Spring arrives, bringing renewal as all things awaken. Seeds break through the soil, growing rapidly, transforming from plump embryos into vibrant, thriving plants.
At this moment, within Lynn's mental domain, the Yfgríd seed was undergoing its transformation.
After absorbing the pure green liquid formed by Little Green, it skipped the germination stage entirely and directly entered the realm of metamorphosis.
If progress were measured on a scale, then the second and third stages of Yfgríd's growth were advancing at a frenzied pace, soaring with every passing second.
The will residing within the maple tree had once sighed in admiration for Little Green, a clear indication that it was no ordinary entity but a rare and precious auxiliary resource.
Lynn vividly remembered what his mentor, Rosalind, had mentioned before even ordinary auxiliary resources were considered valuable in the gathering grounds of natural wizards.
However, while common resources were beneficial, they could never allow a life seed to skip directly from the second stage to the third, reaching the threshold of transcendent transformation in such a short time.
As he meditated with his eyes closed, Lynn finally understood.
Why did he need to provide additional magic stones when using the golden scale's tenfold amplification for the first time?
It wasn't that he was lacking in value it was simply that Little Green was far too valuable…
Drip… Drip…
Spring's vitality spread, filling the air with a dense natural aura.
Lynn's entire body was enveloped in a pure green glow as if he had merged seamlessly with nature itself.
Not far from him, the maple tree silently observed this scene, its heart filled with complex emotions.
"Hmm… The progress seems about right," it murmured to itself, its tone laced with a mixture of exasperation and astonishment.
"If I could go back in time and tell my past self that this thing would be fed to a life seed by this little guy… I probably wouldn't believe it even if I were beaten to death."
The maple tree's heart was full of sighs and curiosity.
After witnessing all these events, it had already begun to speculate about Lynn's identity.
Within the entire [Landscape], only three natural wizards remained one formal wizard and two apprentices.
And those two apprentices were connected to that one formal wizard.
So, this little one who had signed a contract with the Golden Scale was most likely the student of that female wizard from the Davis family.
"The only thing that confuses me is… why did the Davis family's sorceress tell him nothing? He doesn't even have the slightest idea who I am…"
The maple tree couldn't understand, unaware that Lynn had only been taken in by Rosalind a little over a year ago.
In such a short time, Rosalind had done her best to pass on transcendent knowledge, but there simply wasn't enough time to cover all the complex details.
"Hmm? Something is approaching!"
Suddenly, the consciousness within the maple tree detected movement, but it had no way to warn Lynn.
At this critical moment, Lynn was fully immersed in his transformation, his entire body bathed in green light, utterly unaware of his surroundings.
On the grassland, the soft rustling of footsteps brushing against the grass grew nearer. Before long, a figure appeared within the maple tree's perception.
It was a man dressed in a black robe, of average stature, his face uncovered.
His middle-aged features bore deep lines of time, lending him an aged appearance.
However, the most striking aspect was the faint traces of negative energy coiling around his body.
If this were the outside world, these negative energy traces would directly transform into permanent sorcerous imprints, but under the suppression of the Withering and Flourishing Poem's rules, they were unable to exert their full power here.
Even more chilling was the fact that this man didn't just possess one strand of negative energy but three.
This meant that he was not just a formal wizard, but a third-level grand wizard!
His identity was none other than the NightNightshadow Fortress's Master, an experienced and formidable third-level grand wizard!
Of course, within this [Landscape], all beings were bound by the rules of the Withering and Flourishing Poem, suppressing everyone to the level of apprentices.
Thus, even the NightNightshadow Fortress Master was now merely a "third-level apprentice."
"If I recall correctly, he was near that golden scale just now…"
The Fortress Master's gaze narrowed as his eyes locked onto the small golden scale lying near Lynn.
A cold smirk crept across his lips, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
"Even under the suppression of these rules, my combat experience is more than enough to crush any apprentice… I had originally planned to torture him to extract information about the scale. But now? I might as well send him straight to hell!"
With a sneer, the Fortress Master swiftly chanted an incantation.
His casting speed was astonishing only two syllables were needed to complete the spell, faster than the usual "fragmented incantation" method employed by third-level apprentices.
"Shadow Moon Ring!"
As chilling murderous intent filled the air, the Fortress Master unleashed his zero-ring advanced wizardry in an instant!
Dark negative energy condensed rapidly, forming a sinister shadowy moon ring, exuding an eerie chill, like the moon of the dead rising into the night.
"Boom!"
The black ring erupted with intense power, splitting into three overlapping shadowy moon rings, their forms flickering between reality and illusion.
The rings intertwined, slashing towards Lynn with unstoppable momentum!
Lynn remained oblivious, unguarded, his face peaceful yet unmistakably youthful.
Seeing this, the Fortress Master's smirk deepened into a mocking grin.
"Even if he wakes up now, it's already too late to escape unscathed."
The incantation had been completed.
The shadowy moon rings sliced through the air, each targeting a vital point his neck, chest, and waist, aiming to sever him into pieces!
"It's over! Is our great lord about to perish in this [Landscape]?"
The consciousness within the maple tree was in utter panic.
"I signed the contract with him… If he dies, then I…"
The maple tree's mind was in turmoil, but it had already burned through all its power earlier. It no longer had the strength to intercept the attack.
As the shadowy moon rings descended
Just as the three ruthless black arcs were about to slice through Lynn's vulnerable neck, chest, and waist
An unexpected change erupted!
"Boom!"
A surge of vibrant green life energy exploded from Lynn's body, like the first rays of sunlight piercing through the morning mist in spring bursting with endless vitality and power, enveloping him entirely!
At the same time, within Lynn's mental domain, the long-dormant Yfgríd seed had finally completed its metamorphosis.
No longer an ordinary life seed, it had sprouted, transforming into a radiant, transcendent plant!
As Yfgríd's transformation was completed, a gentle yet profound green aura enveloped Lynn's entire body.
This power, as soft as the spring breeze, wrapped around him in layers, forming a flexible yet impenetrable shield.
It was Yfgríd's permanent sorcerous imprint
A first-level formal defensive wizardry: Echo of Vitality!
Though Lynn had yet to formally step into the realm of a true wizard, through Yfgríd's transformation,
He had already gained his first permanent sorcerous imprint, successfully stepping into the ranks of a pseudo-wizard!
And at this critical juncture,
The shadowy moon rings from the Fortress Master had descended.
The three deadly black arcs poised to sever Lynn's throat, chest, and waist struck the barrier of green light head-on!
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