The Legend Zado's avatar had come expressly to inform Merlin. This time, it was a command from the Ultimate Arcane Wizard. All the Great Legends in the entire Spell Caster civilization must head to the three great Arcane Cities.

As for Spell Casters from Arcane City, they must return as well. However, as they were not Great Legends, it was perhaps more difficult to get a message to them, and many would not receive the command in time.

Only Great Legends would still be able to receive the Ultimate Arcane Wizard's command even if they were at far-flung places.

"Teacher Zado, what's really going on?"

Merlin could vaguely sense the severity of the situation. It must be something momentous to have moved even the Ultimate Arcane Wizards.

After hesitating slightly, the Legend Zado nodded with a solemn expression. "This matter isn't really a secret because soon, the entire Void Zone will learn about it. War has broken out because the Rock Tribe has become fed up with the standoff in the Seely Dimension. Finally, it's time to attack!"

"The Rock Tribe?

Merlin looked into the direction in which Blackroth had just left. Blackroth had departed from the Firecloud Dimension only because he had suddenly received a message from the Rock Progenitor as well.

"Teacher Zado, I'll hurry back as quickly as I can!"

Merlin nodded, following which the Legend Zado's avatar was placed into the Spatial Ring once more.

Alcra was staring coldly at Tuota. "So? Tuota, you still wish to fight over the Firecloud Dimension?"

Tuota shot a look at Merlin and Alcra, knowing that by himself he was no match for them both by far. After a pause, he finally decided not to stay in the Firecloud Dimension, and instantly turned to leave.

The Firecloud Dimension was quiet once again. Although Alcra had absorbed part of the dimension's Elemental Origin, its core was not harmed at all, and it could still be used as a foundation for Merlin to develop his dimension.

"Wizard Merlin, the Firecloud Dimension is no longer of much use to me. From the looks of it, you're about to leave the open territory and return to the Spell Caster civilization. I'll help you guard the Saitu Dimension and the Firecloud Dimension for at least a thousand years in order to develop your Spell Caster civilization."

This was something Alcra had thought about deeply. By now, he had gained strength comparable to a Great Legend and could guard a dimension. He knew that Merlin wished to expand these two dimensions as a prosperous Spell Caster civilization.

Therefore, he willingly suggested that he would help Merlin guard the dimensions.

Both of them had gone through thick and thin. Earlier, Merlin had used his solo strength to gain more time for Alcra. Only then did Alcra succeed in leveling up to an upper rank Tree Folk. Between them, a profound friendship had been consolidated.

Merlin thought about it for a moment, and finally nodded. At first, according to his plan, he would stay on in the open territory for a long period of time, managing both dimensions. At the same time, he would use the Elemental Origin to slowly understand spells, then at least fuse his Six-Elemental spells or become a Great Wizard.

However, with the command from Arcane City now, his plan was disarranged.

"War… It's a civilization war! I've heard that after the Spell Caster civilization had left the Glorious Land and stepped into the Void Zone, we had gone through countless wars. A war between civilizations is truly frightening. The entire forces of civilization must be gathered!"

After Merlin came to the Void Zone, he gradually learned about the development process of the Spell Caster civilization. Naturally, he knew what this war with the Rock Tribe would mean. If the scale of the war kept increasing, it was likely to become a civilization war.

When two powerful civilizations erupted in war, it was a brutal affair indeed, especially with a civilization like the Rock Tribe. They had two Progenitor-level existences as well, on par with the Ultimate Arcane Wizards, and they were no weaker than the Spell Caster civilization.

"Wizard Merlin, don't worry. Although the Rock Tribe is formidable, don't forget that your Spell Caster civilization is even stronger! The names of the three great Ultimate Arcane Wizards reverberate throughout the entire Void Zone. In a mere three thousand years' time, your Spell Caster civilization has grown to such a powerful stage. Your explosive power is truly astonishing. I believe that the Rock Tribe civilization will soon get a taste of your might, haha!"

Alcra chuckled as he reassured Merlin. Although Alcra had never experienced a civilization war, he was a second-generation Tree Folk, and shared some memories of the Mother Tree.

Therefore, there was some information regarding wars between civilizations in his memory. It was a ruthless affair indeed and included the Mother Tree's observation of the wars between the Spell Caster civilization and other foreign civilizations. In the Mother Tree's assessment, there was a rather favorable judgment of the Spell Caster civilization. If they continued to flourish for thousands and thousands of years, the Spell Caster could even develop to a point where, by their own strength, they could contend against the enormous God Alliance.

Merlin smiled in response, then said, "I'll have to trouble you to look after the Firecloud Dimension and the Saitu Dimension then!"

"Haha, that's a small matter. However, before you leave, Wizard Merlin, you should take control of the Firecloud Dimension's Elemental Origin."

"How about half each? Like how we did in the Saitu Dimension?"

Alcra thought about it for a moment, and nodded at last. Although both of them had stuck together in life-and-death situations, solidifying a deep friendship, there must still be benefits for both sides. Otherwise, a conflict would surely arise.

With that, Merlin and Alcra each gained half of the dimension's controlling rights. Thereafter, Merlin did not stay on in the Firecloud Dimension any longer, and immediately steered the Aurora Ship to leave the open territory, rushing back to Arcane City.

…

"My Mind Power should be nearly there…"

In the icy blackness of the Void Zone, Merlin sat in the Aurora Ship and gradually opened his eyes. From the God-Binding Disc, he had absorbed the last remnant of divinity, turning it all into Mind Power.

