Outside the secret chamber, the flame sprite showed a smile when it saw Merlin. "Finally, you've come out. Congratulations on defeating Lister and obtaining the treasures left behind by Master."

The flame sprite watched over everything that transpired in the tower. The battle between Merlin and the "rabbit" guardian in the secret chamber naturally did not escape the flame sprite's eyes.

Merlin nodded as well. "I'm fortunate to obtain the treasures needed to cultivate Fiery Collapse. After I've successfully cultivated the first form of Fiery Collapse, can I leave the tower then?"

"That's right. Once you've cultivated the first form of Fiery Collapse, you can leave the tower with the Runic Magic Circle left behind by Master."

The flame sprite exclaimed cheerfully. As long as Merlin could rapidly cultivate the first form of Fiery Collapse, it would be possible for him to cultivate the second form of Fiery Collapse successfully in the future as well.

When the time came, the flame sprite would have the chance to break off its bind and attain true freedom.

"You should cultivate Fiery Collapse quickly. The Fire Element is abundant in the ancient tower, so it's suitable for you to cultivate Fiery Collapse there."

The flame sprite urged Merlin to cultivate Fiery Collapse quickly.

Merlin nodded, then entered the anechoic chamber directly.

…

"The first form of Fiery Collapse has a white flame of extremely high temperature, capable of burning everything!"

In the anechoic chamber, Merlin carefully read some detailed notes about Fiery Collapse recorded in the Matrix.

In total, Fiery Collapse had three forms. The first form was white and could only be cultivated after the Spell Caster had constructed a First-level spell, either Furious Flame or Sea of Flames.

Its second form appeared to be in pale white. Moreover, it required the Spell Caster to possess some Fourth-level spells before cultivating it.

The third form of Fiery Collapse was almost transparent. Its cultivation method greatly differed from those of the first and second forms. Its third form had to be completely merged with the Spell Caster's self-created spell to finally form a type of strange flame.

In other words, he had to merge the third form of Fiery Collapse with his own Seventh-level spell to cultivate it. At that time, Fiery Collapse would have a terrifying strength, possessing a truly destructive power.

Merlin shook his head. It was still too far ahead for him to think about the second and third forms of Fiery Collapse. Right now, he only needed to cultivate the first form of Fiery Collapse wholeheartedly in order to leave the ancient tower as soon as possible.

Thus, Merlin took out all the treasures such as hellfire essence, firestones, and so on that he had obtained from the secret chamber. They were all objects that contained a large number of Fire Elements.

Following that, Merlin began to use his Mind Power according to the cultivation method described on Fiery Collapse. He lightly etched a fire marking on his palm.

As soon as this fire marking appeared, Merlin immediately sensed that it somehow formed a connection with Furious Flame's Spell Model in his Awareness.

Thereafter, Merlin placed the treasures like firestones and hellfire essence on his palm according to the cultivation method. The fire marking on Merlin's palm began to emit a faint scorching aura and melted the firestones and hellfire essence. The treasures were all absorbed by the fire marking on his palm.

However, this was a gradual process; it would take a long time to cultivate the first form of Fiery Collapse. He would need to let the fire marking to turn from pale white to fiery red. Only then that it proved that he had successfully cultivated Fiery Collapse. With his current pace, it would take a minimum of a few months' time to cultivate Fiery Collapse.

Merlin was trapped in the ancient tower now, so he did not lack in time. Hence, as he cultivated the first form of Fiery Collapse, he continued using Ice-type elemental crystal stones to cultivate Glacial Finger.

Merlin's Glacial Finger had not been cultivated completely. During the first stage, his finger would be able to return to its initial color unlike now where his finger that was used to cultivate Glacial Finger had turned a pale white.

…

In the blink of an eye, half a year had gone past. The Dark Magic ring on Merlin's finger suddenly vibrated and emitted a faint light.

Merlin opened his eyes and glanced at the ring. With a frown, he said, "Wizard Leo is calling for me. It seems that the battle between the Dark Magic Region and Ozmu has ended."

Roughly estimating the time, Merlin had left the Dark Magic Region for about a year and a half now. Wizard Leo once said that Merlin and the others could return to the Dark Magic Region after about a year's time.

It appeared that the battle between the Dark Magic Region and Ozmu was finally over. Many Spell Casters had been called to return to the Dark Magic Region. However, Merlin was now trapped in the ancient tower; he had no way of leaving this place.

"I must make the best use of my time now. I've to succeed in cultivating the first form of Fiery Collapse within three months' time!"

Merlin raised his palm to find that the fire marking was already faintly painted in red. This was the first form of Fiery Collapse, but he had to cultivate it further. He would only be successful when the fire marking on his palm had completely turned red.

In the case of Glacial Finger, Merlin's finger had resumed its initial color now. He had successfully cultivated the first stage of Glacial Finger.

