Chapter 811: The Academy

“Grandfather, as you commanded, we have already begun the nationwide expansion and selection of apprentices!”

Outside the capital city, Lanbo stood respectfully before Wu Ming, reporting in front of a bustling construction site.

Before them lay the foundation of a mage tower, already dug into a deep pit, with countless granite stones, stardust metals, and multi-forged steel being transported inside.

“Excellent. Because magic is being used, this mage tower will be completed soon, and from there, we can establish an academy… You don’t need to worry about finding mentors; the former leaders of the Watchers and the Night Watchers will be more than willing to come here…”

Looking at the plans for the future magical academy, Wu Ming said calmly, “Cultivating the kingdom’s spellcasters is an important task that must begin immediately… Fortunately, given the kingdom’s large population base, we can find many talented apprentices through mass selection.”

The world of Syl already had traditions of supernatural power; all that needed to be done now was to systematize and standardize them.

“I have great faith in the people’s potential, but…”

Lanbo hesitated slightly, “Is it still possible to do this now?”

Training a mage was no short-term endeavor.

“You underestimate the catastrophe I told you about…”

Upon hearing this, Wu Ming shook his head, “The accumulated resentment and sins of countless years in the inner world might erupt, possibly lasting for decades or even centuries! Moreover, the actual date of this disaster could be just a few years or even a decade away. It’s always better to prepare in advance!”

“Besides training apprentices, we can also start working on universal conscription training, stockpiling supplies, reinforcing city walls, and building shelters…”

“Finally, besides mages, who says I won’t be utilizing other magical powers?”

As Wu Ming spoke, a faintly mysterious expression appeared on his face.

Mages and wizards couldn’t be created overnight; their current preparation was simply for the long haul.

He already had several alternatives ready to be deployed immediately.

First were the bloodline inheritors of the Syl continent.

The blue-blooded nobility generally inherited the power of frost dragons, and there were many others like them. Moreover, developing bloodline powers was always a bit quicker than painstakingly learning spells step by step. If gathered together, they could temporarily serve the purpose.

However, sorcerers had the issue of fixed spellcasting, unable to freely learn the spells they needed, and generally had mental deficiencies, making them unsuitable for major roles.

But it didn’t matter—Wu Ming had other options: priests!

Compared to sorcerers, priests could be trained even more quickly. As long as the deity was powerful and the faith strong enough, divine blessings could be bestowed overnight, promoting someone to a high-level spellcaster!

Wu Ming had extensive experience with divine matters and had already successfully operated a main temple in the steampunk world, making him very adept at this.

In fact, there was already a church established on the original Syl continent. The framework was already in place; all that was needed was to resurrect it under a new shell, and everything would fall into place.

During wartime, priests’ healing spells might even be more popular than those of mages.

“Finally, if all else fails, there’s always the Main Temple’s Reincarnator Training System!”

A glint of sharpness passed through Wu Ming’s eyes.

At this stage, he no longer hesitated to expose some of the Main Temple’s functions to other beings.

After all, a Great Law being could easily accomplish what the Main Temple did, so it wasn’t anything particularly special.

And with his current power level, even if other deities knew he possessed a powerful magical artifact, how many would dare to covet it?

“The cultivation of reincarnators can be precisely targeted and directed. Not only spellcasters, but warriors, thieves, assassins… any profession I desire can be mass-produced…”

“And the cost and transformation involved are even slightly lower than what a deity would expend in cultivating priests…”

Wu Ming mused silently: “This is our opportunity! While the eastern and western continents are busy resisting the disaster, the Syl continent can take this chance to rise, of course, while raising the banner of protecting humanity…”

“Furthermore, we could even send reincarnators into the inner world in advance to investigate the situation and obtain the latest intelligence!”

Even the gods could not recklessly send their priests and paladins to their deaths unless they wanted to face rebellion and lose a large number of their best petitioners.

But for the Main Temple, all that was needed was the reincarnators’ true souls, something that could be immediately recovered no matter where they perished. There would be absolutely no hesitation or regret over how many reincarnators were lost.

This contrast made the difference clear.

“Taken together, for a Great Law being, the Main Temple is simply a very convenient tool—valuable, yes, but not worth fighting to the death over one’s Dao fruit. That would be nothing more than a dreamer’s fantasy… On the other hand, those at the sixth or seventh tiers might very well fight tooth and nail over it…”

Wu Ming felt a slight wistfulness in his heart. This magical artifact, which had been immeasurably important to his growth, had finally been overtaken by him. Yet beyond that, he felt even greater ambition.

