Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience
Chapter 208 - 022: Powerful

Chapter 208: 022: Powerful

Hug.

"I’ve looked forward to this for so long."

Kiss.

"Why are you pretending you don’t know me?"

Pinch.

"Don’t do this again next time."

Avery quickly regained control of her emotions, and the storm that had been brewing dissipated before it could erupt.

After ten years apart, there was so much to say and so many feelings to share, but now was not the time. After chatting briefly, the topic quickly shifted back to the current Blood Moon.

Avery said, "I should have guessed it was you."

"If you think about it, none of us could get through here, yet one person managed to navigate effortlessly for so long. Among all the apprentices I know, who else could it be but you? I should have figured it out sooner."

She tugged at her hair in frustration.

It was only then that Lynch learned that a group of apprentices had been waiting for him at the entrance of the Knowledge Ruins for some time, even organizing several attempts by skilled apprentices to break in—all to no avail.

Lynch said dryly, "You gathered all these people just to block me? You really want to rob me that badly?"

Avery nodded, not bothering with pretense, and said frankly, "The number of Blood Crystals in your possession is excessive—enough to influence the outcome of the war. We can’t allow you to roam freely."

"After all, if the Blood Crystals you hold fall into the hands of the Chaos Camp, the consequences would be disastrous."

In the Blood-colored Battlefield, the total quantity of Blood Crystals was estimated around one million. Lynch currently controlled over sixty thousand, a staggering amount that could undeniably shift the balance of the war.

After pondering for a moment, Avery continued to persuade him: "Come back to the castle with us, Lynch."

"Trust me, you’re absolutely not safe on your own out here. You’re far too conspicuous. I can guarantee we’re not the only ones watching you; dozens of apprentices are hidden in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike."

That was true...

Sixty thousand Blood Crystals had made Lynch a glaring target on the map. Others with comparable numbers were typically large, organized groups, such as castle-based factions. To be a lone individual like him was unheard of.

No matter where he went, he was like a lamb waiting for slaughter. It was clear what kinds of situations he’d encounter next.

Although Lynch wasn’t afraid, the constant harassment was undoubtedly troublesome—restricting his movements and hindering his plans.

After some thought, Lynch decided to give Avery some face: "I could agree to that."

"However, I must retain full control over my Blood Crystals and will not participate in your internal distribution. I’ll only hand the Blood Crystals over for safekeeping. If you agree to these terms, we can form an alliance."

After a pause, he added, "Of course, any Blood Crystals I collect afterward will also be handed over to you, to do my utmost in securing victory for the Order Camp."

The proposal was mutually beneficial. If the alliance was established, Lynch could focus fully on collecting Blood Crystals without worrying about ambushes, while Avery’s group could gain a firm and powerful ally for the Order Camp.

Regarding their internal distribution, Lynch had always operated as a lone wolf, earning his Blood Crystals independently. He had no need for assistance from other apprentices and thus saw no reason to involve himself in their division.

"I see..." Avery began to ponder.

Lynch said, "It’s fine, you can go back and discuss with your team. If you decide to agree, we can cooperate. No pressure."

"No need." Avery shook her head. "I agree."

Lynch asked, "Are you sure? No need to inform the others?"

Given the sheer number of Blood Crystals involved, even a fraction set aside for distribution would amount to a substantial loss. Would the other apprentices truly accept it without resentment?

Avery smiled faintly. "I can make the decision on this matter."

"If anyone objects, and refuses your terms, you’ll simply join the Chaos Camp instead."

Though sometimes her words seemed outright brazen, as an heir meticulously groomed by the Cavendish family, Avery’s judgments often cut to the essence of the matter.

With that settled, Lynch saw no further reason to refuse the proposal. He planned to finalize the agreement with Avery.

However, at that very moment, he suddenly sensed faint but distinct presences emerging from all directions, rapidly converging toward them.

Lynch furrowed his brow.

Avery froze: "What’s wrong..."

Her question cut off abruptly as she too sensed the incoming presences.

Soon, the sharp sound of movement broke the tension—"Swish, swish, swish!" Black-cloaked figures appeared around the forest, encircling the pair entirely.

"Heh heh heh!"

A sinister voice rang out, and a man covered in snake-like scales stepped forward: "Finally caught you... Oh, and the Cavendish brat is here too. Looks like we arrived just in time."

Avery’s brows knitted tightly. "Moria..."

Her gaze swept across the group and landed on several figures. "And Hosens, Eade... All these wretched rats!"

Instinctively, she edged closer to Lynch, positioning herself in front of him as her expression turned vigilant: "Be careful, Lynch. These guys are tough opponents."

The apprentices surrounding them were mostly members of the Black Tower Alliance, many of whom ranked prominently in the Black Tower series leaderboard. The three names Avery had mentioned—Moria, Hosens, and Eade—were particularly noteworthy, ranked seventh, eighth, and ninth respectively, all notorious for their fearsome capabilities.

Avery proposed, "Lynch, let’s break through first and regroup with my team. If we call for Blair, then we..."

She was still in the middle of carefully analyzing the situation and formulating a plan when her words abruptly stopped—because Lynch had already charged straight ahead.

In the next instant, her eyes widened in disbelief.

She watched as Lynch flashed forward, appearing in front of a Black Cloak Apprentice, without any unnecessary movement. With a plain and direct motion, he raised his fist and smashed it toward the apprentice’s head.

Sensing danger, the apprentice’s solidified Protection Spell automatically triggered, forming an Elemental Shield in front of him.

This was a Mid-level Protection Spell, with defensive strength reaching 20 degrees. Yet, in the face of Lynch’s fist, it proved as fragile as paper. A fleeting flash of silver light from Lynch’s fist was followed by the shield shattering with a crisp "crack" sound. The unimpeded fist crashed directly onto the apprentice’s skull in the next instant.

"Bang!"

The apprentice’s head exploded like a watermelon, shattering into pieces. Red blood and white brain matter mixed with fragments scattered like shards in every direction.

Before the grisly mess could touch Lynch, a transparent Elemental Shield automatically materialized, blocking all the filth.

"Tucker!"

"Damn it!!"

"Kill him!"

Only then did the surrounding Black Wizard Apprentices react, shouting as they began to unleash spells. Those adept in Body Refinement activated their Bloodline Techniques simultaneously, charging straight at Lynch.

Faced with seven or eight apprentices charging at him, Lynch showed no sign of hesitation or retreat. Instead, he stepped forward boldly to meet their advance.

It seemed like a casual step.

But as the sole of his boot touched the ground, an invisible force field suddenly burst outward. In an instant, it formed a zone spanning over ten meters in radius with Lynch at its center.

The swaying grass froze; insects hovering mid-air stopped in place; even the flowing wind seemed to halt abruptly.

High-level Apprentice Magic: [Static Force Field].

"I... I can’t move!"

"What’s going on!"

Within the force field, the advancing apprentices were immobilized, as if trapped in a pool of viscous glue, unable to move a muscle.

In this spatial zone, Lynch was the sole being capable of motion—the unquestionable ruler of this realm.

"Crackle!" A series of sharp, electrical snapping sounds reverberated.

Bursting arcs of lightning erupted as dense Thunder Elements began to converge around Lynch, quickly forming a ball in his hand. This basketball-sized sphere shimmered with crackling purple lightning.

High-level Apprentice Magic: [Thunder Magic Ball].

Lynch raised the ball of concentrated Thunder Energy and forcefully slammed it into the ground.

In the next moment...

Tens of thousands of streaks of lightning erupted outward, engulfing everything in sight...