I Made Up Forbidden Spells, and They Actually Worked?

The illusory figure of the woman had already dissipated, and Dean Bruce didn't dwell on it. He glanced around, noticing the sun hanging high in the sky, and things had returned to normal. He stepped forward and slapped Herbert Jones' face a few times, waking him up.

"Ah!" Herbert Jones shook his head and, after opening his eyes, rubbed his forehead while murmuring, "What happened? Why did I suddenly lose consciousness just now?"

"Who knows?" Dean Bruce, not wanting to reveal too much, shrugged and replied lightly, "You suddenly fainted as soon as we reached this spot."

Herbert Jones, embarrassed, said, "Sorry for wasting your time. Let's hurry back before my father and the others get worried."

Nodding slightly, Dean Bruce and Herbert Jones untied their terrified horses. As soon as they mounted, the horses bolted forward, galloping away from the scene at high speed.

Although Herbert Jones was curious, he didn't think much of it. Dean Bruce, however, closed his eyes slightly, pondering everything that had just happened.

So much had happened in less than a night!

First, in that strange and chaotic space, a person had been trapped there, and he actually knew who Dean was!

Then, there was the illusory woman they encountered inside the Relics, who had followed him into this world.

From Claire Raymond's words, Dean Bruce had formed some judgment but hadn't yet confirmed the facts.

With Herbert Jones leading the way, they cut through all obstacles unhindered. No one dared to stop them, and they soon returned to the city.

When Dean Bruce and Herbert Jones arrived back at the Jones family estate, no one was home except Lina Jones, who had obviously stayed behind while the others went to the Church of Light.

Lina Jones asked in surprise, "Where have you two been? You were out all night?"

"Hehe, just some business," Herbert Jones, though simple, wasn't foolish enough to share every detail.

Lina Jones, not the type to pry, said softly, "Dean, do you want to come with me to the Church of Light?"

"No, thank you," Dean Bruce shook his head. "I've already spent two days here, and it's time for me to go back."

"After all, I still have an assessment to complete!"

Hearing this, Lina Jones suddenly remembered that the trials for the two major magic academies weren't over yet.

Moreover, Dean Bruce was also concerned that Claire Raymond might act out of desperation and send a large force after him once he returned.

He had to leave Stanlow City before Claire Raymond had time to react!

Lina Jones knew that her relationship with Dean Bruce was just a staged performance. She had no reason to hold him back, so naturally, she didn't try. Instead, she smiled and said, "Then you better hurry back. Don't let anything get in the way of what you need to do. Safe travels."

As she spoke, Lina Jones stepped forward and helped straighten Dean Bruce's clothing.

After their farewell, Dean Bruce didn't linger. He mounted his horse, Firebolt, and swiftly rode off, leaving Stanlow City behind, heading toward the Black Dragon Mountains.

As soon as he approached the Black Dragon Mountains, Dean Bruce sensed something was off, almost as if someone was watching him.

His brows furrowed slightly. Though Firebolt continued to gallop forward, a voice echoed from the forest, "Who goes there? Stop at once!"

Hurried footsteps sounded, and the dense foliage swayed as a group of fully armed soldiers emerged, blocking Firebolt's path.

Not only that, but a few figures clad in magical robes also stepped out from the trees.

Dean Bruce's gaze swept across the group, and he immediately recognized them. The soldiers were from Stanlow City, and the mages were from the Nine Provinces Alliance.

Clearly, the Nine Provinces Alliance had begun to lock down the area in preparation for their exploration of the Relics.

Though deep in thought, Dean Bruce's expression remained calm. He spoke with a cool indifference, "Were you all present at the banquet yesterday?"

"Banquet yesterday?"

Hearing this, the group was momentarily stunned, exchanging nervous glances. Fear crept onto their faces.

The banquet was a grand event, and although they hadn't been important enough to attend, they knew about it. They also understood that anyone invited to such an event must have strong backing.

Furthermore, most of those who attended the banquet were allied with the Nine Provinces Alliance. Not knowing Dean Bruce's exact identity, none of them dared to question him.

After a brief exchange of looks, one of the mages stepped forward and asked, "May I respectfully inquire, esteemed mage, from which city do you hail?"

Dean Bruce's eyes narrowed sharply, fixing the mage with a piercing stare. He spoke coldly, "Are you trying to pry into my background?"

"No! No, of course not!"

The mage quickly waved his hands in denial, but Dean Bruce had already sensed their fear. His mind quickly made up, he called forth the spell The Compassion of Heaven and Earth.

