Chapter 34: Tokens and Magic Stones

According to Lamo, the “Shadow of Holy Light” was something he came across by chance. I must admit, his luck was extraordinary—though in the end, it benefits me. Lin Wei’s lips curled into a faintly mocking smile.

He closed the Book of the Sorcerer with care, then shifted his gaze to the lower compartment of the metal chest.

Crouching down slowly, Lin Wei peered inside to discover what lay within.

Upon the cold partition rested a piece of deep gray iron, about half the size of a palm, lying quietly beside several smooth, ink-colored stones.

Lin Wei picked up the iron fragment and examined it closely, turning it over in his hands again and again.

Its shape resembled a scallop shell; the front was etched with a dense network of lines, intersecting in all directions, like strands of seaweed drifting in water. At the very center of these markings were two peculiar characters. Drawing on the linguistic data provided by his intelligent Core Sphere, Lin Wei could vaguely make out their meaning.

“Shadow…” he murmured, tracing the two characters with his fingertip before turning the fragment over.

The reverse side bore no script, only the carved image of a ruined tower. Through the finely wrought lines, Lin Wei sensed a strong aura of antiquity.

“This must be the sorcerer’s token Lamo mentioned. With it, I can travel to St. Elvikan in the Glimmering Moon Empire to take the entrance examination for the Sorcerer’s Academy.” Lin Wei quickly pieced together the essentials. “Shadow… Is that the academy’s name? And the ruined tower carved here, perhaps it’s a building within the academy…”

“Core Sphere, analyze the iron fragment!”

Lin Wei issued a command to the Core Sphere in his mind.

Ding!

“Unknown magnetic field detected. Analyzing…”

Ding!

“Analysis complete. The magnetic field contains remnants of sorcerous energy. Material of the iron fragment is unknown; no matching model in database.”

Lin Wei nodded slightly. “It seems this token’s material is unique to the world of sorcerers.”

He had now lived on the west coast of the Starlink Continent for over a year. During that time, he’d read countless books and the Core Sphere’s database had grown vast. If this were something from the mortal world, the Core Sphere’s knowledge would surely have identified it. Its inability to analyze the material proved that it originated from the world of sorcerers.

He examined the ancient token several times, then carefully secured it at his waist.

Next, Lin Wei turned his attention to the remaining ink-colored stones.

The stones were small, each about two-thirds the size of a thumb joint, but their texture was exquisite—smooth and delicate as a newborn’s skin.

“Core Sphere, analyze!”

Ding!

“Material unidentified. Contains stored sorcerous energy.”

A look of understanding dawned on Lin Wei’s face. “If I’m not mistaken, these must be the magic stones mentioned in Elena’s diary.”

Magic stones were the currency of exchange among sorcerers.

Elena’s diary had clearly noted this fact.

“One, two, three… six. Six magic stones in all.” Lin Wei counted them, then held them tightly in his palm.

He searched the metal chest again from top to bottom, but found nothing further.

Unwilling to give up, Lin Wei stood and inspected each wall of the sealed chamber, tapping every corner with his bent knuckle, listening for any hollow sound that might reveal a hidden compartment.

But disappointment awaited him. The walls were solid throughout, with not a single anomaly.

“This haul is more than enough…” Lin Wei felt a quiet satisfaction. “I’ve obtained the sorcerer’s token that allows me to take the academy’s test, the currency of their world, and most importantly, I have acquired a sorcerous meditation technique—the ‘Shadow of Holy Light!’”

“From this day forth, the mysterious gate of sorcery will open for me!” Lin Wei’s hands tightened into fists. “What surprises await in the ‘Shadow of Holy Light,’ which bestows special abilities upon its practitioners? What fragments of the future world will I discover…”

Eagerness surged within him to begin his cultivation of the Shadow of Holy Light, but he forced himself to be patient. The most urgent task was still to deal with the existence of this secret chamber.

“The sorcerer’s token and the magic stones must go with me. As for the Shadow of Holy Light…” Lin Wei’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I should find a way to destroy it…”

The meditation method and principles of the Shadow of Holy Light had already been recorded and analyzed by the Core Sphere, even transmitted directly into Lin Wei’s mind. The physical book was now useless to him—no, worse, it was a liability.

If the existence of the Shadow of Holy Light were discovered by some mysterious sorcerer, Lin Wei could be in grave danger. Moreover, such a rare sorcerous meditation should be his alone—why leave the chance for others to share in it?

He drew out two flints from his belt and struck them against the cover of the Shadow of Holy Light.

A spark flickered to life, igniting the Book of the Sorcerer before his eyes.

The flames crept over the pages, slowly consuming them.

Lin Wei let out a breath of relief; at first, he’d feared mortal fire might not be enough to reduce the book to ashes, but his concern was unfounded. Though the Shadow of Holy Light contained knowledge of the sorcerous world, its physical composition was nothing special.

Even so, the flames ate through its pages far more slowly than ordinary paper. It took nearly half an hour before the fire was finally spent, leaving nothing but a scattering of ash.

A satisfied smile played about Lin Wei’s lips. “Everything is settled. Now I can focus all my attention on cultivating the Shadow of Holy Light.”

He swept his gaze around the room one last time, and, seeing nothing amiss, departed quietly.

…

Just as he stepped out of Count Lamo’s tower chamber, Lin Wei saw an elderly man with short brown-and-white hair standing respectfully by the door.

“Lord Lin Wei.” The old man bowed deeply.

His name was Weimanson, newly appointed by Lanmdo as the administrative chief of the territory, replacing the former Reluman. Since Lin Wei had refused Lanmdo’s request to serve as chief administrator and commander of the Tulip Territory and its legion, Lanmdo had been forced to seek other talent.

Weimanson was a servant from Lanmdo’s mother’s family, who had tended to Lanmdo since childhood and was counted among his closest confidants. Now that Lanmdo had become the new count, he naturally placed great trust in him.

Lin Wei frowned, disliking others prying into his whereabouts. “How did you know I was here?”

Weimanson’s heart skipped and he quickly replied, “My apologies, Lord Lin Wei. I only learned of it after asking the patrol guards.”

Lin Wei’s gaze was cold, but he soon relaxed. He had already dealt with all the sorcerous items in Count Lamo’s secret chamber; there would be no loose ends.

“What is it you need from me?” Lin Wei’s tone eased.