Illusion

He recalled the battle with the Necromancer. Those seemingly casual mental attacks now held deep meaning. Each attack was like a hammer, constantly refining his Mental Power.

Jialan closed his eyes and began to carefully experience the changes brought about by this meditation technique. His Mental Power was no longer scattered and formless as before, but had become solid as steel. Even without deliberate control, he could clearly sense the Mana fluctuations within a hundred-meter radius.

What surprised him even more was the significant improvement in the recovery speed of his Mental Power. What previously took several hours to recover now took nearly an hour less.

Jialan began to attempt some more advanced techniques for using Mental Power. He was astonished to discover that he could perform multiple spellcasts simultaneously, something that was unimaginable before.

"No wonder that Necromancer could control so many undead creatures at once," Jialan realized with sudden clarity. This meditation technique not only improved the quality and quantity of his Mental Power but also greatly enhanced his control.

He tried using "Mental Pierce," condensing his Mental Power into a needle-like form. It was not only more concealed but also incredibly powerful. Jialan believed that if he encountered an Intermediate Mage again, he would not be as embarrassed as last time.

"Perhaps I can try a deeper level of meditation..." Jialan pondered. But he also knew that now was not the time for further research. There were still many unknown dangers in the ruins, and he needed to remain vigilant.

Jialan tidied up his belongings and prepared to move forward. His boots sank into the soft moss with each careful step. The light at the tip of his Staff illuminated the path ahead. Glowing vines covered the stone walls, their luminescence flickering in the darkness like countless eyes watching him.

A cold wind swept from the depths of the cave, and Jialan's pupils contracted sharply. It was not a natural wind; it carried a heavy, fishy odor, and... Mana fluctuations.

"Roar..."

A deafening roar echoed through the cave, and the glowing vines on the walls shook violently. Jialan saw two crimson lights ignite in the darkness, drawing closer with heavy footsteps. The ground trembled, and gravel rained down from above.

A colossal creature emerged from the darkness. It was a Magic Beast nearly three meters tall, resembling a giant wolf but covered in dragon-like scales. Its fangs were as long as an arm, dripping corrosive saliva that burned holes in the ground. Most terrifying were its eyes, whose crimson glow seemed to contain endless ferocity and bloodlust.

Jialan's throat tightened, and he could feel his heart pounding violently. The oppressive aura emanating from the Magic Beast made it difficult to breathe, but he forced himself to calm down. Panic was the greatest enemy of a Spellcaster; losing composure meant being close to death.

The Magic Beast let out a low growl and lunged forward. Jialan swiftly swung his Staff, having prepared it beforehand, and cast the ready "Frost Shield." But the Magic Beast's claws easily tore through the shield, sending shards of ice flying. Jialan rolled on the ground, narrowly dodging the attack. He could feel the Magic Beast's fangs graze his back, sending a bone-chilling cold through him.

"Thorn Bind!" Jialan shouted, throwing three or four seeds onto the ground. Several thorny vines grew rapidly, erupting from the ground and coiling towards the Magic Beast. But the thorns shattered upon contact with the beast's scales, unable to restrain it.

The Magic Beast turned and lunged again. Jialan threw a Magic Spider silk sac into the air, which exploded with a bang, forming a giant net that swept towards the Magic Beast, only to be shattered once more.

Jialan's breathing grew rapid. This was the first time he had faced such a ferocious Magic Beast alone. At his level, he was completely helpless... This wouldn't do; he had to find a way.

Just then, Jialan noticed a detail. Each time the Magic Beast attacked, it stirred up a gust of cold wind, but there was no change in temperature within the wind. Logically, such a massive Magic Beast should generate heat when it moved.

Furthermore, the ground corroded by the Magic Beast's saliva, though pitted and uneven, had consistently shaped holes, as if stamped by a mold.

A bold idea surfaced in Jialan's mind. He stopped running and stood still. The Magic Beast opened its monstrous maw and lunged, its fangs mere inches away. Jialan could even smell the foul stench, yet he remained motionless.

Just as the Magic Beast was about to bite him, Jialan suddenly raised his Staff, and a pure ice-blue light shot out. It wasn't an attack spell, but the simplest "True Sight," a basic spell to dispel illusions.

As the light passed, the Magic Beast's form began to distort and dissipate. Its ferocious fangs, violent red eyes, and massive body shattered like bubbles. The cave returned to silence, with only Jialan's rapid breathing echoing.

"It was indeed an illusion..." Jialan exhaled, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. He walked to where the Magic Beast had appeared and found a complex magic circle etched on the ground. The glowing vines formed the patterns of the array.

The Ancient Elf's illusions were so lifelike, capable of simulating temperature, scent, and pressure so realistically. If he hadn't noticed those subtle flaws, he might have been scared to death here.

Jialan crouched down and carefully studied the magic circle. Faint Mana flowed through the patterns of the array, and the luminescence of the vines was actually the manifestation of Mana. This illusionary mechanism had been operating for at least hundreds or thousands of years, yet it remained so intricate, a testament to the Ancient Elves' mastery of magic.

He reached out and touched the magic circle, feeling a gentle Mana fluctuation. While powerful, this illusion was not lethal; it was more like a test. Only those who remained calm and observant could discern its secrets.

Jialan took out parchment and special magic ink from his backpack and carefully began to sketch the magic circle on the ground. He adjusted the light at the tip of his Staff to its brightest, and an ice-blue halo enveloped the entire array.

As his pen moved across the parchment, Jialan increasingly felt the ingenuity of this array. The seemingly chaotic patterns held a hidden order, with each arc perfectly aligning with the surrounding vine luminescence. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, not just from intense concentration but also from the pressure of the immense Mana contained within the array.

"Here..." Jialan's pen suddenly stopped. At the core of the array, he discovered a peculiar symbol: a pattern composed of three concentric circles, each ring inscribed with dense runes. These runes were entirely different from common Elvish script, resembling some older form of writing.

He carefully copied the symbol, afraid of missing any detail. When the last stroke was completed, the array on the parchment suddenly emitted a faint glow, but it vanished in an instant. Jialan rubbed his eyes, wondering if he had imagined it.

Putting away the parchment, Jialan stood up, his legs feeling a bit numb. He checked the time; an hour had passed. The depths of the cave remained dark and mysterious, as if beckoning him to continue forward.