Chapter 553 - 377: Deterrence and Communication

If their Domains clashed with Ian’s, the outcome would be obvious.

Endos and Tessa exchanged a look, each seeing the shock and doubt in the other’s eyes.

’Eternal Fierce Sun... A well-deserved title, indeed,’ Tessa murmured to herself.

Louis was silent for three seconds before a ferocious grin split his face, though it held none of his previous hostility.

"Haha! What a magnificent Eternal Fierce Sun!" He retracted his dark red Domain and waved his hand dismissively.

"It was just about a Level Two Wizard. Not worth us getting so worked up. Let’s let it go."

His words were blunt, but they were also realistic. In the long lifespan of a Morning Star Wizard, a mere Level Two Wizard was utterly insignificant.

Ian gave a slight nod. "Very well."

Having achieved his goal, he retracted his Thermal Energy Domain, and the temperature of Black Rock plummeted.

With the first matter settled, the atmosphere eased. The four of them stood facing each other, forming a square.

"Marcus, I imagine you haven’t returned this time just to settle old scores, have you?"

Endos spoke, his expression unreadable beneath the shroud of Holy Light.

"Indeed," Ian nodded. "I returned for two reasons: to see some old friends, and to handle a few things."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.

"I must say I’m curious. For the Guardians of this sea, you three don’t seem to pay much mind to worldly affairs."

His words were diplomatic, but the meaning was clear: when the Marcus Clan achieved a Morning Star Bloodline, the three of them had made no official statement.

Endos fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "You misunderstand, Marcus. The three of us spend most of our time away from the Wizard World."

"I guard the Demon Cave beneath the Silver Ring, Tessa watches over the Life Forbidden Land of the Embrace of Nature, and Louis is permanently stationed on the front lines of a Demon Cave at the world’s edge."

"These are all Guard missions issued by the Supreme Alliance, with a term of two thousand years."

He looked at Ian. "We mean no offense to you. We simply have no time for other matters."

Tessa chimed in.

"Besides, the ascension to a Morning Star Bloodline is a major event. We originally intended to make formal contact after your return."

"We just never expected some of the people beneath us to be so audacious."

Her tone was gentle, but her meaning was clear: they harbored no ill will.

Louis snorted. "Just a bunch of fools. If you ask me, they should have their families and factions slaughtered to the last."

Ian was taken aback. ’Guard missions? Not in the Wizard World?’

He understood instantly. Their attitude wasn’t hostility, but simple indifference.

This sea was barren, lacking the resources they needed. To them, their Guard missions were the top priority.

As long as the shifting powers on the Anoroya Continent didn’t affect their own foundations, they couldn’t be bothered to intervene.

This was a stark contrast to the attitude of the Morning Stars in the Eastern Central Continent.

Competition there was fierce, with every new Morning Star drawing the attention of their peers. This place, by contrast, felt more like a forgotten corner of the world.

"I see," Ian nodded.

"Since the three of you are occupied with your missions, I won’t trouble you with the affairs of my family and the Shadow Moon Tower from now on."

His words were polite, but the subtext was clear: ’This is my turf now. Stay out.’

Endos and Tessa exchanged a look. "As it should be. We will not interfere in the affairs of the Marcus Family."

Louis grinned and nodded in agreement. "As long as it doesn’t interfere with my Guard mission, you can raise whatever hell you want."

Tessa offered a gentle smile. "The Embrace of Nature looks forward to greater communication and cooperation with them."

With another matter settled, Ian got to the point. "I’d like to propose a trade with the three of you."

A flicker of interest showed in Endos’s eyes. "What kind of trade?"

"I need Level Four or higher Meditation Methods. Any attribute is fine."

Ian continued slowly, "In addition, I also need the core materials for constructing a Wizard Tower. The more, the better."

As soon as he finished speaking, the three Morning Star Wizards fell silent. After a few seconds, Louis spoke first.

"Meditation Methods? Every Morning Star’s Meditation Method is the very core of their path. Who would trade that away?"

He shook his head. "As for Wizard Tower materials, those are even scarcer."

Endos nodded. "A Wizard Tower is the foundation for a Morning Star. The materials are difficult to find."

"It took me over a thousand years to gather the materials for my Silver Tower, and I had to ask five Morning Star friends for help just to get it barely constructed."

Tessa added softly, "The Wizard Tower for the Embrace of Nature isn’t finished either. I’m still searching for core materials myself."

Ian could tell that the three of them weren’t exactly flush with resources.

’It makes sense,’ he thought. ’Anoroya is just an overseas island with limited resources. The rewards from their Guard missions must be their main source of income.’

"Since none of you have the resources on hand, information would be acceptable as well."

Ian changed his approach. He would accept clues to High Tier Meditation Methods or the locations of certain core materials.

Endos mused for a moment. "High Tier Meditation Methods... I do know of one place that might hold a clue."

"In the central region of the Central Continent, there is a power known as the Tower of Knowledge. It is said to be a place of Inheritance left behind by a Level Seven True Spirit Wizard from antiquity."

"It houses a collection of countless Meditation Methods, with everything from the Apprentice to the Level Six Bright Sun level."

"However, the entry requirements are exceedingly strict. You must complete the Knowledge Trial issued by the Tower."

Ian committed the information to memory. "Thank you."

Tessa spoke next.

"As for Wizard Tower materials, I’ve heard the Silver Moon Council on the Central Continent sometimes auctions Rare Materials."

"It’s the ancestral land of the Silver Moon Elves. Rumor has it that a World Tree Subspecies exists there, but I don’t know any specific details."

Louis scratched his head. "I’m fighting on the front lines year-round. I don’t know much about this stuff."