…

After three months, Merlin had been in the ancient tower for almost a year. Back then, he only had three years to cultivate when he joined the Dark Magic Region.

Once he had exceeded the three years' limit, Merlin would be sent out of the Dark Magic Region. That was if he had not returned to the Dark Magic Region or did not become a First-level Spell Caster. Merlin had long become a First-level Spell Caster, but he was trapped in the ancient tower. He was quickly approaching the three years' limit of the Dark Magic Region.

Merlin had joined the Dark Magic Region for more than two years now. He did not have much time left to cultivate Fiery Collapse in the ancient tower.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, a scorching presence exploded and the temperature in the anechoic chamber escalated quickly. Then, strings of flame appeared in the air.

"I finally did it!"

Merlin opened his eyes and revealed a hint of elation. Then, he reached out his palm to find that the life-like fire making on his palm showed a fiery red.

This was the first form of Fiery Collapse. The key to look for when one succeeded in cultivating it was that the fire marking would turn a fiery red. It appeared just like a true flame.

"Let's test it. Pandora Demon Ability, Glacial Finger!"

Merlin wanted to test how powerful the first form of Fiery Collapse was, and the best subject to test was Merlin's Glacial Finger.

Merlin's Pandora Demon Ability, Glacial Finger, was also a powerful ability. The ice crystals it produced was extremely tough and cold. Even a Third-level Defensive spell could not stand against its freezing temperature.

"Ka-chak."

The icy aura of Glacial Finger instantly frozen a hard rock and formed a gigantic gleaming ice crystal.

"Pandora Demon Ability, Fiery Collapse!"

Merlin reached out his pale palm and the fire marking on it vibrated slightly. Instantaneously, the Magic Power stored in the Spell Model of Furious Flame rushed into the fire marking frantically.

At the same time, a strange white flame appeared rapidly and winded around the ice crystal that was formed by Glacial Finger.

"Hiss! Hiss!"

The white flame encompassed the clear ice crystal and let out a series of hissing sounds. In the end, the tough ice crystal melted and turned into a pool of water on the ground.

Merlin gawked at the pool of water on the ground, feeling incredulous. Glacial Finger was also a Pandora Demon Ability. In addition, Merlin had completed the cultivation of the first stage of Glacial Finger, largely improving its strength.

However, Glacial Finger could not stand against the first form of Fiery Collapse at all; it could not even defend against it for even a moment. There was only one unique characteristic of Fiery Collapse – its high temperature to an unimaginable extent. Even the strongest magic robe could not withstand the burning of Fiery Collapse.

This was only the first form of Fiery Collapse. How strong could the second and the third form be? Merlin could not imagine it at all.

There were still distinctions between the Pandora Demon Abilities – Fiery Collapse was obviously more superior to Glacial Finger. Moreover, Merlin could also hide Fiery Collapse within his Fire-type spell when he encountered an enemy to bring a surprise element in his attack. As long as his opponent did not possess strong Defensive spells or Defensive casting tools, Merlin would have no issue dealing with his opponent.

"The cultivation of the first form of Fiery Collapse has completed. It's time to leave!"

Merlin stood up and left the anechoic chamber. Although the ancient tower was quiet and was considered a great place to be, Merlin would need to leave this place.

It was almost three years since he joined the Dark Magic Region. He would need to return to the Dark Magic Region and become its official member before the three years' limit.

Furthermore, Merlin had not forgotten about Wizard Riesen. The latter attacked Merlin by surprise and trapped him in the ancient tower. Merlin naturally would not let that pass when he left this place.

"Flame sprite, I've cultivated the first form of Fiery Collapse. Can I leave the ancient tower now?"

Merlin called out softly in front of the flame-shaped statue.

Soon, the flame sprite flew out of the flame-shaped statue. Its tone showed a hint of excitement. "You've finished cultivating the first form so soon? But if you really did, you can indeed leave the ancient tower now. I'll let the patterned spider lead you to a secret chamber that allows you to leave."

After saying that, the flame sprite sent out a strange mind fluctuation. Following that, the gigantic patterned spider that initially stayed in the corner stood up and glanced at Merlin and the flame sprite. Then, it turned around and entered a large secret chamber.

"Follow it. It'll lead you to the place that allows you to leave the ancient tower. But don't forget this – if you become a Fourth-level Spell Caster, you must come to the ancient tower again and defeat the guard of the secret chamber. Thereafter, you'll obtain the treasures needed to cultivate the second form of Fiery Collapse."

The flame sprite said in a tone full of expectations. After all, it really wanted to be free and Merlin was his sole hope. Only after Merlin had successfully cultivated the second form of Fiery Collapse, the flame sprite would be able to break free of its bind and obtain true freedom.

"I'll definitely come back."

Merlin nodded with a serious expression. Then, he trailed behind the patterned spider and quickly headed toward the place that could lead him out of the tower.