The 634th floor of the White Tower—a place perpetually shrouded in mystery.
While the public had a clear understanding of the White Tower’s purpose, the top floor, the least visible and closest to the cosmos, sparked endless speculation.

In a certain online forum, the White Tower Conspiracy Bar, users argued fiercely over the top floor’s purpose.
One post speculated that the top floor housed an ancient weapon of immense destructive power, ready to crush any invading enemy.
Another claimed it sealed an ancient evil god, guarded day and night by sanctuary-level sorcerers.
Some even posted wild theories, like the Academy’s Dean being a sleazy old man living up there, peering through a telescope to spy on magical girls bathing—a truly heinous crime.

Later, the user who spread that scandalous rumor about the Dean, along with their post, vanished from the internet.
Far from deterring others, this only fueled the conspiracy discussions to unprecedented heights.

Lu Xin didn’t know the truth behind the first two posts.
But the sanctioned user’s claims about the Dean?
He felt there was some basis to them.

Accompanied by Xiao Xuan, who wore an oxygen mask, Lu Xin arrived at the top floor via the teleportation array.
The first thing that caught their attention was a ring of massive, intricately carved white pillars supporting the domed ceiling, dividing the open top floor into inner and outer sections.

Beyond the pillars was a warmly lit hall.
Outside them lay the vast high-altitude expanse of the White Tower’s exterior.
Despite being at such a height, Lu Xin and Xiao Xuan felt no air currents—likely due to the shielding array etched into the pillars.

As for why Xiao Xuan needed an oxygen mask?
The White Tower’s builders hadn’t accounted for mortals reliant on mundane means entering this mage sanctuary, especially in the thin air of high altitudes.

Behind the desk in the center of the hall, a middle-aged, portly man was engrossed in a book.
Seeing visitors, he calmly tucked away a volume titled Magical Girl Appraisal Guide into a drawer.

But he overestimated the drawer’s sturdiness.
When he shoved the overstuffed drawer shut with brute force, the bottom gave way, spilling a cascade of risqué books across the floor.

The man panicked, scrambling to gather the mess.
But his backside accidentally knocked the desk askew, causing two cabinet doors to swing open, showering the floor with magical girl posters and more explicit books.

Realizing the situation was beyond saving, the portly man stood up, brushed nonexistent dust from his mage robe, and sat back down with a composed expression.
He beckoned to Lu Xin with a kindly smile.
“Little Lu, come a bit closer.”

Learning from his earlier encounter with the two old men, Lu Xin addressed him respectfully.
“Uncle Merlin.”

“Haha, you’re getting the hang of it, kid,” Merlin said with a laugh.
“Let me guess—Louis, that rough old coot, gave you a lecture, didn’t he?”
He reached out with his left hand to pat Lu Xin’s shoulder but stopped when Lu Xin instinctively stepped back.

Merlin awkwardly retracted his hand, tucking it behind his back, and continued.
“I had planned to join those two to discuss your father’s matters with you.
But you know, as the Dean, my schedule’s tight, so I couldn’t go with Fan and Louis.”
He rubbed his nose, a touch embarrassed.

Lu Xin maintained a respectful facade, but inwardly, he knew exactly what kind of person Merlin was.
No need to elaborate on his hobbies.
Dodging Merlin’s hand was just a precaution—Lu Xin wasn’t sure it was clean.
Busy with work?
Lu Xin bet Merlin was probably “taking off” in the bathroom at the time.

“So, my apologies for calling you up so late.
It’s mainly to discuss some personal matters,” Merlin said.
He glanced at Xiao Xuan and waved him over.

“Xiao Xuan, my most diligent student.
He’s been working on projects with me for years and hasn’t had much time to go home.”
Merlin looked at Xiao Xuan with a pitying gaze.
“My hope is that Xiao Xuan can take over your previous position so he can finally rest at home.”

“Uncle Merlin, if you really want Xiao Xuan to take over the Inner Plains Province, with your influence, it’s just a matter of saying the word.
Why bring it up with me?” Lu Xin raised an eyebrow.

“Of course, it’s to put you at ease.
You know Xiao Xuan’s capabilities.
Though he can’t cultivate magic, his research skills are exceptional, and he’s been my deputy in managing the Academy’s internal affairs.
He’s more than qualified to take your position and can also oversee a few research institutes in the Inner Plains Province.”

“Uncle Merlin,” Lu Xin said, rubbing his nose.
“I know Xiao Xuan’s abilities are unquestionable.
What I mean is…”
He glanced at Xiao Xuan, whose expression was obscured by the oxygen mask.

“It’s fine, speak freely.
Xiao Xuan’s no outsider,” Merlin said.

“Alright.”
Lu Xin took a deep breath.
“Then what about the ‘Earth Vein’?
You know, Uncle Merlin, without sufficient strength, no one can guard that thing.
The ‘Earth Vein’ is the foundation of our nation’s enduring prosperity.”

“I’ve planned for that,” Merlin replied, nodding to Xiao Xuan to speak.

Xiao Xuan stepped forward and said to Lu Xin, “I can bring a portion of the White Tower’s security forces with me.”
Glancing at Merlin, he continued, “They’re people I personally selected—clean backgrounds, trustworthy.”

“I have no objections,” Merlin said, stroking the short stubble on his chin.

“If Uncle Merlin has no issues, then I naturally have none either,” Lu Xin said.

“Good, since there’s no problem, you two should head down and rest,” Merlin said with a chuckle.
“Lu Xin, your cultivation lets you handle high altitudes just fine, but Xiao Xuan’s practically gasping for air.”

With that, Merlin ushered Lu Xin and Xiao Xuan toward the teleportation array.
Just before they were whisked away, they said in unison:

“Goodbye, Uncle Merlin.”
“Goodbye, Mentor.”

And so, Lu Xin and Xiao Xuan returned to the 333rd floor of the White Tower.

Stepping out of the teleportation array, Xiao Xuan removed his oxygen mask.
Droplets of condensed breath clung to the mask, and its frame had left marks on his face.

“Phew.”
Xiao Xuan let out a long breath.
Maintaining basic survival as a mortal at such heights was exhausting.

“Man, I’m jealous of you cultivators,” Xiao Xuan said.
“A bit of training, and you get a robust body and a long lifespan.
Sorcerers live 300 years, grand sorcerers 600, and sanctuary sorcerers a thousand—several lifetimes for an ordinary mortal like me.”

“Really jealous.”

“Haven’t you achieved things most mages could only dream of?” Lu Xin said, hands on his hips.
“As a mortal, you’ve carved out a place for yourself in the mage-exclusive White Tower.
Your accomplishments surpass most mages.”

“Heh, you’re right.
I’m content,” Xiao Xuan said with a chuckle.
Suddenly, he rubbed his stomach, which growled in protest.

“Brother Lu,” Xiao Xuan suggested.
“A mortal’s body is always bound by these basic needs.
How about we grab some barbecue?”

“My treat.”
Xiao Xuan extended his right hand.

Lu Xin didn’t hesitate, reaching out with his left to shake.
“Then I’m gonna eat my fill.”