The secret of three third-rank wizards sending people to search every dangerous land in the Borderland for the Storm Eye gradually became an open secret.

Although most people weren’t clear what the Storm Eye the three wizards were searching for actually meant, a trend of thought that the Storm Eye represented treasure gradually spread among various small settlements.

Several wizards had already discovered the anomaly at Old Days Manor, but the death rate of those who went and never returned made these people hesitant to enter for the time being.

The more people gathered at Old Days Manor, the more it would attract attention from other factions.

Especially Herbert, whose incarnations were scattered everywhere.

The flickering fireflies, after discovering the anomaly at Old Days Manor, immediately transmitted the news back to the Firefly Lord’s location in Decay Valley.

Decay Valley was named for decay but was actually lush and verdant, with flowers and grass everywhere, shady trees, and not even forest paths for people to walk on.

The soil here was extremely fertile, though everyone knew what fertilized the vegetation.

Even the subordinates most trusted and favored by the Firefly Lord only dared to live on the valley’s periphery, always requiring their master’s permission before entering the valley’s depths.

In the pitch-black night, a tiny firefly flew into the valley’s deepest part, then landed in a low shrub.

The light disappeared, and everything became quiet.

However, after just a few seconds, the valley blazed with light. The sparkling points connected into a sheet, like wildfire illuminating the entire valley bright as day.

This brightness immediately alarmed the wizards living on the valley’s periphery. They looked toward the valley with fear and worry flashing in their eyes.

“Wind Sprite!”

Herbert’s slightly cold voice echoed within the valley.

Soon, the sparkling lights on the ground gathered in one place, forming a hairless strong man.

The remaining fireflies continued gathering on the man’s body, forming a fluorescent yellow armor.

Like a monarch, he held his head high and chest out, striding out with large steps. “I’m going to the Wind Sprite’s place. You continue standing guard.”

Several wizards silently bowed their heads without speaking.

The Firefly Lord disliked his subordinates making noise, as it would disturb his fireflies.

After instructing his subordinates, Herbert once again transformed into countless fireflies and flew toward the horizon.

…

The Cliff.

The Wind Sprite’s lair.

Ann, wearing Nerela’s body, very naturally ordered her subordinates around.

“Didn’t I tell them to be more careful, more careful? How did they all end up dying at Old Days Manor again?” Ann swept her sleeve, and all the cups on the table fell to the floor and shattered.

A maid immediately used magic to clean up the debris.

Several first-rank wizards knelt on one knee, and even the remaining second-rank wizard was silent as a cicada in winter.

“Why is everyone silent now? Usually you all eat my things and use my things…”

Pei’er, lying in the secret chamber and hearing everything clearly, couldn’t stand it anymore and transmitted a heavy cough into Ann’s ear.

Ann immediately stopped talking.

But before she could say her next lines according to the established plan, she was interrupted by a firefly that suddenly appeared in the room.

“Wind Sprite! You haven’t honored the agreement!”

This wasn’t Ann’s first time seeing this firefly. She was no longer as nervous and afraid as before.

However, she still restrained the arrogance on her face and waved her hand for everyone else to immediately withdraw.

“Where have I not honored the agreement?” Sensing that Pei’er was quietly approaching, Ann felt more secure.

The firefly almost flew to Ann’s nose. “The Storm Eye concerns the entire Borderland. Finding the Storm Eye requires mutual notification. But what about you? After discovering the Storm Eye, you’ve been secretly sending people to probe without notifying me and Clark. Do you really think you’re Wind Sprite Pei’er?”

Ann’s expression looked uncomfortable, but she thought: You all indeed know, just playing dumb.

She pretended to submit, lowering her head and her posture. “I just wasn’t certain that place was the Storm Eye. My first team that went there became a pile of corpses without sending back any news. The second team had detector reactions when they first entered, but after going in there were no signs, and not one person came out—only the guards left outside returned with news.”

She looked up at the firefly. “The third team went to confirm whether that place was really the Storm Eye. They had heightened their vigilance, but in the end, not one person returned.”

Ann lightly touched the firefly with her fingertip, and her fingertip immediately burned to charcoal black.

She quickly withdrew her finger, with terror in her eyes but still smiling on her face. “I was just thinking of inviting you all to go confirm it together this time.”

The firefly’s voice carried a cold, mocking tone. “Don’t think that controlling the Wind Sprite’s faction makes you somebody. Even the Wind Sprite herself doesn’t amount to much. People from the Tribunal have already entered the Borderland. I’ve already informed them of the news. You’d better pray they won’t blame you afterward.”

Ann shot up. “People from the Tribunal entered the Borderland?”

Following Pei’er’s instructions, she said: “The Dreammaker won’t agree to their interference! This violates the agreement!”

The firefly’s voice was full of disdain. “Agreement? That’s just for show to outsiders. And do you think Clark is very tough? When people from the Stargate Council arrive, he’ll have to meekly welcome them too!”

“The Borderland only has us three third-ranks, but that’s just because the power balance here doesn’t allow more powerful forces to appear. And Clark and I…”

Herbert’s voice stopped abruptly, as if some words almost slipped out.

“In any case, depart immediately for Old Days Manor and prepare to coordinate with the two major factions.”

After saying this, the tiny firefly immediately extinguished naturally, quickly becoming a small pile of ash scattered on the ground.

Ann’s honest expression immediately changed to one of disgust, and with a wave of her hand, she swept the ash on the ground clean.

At this moment, a figure appeared behind Ann.

At first glance, the two looked almost identical.

But the later figure had an indescribable charm. Just by expressionlessly walking behind Ann, she had already made the figure in front appear dim and lackluster.

Hearing movement behind her, Ann immediately turned back to see such a bright, enchanting face, though she had no time to appreciate it now.

“People from both the Tribunal and Stargate Council have entered the Borderland. We must immediately notify Master! Miss Pei’er, lend me your bird!”

Pei’er gently shook her head. “It’s too late. And even if the messenger bird flew over, it might be intercepted by people from those two factions. The Purity Wizard Tower is too close to Old Days Manor. They might also monitor Saul’s movements.”

The composure on Ann’s face completely disappeared.

“Then what do we do?”

“According to the original plan, we will go together. I think Saul will adapt to circumstances.”

Ann hadn’t returned to Saul’s side for a long time. Hearing this, she immediately said: “Then let’s depart immediately!”

However, neither Pei’er nor Ann had thought that some things, even if Saul could adapt to circumstances, would still catch him off guard due to some irresistible forces, forcing him into the game.

(End of Chapter)