Feylan's Ring

Fang Yun's original body naturally couldn't sense Beirut observing him. But even by guesswork, he could tell that Beirut definitely knew about him. After all, nothing that happened on the Yulan Continent escaped Beirut's notice, just as nothing on Blue Star escaped his. One could never imagine the power of a Highgod without becoming one.

At that moment, in the Sunset Mountain Range.

Besides Safidson and Prequet, two more Saint-level Dragon Clan members had appeared: a Saint-level Golden Dragon and a Saint-level Thunder Dragon.

Even though Prequet hadn't summoned them, the fluctuations from the battle had been sensed by many Saint-level magical beasts nearby. Naturally, these two Saint-level dragons had found out as well.

Only after contacting Prequet did they learn that a human Saint-level powerhouse had already come knocking.

When they heard Prequet say that he had submitted, the two Saint-level dragons were naturally consumed with fury. They rushed over at once, intending to teach Fang Yun a lesson.

However, after arriving, the two Saint-level dragons realized that, besides a human powerhouse, Safidson was there too.

"Prequet, what's going on?"

The Saint-level Thunder Dragon was extremely wary. His deep voice rumbled like thunder.

"Big Brother, this is my master, Lord Fang Yun."

Prequet felt helpless. He hadn't expected the Golden Dragon and Thunder Dragon to come after all.

"Master?"

The Saint-level Thunder Dragon was furious as he looked at Fang Yun. "Human, you actually enslaved Prequet?!"

Ordinarily, a magical beast that had been enslaved wouldn't resist its master, no matter how powerful it was. In his eyes, Prequet must have been enslaved. Otherwise, how could a member of the Saint-level Dragon Clan submit to a human?

Seeing the Thunder Dragon's attitude, Prequet grew worried and hurriedly explained, "Big Brother, you've misunderstood. My master didn't make a Master-Servant Contract with me. I asked to follow him of my own accord."

"Prequet, you don't need to say any more. We'll help you wash away this humiliation."

The Saint-level Golden Dragon snorted. "The Saint-level Dragon Clan cannot be insulted."

Hearing this, Prequet grew anxious, afraid they would anger Fang Yun and be killed.

"How interesting. I only meant to catch one Saint-level dragon, but three showed up at once?"

Fang Yun smiled.

Saint-level dragons were exceedingly rare. On Blue Star, only those two Velociraptors had reached the Saint-level by a stroke of luck.

"You still want to enslave us?"

Lightning crackled in the Saint-level Thunder Dragon's breath, revealing his fury.

"Big Brother, Master is a Saint Realm Ultimate powerhouse. Don't bring trouble upon yourselves."

Apparently worried the Saint-level Golden Dragon and Saint-level Thunder Dragon would attack, Prequet spoke urgently.

Although he was prepared to follow Fang Yun, he didn't want his two brothers to end up in the same situation.

Fang Yun glanced at Prequet and naturally guessed some of his thoughts. But he didn't mind. One Saint-level dragon as a mount was enough for him.

He wasn't like Linley, whose Dragonblood Warrior Clan needed Saint-level dragon blood to awaken the bloodline of its descendants. So he'd never planned to capture them all.

"Saint Realm Ultimate powerhouse?"

The Saint-level Thunder Dragon's gaze grew even more wary.

As Saint Realm peak powerhouses, they knew that the strongest level within the Saint Realm peak was the Saint Realm Ultimate. But few on the Yulan Continent had truly reached it, and Fang Yun wasn't a name among them.

However, Prequet wouldn't lie to them.

That meant another Saint Realm Ultimate powerhouse had appeared among humans!

Prequet and the Saint-level Golden Dragon might know of Saint Realm Ultimate powerhouses, but they didn't understand how powerful they were. He, however, had seen one in action.

It had been during his previous trip to the Necropolis of the Gods, when he'd seen one by chance.

That was when he'd learned how terrifying a Saint Realm Ultimate powerhouse was. They might as well have belonged to an entirely different level.

And Fang Yun was actually a Saint Realm Ultimate powerhouse!

"Even if he's a Saint Realm Ultimate—"

The Saint-level Golden Dragon had just started to speak.

But the Saint-level Thunder Dragon drew in his breath and cut him off. "Prequet, is this truly what you want? If this is really your own decision, we won't interfere."

"Big Brother, you..."

The Saint-level Golden Dragon stared at the Saint-level Thunder Dragon in disbelief.

