Adjacent to Yunhui’s Luofeng Grand Domain, it was unremarkable when juxtaposed with the seven great nations. However, this domain also boasted two super oases: Frostleaf City and Watercolor Federation.
Frostleaf City, on the surface, possessed a Level 7 oasis, along with sixteen large oases of Level 4 or higher. Watercolor Federation was even stronger, holding two Level 7 super oases.
While they were significantly inferior to the seven great nations, their strength still surpassed that of emerging super oases like Falling Star City.
The sudden emergence of Spark Academy most impacted these ‘two overlords’ of Luofeng. They were concerned about a myth being born within Luofeng Domain besides themselves, leading to the appearance of a third or fourth super oasis, thus siphoning off a portion of the already scarce resources.
However, before they could enact any measures, the two powers were stunned to realize that Spark Academy was simply beyond their reach.
Since they couldn’t afford to offend it, they had no choice but to… just accept it.
With the seven great nations always looming overhead, they were experienced in displaying their non-threatening intentions. The mythical figures were all seasoned experts at playing dead; they immediately… did nothing.
When in doubt, procrastinate.
Do more, make more mistakes. Do less, make fewer mistakes.
Moreover, Spark Academy was too powerful, a force on par with the seven great nations. Dealing with the academy, whether through talks, conflict, or other means, was the purview of the seven great nations.
They had no need to worry; they would simply await the outcome.
Frostleaf City and Watercolor Federation were wary of Spark Academy, but this was not a matter that required immediate attention. Delaying it for a few years or even decades was not a significant issue.
They could continue to lie low. But while lying low, a pressing matter arose that forced them to spring from their beds.
A terrifying Black River shrouded the sky!
Initially, Frostleaf City and Watercolor Federation paid it little mind. It was just another evil god’s calamity, seemingly terrifying, but the source of the disaster was in the Mid-Ghoul Realm, a great distance away. By the time the calamity reached their Luofeng Grand Domain, only a residual trace of its power would remain. They deemed it insignificant.
However, as time passed…
“Lord City Lord, the resource point output of our various oases has declined once again!”
“Our Royal City’s resource point monthly output has dropped by 8.5%, while outside, the large oases affiliated with Frostleaf City have seen their resource output decline by up to 39%!”
Upon hearing the report, the City Lord of Frostleaf City wore a grave expression.
The Oasis Heart of the Royal City was the most powerful, capable of generating world power and providing significant protection to the oasis itself. Yet, even so, the output from the Royal City’s resource territories was visibly declining.
The oases outside the Royal City were becoming increasingly depleted.
If it were merely a temporary reduction in output, the City Lord of Frostleaf City could accept it. But…
“What if this is a permanent reduction? What if the decay of resource points becomes more severe? And moreover…”
The impact of the Black River calamity extended beyond this.
The ferocity of the ghouls, the wilting of plants, the fading of life… these effects were gradually intensifying, and perhaps other undiscovered disasters were brewing.
Thinking of this, the City Lord of Frostleaf City’s head began to ache.
He had always been a representative figure of the ‘lying flat’ faction. Now, he was forced to make a decision, and he… he struggled to come up with one.
He looked at the other two mythical figures.
The head of the Intelligence Department, responsible for information, and the chief strategist assisting in the management of the oases.
“We are not the only ones affected by this calamity. Perhaps… we should do as we always do and learn from the response strategies of the seven great nations.”
Currently, their ‘disaster response strategy’ for Frostleaf City was to copy the homework of their patron, the ‘Ancient Wood Kingdom.’
The chief strategist shook his head. “The seven great nations are not suffering severe damage. They have the ability to curb the decline in resource output. In other words, the seven great nations have enough time to continue waiting and then make decisions based on whether the Black River’s influence continues. However, for our Frostleaf City, the disaster is already imminent. We… the City Lord must come up with a plan quickly.”
The City Lord of Frostleaf City remained silent for a long moment, then asked, “What about Spark Academy?”
The head of intelligence shook his head. “Spark Academy has no oases. They are holed up within a secret realm and are not affected in the slightest. Even if this disaster were ten or a hundred times stronger, to the point where the seven great nations could no longer sit idly by, Spark Academy… would likely still remain within their secret realm, as stable as a mountain.”
…
Spark Academy was indeed remarkably tranquil.
Under the shroud of the ruins, the surrounding few kilometers were not enveloped by grey mist. Occasionally, ghouls or ghoul packs would attack, but they were quickly eliminated by the energy towers surrounding the academy’s entrance.
