On the Heaven River Coast, in an unknown corner of Wizard Land, a Spirit Communication School formation covered the floor of a basement. More than a hundred death mage apprentices chanted without pause to sustain it. The Dragon Lich, who presided over the formation, suddenly took half a step back and clutched his chest. An illusory golden sword had appeared there.
"Pain... This pain isn't from the present. It comes from the hosts of the Lich God who were killed by the Black Sun Tower dozens of times during the Dragon Transformation War."
The Dragon Lich staggered back another half step.
"Someone must have killed that fool, the Withered Vine Ancestor."
"I know who you are now, Locke Augustine."
Angry flames danced in the Dragon Lich's eye sockets. The Yellow Springs Six Realms appeared behind him, along with twelve hundred Crystal Skulls—the symbols of his system of power.
"I never imagined that wizard from Golden Crown Mountain would be connected to the Black Sun Tower. Could he be one of those chosen by the Black Sun Tower's Grand Ritual?"
"If I'd known, I should have killed him when we last met. It's not too late—"
The Dragon Lich turned toward the Great Magic behind him.
"And someone seems to have interfered."
"Great Magic at the Star-Ring Stage is still too crude. If only I could reach the Moon Ring. But as part of the Lich God's form, I'm destined never to complete Pseudo Forging. It's absolutely impossible for me. That's why I need the geniuses of the Heaven River Coast."
Just then, the basement door opened, and a shaft of light fell on an undead wizard apprentice. He screamed. The instant the light touched him, his dead soul could no longer remain bound to his body. He threw back his