Chapter 118: The Apocalyptic World

Over the next few days, Lando carefully studied and recorded the environmental parameters surrounding the Freyson Flower in the Elven Sanctuary of the Sea of Trees. He also secretly used his system’s perception of World Energy to draw some comparisons.

When Lando found Kuros and Seth, the former was leisurely drinking with the sanctuary town guards, looking quite content, while the latter left him speechless—Seth had already integrated himself with the local children, acting every bit the ringleader. Upon hearing that Lando was leaving so soon, both expressed their regrets.

Back in the Frederickson World, Lando ignored Kuros’s enthusiastic attempts to make him stay and departed with a simple excuse. Returning to the academy, Lando bypassed Old Moore’s place and headed straight for the laboratory to see his mentor. Seeing his hurried demeanor, Ordo couldn't help but chuckle.

"Mentor, is there any news regarding the internship quota for the Freyson Flower research project?" Lando asked, getting straight to the point.

"Don't be impatient, it has been approved. By the way, how long do you intend to study this topic?" Ordo asked with a smile.

"How long?" Lando was a bit dazed by the question.

"Naturally. This is a massive research project. If you were to delve into it deeply, fifty or a hundred years wouldn't be enough. You can't let this hinder your cultivation, can you?"

"..." Lando hadn't really considered this. He only had some vague research directions and had no idea how long it would take to achieve results. However, he knew Ordo was right; he couldn't afford to spend too much time here. He only had a few years left in the Special World Laboratory, and he still needed to complete his Elemental Body and advance to the third stage within that timeframe.

"I don't know how long it will take to get the results I need, so let’s tentatively set it for six months—six months at most!" Lando said after some thought.

"Hmm, for an Arcanist, knowing when to choose and when to let go is also quite important," Ordo said, noncommittal about his disciple's decision. "Since you are in such a hurry, let us leave now. Our destination is a world approaching its doomsday."

The two arrived at the academy’s teleportation array. Ordo granted Lando access permissions, followed by a long, disorienting transit.

When Lando recovered from the dizziness and looked around, he found himself inside an outpost. A massive protective barrier enveloped the area, creating a pocket of lush greenery and birdsong. But looking outward, the world beyond the barrier was a scene of apocalypse: the earth was parched, the sky was blanketed in thick volcanic ash, volcanoes erupted in the distance, and the riverbeds flowed not with water, but with magma.

Seeing Lando regain his composure, Ordo said, "Let's go. I’ve arranged for you to work in an old friend’s laboratory."

After leading Lando away from the teleportation array, Ordo pointed into thin air, manifesting a portal. They stepped through and appeared before a colossal magic tower.

"Haha, Ordo! Long time no see!" A man was already waiting in front of the tower.

Lando took a closer look. The man was a sturdy, middle-aged fellow with messy hair that clearly hadn't been groomed in ages. He wore a white lab coat that was stretched tight across his frame, making Lando feel that he looked more like a boxer than an Arcanist.

"Johnny, it truly has been a long time. How many years has it been since that adventure in the Black Domain?" Ordo sighed with emotion.

"Enough with the reminiscing for now. Let me introduce you—this is my disciple, Lando. Lando, this is Johnny Dauti, a dear friend of mine."

Lando quickly stepped forward to pay his respects: "Master Johnny, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Lando. I look forward to your guidance."

"So you're Lando! Not bad, a truly spirited young man. I've heard your name; you’ve done well and brought honor to our Silver Tower," Johnny said with a hearty laugh.

"Come, let’s get inside the magic tower first." Johnny beckoned them into the structure.

After a brief briefing, Johnny led Lando to a laboratory and said, "I have already granted you access to the magic tower. This lab is yours to use. Your living quarters are on the floor above; you can pick one yourself. I have another disciple who is currently out, but I’ll introduce you when he returns. If you don't understand anything, ask the tower’s intelligent core, Carl. Yes, that’s all."

Having finished all his instructions in one breath, Johnny dragged Ordo away, talking about how he intended to get him drunk, leaving Lando standing there, stunned and disheveled in the wind.

Lando shrugged helplessly. He first inspected the laboratory, finding it fully equipped with all the necessary tools and reagents. Deciding to settle in, he asked the intelligent core, Carl, to prepare a room for him, then began reading the materials provided by the High Priest.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Lando finally saw Johnny again. According to him, Ordo had been gotten drunk and dumped back at the academy.

Lando: "..."

"Master Johnny, I wish to conduct research on the Freyson Flower. Is there a suitable location for this?" Lando asked.

"Ordo mentioned that you were looking for a special region suitable for cultivating the Freyson Flower. As it happens, there is a leak point of World Energy within the coverage of my magic tower. You can use that area for the time being."

As Johnny said this, he seemed to recall something and continued: "By the way, I heard from Ordo that you visited the Sea of Trees Elven race before coming here. You must have obtained samples of the Freyson Flower, then? I recall they are quite easy to talk to."

Lando nodded, indicating he had his own test subjects.

"Good, that’s fine. I’m quite low on samples myself, so that saves me some trouble."

"..."

The two left the magic tower and arrived at a small canyon nearby. Once inside, Lando could clearly feel that the area was covered in layers of arcane formations.

"These formations all serve their own purposes. Be careful when you come and go," Johnny instructed as they walked.

"Yes, Master Johnny," Lando replied, nodding at each point.

"Here we are." Johnny brought Lando to a rift in the canyon, which was sealed by a powerful formation. Johnny tossed him a badge and said, "This is the World Energy leak point. That’s the only good thing about this doomed world—the World Heart is shattered, and the world itself is completely broken. There are several such locations across the world, which makes them quite suitable for this kind of experimental research. That badge is the key to the formation."

After finishing, Johnny gave some final warnings and then added, with a long-suffering tone: "Although accidents are common in research, we should still cherish these natural testing grounds, don't you think?"

Lando nodded in confusion, a literal question mark appearing over his head.

Seeing Lando’s bewilderment, Johnny simply stated: "Regarding your reputation as the 'World Destroyer,' it’s even more famous than your title as the number one of the new generation of the New School. Well, that’s what Ordo said!"

Lando: ???!!!

Mentor Ordo, how could you slander an innocent man out of thin air?!