Gravity Mage with Level-Up System Chapter 1910: Part 1: Goldkeep City
Previously on Gravity Mage with Level-Up System...
Great Lake
As my journey continued across the vast expanse of the great lake, the Monster Squid remained in pursuit. My attention was fixed on the creature, aware that it could launch another assault at any moment.
Boom!
It wasn't long before two colossal tentacles erupted from the water, lashing out towards me. Having anticipated this move, I agilely maneuvered my body, narrowly evading the swift strikes.
Swoosh!
The tentacles sliced through empty air, their attempt to ensnare me unsuccessful. I pressed onward, accelerating my flight.
The 12th Order Monster Squid lurking beneath the lake's surface was taken aback.
It had never before failed to land an attack. Its usual targets were never Forbidden Wizards or those at the Elder Level.
This time, however, it found itself unable to gauge the young wizard's true power.
The massive creature hesitated, uncertain if the young sorcerer it faced was a Forbidden Wizard.
Its keen intellect then began to process the situation. If the wizard were indeed a Forbidden Wizard, surely a retaliatory strike would have already been launched.
The squid surmised that the young wizard might be carrying valuable treasures.
Boom!
The 12th Order Monster breached the water's surface, its immense form now fully revealed. The creature stretched over 50 feet in length.
It positioned itself directly beneath me, its eight powerful arms encircling its body, while two long tentacles coiled, poised for an attack.
Witnessing this, I resolved to strike back. Extending my hand, I unleashed a magical incantation.
"Gravity Push"
A wisp of ethereal gray magic emanated from my palm. Though small in appearance, this surge of arcane energy possessed the weight of a colossal mountain.
The immense pressure descended instantly upon the Monster Squid.
Boom!
The force of gravity slammed into the Monster Squid, catching it completely off guard. The crushing pressure impacted its massive frame.
The Monster Squid was forced back beneath the waves.
Swoosh!
Seizing the momentary advantage, I made my escape. In the blink of an eye, I had established a significant distance. The Monster Squid would find it impossible to close the gap.
Puchak!
The Monster Squid's tough hide ruptured, dark purple ichor seeping from the wound. The creature was filled with dread, having severely underestimated the young wizard's capabilities.
However, judging by the potent magic spell employed, the young wizard was clearly on the cusp of achieving the Magic Lord realm. Thus, it made the prudent decision to withdraw, unnerved by the potential backing the young wizard might possess.
Time flowed onward.
An hour later, the lake's far shore appeared on the horizon, relief washing over me. I then retrieved my raven aircraft.
In the following instant, I entered the cockpit and initiated the flight sequence. The raven aircraft swiftly departed the vicinity of the great lake.
Glancing back through the aerial vehicle's window, I observed the receding landscape. While I couldn't ascertain the Monster Squid's exact fate, I was certain it had survived.
The raven aircraft continued its eastward trajectory, soaring over a vast, unpopulated grassland, devoid of any monsters or signs of civilization.
As the aircraft pushed onward, my attention was captured by a developing sight. Towering skyscrapers emerged in the distance, signaling the approach of a city.
Consulting my map, I sought to pinpoint my current location. The great lake was clearly marked.
My gaze shifted beyond the lake's boundaries, revealing the frontier of a small nation known as the Golden Lion Country.
The border city was identified as Goldkeep City.
The map indicated that this city was under the dominion of a bloodline family, its significance noted with a special marker. Intuitively, I surmised that the royal lineage of this nation likely possessed the coveted golden lion bloodline.
I resolved to make a temporary stop in Goldkeep City to recuperate. As the aircraft neared the urban expanse, I carefully stored it within my system inventory.
Donning a mask to obscure my features, I then descended to the ground. I also instructed my system to deactivate my protective shield, allowing others to perceive my true cultivation level.
Locating a road leading to the city, I commenced my journey on foot. The city gates loomed ahead, but before reaching them, I encountered numerous wandering cultivators.
Unsure of the specific entry requirements for these wandering cultivators, I prioritized maintaining the secrecy of my identity.
Shortly thereafter,
The road culminated, and I observed a sizable crowd gathered before the city's main entrance. The number of wandering cultivators present far exceeded my initial expectations.
Eavesdropping on nearby conversations, I soon gleaned some encouraging information: wandering cultivators could acquire a temporary identification pass for city residency by offering mana stones.
These temporary passes bore numerical designations, enabling the city's authorities to maintain a database. The thronging masses at the gate continued to swell. Before long, the gates swung open.
The guards stationed at the entrance began issuing the temporary IDs. However, all incoming wandering cultivators and other visitors were required to pass through a series of scanners.
Furthermore, their storage bracelets were subjected to inspection. This thoroughness did not surprise me, as such measures are standard security protocols.
I noted that some of the wandering cultivators possessed considerable strength, even spotting a couple of individuals at the Supreme level.
There were also one or two cultivators who had reached the Magic Lord stage. My attention then shifted to the scanners themselves. Beams of laser light swept over the cultivators entering the city.
This represented advanced technology, capable of detecting any hidden magical artifacts. It was evident that this nation was far from technologically primitive.
Employing my mental energy, I accessed my storage bracelet and stowed away the majority of my possessions within the system's extradimensional space. I retained only a couple of hundred low-grade mana stones and precisely 46 mid-grade ones. Time flowed onward. As my turn arrived, I advanced. The imposing guard reached out his hand; I detached my storage bracelet and presented it for his inspection. The two guards were startled by the masked individual. Initially, they considered removing the mask, but after assessing the masked man's latent strength, they retracted their intentions. Their demeanors shifted to one of deep respect. They surmised I might be an envoy from a distinguished faction. Given the individual's desire for anonymity, they refrained from demanding the mask's removal. However, an inventory check was still conducted. Inside, they discovered a few hundred mana stones, along with several mid-grade ones. No astonishment registered on their faces. By this point, they were convinced the person hailed from a significant power. Mid-grade mana stones are not readily obtainable. Most itinerant mages practice frugality, choosing not to flaunt their mana stones. Even if they possessed such stones, they would undoubtedly conceal them securely before entering the city.