Upon receiving the signal to act, several wizards began to approach the volcano.
The Dragon Beast Knight Order had set up numerous hidden sentries around the volcano, but over the past few days, the wizards had thoroughly mapped them out, making their movements smooth and effortless.
Richard, cloaked in invisibility and shadows, carefully navigated around the sentries, getting closer to the volcano. On his shoulder, Ulysses remained vigilant, constantly scanning the surroundings.
Before long, several wizards gathered at the edge of the volcano as planned.
Next, they needed to infiltrate the Dragon Beast Breeding Base inside the volcano, but there was only one entrance to this base, making it nearly impossible to enter through the passage.
However, among the wizards was a Third Circle wizard proficient in earth element spells, the very stone wizard who had discovered Richard that day.
This wizard was named Murphy, skilled in both earth and fire element spells. After surveying the volcanic environment, he proposed a solution.
"Why not just dig a tunnel to get in?"
For Murphy, digging a direct tunnel beneath the volcano was not a difficult task.
This plan received approval from the other wizards, and even Richard thought it was a good idea.
Murphy tapped on the volcanic rock in front of him, and in the next moment, a hole opened up in the rock.
Once the wizards entered, Murphy touched the cave wall, and the volcanic rock returned to its original state.
Richard observed this scene with his energy vision, marveling at Murphy's clever techniques and mastery over energy and elements, picking up a few small tricks along the way.
Noticing someone was watching him, Murphy turned his head toward the cave and saw the black raven on Richard's shoulder staring intently at him.
Recalling the day he had destroyed a hand of the Physique Wizard, Murphy muttered to himself:
"Could this raven be holding a grudge? But I hardly did anything that day."
Not thinking too much about it, Murphy stepped forward to lead the way. During this process, he continuously used the seismic waves from the rocks to determine the location of the Dragon Beast Breeding Base.
During this time, Richard was not idle either; he was learning some techniques from Murphy's tunneling using his energy vision.
These seasoned Third Circle wizards had almost integrated their techniques into their bones. They performed the same actions faster, more effectively, and with less magical energy consumption.
These small techniques might not seem like much to experienced wizards, as they could do them too, just not as skillfully. But for Richard, a young wizard lacking experience, these small techniques were incredibly useful.
The tunneling process lasted nearly half an hour.
As Murphy gestured for silence, the wizards all perked up.
They were about to enter the Dragon Beast Breeding Base.
Murphy took out a large bundle of magical scrolls from his Magic Pocket and distributed them among the wizards.
These scrolls were enchanted with the spells Murphy used to create the tunnel, providing them with additional means of escape if they were discovered.
The wizards took the scrolls, and then Murphy knocked on the rock wall, which cracked open just like when they entered the volcano. However, what appeared before the wizards was not the base, but a sea of fiery red magma.
Murphy reached into the magma, and a thick layer of it parted to create a passage, behind which was still the rock wall.
In a low voice, Murphy said:
"Everyone get ready; behind this rock wall is the Dragon Beast Breeding Base."
...
As Murphy opened a hole in the stone wall, several wizards entered the Dragon Beast Breeding Base.
The Dragon Beast Breeding Base was vast. While Murphy was scouting it, Ulysses had already determined the location and general terrain of the base using his own methods. According to Ulysses' findings, the area of this Dragon Beast Breeding Base was roughly the same size as the volcano above it.
Hearing this news, Richard began to doubt whether the existing Dragon Beast Breeding Base was the reason for the existence of this small volcano.
After all, for a World Master, altering the landscape was not a difficult task.
In addition to its large area, the structure of the base was also quite complex.
The position they were currently in was on the outer layer, closest to the volcanic wall, which was why they encountered the magma layer.
After all, there was a volcano above the base; it would be too unrealistic without magma.
Starting from their current layer, the entire base was divided into four levels. According to Ulysses' exploration, the outer three layers each had Dragon Beast Knight Order stationed.
At this moment, the wizards were at the end of a corridor, and above them, millions of tons of crimson lava were held back by an energy barrier.
Seeing this scene, a hint of shock flashed through the minds of the wizards.
Such a level of energy dome was a bit too advanced for the Fire Lizards, so it must have been created by [The Lost Ones] back in the day.
The wizards exchanged glances, and they all saw greed reflected in each other's eyes.
The wizards' thirst for knowledge was akin to a drunkard's craving for fine wine or a lecher's desire for beautiful women.
"This is a bit troublesome; the defenses of this base are very tight," Theodore suddenly spoke up.
In front of the wizards, Theodore's gravitational barrier distorted the light around them, concealing their forms.