But the Saint-level Thunder Dragon ignored him and simply watched Prequet.

Prequet's huge face formed a dragon's smile. "Big Brother, I'm following Master of my own accord."

"Good."

The Saint-level Thunder Dragon answered decisively, then looked at Fang Yun. "Since our third brother has chosen this freely, we won't interfere."

"Big Brother."

The Saint-level Golden Dragon still looked stunned.

But the Saint-level Thunder Dragon turned and started to leave, then said sternly to the Saint-level Golden Dragon, "Let's go."

With that, the Saint-level Thunder Dragon flew off first, moving even faster than when he'd arrived. Thunder Dragons were naturally good at speed.

The Saint-level Golden Dragon hadn't even reacted before the Saint-level Thunder Dragon was already gone.

The Saint-level Golden Dragon looked at Prequet in confusion, then hurriedly beat his wings and chased after him. "Big Brother, wait for me!"

Watching the Saint-level Thunder Dragon and Saint-level Golden Dragon suddenly leave, Prequet's huge face twitched. What was that?

The arrival of the Saint-level Golden Dragon and Saint-level Thunder Dragon had been no more than a minor interlude.

Since Prequet had decided to leave with Fang Yun, Safidson would temporarily "look after" his territory. After all, Fang Yun had been the one who brought Safidson there.

"Master, do you still want to explore the Sunset Mountain Range?"

Prequet carried Fang Yun through the Sunset Mountain Range and asked.

Prequet had shrunk to a length of seven or eight meters, just enough for Fang Yun to sit on his back.

"Take me to a few places you find interesting."

Fang Yun answered directly.

The Sunset Mountain Range lay in the southernmost part of the Yulan Continent. Its westernmost end reached the continent's western edge, while it stretched eastward until it met the Chiyang Desert.

Many powerful magical beasts and reclusive powerhouses lived in the range. It was one of the Yulan Continent's three great perilous places.

The original story had mentioned the Sunset Mountain Range, but its description was limited, and Fang Yun didn't know much about the place. Even detailed descriptions couldn't compare with experiencing it in person.

"Interesting places?"

Prequet thought for a moment, then said, "Master, I know a place. It's at the westernmost edge of the Sunset Mountain Range, which is also the westernmost point of the Yulan Continent. The range is called the Sunset Mountain Range because of a peak there called Sunset Peak. They say you can see the most spectacular sunset from there."

"Sunset Peak?"

Fang Yun nodded. "Good. Let's go to Sunset Peak first."

The original story hadn't explained where the Sunset Mountain Range got its name. It seemed likely that Sunset Peak had a lot to do with it.

"Yes."

Prequet answered, then carried Fang Yun westward.

Sunset Peak lay at the westernmost edge of the range, while they were in its easternmost area. Reaching Sunset Peak meant crossing the entire Sunset Mountain Range.

Even for a newly advanced Saint-level powerhouse, or one at the Saint Realm Middle Stage, crossing the range like that would be dangerous. They would have to pass through the territory of nearly every powerful Saint-level magical beast.

But for a Saint Realm Ultimate powerhouse, crossing the Sunset Mountain Range was no great difficulty.

Half a month later,

Wanhua City, Yulan Empire. This city lay in the southern part of the empire. All manner of rare flowers and plants grew throughout the city, blooming year-round and filling its streets with fragrance. It was one of the Yulan Empire's most famous cities.

Kawent stood in the street, watching the crowds pass by. His eyes shone whenever he spotted a mage.

Of all the things he'd seen along the way, mages had delighted him the most. He'd once studied the profession himself, but after reaching the sixth rank, his progress had slowed.

He was the highest-ranked mage on all of Blue Star.

He'd never expected that magic, considered a minor pursuit on Blue Star, would be so widespread in this world. Mages even held a somewhat higher status than warriors.

"Mages..."

Kawent's eyes filled with longing. Even though he was already a Saint-level warrior and had practically reached the threshold of the Saint Realm peak, he still had boundless enthusiasm for the profession of mage.

Or rather, most of the powerhouses who had descended upon the Yulan Continent probably felt the same way he did.

"My lord, where should we go next?"

A burly-looking man stood beside Kawent, his manner respectful.

Kawent had rescued him from bandits, and the warrior had followed him ever since. He had become Kawent's "guide" for the time being.

"Boer, do you know where I can learn magic?"

