Time flew by, and several hundred years had passed.
When the Magic Net terminal lit up, Jie Ming was sitting cross-legged in the center of the meditation room, cultivating as usual.
Pale gray light slowly coiled around his fingertips, strands of spiritual power flowing through his hand seals, gathering in his palm into a faint, almost imperceptible gray palm print.
That was the fluctuation of the Embers of Nihility - Reversal Palm.
For the past century or so, his life had been exceptionally routine.
Every day, he would cultivate the Reversal Palm to refine his understanding of the Time Law; then supplement his knowledge of runology, spatial studies, and alchemy at levels above the sixth grade; and every so often, he would remotely check the forging progress of the various array eyes of the All-Heavens Star Grand Array through the Incense Fire Divine Dao.
Aside from that, there were no miscellaneous matters.
Even Viola, busy remodeling her wizard tower, had long stopped dropping by the lab to freeload food and tease him.
This period was so quiet for Jie Ming that it almost felt like a luxury.
Just then, the Magic Net terminal vibrated gently.
Jie Ming casually glanced at the light screen, and the gray palm print in his fingers slowly dissipated.
On the screen was only one name: Berta Vera Augusta.
The message was even simpler—just a short line: I'm back.
Jie Ming couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth. "So long, and finally back."
Several hundred years had passed since Augusta left.
According to the trial standards set by her family, it was about time for it to end.
Conquering a complete plane might be an almost impossible task for an ordinary fifth-level wizard, but for that woman, it had never been a question of whether she could do it.
Without saying much, he casually sent her the spatial coordinates of his lab at Nolen 147 Academy. Almost the moment the message was sent, the teleportation array in the corner of the lab lit up.
Silver-white spatial patterns bloomed layer by layer, and intense spatial fluctuations swept through the entire lab.
Moments later, a tall figure slowly walked out from the light.
It was still that familiar face.
Long black hair tied high in a ponytail, delicate features nearly perfect, and sharp, cold black eyes.
But unlike several hundred years ago, today she wasn't wearing that form-fitting battle armor that seemed ready for battle at any moment. Instead, she wore a loose black robe.
The robe was casually draped over her shoulders, the collar loose, revealing a section of snow-white, delicate collarbone.
The wide hem swayed gently with the energy afterwaves. She looked less like a battle maniac who had just conquered a plane and more like a homebody who had just woken up and was about to go downstairs for a cup of coffee.
But only those who truly sensed her would know how deceptive this appearance was.
The moment Jie Ming saw Augusta, his eyes narrowed slightly.
There was no doubt she had grown stronger—and not just by a little.
Without even actively releasing her pressure, the mere aura naturally emanating from her caused the space in the lab to ripple with subtle waves. The air was filled with an indescribable sharpness, as if countless invisible swords were floating around.
This indicated that Augusta had advanced to a sixth-level wizard—a true combat-oriented sixth-level wizard.
Such a wizard was a scarce resource in the entire Noren Workshop.
She stood there quietly, like a divine weapon sheathed in a scabbard.
No edge was exposed, yet she instinctively evoked a sense of danger.
Augusta looked up and glanced at Jie Ming.
But the first thing she said was not "Long time no see," but calmly uttered a few words:
"Come, fight me."
The air was silent for a moment.
Jie Ming couldn't help but laugh. "Haven't seen you for centuries, and that's your first line?"
Augusta nodded seriously. "I haven't found a suitable opponent since my breakthrough. Others are too weak, but I think you should be strong enough... Don't disappoint me."
Jie Ming smiled wryly at that.
One could only say that her titles were well earned.
That Augusta was titled "War God" even at the fifth level wasn't just because of her ferocious aura in battle; her personality itself played a big part.
Jie Ming stood up, flexing his puppet's shoulders. "Alright, I haven't tested my combat abilities in a while either. But I have a condition."
Augusta looked at him silently, signaling him to continue.
"If you lose," Jie Ming said with a grin, "from now on, all my garrison duties at Nolen 147 Academy are yours."
Augusta agreed without a second thought. "Deal!"
With that, she turned and walked out of the lab, her black robe trailing a beautiful arc behind her.
The two made their way through the academy corridors.
Along the way, instructors and apprentices alike, whether discussing research topics or carrying experimental materials, would instinctively stop in their tracks.
"Wizard Jie Ming?"
"That person..."
"Wait!!"
"Black hair... that face..."
"It's the War God!"
Some of the more senior instructors couldn't help but gasp.
"It's Wizard Augusta, the War God!"
"She's back?"
"Is it really her?"
Within minutes, news spread like wildfire through the academy, but the two parties involved were completely oblivious—or rather, simply didn't care.
They headed straight to the academy's highest-spec practical combat training area.
This was Nolen 147 Academy's core combat facility. The entire space had been personally reinforced by a seventh-level wizard.
The internal space could be freely expanded, and it could withstand the full impact of a battle between seventh-level wizards.
Layer upon layer of spatial stabilization arrays, defensive arrays, and energy pressure release arrays covered the walls, dome, and floor.
Any single one of these arrays, taken alone, would be sufficient as a core configuration for a large war fortress.
Yet, since its completion, this training ground had almost never been truly used.
The reason was simple.
There were very few people in the entire Nolen 147 Academy who possessed high-level combat wizard strength.
So usually, only some low-level Combat Department wizards trained here.
At the training ground entrance, a few apprentices taking a basic practical combat course froze the moment they saw Jie Ming walking straight over.
A second-level apprentice controlling a floating target slowly opened his mouth wide.
The control rune in his hand snapped out of control, and the errant training target wobbled in the air twice before plunging into the ground with a crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Another apprentice beside him reacted faster.
Without even reminding his companion, he pulled out his Magic Net terminal and, while sprinting out, rapidly sent a message.
Hurry!!!
Wizard Jie Ming and some unknown high-level wizard just entered Training Pod 1-9!
And soon, as information merged, Augusta's identity was also uncovered.
Within seconds of the message being sent, the academy's public communication channel exploded. Figures rushed toward the training area from all directions. Even a few of the usually most dignified regular instructors abandoned their poise, their footsteps quickening until they were practically jogging.
To the current students, Jie Ming and the "War God" Augusta were nothing but legendary figures from the academy's history and instructors' tales. But today, the two legends were about to have their first real clash.