"A few second-level creatures, we can easily break through," the Physique Wizard grinned, his white teeth gleaming with a bloodthirsty light.
The other wizards did not refute this suggestion.
It would be quite ridiculous if a group of Third Circle wizards couldn't break through the defenses of a bunch of second-level creatures.
"I don't recommend doing that."
The rebuttal made the Physique Wizard's expression darken instantly. He looked at Richard, his tone somewhat unfriendly:
"Friend, do you have any better ideas?"
He was still brooding over the incident where Ulysses had corroded one of his hands, and being humiliated by a magic pet in front of so many wizards made it hard for him to treat Richard kindly.
The actions of a magic pet were the will of its master.
"While these second-level Fire Lizards are not a concern, I have detected ten third-level Fire Lizards at the core of the base. Being assigned to guard this place, these third-level Fire Lizards must have the best equipment from the Linksa Empire and the most exquisite combat skills.
Even if these few can't annihilate us, it would be easy for them to delay us until the main force arrives."
Richard's words were logical, but there was a huge problem that needed explaining.
How did he gather this information?
Everyone present were Third Circle wizards, all quite capable.
Even Theodore could only say that the defenses were tight; how did Richard know there were ten third-level Fire Lizards on the third level?
But Richard did not explain; his knowledge level was insufficient, and explaining would only lead to flaws.
Remaining silent and pretending to be an expert, these Third Circle wizards would fill in the gaps themselves.
After all, no one would want to make jokes at their expense at this moment.
Sure enough, the other wizards did not raise any questions after hearing Richard's information.
"Since Richard has discovered there are ten third-level Fire Lizards, a frontal assault is definitely out of the question. We should stick to stealth," Theodore said.
However, infiltration also posed a problem: everyone had different means of stealth, necessitating a division of forces.
Forming small teams?
The wizards exchanged glances. According to the rules of their contract, all profits from this operation would be distributed only if two or more wizards observed them, to be divided after the operation concluded.
Now that they were dividing forces, these Third Circle wizards naturally began to think about acting independently.
Each of them was a seasoned warrior, confident in their abilities. Even without forming teams, they believed they could complete the mission on their own.
"Let's split up; each to their own abilities," the fire wizard suggested.
"Alright."
"Sounds good."
"Each to their own abilities."
...
Theodore removed the gravitational barrier, and the wizards began to act freely.
Murphy, skilled in earth element spells, transformed himself into a pile of gravel, moving stealthily in the corners of the passage. The fire wizard wrapped his wizard robe around himself, instantly reducing his presence; even when Richard deliberately focused on him, his gaze would unconsciously shift away.
Theodore floated slightly, enveloped in a gravitational barrier that distorted light and concealed his aura, while Stalin's entire body vanished in an instant, appearing to have an exceptionally advanced invisibility technique inscribed on his body.
Among these wizards, the most remarkable was the Physique Wizard. A faint sound emanated from within his body, and he suddenly shrank, red scales like those of a Fire Lizard sprouting from his skin. In just a few seconds, the Physique Wizard transformed into a flawless imitation of a Fire Lizard.
Once the wizards completed their disguises, they began to move out in different directions, leaving only Richard behind.
Although he wanted to show off, as a young second-circle wizard, he had very few means at his disposal.
"Ulysses, help me conceal my form," Richard said somewhat awkwardly.
"Quack, hahaha, got it."
As a World Master, Ulysses had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
With a slight energy fluctuation emanating from Ulysses, the environment around Richard suddenly changed; the colors faded away, leaving only black and white.
"Quack, kid, we are now in the shadowy crevice. You can walk boldly; without the power of a World Master, very few can see through it," Ulysses said proudly.
"Then there are still some who can see through it?" Richard countered.
"Quack, those who can see through it have very special talents," Ulysses replied, somewhat displeased. "Talents are all sorts of strange; you always encounter those that counter your abilities."
Walking in the shadowy crevice felt incredibly strange; everything around Richard was a perfect replica of the material world, even the living beings.
As Richard walked, a black-and-white Fire Lizard approached him, riding a fierce Dragon Beast. He instinctively wanted to dodge, but Ulysses said:
"Quack, no need to dodge; this is just a shadow."
Saying this, the Fire Lizard passed directly through Richard's body, and he didn't feel a thing.
"Wonderful, amazing! Ulysses, when we get back, teach me the principles behind this. It would be perfect for infiltration," Richard said excitedly.
"Quack, this thing can't be taught."
"Why not?"
"Quack, it requires rules."
"...Then never mind, let's keep moving."
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