Chapter 525: Challenge
"Let’s hope my luck doesn’t run out…" Leon’s weary face showed a bitter smile. He had barely finished speaking when he suddenly sensed a terrifying surge of magical energy. The power erupting in that instant was enough to make even a Title Archmage’s heart race with dread…
Then came a muffled boom.
And then, as if the entire world had fallen silent at that moment…
The raging magical fluctuations receded like the tide, and the ground beneath his feet stopped trembling.
"Hm?"
At that moment, Leon clearly saw the Dragon Revival Array activate. Directly ahead, an ancient passageway appeared, with steps carved entirely from stone. At this sight, a trace of joy flashed across his face—but as he approached the entrance, his expression suddenly changed.
"Why is it so hot…" Standing at the mouth of the passage, a wave of blistering heat rushed toward him, the oppressive temperature making him frown involuntarily.
In truth, the Blazeforge Realm was already unbearably hot. Ordinary people couldn’t survive here—the less physically resilient would likely die outright…
But the scorching air pouring from the passage was even more terrifying, far hotter than the Forgefire Clan’s sacred grounds. If a mage of Title Archmage level stepped inside, they’d be dead from dehydration in minutes. Only those above the rank of Title Archmage could barely withstand the environment within.
"Let’s go in and take a look…"
Leon stared at the passage, feeling the terrifying heat, his brow furrowing again and again. He knew all too well—only by crossing this passage could he hope to obtain the Five-Colored Dragon Core.
Yet, just as he was about to enter…
"I say, what is Matthew Merlin always busy with? Lord Thorne has summoned him to the Inferno Fortress several times, but he’s nowhere to be found… Lord Uriel, why are you blocking us? We just want to see Matthew Merlin. He’s been holed up here for days—what secrets is he hiding?"
"Hmph, Lord Thorne is giving him face by coming in person. Who does Matthew Merlin think he is, acting like he’s really the Commander of the Planar Legion?"
It was these two irksome voices that made Leon’s expression darken, forcing him to stop: "Lord Uriel, let them through…"
A few minutes later, five figures descended slowly using Levitation, including Uriel Merlin and Edgar Merlin. Neither looked pleased. "Archmage Leon, apologies…"
"It’s nothing…" Leon replied expressionlessly, waving his hand. Then he turned to the three uninvited guests. He recognized one—Thorne Merlin, a commander of the Planar Legion. As for the two elderly men behind Thorne, Leon had never seen them before, but from their magical aura, he could tell both were above Title Archmage level.
"What is this…?" Thorne Merlin, having just arrived a thousand meters underground, quickly noticed the passage. The scorching heat made him frown, and his face showed deep surprise as he couldn’t help but ask.
After the battle at the Forgefire Clan’s sacred grounds, Thorne Merlin had been busy securing the Merlin Family’s spoils. Whenever a major decision arose, he sought out the young mage for counsel—but every time, the young mage was nowhere to be found.
Later he learned that the young mage had entered Specter Valley with his men long ago, doing who-knows-what, and hadn’t emerged since.
After several clashes with the young mage—none of which ended in his favor—Thorne Merlin gradually realized the young mage was far more complicated than he’d imagined. Even without command of the Planar Legion, he was not to be underestimated. Ten days passed, and Thorne stopped asking about him altogether…
Until yesterday…
A deafening commotion erupted in the area where the young mage was staying, as if a fierce battle had broken out. Thorne Merlin sent people to contact him again, but as always, they never saw the young mage—Uriel Merlin and his men blocked them at the entrance.
So today, Thorne Merlin came in person with his people, determined to find the young mage and get answers.
Yet, seeing the passage before him, all those questions suddenly seemed trivial…
He could easily guess the young mage had a special purpose for staying here all this time…
Thorne Merlin was curious about the passage—where did it lead?
"Matthew Merlin, I’m going in with you. As the Merlin Family’s commander in the Blazeforge Realm, I have the right to supervise everything that happens here. I’m responsible for the family, after all…" Thorne Merlin said expressionlessly, gesturing toward the passage.
"Heh, Thorne Merlin, you must be joking…" Leon’s mood, already sour, darkened further at Thorne’s words. "First, Lord Thorne, let’s get one thing straight: when we attacked Specter Valley, you didn’t lift a finger. It was my mages and the Black Tower’s forces who took the valley. Of course, you can go in, but you’ll stand aside and watch. You’re not touching a thing inside, not even a hair—don’t blame me if I’m not polite…"
"And why is that…?"
Just then, a Title Archmage behind Thorne Merlin stepped forward, his face dark and his gaze icy with contempt as he swept his eyes over Leon. "Matthew Merlin, you really don’t know your place! Do you realize Lord Thorne is the true commander here? What right do you have to stop him from touching anything? In the entire Blazeforge Realm, anything the Merlin Family’s Planar Legion conquers belongs to the family. Matthew Merlin, don’t tell me you think this is your private property—ridiculous…"
"And which eye of yours saw the Merlin Family’s Planar Legion take Specter Valley? I think Lord Thorne knows the answer to that—you should ask him." Leon looked at the unfamiliar Title Archmage with an amused expression, shaking his head but saying no more.
"So, Matthew Merlin, are you saying you single-handedly took Specter Valley?" The Title Archmage sneered, his face twisted with mockery. "Who do you think you are, a Sky Rank Mage? No, you’re just a Fifth Level Archmage—a laughable Fifth Level Archmage. In the Blazeforge Realm, you’re barely better off than cannon fodder…"
"Very well, then. As a laughable Fifth Level Archmage, I challenge you. Do you accept?" Leon smiled broadly, not angry at all—his demeanor was as if he were watching a clown perform, though this clown was a rather powerful Title Archmage.
"You’re courting humiliation!"
"Larn, enough! Shut up, now!" The argument finally startled Thorne Merlin, the Planar Legion’s commander, who snapped out of his daze, cold sweat breaking out as he hurried to stop Larn Merlin.
Thorne Merlin knew Larn Merlin’s strength well. This veteran Title Archmage had reached that rank decades ago and spent years fighting across planes. His power was unfathomable. If Thorne hadn’t recently broken through to Fifth Level Sword Saint, defeating Larn Merlin would have been nearly impossible…
That’s why Larn Merlin had been entrusted with such an important post. Half a year ago, he was transferred to the Frostfire Fortress, one of the Merlin Family’s three major bastions, to guard it.
Not long ago, the Merlin Family gained tremendous benefits from their cooperation with the Black Tower. To quickly consolidate these gains, Larn Merlin was reassigned to the Inferno Fortress. Clearly, the family held Larn Merlin in high regard…
Still, even so, Thorne Merlin didn’t believe Larn Merlin could walk away unscathed after provoking the young mage.
Larn Merlin was strong, but his opponent was a complete monster—there was no way he could win…
Thorne Merlin first realized the young mage’s true strength at the Forgefire Clan’s sacred grounds, especially when he fought the chieftain. The display of power was unforgettable. In the half year since their first clash, the young mage’s abilities had transformed—he could now rival even a Seventh Level Title Archmage.
A true freak of nature…
It was at the family council half a year ago that Thorne Merlin first met the young mage—and fought him. He was stunned: the young mage was just an Archmage, yet he could contend with Thorne, a Fifth Level Sword Saint…
What was even more unbelievable was how, in just half a year, the young mage’s power had grown so rapidly that Thorne was left far behind…
It was hard to imagine how any normal person could progress so fast…
At that moment, Thorne Merlin shot Larn Merlin a strange look, his throat working as if to say something. But after glancing at the young mage, he thought better of it.
Forget it—he’d warn him another time. Best not to provoke Matthew Merlin again…