The Seal Is Broken, Hymn of Destruction

Li Lin slowly emerged from the spatial portal. Dozens of spells formed a defensive array that swirled before him, their immense power impossible to ignore. Faced with this suddenly appearing young man, the other mages involuntarily retreated. They were not reckless, ignorant low-level mages who would presume to attack without assessing their opponent's strength. In fact, every mage present could easily discern from the magical defenses surrounding Li Lin that he was no match for them. The ability to simultaneously cast dozens of protective spells and ensure their seamless operation was beyond the capabilities of anyone in the Mages' Association. Not even the head of the Mages' Association could achieve such a feat.

"Who are you? Stranger."

"That's not important."

Faced with the question, Li Lin simply shook his finger leisurely.

"I'm not here to answer your foolish and ignorant questions; I'm just here to reclaim what's mine—of course, I thank you for keeping it safe for so long, but unfortunately, it's not yours. Now, I want it returned to its rightful owner."

As he spoke, he pointed to "something" within the floating sphere. With Li Lin's movement, the light within the sphere shone even brighter, while the mages were horrified. They stared anxiously at the sphere, clearly at a loss. This thing, in the hundreds of years it had been with the Mages' Association, had never shown anything unusual, even appearing as a completely useless object devoid of Magic Power. If the Association's leader hadn't discovered the power it contained, the Mages' Association probably wouldn't have paid it so much attention. Although they still hadn't fully understood its operating principles, they knew that... It contains a destructive power. This power is pure Magic Power, not intended for use in any spell, nor for enhancing its wielder. Its sole value lies in purifying Magic Power and using it for utter destruction. The Mages' Association once attempted to extract its power, but even a tiny fraction triggered a massive explosion. During the last research effort, five senior mages were killed by the explosion due to improper handling, and the entire area within a hundred miles of the Mage Tower was reduced to scorched earth. And all they did was extract one percent of the power within this magical weapon for research.

After that incident, the Mages' Association spent considerable effort to suppress the matter. Fortunately, it was done in time and did not attract the attention of the Five-Nation Alliance and the Temple; otherwise, the Mages' Association might have been destroyed. But this time, they were completely at a loss.

"Absurd!!"

The Grand Master regained his senses, gritted his teeth, and stepped forward.

"This is a relic of the Magic Empire from a thousand years ago. How could you possibly be its owner?"

"I don't need to explain to you. I've already said, I'm not here to answer questions."

As he spoke, Li Lin extended a finger, pointing it at the sphere, while gently stroking the cover of the spellbook floating in the air beside him.

"Nia, release the seal."

As Li Lin spoke, the spellbook floating beside him began to flicker, then opened automatically, stopping after turning many pages. Blue magic spells then appeared out of thin air, gradually disappearing. As they vanished, the translucent sphere became increasingly transparent, eventually transforming into specks of Magic Power light that scattered around.

All the mages, including the archmage, stared in disbelief at this incredible scene. What a joke! This seal was personally set up by the head of the association, and now it had been so easily broken by a complete stranger.

Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but turn their attention back to the spellbook beside Li Lin. Without wasting much time, they retrieved the relevant memories from their minds—the mission they had received when entering the Inner Circle Council. No one forgot what it was, just as they knew exactly what was sealed within this tower.

"An Eternal Library...!"

One of the mages trembled and retreated, his legs even buckling, and he collapsed against the wall. The other mages also had different expressions. They never expected that the man in front of them would possess the Eternal Library, one of the legendary Seven Ring Spirit Envoys!

"Who exactly are you! Could it be that...?"

"It seems you already know the answer."

Li Lin stared at the magical weapons floating in the air after the seal was broken, not even glancing at the panicked mages.

"Frankly, I don't think you're qualified to accept the title of Mage... It's not a title that should belong to the watchdogs of the Five-Nation Alliance."

Arcane Mage.

