Ximen Star, The Westgate Clan, Hall Of War.
Several councils composed of the most capable specialists of their field rule the Westgate Clan, and it was more than seven thousand years ago the Great Elders summoned the last War Conference.
Today, inside the Hall of War, the leaders of Ximen Academy Departments, High Council, Great Elders, and all other essential personnel was discussing the news the clan received from Green Python's Cult.
"Silence!" Man in his fifties calmed down the noise in the hall and began the conference.
"Today, we summoned all of you for one reason only! The Green Python's Sect continuously acts against our clan's foreign powers! We have evidence that Mad League supports them, and we must choose if we evade their transgressions or go to war?" This man sat close to the middle and spoke very calmly.
"We have been silent for too long. Even our business outside has shown some weakness! Let's use these fools as an example! Our Grand Elder Council votes for war!" Empress Xi said with a heavy voice.
"Our students need more real-time battles! We saw some talents have no regard for their lives! We can use this as a training opportunity! Our Ximen Academy votes for war!" Teacher Rou and Elder Medie'th represented the Ximen Academy.
"The Seer's and Scribes have deduced that we must enter the Gods Realm if we don't want to decline! Our History Council votes for war!"
There sounded more approvals for war, and only two groups voted against it.
"War it is! Our Westgate Clan will enter the Gods Realm and uproot Green Python's Cult! General Feng, we appoint you as the Commander of The Army! You will have to uproot Green Python's Cult in one year! This decree is the command of the War Council!"
The experts left the hall as they sentenced a second-tier power to death.
"Ahh... I hope mom won't be too harsh today." Felix was going to the arena and had no idea that the Westgate Clan would soon shake the Gods Realm.
Gorge and Frida were already waiting for Teacher Rou, exchanging greetings with Felix.
This silent waiting didn't last for long, as they heard Teacher Rou's voice.
"Hello, students! I hope you slept well! Today some changes will begin as the Westgate Clan enters a state of war! Tomorrow you will join with other Core Disciples and start your duty as a soldier of the clan! First, you will be in your departments! You will be given your assignments three weeks from then, as we purge the Green Python's Cult! Today we will not be casting. Instead, I will introduce you to main battlefield spells!"
Felix, Gorge, and Frida looked worried and patiently listened to Teacher Rou.
"You need to know how to cancel the summoning spell! The easiest way is to attack the mind of the caster! Felix, how can this be achieved?"
"Mental energy attack, spell, or formation! Also, directly forcing the spellcaster to stop by injuring, killing, or disabling them!" Felix was straightforward.
"Haha! Five out of ten! Your methods are correct, but there are more! Mind control, Aura overpowering, Poison, Space Lock! These are also methods to stop summoning! Read about them in your free time. Next, how to defend against the huge area of effect magic?" Teacher Rou was trying to invoke students to think for themselves.
"Formations, Domains, Defence spells?" Felix was saying with an unsure voice.
"Yes, the best method is to have portable Defence Formation! Next, let's talk about Space Magic! How do you defend from it?"
Felix felt no chance to rest as Teacher Rou just kept questioning.
"I think only space magic can counter space magic!" Felix said after some thought.
"Wrong! Sword Masters can easily cut through space-time. Also, Curse Magic can directly harm the caster. There are many ways to be a pain in the ass! Please find all information about it after the lesson!"
Teacher Rou was impatient and listed tens of magics to be ready for in war.
"Now, I want you to read! You should use every single moment for reading! War history, Spell Compendiums, Counter Spells, Poison, Formations, Traps, everything you find dangerous, you must study!"
"It seems this war will involve us!" Felix concluded as he listened to Teacher Rou's instructions.
"Finally, someone will invite you for drills, so do not be late! War Council has the highest authority, and they will give all merit in war to those who deserve it, so be smart, don't get yourself killed! Dismissed!"
In the following days, Felix used to study the art of war.
"Wow, it seems my previous life's knowledge will come in handy!"
Felix was unusually adept in literature in his life as John Whitaker. He even completed his dissertation by researching historical artifacts of war!
There were countless literature tomes on Earth depicting the strategy every commander should uphold.
Felix was adept at analyzing the information. Thus, his studying was as easy as breathing.
"I'm afraid this war will show itself to be impossible to comprehend if I don't understand how cultivators fight in significant battles! I should go read some books written by generals and rulers!"
Felix used time sparingly, and it has shown the fruits quickly.
He comprehended the way of communication, movement, and terrain development.
As cultivators could use their powers to communicate over vast distances, teleport, and even create mountains and drain seas, war strategy was a lot more complex!
"If you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles... Sun Tzu was a true genius. One can't compare, huh?"
