On the edge of Diya Valley, at the foot of a mountain in the Shadow Mountains, there is a small passageway that leads directly to the belly of the mountain. In the hundreds of meters thick rock layer on the belly of the mountain, there is a small room, which is a meditation chamber exclusively for the Necromancers.

  Vedrina walked out of the passageway and raised her head to face the long-lost sunlight, taking a deep breath in feeling.

  This was one of her favorite actions when she was still human a long time ago. Feeling the sunlight on herself, slowly melting into every inch of delicate skin, basking in the warmth of light, and every pore touching the vitality between herself and the world. And whenever she did this action, her face, which was not inferior to the sun, and the expression on it would absolutely dazzle the onlookers.

  But now she only feels the withered dead flesh attached to her skull slowly deforming under the long-lost sunlight due to the temperature difference from underground, as if a resurrection of maggots and worms on her face.

  She was surrounded by a circle of black mist, and the dark magical power had begun to fluctuate in substantial form around her body. Having just awakened from a month-long meditation, her magical power had entered an unprecedented realm. The undead body of the witch did not require rest, nor food or sleep, such a body existed solely for power, magic, and wisdom. She could even feel that her emotions and instincts as a living being were weakening and disappearing with the increase in power.

  Sometimes she wonders what would happen if all these things were to completely disappear. Without basic desires and emotions, there would be no conscious goals, no thinking, and probably not even a sense of self-existence.

  But fortunately, those emotional marks that were branded into her soul had not yet disappeared. She knew what she needed to do.

  Not far from the exit stood three figures, who seemed to have been waiting here all along. Vedenina walked over, and the three also came forward to meet her.

  The old man at the front looked up and down Vedrina, nodded and praised in his desolate voice: "Respected Ms. Vedrina, I didn't expect your magical powers to reach such a level, with more time, you will surely approach the height of the great Akiba."

  The witch scanned the three of them with a glance and replied faintly, "You're overpraising me, Master Aiden. But I think you three didn't come just to compliment me, did you? I'm busy and have important things to attend to."

  "We three are here today to ask you some questions." said a middle-aged man with a fierce appearance but in a very gentle tone.

  "It must be a very important matter to have troubled the three of you." Vidyana took a step back, feeling a strange magical fluctuation emanating from her three companions.

  "For someone as powerful and wise as you, this question must be easy to answer." Master Aiden said calmly: "We recall that you won the last bet, asking us to agree to the joining of a new member. Now we'd like to ask, what kind of person do you want to introduce to join our guild? Does he have enough qualifications to join our noble organization?"

  "He's absolutely qualified." Vidyana took another step back, her hoarse voice extremely calm. "He should be the most qualified person to join the Death Spirit Association."

  "Why?" Master Aidan's aged voice was still very calm, as if this were just a casual question that could be asked or not. But he and his two colleagues took another step forward, forming a triangle that trapped Vedenina in the middle.

  "I have my own reasons." Vidyana didn't back down, and the black mist on her body began to thicken.

  "Hahaha….." Master Aiden let out a faint, misty laugh. But the atmosphere didn't ease up because of this laughter. "Respected Lady Vedina, we don't doubt your unparalleled wisdom and judgment. However, regarding this matter, I think it's better for everyone to discuss it slowly... The new person you introduced just destroyed a large-scale operation that all members jointly planned in the Whispering Woods. I think this new person needs to be carefully considered. Out of respect for you, we plan to ask you to rest in a place..."

  "What do you want to do?" Vedrina's voice became even more unpleasant, and the black fog on her body churned up. "Do you want to fight? There has never been any fighting allowed in Deya Valley."

  "Since the great Akiba founded the Necromancer's Guild, there has never been a case of internal strife among necromancers. Those who can join this noble organization, even if they don't have the same goals and ideas, all possess extraordinary wisdom and cultivation. How could they resort to violence to resolve disputes like those lowly and foolish people?" Master Aiden took out a white-glowing jade stone from his bosom. "I said, we're just asking you to take a rest."

  The other two necromancers also took out the same jade stones. The three jade stones emitted soft and pure white light, which was pure white magic. Under the control of the three necromancers, the three jade stones emitted mutually reflecting milky white magical fluctuations, surrounding Vedenina.

  "You're really willing to splurge, aren't you? Using three magic gems to activate the White Magic seal. The black mist on Viednina's body had grown so thick it was like ink, twisting and leaping around her like small snakes as they frantically devoured the white light around them. Her voice sounded like a curse. "But do you think you can succeed with just the three of you? Don't forget that none of you are skilled in White Magic. I may not be a match for all three of you, but it's not going to be easy to imprison me either."

  A sigh sounded not far behind her, another wave of white magic merged with the three to produce a subtle resonance, and the black ripples on her body were instantly suppressed like flames under the tide.

  "It was you." Vydinna turned around to see the person behind her, and her voice suddenly became completely hoarse. "Unexpectedly it's you. Do you think the same way as they do?"

  This person didn't have the magic crystal in his hand, but the white magic that came out of thin air was the most powerful and purest, because it was what he learned under the guidance of a formal light mage at the Magic Academy.

