Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

"Later on, even though with your breakthrough to become a Demigod, the technology of the Artificial Magic Net also had a revolutionary advancement, but nothing has happened in all these years. Rash transitions would instead bring risks. Besides, the power of the Mystery Lock can help us detect many uninvited outsiders, and the existence of that Centaur can make the church less guarded against us, so—"

"So, Erwin, you tell me." At some unknown point, the old man's voice turned ice-cold: "Did you truly do as I asked, as you claimed to have done?

"For every sacrifice brought before the God of the Stars, did you meticulously verify with the power of the Mystery Lock to ensure there were no mistakes?

"Now, Erwin, tell me—did you follow through?"

"I—"

"—You did not!"

Despite the sharp words, the old man's expression remained calm and unruffled.

Words stifled in his throat, unsure of what had happened, the middle-aged man looked up at his teacher's eyes, but seeing the unperturbed gaze, an ominous feeling rose in his heart.

This gaze... he dared not look any longer. Erwin was startled, immediately followed by a flash of silver light from his body.

Eight Rings Sorcery·Ignore Realm Teleportation!

With just a breath, this sorcery could allow him to leave here.

Even if it were a Demigod Wizard personally taking action, it wouldn't be possible to destroy the various triggered sorcery items he had accumulated over centuries within a single breath.

At the same time, hidden beneath the spatial fluctuations, Nine Rings Sorcery·Spirit Realm Travel had begun its preparation. If the old man chose to seal the space at the first moment, his teleportation would certainly be blocked, but his soul could instantly leap to a preset mental anchor in the second layer of the Spirit Realm.

Although having committed so many significant acts, entering the Spirit Realm might be a case of escaping one peril only to enter another, Erwin couldn't care about that much now.

He understood his teacher, knew exactly who he was.

In the past, no matter how serious a mistake he made, as long as he was still of use, the old man would always treat him kindly, at most knocking some sense into him like a strict teacher. But now, things were different.

Seeing his teacher's drastic change in attitude, Erwin now only wanted to save his own life.

However, standing across from him, the old man remained expressionless. Watching his student's resistance, he silently triggered the old secret technique that had been in place for a long time.

"Ah—"

A miserable scream as piercing pain immediately spread from the depths of the middle-aged wizard's soul.

The half-constructed sorcery structure instantly collapsed, the intense backlash further aggravating the mental turbulence.

Witnessing this, the old man slowly moved forward. He ignored the student's painful struggle and began to undo the sorcery defenses on him.

His actions were careful, as if he did not intend to destroy their structure.

"Erwin, my student, today, you should remember... you know, in this era, how few wizards can become Legendary without being exceptional?"

"Mediocre talent? You think you're an exception?

"No."

"The path of a wizard doesn't allow for hastening growth. You've made it this far entirely because you have the talent."

"And the reason you haven't progressed since becoming the Tower Master of the Clock Tower... it's not due to your talent; it's because of me."

The struggling movements abruptly halted, then Erwin's actions became even more intense.

But the old man remained unmoved, for he knew that at this moment, if the other party were truly calm and indifferent, that might be the only chance for a comeback.

But evidently, he wouldn't give him that chance.

"Erwin, listen carefully to your teacher... do you still remember your senior brothers?"

"I guess you must remember—but not so thoroughly."

"You only recall their achievements but don't remember that you, too, were once brilliant and extraordinary like them, only I'm different from them..."

"When they apprenticed under me back then, they sought the secrets of witchcraft from me, and the young me generously imparted all my knowledge to them."

"Until later, when they each ascended to become Legendary, and even wielded powers close to mine, eventually drifting away for their own ideals, I gradually came to understand."

"The truly excellent wizards are independent, and it is impossible for them to willingly submit beneath anyone."

"So when you came to me, it reminded me of them... Thus, I taught you, letting you unleash your potential, and on the day you ascended to Legendary, I made you my most loyal student forever."

Whimpering—

The words were unfinished, but at this moment, though unable to make a sound, Erwin seemed to understand something.

So that's it, the research on the mind, the memory alterations, the stagnation for over a hundred years.

In the two thousand years, the White Tower had birthed more than twelve Legendaries. And even with the teacher's help, if not for his exceptional talent, how could he have succeeded his senior as the Tower Master?

After all, his senior was so outstanding; his research on celestial body movements was unparalleled... wait—senior?

Yes... Erwin was somewhat dazed.

It seemed he had several seniors, and two of them had even aided their teacher in the research on the God of the Stars before him... but for some reason, he had never actually met them, yet was well acquainted with their details...

"Yes, it seems you've realized."

Nodding with a smile, the old man slowly said:

"Your earliest seniors had long established their own domains, but the later ones all hosted the celestial experiments for me."

"So, to prevent any mishaps... before they left me, I had to ensure they met with mishaps first."