"Indeed, one's lifespan increases by a hundred years, yet further advancement becomes impossible. The process of breaking through diminishes the magical core in the dantian, reducing both the total magical energy and combat prowess compared to that of a third-level mage. What use is a fourth-level mage under such circumstances?"
This implies that upon advancing to the fourth level, the magical core in the dantian actually shrinks, leading to a reduction in overall magical energy and combat effectiveness.
The only significant advantage is the extension of one's lifespan by a hundred years, which is still quite alluring, especially for aging third-level mages who are nearing the end of their lives. After all, who would not want to live an additional century? Most of the instructors at the magical academy are older third-level mages with no potential for further advancement to the fourth level.
"This situation poses a considerable challenge to the magical academy's instructors," Harvey noted with insight.
"The royal family has already secured control over the most crucial ingredient for breaking through this bottleneck, and as a reward, the Liu family has been elevated to the rank of count."
Thus, it is essentially the royal family that controls this method.
"In the future, this method for extending lifespan will be awarded as a prize for achievements on the Snowstorm Battlefield. This way, it will not provoke resentment from the aging third-level mages."
Alina, being a count’s child, possessed far more detailed and accurate information compared to Harvey's family.
"Alina, what is the Snowstorm Battlefield?" Dick inquired with curiosity. He had only heard Lord Buck mention it briefly during his battle with Frank, and presumed it to be a perilous battlefield.
"The Duyan Kingdom is not as tranquil as it appears. The Seven Kingdoms of the Snowstorm Continent are in constant turmoil, primarily over the resources for cultivation. The Duyan Kingdom is located at the northernmost part of the Snowstorm Continent, with a sparse population and barren resources. Besides a large magical crystal mine, the only notable feature is the Magical Beast Forest..."
"Due to my current level of cultivation and the limited information provided by my family, I don't know much more. However, the majority of third-level mages accumulated by the royal family are stationed on the Snowstorm Battlefield. This is likely due to the strategic importance of the large magical crystal mine."
Indeed, the Royal Magic Academy’s accumulation of third-level mages who have exhausted their potential for advancing to the fourth level over the years is considerable. It cannot solely be accounted for by the number of magical instructors. As long as they remain loyal to the royal family, their numbers on the Snowstorm Battlefield continue to grow.
Additionally, knights raised by the nobility are also required to be sent to the Snowstorm Battlefield, as nobles must fulfill their obligations to the kingdom as well as enjoy their privileges.
"Not only is there the threat from the Snowstorm Battlefield to the south, but the western part of the Duyan Kingdom also faces threats from the Prairie People. Soldiers and mages must be dispatched to defend against these threats."
Dick had only experienced the relatively peaceful life in the York Territory and the capital, unaware of the many external threats facing the Duyan Kingdom.
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No wonder Lord Buck emphasized the importance of the larger picture; every mage and warrior in the kingdom constitutes a vital combat force. The establishment of the Royal Magic Academy and Warrior School, consuming vast resources and effort, is not a trivial matter.
"Alina, if it weren't for the high-level warrior Ural's presence, would the Duyan Kingdom be in peril?" Dick asked. In a world where power is paramount, high-end combat strength is crucial.
"Not only is Ural the seventh-level warrior significant, but there is also a seventh-level archmage stationed in the royal palace."
So, there is this secret as well.
"The Duyan Kingdom is the weakest among the Seven Kingdoms. The strongest kingdom, the Qin Kingdom, boasts both ninth-level warriors and ninth-level mages."
What a staggering disparity! The difference is immense, especially for mages, where even a single level can signify a vast gap in magical power. No wonder the Duyan Kingdom has such limited cultivation resources—it is indeed weaker!
"Alina, are there higher levels beyond the ninth level?" Dick inquired.
"Yes! The Snowstorm Continent’s sacred place, the 'Snowstorm Sanctuary,' is home to Saint Magi and Holy Knights. There are even Saint Beasts in the eastern seas."
"Alina, do Saint-level beings have exceptionally long lifespans?"
"Saint Knights live for a thousand years, while Saint Magi live for three thousand years."
Mages have significantly longer lifespans compared to warriors. As for why, Dick could only speculate. A thousand years—remarkable! They outlive even the tortoises.
Well, it’s enlightening to learn that such powerful beings can live so long. Perhaps he, too, might one day achieve such longevity. Dick felt a new surge of motivation, though it remains a distant goal given his current weakness.
After finishing the magical feast, Dick resumed his rigorous training.
Time flies; he was now in his third year. Reflecting on how quickly time passed, Dick dove back into the jade pendant space.
Huh? He had advanced! He was now a second-level warrior! It seemed there were no apparent bottlenecks. Dick was delighted, swinging the heavy barbell. Even a five-hundred-pound weapon was a notable improvement.
Practicing the ‘Fire Cloud Step’ was now less strenuous for Dick, as his proficiency had markedly improved. Cultivation is fundamental—without sufficient skill, even the best techniques are futile.
In addition to the ‘Fire Cloud Step,’ he now practiced the ‘Flaming Blade’ technique. It is not enough to rely solely on footwork; warriors ultimately depend on their weapons for combat.
With his advancement to a second-level warrior, Dick’s enthusiasm for training grew. The constant stimulation from the jade pendant space and his mother's experience with the ‘Flaming Blade’ technique had brought his own technique to a rudimentary level within a month.
The large sword in his possession, while similar to a war blade, was not a war blade itself and was of an inferior grade. Fortunately, with ten thousand gold coins in hand, he could purchase a more suitable greatsword.
Harvey had been quite generous. His family also dealt in weaponry, allowing Dick to acquire a well-crafted steel greatsword for three thousand gold coins—a perfect fit at three hundred pounds.
The remaining gold coins were insufficient to buy Alina's space pouch, so he would have to postpone that purchase. For now, he would make do.
"Is it just the two of us, Uncle Taita?"
"Yes, that should suffice. Your goal is at most a level one magical beast. With more people, magical beasts would avoid showing themselves."
This made sense. In the Magical Beast Mountains, it was not about joining a large group of fourth-level warriors for mere survival; the goal was combat. A second-level warrior’s strength should suffice against level one magical beasts, especially with the assistance of a fifth-level warrior like Uncle Taita.
Though the Magical Beast Mountains appeared close, it took ten days of travel to reach its base.
Avoiding the larger hunting parties, Taita, who was familiar with the Magical Beast Mountains, led the way.
Low-level magical beasts inhabit the outskirts of the mountains. As long as one does not venture too deep, encounters with mid-to-high-level magical beasts are rare, with clear boundaries demarcating their territories.
Throughout the journey, Taita continuously imparted his knowledge about magical beasts to Dick. Taita had extensive experience from multiple solo ventures into the mountains, successfully hunting level one and two magical beasts.
Gradually, Taita deliberately increased the distance between himself and Dick, as Dick needed to engage in combat independently. Level one magical beasts were not to be feared, especially with the support of Uncle Taita, a fifth-level warrior.