  His handsome face now had a strange expression on it. He shook his head, looking at the witch's face that was between a zombie and a skull, and his eyes were filled with tenderness, saying in a somewhat heartbroken tone: "You're still the same as before, too obsessed, too impulsive, too naive."

  The meeting at Deya Valley was convened soon after.

  The conference room is not very large, without any luxurious or decorative traces, it just looks like an ordinary hall. The furnishings inside are simple and unadorned, everything has a practical use, deliberate decoration and luxury are meaningless here.

  It was already late at night, but the conference room was still as bright as daylight. A large block of magical crystal embedded in the ceiling evenly distributed soft and brilliant light to every corner. The light, which was just like sunlight, did not hurt the eyes at all. Usually, a small piece of this kind of thing would make many magicians rack their brains and spare no expense to get it, in order to make a high-grade magic wand, but here it was simply used for lighting.

  In the center of the hall is a very large and exquisite circular table. The shape is extremely elegant, with every line on it being delicate and refined to the point of being considered art. This was carved out of a piece of rare sandalwood from the mainland by a member many years ago over the course of three years.

  There are thirteen chairs around the round table, and nine of them have already been occupied. This is the largest meeting of the Ghost Spirit Association in nearly ten years, and everyone who can come has arrived.

  Elsewhere, they may have been mighty and wealthy nobles, or revered sages admired by the multitudes, or impoverished hermits. But here, all worldly titles of honor and wealth are of no account. They are all equal members of the most exalted and noble fellowship of death.

  In the very center of the round table was a huge crystal ball. The image that appeared in the ball was a whispering forest with flames flying about.

  In the sky, a ring of stone statues was using the Blood Fog Magic Array to guide the sunlight and pour the focal point of death into the Sun Well. Suddenly, a huge flame ball rose from the ground, with a diameter almost half that of the Blood Fog Magic Array. The flame ball seemed to move slowly as it came into contact with the magic array, and then the image in the crystal ball was left with only a madly violent red color. Although there was no sound, everyone sitting felt a faint, immense vibration.

  A dead spirit mage burst out laughing, but only let out a cough-like laughter, pointing at the dimly lit crystal ball and said: "A fireball spell actually has destructive power similar to forbidden spells. I think we should all start over from being apprentices and relearn the basics of magic theory."

  "That's our painstakingly crafted golem...” A well-maintained middle-aged man supported his cheek, closed his eyes and sighed. "The consumed magical materials, everyone's hard work, if converted into gold coins, would be enough to buy a not-so-small country."

  Master Aiden opened his eyes, glanced at the others, and said in his unique tone: "These are the images replicated based on my and Inham's memories. Everyone can infer what happened."

  "That person can resonate with the divine power of the Sun Well, and should be a member of the Spirit Tribe who has received the baptism of sunlight." A necromancer concluded. Others nodded in agreement. "However, according to what you said, that's just a human being, but how can humans receive the baptism of sunlight from those rigid and ignorant spirits? That's a bit hard to believe."

  "Aiden Master continued: "Let me tell you some other news. After this incident, I immediately investigated and found that the person who was wanted by the Spirit Clan was a divine officer under Ronis' old man. And in the previous period, our respected Inham designed a great drama that would have shocked the entire Eastern Continent, where this kid and another woman who had desecrated a leaf of the World Tree used their own blood to kill a vampire together. That is to say, he also has the vitality of the World Tree's leaves in his body."

  "How could something so important have never been mentioned by Earl Hammond?" The necromancers looked at the marquis.

  Marquis let out a wry smile and replied, "After the incident, Ronis was unclear about what happened. He said something about the effects of a blessing spell. At the time, I was busy with other things, so I didn't pay attention to it at all, thinking that it was just the effect of that woman's blood."

  That gruesome death spirit said: "Let's not discuss that for now. According to Inham, this kid lived with our respected former deputy chairman Mr. Sandro in the Magic Academy. From the fact that he could absorb the Sunlight Baptism, we have reason to believe that he learned the True Meditation of the Abyss from Mr. Sandro. Considering the character of the respected and noble deputy chairman, it is indeed very likely."

  The hall was silent. The necromancers no longer discussed and marveled at the man's every move, for while each individual thing he did was surprising, when added together they were not just astonishing but shocking.

  "Archibald had once said that one day, the person who gathered power would pull out the jet-black star and thoroughly change the world from the central land. There have been people cultivating true meditation all along, and the rituals of the spirit tribe have been passed down from generation to generation. It is also said that the leaves of the World Tree had once shown their power in the mortal realm... These are actually nothing surprising." His voice, which had always been calm and desolate, finally became heavy. "But what's important now is that the Sun Spring, the Leaves of the World Tree, and True Meditation are all on one person."

  The hall was still silent as a tomb. The necromancers exchanged strange glances with each other.

  Master Aiden's tone was tinged with a hint of weirdness, as if it were a bitter smile, and yet also a kind of disdainful mockery. "In theory, this person is indeed capable of opening the Black Star. And if he really does open it, according to the rules set by Archibald for us, we should submit to this King of the Dead and follow him to conquer the world." Master Aiden's cold and hazy eyes wandered over the expressions of each member. "I wonder how everyone views this matter?"

