Book of Eternity

Even something as bizarre as transmigration had happened to him, so it was hardly earth-shattering or unbearable that the [Book of Eternity] had crossed over with him.

Xia Ming took a deep breath, calmed the tangled emotions in his heart, and began examining the [Book of Eternity].

He had always been curious about this ultimate item from the game. The moment his consciousness touched the Book of Eternity within his sea of consciousness, Xia Ming discovered that its pages could actually be turned.

His interest was immediately piqued, and he began flipping through it.

"Knowledge of magical materials and ores, High Elven, Draconic, potion-making, magical inscriptions, and even magic spells." Xia Ming read while committing the words recorded in the Book of Eternity to memory.

"As expected of the ultimate item for magic-class professions. It actually contains so much useful knowledge." Xia Ming could not help sighing. The [Book of Eternity] recorded countless magical insights and professional skills he had never even heard of before. It truly was a holy artifact players had dreamed of in the game—unfortunately, it had ultimately been limited to the game world alone.

Wait!

A bold thought suddenly sprang into Xia Ming's mind—what if the [Book of Eternity] could also function in this world?

At that thought, Xia Ming's heart began pounding wildly.

If the [Book of Eternity] worked in this world too, what would that mean?

Yes, it would mean he possessed the foundation to rise in one leap and become one of this world's strongest experts!

Unable to wait any longer, Xia Ming began experimenting. He found a low-level spell recorded in the [Book of Eternity]: the first-tier spell [Water Prison], the most basic water-element trap spell.

After reading it only once, Xia Ming smoothly chanted the incantation. Water elements abruptly condensed, and the surrounding currents of air roared as if exploding. A watery-blue ring of light floated in midair, sealing off an area roughly two meters wide like a cage.

The spell had succeeded!

Xia Ming felt as if his heart were about to leap from his chest. The magic in the [Book of Eternity] could actually be used in this world! In other words, he possessed a god-tier artifact for mages in this world as well—countless material-related insights, professional skills, and even rare magic spells that did not originally exist in this world!

Xia Ming impatiently continued flipping through the [Book of Eternity], only to discover with astonishment that as he read, the endless knowledge within it seemed as though it had been his from birth. It all imprinted itself deeply into his mind, merging with his original memories, and he could use it with ease.

The Book of Eternity was a book of magic. Though it appeared to be only a single book, the knowledge contained within surpassed that of an entire library!

The discovery left Xia Ming both shocked and delighted. But before he could finish rejoicing, after turning a few more pages, the remaining portion of the [Book of Eternity] became completely impossible to open. It was as though some force had sealed it shut, unbreakable and impregnable.

"How strange. I can't open the rest of it." Xia Ming carefully examined it and discovered a pattern.

"All the knowledge regarding magical ores and materials can be opened."

"The language knowledge—Elven, Draconic, and the like—can be opened in full."

"But spells, inscriptions, potion-making, and other knowledge and skills of tier five or below can be accessed directly, while anything above tier five cannot."

"Could it be because of my spiritual power? Is my spiritual power too weak, preventing me from turning to the higher-tier portions of the [Book of Eternity] within my spiritual world?"

Xia Ming pondered silently.

Unable to make head or tail of it, Xia Ming simply gave up struggling. After that string of bizarre events, his mind was already drained and his body utterly exhausted. His thoughts were a muddle, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.

Over the next month or so, Xia Ming spent his days immersed in the study of magic.

It had to be said that Anthony was a good teacher.

He explained complex, obscure magical knowledge in a clear and simple manner, drawing on references and examples with effortless ease, leaving Xia Ming engrossed. Under Anthony's guidance, Xia Ming's progress in magic advanced by leaps and bounds. Even Anthony, who had become somewhat numb to Xia Ming's talent, had to admit that compared with those so-called geniuses, this brat was a monster among monsters.

Then there was the [Book of Eternity]. The help it gave Xia Ming was undoubtedly immense. Xia Ming was astonished to discover that much of the magical knowledge recorded in it was secret lore of this world, and many of its magic spells had already been lost in this world.

The discovery thrilled Xia Ming. The appearance of the [Book of Eternity] was like adding wings to a tiger for him, not merely icing on the cake.

Though he did not know why the latter pages of the [Book of Eternity] could not be opened, Xia Ming believed none of it would be a problem. Given enough time, he would surely unravel the mysteries of the [Book of Eternity].

More than a month of study passed in the blink of an eye. That day, the old mage called Xia Ming outside.

Anthony wore a stern expression. "Brat, demonstrate all the magic you've mastered these past few days. I want to see exactly how much you've learned over this past month."

"Understood. I'll give it everything I have." Xia Ming nodded seriously, a trace of confidence reflected in his black eyes.

