Bluebeard

As the Earthflame Staff rose, dense fire elemental sprites surged forth at his call.

"Fire God's Roar!"

Xia Ming chose a third-tier fire spell right from the start—one of the powerful spells recorded in the Book of Eternity—because he wanted to catch his opponent off guard!

Flames burst forth like a savage beast, their scorching heat nearly setting the wooden cabin ablaze as they crashed toward Bluebeard.

"This spell..." Anthony was clearly rather surprised. Of course, he knew he had never taught Xia Ming this spell, and the power of this third-tier magic was astonishingly great, nearly within the scope of a fourth-tier spell.

Bluebeard's expression shifted slightly as well, but he merely snorted. Facing Fire God's Roar, he showed not the slightest fear. Instead, he opened his mouth and blew at the savage, terrifying blaze!

Something like white mist flowed from Bluebeard's mouth, yet with that single breath, the raging flames lowered their banners and fell silent, all of them blown out!

A third-tier fire spell was like blowing out a candle to him—one casual puff, and it was extinguished!

"So strong!"

It was Xia Ming's first time encountering such a situation, but he quickly recovered from his surprise and chanted another second-tier wind spell, Gale Frenzy.

"Whoosh!"

Likewise, Bluebeard merely blew out a breath, and the storm created by the spell vanished like smoke in thin air. Judging by his expression, he seemed even more relaxed than before.

Starlight Flame!

Water Prison!

Ring of Earth!

Xia Ming released one spell after another in an unbroken stream, but without exception, Bluebeard easily dispelled every one of them. Bluebeard wore an unhurried expression, as though it were no more difficult than eating and drinking.

Even without weapons, without using his hands or feet, and without actively attacking, Bluebeard remained a terrifying existence. Xia Ming had cast so many spells, yet had not even brushed the corner of his clothes.

Of course, Bluebeard was not without surprise. Though he was not a mage, as a top-tier expert, he still had a keen eye. This kid before him chanted magic incantations at an outrageously fast speed. Had he not been prepared, he might have capsized in a gutter from the very first spell.

And this kid's magic power seemed inexhaustible. Even after casting spells nonstop, he showed no signs of depletion. Just as Anthony had said, this kid really was a monster!

Even though his relentless spells could not so much as touch Bluebeard's shadow, Xia Ming did not feel the slightest discouragement. Instead, a fiercer drive welled up within him.

He chanted faster and faster, releasing a dazzling torrent of spells. Bluebeard's expression gradually changed from relaxed to serious.

"Fire God's Roar!" Xia Ming used his favored spell again, but this time, his chanting time was clearly even shorter than before. Two or three syllables had changed, and the attack roared forth!

"He can actually improve even at a time like this, this kid..." Bluebeard was already somewhat shocked. But no matter how fast the chanting was, it was still only a third-tier spell and posed no threat to him whatsoever. The fundamental gap in their strength determined everything; this match had been unfair from the very beginning.

With another casual puff, the flames went out instantly. Before Bluebeard, this spell was utterly unable to withstand a single blow.

But at that moment, Xia Ming smiled. The instant Bluebeard blew out the flames, another prepared spell followed hard on its heels!

There was almost no interval at all between the two spells, and Xia Ming had compressed the incantation to its absolute limit!

Fourth-tier spell, Ground Collapse!

This was a spell recorded in the magic notes Anthony had given Xia Ming. He had long since mastered it to perfection, and during his earlier probing exchanges with Bluebeard, he had deliberately refrained from using it—all for this moment of striking when his opponent least expected it!

The earth trembled. With Bluebeard at its center, the ground within ten meters beneath his feet suddenly split apart. Cracks spread and shattered through the earth as it shook violently, its force extraordinary, like a miniature earthquake!

Boom!

Bluebeard had not expected Xia Ming to cast Ground Collapse so quickly, much less that it would be an earth spell released directly beneath his feet.

Instinctively, Bluebeard shifted his foot a small step, barely dodging the fiercest part of Ground Collapse's attack!

The moment he moved, Bluebeard knew things had gone wrong. A bitter smile appeared on his face as he let out a sigh.

"Beautifully done!"

Anthony was the first to speak in praise. The old mage's face glowed red, as excited as if he had won a splendid battle, not even caring that the two of them had nearly brought down his house.

"Good kid, I lost."

Bluebeard sighed, then said after a moment, "Anthony, you have a fine disciple."

At those words, Anthony beamed with delight, happier than if someone had praised him himself. He chuckled and patted Xia Ming on the shoulder. "Kid, well done!"

Xia Ming, however, felt no joy at all. He had needed to use all his strength merely to force Bluebeard to move, and there had been a great deal of trickery involved. In his view, there was nothing to be proud of.

Bluebeard did not see it that way. Earlier, when Anthony had smugly boasted that he had taken in a disciple with peerless talent, Bluebeard had not quite believed him. After all, the old mage's childlike, old-mischief-maker temperament was truly unreliable. But after this round of probing, Bluebeard discovered that Anthony's disciple was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Incredibly fast spell chanting, terrifying magic power... Most terrifying of all, this kid before him had only practiced magic for two months!

Thinking back to when he had practiced martial skills for two months, even Bluebeard's face grew a little hot.

"Kid, the main reason I came here this time was actually for you." Bluebeard seemed to smile, yet his words were startling.

Xia Ming stiffened. "For me?" Xia Ming did not think he could possibly draw the attention of an important figure in the Sacred Council. He vaguely guessed that, given Bluebeard's status, his standing within the Sacred Council was likely not low—but why had he come looking for him?

Bluebeard stared at Xia Ming and slowly said, "That's right. I heard Anthony say before that he had taken in a disciple of unrivaled talent. These past years, our Sacred Council has also been gathering talent from all quarters. Kid, you're not bad! Have you considered joining our Sacred Council?"

Xia Ming froze. Bluebeard had actually extended an olive branch to him!

Looking at the smiling Anthony beside him, it seemed the old mage had long known this would be the outcome.

Joining the Sacred Council!

The title of Sacred Council member was certainly imposing, and joining the Sacred Council did seem rather good.

Xia Ming's mind raced. The Sacred Council was undoubtedly one of the strongest forces in the human kingdoms. Joining it was certainly not a problem—but what benefits could he gain from it?

If it was only an impressive title, he would rather not have it.

"Kid, come with me!"

Just as Xia Ming was weighing it over, Anthony grabbed him and dragged him outside. Then he shouted at Bluebeard, "Bluebeard, my disciple and I need to have a word. Wait here first!"

Bluebeard shook his head with a bitter smile and could only sit inside the cabin and wait.