"Chi-chi."

When the blood light descended upon Ores, he felt in that instant that his control over Elements weakened increasingly, almost gradually vanishing at last.

Ores had never felt such a sensation before. His control over Elements was being stripped away!

"What Pandora Demon Ability is this?"

Ores was flabbergasted, and a somber expression gradually took over his face. Nonetheless, he acted decisively. Sensing that something was wrong, he immediately retreated. One could see that although he was engulfed in the fourth form of Darkness Eye, and his control over Elements was continuously declining, he was obviously able to hold on longer than those Seventh-level or average Eighth-level Wizards.

He was able to wield a spell despite being trapped in the blood-red light. It was the first time Merlin had seen this. That layer of mirror-smooth ice crystals had some effect on the fourth form of Darkness Eye.

Upon retreating, Ores glanced at Merlin from a safe distance with a complicated expression. He said hoarsely, "Merlin of Bisque City, not bad at all. That crimson eye of yours made me feel a sense of danger. If this was some other time, I would like to fight. However, now? There are many who are trailing behind you. The Memory Crystal is still what's important. Haha, I won't waste any more time with you."

After he spoke, Ores extended an arm and gestured toward the ground.

Merlin still did not know what Ores was doing. Suddenly, countless ice crystals appeared over the ground, rapidly extending to Merlin's feet.

"Crack."

Merlin's feet were frozen. He acted decisively and immediately unleashed Glacier Country, countering Ores' chill. However, Ores had seized this window of time to quickly disappear from Merlin's sight.

"Swish swish swish."

Very soon, Wizard Dara and the rest finally caught up but all they could see was Merlin's translucent Glacier Country and no trace of Ores.

Merlin used his Mind Power to investigate and discovered that he had no way of locking onto Ores. His face fell involuntarily. He had unleashed the fourth form of Darkness Eye, yet he was unable to restrain Ores.

This made Merlin more prudent. It looked as if the fourth form of Darkness Eye could not handle every threat. Faced with those average or above-average Eighth-level Spell Casters, Darkness Eye had absolute dominance, depriving the opponent of their control over Elements in one move.

However, when it came to Wizards at the peak of the Eighth-level like Ores, it was not that easy. Although the fourth form of Darkness Eye provided Merlin with some advantage, it was still rather difficult for him to kill them using only that.

Ores had escaped along with the Memory Crystal. Merlin's body exuded a dim chill, and he did not even look at the Spell Casters who had just arrived as he immediately prepared to leave.

"Hehe, leaving so soon?"

A figure promptly blocked the path before Merlin. Merlin raised his head to see that it was the Eighth-level Wizard, the Whirlwind Lord, with whom Merlin had a slight conflict on their previous journey to Dara City.

The Whirlwind Lord's gaze was sharp as he glared at Merlin coldly. The other Spell Casters looked at the Whirlwind Lord and Merlin with interest. They had never met Merlin and were simply astonished upon witnessing Merlin's speed earlier.

"Heh heh, looks like a good show is about to start. This Wizard who came from Tambert's luxury suite had provoked the Whirlwind Lord. Based on Whirlwind Lord's ruthless personality, not only this mysterious Wizard but even Bisque City would be involved in this calamity."

"Fools! You only think of the Whirlwind Lord's savagery, but why didn't you consider whether this mysterious Wizard, being so fast, had caught up to Ores? If he had, he's escaped in one piece. Heh heh, escaping in one piece when faced with Ores – can the Whirlwind Lord do that?"

"That's right, I'm afraid that the Whirlwind Lord has backed himself into a corner this time. He acted so hastily but he didn't carefully perceive the surrounding Elements. The force of violent Elemental fluctuations is clearly lingering in the air here, meaning that someone had cast a spell here. Besides that mysterious Wizard, who else could it be?"

A few astute Spell Casters had noticed Merlin's unusual aspects so they were cautious. Even though they were impatient to learn of Ores' whereabouts and obtain the Memory Crystal, they did not readily ask Merlin about this.

Conversely, it was the Whirlwind Lord who, in his hurry to teach Merlin a lesson, had stood out first from the group.

Merlin narrowed his eyes slightly. At this moment, he was not able to restrain his murderous intent from spreading out. This terrifying murderous intent which was nearly tangible filled the skies and the land.

Even if Merlin was unwilling to admit this, ever since he acquired Darkness Eye, he had slaughtered much more than he used to. How could the Whirlwind Lord possibly compete with the number of people Merlin had killed throughout his journey?

Therefore, once this murderous force was exuded, even the Whirlwind Lord's face shifted greatly.

Without waiting for the Whirlwind Lord to respond, Merlin waved one great hand. Instantly, a frigid blast converged from all directions, and a transparent layer of light enveloped the Whirlwind Lord.

"Glacier Country!"

