The curtain of flames burst forth with the swiftness of lightning, spreading wildly and in the briefest of moments, generating unimaginable high temperatures and pressures.
They ravaged everything with irresistible force.
The ground was charred and cracked by the intense flames, and countless millipedes withered and burned at that instant, the snapping sounds like that of popping beans lasting only three to five seconds before silence returned.
The blaze scattered across the sky, and wisp after wisp of black smoke burst through the cracked earth, with a sound like the whistling of a steam whistle.
The flames annihilated the swarms on the surface and also wiped out the hiding millipedes underground. The high temperatures distorted the air, filling it with toxic gases left by the burning.
Wayne raised his hand to wave, and a strong wind swept the toxic gases high into the sky, incidentally cooling the overheated air.
The dirt walls dispersed as he leapt to the top of the vehicle. Glancing at Bishop Keith holding the Bible, he said to Darcy, "You’re the person in charge of the Church’s Jianhe County outpost, Third-class Deacon Darcy?"
"Yes, I am Darcy. May I ask who you are?"
Darcy’s face still showed his astonishment, in awe of Wayne’s powerful Elemental Affinity as well as his unimaginable thought processes and Magic Power.
At the Silver Crucifix Stage, a Mage’s control over Elemental Magic was no longer confined by the amount of the Four Elements stored within their body. At this stage, a Silver Mage could manipulate the free-floating Four Elements of nature through thought and Magic Power, taking a significant leap in personal strength and achieving a noticeable improvement.
As a Silver Mage, it was not surprising that Darcy understood this.
What was frightening was the comparison. Without comparison, there could be no sense of harm, and without comparison, gaps would not be highlighted.
The fire spell cast by Wayne was immense and destructive, which not only required a vast reserve of Magic Power but also powerful thought to shape and control.
Without a powerful mind, the fire spell just now would not have been rapidly and effectively lethal to the swarms, and the bus would definitely have been impacted.
Wayne, in a short time, had released magic that covered a vast area, proving that his Elemental Affinity was extraordinary.
Mind, Magic Power, Elemental Affinity, he was like a monster in every aspect!
The foregoing was Darcy’s conjecture, which was not wrong, after all, as that was the common understanding.
He just overestimated Wayne’s level. The latter had not achieved the magic proficiency of the Silver Crucifix, nor had the Hexagram been formally formed.
Wayne was able to achieve this through daily unbroken meditation; he had persisted in the minor goal of communicating with nature.
Communicating with the sky, the earth, and every part of nature, earning the recognition of nature itself, the same thought and Magic Power can lead to incomparably destructive effects.
Wayne had not yet succeeded, but he had seen the signs of success. The fire spell just now was the best proof.
Of course, at the moment, it was limited to flames; without meditation, he could only appeal to the Fire Element.
Returning to the subject, Wayne gave his name and showed the verifiable credentials from the Naturalism Church. He said, "I came from Lundan today and got delayed on the way. When I arrived at the outpost, I heard you were invited to the South Jianhe County District to investigate the insect plague. I suspected there was more to it and decided to come have a look."
Darcy respectfully uttered the title.
Recently, hearing that a leader had been parachuted in from the Lundan Headquarters, he was somewhat indignant in his heart, complaining silently that the person was just a gilded idler who neither made an appearance nor did any work.
If it were just about looking important, he could do it too.
Now, he didn’t think so; it was clear he was not capable.
The black sedan arrived, and Andre’s arrival further confirmed Wayne’s identity.
The bus trundled along, emitting black smoke, having suffered some malfunction. The group of people who had narrowly escaped death looked curiously towards the approaching high-end black sedan.
People worship the strong, especially in the extraordinary world.
Wayne had just arrived in Jianhe County and already gained a group of Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters. Later, when he has to go on business trips or further his studies, he wouldn’t need to say a word, as others would be willing to step forward and explain for him.
In the black sedan, Andre continued acting as the driver, Bishop Keith sat with the Bible in the passenger seat, and Wayne and Darcy sat in the back.
"It’s unrelated to the dense fog, but a Black Sorcerer."
After learning the full story, Wayne took out a glass jar from his chest containing a few millipedes he had collected on the way as samples to be sent back to the Lundan Headquarters.
"The Black Sorcerer prepared to kill us to silence any witnesses, and if his plan failed, he’s likely to flee South Jianhe County. It won’t be that easy to catch him next time," Darcy shook his head.
A Black Sorcerer was a wanted criminal in the Magic Realm, committing crimes across the land and never staying in one place for long, harder to catch than a rabbit.
Wayne furrowed his brow at these words. Although the insect plague had been effectively controlled and immediate treatment had prevented irreversible consequences, the fact that the mastermind had escaped left a bitter taste.
Not having completely eradicated the evil was enough to disturb one’s sleep at night.
"There might still be a chance."
Bishop Keith, who had been silent, shared his opinion, "Our group of more than ten were investigating the plague. The Black Sorcerer swiftly came to silence us. Apart from being guilty, unable to face strong mages from Lundan, it also suggests two conjectures."
"First, he has been monitoring our actions. Jianhe County is vast; he couldn’t possibly cover every angle, which implies that we might have passed by his lair during our investigation."
"Second, he has put a lot of effort into altering the millipedes and can’t move his lair in a short period. Not wanting to waste his efforts, he took the risk to hunt us down."