizard Faction, right? I heard they excel in refining Puppets?"
"You're correct, Elder Lize," Tanna replied, smiling in agreement. Upon learning that Lize was a Second Level Wizard, Tanna's demeanor became even more respectful.
"Steel Construct's Puppets are renowned for their high quality. The same materials produce a Puppet that is several times stronger than those refined by other Wizards. They're quite popular among Wizards. These ten Shadow Steel Golems are worth at least seventy thousand Lower Magic Stones."
By paying five thousand Lower Magic Stones, a challenger who wins can obtain a wager valued at seventy thousand Lower Magic Stones.
That's a thirteen-fold profit. Any Wizard confident in their strength would be tempted.
While Su Nan and the others were chatting, a Wizard approached stone tablet number 13, glanced at it a few times, and casually pressed it. A flash of light occurred, and the person vanished from the spot.
"The duel area is in a different dimensional space, so no matter how intense the battle is, there’s no need to worry about damaging the Starry Sky Tower itself."
Just as Tanna was speaking, he suddenly heard a voice from behind.
"Tanna."
Turning around, he saw a Wizard in a long robe approaching. His face was obscured by an unusual bird mask, veiling half his features. Feathers, some crimson and some emerald green, adorned his hair, lending him a peculiar appearance.
"Bryce, long time no see."
Tanna clearly recognized the newcomer, greeting him with a wide smile.
"It's been almost three hundred years. Where have you been all this time? I haven't seen you return."
Tanna's smile turned wry. "It's a long story; I ran into some trouble."
Seeing that Tanna didn’t intend to say more on the subject, Bryce wisely refrained from asking further questions and shifted his gaze toward Su Nan and Lize.
"And who might these two be?" he inquired.
Tanna responded quickly, "Let me introduce you. This is Master Su Nan and Lord Lize."
Bryce's expression turned serious. To be addressed as "Lord" by Tanna indicated that this individual was at least a Second Level Wizard.
Tanna continued with the introductions, "This is Bryce from the Thousand-Headed Bird."
Thousand-Headed Bird?
Su Nan racked his brain, recalling that it was a Wizard Faction known for its expertise in cultivating Exotic Beasts and reputed to manage over a hundred large breeding grounds for Medium Exotic Beasts, referred to as an Ecological Garden.
"Su Nan Arnett, from the Star Alliance," Su Nan said with a slight nod.
"Lyze Russell," Lize also introduced himself, "also from the Star Alliance."
"Star Alliance!" Bryce's eyes lit up. "Could you be the Star Alliance that recently repelled the attack from Gloomy Throne and joined the Wisdom Codex front?"
Before Su Nan and Lize could respond, Tanna interjected with a smile, "Which other Star Alliance would it be? Master Su Nan is the Controller of the Star Alliance."
Bryce was filled with respect.
News regarding Gloomy Throne was always eye-catching within Wizard circles, especially considering it involved the Starlight Continent, which had been sealed for two thousand years.
Gloomy Throne had sent a King Robe Wizard candidate, leading a full army and five Wizard Towers, to attack but ended up facing complete annihilation. Not only did the King Robe Wizard candidate perish, but the controlled Plane also fell into the hands of the Star Alliance.
In nearly two thousand years, had Gloomy Throne ever experienced such a significant defeat?
Moreover, this had been brought about by a local Wizard Faction that had developed in the Sealed Plane!
When the news spread, many initially reacted with disbelief. Only after confirming the authenticity of the reports did they feel overwhelming shock.
The Star Alliance rose to prominence within the Wizarding World. Among the middle and lower echelons of Wizards, very few were now unaware of the name Star Alliance.
"It's an honor to meet you!"
Bryce's demeanor shifted, becoming more respectful, and a hint of eagerness appeared.
"I heard that the Star Alliance's newly acquired Wolf Tide Plane contains a Biological Nest that can hatch both Black Wolf and Twilight Wolf species. I am very interested in both. Would Master Su Nan be willing to sell me a few? I’m ready to offer a premium!"
