What style of ring does Sylvia like

Hollow eye sockets burned with spectral flames.

Dark crows chased the eclipsed sun, soaring high against the inky sky as they left the Plateau of Gods behind.

Servia sat at the forefront of the spectral crow, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword, her gaze sharp and vigilant against any potential ambush.

Since the cataclysmic upheaval of the world,

the undead of the Wizards' realm had also grown stronger.

Now, skeletal wyverns, dracoliches, and shrieking wraiths roamed the skies.

Thus, relying solely on the Hellfire Crows for flight was no longer safe—someone had to remain on guard.

"Hellfire Crows are convenient, but they’re just mounts in the end."

"Once the Wizard Tower is built and equipped with mobile spell arrays, we won’t have to fear aerial threats."

In the quieter rear of the crow,

illuminated by several Wizard Eyes, Xu Xi looked down at his own hands—those of a 31-year-old man.

Long fingers, refined by years of experimentation, moved with deft precision.

But what stood out more

were the multiple spatial rings adorning them.

Every artifact scavenged from the Plateau of Gods was stored within.

Even the spatial rings themselves were fresh finds from the ruins of a Wizard Tower.

Now,

using the brief respite of travel,

Xu Xi was taking inventory, planning for the future.

"The totem of the Orc Warchief? Hmm, the material seems to be Angra wood—usable as beams for the Wizard Tower."

"The siren’s enchanted scales? Their shimmer makes for decent decoration."

"Crimson ore, Roots of Life, Medusa’s Eye, Heart of the Mountain Range…"

Scanning.

Recording.

Adjusting.

Xu Xi’s spiritual sense probed the depths of the spatial rings, assigning purposes to each item.

Suddenly, his focus paused.

A book was drawn out,

floating before him.

"The Artifact Manual of Dawn Tower, a Sixth-Circle Wizard Tower?"

Pages fluttered wildly, flipping rapidly before his eyes.

A quick glance revealed it wasn’t the possession of a Sixth-Circle Archmage,

but rather a Fourth-Circle member’s notes.

It contained emergency and utility spells, along with fragments of the Wizards' most guarded knowledge.

Such as the unique abilities of Fourth-Circle Wizards.

"So that’s how it is…"

Xu Xi mused, simultaneously sifting through other spatial rings for more manuals and tomes.

Moments later,

multiple books hovered around him, pages flipping in unison to reveal the knowledge he sought.

From the Fourth-Circle onward, mid-to-high-tier Wizards could transcend their world, relying on one crucial ability.

"Third-Circle Wizards possess an observational perspective independent of the world—the first step toward transcendence."

"Fourth-Circle Wizards go beyond mere observation, gaining the power to actively influence reality."

"With this foothold and an abundance of spatial materials,

technologies like teleportation arrays, dimensional skiffs, floating citadels, and cross-dimensional Wizard Towers were born."

Xu Xi sighed in admiration.

The Wizard system was a peculiar existence.

It combined the individual might of a transcendent civilization with the collective ingenuity of a technological one.

Had the legendary Seventh-Circle Wizards not sought greater horizons beyond their world,

and had Wizards not been so indifferent to life,

the world’s destruction would never have come to pass.

"Spatial technology should prove useful when hunting down the mastermind."

Xu Xi sat cross-legged, his slender fingers reaching out to grasp the spine of one floating tome.

After flipping through a few pages, he sank into contemplation.

Regarding this simulation,

Xu Xi had already delved deep into death and studied the soul—his primary objectives were complete.

Whether fleeing to the Wizards' world or becoming an emotionless undead held no appeal.

The only thing he desired now

was to strike a decisive blow against the mastermind before the simulation ended.

"For Servia. For the Hansen couple. For everyone I’ve met along the way," Xu Xi murmured softly.

"I don’t need an escape—the end of life is just the beginning of a new cycle."

"But Servia—"

"she needs a path to safety."

The Hellfire Crow’s flight was swift.

With a powerful dive, it swept through a withered forest, its wings stirring up dead leaves.

Undead drawn by the disturbance were incinerated by spectral flames before they could approach, becoming the crow’s meal.

"Cross Slash!"

The warrior swung her heavy blade, unleashing a brilliant arc of light to annihilate the enemy.

It was a fusion of soul energy and spellcraft—a fighting style unique to warriors.

Fearless.

Unrelenting.

Xu Xi had once asked Servia what drove her courage.

Her answer was simple: because Xu Xi needed her. Fighting to protect him was only natural.

And that was precisely why Xu Xi couldn’t leave her to fate.

"Soul Collector is my exclusive title."

"Whether the mastermind has fled to another plane or ascended as an immortal in the Netherworld, one thing is certain—Servia isn’t ready for that battle."

Watching Servia’s back, Xu Xi silently charted her future.

He still remembered

their first meeting—her broken, trembling form, struggling to stand despite the pain.

Afraid of the dark.

Afraid of thunder.

Small, fragile, terrified of happiness, licking her wounds in solitude.

How could he ever abandon such a girl?

"Lord Wizard, is something the matter?"

The battle over, Servia flicked her wrist, sheathing her sword before turning to Xu Xi with a questioning gaze.

"Yes, you could say that."

Xu Xi smiled, spreading his hands to display the array of spatial rings.

As Servia stared in surprise,

he spoke gently:

"Servia, you’ve grown into a fine Wizard. It’s time you had a spatial ring of your own."

"Take your pick—whichever design you like."

"Eh…?"

A soft gasp escaped her, causing the soulfire in her skull to flicker adorably.

Though her skeletal frame was encased in armor, her upright posture against the darkened sky made her seem almost alive.

"But Lord Wizard, aren’t spatial rings incredibly rare treasures?"

"You once said…"

"only Fourth-Circle Wizards can craft them."

Her eyes, deep and shimmering like a summer pond, reflected confusion.

Xu Xi nodded. "You’re right, Servia. They are precious."

"But even the rarest items only hold value when put to use."

"I believe in you."

"I believe you’ll wield this ring well—to better protect me."

Knowing the warrior’s heart,

Xu Xi offered words she could never refuse.

Even so, Servia hesitated, feeling undeserving of such kindness.