Mage Manual-Chapter 1283 - 933: Dream Treasury

The ultimate blossoming of deadly swordsmanship, the ferocious war axe that laid waste to cities and armies, converged here!

Boom!

The aftermath splashed like two armies clashing, the splashed shockwave crushed the surrounding debris and petals, leaving dust and life as the only bright colors on the battlefield. Long Yuan was knocked back by the billowing smoke, his leather shoes leaving two marks on the ground.

"Truly a battle of ten thousand armies." Le Huai turned his head to avoid the flying stones and put his hands back into his beach shorts pockets.

Long Yuan exhaled a long breath; compared to an unexpected twist in a foolproof plan, he was more concerned about the four Mages in front of him.

Three Rainbow Holy Grails, one Dull Holy Grail.

Nothing proves their strength more than an epic task like the "Condensing Holy Grail." Even Long Yuan had to admit they were the finest Mages of their generation. However, in everyone’s impression, the more powerful a Mage is, the more aloof they become, not only due to the mental distortions caused by power but also because mages can only pursue power alone. Whether they like it or not, they are accustomed to loneliness, immersed in it, embracing it.

Mages can have companions, but they are often much weaker followers. If they encounter Mages of the same level, they can at most form alliances, without ever forming deep bonds. Yearning for independence and freedom is the essence of a Mage’s soul; there should be no chains in this world capable of binding a Mage’s wings!

But what did Long Yuan see now?

These four Mages were actually able to rely on each other, trust each other, and fight side by side. Moreover, they were not some temporary alliance. Long Yuan could see that these excellent Mages, who should have been mutually exclusive, had indeed established a close life-and-death relationship!

If the failure to kill the Ghost Prophet made Long Yuan feel a little regret, the existence of this group of Mages made him feel apprehensive!

If such a trusting group existed among the Demons, other Demons would stand no chance of competing. Even if Long Yuan didn’t think these Mages would ever compete with him on the same stage, their potential was enough to make Long Yuan cautious.

In any team, there must be a central figure.

Long Yuan’s gaze swept across. Was it this red-haired Sword Master reaching the realm of mortal legends?

Was it this contemporary Gospel with a resemblance to sound knowledge?

Was it the thrice-reborn Ghost Prophet, who would likely scoop the largest inheritance in this Angel Hunt?

Or... was it that man who never gave up?

Long Yuan let out a long breath, gripping his war axe, his eyes exuding an icy killing intent—

"Let’s not talk about what’s in front; consider what I said after as unsaid." The voice of Sound Knowledge resounded from the rooftop, "There’s no time left. The Ghost Prophet extermination battle is over; I’m done playing."

She waved at Ash, "Give my regards to Igula and Harvey for me. Bye-bye."

Le Huai glanced at Vishi, "Was the Hell’s Poison your simulation?"

"Indeed." Vishi also faintly recognized whom Le Huai served, "Rajesh really did me in."

"Next time we meet, we’ll settle this for life and death."

Le Huai ran along the walls, disappearing soon after. Long Yuan could only sigh internally at the sight. He took a deep look at the four, memorizing their features, and turned into a narrow alley, dragging his war axe.

Watching the Demons leave, Ash suddenly felt as if his spine had been removed, the excruciating pain from his broken Void Wings spreading through his soul again. He let go of his sword, collapsing softly backward. Diya and Vishi were about to reach out to support him when they saw a hand hold Ash’s waist first.

"Honestly," said Sonia, "how would you survive without me?"

"That’s why I can’t be without you." Ash forced a smile, wrapping his arms around the Sword Maiden’s neck to stabilize himself, "Sword Maiden, just now with Filly—"

"Filly’s already told me, and I don’t want to hear it again from your mouth." Sonia reached out to pull down Ash’s mask, her fingers brushing over his lips, "I was considering a long-awaited reunion kiss, but you managed to put me off the idea."

"You’ve forgiven me?" Joy sparkled in Ash’s eyes, surpassing even the thrill of escaping the clutches of the Demons.

"Take a guess."

"Forgiven?"

The claw-wielding Sword Saint replied jovially, "Guess again?"

"Hey! I’m still here!" The Witch squeezed between them, then sat down beside Ash, exhausted from the fiercely intense recent battle. She said, "Now we need to think about getting the Observer back to reality."

"I can’t go back to reality," Ash immediately said, "I’ve been infected with Hell’s Poison."

"Hell’s Poison?"

"Ladies, you can think of it as if we go back to reality, we’d face a certain death trial, but staying in Allstars can buy us more time." Vishi said as she sat down against a broken wall, "If the Master wants to survive, he needs to seek opportunities in the Angel Hunt."

The Sword Maiden and Witch understood the risks and benefits of the Poison well, and also knew it was impossible to discuss the full details of the Poison. Whether or not an investigation would be conducted upon return was another matter altogether.

Sonia glanced at Vishi, who smiled slightly, "Mistress Sword Maiden, I’m the Master’s personal maid, Vishi."

