While the continent's magicians were experiencing an unprecedented crisis, Vicente's group crossed the last frontier on their journey to enter the northern region of the continent.",

As soon as they entered the northern region, the entire group could feel the mana was getting denser and denser, with a stronger presence of common elements and rare elements.

Certain elements only appeared in the most magical places on the continent, near powerful creatures and resources. So, depending on one's aptitude, one would either have to live in that area or accept that one's cultivation wouldn't grow much in other parts of the continent.

But a rich place wasn't the thousand wonders one might imagine when arriving there. Cultivation was even faster in that area, because it was the only place on the continent where one could reach the 6th stage of cultivation. But until recently, there was a lot of competition for resources there, and it was also a very dangerous area for weaker magicians.

In the recent past, it wasn't uncommon for the magical powers in the north to send their young people to seek opportunities in the central part of the continent!

There were few opportunities for growth in the north for those below the 3rd stage, and even when those opportunities existed, they were shrouded in high-level dangers.

Once one reached the 4th stage, the northern region became ideal for growth, as it was home to 65% of the creatures with green pentagrams and 95% of those capable of forming cyan essences.

Vicente's group's hunt for pentagrams had been quick, but their group had had to travel for months and hunt for weeks to find each of the essences compatible with the group's personnel. If the same hunt had taken place in the north, that time could have been cut by more than half!

With the increased presence of special creatures, the area also had a lot to worry about. Dangers lurking in every corner, competitors, large numbers of members of the same races and tribes, Dark Path beings, and so on.

Even someone like Torne couldn't help but look at this region with a wary eye.

Therefore, the group didn't rush off as they entered the northern region. They slowed down and became twice as careful with their movements.

Soon, they would face the actual situation on the continent!

...

Two weeks before the group reached the Valley of Lightning, they spotted a mountain ahead of them where a large city should have been recently.

But looking at the place from afar, Onyx couldn't help but comment to the group. "This place looks destroyed. There are several magical creatures roaming around the craters. It's probably abandoned."

The group turned their attention in that direction, encountering something like this for the first time on their journey.

They had already passed ancient ruins. But past events and a recent problem on the continent were different.

In particular, the result of The Purification in the northern region of Polaris Realm was a foretaste of what might happen south of there!

"It looks like they're really going to destroy the magicians' community," Vicente said, his fists clenched tightly, his heart beating at an abnormal rate.

Hearing Vicente's deep, pessimistic tone, Rory was worried about the situation on the continent. "What will happen if the monsters destroy a large part of our community? What will we do?"

The others were silent, gradually seeing more and more details of the ruins of this ancient city that until recently had been home to over 400,000 people. Now, however, if any of their race lived there, that would be a large number, regardless of its size.

"We are not heroes," Vicente got right to the point. "We will not save the magicians' community. Our goal is simpler. To grow stronger and ensure the future of our families. Let's stick to that."

Everyone there would prefer the magicians to rule the continent. But they really had nothing to do with the death or despair of the former inhabitants of the city ahead, or other places going through the same thing.

Vicente's comments might have seemed cold and individualistic, but they represented a stark truth, a reality that most people would likely embrace if in the same situation.

Sacrificing themselves for the sake of the magicians' community would be noble. However, what benefit would it bring to their families? What benefit would it bring to them?

In the absence of interesting answers, one could only adhere to one's own selfish instincts and follow personal rules.

But just worrying about their families would be challenging enough!

"It's regrettable, but it's probably the best way to handle this matter," Casey remarked as they flew over the ruins, where the aura of death and darkness was intensely palpable.

"Sigh! There are so many challenges ahead on our journey..." Lina mused, cognizant that there was nothing they could do to aid the continent, even though that was their ultimate aim.

Until they reached at least the status of Paragons, they simply didn't possess the power needed to make a difference on the continent. At their current level, the most they could do was assist their families, who lived in a more remote and weaker region, and who were limited in number.

Layla looked at the situation below, feeling the power of the lower vampiresthose transformed by the bite of higher vampires. 'What happened to the temple? Why are there cities like this so far south of the northern region?'

Layla's face was rather pale, her lips dry, not as beautiful as they usually were. Her eyes held a deep sense of uncertainty and fear, filled with unprecedented disappointment.

The Mid-level Paragon's earlier action against them had been a cold shower for Layla. But looking at the recent ruins that lay south of the area where the City of Angels was supposed to be, the woman couldn't help but imagine that the worst had already happened.

'Our headquarters probably didn't make it. Shit!' She closed her eyes, feeling her pulse quicken as she flew alongside her companions.

They would not enter the new ruin. After passing through the area, they would continue on their way to Vicente's destination, all of them aware that there was still a long way to go before they could allow themselves to worry about or help beings unrelated to themselves.

They were getting closer and closer to superior vampires, so they couldn't worry too much about anyone but themselves!