The Dark Magic Region did not have a Runic Magic Circle that reached Floating City directly, so Merlin and Elena could only arrive at a Runic Magic Circle nearby Floating City, and hurried along the rest of the way.

This journey took far longer than when Merlin had gone to Abyss Fort with Wizard Leo. At that time, Wizard Leo had brought Merlin along using flight, so they had traveled very quickly, whereas Merlin and Elena were not Fourth-level Spell Casters and were unable to construct spells with the power of flight, so of course, their pace now was not very encouraging.

Merlin and Elena only reached Floating City after two days.

Floating City seemed deserted compared to the last time Merlin was here, it was perhaps the leaked news about the ancient monument that had attracted many roaming Wizards. Now that such a long time had passed, Floating City had gradually recovered its peacefulness.

Merlin's heart gave a jolt as he thought of the ancient monument, and he asked Elena, "Elena, the last time we entered the ancient monument, how did things finally end up?"

"Ancient monument?"

Elena muttered irresolutely to herself for a moment, and a peculiar expression gradually washed over her face. Thereafter, she said softly, "It's strange now that I think about it. Although the monument was dangerous in the first place, there were many Spell Casters who had already made their way in. However, not long after we had exited the ancient monument, some changes happened inside, and many patterned spiders appeared and terrifying monsters killed Spell Casters on sight.

"As these monsters were too strong, many Third-level Spell Casters were no match for them. Thus, there weren't many Spell Casters who would dare to enter the monument rashly. In the end, the passage to the ancient monument was sealed shut, and no one knew what really happened that caused such a change in the ancient monument."

After she spoke, Elena shot a suspicious glance at Merlin.

Merlin's face remained calm and did not reveal anything out of the ordinary, but inwardly he knew very clearly that the changes were induced by the flame sprite in the ancient monument.

The flame sprite had found Merlin who managed to cultivate the first form of Fiery Collapse. Therefore, the flame sprite had hopes of escaping its bind.

The flame sprite no longer needed so many Spell Casters in the ancient monument, so it controlled the patterned spiders and the puppet to eliminate the remaining Spell Casters in the ancient monument before sealing it shut.

This was good news to Merlin. No one could enter the monument now, so once he had become a Fourth-level Spell Caster, he could enter the monument to cultivate the second form of Fiery Collapse.

"Where do we go first?"

Now that they were in Floating City, Elena directed the question at Merlin.

Merlin mumbled inaudibly to himself and then said in a level tone, "We'll go to this one place first. If we can't find out anything about Riesen there, then we'll have to trouble your clan!"

On their way here, Merlin had already mentioned Riesen to Elena, but he did not explain in detail, only saying that he came to Floating City to search for Riesen.

Following that, Elena trailed behind Merlin as they headed to where Merlin wanted to go. Naturally, it was the residence of Wizard Sammir. He did not know where Riesen was staying and had only gotten acquainted with Riesen at Wizard Sammir's residence.

Therefore, if he wanted to know the latest information about Riesen, he would have to ask Wizard Sammir.

Merlin brought Elena and rounded a few street corners, then quickly made his way into a small alley. Before him was Wizard Sammir's residence.

However, Merlin did not go in right away but stopped where he was and frowned.

A faint commotion could be heard coming from the yard.

…

In the yard, sat a few unfamiliar Spell Casters. One of them who was wearing a scarlet Wizard robe said in a sinister tone, "Hehe, Wizard Sammir, you were the last batch to leave the ancient monument. Didn't you find anything inside? Wizard Sammir, we only want you to let us take a look at it, and maybe even trade you for it according to the principle of equivalent exchange."

Wizard Sammir's face was ashen as his icy gaze swept across these Spell Casters. He snorted coldly. "Equivalent exchange? All I found was some potions, not the Pandora Demon Ability that you're thinking of! Moreover, in the ancient monument, there was no such thing as Pandora Demon Ability at all."

The scarlet-robed Wizard's face turned cold and he stood up abruptly, saying to Wizard Sammir in a chilly tone, "Wizard Sammir, think carefully. Pandora Demon Ability is not something you can keep only for yourself!"

Looking at the scarlet-robed Wizard's overbearing manner, Wizard Sammir was not worried. Conversely, it was the two Third-level Spell Casters behind the scarlet-robed Wizard which made Wizard Sammir apprehensive.

Wizard Sammir used to be one of the top few Third-level Spell Casters among the roaming Wizards of Floating City. However, after news of the ancient monument had spread, many Third-level Spell Casters had hurried to Floating City one after another.

Unfortunately, some unforeseen change had happened in the ancient monument. In addition, there were some who spread the news that the monument very likely contained Pandora Demon Ability.

Although this was simply a rumor, it was firmly believed by many roaming Wizards. Since Wizard Sammir and Wizard Bren were among the last ones to leave the ancient monument, many roaming Wizards had kept their eyes on these two Wizards.

