Chapter 139: Island Secret Realm

Chapter 139: The Island's Secret Realm

The elder mage gave a brief introduction of the island’s secret realm to the gathered crowd.

An enlarged image of the island’s mysterious domain now floated before their eyes.

"The secret realm consists of three zones. The outermost is the ocean, teeming with first- and second-tier water-elemental magical beasts."

"The middle layer is a forest, home to numerous first- and second-tier land-based magical creatures, along with a few flying ones."

"The core lies at the central volcano, where fire-elemental beasts dwell, accompanied by rare fire sprites—and deep within the volcano sleeps a third-tier magma giant."

"These three layers will serve as the three stages of this year’s Youth Mage Exchange Competition."

"Should any participant feel unable to withstand the dangers during the trial, they may withdraw from the realm at any time."

"This exchange competition carries inherent risks; participation is entirely voluntary."

"In the event of injury or death, all consequences shall be borne solely by the participants—our Mage Association assumes no responsibility."

"We offer only humanitarian aid, with no guarantee for the safety of every contestant."

As the elder spoke, the scenes of the island unfolded vividly before them.

Li Wei saw dark shadows gliding through the ocean—water beasts in motion.

He glimpsed the movements of creatures within the forest, flying beasts streaking across the sky.

He saw fire beasts roaming the volcanic slopes, lively fire sprites dancing above the lava flows, and the slumbering form of the magma giant buried deep beneath the earth.

"The first round lasts one full day. The contest ends at sunset."

"Any contestant who has not reached the island by then will be eliminated."

"All participants will enter the secret realm in ten minutes. You may still withdraw from the competition at any moment within this time."

...

Hardly had the words faded when protests erupted.

"Unfair! Isn't this favoring water mages?"

"Exactly! You're throwing everyone into the sea—what about those who can't swim?"

"Heh, the first round might just eliminate everyone who isn’t a water mage."

"Don’t be ridiculous! I’m a water mage, and I still can’t swim!"

"Are we really supposed to compete over who swims faster? How absurd!"

The elder cleared his throat sharply. "Ahem. Silence."

The crowd hushed, turning their eyes toward him.

"Those who find this unfair," he said calmly, "are free to withdraw."

A heavy stillness fell. Those who had shouted loudest now flushed red with embarrassment.

One sentence silenced them all.

Either abandon the contest—or abide by the rules without complaint.

"Now," the elder announced, "the contestants may proceed into the secret realm."

Li Wei slipped away under the pretense of preparation, making his way down to the competitor’s zone beneath the arena.

When others saw him enter clad in armor, strange looks spread across their faces.

"What in the world? This is a mage competition—why is there a warrior among us?"

Someone called out loudly upon spotting him.

"Hold on—look at the magic insignia on his chest. He *is* a mage."

"...Huh? A mage wearing armor? Doesn’t he fear sinking straight to the bottom of the sea?"

All eyes turned to Li Wei, filled with amusement and anticipation.

Unfazed, he walked steadily through the crowd toward the stage.

Stepping onto the arena platform, Li Wei looked up—the base of the secret realm loomed overhead, vast and shadowed.

Pitch black, impossible to see clearly.

Only when a dark shape darted past did he realize it was a magical beast swimming in the unseen depths below.

The audience in the stands could only view the projected scene of the island—they couldn’t see the contestants standing beneath.

The Mage Association staff had already activated the portal leading to the secret realm.

"Please line up. When the time comes, you will enter one by one."

A third-tier mage stood beside the portal, maintaining its stability.

Li Wei glanced around. His eyes landed on Verdi, whose expression shifted to surprise.

Verdi instinctively swept his gaze over Li Wei’s hands—

and found them intact, though the ring on his finger was gone.

Li Wei understood immediately: Verdi had sought a priest to regenerate his severed hand.

Only clerics wielding divine magic could restore lost limbs.

Perhaps some exceedingly rare magical elixirs could achieve the same—but clearly, consulting a priest was far more practical.

Then he noticed Lilith standing beside Verdi, and felt a flicker of surprise.

Lilith sensed his gaze and turned her head.

Their eyes met briefly—then both looked away.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Heavy footsteps approached.

Li Wei turned instinctively. A towering man, over two meters tall, strode toward them.

Cloaked in a fur vest, wearing a bear-skull helmet, he looked more like a berserker than a mage.

Noticing Li Wei, he seemed to recognize another anomaly among mages.

The giant grinned widely. "Greetings. I am Xiong Er of the Snow Bear Tribe."

Li Wei reached out to shake his hand—

and nearly winced at the crushing strength, utterly unlike that of any mage.

"You seem more like a berserker," Li Wei remarked.

Xiong Er chuckled. "My brother *is* a berserker. That’s why the chieftain ordered me to become a mage. I am the first true mage of the Snow Bear Tribe."

"The chieftain says mages are wise. If I become one, I may one day lead our tribe into a brighter future."

"Hah! Are you two here to entertain us? A warrior and a berserker pretending to be mages?"

A noble youth in pale green robes sneered mockingly.

Xiong Er glanced at him, unperturbed.

He’d heard such words countless times. His chieftain had taught him that mages must remain calm and composed—he rarely let insults stir his temper.

"Time's up, everyone—enter the secret realm."

The mage standing beside the portal announced.

One by one, they stepped into the shimmering gateway.

Li Wei walked through and felt the ground vanish beneath his feet—he was falling from midair.

In the audience stands, onlookers watched as figures began to appear along the edges of the island’s hidden realm.

Li Wei materialized in midair, the ocean stretching far below.

As he plummeted, just before hitting the water, a faint blue glow shimmered across his body.

He landed steadily upon the surface of the waves.

He checked his belongings—his invisibility cloak and spatial ring were unusable, sealed by some unknown force.

Now, only his own abilities could carry him to the island.

He gazed into the distance. Endless ocean stretched left and right. Ahead, a tiny speck—the island.

From outside, the secret realm had seemed small. But now, inside, its vastness was staggering.

Even flying at full speed, it would take half an hour to reach the island—assuming no obstacles arose.

And worse—his mana wouldn’t last that long.

"Shadow Servant."

The shadow emerged from beneath his feet.

Seeing it still answered his call, Li Wei allowed himself a faint smile.

Stepping onto its back, he said, "Let’s go."

The Shadow Servant transformed into a surfboard-like form, gliding swiftly over the waves toward the distant island.

After traveling a stretch, Li Wei noticed a surge of water to his left.

The robed mage who had mocked him earlier rode atop a "Wind Rail," slicing through the waves at a far greater speed.

"So wind mages are better suited for this place than water mages," Li Wei mused inwardly.

In the audience, murmurs rose in surprise.

No one expected wind mages to outperform water mages in the first trial.

Suddenly, the sea ahead churned violently, rising into a towering wave.

"A first-rank water spell—Tidal Surge!"

"Why would anyone learn such a useless technique? The Northern Realm has no oceans!"

"But this force—it’s wrong! A wave this massive couldn't possibly come from a first-rank spell!"

(End of Chapter)