Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

Chapter 676: Assassination

"The energy roots are deeper than anticipated, with three primary veins extending... toward the northeast geological vein. Numerous secondary veins show strong symbiotic relationships with the surrounding ancient trees," the wizard in charge of detection reported quickly.

"Mark the primary vein nodes, and prepare the moonlight isolation powder to cover a radius of five meters around the well opening, to weaken the immediate resonance between the well water, the geological vein, and the moon to the greatest extent," Vika continued to order.

A few assistant wizards immediately stepped forward, carefully sprinkling a fine powder that shimmered with silvery starlight evenly around the well opening, activating the pre-set runes in the powder.

A faint light film, seemingly able to absorb moonlight, quietly rose, enveloping the well area.

Duke immediately felt the active energy of the well water and its connection with the outside world, especially the moon of the sky, Eilistraee, was markedly weakened.

"Energy suppression effective, activity down by forty percent, prepare to implant the Level 1 Moon Well stabilization anchor," the wizard in charge of detection spoke with a trace of tension in their voice.

Vika personally took out a spindle-shaped device about one and a half meters long, with a smooth design composed entirely of astral silver and energy-absorbing crystal, etched with densely packed stabilizing runes on the surface, known as the Moon Well stabilization anchor.

With the assistance of several wizards’ positioning and energy guidance, the stabilization anchor was carefully, at a specific angle and frequency, slowly immersed into the well water, then continued to probe downward.

As the stabilization anchor went deeper, the glow of the well water began to flicker intensely, as if resisting, while the whole ground transmitted a faint tremor.

"Anchor is contacting the core energy zone... starting coupling guidance..."

Vika was completely focused, his powerful spiritual power acting like the most precise tendrils, establishing a link through the stabilization anchor with the energy core of the well water, guiding the runes on the anchor to preliminarily couple with the complex energy veins inside.

This process was extremely slow, requiring immense patience and precise control.

Duke widened his eyes, his mental hub frantically recording everything.

The construction details of the stabilization anchor, the depth of insertion angle, the well water reaction triggered during energy coupling, the manner and rhythm of how Vika and others manipulated spiritual power—each detail could be a crucial reference for his own future operations.

The coupling process lasted nearly an hour.

When the stabilization anchor finally emitted a deep, pleasant resonance, with surface runes completely lighting up and achieving a harmonious synchronous pulse with the glow of the well water, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Coupling successful! Energy core preliminarily locked, prepare for deep energy root detachment..."

At this moment, a sudden change occurred.

Next to the Moon Well, a massive ancient tree root, seemingly long dead and blackened by battle, suddenly burst open with a cleverly disguised layer of bark.

A thin yet lightning-fast figure, carrying a streak of determined dark red moonlight, shot directly towards Vika’s back, who was fully concentrating on maintaining the stabilization anchor.

This figure appeared without any warning, their aura hidden almost perfectly, only exploding with full killing intent in the moment before the attack.

It was an Elf Assassin who had been lurking for a long time, waiting for the most critical moment, clearly possessing highly advanced concealment techniques.

Their strength was obviously at Level 2 Peak, and this all-or-nothing strike’s power was not to be underestimated.

"Watch out!"

"It’s an ambush!"

The surrounding wizards cried out in shock, their faces showing horror. The incident happened too suddenly, and the distance was too close, leaving many even unable to react.

However, as the target, Vika, the seasoned Level 3 Mage, did not even turn his head.

His entire focus seemed still locked on the stabilization anchor and the energy core of the Moon Well in front of him, and just as the dark red light was about to touch his protective energy, his left hand holding the crystal panel lightly brushed backward.

The gesture was effortless, like swatting away a bothersome fly.

There was no earth-shattering energy explosion, no dazzling spell light.

Only an invisible, intangible, yet overwhelmingly terrifying force field slightly expanded backward from Vika.

That darting dark red light, burning with life and soul, collided as if with an invisible wall of absolute power.

"Poof!"

A faint sound, like the popping of a bubble.

The dark red light instantly solidified in the air, revealing the twisted face and determined eyes of the Elf Assassin within.

He maintained a forward-stabbing posture, his burning energy around him freezing like solidified flames, then shattered, obliterated, and dissipated into the air as the finest energy dust.

Even his poisoned dagger and his very being, in this casual swipe, completely vanished without leaving any trace.

From the sudden ambush to dispersal, the entire process did not exceed one second.

Vika did not even allow his breathing rhythm to change in the slightest, his gaze remained focused on the stabilization anchor and the feedback data from the detection crystal, as if merely sweeping away a trivial speck of dust.

Only the natural recovery motion of his left hand after that casual swipe proved that the thrilling scene was not an illusion.

"Continue detachment operation," Vika’s calm voice broke the brief deadlock, his tone unfazed, "the insect’s dying struggle is of no relevance."

Only then did the surrounding wizards return from their shock, looking at Vika with awe. This was the power of a Level 3 Mage.

Faced with a desperate sneak attack from a Level 2 peak, no need to even glance, a casual wave dismissed them completely as if they never existed.

The power gap was fully revealed in this moment.

Standing in the observation zone, Duke’s pupils also narrowed slightly.

If he were in that position, he would likely not react in time to that strike and would have to rely on the Sand Guardian’s automatic defense being timely enough.

However, faced with a life-or-death strike from a Level 2 peak, the Sand Guardian likely wouldn’t be able to block it.

In other words, if that assassin’s target had been Duke, he would likely have to expend his own substitute item now.

In the midst of plane wars, dangers were everywhere, and there was no absolute safety.

"Level 3 Mage... truly a completely different tier," Duke thought solemnly, engraving the scene deeply in his mind.

Simultaneously, he gained a deeper understanding of the night elf’s tenacity and spirit of sacrifice.

Though knowing certain death, the assassin still chose to launch a suicide attack at the most threatening moment, just to disrupt the collection process for even an instant.

This conviction and determination are not to be underestimated.

After the small incident, the collection work continued smoothly.

Duke refocused his attention on the Moon Well, with his mental hub continuing to efficiently record every detail.