This crystal had been found in the library. It contained the lifetime memories of Francisco Marshall, the founder of the Sacred Wind Academy.
Ethan believed that the war which occurred two hundred years ago had erupted because of this crystal. Of course, this was merely a theory—he had no concrete evidence to support it. Still, he felt that the truth behind that ancient war might be hidden within these recorded memories.
He sighed. The quest he carried was of SSS Rank, and if this crystal contained even the slightest clue, it would greatly increase his chances of completing it.
At first, Ethan didn't know how to operate the crystal. Fortunately, he had read a book explaining its usage. The method was simple: one only needed to inject their Inner Energy into the crystal, and it would activate.
Normally, memory crystals were inaccessible while their owners were alive. However, since Francisco Marshall had long since passed away, all defensive formations and restrictions had faded. That was why Ethan could now access it.
As a cultivator, Ethan could already control his Inner Energy. With a thought, invisible energy flowed from his palm and entered the crystal. The sensation felt strange—magical, unreal. As someone from Earth, this was completely new to him.
He quickly steadied himself and activated the crystal.
The next instant, his consciousness was pulled inside.
At first, Ethan was startled, but he soon realized that there was no danger. His body remained safely in the dormitory—only his consciousness had entered the memory crystal.
This was how memory crystals worked.
When one's consciousness entered the crystal, it was like stepping into a virtual reality. Everything unfolded as if it were happening live, though it was merely a replay of recorded memories.
The scenery changed.
Ethan now found himself in an unfamiliar time period.
A young boy—around twelve to fourteen years old—was repeatedly striking a wooden puppet with a wooden sword. Despite his age, his cultivation was already at the 3rd Level of the Elementary Stage.
The boy trained diligently. Sweat soaked his clothes, and his hands trembled from exhaustion. Even so, he refused to stop. His eyes burned with determination as he continued practising his sword arts.
"Hahaha! You're still training so diligently as always, Frank!"
A voice rang out from behind.
The boy—Frank—stopped and turned around. Another boy of similar age stood there, smiling brightly.
"What's wrong with practising?" Frank replied calmly. "I like swords, so I train with them. You already know that. Why ask, Leo?"
"You're Master's favorite disciple," Leo said. "Why work yourself so hard? You should take breaks to preserve your body for the future."
Frank frowned slightly. "What is the purpose of your visit?"
Leo scratched his head. "Master summoned both of us. She wants to see us immediately. Judging by her tone, it's something important."
"And you're telling me this only now?" Frank said. He immediately placed his wooden sword aside. "Let's go."
The scene faded.
Ethan's vision shifted once more.
This time, he stood inside a vast cave. A beautiful woman sat cross-legged atop a stone platform, meditating. Her presence was calm, yet overwhelming. Ethan instinctively knew—this woman was terrifyingly powerful. Her cultivation was far beyond anything he could comprehend.
"Master!"
Frank and Leo knelt respectfully.
The woman opened her eyes and smiled gently.
"I called you here for an important matter," she said. "Today, I will entrust you with a critical mission. You must remain united at all times and take this task seriously."
"Rest assured, Master!" Frank replied confidently. "No matter what, we won't let you down."
"That's right!" Leo added. "Our friendship will never be broken by anyone or anything."
"I believe in your bond," the woman said softly. "However, to complete this mission, both of you must settle down in the Grace Continent."
"Grace Continent?" Frank and Leo exchanged puzzled glances.
Leo hesitated before asking, "But Master… why should we go to such a backward place?"
The woman shook her head. "I am leaving this realm. Though I am strong here, elsewhere I am weak. I possess something extremely valuable—something I cannot afford to lose."
"I will hide it in a secret zone," she continued. "That zone is located in the Grace Continent."
"Because the Grace Continent is the weakest in the Mortal Realm," she said calmly, "no enemy would ever suspect it. By the time anyone realizes the truth, I will have returned to retrieve it."
She sighed softly.
"This is why I secretly raised the two of you. No one knows of your existence. No one knows you are my disciples. This secrecy is for your protection."
"When I return," she continued, "I will publicly acknowledge you. Until then, you must guard that secret zone at all costs."
Leo hesitated before asking, "But Master… what exactly are we protecting? What kind of thing would make even someone as powerful as you take such precautions?"
The woman remained silent for a long moment.
"This is not the time for you to know," she finally said. "Whatever it is, it is something that must never fall into the hands of the Vicious Lord."
"If it does," she said coldly, "the entire Mortal Realm will be destroyed."
"Vicious Lord?!"
Frank and Leo froze in shock.