Over the years, Kyi had already advanced to become a third-circle legendary knight. Using elemental power to fly was no big deal for him, making it easy to keep up with Sunan and Rose.
"Judging by the distance, the Starlight Tower should be in the southeastern region, about three thousand kilometers away from us," Kyi said.
As the ruler of a nation, Kyi was well-acquainted with the geography of the southeastern region of the continent, and with a bit of analysis, he estimated the location of the Starlight Tower.
"The Starlight Tower will take five days to fully manifest, so we don't need to rush." Sunan pointed out.
Kyi and Rose both nodded in agreement.
Flying over three thousand kilometers would be taxing for both third-level wizard apprentices and third-circle legendary knights.
No one knew what awaited them at the Starlight Tower, so it was wise to conserve strength by traveling slowly and cautiously.
Fortunately, the Starlight Tower was appearing in the southeastern region. If it were in the northwest, they would have to rush frantically for those five days.
Thus, the three of them flew at a leisurely pace, occasionally using the key to check on the status of the Starlight Tower.
By the fourth day, they were less than a hundred kilometers from the Starlight Tower.
At the same time, they began encountering other wizard apprentices.
However, these apprentices merely glanced at them from afar. Seeing their numbers, they turned and left without any intention of engaging.
"They're not from the Forest Cabin," Rose noted with a slight frown. "It seems others are aware of the Starlight Tower's emergence."
"Not surprising," Sunan replied calmly. "The appearance of the Starlight Tower is a significant event and is sure to attract a lot of attention."
From the vision in his mind, Sunan knew the Starlight Tower was massive and conspicuously suspended in the sky, visible from afar. It was bound to catch the eye of many, and it wasn't surprising that wizard apprentices would be drawn to it.
However, without a key, they wouldn't be able to enter the Starlight Tower even if they got there.
As they neared the Starlight Tower, Sunan and his companions picked up the pace.
Soon, the outline of a towering structure came into view.
As they drew closer, the full grandeur of the tower was revealed.
It was exactly as Sunan had seen in his vision.
Seeing it in person, the tower's ancient and venerable aura was even more pronounced.
The entire tower hovered a hundred meters above the ground, like a straight lance piercing the sky. Its majestic and imposing presence evoked a sense of insignificance in those who beheld it.
Both Kyi and Rose were visibly awestruck.
It was their first time witnessing such a grand and intricate structure.
Sunan, however, remained composed.
He had seen many structures more magnificent and grandiose than this.
The Starlight Tower was, at best, a small wizard's tower, perhaps even less than that.
In the current starlight continent, it stood out among lesser structures, making it all the more impressive.
Stopping a kilometer from the Starlight Tower, Sunan quickly sensed over twenty presences.
These were legendary knights or second-level wizard apprentices, likely drawn by the tower's appearance.
There might even be third-level wizard apprentices present.
However, if they chose to hide, it would be difficult for Sunan to detect them immediately.
Without attempting to conceal themselves, Sunan found a quiet spot and sat down to await the opening of the Starlight Tower.
As time passed, more and more people gathered around the Starlight Tower.
While Sunan was resting with his eyes closed, he sensed a familiar presence approaching and opened his eyes to see an acquaintance.
"Long time no see."
The Staff approached with a smile, greeting Sunan and Rose, and nodding lightly to Kyi.
Kyi, having heard from Sunan about the Staff's attitude toward the Azure Gold Empire's royal family, knew this person wasn't an enemy and returned a friendly smile.
After a brief chat, the Staff sat down beside them unceremoniously.
Compared to the hidden figures around, it was safer to stick with familiar faces.
Not long after, another familiar face joined them—the Traveler.
The four of them sat together and began discussing the situation with Night Owl.
"I also find it odd," the Staff said gravely.
He was one of the founding members of the Forest Cabin and part of Night Owl's initial group of invitees.
He was very familiar with Night Owl's ways.
"I originally thought Night Owl would invite everyone to the Starlight Tower, but we haven't heard anything."
"And he hasn't shown up yet. Something might have happened to him."
The Traveler added, "And the Hunter hasn't come either."
If the Hunter were here, he would have likely joined them.
The thought that Night Owl and the Hunter might both be in trouble made the group frown.
Just then, they all sensed something and looked up.
From the forest, a group of about a dozen people emerged.
All wore robes, their bodies exuding strong energy particle fluctuations without any attempt to conceal them.
They were all third-level wizard apprentices!
A murmur spread among the hidden observers.
Clearly, they hadn't expected so many third-level wizard apprentices to appear at once.
Sunan and his group exchanged surprised glances.
"Unfamiliar faces. They don't seem like southeastern region apprentices," Rose whispered.
"They're from the northwest," the Staff said suddenly.
Seeing their surprised expressions, he explained in a low voice:
"The Azure Gold Empire's royal family collected intelligence on northwest wizards. I specifically reviewed it."
The group understood.
As the southeastern region's hegemon, it wasn't surprising that the Azure Gold Empire would gather intelligence on northwest wizards.
Clearly, this empire had ambitions in the northwest.
But now, it no longer had the capacity for such ambitions.
The Staff continued, "The leader in the green robe is named Megisen, the chairman of the Council of Truth from the northwest. He's very powerful, with a reputation rivaling Saulo's."
"The Council of Truth?" Rose scoffed. "Quite a grand name."
Sunan chuckled inwardly.
Using 'truth' in their name suggested the Council of Truth had lofty ambitions.
The Staff shrugged, "Their name might be grandiose, but they have the strength to back it up."
"The Council of Truth has thirteen third-level wizard apprentices. Besides Megisen, there are several other strong members."
