Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes

Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes affected magic incantations!

Seeing Xia Ming listening in rapt attention, Anthony smiled. "The incantations mastered by every mage are closely guarded secrets. Aside from true disciples, a mage's incantations are almost never leaked..."

Xia Ming nodded. Magic incantations and meditation formulas were never to be revealed; this was an unspoken rule acknowledged by nearly all mages. Should any mage attempt to pry into another mage's incantations or formulas, they would inevitably be jointly wanted by the Mage Guild, with the frenzied pursuit of hundreds or even thousands of high-level mages awaiting them.

"A warrior's weapons are blades and swords, while a mage's weapon is an incantation! Especially when they are of the same rank, with little difference in mana and spiritual power, the strength of one's magic incantations becomes the key to deciding victory..."

The old mage's words flowed with remarkable force, making Xia Ming nod again and again.

"Then what does Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes have to do with incantations?"

Seeing that he had successfully piqued Xia Ming's curiosity, the old mage gave a smug chuckle. "Think carefully. At the same rank, how would it feel if your incantation speed were twice as fast as everyone else's?"

"Incantation speed!" Xia Ming blurted out.

Anthony clapped his hands and nodded. "That's right—it's incantation speed!"

So Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes were related to the speed of chanting incantations. No wonder Xia Ming had manifested the Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes of a silver six-pointed star after increasing his chanting speed.

What did increased chanting speed mean?

A mage's greatest limitation was the need to chant long, obscure incantations while preparing magic, especially high-level magic, consuming a great deal of time. But if that restriction on time vanished—or was drastically reduced—the terror of a mage would speak for itself!

Xia Ming immediately grasped the crux of the matter, and his expression turned grave.

Anthony continued, "Chanting magic incantations is a fundamental skill every mage must master. It sounds simple, but very few can truly become proficient in it. Of those, only the very best can come into contact with Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes. I had originally thought you would only encounter them after becoming a sixth-level mage. Since you have already encountered them now, I'll explain them to you properly."

Xia Ming immediately pricked up his ears.

"Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes are actually divided into three realms. The faster one's chanting speed, the higher the realm of Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes that appears. The silver six-pointed star that manifested when you cast magic is the first realm—Silver Star."

Silver Star!

"Generally speaking, only mages above the sixth level can comprehend this, and even among them, those who do are exceedingly rare. Calling them gifted talents in the cultivation of magic would not be an exaggeration." As Anthony spoke, he glared at Xia Ming. This brat had comprehended the realm of 'Silver Star' as a fifth-level mage—he truly deserved to be called a magic genius.

"The second realm is when a red moon appears during spellcasting, known as 'Red Moon.' At that point, a mage can freely communicate with the magic elements between heaven and earth, accelerating the release of large-scale high-level magic. Mages who reach this realm are already powerhouses in the present age. If you ever see one, do not provoke them lightly!"

Anthony gave the warning solemnly.

Xia Ming silently committed all of this to memory, then pressed on, "Then, Teacher, what about the final realm of Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes?"

Anthony shook his head. "No one in this age has ever reached such a level. However, legend has it that several peak Mage Gods of the pre-Stellar Age possessed this realm. This realm is called 'Eclipsing Sun.' A golden sun will appear when casting magic."

Eclipsing Sun, Red Moon, Silver Star—the three realms of Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes!

It seemed his road in magic was still very long. Xia Ming's blood boiled as he listened, yet he also felt immense pressure. Before those legends, he was still insignificant.

"To reach a realm like 'Silver Star' at such a young age is already extraordinarily rare. What's more, you have only studied magic for a few months. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I truly would not dare believe it..."

Anthony sighed with emotion and patted Xia Ming's shoulder.

"Since Heaven-Bestowed Divine Runes appear when you chant, it proves that you already possess the qualifications to contend for the summit among the continent's powerhouses." Anthony's words made Xia Ming's blood surge once more.

Having come to this world, if he did not ascend to its very peak, would he not have failed this journey through another world?

Yet Xia Ming knew clearly that he had studied magic for far too short a time. Compared to true powerhouses, there was still an insurmountable gap between them. But Xia Ming believed that as time passed, that gap would gradually shrink, then vanish entirely, until at last—he surpassed them!

Calming the turmoil in his heart, Xia Ming nodded. "I understand, Teacher. It's getting late; I'll head to class first!" With the doubts in his heart answered, he prepared to take his leave.

"You brat, using this old man and then leaving the moment you're done—get lost already!" Anthony laughed and cursed, waving him off with easy grace.

Xia Ming scratched his head and gave an awkward smile as he was about to leave. Suddenly, as if recalling something, Anthony said, "Oh, right. Since you've reached the fifth level, you're now an intermediate mage. According to the Continental Convention, mages at the intermediate level and above must make their own magic oath. Have you thought about it?"

The Continental Convention stipulated that any mage who reached the fifth level or above could make their own magic oath before the God of Elements.

People in this world attached great importance to oaths, so the old mage's gaze upon Xia Ming was exceptionally serious.

"What was Teacher's magic oath back then?"

A trace of nostalgia surfaced on the old mage's face. "Heh, that was a long time ago. My magic oath at the time was: to spend my entire life using magic to seek out the true knowledge of this world."

No wonder the old man loved conducting magic experiments so much. He had been a science prodigy in his youth!

Thinking of this, Xia Ming could not help but grow serious as well. Since crossing into this world, simply being able to encounter and study the magic he loved most had already felt like great fortune. What was more, heaven had granted him such terrifying talent, along with the help of the Book of Eternity...

All of it, all of it, had finally given Xia Ming the qualifications to contend for the summit among the continent's powerhouses.

Xia Ming turned around. Sunlight spilled over him, its gentle rays bathing his entire body. A glimmer of light and an unusual brilliance shone in his eyes.

The youth stood firm and slowly opened his mouth, speaking each word with solemn sincerity. "Teacher, my magic oath is this: I will become the strongest mage on the continent, without exception!"

His sharply defined face radiated incomparable resolve and confidence. Clenching his fist, he spoke those words.

To become the strongest mage on the continent!

Those words did not stir up towering waves, nor did they shake heaven and earth. Yet they planted a seed deep in Xia Ming's heart, and he silently charged forward at full speed toward that goal!

The strongest mage—without exception!