Bernie's arrival in the Central Continent delighted Abel. Because he had too many secrets, he had always had very few friends.
He had originally thought he was alone in the Central Continent, but after discovering that both his girlfriend and his best friend were there, he suddenly felt that he was not quite so lonely after all.
Bernie was ultimately accepted as Rule Wizard Hulton's inheriting disciple, which made Abel extremely happy for him. After all, Bernie's starting point was far higher than Abel's had been back then.
Although Bernie was somewhat old now, with sufficient resources, rapidly increasing his strength would pose no problem at all.
Most importantly, if Bernie could not become a wizard, then although dwarves lived somewhat longer than humans, their lives would still end after only a few hundred years. Only by becoming a wizard could he continuously extend his lifespan.
In the days that followed, Abel once again entered secluded cultivation. If Bernie had not come this time, he would not have interrupted his seclusion plans.
While he stayed in the Dark World's Demon Fortress, constantly clearing out the Hell Creatures on the vast grasslands outside the fortress, a giant castle stood in the center of the War Song Plateau, thousands of miles away. It had been roughly built entirely from stone blocks.
The living conditions here were extremely harsh. The plateau's climate allowed only a few thin grasses to grow. Even ordinary cattle and sheep could not survive here; only the region's unique cold-resistant yaks and rock sheep could.
The water here came from the year-round snow atop the high mountains. Every summer, it formed trickling streams that flowed into the War Song Plateau.
During the other three seasons, anyone seeking water had to go to the mountaintops and gather snow.
This was