No. 01 had finally found the bloodline he had longed for, but now another problem lay before him.
This magical creature was unfamiliar to him.
In other words, if he were to inject this creature’s bloodline into his body, he would face unknown risks.
Bloodline Wizards indeed possess various secret techniques to reduce fusion risks, but that is based on known bloodlines. For unknown bloodlines, even using secret techniques might have no effect.
Therefore, if No. 01 were to truly blend this magical creature’s bloodline into himself, he might die on the spot.
Yet, despite this, No. 01 did not hesitate. The desire for that bloodline gave him an immense confidence, making him believe he could definitely control it.
The final result was as No. 01 expected—he succeeded.
However, he did not know that this was also the beginning of his nightmare.
The reason was simple: the identity of that magical creature was not simple.
This magical creature was a third-class citizen of Phantom Spirit City. It appeared in the coffin in those ruins because it was using a secret technique to rest and advance there, and unluckily, it got "eaten" by No. 01 in its half-dazed state.
Phantom Spirit City, fully named "Gluz Deward’s Phantom Spirit City." The name reveals that it is actually owned by Gluz Deward.
In this city, many magical creatures live. Most were collected from various worlds by Gluz Deward, while some came seeking refuge. Gluz Deward divided these magical creatures into three citizen classes, with the top of the pyramid being the first-class citizens, also known as the upper citizens.
Though it’s called a city of magical creatures, to outsiders, it more resembles Gluz Deward’s private garden, and thus, it doesn’t have a good reputation.
Despite the poor reputation, it must be said that Gluz Deward is extremely protective of the city’s citizens.
If any citizen suffers harm, Gluz Deward will use every means possible to retaliate.
And No. 01 devouring a third-class citizen’s magical creature bloodline happened to cross Gluz Deward’s red line.
Nightmares loomed over No. 01 during the next period, as Gluz Deward used various methods to hunt him. Although No. 01 escaped each time, this was just Gluz Deward’s cat-and-mouse game; he wouldn’t kill directly, but would rather torment No. 01, making him believe he had escaped only to be pushed into darkness again the next moment.
In moments of despair, No. 01 thought of joining some major organizations to evade Gluz Deward’s hunt, but to no avail.
Gluz Deward, among the Legendary Wizards, was among the top tier, being close to ringing the Miracle Sound.
Confronting such a powerful Legendary Wizard, no organization was willing to face him, especially since No. 01 hadn’t even set foot on the path of True Knowledge.
Later, by chance, No. 01 joined the Lacey Association.
Though Lacey Association couldn’t block Gluz Deward, its network was extensive, and it knew some special "walkers." By some means, No. 01 was transported away from the Origin World to the distant Southern Domain.
Although reaching the Southern Domain didn’t guarantee his safety, at least Gluz Deward wouldn’t find him soon.
All No. 01 needed was this "short period," as he was constantly hunted and toyed with in the Origin World, unable to improve himself or find a way to counter Gluz Deward’s pursuit.
He wanted to seize this time to improve himself or find a way to block the "pursuit mark."
By now, decades had passed.
No. 01 believed he could make good use of his days without being hunted, but he overlooked a key point—he was not a talent-driven wizard. His abilities did improve somewhat over these decades, but the advancement was painfully slow.
Moreover, the Lacey Association did everything to make No. 01 act with great caution, preventing him from causing big trouble in the Southern Domain, which would affect their experimental progress. This also constrained No. 01’s room for improvement.
Eventually, he achieved nothing, staying stuck before the path to True Knowledge and unable to find an effective way to block the pursuit.
If he had more time, he might still have a chance, but intelligence told him he was running out of time.
Communicating continuously with No. 01 was an unknown entity, temporarily called "Beast Mark," as the envelopes it sent bore a beast-shaped symbol. Beast Mark seemed very knowledgeable about Phantom Spirit City and had clearly investigated the movements of Gluz Deward, the "City Lord."
In a recent letter, Beast Mark told No. 01 that Gluz Deward mentioned the fugitive No. 01 again at a recent citizen assembly and had pinpointed No. 01’s whereabouts.
Though Gluz Deward didn’t mention any upcoming actions, No. 01 realized his peaceful days were over.
He would return to that endless wasteland of despair, barely surviving between the chases and escapes.
After enjoying decades of peaceful life, just the thought of facing that dark past again drove No. 01 insane.
No. 01 knew that with his own energy, fighting Gluz Deward was like a mayfly fighting a large tree—utterly futile.
Even the Lacey Association couldn’t rival the massive Phantom Spirit City.
Understanding he had nowhere to run and no path to live, No. 01 made a decision:
Since he was going to die anyway, he would die with significance. Before his death, he would go mad and make the lofty, arrogant, and self-assuming Gluz Deward taste the pain of loss.
And he had a way to achieve this.
During his time in the Southern Domain, though his strength improved little, it didn’t mean he achieved nothing. He discovered a hidden message related to Gluz Deward.
—The Devil’s Sea is called a forbidden area not just because of its violent weather but also due to some inexplicable extraordinary disasters. During No. 01’s investigation of the Devil’s Sea, he found that the reason behind the extraordinary disasters and its designation as a forbidden area was actually a magical creature.
This magical creature was called Seiz.
It was the king of the sky, the overlord of the sea, and the disaster-bringing Calamity Beast!
In its time, Seiz completely dominated the Devil’s Sea; even then, the Legendary Wizards of the Southern Domain dared not enter lightly.
Yet, one day, Seiz suddenly vanished.
With Seiz’s disappearance, the Devil’s Sea transformed from a closed state to the semi-forbidden zone it is today.
Regarding Seiz’s disappearance, there were many rumors in the Southern Domain, but no one knew the specifics. But No. 01, with his understanding of Phantom Spirit City, guessed the truth behind the scenes.
Phantom Spirit City, though divided into upper, middle, and lower citizens, had further divisions within each class. Among upper citizens, those favored by Gluz Deward were granted the title of "Diamond Citizens."
And No. 01 happened to know a Diamond Citizen named "Seiz" in Phantom Spirit City.