Chapter 421: Operation Cradle Begins

Bennings continued, “Your task is to enter, locate the world’s will, and use this World Scepter to control it. Then, it’s over.”

Though he made it sound simple, everyone knew it wasn’t an easy feat.

The world’s will is an elusive concept, and as first-level wizards who hadn’t even touched rule power, completing this task was daunting.

Helag glanced at the World Scepter in Bennings’ hand, appearing as an ordinary wooden short staff with nothing remarkable.

He realized why only 180 participants were allowed into World X-617; the limited number of World Scepters was likely the reason.

Distributing 180 second-tier magical tools was no small expense.

Although the Wizard Alliance invested heavily in plane wars, resources were finite.

After introducing the World Scepter, Bennings produced a ring set with black jade: “This is a teleportation ring, encoded with the coordinates of this teleportation point. Activate it to leave World X-617 and return here. Use it wisely.”

Each participant received a World Scepter and a teleportation ring.

Helag slipped the ring onto his finger for easy activation.

He stored the World Scepter in his spatial ring, as it wasn’t needed until later.

With items distributed, the final phase—teleportation—began.

World X-617’s teleportation point was a small altar, only ten square meters, a micro altar compared to others.

Participants stepped onto the altar, where a wizard activated it for teleportation.

Order was determined by communication stone numbers, with earlier numbers going first.

Since the altar could only teleport one person at a time, participants queued up.

Helag sighed, as his communication stone number placed him last.

Only he and Malcolm were from the Barren Lands, hence their last positions.

The others were native to the Land of Dawn, with pre-existing communication stones.

Helag considered asking why the order wasn’t alphabetical but held his tongue, knowing it wasn’t his place.

Medel was first, his communication stone number leading the group.

Entering first offered advantages: no ambushes and quicker acclimation.

Those entering later, like Helag, had to be wary of ambushes, facing greater risks.

Helag watched as others entered, remaining calm.

Though starting last, a few minutes wouldn’t make much difference.

Malcolm also waited patiently, his thoughts unknown.

After hours, Helag’s turn came, the area now empty.

Malcolm stepped onto the altar, turning to smirk at Helag before vanishing in a flash.

The white-bearded wizard managing the altar waited for it to settle before calling, “Next, Helag Merlin.”

Helag approached, stepping onto the altar. Turning, he saw Bennings offering an encouraging look.

Helag smiled back, adjusting his breathing for teleportation.

The white-bearded wizard extended his hand, channeling magic into the altar.

The altar trembled slightly, then flashed, and Helag vanished.

***

Helag felt the familiar spatial fluctuations, accustomed to such teleportations.

As the altar activated, the surroundings vanished, replaced by swirling, multicolored light.

The scene lasted a moment before brightening again.

Helag’s pupils contracted, adjusting to the sudden brightness.

“The sound of waves…”

Helag heard waves crashing on a beach, realizing he stood on sand, facing an endless ocean.

Behind him lay a dense jungle, filled with towering trees.

“Power of The Titan.”

“Absolute Defense.”

Without hesitation, Helag armed himself, ready for any sudden events.

He immediately scanned the environment, finding unfamiliar flora and fauna but no other wizards.

The animals were ordinary, lacking high energy, not extraordinary creatures.

Only the waves and jungle sounds, occasional bird calls, and distant beast roars broke the silence.

Helag gathered his shredded clothes with magic, not to protect the environment, but to leave no trace.

After confirming no immediate danger, Helag attempted to activate his bloodline mark.

His skin crackled with electricity, dark gold armor revealing dark gold skin beneath.

Satisfied with the mark’s activation, Helag ceased further activation.

The bloodline mark’s power was reserved for critical moments, being Abyssal Plane-derived.

Helag was unsure if the Wizard Alliance could monitor the area, so he acted cautiously.

If they were watching through a crystal ball, transforming openly would be suicidal.

Helag decided against fully activating the imprint in this plane, as the complete form was too conspicuous.

Using it would necessitate silencing all witnesses.

Post-mission explanations would be difficult, especially if someone was watching.

Helag also pondered whether the plane could sustain his full form.

Unsure of his full form’s power level, he hoped it was within a third-level wizard’s range, manageable by the plane.

If it reached a fourth-level wizard’s power, serious consequences might ensue.

Helag concluded that partially activating the mark to enhance physical strength should suffice for Operation Cradle.