Felix was enlightened the more he read. Thousands of wars, ancient battles, new strategies, multiple abilities, treasures, and even races!
"This world is so exciting! Nothing seems impossible." Felix smiled and noticed his Core Disciple Token buzzing.
"Summons! Felix Westgate, the Second, arrives at the Palace of Magic at 5 PM for the army training! Your direct captain is Ren Amai Goldfield, Titled: Sour Illusion Mage! Batallion: Number 3 - Ten Arrows Of Finn. End of the report!"
Felix felt the seriousness of the situation as he read this summon.
"I should arrive early! Maybe I will learn something bonus if I observe or socialize!" Felix dressed in his official robes of a Core Disciple Mage and went to the teleportation portal.
Soon he arrived at the Mage Department and saw that he was not the first, as one after the other students rushed to the meeting hall.
"Everyone is to wait for Captain Goldfield to arrive!" The Westgate Official soldier saluted Felix as he noticed his Core Disciple's robes.
"Yes, I will wait for the captain." Felix smiled lightly and sat in the corner of the meeting room, meditating in the lotus position.
After some time, the meeting hall filled with people, and Felix noticed no other Core Disciples here.
"Everyone stand in formation, by status! Captain Goldfield will assign your military positions soon!" The Westgate Official soldier's voice resounded.
As they formed a disciplined formation, everyone had some time to figure out their cultivation powers, discipleship status, and even direct descendants.
"It appears I have to move to the very front!" Felix concluded after observing everyone's tokens.
He walked through the wall with soundless steps, but his Core Disciple Mage robe and token around his neck attracted everyone's attention.
Felix stood at the front of everyone and sat down in the lotus position to wait for Goldfield.
"Child, are you sure you should stay in front?" Felix heard a dissatisfied voice behind him.
Felix observed the Titled Magi, who was behind his back. They wore Inner Disciple Mage robes and tokens. Some even had direct lineage rings, so their status was evident.
"You heard the Official say that we should stand and wait according to status. So maybe I won't stand hereafter the captain's assignments? Why not wait for a little more?" Felix had a charm of a child as he turned his head over to talk to the older disciples.
"Fine, kid! After all, you are a Core Disciple!" The man harumphed and sat to wait as well.
"Why is there always some unsatisfied fools?" Felix was fuming inside his mind.
Inside the meeting, the hall was exactly fifty magi. They all waited silently for about an hour, and soon metallic footsteps entered the room.
"I am Captain Goldfield, and you will address me as such until wartime ends!"
The man was in his thirties and wore a complete Battlemage set. He had blue metal armguards and a leather west. His Staff was made from white metal and had some sharp edges.
"Core Disciple Mage Felix Westgate the Second, report!" Captain Goldfield commanded.
Felix saluted the man and stepped forward.
"Four-star mage Felix is to be our First Lieutenant! If someone is dissatisfied, speak up now!"
Captain Goldfield was confident many of the Titled Magi would have misgivings if he gave second-ranking place to some ten-year-old.
Felix watched the same man who spoke to him before stepping up and voicing his opinion.
"Captain Goldfield, I am Ripple Blade Mage, Goran Tindur. I have experience in the battlefield, so I think I would suit the First Lieutenants position better than Mage Felix!"
"I'm surprised he is still rationally polite." So Felix thought as he observed what the captain would do.
"Mage Felix, you have a recommendation from the Core Elders Medie'th, Rou, and Mo! Now I will give you a chance to prove your wit and power. otherwise, the position will go to Mage Ripple Blade!"
The magi had shocked appearances when they heard the names of the Core Elders who recommended Felix for the critical position.
"Step forward, both of you!" Captain Goldfield commanded.
"First, answer the question! What is the most important? Power, information, or communication?"
"Captain Goldfield, I believe the power is the most important, then communication and information!" Mage Goran said first.
"Captain Goldfield, I would say information is vital, communication is essential, and power is required!" Felix said after some thought.
"This question is important! Felix is correct according to our records and knowledge collected through ages! In times of war, information is the most important! If you fight without knowing your opponent's power, you will lose every time! Mage Ripple Blade is correct in times when you have absolute power! For example, if the enemy is Titled God and you are a God-King, you will win all the time! Unfortunately, as you can see, the clan will not begin genocide with experts of the higher cultivation realm! Now let's test your power. I think a peak four-star aura formation should show us if Felix is strong enough to remain in his position!"
Felix watched Mage Goran nod, and their gazes collided.
Felix relaxed and commanded his Chaos Law Rune and Primordial Star Chart to oppress Goran.