Within the academy, it was utterly peaceful, without the slightest ripple.
Some solitary students were immersed in their self-cultivation, having no interaction with others, nor undertaking any external missions. They were not even aware that a catastrophe was unfolding outside.
It was like a paradise here.
“But fleeing is useless. Only by facing the ghoul disaster directly can a solution be found… Little Huan, how is the information gathering coming along?”
“Still not much. However, one thing is certain: this Black River calamity scene will not end quickly. It might last for a considerable time, similar to the War of the Evil Gods over two years ago.”
But the early stages of the War of the Evil Gods were merely an invisible influence. There were no visible evil god calamity scenes engulfing numerous grand domains at that time.
Even earlier, the collision of evil god calamity scenes that Xitina personally witnessed lasted only for a brief moment.
These changes all signaled that ominousness and disaster were gradually approaching.
However, this was only macro-level information. To study the disaster, Spark needed to gather more details related to it. Sometimes, an inconspicuous detail could contain an invisible key.
With Qianmian accompanying the Blood-Colored Emperor to the Mid-Ghoul Realm, and Wuxia leaving behind a clone within Spark, Little Huan had taken on some of the responsibilities for information gathering and organization.
She could record countless pieces of information in an instant and organize them rapidly.
However, the environment of the ghoul realm was special, and it was often extremely difficult to connect one oasis to another. There was no internet here, no network of spells, no magical nets, no KALA. For Little Huan to gather information, she still relied on her eyes and ears.
And she was only ‘one person.’
Therefore, the task of collecting information and acting as Little Huan’s eyes and ears fell upon each and every Spark Academy student.
“Two-star mission: Investigate the disaster situation in Kekege Oasis and collect disaster samples.”
“Three-star mission: Escort the heir of Luohe Oasis to Shuiman Nation (this mission originates from Luohe Oasis) and inquire about the disaster situation in that oasis.”
“Three-star large-scale mission: Rescue 11 severely affected small oases and transport them to Yunhui Seven Nations, where they will be arranged and managed by the local Spark institutions.”
“Four-star mission (High Risk): Approximately two thousand kilometers north of Luohe Oasis, the source of the calamity is suspected to have appeared. The mission objective is to infiltrate this area and determine if the source of the calamity exists. This mission has a high degree of uncertainty; proceed with caution.”
“Dozens more disaster-related missions have appeared. The situation seems rather serious.”
“However, there are too many missions; we can’t take them all, even if they offer a lot of academic credits.”
“These credits are equivalent to the academy’s resources. I am somewhat worried… can the academy sustain such expenditure for a few years!”
In the mission hall, the remaining dozen or so students discussed amongst themselves.
They did not linger. After picking up suitable missions, they departed. However, before long, other students would enter. Either to turn in missions or to pick them up.
The students hurried about their business.
Despite the tranquility within the secret realm, akin to a paradise, the vast majority of students felt a sense of urgency. This urgency stemmed from both internal and external factors.
Artula, the eighteenth prince of the Crimson Sand Nation, had been living and training within the academy for some time. Looking at the missions posted on the panel, he frowned.
Unlike many in his country, he maintained a very optimistic outlook. He believed the disaster was already quite close.
However, even as a prince, his words carried little weight. He could not persuade any mythical figures. He could only try to find evidence. He had already completed one mission to investigate the disaster and had come today to pick up another, more important mission.
At this moment, a follower rushed over.
“Your Highness, Prince, something big has happened!”
The follower’s expression fluttered, and he leaned into Artula’s ear, lowering his voice. “Today, the academy will confer the title of core disciple upon several students. This is the first batch of students to advance to core since Spark Academy’s inception!”
Artula also raised an eyebrow, unable to resist the urge to go and join the excitement.
—Mission opportunities are common, but a core disciple advancement ceremony like this is a first!
There were quite a few people who were as curious as he was and well-informed. Soon, dozens of furtive students gathered outside the main peak memorial monument area.
Artula swept his gaze and noticed many acquaintances.
Princess Mia of the Cloud Atlas Nation, the sixty-ninth prince of Shuiman Nation, Long Taojia, and many other top-tier titled Six Senses who had made a name for themselves.
But no matter who they were, at this moment, they had all transformed into spectators.
“What lack of composure, skulking about!”
Director Ruo, who appeared and disappeared mysteriously, reappeared, her face as cold as ever. Even a prince like Artula couldn’t help but shiver.