"For example, that one with skin like tree bark is Milkan. It's said he has partially transformed into wood elements and is nearly unbeatable by peers in forested environments."
Wood elemental transformation?
Sunan raised an eyebrow.
It's a rare type.
In terms of attack, wood elements aren't as strong as fire or lightning. In defense, they aren't as solid as earth, and in versatility, they aren't as adaptable as water.
But in plant-rich environments, a wood elemental wizard can exert 200% of their power!
It's an element type heavily reliant on the environment.
"And that one with scales on his face is Maevich. He's fused with a shark-type magical beast's bloodline, making him extremely formidable in combat."
"The small, weak-looking wizard apprentice is Fabio. Like the Remains, he specializes in necromancy and is skilled at soul manipulation, but he's much stronger than the Remains."
Clearly, the Azure Gold Empire had done its homework. The Staff introduced the dozen or so wizards one by one, detailing their names and general abilities, save for three or four who were less known.
Listening to the Staff, Rose and the Traveler grew more serious, their gazes toward the northwestern wizard apprentices filled with increasing wariness.
This wizard organization was on par with the Immortals!
"These guys wouldn't have come here if not for the Starlight Tower, right?" Rose frowned.
The answer was obvious.
With over ten thousand kilometers separating them from the northwest, no matter how big the commotion from the Starlight Tower, it couldn't have reached them so quickly.
The Council of Truth must have had prior information and entered the southeastern region long ago.
What puzzled Rose was how they were certain the Starlight Tower would appear in the southeast.
Sunan's expression shifted slightly as he pondered.
His gaze swept over the Council of Truth, finally resting on a figure whose form and face were obscured by a robe and hood.
At this moment, the Council of Truth also stopped a short distance from the Starlight Tower.
Noticing Sunan and his group, Megisen turned to look at them, exchanged a few words with the concealed figure, and then turned back with a curious gaze.
The hooded figure lifted their hood, revealing a pale face.
"Ivans!"
The moment they recognized the face, the Traveler and Rose were visibly shocked.
They knew Ivans well—almost the catalyst for the conflict between the Immortals and the Forest Cabin.
But why was Ivans with the Council of Truth?
Sunan's eyes flashed with understanding.
He had heard from the Hunter that Ivans had fled to the northwest to escape the Immortals. Now it seemed Ivans had provided the Council of Truth with information about the Starlight Tower's appearance.
It appeared Ivans hadn't been completely honest with him.
He must have had a way to anticipate the Starlight Tower's appearance.
But what concerned Sunan most wasn't Ivans' presence—it was what it represented.
"Night Owl and the Hunter," Sunan murmured.
The other three paused, then quickly realized the implication, their expressions growing grim.
If the Council of Truth was here, they likely held keys to the Starlight Tower.
Where did they get those keys?
Did Ivans give them all?
Or did they take some from Night Owl and the Hunter?
Ivans, as the source of information about the Forest Cabin's possession of the Starlight Tower keys, would know.
If this were true, Night Owl and the Hunter were likely in grave danger!
Though their ties to Night Owl and the Hunter weren't deep, they were all part of the same organization. Learning that the two might have perished at the hands of the Council of Truth left the Staff, Rose, and the Traveler feeling heavy and discontent.
Despite this, they wisely restrained their emotions, taking no action.
With the Starlight Tower about to open, it was a time for conserving strength, not fighting.
If they were to seek retribution, it could wait until they emerged from the Starlight Tower.
Simultaneously, the Council of Truth was sizing up Sunan's group.
"That's the Sunan who killed Saulo? He doesn't look that impressive."
Maevich licked his lips, his eyes scanning Sunan like a viper, eager to challenge him.
His companions were unfazed. Due to his bloodline, Maevich had a strong desire for combat, particularly against powerful opponents.
This approach, contrary to the cautious nature of wizards, would have gotten him killed long ago if he weren't strong enough.
"Judging a wizard apprentice's power by appearance is foolish," Milkan stated flatly.
Ignoring Maevich's angry glare, he turned to Megisen.
"Chairman, with the Immortals gone and the Forest Cabin weakened, the southeastern region's third-level wizard apprentices are greatly diminished. Now is the perfect time to strike."
Fabio's eyes lit up, agreeing wholeheartedly. "Indeed."
Megisen's eyes flickered with interest.
The southeastern and northwestern regions' wizard forces had always maintained a balance, never interfering with each other.
But after the southeastern region's upheaval, many third-level wizard apprentices had died, weakening their forces significantly. A timely attack could potentially crush them.
It might even be an opportunity to seize vast territories in the southeast!
As his thoughts raced, Megisen quickly calculated a plan, smiling faintly. "No rush. The Starlight Tower is our priority. There's time for that afterward."
The others nodded in agreement.
Maevich even began eyeing the nearby wizard apprentices with malicious intent.
Due to the Starlight Tower, a significant number of wizard apprentices had gathered.
After exiting the Starlight Tower, ambushing a few groups could further weaken the southeastern forces.
Time flowed on.
More and more people gathered around the Starlight Tower.
Occasionally, someone would attempt to approach the tower.
However, the seemingly real tower in the sky didn't exist in this world. It was merely a projection, leaving those who probed it disappointed.
Eventually, no one dared try again, and everyone waited patiently.
As the sun set and rose again, at noon the day after Sunan and his group arrived, the Starlight Tower finally showed signs of activity.
With a deep hum, the Starlight Tower slowly descended from the sky, landing with a thud and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Simultaneously, Sunan felt the sigil stone in his palm heat up.
He immediately understood.
The Starlight Tower had opened!
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