Mage Ripple Wind used his famous invisible wind pressure. As a result, everyone in the hall could feel eerily sharp wind press onto Felix.
"This is almost the very peak of Four Stars aura!" Captain Goldfield observed Goran.
Felix didn't frown and was extremely relaxed. His Innate Spell Formation flooded the hall with all energies.
The Chaos Law Rune balanced them and formed something similar to an energy spear.
Felix only willed his mental energy to press this crazy energy spear aura onto Goran.
Everyone had pale expressions. They knew if they had to face this concentrated aura spear, their mental worlds would collapse from the strain.
"This brat!" Goran thought and lifted his limit as Five Star Titled Mage's aura blasted onto Felix.
"Well, that's not good." Felix frowned as he felt pain in his head and cuts on his body.
Sadly, for Goran, the aura was the weakest attack anyone could use on a mage who comprehended Nature Law Rune.
Felix felt his Nature Rune influence Primordial Star Chart and adapt energies around Felix to resist Ripple Wind Aure effectively.
"This is too painful. I will use everything and see what happens. It's just a rank in the army after all!" Felix decided and willed his mental energy and Innate Spell to use all his power.
Captain Goldfield frowned as he saw the Aura Spear become black with death energy as it pressed Goran with gasses pressure.
Everyone saw how life energy was beginning to get sucked out of Goran, and Felix's body was unreachable by the Ripple Wind aura.
"That is enough!" Goldfield shielded Goran from the Aura Spear but noticed it was too late.
Gorans previously golden hair had short strings of silver, as the Death and Chaos Law depleted his age.
"Oh my!" Felix watched the new wrinkles on Gorans face and felt apologetic.
"Mage Felix wins! I think there won't be any others who wish to compete with him, right?" Goldfield observed the horrified crowd.
Titled Mages were sure that so many magics reinforced this Chaos and Death Law it could be considered a pure Five Star aura spell.
Not everybody had so much magic power as Felix, who created a universal Inner World full of energy.
"Then the Second Lieutenant will be Goran! We will move in two groups, of twenty people! The two groups will not include the scouts and me!"
Captain Goldfield assigned their positions and continued the explanations.
"The War Council will explain our mission tomorrow morning! Everyone is to meet at the Quest Hall at 5 AM sharp! Dismissed!"
Felix went to prepare his equipment, as he was short on time.
"Let's go buy everything at Treasure Pavilion!" So Felix decided to visit the capital city.
He soon used all his funds to buy potions, star chart maps, poison, and more!
"I am so poor! I must learn a supporting occupation to earn some money!"
Felix sure felt the importance of money now.
"I must find Lyrius quickly!" Felix rushed to Purple Sand district.
Soon, his granny Ofelia smiled graciously as she met him in the meeting hall.
"Felix, I got your message and already summoned Lyrius back to the house! He will arrive shortly!"
"Granny, thank you for such haste! But, unfortunately, I will probably go outside tomorrow, so I need Lyrius to help me pick the right tomes!" Felix smiled.
"I understand! Lyrius is known for his knowledge even in the Ximen Halls. Therefore, he will help you pick the most suitable books. Also, I prepared a small gift for you!"
Felix watched granny take out a jade bottle engraved with formations.
"Felix, this is ten pills of Life Restoration! They are Titled Alchemist-grade pills! They will restore vitality, body, and mind to the peak if you are not dead! Please be careful!"
Felix was surprised and put the pills in his God-King Emerald Ring.
"Felix, I was surprised to hear you ask for me!" Lyrius laughed boomingly as he entered the hall.
"Grandpa Lyrius! I need your help to collect essential tomes! I found rules that let me obtain copies of ten books, so we must choose well!" Felix was very serious.
"Yes, Felix, it is significant that you invited me! Now, we need to get you information for the Cult, Mad League, Spells, and History of Ohomo Star! These will be the most important books you could take with you!"
Felix quickly memorized the names of tomes and their authors and left the Purple Sand district in a hurry.
He received the copies of the books from the librarian and put them carefully in his space ring.
"I must also use leftover merit points. They won't be useful if I'm dead!"
It was already a deep evening when he arrived at the Merit Hall.
"Hello, let me exchange for a Three-Eyed Crow and a messenger rat!" But, unfortunately, Felix had only enough points to make some small purchases.
That is why he chose a Three-Eyed Crow, a best-tamed beast for spying. The beast tamer could see from the bird's third eye and even cast remote spells if they had high enough mastery of space. But, unfortunately, it cost him five thousand merit points.
The messenger rats were sacrificial beasts. They could use their lifeforce to teleport short distances to deliver letters. But, sadly, Felix could only afford two.
