Chapter 90: Shadow Mage Lilith (Please Subscribe!)

Chapter 90: The Shadow Mage Lilith (Subscription Request!)

Li Wei invited Gu Ze inside and asked, “What brings you here, Master Gu Ze?”

Gu Ze said, “I came to tell you something.”

“The Mage Association is hosting a mage exchange gathering in Feihua City on July fifteenth. It will last half a month, drawing mages from every corner of the Northern Realm—an event not to be missed.”

“This year’s prize for first place in the Young Mages’ Tournament is none other than the exceedingly rare ‘Springwater of the Elves.’”

“Besides the competition among young mages, there will also be a trading fair where rare materials, precious magical elixirs, and invaluable enchanted gear—items seldom seen in ordinary times—will be exchanged.”

“You’ve broken through to the first tier and become an official mage. You qualify for the Young Mages’ Tournament. Though your chances of winning are slim, attending would broaden your horizons.”

“And given your age, you’ll still have three more opportunities to compete in the future. Gaining experience now wouldn’t hurt.”

Li Wei had heard of the Young Mages’ Tournament.

Held once every three years, it required participants to be official first-tier mages under the age of twenty-five.

The fame of the Springwater of the Elves was no secret to him.

Also known as the Fountain of Magic, it was a treasured artifact capable of enhancing a mage’s innate aptitude for magic.

Used once, it could greatly amplify a mage’s affinity with magical elements.

Legend had it that the elves were born with magical talent because the World Tree of their ancestors took root beside the Spring of the Elves.

Hidden deep within the heart of the Elven Empire, the spring itself was nearly inaccessible to humans.

Only a few droplets of its sacred water ever made their way into the outside world.

Upon hearing this, Li Wei’s heart stirred with desire.

The Springwater of the Elves was indeed a treasure beyond measure!

Gu Ze mentioned this mainly to encourage Li Wei to step beyond his tower and see the wider world, rather than remain cooped up in endless training.

He didn’t truly believe Li Wei stood a chance at first place.

A sixteen-year-old first-tier mage like Li Wei was rare—a prodigy indeed.

But his opponents would be older, with far longer cultivation periods.

In past tournaments, there had been geniuses who reached the second tier before turning twenty-five.

With such a prize this year, even more gifted mages would surely come forward.

The competition would be fiercer than ever.

Gu Ze had watched the tournament three years ago as a mere apprentice, ineligible to participate.

That memory still carried a quiet regret.

Now twenty-seven, he had long surpassed the age limit.

Unable to compete himself, he hoped Li Wei would take part—perhaps fulfilling a fragment of his own unmet longing.

Gu Ze asked, “Well? If you’re going, I’ll help you register.”

Li Wei nodded. “I’ll go.”

“Good.” Gu Ze studied him for a moment. “When do you plan to reveal your true strength?”

Li Wei replied, “Not yet. When the time is right, I’ll act.”

Gu Ze nodded. “Alright. That’s for you to decide.”

“Oh, by the way, a new official mage has arrived at the tower recently—an exceptionally rare shadow mage named Lilith.”

“They say she’s searching for someone—a fire mage. From her description, I feel she might be looking for you. Do you know her?” Gu Ze asked.

Li Wei shook his head. “Never heard of her. Why would she seek me?”

Gu Ze shrugged. “No idea. Just stay cautious.”

After Gu Ze left, Li Wei returned to his room.

“A shadow mage… shadow tendrils?”

“Lilith? Liliah? Is there a connection between them?”

He pondered silently.

Had Gu Ze not mentioned that Lilith was a shadow mage, Li Wei would never have linked her to Liliah.

[Telekinesis (Novice Mastery)] 642/4000

He glanced at his progress bar, then paused to rest.

His gaze fell upon the door—long untouched, long unopened.

A sudden thought stirred within him.

“Could I possibly glimpse Lilith’s dreams?”

He walked to the door and pushed it open.

Beyond, mist churned, and farther still lay darkness.

The darkness writhed slowly, as if alive.

Stepping out, the surrounding fog swiftly dispersed, revealing a radius of thirteen meters.

In this dream world, visibility matched the extent of his projected spiritual sense.

Li Wei moved through the mist, advancing steadily in one direction.

Instinctively, he sensed the path toward dreams.

Soon, he saw a floating dream.

A vivid, opulent dream of wealth and splendor.

Li Wei stood at its edge for a moment, then turned away, not entering.

This was not the dream he sought.

Human dreams during sleep drifted like colorful bubbles across the dream realm.

Suddenly, he spotted a dream-bubble cloaked in shadow.

Something within him resonated—he felt certain this belonged to Lilith.

“Is a shadow mage’s dream truly so dark?”

Standing at the bubble’s edge, he confirmed it once more, then stepped inside.

Crossing the boundary, the world shifted instantly.

He stood in the corner of a dilapidated alley.

Garbage and filth littered the ground around him.

Li Wei glanced about, then willed himself upward.

Rising into the heights of the dream, he finally saw its full shape.

The entire dream was a single street in a slum.

The environment was impossibly intricate—its full extent invisible even from above.

A figure flashed across the street.

Leon locked onto it.

Figures appeared within the dream, but all were blurred, indistinct background characters.

Most of them remained motionless.

Whoever could move swiftly through the dream was likely its protagonist.

Leon descended, cloaked in invisibility as he drew near.

Through a window, he saw a silhouette inside.

Lilia poured out a heap of trinkets from her pocket, counting them with delight.

"Found quite a few good things today."

"Wow! Even a silver coin! What incredible luck!"

She lifted the black cat napping on the table, hugging it joyfully. "Baozi, it must be the luck you've brought me!"

"Ever since I found you, fortune's never left my side."

"Tomorrow, I'll treat you to meat buns."

Boom!

The door shattered under a violent force.

A burly man clad in tattered armor stood at the threshold, gripping a chipped fire axe.

"Lucky find—encountered a cat-eared half-beast."

"Little one, come quietly with Uncle now. Life of feasts and pleasures awaits."

The brute blocked the doorway, advancing toward Lilia.

Clutching Baozi and the silver coin, Lilia trembled with fear.

Her eyes darted wildly, searching for an escape.

Seeing the man shift away from the entrance, she seized her chance—tossing the cat toward the window while dashing for the door herself.

"Baozi, run!"

The man lunged for her. Though small, Lilia was astonishingly agile.

The brute couldn't catch her.

Instead, she slipped through his guard, darting out of the room.

He chased after her, only to watch her vanish into the maze of alleys.

Cursing furiously, he turned—and spotted the cat.

Raising his axe, he swung down upon it, venting his rage.

"Baozi!"

Lilia came rushing back, screaming in panic.

Startled, the man’s strike weakened—he gashed the cat’s hind leg, then seized it, holding it up like a hostage.

"Come here quietly, or I’ll kill it!"

"No! Don’t hurt Baozi!"

So busy with the New Year festivities—just got home after hours of running around. My apologies to everyone.

(End of Chapter)