"A planar rift?"
Pei Ze's brow arched, his interest suddenly piqued.
The so-called planar rift referred to a two-way spatial channel coincidentally created when two planes intersected, perhaps due to spatial turbulence or elemental tides.
Through a planar rift, the inhabitants of the two planes could travel back and forth.
Of course, planar rifts of different strengths imposed different restrictions on the power of those who could pass through.
The weaker the planar rift, the greater the restriction on the traveler's strength.
Anyone exceeding a certain power level would be unable to pass through.
It was worth noting that in the Multi-Dimensional Plane, where the law of the jungle and survival of the fittest reigned supreme, two interconnected planes would often end up attacking each other, intending to conquer the other plane through force.
At the very least, they would be mutually wary and locked in a stalemate.
Examples of friendly exchanges and mutual assistance for common development were as rare as a phoenix feather.
Over tens of thousands of years, the Wizard World had discovered countless other planes. Many of the weaker ones were conquered and enslaved by Wizards, becoming colonial bases that supplied resources.
Under the Star Realm Alliance, every Wizard City more or less possessed a few private planes.
Chenxi City, for example, had three private planes.
The numerous Diluo Barbarians, dwarves, Goblins, and even elves within Chenxi City all came from these three private planes.
Pei Ze continued to read.
The newly discovered planar rift was located 120 kilometers north of Chenxi City. It was in a vast forest that had already been sealed off by the Wizards of Chenxi City and the Silver Light Legion.
However, the location happened to be in the middle ground between Chenxi City and Red Lotus City. While sealing off the forest, the people from Chenxi City clashed with those from Red Lotus City. Now, both sides were locked in a standoff in the forest.
'A new plane...'
A glint flashed in Pei Ze's eyes.
Throughout history, the discovery of every new plane had always triggered a huge uproar.
And this time, with two Wizard Cities involved, the impact would likely be even greater.
'I wonder what changes this incident will ultimately bring?'
A moment later, Pei Ze shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.
'That kind of thing is for the higher-ups to worry about. Why should a mere First-level Wizard Apprentice like me be concerned? All I need to do is focus on my training.'
He continued reading. The rest of the news was comparatively dull.
It was nothing more than a certain mining area being attacked by beasts again, or slaves in some botanical garden staging another rebellion, only to be brutally suppressed by the Silver Light Legion in less than half a day.
It was all pretty much the same old story.
After finishing the last page, Pei Ze casually tossed the newspaper into a streetside trash can and continued toward the academy.
As he arrived at the academy and neared the Garden District, a male student walking toward him suddenly stopped. Upon seeing Pei Ze, the student glared at him with hostility.
"It's you, Pei Ze!"
Pei Ze looked puzzled.
'Do I know this person?'
'Why does he seem so hostile toward me?'
Seeing the change in Pei Ze's expression, the male student immediately understood that Pei Ze didn't remember him. His face instantly grew even uglier.
"You don't even remember your own classmate. Looks like your memory isn't as amazing as the rumors say!"
Pei Ze raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"
"My name is Qishan," the male student said, lifting his chin slightly.
Pei Ze thought back for a moment and finally recalled a vague impression.
He seemed to be a classmate who had advanced to Wizard Apprentice four or five days before him.
But he didn't seem to have had any interaction with the guy, not even exchanging a single word.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Pei Ze asked flatly.
Qishan snorted coldly and said, "I just wanted to see what kind of person the 'bloodless one' of the Pei Family is. Now that I've seen you, it's just as I expected. You're the same as all the other bloodless ones—born with inferior aptitude. No wonder the Pei Family abandoned you!"
'Bloodless one?'
'Is he talking about me?'
Pei Ze was slightly puzzled. He searched his mind but couldn't find any related memories.
'Great. It seems my predecessor lived a pretty clueless life, not knowing anything.'
But what left Pei Ze even more speechless was this guy in front of him. From the sound of it, Qishan had sought him out just to mock him to his face. 'How bored can a person be?'
'Wouldn't it be better to spend this time learning a few more spells?'
"If you have so much free time, why don't you go to the Experimental District and help the dwarves unclog the sewers? Maybe you'll find your life's purpose there," Pei Ze suggested kindly.
Qishan's face darkened. He gritted his teeth. "You, who can only run your mouth..."
Pei Ze cut him off without a hint of politeness. "Then how about we go have a match in the Apprentice Duel Arena?"
Qishan froze, a look of astonishment on his face.
Competition was an eternal, unchanging rule in the Wizard World, but High Tower Academy forbade students from killing each other. Anyone who violated this rule would face extremely severe punishment.
However, to provide students with a way to resolve conflicts, the academy had specifically established the Apprentice Duel Arena.
Students with conflicts could spend contribution points to face off in the Apprentice Duel Arena.
As long as no one was killed, the academy would not interfere, no matter how severely injured the duelists became. The duelists were fully responsible for the consequences, and seeking revenge afterward was also forbidden.
Over time, the Apprentice Duel Arena became the go-to place for Wizard Apprentices to settle their disputes.
Qishan never expected Pei Ze to be the one to suggest a duel in the Apprentice Duel Arena. He was stunned on the spot.
But when he came to his senses, he flew into a rage.
In his eyes, Pei Ze was merely better at theoretical knowledge than others. But when it came to wizarding talent, he was far inferior to Qishan and couldn't possibly be his opponent.
Yet now, this guy actually dared to propose a duel. This was a clear sign that he didn't take him seriously at all!
How could the highly self-regarded Qishan not be furious?
"Very well!" Qishan snarled through gritted teeth. "Since you're in such a hurry to die, I'll grant your wish!"
He secretly made up his mind to teach this guy a good lesson.
Even if he couldn't kill Pei Ze, it would be no problem to injure him so severely that he'd be bedridden for a month or so.
Unable to train for so long, with Pei Ze's aptitude, he would certainly fail the upcoming trials and end up being expelled from the academy.
At this thought, Qishan sneered inwardly.
Pei Ze's expression was calm, but he inwardly scoffed.
Currently, there were no more than ten first-year students who had advanced to Second-level Wizard Apprentice, and he remembered every single one of them.
Qishan was not among them.
And as long as Qishan wasn't a Second-level Wizard Apprentice, he had nothing to fear.
First-level Wizard Apprentices could not use Magic Items or contract magical pets. The only thing they could rely on was the spells they had mastered.
And in that regard, Pei Ze believed he was in no way inferior to any other First-level Wizard Apprentice.
But just as the two were about to head to the Apprentice Duel Arena, a piercing scream suddenly rang out.
Pei Ze turned to look and saw a male student collapsed on the ground more than twenty meters away, constantly scratching at his body while wailing incessantly.
Standing beside him was a pale-faced, helpless female student. The scream from a moment ago had come from her.
The sudden turn of events quickly drew the attention of those nearby.
"What's wrong with that guy?"
"Is he sick?"
"How can a Wizard Apprentice get sick so easily? Don't tell me he's been infected by some kind of bacteria from the labs?"
The nearby Wizard Apprentices muttered amongst themselves, but not a single one stepped forward to ask what was wrong or to help.
Many people's expressions turned fearful, especially when they heard the word 'bacteria'.
The female student standing next to the collapsed male student also subconsciously took a few steps back, creating some distance.
Pei Ze narrowed his eyes.
He recognized the person on the ground.
It was none other than Xu Yunfeng—the same classmate with little presence who had been following behind Zhou Han the other day.