Moon Base

The next morning, the night had yet to fully fade, and the air was thick with the scent of metal and magic.

The World Gate hummed within its energy circuits, light flowing along the runes like water.

Lin An stood before the gate, his fingertips brushing the center of the rune array.

After a night of deliberation, an idea gradually took shape—

This laboratory had to be moved away from Earth.

The World Gate's magical power was far too astonishing. Any high-level wizard who came within a few kilometers would be able to sense that energy.

Moreover, with the large number of Muggle prisoners and dark wizards used during the experiments, if even the slightest trace leaked out, the Ministry of Magic would eventually follow the trail to him.

No matter how airtight the defensive spells were, there was always a chance they could be seen through.

Reason told him that Earth was no longer safe.

The only place that was absolutely safe—the Moon.

This was not a spur-of-the-moment thought, but the result of meticulous deduction.

It was far enough away, its surface was stable, and there was no interference from life. It was suitable for establishing an independent research zone.

As long as the World Gate could function, any coordinates could be reached.

The runes flashed, and the metal doors slowly opened.

He gripped the Expansion Charm suitcase tightly in his hand. All the documents, experimental equipment, and core devices had already been stored inside.

With a flicker of energy, the World Gate transformed into a stream of light and swallowed him along with the entire experimental system.

If a telescope had been aimed at the lunar surface at that moment, the observer would have witnessed an unimaginable sight—

A massive silver door appeared from the void, and then a figure stepped out, landing without a sound.

His first step fell onto the gray-white dust.

There was no wind in the vacuum, yet he could feel a stillness as cold and desolate as ice.

There was no breathable air and a lack of oxygen.

Lin An immediately cast the Bubble Charm. A silver barrier enveloped his body, supplying his lungs with sufficient oxygen.

He then activated the Gravity Charm—an achievement of years of alchemical research, inspired by the "Anti-Gravity Tree" recorded in Goshawk's Guide to Magical Plants.

It was a strange plant that could grow suspended in the air atop mountain peaks, its roots capable of releasing a reverse gravitational field.

Lin An had once traveled to the mountains of Nepal to discuss the principles of its structure with local wizards.

Several years later, he had finally mastered the Gravity Adjustment Technique, and now he cast it with effortless ease.

His footing gradually stabilized.

The surface dust was loose due to the low gravity. He precisely controlled his magic, keeping his body's gravity in balance with the surface tension so that he would not sink in.

He then cast the Warming Charm, regulating the surrounding temperature to ward off the lunar night's freezing cold.

The World Gate was moved to the dark side, where the terrain was concealed.

Using earth-element magic to excavate a passage, silver-gray dust swirled through the air as a deep cavern took shape amid magical tremors.

The cave entrance was sealed with rocks and runes, after which an Expansion Charm was cast, increasing the interior space a hundredfold.

Next, the laboratory modules from the suitcase were released in sequence—the alchemy room, rune room, gene chamber, and archives—all settling into place.

Constant-temperature rune arrays covered the walls, while gravitational circuits were inscribed into the floor.

Magical plants grew from their culture dishes, and air was reconstructed through purification magic. The oxygen level and humidity became almost identical to those on Earth.

A new dwelling took shape.

Several days later, the defensive system was fully activated as well.

Hundreds of defensive spells were layered together, including illusions, invisibility, spatial disruption, and mental interference.

If any wizard approached, they would sense nothing but a lifeless void.

This underground space was named—the Moon Base.

With the new base completed, the experiments resumed.

The primary research goals remained the Life Code and the Werewolf Conversion Factor.

Recently, he had successfully extracted a material sample from the source of infection that could reconstruct bloodlines, naming it the Moon Silver Factor.

This molecule could perfectly embed itself into a bloodline chain and trigger localized magical restructuring.

If controlled properly, it might allow Muggles to gain magic directly.

The instruments operated as streams of rune light coiled around them.

The silence of the lunar surface formed an eerie contrast with the underground laboratory's roar.

A week later, the research achieved preliminary results.

The magical reaction chain's stability had reached seventy percent, still insufficient for live testing.

At that moment, the communication mirror flickered, and silver light emerged in the air.

A familiar figure appeared in the mirror—

The house-elf Momo.

His voice was urgent. "Master, something unusual has happened at Gringotts. Hagrid brought Harry Potter into the bank. They say he took out something valuable."

Lin An's expression shifted slightly.

"The Philosopher's Stone."

This item had been included on his research list years ago.

If he could obtain it, the study of the Life Code would enter a new stage.

However, the chance to take the stone would vanish in an instant.

The World Gate could return to Earth at any time.

The energy array activated, silver light swirling around it. The Moon Base fell into brief silence, with only the runes trembling faintly in the darkness.

Amid flickering light and shadow, the figure vanished without a trace.

At dawn, Diagon Alley was bustling with people.

Lin An appeared beneath a patch of shadow, cast the Disillusionment Charm over himself, and merged into the crowd.

Before Gringotts' marble doors, Hagrid was awkwardly squeezing through the crowd, clutching an envelope and a bag to his chest, looking ill at ease.

Not far away, several wizards disguised as Muggles silently followed them.

Dumbledore truly would not place complete trust in anyone.

The Philosopher's Stone could not be taken at this moment.

The guards were too tight, and the plan carried too much risk.

His gaze swept over the lights and shadows at the street corner before finally withdrawing.

There was no disappointment, only calm judgment.

The essence of research had never been competition, but understanding.

The Philosopher's Stone would eventually be brought to Hogwarts. That would be the true opportunity.

The wind swept along the street, gently stirring the wizards' hats.

Lin An left along the stone-paved road, his steps unhurried.

Dust was swept up by the wind, while distant bells echoed leisurely.

Deep within that forgotten moonlit shadow, the silver door stood silently, like an eye watching the world.

No one noticed that the prelude to a new era was quietly unfolding.