Su Nan was momentarily taken aback, but then, recalling that Bryce was from the Thousand Headed Bird, which had a penchant for studying Exotic Beasts, he understood.
"The Twilight Wolves are extremely rare, and the Star Alliance doesn't plan to sell them at the moment. However, Black Wolves are available. If the Thousand Headed Bird wishes to acquire them, they can purchase them from the Star Alliance."
The Twilight Wolves within the Wolf Tide Plane were essentially all dead—there wasn't a single one remaining, so naturally, they couldn't be sold.
Even if any did exist, Su Nan had no plans to sell them in the near future. After all, Twilight Valley only produces one Twilight Wolf per year.
Unless the number of Twilight Wolves reaches its maximum, Su Nan intends to keep them for internal use.
On the other hand, Black Wolves hatch very quickly, reaching their maximum number in just over a decade. Selling a few tens of thousands would be inconsequential. Trading them for some Magic Stones would be far more profitable, given that their production cost is practically non-existent.
Hearing Su Nan's words, Bryce felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly regained his enthusiasm. Being able to purchase Black Wolves was still a significant opportunity.
The important takeaway from Su Nan's tone was that large-scale purchases were a possibility. It seemed many people in his organization would also be interested in the Nest Creatures, providing Bryce the chance to earn a little on the side.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Bryce grew excited, repeatedly thanking Su Nan.
After advising Bryce to contact Lize later, Su Nan turned to Tanna and asked, "Where is the arena for the Supreme Golem Design wager?"
"It's the 24th Arena, right over here," Tanna replied, leading the way.
The group soon arrived in front of the 24th Arena.
【24th Arena】 【Champion: Macaro Campbell】 【Affiliation: Black Suo Tower】 【Level: Tier 3 Crystallization Wizard】 【Wager: Supreme Golem Design】 【Challenge Fee: 50,000 Lower Magic Stones】
"Black Suo Tower's Wizard," Lize muttered, frowning slightly as a hint of disgust crossed his face.
Black Suo Tower is part of the evil faction known as the Black Wizard Forces, belonging to the Wizard Faction.
Their overall strength is slightly below that of Gloomy Throne, classifying them as a Second Rate Wizard Force, yet their notoriety is not much less than that of Gloomy Throne.
"Makaro is quite formidable; he once fought Gloomy Throne's King Robe Wizard to a draw," Tanna whispered.
Upon hearing this, Lize's brow furrowed even deeper as she glanced at Su Nan, worry evident in her eyes.
Bryce also realized that Su Nan was here for the Supreme Golem Design and intended to participate in the Arena Duel.
As he studied the text on the Stone tablet, he hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back.
Gloomy Throne's King Robe Wizards are among the best of the Level 3 Wizards; any one of them could take on three ordinary Tier 3 Crystallization Wizards without breaking a sweat!
To be able to fight a King Robe Wizard to a draw speaks volumes about Makaro's strength.
Even Su Nan likely wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Su Nan, however, remained oblivious to the others' expressions and placed his hand on the Stone tablet.
A mechanical, monotonous voice of the Tower Spirit soon echoed in his ear.
[Initial login target detected; please register your identification information.]
[Friendly reminder: Please do not provide false identification information. Once it is verified that the information is false, penalties may include expulsion from Starry Sky Tower, a lifelong ban from entering Starry Sky Tower, and permanent expulsion from the City of All Things.]
The registration process was straightforward, and Su Nan completed it swiftly.
His identification information then appeared on the Stone tablet.
[Challenger: Su Nan Arnett]
[Affiliation: Star Alliance]
[Level: Tier 3 Vaporization Wizard]
[Challenge Ranking: 3]
At the sight of the information displayed on the Stone tablet, Tanna and Bryce's eyes widened in astonishment.
In their minds, given Su Nan's ability to kill Youxi, they assumed he must also be a Tier 3 Crystallization Wizard. They never expected that he was actually just a Tier 3 Vaporization Wizard!