After conquering and climbing one great mountain, his eyes immediately turned to the next goal: attaining the ninth-tier Primordial Chaos state—the ultimate transcendence!

“I see! Now I understand completely!”

After a brief explanation, Lanbo was immediately convinced and deeply respectful.

He had no idea that his grandfather possessed such immense power.

Just as in this case.

Without the Conqueror King himself overseeing matters, there was no way he, as the new king, could have mobilized the entire nation and ensured that orders were carried out without compromise.

“With my grandfather here, protecting our kingdom, even if disaster strikes, there’s nothing to fear!”

Lanbo flattered.

“You really think too highly of me…”

Wu Ming sighed deeply, gazing at the foundation of the mage tower with a somewhat helpless expression, “Even a true god might perish in this catastrophe!”

And to deal with such unpredictable situations, his true form had to remain stationed on the continent. His original plans for wandering and exploration would naturally have to be delegated to his manifestations.

After reaching the eighth tier, each manifestation was both unique and infinite, with no risk of mutation unless their mark was damaged and their cultivation level fell.

…

Years passed, and in the blink of an eye, five years had gone by.

During these five years in the main world, undercurrents surged—every major clan knew that a great calamity was approaching, and they quietly prepared accordingly.

At least from what Wu Ming knew, within the human-dominated regions, nobles from both East and West were doing their best to recruit retainers, stockpile supplies, and repair their city walls.

Martial artists’ training, and even certain Daoist techniques, were being widely and freely disseminated among the common people, creating an atmosphere of impending storm.

The Kingdom of Syl was no different.

Outside the capital, a mage academy stood quietly, its towering architecture glowing with abundant magical energy, with many apprentice mages coming and going. Towns and markets had sprung up around the academy, all telling of its prosperity and vitality.

“Tonight there’s a class on spell modeling, and this afternoon I need to prepare several sets of spellcasting materials. The spell template ‘Alchemist’s Hand’ is just too complicated…”

A mage apprentice wearing a robe and a star-shaped badge on his chest walked out the door, his expression hesitant, “I’ve already spent most of this month’s state scholarship money, so I’ll have to go to the Black Forest to gather materials myself!”

“Hey! Bruce, going to the market? Let’s go together!”

Another apprentice called out from the side.

“No thanks, I’m heading to the Black Forest to collect some materials…”

Bruce shook his head and declined.

The Black Forest was a section of woodland specifically designated by the academy, stocked with many magical plants and creatures, and protected by magical barriers. For full mages, it was nothing, but for apprentices, going there to gather materials was not only hard work but also somewhat dangerous, though it was free.

This was done specifically to train the apprentices’ practical abilities.

Although it might seem somewhat hasty and profit-driven, under the looming threat of imminent catastrophe, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Walking along the tree-lined path, Bruce’s expression was resolute: “I must earn this month’s scholarship!”

As the son of a dock laborer, he naturally understood how rare his opportunity was.

After being sent to school, he had been identified as having magical talent due to his excellent academic performance and was recommended to study at the capital’s mage academy, signing a contract in return.

In return, after becoming a full mage, he would serve the kingdom for life. Of course, Lanbo would not mistreat these spellcasters—he would grant them noble titles and other rewards.

However, if he failed to graduate successfully as a full mage within five years, he would immediately be sent into the army to be trained as a battlefield mage, a position far more dangerous and demanding.

At fifteen, Bruce was already quite mature, fully aware of the differences. He had vowed to break through before the deadline and become a respected mage noble, returning in glory to Emerald Harbor.

“Who goes there?”

At the entrance to the Black Forest, a group of soldiers blocked his path, with several full mages visible behind them.

“It’s me—Bruce, a mage apprentice. I want to go into the Black Forest to collect materials!”

Bruce said calmly, presenting his badge.

“Hmm, indeed a junior student!”

A red-robed mage looked at the badge and shook his head, “Unfortunately, starting today, the entire Black Forest’s resources are no longer open to any apprentices. All magical materials must now be collected and distributed uniformly!”

“What?”

This news was like a thunderclap to Bruce, but the notice bearing the magical seal and the king’s stamp was unmistakably genuine.

Bruce could only walk back dejectedly, puzzled in his heart: “What exactly is happening to the kingdom? Are we about to go to war with the eastern and western continents?”

Even the most ordinary citizens had sensed that something was different in recent years.