Kawent came back to himself and asked gently.

"Learn magic?"

The burly man called Boer didn't ask questions. He simply replied, "For children with enough talent, the best place to study magic is the Ernst Institute in the Holy Union."

The Ernst Institute was recognized as the finest magic academy on the Yulan Continent. Even people from other empires agreed, and every year some traveled great distances to study there.

"The Holy Union? The Ernst Institute?"

This was the first time Kawent had heard of the place, and he was quite interested. "Is it an academy devoted to teaching magic?"

"Yes, my lord."

Boer answered, "If your descendants want to learn magic, they can try applying to the Ernst Institute. I've heard that its admissions standards are very strict. It accepts only a hundred students each year."

"Does the Ernst Institute only accept children?"

Kawent's brow furrowed slightly at Boer's words. He wanted to learn magic himself.

"Uh..."

Boer glanced at Kawent and wondered to himself whether his benefactor wanted to learn magic.

He didn't dare ask, and instead said cautiously, "The magic academies only accept talented children between the ages of six and twelve. They can test a child's aptitude while he's still young. Generally, if a child has no aptitude, he can't become a mage."

Boer himself had been tested when he was young, but his aptitude was too poor to become a mage, so he had cultivated battle qi and become a warrior.

These magic academies only accepted children between six and twelve?

Kawent frowned. If so, this could be troublesome. Even as a sixth-rank mage, he might not be able to get them to teach him.

Boer was puzzled as well. This lord seemed to know very little about the Yulan Continent. Everyone from the continent knew at least some of these things.

Still, Kawent silently made a note of the Ernst Institute, then continued asking, "Where can I learn magic in the Yulan Empire?"

"The Yulan Empire..."

Boer was from the Yulan Empire, so he knew more about it than other places. He spoke with a hint of pride. "Although the Yulan Empire's magic academies are slightly inferior to the Ernst Institute, the difference isn't great. Besides, the Yulan Empire is widely recognized as having more mages than any other empire."

"But whether it's the Ernst Institute or the Yulan Empire's magic academies, they only teach talented students up to the sixth rank, which is enough for them to graduate. To become a more powerful mage, you have to work hard on your own or find another way. And if you want to learn magic beyond the sixth rank, you'll have to join the empire's mage corps or another major power."

They only taught up to the sixth rank?

Kawent was stunned. He didn't know many sixth-rank spells—in fact, he knew only a few basic ones, and even second- or third-rank mages could probably cast a greater variety than he could. But he wanted to advance to the seventh rank or even higher, not merely learn a few spells.

Boer's voice brimmed with longing as he continued, "And the best place to learn advanced magic is undoubtedly the Yulan Empire's Temple of Life."

The Temple of Life was a sacred place in the hearts of the Yulan Empire's people. It was also where the High Priest lived, one of the two divine-level powerhouses on the Yulan Continent.

The sheer number of mages in the Yulan Empire had a great deal to do with the High Priest.

"The Temple of Life."

Kawent gathered his thoughts.

Since arriving in the Yulan Empire, he'd heard the names of the Temple of Life and the High Priest countless times. After all, the High Priest was a legendary divine-level powerhouse and the most powerful being on the Yulan Continent. But he hadn't expected the Temple of Life to be the place with the most mages, too.

Even as a Saint-level powerhouse, he didn't think he could get the High Priest to teach him magic.

But based on what Boer had said, given his circumstances, the Temple of Life really was more suitable than the Ernst Institute. Even joining the Yulan Empire's mage corps would be more useful than going to the Ernst Institute or another magic academy.

Although Boer was only a warrior, as someone from the Yulan Empire he naturally knew about the Temple of Life's admission requirements. He sighed slightly. "However, joining the Temple of Life to study advanced magic requires exceptional talent and strength. Even students at the Ernst Institute aren't necessarily good enough to get in."

Every time someone managed to join the Temple of Life, it caused a sensation throughout the Yulan Empire. After all, those who could join weren't merely talented; they were exceptionally powerful talents.

Kawent had an idea. Perhaps he could try his luck at the Temple of Life or the Yulan Empire's mage corps.

Joining the Temple of Life might be difficult, but as a Saint-level warrior, he should be able to earn special consideration from the Yulan Empire. Perhaps he could ask some mages above the sixth rank to give him guidance.

Of course, he still planned to try the Temple of Life first.

Rhine City, Rhine Empire.