However, Wizard Bren had long left Floating City, therefore many of these Wizards turned their gazes to Wizard Sammir alone. The roaming Wizards were afraid of Wizard Sammir's powers and did not dare to pay him a visit so brazenly, but these three Third-level Spell Casters at the present were from outside Floating City. They were not afraid of Wizard Sammir at all and had visited him directly to demand Pandora Demon Ability.

"I've never obtained any such Pandora Demon Ability, whether you believe me or not!"

Wizard Sammir snorted coldly. At that moment, his Alchemy Creature came forward quickly, shielding Wizard Sammir as its watchful eyes fixed onto the three Spell Casters before it.

"Is that so? In that case, we'll see if you really have Pandora Demon Ability on you or not!"

The scarlet-robed Wizard gave a humorless laugh, and the two Third-level Spell Casters behind him came forward instantly. Wizard Sammir was surrounded and the atmosphere became tense.

"Wizard Sammir!"

Suddenly, a voice rang from outside the door, and the Spell Casters directed their eyes toward the sound.

Two young Spell Casters, a man and a woman, walked inside. The force surrounding them was rather weak, yet the two did not seem to be afraid of anything, facing these Third-level Spell Casters indifferently.

Wizard Sammir stared at these two who suddenly appeared, and a surprise took hold of his face. He cried out hastily, "Wizard Merlin? You actually survived the ancient monument. Bren and I had thought that you and Wizard Riesen were dead. You actually survived!"

"Riesen?"

Merlin's eyes sharpened, and he said in a low voice, "Wizard Sammir, I happen to be looking for Riesen. Do you know his whereabouts?"

Before Wizard Sammir could reply, the scarlet-robed Spell Caster rolled his eyes as he sized up Merlin. Following that, he said in an icy voice, "You came out from the ancient monument, so you must know Pandora Demon Ability!"

The scarlet-robed Spell Caster waved his hand slightly, and his Alchemy Creature immediately bounded toward Merlin.

Merlin was unperturbed, but beside him, Elena's expression shifted slightly. She was able to see that these Spell Casters were powerful, and they had to be Third-level Spell Casters as well to be able to browbeat Wizard Sammir to such a situation.

Although they were roaming Wizards, the might of Third-level Spell Casters could not be underestimated, so she yelled out urgently, "You dare to attack? We're Spell Casters from the Dark Magic Region, and Wizard Merlin is furthermore an official member. If you dare to harm us, you'll immediately suffer the merciless hunt of the Dark Magic Region."

"An official member of the Dark Magic Region?"

The scarlet-robed Wizard squinted his eyes and a wave of Mind Power swept across Merlin. When he saw the robe that Merlin was wearing, the scarlet-robed Wizard's face changed slightly, for he had seen that logo which represented the Dark Magic Region on Merlin's robe.

A logo like this could not possibly be imitated by anyone else. Merlin was a bona fide official member of the Dark Magic Region.

The scarlet-robed Wizard evidently had some hesitations. Roaming Wizards were still rather fearful of spell casters' organizations. No one was willing to face the relentless hunt of a spell casters' organization.

"I'll ask you once more – do you know of Pandora Demon Ability in the ancient monument?"

After a long moment, the scarlet-robed Wizard seemed to have made a decision and asked them soberly.

Merlin frowned slightly but did not bother with the scarlet-robed Wizard's question, and only kept his gaze on Wizard Sammir. "Wizard Sammir, I've come now to find Riesen. Do you know where he is?"

Wizard Sammir shook his head lightly and smiled bitterly. "I don't know what really happened. After you and Riesen disappeared in the ancient monument, he seemed to have vanished without any news whatsoever. I've been back in Floating City for so long and haven't heard anything about Riesen."

Riesen was such a cautious person that even Wizard Sammir did not know his whereabouts.

As he did not learn of Wizard Riesen's whereabouts, Merlin felt rather forlorn and his face slowly became gloomy.

However, the scarlet-robed Wizard who had questioned Merlin was even more downcast. Seeing that Merlin took no notice of him, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"So what if you're an official member of the Dark Magic Region? I'll kill you and obtain Pandora Demon Ability – at worst I'll live incognito and stay far away from the jurisdiction of the Dark Magic Region! Darling, kill him!"

A nasty grin appeared on the scarlet-robed Wizard's face, after which he directed his Alchemy Creature to attack Merlin.

Just then, Merlin was feeling irritated for not gaining Riesen's whereabouts. Hearing what the scarlet-robed Wizard said, Merlin's murderous intent hardened, and he raised his head suddenly. As he stared at the malicious grin on the scarlet-robed Wizard's face as well as the Alchemy Creature bounding toward him in large strides, an icy detachment flashed across Merlin's eyes.

Thereafter, he lightly raised a hand and extended a finger toward the Alchemy Creature of the scarlet-robed Wizard.