A Tier 3 Vaporization Wizard defeating a Level 3 Crystallization Wizard?
The two exchanged glances, both momentarily wondering if Youxi was merely a paper tiger.
"But upon further consideration, no matter how much of an empty reputation he possessed, Youxi was indeed a genuine Tier 3 Crystallization Wizard. It could only be said that Su Nan's strength was clearly greater than they had anticipated.
No wonder, after learning that Makaro had strength comparable to a King Robe Wizard, Su Nan still had the courage to issue a challenge.
Ignoring the thoughts of the two, Su Nan's gaze fell upon the challenge list engraved on the stone tablet.
The Wizard who initiated the challenge would be displayed on the stone tablet in chronological order.
Before Su Nan, there were two challengers.
One was a Tier 3 Crystallization Wizard named Anman Lide, hailing from Sea King Whale.
Su Nan remembered that Sea King Whale was also a Second Rate Wizard Force, renowned for its water-based innate abilities. Its Wizard Tools, puppets, and tamed exotic beasts were primarily water-related, establishing them as specialists within the water system Wizard Faction.
The other challenger was named Gelushi Xiusi, also a Tier 3 Crystallization Wizard, from Pale Mask.
Pale Mask and Black Suo Tower were both part of the Black Wizard Forces. Pale Mask had a slightly better reputation than Black Suo Tower, but they were still closely associated.
In the Arena Duel of the Starry Sky Tower, there was no distinction between factions; even Wizards from the same faction would not hesitate to draw their swords for profit.
Although outside of the Starry Sky Tower, the Black Wizard Forces frequently engaged in conflict and bloodshed among themselves.
Buzz!
The stone tablet suddenly illuminated with a bright glow, and immediately following this, a Wizard appeared out of thin air in front of it.
His face was pale, his lips stained with blood, and his expression was extremely grim—clearly, he had lost the duel.
Arena Duels lacked comprehensive protective measures; injuries were common. The only safety feature was the ability to instantly leave the Duel Space at any time.
Whether challenger or champion, both could escape the battle as soon as they sensed that the situation was turning unfavorable.
Despite this, every year, there were still numerous incidents of one party meeting death in these duels.
The Wizard who killed their opponent in an Arena Duel would not be held accountable by the All Things Assembly, nor would they be permitted to take violent revenge against the killer within the City of All Things.
Of course, outside the borders of the City of All Things, the All Things Assembly had little control over such matters."
The defeated Wizard glanced at Su Nan and the others, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and left quickly, his face dark with anger.
The Wizard, who had just finished the duel, could have chosen to rest. However, the name at the top of the list suddenly lit up, indicating that the arena champion had opted to skip his break and immediately begin the next challenge, clearly brimming with confidence in his strength.
A Wizard wearing a sea-blue robe, decorated with a peculiar tattoo of an Exotic Beast's head on his cheek, approached. He first scanned the text on the Stone tablet, and upon seeing Su Nan's information, a strange expression crossed his face. He scrutinized Su Nan a few times before reaching out to press on the Stone tablet.
【Please pay a challenge fee of 50,000 Lower Magic Stones or an equivalent value in Mid High Magic Stones. Other items are not accepted for deductions.】
The Tower Spirit's voice echoed, and a crack appeared in the center of the Stone tablet. The Wizard produced five hundred Superior Magic Stones and tossed them in. In a flash of light, he vanished from the spot.
The second challenge had begun.
"My lord, after this challenge is over, the arena champion should take a rest. I think we should leave and return the next day," suggested Tanna.
No matter how powerful the arena champion was, he could participate in only two challenges at most. After that, he would need to rest and recover; otherwise, fighting in a weakened state could easily lead to defeat.
Su Nan readily agreed and departed with Lize.
When they returned the next day, they spotted a Wizard wearing a white mask standing in front of the 24th Stone tablet, paying the fee.
Sensing someone approaching, he turned his head to look. The eyes beneath the mask flickered, and he spoke in a muffled voice, "Su Nan Arnett?"
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