Chapter 288: Conquering the Ice Peak

Mages who have mastered all three schools of magic are truly monstrous.

However, in Duke's memory, only Medivh and Khadgar in history were known as mages who mastered all three schools, while the majority specialized in either fire or frost.

Despite the system spirit having thoroughly calculated the possible consequences of practicing and considering the potential incompatibility of fire and water, Duke still severely underestimated it.

Logically, the one who originally held the home advantage should have an overwhelming advantage. Therefore, when reorganizing his arcane circuit, Duke deliberately weakened the arcane energy supply to the fire circuit.

What Duke didn't expect was that the optimized circuit would usurp control, and the arcane circuit's energy interface would be completely taken over.

"Damn it!" Duke cursed, "System spirit! Why is it completely suppressed? Aren't both circuit models of the same level?"

"Oh, dear host, let me calculate for a moment... Beep, calculation complete. It seems that the problem is not that it's a basic version for beginners, but rather an advanced version for advanced mages. The latter is more complete. In order to help the host advance to Morningstar Mage, it begins to absorb all available energy from the surroundings for advancement."

Duke suddenly discovered that the frost circuit not only cut off the energy source of the fire circuit, but this domineering magical model had also begun to erode the fire circuit, trying to transform the fire circuit into an ice circuit.

"Wait! What will happen to my magical circuit if this continues?"

"Beep, latest prediction, if the host cannot control the spread of the frost circuit, after advancing to Morningstar, the frost circuit will dominate all circuits except for the most basic arcane circuit and refuse the generation of other types of circuits within the host's body."

At that moment, Duke's heart cracked as if hit by a petrification spell, then a gust of wind blew... It turned to ashes... Turned to ashes!

"Damn!" Duke didn't hesitate, directly flipping the table in his mind!

What about the promised mastery of all three schools of magic?

Just ice magic, how is that enough?!

Partial mastery has no good outcome!

Looking back at 'history', all those who specialized in frost magic were eventually defeated, weren't they?

Antonidas was pushed by Arthas!

Kel'Thuzad, who became the Lich of Frost, was taken down by 40 fierce players!

Jaina could not withstand Archimonde's onslaught at Mount Hyjal!

"No! I don't want just a frost circuit!"

"Then... I'm afraid the host will have to delve deep into his own spiritual world and gain complete control from within. However, this is very dangerous... If the host fails, your soul may be trapped in the depths of your spiritual sea forever, and you will become a vegetative existence."

"No matter! Fortune favors the bold! I'll risk it all!"

The next second, Duke's entire consciousness was drawn into a magical, illusory world.

Duke looked up at the solitary peak for a long time, speechless. He thought that the peaks of Mount Hyjal in Azeroth were majestic, and the Everest, where people fell to their deaths every year before his transmigration, was called steep. However, they all had to prostrate themselves before this solitary peak standing in Duke's spiritual world.

Duke didn't know if he should call this solitary peak a mountain.

Because it completely transcended the scope of natural scenery.

...

This solitary, snow-white peak situated in his mental world was the very pillar of the world, supporting it all. Duke stood on a platform at the foot of the mountain. Behind him was an abyss, its depths unseen, with clouds and mist constantly rolling and tumbling. In front of him was the awe-inspiring, unparalleled peak.

The only thing that showed Duke his goal was the cold, white light flickering on the layer of clouds above. An inexplicable voice beckoned Duke, telling him that it was the most precious pearl atop the Crown of Ice.

His system sprite had lost contact. Evidently, even the most powerful Kings' System was powerless against this magical world deep within Duke's mental realm.

Duke took a deep breath, inhaling icy mist into his lungs.

Duke suddenly realized that he had to reach the top of this straight, solitary peak, or all would be for naught. But how could he climb this towering mountain without any tools?

Suddenly, he noticed that on the cliffs of the solitary peak, at intervals of less than 20 centimeters in height, there were small openings emitting mist diagonally upwards.

Mist!?

Is this the spiritual world created for me?

This...

Duke suddenly understood.

Walking to the edge of the platform, Duke whispered:

"Frostbind!"

The icy circuit, whose location within his body was unknown, suddenly began to revolve rapidly, absorbing the surrounding cold air and turning it into frost elements that gathered beneath Duke's feet.

In less than one-tenth of a second, the emitted mist mixed with frost elements and became a sturdy staircase extending about one meter out from the cliff face of the solitary peak.

Duke stepped firmly onto the newly formed staircase.

Duke looked up at the sky. If he were to create frosty stairs along the spots where the mist was emitted, he couldn't begin to count how many steps he would have to create from here to the summit.

But Duke could clearly feel that within his body, or perhaps within the imagined body of his mental world, the reconstructed icy circuit was cheering and rejoicing. It constantly encouraged Duke to create more stairs, or to use it in any place where the frost circuit could be employed.

How much time had passed?

He no longer knew.

Duke's consciousness was becoming numb and blurred.

His stomach wasn't hungry. Instead, as he continuously used the frost circuit, Duke felt the icy breath permeate his entire body, becoming part of him and his life force.

Looking down, Duke had built an incredibly long spiral staircase as he climbed. Each step was crystal-clear and seemed to be carved from the purest white marble. On either side of the stairs were delicate ice handrails.

Between each level of the stairs, four thick ice pillars connected to each other in the four cardinal directions, seemingly serving as support, or perhaps as markers for Duke to count the number of loops.

In Duke's view, the solitary peak became thinner the further down it went, eventually turning into a straight black line deeply embedded in this mist-filled world.

What would be the end here?

Duke suddenly realized that if he continued like this, he would be completely lost in this world.

His consciousness, which had become hazy due to the frost, suddenly began to function again.

"No! I am here to conquer. Even the most beautiful crown is just decoration upon my head. A crown is only honorable because of a king's status, not because I beg for its recognition! I—Duke, am the master of you—the Crown of Ice! I command you, either destroy me or come out and fight me!"