This had a clear boosting effect on his Mind Power! Merlin's Ninth-level Mind Heart seemed to have no limits but it was exceedingly difficult to grow it further. When he had just broken through, he had been unable to construct all his Ninth-level spells, but now his Mind Power should be more or less sufficient.

There was still a certain length of the journey from the whereabouts of the Rainbow Dimension to Arcane City, so Merlin used this time to focus on absorbing the divinity to increase his Mind Power.

Faced with a situation that might escalate into a merciless civilization war, Merlin dared not treat things lightly. He would advance his own abilities in whatever way he could. After all, in such a war, it was common for Great Legends to be killed in action or even Great Honored Legends. As for Lords, they might die too.

Therefore, Merlin must seize this time to improve his own strength. The easiest and most achievable thing was to construct Ninth-level spells, and become a Ninth-level Spell Caster!

From the Eighth-level to the Ninth-level, Merlin did not use up too much time but this was because Merlin had the Matrix in addition to his Mind Heart which had broken through to the Ninth-level. In addition, he had the divinity to increase his Mind Power. With all these factors aligned, only then was Merlin able to constantly rise through the ranks of Spell Caster in a short time.

However, the Ninth-level was a huge threshold. It was difficult to surmount it. Countless Spell Casters had only ever reached the Ninth-level until they died. Not only that, even some of the foreign tribes who were gifted had the same fate.

As for Alcra, if he had not received Merlin's wholehearted support and assistance in addition to toiling in the open territory for hundreds of years, he would have no way of becoming an upper rank Tree Folk. This was equivalent to becoming a Great Wizard among Spell Casters. Obviously, it was immensely challenging to cross this threshold. If he had crossed over, Merlin could even become a stronger genius than Alcra.

If he could not cross over, Merlin's path would end here. Not even the Matrix would be able to help Merlin.

"Buzz."

Merlin's body shuddered. The first spell had been successfully simulated but following that was the second spell, the third spell…

The function of the Matrix had been utilized to its maximum. In a short time, it helped Merlin to progress constantly. In the eyes of other Spell Casters, this was something inconceivable.

"Crack!"

Merlin pinched the elemental crystal stones to dust. Instantly, intense waves of Elements were absorbed by the Spell Models in Merlin's body. They were quickly turned into pure Magic Power.

Constructing spells, absorbing elemental crystal stones… In this unending cycle, the force of Merlin's body grew increasingly vigorous, along with an oppressive force.

"Boom."

At last, after the final Darkness-type spell had been constructed, Merlin opened his eyes and grabbed a fistful of more than a million elemental crystal stones. This amount of elemental crystal stones would make a lot of people go crazy.

Nonetheless, Merlin did not hesitate in the slightest, and promptly ground these elemental crystal stones. They turned into a thick Elemental mist, and Merlin's body was rapidly submerged in this heavy mist.

"I've succeeded – a Ninth-level Spell Caster! After leaving Arcane City for a few decades, I've actually become a Ninth-level Spell Caster!"

Merlin felt a deep sense of joy welling up in him. He was a Ninth-level Spell Caster, and a Six-Elemental one too. Even within Arcane City, he was one of the best prodigies.

Moreover, from his Fourth-level spells onward, all of Merlin's Spell Models were Perfect-grade. In terms of this number, he had already surpassed that Seven-Elemental Spell Caster, the genius Wizard Nelar from Arcane City! If Merlin returned to Arcane City now and was tested again, he would easily get first place in the spells ranking.

Nevertheless, Merlin had already lost interest in this. Becoming a Ninth-level Spell Caster was basically his limit for the present. Following that, if he wanted to break through further, he would have to fuse Spell Models, and become a Great Wizard or achieve the Illusory World of the Mind Power system.

However, whichever one it was, it would be immensely difficult. Without the right opportunities, and a long period of cultivation, he would not be able to do it.

"Ninth-level spells? I should now be just about able to hurt existences like Tuota, right?"

A fireball appeared in Merlin's hand. This was the beginner spell, Fireball, which was merely a Zero-level spell. However, it contained Ice-type, Wind-type, and Thunder-type spells. This was Merlin's Four-Elemental spell fusion.

Now that he had become a Ninth-level Spell Caster, his abilities had grown significantly. According to his estimations, he could just about injure the weakest Legends.

Still, this was not enough. He was incapable of killing a Great Legend unless he could fuse the Spell Models of these four types of spells, attempting to become a Great Wizard. Only then would he possess the true ability to kill Great Legends. In combination with the Illusory World, Merlin would become a nightmare for most Legends…

…

After eight months, the Aurora Ship gradually slowed down.

"I've reached Arcane City!"

Merlin raised his head, and looked at the gigantic ball of light that was drifting slowly. It had a familiar force for this was Setoh Arcane City1of the three great Arcane Cities.

"Whoosh."

Merlin kept the Aurora Ship and flew directly into the giant ball of light. That familiar force and intense Elements instantly wrapped around Merlin.

"I'm back… I still feel most at home in Arcane City!"

Merlin closed his eyes. The Spell Models in his body began to wildly absorb and transform the Elements. After all, his Ninth-level spells required a huge amount of Elements. He was not willing to use only elemental crystals stones to replenish his Magic Power, so his current Ninth-level Spell Models still had not accumulated enough Magic Power.

Upon returning to Arcane City, the first thing he had to do was naturally to restore his Magic Power.

"Wizard Merlin, you're back too?"

A figure suddenly flashed behind Merlin, evidently having just arrived at Arcane City as well.

it was initially translated as "Santo Arcane City" but was changed to reflect Arcane Wizard Setoh's name.