  The silence still filled the hall. After a long time, a necromancer's cough broke the silence, and he slowly said: "Conquering the world? I think this kind of boring and vulgar thing is really not suitable for us to do."

  That well-maintained necromancer lowered his head, playing with the ring in his hand with fingers more delicate and tender than those of a girl, whispering softly: "Besides, I think this world is fine as it is now, no need to change anything. The key is...". He looked at his colleagues around him, revealing a kind, gentle and confident smile. "This world doesn't need us to conquer it anymore."

  The gruesome death spirit mage nodded in agreement. "There's no need to let people touch the Black Star. Even if they can pull it out, what's born might just be a monster that only knows destruction and chaos. It would bring us no benefit."

  "I think so too..."

  "Right."

  The necromancers slowly but unmistakably expressed a consistent view.

  Until the last member had expressed his attitude, Master Aiden finally showed a smile. He knew that a nominal but actually non-existent rule was now completely and thoroughly broken.

  For every magician, the magician Akibaed who is said to be closest to God is even more substantial than God, after all, he was once a living being. Especially for necromancers who study many death spells created by him, they can feel the greatness of this magician from that profound and subtle magic.

  But greatness is also limited. Although he founded the Death Spirit Association for that dark divine object, 500 years later today, people gathered in Deya Valley are not because of faith. Every one here is a top figure in human society, and no one wants to inexplicably drop out a leader from some legendary myth.

  Master Aiden nodded and said, "Although Akibad is great and his insights are certainly reasonable, the power of the Black Star is also unparalleled." His voice fell, casually and confidently hitting the point. "However, what's most important is that this world is ours now. We don't need any leaders."

  "Well said. The guild rules should include this one." A member applauded. Several other necromancers also nodded in agreement.

  "And now this person will not only not be our leader but also our enemy. Everyone should know that Ronis has recently become active against us."

  "Yes. This old man seems to be testing our patience with him to the limit..."

  "This person is the key to his plan. With the power of life imbued with the sun's blessing and the leaves of the World Tree, it seems he intends to use this person to destroy the Black Star. Although we don't intend for anyone to open it, we also won't allow others to destroy it. That is the spiritual symbol of our noble organization over the centuries." Master Aiden cleared his throat with force and said solemnly. "I have invited everyone here today to discuss how to deal with these two enemies. One is Ronis, and the other is that young man who possesses three powers."

  "Let's take them down. We can't stay silent and scattered anymore. Since enemies against the organization have appeared, we should join hands and act together."

  "Ronnie Laine is probably our only enemy in this world now. After killing him, we'll be a bit lonely."

  "But our respected former agent Sandro is also with him, and if the two of them join forces, we're in trouble."

  "Aiden Master interrupted the discussion of others, saying: "Before discussing how to deal with external enemies, I'd like to talk about other related issues. Hasn't anyone thought about it? The last World Tree Leaf is in the Whispering Woods, and when I was there, I could feel it. And that duchess must have eaten one too. Our friend Inham can confirm this, and many people in the imperial capital of Ainefrost also know about it. So where did the person who ate the World Tree Leaf get it from? The only explanation is... Lady Viednina."

  "The time when that human kid received the baptism of sunlight and the time when Vidyana went to the Whispering Woods coincided. The world tree leaf that Vidyana originally had in her hand inexplicably fell into that kid's hands again. Moreover, some time ago, Ms. Vidyana and we made a bet because of the war with Euphoria. Ms. Vidyana won, and all her bets were to introduce a new member to join. As a result, we found our teleportation scroll on that human kid..."

  "Are you saying... that Madame Viednina and Ronis conspired to have that person spy on us?" The well-groomed necromancer furrowed his meticulously trimmed eyebrows, shaking his head along with several other necromancers. "That's impossible."

  Aidan Master replied calmly, "I didn't say that. I just stated the fact. Whether it's your speculation or Vedina really wants to let that person open the Black Star, neither of them is beneficial to everyone."

  "Didn't the witch lady attend such an important meeting? We need her to explain."

  "I and Inham have already asked her to rest in the meditation room for a while."

  "It seems a bit excessive." The old coughing Death Spirit Master squeezed out the words with difficulty from his cough.

  Master Aiden replied calmly, "Please rest assured. This is just a temporary measure I've taken for everyone's benefit to prevent her from ruining our operation due to her impulsiveness. Once we're done dealing with Ronis and that kid, we'll naturally invite the witch lady out. The top priority now is to intercept that kid who escaped with the World Tree Leaf and deal with Ronis at the same time. I suggest that I and esteemed Aisley go investigate the kid's whereabouts, kill him, and retrieve the World Tree Leaf. You all plan how to handle Ronis."

  As he walked out of the conference room with Eisley, Master Aden's normally calm and collected face cracked a small smile. He was pleased with his performance and tactics.

  After all this, the guild will probably need to recommend a new proxy guild leader. He thought for a moment and smiled again.