Almost everyone's heart sank to the bottom. What a joke! They all knew perfectly well that only Arcane Mage could control the Seven Ring Spirit Envoys, and among the thirteen Arcane Mage, only "that person" could do so. Their minds and reason refused to believe this absurd judgment, but right now, floating beside the young man in black robes was the very Eternal Library. The Magic Power contained within this magical weapon alone surpassed the combined power of all of them. Not to mention the miraculous descriptions in historical records. No one would be foolish enough to confront this terrifying spellbook head-on. Even if there were a dozen high-ranking mages present, the entire Inner Circle Council wouldn't be enough. Moreover, the Eternal Library was currently floating quietly beside the mage, clearly having accepted its master.

"Get out of the way."

Li Lin's deep voice pulled the mages back to reality.

"Or die."

It seems they have no choice.

Faced with Li Lin's threat, these usually arrogant high-level mages exchanged uneasy glances. Indeed, they possessed power and knowledge far exceeding that of ordinary mages. But precisely because of this, they were even more aware of the gap between themselves and the Magic Empire, and more aware of just how inadequate and weak their own learned spells truly were. Although to outsiders, they could make the earth rumble and the sky flash with lightning simply by chanting incantations, as if Dominator heaven and earth, only these high-level mages themselves knew how insignificant the fragments they had painstakingly learned were compared to the true mages of the Magic Empire.

Right now, standing before them was clearly a remnant of the Magic Empire era. The mere fact that Li Lin had so easily broken the seal on the Association's leader was enough to dispel any doubts the mages held. Now, all they had to do was make a choice.

They stood on the side of the Mages' Association, resisted to the end, and then predictably became corpses.

They retreated, filled with fear.

Silence.

Many mages began to retreat, and even the great mage who had originally stood in front of the seal turned around with an uncertain expression and stepped aside.

Li Lin slowly stepped forward. He didn't look at the surrounding mages, nor did he care to know their thoughts, nor did he care about their expressions. At this moment, he was only focused on the beautiful magical weapon floating in the air. It was a strange weapon composed of three sets of rhomboid magic plates. No one who saw it for the first time would understand its purpose. They floated in the air, forming a circular rotating path. As Li Lin approached, the speed of these rotating rhomboid magic plates slowed down considerably. They changed direction and angle, as if scrutinizing the newcomer.

"I thought you'd be even more excited to see me back, Yi Aier."

Li Lin reached out, trying to touch the spinning magic board, but unexpectedly, several streaks of electricity suddenly sprang out from the board, knocking Li Lin's hand away.

"All right."

Looking helplessly at his hand that had been pushed away, Li Lin shrugged.

"Perhaps I got too excited?"

As Li Lin complained somewhat discontentedly, the floating magic panels finally responded, flashing lights as if conveying some message.

"... Okay, I know you're unhappy, but I promise you, you won't be the last one found."

Li Lin frowned; he didn't want to discuss these pointless questions with his weapon in front of everyone.

"If you have any further questions, we can discuss them back home. Now... we should leave."

"Call!!"

At that very moment, a mage dressed in a red robe suddenly leaped out from among Li Lin's mages. His fists were burning with raging Magic Power flames, and his almost inhumanly agile movements were clearly enhanced by magic. He stealthily approached Li Lin from a distance, completely imperceptible to others, and launched his attack while Li Lin was distracted.

Without a doubt, the Red Robe Mage acted swiftly enough; before anyone else could react, his fists were already aimed at Li Lin's back.

Just then, the Eternal Library that had been quietly floating to the side started up again.

The Multiple Defense Framework undoubtedly withstood the Red Robe Mage's rather lackluster sneak attack. However, this was all part of the Red Robe Mage's plan. As a mage with some knowledge of Multiple Spell Framework, he knew very well that although these spells appeared to be rotating perfectly, breaking even one point of balance would be enough to completely collapse the entire structure. At that point, even without his own intervention, the guy who suddenly appeared with the _picture_book and tried to seize the sealed magic weapon would be courting death.

This is indeed an opinion that has been "slightly" studied.

However, the Eternal Library did not give him the opportunity to put his ideas into practice.