Swish, swish, swish—

The sound of rustling echoed as the trees behind the soldiers and mages seemed to come to life. Their branches and leaves stretched out and whipped toward the group with a menacing force.

Startled by the sound, the group turned around, only to be met with the sight of wildly thrashing branches and leaves.

"No!"

Cries of shock erupted as their pupils shrank in terror. They could do nothing but watch as the countless branches and leaves lashed toward them, not even giving them time to react.

Some were so frightened they shut their eyes in horror!

However, to their astonishment, they soon realized there was no pain at all.

The branches and leaves that fell upon them were like webs, swiftly wrapping around their bodies.

Feeling the constriction, they instinctively struggled, but they couldn't budge the branches and leaves at all. Helpless, they raised their eyes toward Dean Bruce.

A cold voice followed: "Even Jennier William and Shumiri Koran, who came here on behalf of your Nine Provinces Alliance, wouldn't dare show me such disrespect. This is your punishment. If it happens again, I won't hesitate to kill."

Hearing these words, every person's eyes widened in shock, their hearts filling with fear.

The two names Dean Bruce had mentioned were elders they revered, people they held in the highest regard. How could they not be astonished?

In an instant, they all began pleading aloud, "Mercy, my lord! We did not recognize your status. We've been disrespectful. Please forgive us this once."

"Hmph!" Dean Bruce snorted coldly, making them break out into cold sweat. Fortunately for them, the magic dissipated, and the branches and leaves that bound them vanished immediately.

Freed from the restraints, none of them dared to act arrogant in front of Dean Bruce. To be fair, they hadn't been arrogant before, but now their fear had peaked. They quickly bowed in respect to him.

"For Jennier William's sake, as she is my disciple's sister, I'll let you off this time."

Dean Bruce said in a calm voice. He spurred Firebolt forward, riding past the astonished and puzzled members of the Nine Provinces Alliance, and entered the Black Dragon Mountains.

"..."

It wasn't until Dean Bruce's figure completely disappeared that the members of the Nine Provinces Alliance finally let out a collective sigh of relief. One of the mages sighed helplessly, "I don't know what the higher-ups were thinking, having us seal off this area now. But all the people who attended the banquet, aren't they all big shots?"

"If we offend them, what are we supposed to do?"

"It's one thing to offend an important figure and get scolded, but if we run into another powerhouse like that one just now… and they're in a bad mood, we might be killed on the spot!"

"What else can we do? Orders from above have been given. Are you going to disobey?"

"Ah, in the end, it's us unlucky ones who suffer."

"I just don't get it. Why all the fuss over a small place like the Black Dragon Mountains?"

"..."

As the murmurs of conversation gradually died down, a smile crept onto Dean Bruce's lips.

Indeed, when you're strong enough, no matter what you say, these small fry wouldn't dare defy you!

Racing through the Black Dragon Mountains, Dean Bruce quickly returned to the spot where André Maxwell and Biber Parson were waiting.

Seeing the two of them still standing in the same place, Dean Bruce couldn't help but inwardly chuckle to himself. How were they able to stay in one spot for days without getting the slightest bit impatient?

"Hm?" Before Dean Bruce could speak, Biber Parson's face showed a look of confusion. He asked in surprise, "Why are you coming from the direction of Stanlow City?"

"The Cep family invited many to a banquet, so I went to join the fun."

Dean Bruce said with a light smile. "So, Headmasters, the competition should be ending soon, right?"

"Almost," André Maxwell nodded. "In about an hour or two, they'll be returning."

Biber Parson blinked and then asked, "The lord's manor invited so many… did something happen in Stanlow City?"

Because the trials for the two magic academies were held in such a remote area to avoid disturbances, the Nine Provinces Alliance hadn't explored this far yet. They had no contact with the outside world, so they were unaware of any developments.

"I don't know," Dean Bruce shook his head and replied, "I only know that many from the Nine Provinces Alliance showed up, along with members from various guilds. Except for the temples and churches, everyone who should've been there was present."

As soon as Dean Bruce finished speaking, Biber Parson and André Maxwell's expressions turned serious.

The more factions and people involved in an event, the more it indicated the gravity of the situation.

Without any hesitation, Biber Parson's magic surged from within him, causing his mage robes to billow. In the next moment, a deep, thunderous voice rang out, echoing in all directions.

"The trial is over. Return immediately. Those who do not return within half an hour will not have their points counted!"

"!!!"

Dean Bruce shot a surprised glance at Biber Parson, not expecting him to care so deeply about the Nine Provinces Alliance. This made him hesitate—should he continue interacting with Biber Parson from now on?