Lynn's words made Herlram hesitate for a moment, but it didn't affect his judgment.
"A wizard's apprentice could never possess so much hidden knowledge. I believe more in the possibility of body possession than that so-called 'Society of Mystical Arts,'" he thought.
However, Herlram didn't dwell on this topic any longer. He spoke solemnly, "In fact, I don't care about your identity, and my invitation to join the 'Faceless' carries no ill will. I only need one thing."
Lynn looked at the grand wizard with confusion, not quite understanding his intentions.
"The perfect method for fusing souls." Herlram said, emphasizing each word. He continued, "You can propose any conditions as long as I can fulfill them."
Herlram maintained a humble posture and showed no immediate intention to act.
Dealing with any grand wizard was no easy feat. Since he could complete the fusion and transformation of souls, his knowledge of psychic abilities undoubtedly surpassed Lynn's.
"Nos is already dead, and anyone from the council with a hint of intelligence can trace you..." Lynn shook his head. While the promise of a grand wizard was tempting, Herlram's guarantee meant nothing because he was currently in danger.
"Unfortunately, I don't have what you're looking for," Lynn said straightforwardly.
"Seems like you're not willing to cooperate..." Herlram's tone grew colder, and his old, hunched figure straightened up. An intense surge of magic emanated from him, shrouding the entire circular hall.
"Then I'll have to personally dig it out of your mind."
Herlram's gaze turned icy, and he took step by step closer. A mysterious pressure descended on Lynn's mind, both on the spiritual and magical level. Lynn felt that all the elements in the space had been tainted by Herlram's magic. His body seemed to sink into quicksand, requiring several times more effort for any movement.
This was the Fourth Tier Spell - [Slowdown Barrier]
With each step Herlram took, the magic around him intensified. He raised his right hand, pointing it at Lynn, and the elements in the space suddenly became incredibly active.
Lynn felt an indescribable sense of danger. This magic was impossible to dodge or resist. At that moment, he even smelled the scent of death.
Facing an unknown opponent capable of soul possession. Herlram showed no restraint. He immediately cast the Fifth Tier Spell - [Mana Torrent]
However, what Lynn had been waiting for was the moment when Herlram cast his spell at full power.
Without hesitation, he shouted in his mind, "071, immediately, now. Take control of the virtual domain."
In the vast space, the surging elemental flow suddenly seemed to come to a halt. Herlram's advancing steps also stopped, as a sudden and intense pain, as if his soul were being severed, assaulted him.
The Virtual Domain had been seized...
A look of horror and disbelief spread across Herlram's face. He could clearly sense the complete severance of his connection to the virtual domain. The massive computing power that had been bestowed upon him had disappeared into nothingness.
At the crucial moment when the spell was dispelled, the terrifying magical backlash struck his body.
White Phosphorus - [Flame Demon's Hand]
Lynn would never give up this hard-won opportunity, even if it meant risking his life. He unleashed his most powerful move, and the blazing flames transformed into a colossal demonic hand that surged straight toward Herlram. However, just before the scorching flames touched Herlram's body, a mysterious force separated them, much like a torrent blocked by rocks.
Fourth Tier Spell - [Deflection Force Field]
However, Herlram's condition deteriorated while casting spells against the backlash. Crimson blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, and his wrinkled skin had cracked in several places, revealing withered flesh beneath.
"This can't be." Herlram paid no attention to his physical discomfort, keeping his gaze fixed on Lynn with an incredulous expression.
The Virtual Domain was his greatest achievement in decades, connecting the psychic power of the wizards and, more importantly, having nothing to do with the dark wizard Merk. The source of its magic was firmly in his grasp, yet it was easily taken away by Lynn.
This completely overturned Herlram's understanding. Unless the other party was originally a legendary wizard.
Lynn didn't respond. At this moment, he was experiencing the combined psychic power of nine Third Tier wizards, accompanied by immense computational power.
It was a whole new world for Lynn. He could clearly sense the surges of magic and even "see" things he couldn't see before. The space around Herlram seemed to have undergone some deformation, which allowed the scorching flames to bypass the real target in a circular manner.
Was this force field magic?
Most offensive magic would likely fail under such power.
As Lynn pondered, he suddenly felt a throbbing in his head, as if a sealed iron bucket were being continuously filled with gas. The combined psychic power of the nine Third Tier wizards was evidently approaching the upper limit his brain could withstand.
[Magic Missiles]
In an instant, Lynn noticed the failure of Flame Demon's Hand and raised his hand to conjure hundreds of Magic Missiles, probing the weak points in this force field magic.
A continuous stream of Magic Missiles shot from various directions and angles toward Herlram. As long as Lynn could detect the curvature of the space, he could potentially harm his opponent.
But Herlram clearly didn't give him that chance. Straining his body, he lightly touched his finger, and an invisible ripple spread forward in a semi-circular shape.
The Magic Missiles flying in mid-air exploded one after another.
This was the second time Lynn had faced such bizarre magic. However, unlike the encounter with Rol, this time the power was a thousand times greater. He could clearly see a strange magical wave that crushed the Magic Missiles, rapidly closing in on him.
The speed was so fast that Lynn didn't even have time to cast a protective spell.
[Cellular Morphology]
Just before the magical wave reached him, Lynn leapt into the air. Utilizing the amplifying power of his magical cells, he narrowly dodged the peculiar magical wave. However, being in mid-air also meant he lost the ability to change direction.
At the same time, countless slender, sharp iron thorns appeared in the void, like a swarm of locusts or a rain of arrows, hurtling down and covering half of the hall.
Fourth Tier Spell - [Iron Sand Thorn]
Just as Lynn had previously anticipated, a Grand Wizard could mimic and control more elements, but it was he himself who first experienced this.