"Now I have equipment in the simple space of my Emerald Ring. I have also put three beasts in the Life Space Section..."
Felix was thinking about possible survival methods and had a great idea!
"I should buy some information about Green Python Cult!" Felix hurried towards the Westgate Intelligence Tower.
He knew that the Westgate Clan sold information about its primary source of income. "There, I should find some relevant data to use in a dire situation!"
"Welcome to the Intelligence Tower, Young Mage Felix!"
Felix heard his name from a receptionist.
"Hello, do I know you?" Felix was a bit startled.
"No, however, we as an intelligence agency have to know all Core Disciples, or we would truly lose all face!" The girl smiled and bowed slightly.
"No need to be polite, lady! If possible, I come here to obtain some information about this war, Pythons Cult, and Mad League."
The girl smiled and invited Felix to follow her.
"Mage Felix, you have the clearance to obtain Core Disciple's information for free. However, there is higher status above yours, which will require merit, money, or treasures to exchange."
Felix quickly gained several scrolls containing most of the information about the war and Green Python's Cult. However, the information about the Mad League was scarce.
"Lady, can I obtain more information about how Mad League will support the cult?" Felix asked in a calm voice.
"Yes, however, it will cost two hundred thousand core merit points or something in equivalent value!"
Felix frowned as he was sure he had no such item in possession and only a few merit points.
"Young Mage Felix, you don't need to worry! As we are Intelligence Tower, we value the information above all else! Therefore, if you accept to tell us the original name of your Innate Spell Formation, we will provide you with all the information we have on the Ten Powers of the Gods Realm. I assure you this information will be full, and even if you don't understand some points, we will explain everything any time!"
Felix frowned as he heard her request. He already read that the Westgate Clan had innumerable records about Innate Spell Formations.
"Well, now I can give away one of my cards in exchange for more means of survival... Well, fuck it! If they wish to know everything so much, it still won't be enough with just this one parameter!"
Felix nodded and said he agreed.
"Young Mage Felix, I have no clearance to hear your Innate Spell Formation's origin name! Please follow me to meet the Tower Master."
Felix sighed and followed the lady.
Soon, they reached the top floor, and Felix was surprised to see some familiar faces.
"Grandpa Gyro! Elder Medie'th! I didn't expect to meet you here." Felix said after some pause.
"Felix, we understood what you will ask the moment you stepped into the Intelligence Tower! We rushed here to make sure you don't get duped by these old foxes!"
Gyro said while Elder Medie'th just laughed, and his emerald robe almost exuded new life.
"Felix, I have brought soul contract that an Emperor Mage has created! This magic will ensure the safety of your information and will have boundless backlash towards those who break the pact! We will use your Tyranum Bloodline to bind the participants, so believe me when I say that no God Emperor would survive the backlash! Hahaha!"
Elder Medie'th laughed lightly and looked towards the frightened Tower Master.
"This is just what the clan wants to know. I will invite the Grand Elders now!" Tower Master sighed and closed his eyes.
Felix saw space fluctuating, and Sieg, Empress Xi, and some unknown elders appeared.
"The Palace of Magic requires you to adjust the price, based on Felix's answer! After that, we can discuss everything else!" Elder Medie'th spoke calmly.
"You wooden fool! Do you think we can dupe reincarnation just because he is weak now?!" Empress Xi shouted as she hit her cane to the ground.
"Felix, don't worry, Tyranum Bloodline flows in your veins. All of these Emperors will die if they break the contract! You will learn why when you become Titled God!" Sieg said with a warm smile.
"Eh, it's fine, let's just sign the contract!" So Felix dropped all etiquette and just pulled a bit of his soul, blood, and Tyranum Bloodline into the contract.
"Oh?" Sieg watched as Felix adeptly signed the contract.
"Where did you learn about the contracts, child?" Empress Xi was impressed.
"My family member is a Master Librarian!" Felix smiled lightly and felt the bind of the contract envelop him.
Soon all the people signed the contract and waited for Felix to say the information.
"My Innate Spell Formation is Primordial Star Chart, and when I comprehended it, I received its origin name - Chaos Genesis Diagram!"
Felix said after some thought and was honest. The Primordial Star Chart has originated from Chaos Genesis Diagram.
The people in the room frowned as they tried to understand the meaning of this name.
"I will report this to the higherups! Now everyone forgets what you heard! Goodbye!" Empress Xi smiled at Felix and vanished.
Felix heard Tower Master call his name, so he focused.
"Felix, we will send all information to your token. Also, you will receive core merit points if higher-ups deem your information more valuable! I expect more business with you in the future!"
Felix left the Intelligence Tower and tried to get some sleep before tomorrow.