Just as they were about to dejectedly leave, Miss Ruo spoke again. “Watch if you must, but don’t look so shifty.”
“Yes!”
Dozens of students straightened their backs abruptly and moved forward, focusing their gaze on the four figures standing proudly before the massive stone tablet.
“Green Leaf Sword – Xu Feng.”
“Golden Knight – Awada.”
“Deadly Pharmacist – Nai Xi.”
“…And a young girl named Qian Xiaocao?”
Except for the last person, the other three were renowned first-class titled powerhouses who had undertaken numerous missions and performed exceptionally in various assessments. They were well-known within the academy, so being conferred the status of core disciple was not particularly surprising.
However, in Artula’s opinion, there was a fundamental reason why they were conferred core status, while his own core application was rejected—their background!
The four of Green Leaf Sword were either of commoner origin or from large oases… In Artula’s eyes, they were all unfettered powerhouses, thus more likely to be chosen. As for himself, being a prince of the Crimson Sand Nation, it was impossible to enter the academy’s core.
He had anticipated this long ago when he applied.
He wasn't particularly disappointed.
The follower smacked his lips. “I’m a little envious, but only a little. After all, besides a more prominent title, core disciples don't seem to have any other benefits?”
It wasn't that there were no benefits at all.
Core disciples were rumored to receive meticulous guidance from their mentors; they could exchange for various treasures and cultivation supplies at slightly preferential prices; in addition, there were rumored mysterious benefits. However, when they asked their seniors, the latter merely offered a mysterious smile and cryptic remarks like, "You'll understand when you advance."
It was as good as saying nothing!
Did it mean the academy would directly issue academic credits? That was impossible. Someone had already asked, but their seniors had denied it. The seniors bluntly stated that Spark would not coddle idlers or raise weaklings who possessed high levels and realms but incredibly poor combat power. Spark cultivated well-rounded talents.
Beyond this, what other generous benefits could core disciples possibly have? They racked their brains and could not think of any.
Formal students already had access to epic-grade inheritance grounds and could cultivate in wondrous places like the Contemplation Waterfall and the Dragon Vein Blood Pool… There couldn’t be anything more advanced!
Artula thought the same.
He looked at the four figures in the distance with a hint of envy, but this envy was only… slight.
Being a prince and a formal student was not bad in itself.
…
Qian Xiaocao was a little panicked.
How could she, a mere rookie who had only awakened to the third level, be promoted to core disciple alongside these powerhouses?
“Take the oath before the stone tablet. Of course, you still have the option to withdraw. The path ahead for us Spark people is fraught with darkness. Are you willing to step into the darkness and blaze a path of light with a torch?”
“We are willing!”
Vice President Liu Feng’s gaze swept over everyone, and he nodded with satisfaction.
“Next, it is for Teacher… the Dean to confer upon you the status of core disciple, which is the ritual of joining the organization.”
“Eh, Dean?!”
Not long after,
*Ding!*
“Spark has been linked. May the Spark be passed on, and humanity endure forever.”
…
The Spark System had undergone several versions of updates and upgrades since its inception.
New members now no longer needed that flimsy contract. Fang You had revised it into a ritual more in line with the current era and the culture of the ghoul realm.
Based on the Apostle list and the mission panel, he had also innovatively introduced some practical small functions.
For instance, sub-apostles could engage in private messages and group chats (crossed out) communicate telepathically with other sub-apostles, though with distance limitations.
The four individuals who had just joined, aside from Qian Xiaocao, whose ‘talent was special’ and situation somewhat similar to Yi Yeluoxi, were all mature Six Senses and had met the conditions for mythical awakening.
Instructor Fang’s gaze swept over them one by one.
Their awakening rates were very low, but this was because their pollution levels were all above 20%.
A single reset would suffice.
Their conditions and foundations were far superior to those of the First Tower Master of the Black Stone Alliance and Dean Rose.
“I hope they can advance to mythical status within two attempts, adding more high-level combat power to the organization… The current manpower is already becoming insufficient.”
The existence of these four would also serve as role models.
As long as one advanced to core disciple and touched upon the mythical realm, it was no longer a dream!
Even with constraints;
Even if the path ahead was dangerous;
There would still be many students who would take up the torch of inheritance to strive for mythical status and uphold Spark’s ideals.
Soon after,
A majestic divine aura shot up from the cultivation area of the academy’s main peak, and the sky was filled with resplendent light.
Someone had broken through the mortal realm and become a myth!