"[Gale Frenzy]!" Magical syllables flew from Xia Ming's lips as rapidly as popping beans. He opened with the second-tier wind spell [Gale Frenzy]. In less than two seconds, he completed the entire incantation. Several azure blades of wind shot toward the ground, blasting it with a thunderous boom.

Stunning!

A satisfied smile spread across Anthony's face. Such a fast casting speed—this brat really had something to him. An ordinary second-tier mage needed at least three seconds to cast [Gale Frenzy]. Do not underestimate the difference of one second; anyone who practiced magic knew the fundamental gulf it represented.

A hair's breadth of error, and the result could be a thousand miles off.

Before the force of [Gale Frenzy] had even dissipated, another incantation rang out. "[Starlight Flame]!" This time, it was a second-tier fire spell. It erupted almost the instant [Gale Frenzy] ended. Sparks burst through the air and scattered in every direction, seeming to dye even the sky red.

"Well done!"

At the sight of that spell, Anthony's face blossomed into a smile. [Gale Frenzy] and [Starlight Flame] had been cast consecutively, with virtually no interval between them. That was truly rare.

What followed was a continuous string of first- and second-tier spells. Xia Ming seemed to enter a state of selfless focus, untouched by any outside distraction, and the longer Anthony watched, the more alarmed he became.

At first, Anthony could still maintain his smile, but by the end, cold sweat trickled down his forehead—just what kind of little monster had he picked up? By now, Xia Ming had cast over twenty low-level spells in succession, yet there was not the slightest sign of his mana running dry. Was this brat some magical beast wearing human skin?

When Xia Ming finally cast the third-tier spell [Ring of Earth], even Anthony's voice twisted with shock. "A third-tier spell!"

Anthony looked at Xia Ming as if he were staring at a stranger. If the old mage remembered correctly, this brat had still been at the level of second-tier magic just a few days ago, yet today he had actually cast a third-tier spell.

In the brief span of one month, this brat had gone from the most basic meditation to being able to cast a third-tier spell!

In one month, he had gone from a complete magic novice to a third-tier mage!

Thinking of his own progress back then, Anthony felt that compared to this brat, he had crawled like a snail. The old mage was both grief-stricken and indignant. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that this brat could not be explained by common sense.

After finishing all that, Xia Ming asked the old mage, "Teacher, how did I do?"

The old mage used a cough to conceal the shock in his heart. Xia Ming's third-level spell just now had shaken him no less than a tenth-level spell.

But to keep Xia Ming from becoming smug, the old mage still said, "You did fairly well. Mm, this is basic quality every mage must possess." The old mage felt his voice was somewhat dry as he said this, and his old face reddened slightly.

Xia Ming nodded faintly without showing the slightest trace of pride.

"Brat, I never expected that in just one short month, your magic had already reached the third level. What you lack most now is practical experience." The old mage concluded, "As it happens, I have business to attend to and will be leaving for a few days. During that time, go out and gain some experience. While you're at it, buy yourself a decent mage's robe and staff."

If a craftsman wished to do good work, he must first sharpen his tools. How could a mage go without a robe and staff? The old mage had originally worried that Xia Ming's magical cultivation was still somewhat lacking, but Xia Ming's progress had been so rapid that he could finally rest easy and let him go out to train.

Go out and gain experience?

Xia Ming's heart stirred, and he nodded in agreement.

"Alright, Teacher, I understand. When should I leave?" Xia Ming was not one to put on airs, and he immediately asked.

Anthony smiled. "Right now. I've prepared a few things for you." With a wave of his hand, Anthony took several small items from within his spacious mage's robe.

A map, a crystal card, and a thick notebook.

"This is a regional map, as well as a continent-wide crystal card. There are ten thousand gold coins in it, which should be enough for you. As for this notebook, it contains some magical insights I compiled. Take it with you and study it over the next few days." The old mage patted Xia Ming's shoulder. "I'm giving you one month. Return here to find me after one month."

Seeing how thoroughly the old mage had prepared everything, Xia Ming felt somewhat moved and silently put the items away.

The old mage rambled on for a while longer before finally letting Xia Ming leave.

As Xia Ming's back gradually faded into the distance, Anthony seemed to let out a breath of relief and plopped down without the slightest regard for his usual poise. He sighed, "I've finally sent that brat away. If he stayed any longer, I wouldn't even know what else to teach him."

A trace of smugness appeared on Anthony's face. "But I really am looking forward to seeing what this kid will become after one month..."

The smile on Anthony's face grew broader and broader until he finally burst into laughter. "Talent rivaling Orlando, the God of Magic—hehe, those old fellows will be so frightened their eyeballs will pop out!"