This was the imperial capital and the heart of the Rhine Empire. It was also where Wester Academy was located.

Of course, Wester Academy wasn't inside Rhine City. It stood on a small hill outside the city.

The entire hill and the surrounding area, stretching ten miles in every direction, belonged to Wester Academy.

All the academy's teaching buildings were built on the hill. Even its recreational facilities were within the grounds. Wester Academy was practically a smaller "city" just outside Rhine City.

Edita led the students back to Wester Academy.

"Elite, take the others back to the dorms first."

As soon as they entered Wester Academy, Edita spoke to Elite.

Then Edita turned to the others, her tone serious. "Remember what I told you before. Until this matter is settled, no one is to tell anyone else about it."

The matter of Feylan's Ring still hadn't been cleared up, so it was best not to spread the news yet.

"Understood."

The students nodded and answered.

Edita acknowledged them, then headed straight for the dean's office.

During this trip to the Sunset Mountain Range, she had discovered Feylan's Ring. This was a major matter for Wester Academy. As one of the academy's instructors, she naturally had to report it.

Moreover, Feylan's Ring had appeared on a minor mercenary.

That meant Instructor Cherifet might already have met with an accident. For Wester Academy, this was like a bolt from the blue.

The current dean of Wester Academy was a white-haired old man who looked rather frail. He was already over four hundred years old, a ninth-rank Arch Magus of both the wind and thunder elements.

He was also the most powerful person at Wester Academy.

"Dean Potter."

Edita knocked on the dean's door. It opened on its own.

Potter, the dean of Wester Academy, sat on a stone chair in the courtyard, reading a magic book. When he saw Edita, he smiled. "Instructor Edita? You've returned so soon?"

Edita had applied in advance to lead the students on their outing, so of course he knew about it.

Edita didn't answer Dean Potter directly. Instead, she said solemnly, "Dean Potter, I've found Feylan's Ring!"

Dean Potter froze for a moment, then rose with an incredulous look in his eyes. He stared at Edita. "You mean Feylan's Ring?"

Edita nodded, her tone just as serious. "I'm certain. It was Feylan's Ring."

Edita quickly recounted in detail what had happened on the outskirts of the Sunset Mountain Range.

Dean Potter sat down again. "You're saying that a ninth-rank powerhouse has Feylan's Ring now, knows it's a Space Ring, and wants to exchange it for another Space Ring?"

"Yes."

Edita replied.

Space Rings were treasures in their own right. Even for Wester Academy, obtaining another one would be extremely difficult.

Dean Potter furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment before finally making up his mind. "No matter what, we have to get the Ring of Feilan back."

Edita felt the same way. In fact, everyone at Wester Academy would think so once they heard the news.

"Go to the Holy Union first and find out about this ninth-level powerhouse. As long as the Ring of Feilan doesn't get lost again, that's all that matters."

Dean Potter said it outright.

A ninth-level powerhouse was already among the continent's great figures. Anyone who traveled across the continent would leave behind legends. And a ninth-level powerhouse with an eighth-level magical beast like the Blood-Veined Great Ape was especially easy to recognize.

"All right."

Though she had only just returned to Wester Academy, Edita agreed at once.

"Have Sorel go with you, and bring some students along. Tell people you're going to Ernst Institute for an exchange. I'll send word to Ernst Institute first."

Dean Potter continued, "For now, don't let the news about the Ring of Feilan get out."

Flying magical beasts made communication between academies no problem. But actually traveling to another academy—especially from the Rhine Empire to the Holy Union—would take a long time.

"I understand."

Edita nodded.

"When you meet him, don't offend him. As for the Space Ring we'll offer in exchange, I'll do my best to find one as soon as possible."

Dean Potter sounded helpless. "Even if we can't get a Space Ring, we'll do our best to make up for his loss. As long as his demands aren't too unreasonable, we can agree to them."

When Dean Cherifet was still around, Wester Academy might not have been the most powerful academy, but it wouldn't have had to yield like this to a ninth-level powerhouse.

But now, faced with a ninth-level powerhouse, they had no choice but to give in.

Even if they told the imperial family, the empire wouldn't send a Saint-level powerhouse to the Holy Union on their behalf.

Edita could sense Dean Potter's helplessness, but there was nothing she could do. After all, she was only an eighth-level mage herself.

On the Yulan Continent, strength was everything.

The description of Edita earlier was changed a little. You can go back and reread it.