Ten Floating Islands

"Even soul age had restrictions? For wizards pursuing immortal souls, hadn't age always been just a number?"

Dago said casually.

Bernal turned to look at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. In an even yet serious tone, he said, "This is the next important thing about wizards that I need to tell you, Dago."

Dago froze for a moment and waited for Bernal to continue.

Staring straight into Dago's eyes, he said in a low voice, "Dago, if you want to survive well within the Thorn Ring and establish yourself here, the first thing you must learn is to fight for what you want!"

"Fight for it?"

A faint ripple passed through Dago's eyes.

"Resources, inheritances, reputation, connections—you have to fight for everything! Eligibility to reside on the ten floating islands is only the most superficial of things."

Bernal said coldly, "The truly top-tier resources are hidden within ancient secret realms left behind from antiquity. But do you think just any wizard is qualified to enter them? Most secret realms have limited entry slots. If you do not fight for one, it will never be your turn, even after a lifetime."

"Among wizards of the same rank, this is often how their strength is gradually pulled apart."

"The stronger a wizard organization is, the more it encourages internal competition. That is because organizations compete against one another as well. They, too, have resources and living space that can only be obtained through struggle. If you are not strong enough, other factions will surpass you, swallow you up, and replace you."

"Have you heard of the Spirit World Veil?"

Bernal suddenly asked Dago.

Dago paused, thought for a moment, and answered, "I have."

"No one knows how vast or how deep the Spirit World truly is."

Bernal said calmly, "In certain regions