The translucent Glacier Country was only able to freeze a Seventh-level Spell Caster in place. Intense Wind Element began to emerge all over the Whirlwind Lord's body, forming into columns of fearsome whirlwinds which crushed the surrounding ice crystals into fragments.

"Destructive Flame!"

A sharp glint twinkled in Merlin's eyes. He took a step forward. Raging flames instantly surged up around his body and began to burn furiously. Merlin was like a god of fire, controlling all flames.

"Go."

With that one command, Glacier Country began to burn with ferocious flames. What was most peculiar was that the flames and the ice crystals did not conflict with each other. Instead, they matched each other in an indistinct manner, letting the Whirlwind Lord properly experience the full force of cascading ice and fire.

The mutual combination of Glacier Country and Destructive Flame could produce explosive and remarkable results. The Whirlwind Lord had initially handled the attack with ease, but now, with the burning of the flames, he could feel his Magic Power depleting quickly as if he would be burned to ashes by the flames any moment now.

It was then that the Whirlwind Lord realized that Merlin before his eyes was far beyond any comparison with Tambert.

"Whoosh…"

The sky turned dark. It was boundless Darkness Element which immediately submerged the Whirlwind Lord. Under the simultaneous attacks of three spells, the Whirlwind Lord could no longer hold on at last. The fiery blaze quickly ignited his body as invisible attacks occurred in the darkness. In the blink of an eye, the Whirlwind Lord was reduced to ashes.

Merlin waved one great hand, dispelling Glacier Country and the flames. A Spatial Ring appeared on the ground, and Merlin grasped it firmly in his hand. Other than that, there was nothing else left.

The Spell Casters who came this time were at least Seventh-level, and there were more who were Eighth-level Spell Casters. They were the batch of Spell Casters among the distinguished guests who had the greatest capabilities. Moreover, those who would dare to chase after Ores would naturally be rather confident.

The Whirlwind Lord had his unique points as well. His whirlwind spells, in fact, had formidable might, infinitely close to the power of Eighth-level spells. It was even stronger when added to a Demon Ability, so he was brave enough to chase after Ores.

Of course, compared to Ores, the Whirlwind Lord was naturally lacking, but he wanted to take advantage of the situation. However, he had ended up dying at Merlin's hands.

Merlin's glance swept across the crowd of Spell Casters, following which he flew off into the other direction as if nothing had happened.

"Wizard Merlin, hold on!"

A calm voice rang out. Merlin furrowed his brow, feeling rather annoyed. Time and again, someone kept blocking his way.

Before him was Wizard Dara, who had blocked Merlin, yet he had no intention to pick a fight.

"Wizard Dara, what's the matter? I didn't steal the Memory Crystal from the auction!"

Merlin was still rather apprehensive when faced Wizard Dara. He had just exchanged blows with Ores, and Ores was basically equally matched with Wizard Dara. His fourth form of Darkness Eye might provide him with an edge over these peak Eighth-level Wizards but to actually kill them was an immense challenge with numerous difficulties.

Wizard Dara gave a genial smile. "Of course Wizard Merlin didn't steal the Memory Crystal. It's just that I've some matters I would like to discuss with you. That's all."

"Matters to discuss with me?"

The furrows on Merlin's brow deepened. Wizard Dara was now acting very strange. He was not hunting down Ores but instead was looking for Merlin to discuss some matters.

Although Merlin did not know what this was about, based on Wizard Dara's manner, it was not as simple as Wizard Dara merely "inviting" Merlin to a discussion.

Seeing that Merlin was not replying, Wizard Dara smiled enigmatically, following which his voice sounded in Merlin's ear. This was a simple technique which used Mind Power to communicate with someone. This method was very confidential, and only the pair who were communicating could hear anything.

"Wizard Merlin, it's regarding the believers of the wicked god, as contained in the Memory Crystal. I wonder if Wizard Merlin is interested in going to Dara City for a chat?"

This was Wizard Dara's voice which only Merlin could hear. The other Spell Casters only thought that Wizard Dara had stopped Merlin in order to invite him to Dara City for the discussion of some matters.

When Merlin heard that it was about the Memory Crystal, his eyes brightened. Nevertheless, he then sized up Wizard Dara in suspicion. That Memory Crystal had been up for sale at Wizard Dara's auction. Had Wizard Dara already seen the message contained in the Memory Crystal?

The more Merlin thought about it, the more he felt it was likely.

Therefore, Merlin nodded and followed behind Wizard Dara, returning once more to Dara City by flight. This caused the pursuing Spell Casters to exchange dismayed looks.

"Wizard Dara is not chasing anymore?"

"Wizard Dara seemed highly interested in that Wizard Merlin. Although that Memory Crystal is valuable, Wizard Dara had managed Dara City for so many years. He can afford to lose one Memory Crystal. I think we should stop wasting our efforts. We can't possibly catch up to Ores."

A few Wizards saw that even Wizard Dara had left, and shook their heads powerlessly. They did not continue to pursue Ores, and each went their own way.