"I’m not anyone’s mistress, don’t call me that." Sonia raised her eyebrows, her mouth slightly curling up: "It makes me sound like someone’s accessory... just call me Sword Maiden. Same for the witch, don’t call her mistress."

"I actually don’t mind... okay." Diya protested softly and then gave up, turning to ask: "So, does this mean our plan to shatter the Dazzling Heavens needs to stop?"

"No." Ash had already thought of this point: "As long as the Source Angel is still in the Kingdom of Allstars, breaking the Heavens won’t harm Allstars, but will instead disrupt its internal and external seals, creating gaps for us to move in and out of the kingdom. If I can freely enter and exit the Kingdom of Allstars and the real world, then Hell’s Poison can be delayed indefinitely."

Sonia squatted down, watching Ash with interest: "You’re actually saying it so openly? I thought you might seize the opportunity to stop us."

"I don’t want you getting involved with the Four Pillars God Sect, but I’m more afraid you’ll find other ways to save me; at least the Four Pillars God Sect can serve as your shield and scapegoat." Ash showed his sense of responsibility as one who touches the Gods of Four Pillars: "I also want to find a better path, but for now, it seems it’s either facing the ultimate Angel Hunt or breaking the Dazzling Heavens, otherwise, there’s no way I can return to your side."

Saying this, Ash couldn’t help but feel a bit disheartened.

He knew he wasn’t wrong at all, everything was just the plot of Dazzling Star Magic Master, but thinking about all the difficulties he’d have to face to return, he couldn’t help but wonder if it would be easier to just give up.

"Is that all?" Sonia spoke in a surprisingly relaxed tone.

Ash smiled wryly: "I can’t be as confident as you."

"But compared to venturing into Hell to retrieve your soul, at least these goals are doable." Sonia reached out to brush Ash’s bangs, softly saying: "I’m not afraid of these troubles, what I fear is..."

"Only you not being by my side."

Ash gazed at her, pressing his lips together to calm his emotions, smiling: "Me too."

"Good, then you agree." Sonia suddenly changed her expression, stood up and said: "They should be here now, once everyone’s together we’ll hunt those demons, they dared to hurt you all like this..."

Ash’s touched expression froze, he looked bewilderedly at the witch beside him, who stuck out her tongue and turned away, ignoring him. Then he looked to Vishi, who thought for a moment and said: "What Sword Maiden means is that you’ve agreed to stay by her side forever."

"I intended to do that from the start," Ash said.

"Forever also has another meaning, which is ’always’." Vishi lazily said: "If forever is promised, but lacks even a year, a day, an hour, then it’s not forever."

Ash’s eyes widened. Although he could accept it, he felt like he had handed Sword Maiden a handle on him, so he quickly stood up and said: "Sword Maiden..."

"Hmm?" Sonia narrowed her eyes slightly, giving him a sidelong glance, her ruby eyes glinting mysteriously, instantly making Ash feel like he was being watched by a beast, ready to rip him to pieces with the slightest misstep.

"Who did you mean by ’they’?" Ash immediately cowered, "Is it Filly?"

"Not just her, quite a few people." Sonia stood on her tiptoes, looking out: "It seems I can see them already—"

Crack!

With a crisp shattering sound resounding in their minds, they turned to look at the Rainbow Light Column in the city center.

Only to see the column fracturing with huge cracks.

It was the place where dreams seeped in.

A kaleidoscope of colors instantly engulfed the Dream Heaven, everyone lost consciousness, their minds plunging into a blank, utterly unconscious state.

*

When Ash opened his eyes, he found himself emerging from the Dull Holy Grail. His body was emitting a white glow, seemingly composed of scattered glittering particles, able to disperse and coalesce at will, dreamlike and ethereal.

I’m dreaming, Ash was acutely aware of this.

He looked up to see a dark yet magnificent world. An immense and endless darkness stretched vast and profound, while brilliant rainbow-hued bubbles filled the entire space, containing all kinds of objects, weapons, tools, light and shadows, an overwhelming variety.

Ash also saw many glowing orbs, red, purple, pink, these lights were rapidly expanding and growing, he vaguely understood what they were—they were mages.

The Holy Grail’s effect was merely allowing him to grow in this dream ahead of time, to compete early for the rewards here.

With this in mind, Ash no longer hesitated, reaching out to touch a bubble next to him. It burst on contact, the gloves inside fused with his white glow, the detailed information flowing into his mind—

"Miracle Item: Ogre Gloves: Greatly increase hand strength, Dream Treasury’s Silver Collection."

"Technique Construction: Ogre’s Arm as the base (the stronger the ogre the better), Conceptual Technique Spirit, Solid Force Technique Spirit, Solidification Technique Spirit..."

Ash instantly learned the method to create the ogre gloves. This was undoubtedly a production technique that could lead to wealth, the only issue being the materials were troublesome, but if he could return to the Kingdom of Blood Moon to start a factory and strategically cooperate with hospitals, the materials problem could easily be resolved.

But at this moment, all his focus was drawn to another piece of information, leaving not even a sliver of attention for the ogre beast.

Ash looked up at the endless collection of bubbles, murmuring:

"Is this the Dream Treasury?"