After his first attack was blocked as expected, the Red Robe Mage raised his fist again, but this time, his movements slowed down.

Even as he threw his first punch, Nia had already reacted. Before he could swing his second fist, all the magical effects on the Red Robe Mage were dispelled by the Eternal Library. Therefore, this attack not only failed to produce the effect the Red Robe Mage had imagined, but instead activated the defensive mechanisms within the Multiple Spell Framework. The Red Robe Mage felt as if he had been struck in the chest by a heavy hammer, and like a tattered kite, he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground. The violent impact, combined with the magical feedback from the failed final attack, forced him to open his mouth and vomit a mouthful of blood. But the Red Robe Mage did not stop there. He struggled to his feet, glaring angrily at his colleague.

"What are you all standing there for! Kill him! Kill this mage!"

He pointed at Li Lin and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Don't forget, you are inner-circle members of the Mages' Association! It was the Five-Nation Alliance that built the Mages' Association for you! Shouldn't you protect the property of the Five-Nation Alliance? Don't forget, the mages you study, the mage towers you live in, and everything you possess were all given to you by the Five-Nation Alliance! Not by some damned Magic Empire and Arcane Mage! They are dead men who have vanished into history. You bunch of cowards, what are you still hesitating about! And the _books!'"

"A wonderful speech."

Only then did Li Lin turn around, looking at the Red Robe Mage paralyzed on the ground with a cold smile.

"Indeed, that's what I wanted to say too. Mages who have lost their independence and self-respect are not worthy of being called mages at all. You are nothing more than watchdogs who can use a few low-level spells. In my opinion, you don't deserve this title... Alright, now that I've gotten what I wanted, what do you plan to do? Lackeys of the Five-Nation Alliance? To be honest, I don't mind if you all come at me together. I don't want to be seen as bullying the weak."

Faced with Li Lin's words, not a single mage stepped forward; they simply stood there, their faces ashen, silent.

"It seems that spellcasters these days are all like this."

Looking around, Li Lin shook his head helplessly. It was obvious that although these people were not weak, their courage and willpower had long been worn down. Right now, they were nothing more than domesticated dogs kept by the Five-Nation Alliance. Thinking of this, Li Lin felt somewhat disheartened. He sighed and turned to walk towards the teleportation portal.

"Arcane Mage."

Just as Li Lin was about to step into the teleportation portal, a voice sounded from behind him.

"Could you... take us with you when we leave?"

I don't keep dogs, especially domestic dogs.

Li Lin responded without turning his head.

"Let's discuss this again when you're no longer domestic dogs."

As Li Lin's figure disappeared, the mages were all bewildered and at a loss. They were immersed in the intimidation of Li Lin's powerful strength and the embarrassment of their own powerlessness, and did not even notice when the rumbling sound outside the window had disappeared.

"You bunch of traitors! Traitors!!"

Only the Red Robe Mage continued to struggle on the ground, angrily pointing at the mage beside him.

"What are you thinking? Without the sealed weapons, we'll all be destroyed by the Five-Nation Alliance! They never believed in mages anyway! What are you thinking?! Don't forget, a thousand years Five-Nation Alliance destroyed the Magic Empire, and they can do it again!! You bunch of foolish, ignorant idiots..."

Before the Red Robe Mage could finish speaking, he opened his mouth wide, clutched his chest tightly, and then leaned back, lying on the ground.

Only then did the Grand Mage sigh deeply and withdraw his hand that had just killed his colleague.

"Great Mage, what... what should we do next?"

Sensing the bewilderment and helplessness of his companions, the archmage himself was speechless. In fact, at that moment, he did want to leave, to leave this cage that was being watched closely by the Five-Nation Alliance and the Temple. This was not the way a mage should live. No mage with pride and self-respect could tolerate such treatment.

"Let's return to the association. We failed to uphold the 'Hymn of Destruction.' Perhaps the head of the association will punish us, or perhaps... it's time for the Mages' Association to begin a change."