Dragon Language

Su Ran could clearly sense that these runes formed a simple array for identifying identity and energy properties. As long as there was no obvious malicious energy or dark corruption within him, it would not trigger an attack.

At the end of the stairs stood a closed, pale blue gate of light made of pure energy. Its surface rippled like water, and the view beyond it was indistinct.

A line of ancient writing was carved into the stone wall beside the gate. Su Ran focused on it, and with the help of [Knowledge Insight Lv.5], the twisted characters automatically became comprehensible information in his mind:

[Second floor: Court of Spells.]

[Test: energy shaping and stability.]

[Rules: within the allotted time, use the raw arcane energy provided to construct and maintain the specified basic spell models for at least thirty seconds each. The models must meet stability standards.]

A spell construction test.

Understanding dawned on Su Ran, and he stepped through the pale blue gate of energy.

The second floor was completely different from the first. It resembled a standard circular mage's laboratory, about twenty meters in diameter.

The surrounding walls were made of smooth black stone, inlaid with arcane crystals that provided a steady source of light.

In the center of the room floated a fist-sized mass of raw arcane energy, constantly shifting in color and shape and giving off pure, lively energy fluctuations.

Three clear, three-dimensional structural diagrams of spell models were projected onto a wall on one side of the room: [Arcane Shield (basic)], [Mage Hand (enhanced)], and [Elemental Mimicry (flame)].

They were all the most basic first-circle spell models, but each had a different structural focus. The test assessed precision and stability in energy shaping, as well as an understanding of protection, manipulation, and transformation involving different attributes.

The apparition of an hourglass-shaped timer appeared above the room, and fine sand began to flow. Time limit: ten minutes.

Su Ran walked up to the mass of energy in the center and could sense the abundant, chaotic arcane energy within it.

He needed to draw energy from it and construct the specified models.

"First, let's try [Arcane Shield]."

Su Ran chose a relatively familiar basic defensive model.

He extended his right hand, and his mental power reached into the mass of raw energy like a nimble tentacle. Carefully guiding and drawing out threads of energy, he began to weave them according to the structural diagram of [Arcane Shield] in his mind.

With the help of [Knowledge Insight Lv.5], he could clearly see the state and intensity of every thread of energy he drew out, as well as how well they fit together as he constructed the model.

He could quickly detect and correct any slight instability or structural deviation.

A process that might otherwise have required repeated attempts to stabilize became much smoother.

In just over a minute, a palm-sized [Arcane Shield] model with a complete structure and a steady pale purple glow formed above his palm and remained stable.

Thirty seconds passed without the shield model showing the slightest sign of collapse.

A completion mark lit up on the pattern representing [Arcane Shield] on the wall.

Su Ran dispersed the model and rested briefly, taking stock of how much mental power he had used. It wasn't much.

Next, he tried [Mage Hand] and [Elemental Mimicry (flame)] in turn.

[Mage Hand] tested the precision of energy shaping and the distance over which it could be controlled. Su Ran completed it easily.

[Elemental Mimicry (flame)] involved a subtle change in the nature of the energy—arcane to fire—and was slightly more complicated. But with Lv.5 Knowledge Insight's keen perception of energy changes,

he succeeded on his first attempt as well, forming a tiny, steadily burning orange flame at his fingertip.

He had successfully constructed and maintained all three basic models on his first attempt, within the allotted time.

After the last flame had burned steadily for a full thirty seconds, the mass of raw energy in the center of the room abruptly contracted, turning into a streak of light that vanished into the ceiling.

On the other side of the room, the previously smooth wall slid apart, revealing a structure resembling a small bookshelf.

A thin crystal book with silver runes imprinted on its cover lay quietly on the shelf.

Su Ran stepped forward and picked it up.

[Insights into basic arcane energy shaping (introductory)]

A summary of an ancient mage apprentice's practice notes on energy guidance, shaping, and stability. The content was elementary, but the reasoning was clear.

It could be submitted as one of the arcane experiment records.

The second knowledge record was in hand.

A staircase leading to the third floor quietly appeared beside the bookshelf.

Su Ran put the book away, feeling his thoughts grow more active from his skill's level-up and his successful completion of the test. He was full of confidence in the trials ahead.

He set off toward the third floor.

The real challenge might still lie ahead. But with Lv.5 [Knowledge Insight], he was already better equipped to solve problems.

As he stepped onto the spiral staircase leading to the third floor, the surrounding energy fluctuations became more obscure and ancient.

The gate of light at the top of the stairs was dark gold. The runes flowing across it were more complex, faintly emanating an indescribable sense of pressure.

Su Ran stepped through the gate.

The third floor was a small hexagonal room, with no combat facilities or energy-testing devices.

The walls, ceiling, and even the floor were densely engraved with countless twisted, mysterious golden runes.

These runes looked completely different from common arcane runes. Their lines were wilder and more ancient, as though they contained some kind of primal, powerful force. Merely looking at them made one's mind tremble slightly.

[Knowledge Insight Lv.5] triggered passively, issuing a strong warning: these runes contained the power of extremely ancient, higher-level rules. Forcibly deciphering or touching them could cause a mental shock.

Above the floor in the center of the room floated thirty core runes, brighter than the others and constantly rotating at a slow pace.

On three of the room's walls were three relatively complete passages of golden writing, their script equally ancient. Beside each passage, a title was written in small characters in the common language:

Left wall: "A study of basic Dragon Language etymology (volume one, fragment)"

Front wall: "Explanations of common Dragon Language runes and their energy associations (excerpt)"

Right wall: "A brief analysis of dragon roar syllables and runic resonance (damaged)"

Three... Dragon Language dictionaries?! Even if they were incomplete!

Su Ran was shaken. Dragon Language was the language dragons were said to use. Every character contained power, and it was one of the highest forms of knowledge in this world!

Very little of it had been passed down, let alone dictionary material this systematic, even if incomplete!

The third floor's test was now clear: decipher the thirty floating core Dragon Language runes.

New instructions appeared in the air as energy writing:

[Third floor: Ancient Language Corridor.]

[Test: decipherment through wisdom.]

[Rules: use the reference material provided on the walls to decipher the basic meaning or energy affinity of the thirty core Dragon Language runes.

Each core rune correctly deciphered will transform into a point of knowledge light. Collect all thirty points of knowledge light to pass. There is no time limit, but the mental power expenditure is your own responsibility.]