65: Chapter 65 The Labyrinth Opens, the Magic Family Arrives.

In his flustered movements, the zipper almost caught his 'brother.' He turned around grumbling, "You better not have megalophobia!"

On the grass not far away stood a man dressed in simple linen clothes. Judging by his appearance, he was in his thirties with short golden hair, carrying neither a staff nor any other weapon.

He smiled. "Mr. Zhang Mu's reaction is somewhat unexpected."

"Normally, wouldn't one immediately assume a combat stance?"

I can't die anyway, so what am I afraid of? Zhang Mu thought to himself as he stared at the man. "Who are you? Why do you know me? What do you want with me?"

"Was that assassin just now sent by you?"

After the rapid-fire questions, the man didn't answer directly, instead saying to himself, "Haige was promoted and has already gone to the Capital Cathedral. Before leaving,"

"he conducted an exchange of interests with the Marvin Magic Family of Bala City."

"The target is me?"

"Yes."

"Whose man are you? Why are you helping me?"

"Her Highness Avril learned that someone intended to harm you and ordered me to intervene."

"Besides Haige, who else wants to harm me?"

"His Highness Andre."

Eh? Did I guess wrong? Would he really do something so pointless?

"Who is the person he sent?"

"Also me."

"?"

A giant question mark seemed to pop up over Zhang Mu's head. "Doesn't he look down on a solo mage like me?"

Seeing his look of utter confusion, the man smiled. "His Highness Andre once told you that enemies will use any means to take your life while you are still weak."

"His Highness wasn't just speaking casually."

"If Mr. Zhang Mu's growth rate didn't show signs of threatening His Highness Andre, he would naturally ignore you out of consideration for Mr. Potter."

"Conversely, His Highness Andre will strike regardless of whose face he has to save."

After lowering his head in thought for a moment, Zhang Mu asked, "How long have you been following me?"

"Her Highness Avril's order was to block His Highness Andre, so I had no need to follow you."

"As for Haige's side, I was on another mission and happened to run into them."

"Then why are you telling me all this now?"

"His Majesty the King has issued an order, and I must return to the capital soon. Out of my personal high regard for Mr. Zhang Mu, I've revealed the information I know to you."

"Furthermore..." He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it over. "A letter for you from Her Highness Avril."

Taking it, Zhang Mu looked at the envelope and asked, "Is Senior Sister doing well?"

"When the opponent is His Highness Andre, things won't be too good."

"What about Teacher?"

"Mr. Potter has not yet returned to the capital."

"I understand."

The man turned and walked into the distant night. "I have no right to check the letter, but..."

"His Highness Andre's words were correct. You have a bright future, but you are still very weak right now."

"Do not be impulsive, or you will only bring trouble to Her Highness Avril and Mr. Potter."

His silhouette was swallowed by the darkness.

Zhang Mu withdrew his gaze and opened the letter.

[To my dear Junior:]

Has Junior been doing well lately?

I think that with Junior's easygoing personality, you wouldn't let yourself stay depressed for long.

It's been a while since I returned to the capital. The atmosphere here is still as oppressive as ever.

However, after meeting Junior, a splash of color has entered Senior's gray life, so it's not as suffocating as it used to be.

Regarding the abnormality of the Magical Beast Tide, Teacher has already told me the reason. It wasn't an intentional concealment; it's just that there's no point in you knowing right now.

When you become strong enough and have the power to solve the problem, you will discover it yourself.

Additionally, I know Junior does not fear danger or death, but for some outcomes, even death cannot change anything.

You must learn to stay calm.

Finally, I wonder if Junior misses Senior?

You do, right?

Then please do not be sad. We are thousands of miles apart, but we are under the same sky.

At the very end, Avril once secretly kissed you. Will Junior, whose fetish is demi-humans, be angry?

Yours, Avril, who misses Junior.]

After reading the letter, Zhang Mu was silent for a while. He folded the paper, tucked it back into the envelope, and put it into his inventory.

Exhaling softly, he turned and went back to the camp, sitting down across the campfire from Frederica, who had built it.

"You seem a bit unhappy."

"Do I?"

"You do."

"Then I suppose I am." Zhang Mu nodded and lay down on the grass. "I'll rest first. Wake me up in the middle of the night to take over."

Frederica didn't answer immediately, staring at him for a moment. "Look, the flames can't chat like we can, so cheer up."

"We are already very lucky."

Turning his face toward her, Zhang Mu roughly understood what she meant, but... why did her tone sound like she was coaxing a child?

"Thanks." Kindness should still be acknowledged. Zhang Mu closed his eyes.

...

The next day, early morning.

According to the church announcement, the labyrinth would open at nine o'clock. The Adventurer Groups camped on the grass all woke up and dismantled their tents, preparing to enter the labyrinth.

Around seven o'clock, the tents on the riverside grass had completely vanished. The Adventurer Groups stood at safe distances from each other, waiting and whispering with their companions.

Eight-thirty.

Two teams consisting of mages and knights approached from the direction of Bala City.

The previously relaxed atmosphere among the Adventurer Groups instantly grew tense, and they instinctively moved closer to the river.

However, the two teams did not continue their approach, stopping about a hundred meters away and standing several dozen paces apart.

They were the two local powers of Bala City—the Burg Magic Family and the Marvin Magic Family.

The sunlight gradually grew scorching, and the air temperature rose as well.

Nine o'clock.

The wide river began to churn as if a giant beast was stirring at the bottom. Countless bubbles surged to the surface and burst.

A huge water column surged up in the center of the river, and ripples fanned out as if something was rushing up from the riverbed.

Soon, a blue light shone through the water, and a pure blue spherical barrier slowly emerged from the surface, starting from its top.

The commotion in the river subsided, and the color of the barrier dimmed. After about ten minutes, it disappeared completely.

A small island appeared before the eyes of the many Adventurer Groups.

On the island was a massive stone gate. It didn't stand upright but formed an acute angle with the ground, its front facing the sky diagonally. Clearly, the path behind the gate led underground; this was an underground labyrinth.

"Even though I've seen it several times, it's still breathtaking."

Frederica spoke with a hint of emotion, then said, "Let's go. Stay safe once we're inside, and immediately spread out from the other Adventurer Groups."

The Adventurer Groups all had the same idea. They set off, rushing toward the stone gate along the dirt path that extended from the island to the riverbank.

Along the way, they still made sure to watch if any nearby Adventurer Groups were getting too close to them.

Curiously, the teams from the two magic families remained standing quietly in place.

On the Burg Magic Family's side.

The patriarch, Fritz, gripped his staff with a furrowed brow and asked the clansman beside him, "That idiot still hasn't been found?"

"The Young Master lost contact with the guild coordinator after leaving the city for a mission last night."

"Didn't I tell him not to go to the guild for the time being?"

"Uh, apologies, Patriarch, we..."

"Forget it, there's nothing you could do with him." Fritz was somewhat irritable. "Has the strength of the mission target been clearly investigated?"

"A solo Magic Apprentice named Zhang Mu."

"Then don't worry about it."

"Yes!"

Fritz began walking toward the island.

As soon as they moved, the Marvin Magic Family's team didn't stay behind either. Led by their patriarch, they followed behind the Burg Magic Family.