Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1164 1164: The Preparations of the Final Change

"This is a lot more complicated than I thought…" Vale whispered to himself. He had previously assumed that his only significant threats were the Chaos Immortals, the Void Immortals, and the enigmatic backers of the Order of Fatality who possessed the means to summon Immortal-Level Evil Entities.

As it turned out, his initial assessment was entirely inaccurate.

'That is undoubtedly the Dark Arts… But…' Vale pondered, attempting to decipher the true nature of that mysterious figure.

He was certain it wasn't Kaela or her companions. Having already memorized their unique Divinity and Aura Signature, he was confident he wouldn't mistake someone else for them.

'Nevertheless, that being is definitely an Immortal from the Dark Path,' Vale reasoned.

Even though the physical remnants of Divinity and Aura had vanished, the memory of that specific energy remained vivid in Vale's mind.

Vale was no stranger to the Dark Path; he had walked it himself, mastering the way of the shadow to earn his status as a Shadow Immortal.

His particular Cultivation of Darkness focused on stealth, quietude, and meticulous control. It was never erratic or wild.

However, despite using similar Dark Spells, the presence of this other immortal felt fundamentally different.

He began mentally cataloging the various branches of the Dark Path capable of reaching the Immortal stage...

There was the Corruption Immortal, a being whose power rotted the spirit and flesh from within. Their energy manifested like a terminal illness or a creeping venom, capable of transforming loyal warriors into mindless puppets.

Then there was the Immortal of Malice. This specific path was fueled by pure hatred. Their Divinity grew stronger through resentment, devouring grudges until their foes destroyed one another from the inside out.

Vale recalled that unchecked Malice could manipulate even the closest allies into betrayal. Such a path was exceptionally formidable when facing overwhelming numbers.

The Blood Immortals were another branch, specializing in sacrifices and the extraction of blood essence. Their Divinity was inherently violent, frequently involving dark rituals that shackled souls into eternal servitude.

Finally, there were the Nightmare Immortals… Vale possessed limited knowledge of them, though they were rumored to be Immortals with the power to infiltrate the dreams of others. He couldn't be entirely certain.

In comparison to those twisted routes, Vale’s own Shadow Path was far more straightforward.

Yet, the intruder's aura lacked the silence and restraint of pure shadow. It felt heavier, more suffocating, and carried distinct traces of corruption.

Shane’s instincts warned him that this wasn't a fellow shadow user, but a different type of Dark Path Immortal—perhaps a Corruption Immortal, or a practitioner of a lesser branch focused on decay and ruin that he had yet to encounter.

The Dark Path was vast, and the number of Immortals it produced was significant.

Every single one represented a grave danger, and one of them had seemingly infiltrated his world without notice.

At that moment, Vale shifted his attention toward the fuming Alchemist.

Ilya’s features were contorted with pure fury.

He struck the charred ground with his fist, shouting curses into the air.

"Damn it! Damn it all! Four expeditions and years of planning, and it slips through my fingers again!"

The weight of his despair was palpable. The hired Arcanists, mercenaries, and fellow Alchemists all realized they had just lost a massive payout.

Even if another Fire Core existed in this region, its value would never match the one guarded by the Ember King.

Vale's interest had already waned. Since the premier Fire Core had been plundered by the mysterious Immortal, he saw no reason to keep following Ilya’s lead.

Regardless, Vale discreetly dispatched a Shadow Soldier into Ilya’s shadow. He needed to ensure the man wasn't secretly affiliated with the Order of Fatality.

'He knows too much about this location, which is an ideal spot for a cultist hideout… I should keep him under observation for the time being,' Vale thought.

***

Shortly after, Vale vanished, departing from the Forbidden Lands.

While he had originally planned to visit the Obsidian Caverns, his responsibilities forced him back. He was scheduled to meet with Arcanists tomorrow who would serve as Alchemy instructors, a meeting that was mandatory.

Since Professor Zeno’s recent trade had secured four new Fire Cores, the Academy required high-level Alchemy masters to handle them.

The following day, as Vale walked into the courtyard to interview the candidates, his senses picked up a familiar aura.

Though the signatures were recognizable, they were not what he had anticipated.

Standing before him were eight individuals in human form, each radiating immense power.

Vale was stunned. "Veyrith… Arin… Zerel… Lylia… All of you… What is this? Did you find your new lands unsatisfactory?"

A wave of suspicion and bewilderment hit him as he looked at the Dragons in their human guises.

He had granted them territory and freedom after their battle against the Chaos Immortals, so their presence here was unexpected.

Veyrith, the tallest of the group, moved forward.

His human vessel appeared slightly more muscular, though Vale attributed this to him adjusting to a realm devoid of Divinity.

"Lord Vale… We haven't forsaken the lands you provided. We decided to come after speaking with Orden and Ryzoir. We felt that contributing to your Academy wouldn't be such a bad idea. It gives us something to do and a way to challenge ourselves."

"Whoa… Those two actually talked you into this?" Vale couldn't help but grin. There was certainly no requirement for them to serve the Academy.

"Well… We sense a massive shift on the horizon. It might happen in five years, ten years, or perhaps a century. We aren't sure of the timing, but we can feel something coming that will transform more than just the Arcanists or the Shadow Domain—it will change the entire Continent."

Vale fell silent.

He had been hearing similar warnings lately, and a sense of unease began to grow within him.

The Seers from various Factions had all identified his Academy as a focal point to be watched. Furthermore, cultists who previously lacked the strength to summon Immortals were suddenly succeeding.

The Seven Sins were becoming active again, and the appearance of the mysterious Dark Path Immortal just yesterday added to the tension. Most concerningly, he could sense that the ancient seal of the Timeless King was likely failing.

'Honestly… what exactly is this great change?'