Wizard Eric had once mentioned during a casual chat with Buck:
"During the apprentice stage, you learn the knowledge summarized by those before you and build standard models."
"But once you become an Official Wizard, you need to start thinking: why is this model constructed this way?"
"What is the principle behind it?"
"Is there a method better suited to yourself?"
"This process is called Spell Enlightenment. It is the key distinction between wizards and mere spellcasting tools."
Those words were deeply etched into Luo Lin's mind.
He began consciously studying every spell and researching every energy diagram. Whenever he drew a formation, he no longer settled for merely asking "how to do it," but pursued the question of "why do it this way?"
This process slowed his learning progress once more. In particular, the proficiency gains for the various knowledge and spells on his panel became even slower.
But Luo Lin knew that his foundation was being forged to an exceptional degree of solidity.
His interactions with Lina remained at a superficial level—occasional meetings and brief conversations.
Lina seemed quite interested in the various planting experiments he had carried out after acquiring the Darkgold Wood at the Graymarsh Trade Fair. Once, she had even gone out of her way to visit his stone house and inspect the crude Nourishing Formation, clicking her tongue in amazement.
"You really do keep coming up with new tricks."
"If this thing could be mass-produced, those factions specializing in cultivating magical plants would probably fight over it."
Lina circled the thriving Moonlight Orchid.
"It's only a preliminary attempt. The effect is limited, and the source of the Darkgold Wood is unknown, so it can't be replicated."
Luo Lin spoke honestly.
"That's true."
Lina nodded, then said eagerly,
"But it's really interesting!"
"It's much more fun than fighting and scheming all day."
"Did you know? Kyle nearly got into a fight with people from the Firmrock Society recently over a slot for an exploration mission into Glimmer Mine."
Luo Lin neither agreed nor disagreed.
He had no interest whatsoever in disputes between apprentices. All he wanted was to accumulate knowledge in peace.
During the few chance encounters that followed, Kyle Silverglow's gaze remained cold, but he no longer provoked Luo Lin with words. It was as though he had tacitly accepted Luo Lin's existence.
After this peaceful period had lasted for some time, an academy announcement shattered it.
In one month, the academy would open a competition for Elemental Well meditation qualifications to all Third-Rank Apprentices.
The so-called Elemental Wells were several natural energy convergence points within the academy. Reinforced and guided by formations, meditating within them was far more efficient than using high-grade meditation rooms.
They were especially effective for comprehending energy particles and purifying spiritual power.
Each time they opened, the available slots were extremely limited and had to be obtained through competition.
The moment the announcement was issued, the Third-Rank Apprentices throughout the academy stirred into a frenzy.
This was a rare opportunity to accelerate their cultivation and perhaps even touch the threshold of becoming an Official Wizard.
Luo Lin was tempted as well.
He had been stuck at [Basic Meditation Method (Mastery 98%)] for a long time. Perhaps with the environment of an Elemental Well, he could break through to the perfect level in one go.
Moreover, the environment of the Elemental Well would undoubtedly be of great benefit to his understanding of energy particle structures.
The method for competing for qualification was to complete a designated high-difficulty mission.
Collect ten Tail-Stinger Cores from Crystallized Scorpion Lions.
Crystallized Scorpion Lions were pack-dwelling magical creatures that lived in the perilous mountain range near the academy. Their strength generally reached the level of Third-Rank Apprentices, while Scorpion Lion Chieftains approached the level of Official Wizards. They were extremely dangerous.
The mission had to be completed alone. Teaming up was forbidden, ensuring fairness and testing individual strength.
The mission was difficult, but its rewards were equally enticing.
Besides the Elemental Well meditation qualification, completing the mission itself would earn a reward of 1,000 contribution points.
Luo Lin barely hesitated before immediately going to the mission hall to accept it.
He knew it was dangerous, but he had confidence in his own strength and preparations.
Besides, this sort of challenge was itself an excellent form of training.
After accepting the mission, Luo Lin began his intense preparations.
He carefully studied the academy archives on Crystallized Scorpion Lions, learning about their habits, attack methods, and weaknesses.
Crystallized Scorpion Lions possessed astonishing defenses. In particular, the crystallized shell covering their bodies had powerful resistance against both physical and energy attacks.
However, their abdomens and joint connections were relatively vulnerable. Their tail stingers were their strongest weapons and also contained the cores of their power.
Luo Lin checked his equipment.
A Bone-Spike Dagger, several high-quality Stamina Recovery Potions, two spare Lesser Mental Boiling Potions, and several experimental potions he had concocted himself, with powerful corrosive or paralyzing effects.
As for spells, Acid Spray was effective against crystallized shells, Weak Force-Field Armor had to be maintained at all times, and Mage Hand could be used to restrain and interfere with enemies.
In addition, he had specifically spent 500 contribution points to purchase a one-use Lesser Elemental Shield scroll as a life-saving trump card.
Once his preparations were complete, Luo Lin kept quiet. One morning, he left the academy alone and headed toward the rugged northern mountains.
This was the first time he had truly left the academy's safe boundaries and faced the dangers of the wilderness alone.
The air carried an aura of freedom and danger. He knew this mission was not merely about competing for resources.
It was also an important test of the results of his more than half year of arduous cultivation.
Once he left the boundaries of Shadow Crow Holy Tower Arcane Academy, the energy particles in the air seemed to become far more active and chaotic.
The harsh winds unique to the Karugusha Highlands swept up dust and whipped Luo Lin's gray apprentice robe.
He adjusted his breathing and slightly extended his spiritual power, sensing his surroundings.
This was his first time entering the wilderness beyond the academy alone. Although he was only in the relatively familiar outskirts of the northern mountains, the danger there could not be compared to that within the academy.
According to the maps and records, Crystallized Scorpion Lions generally inhabited dry caves or canyon regions deep within the mountains.
Luo Lin did not choose to venture directly inward. Instead, he carefully searched along the mountain outskirts for traces of Scorpion Lion activity.
For example, gnawed animal bones, distinctive scratches on rock walls, or faint crystal fragments contained within their droppings.
He moved slowly and with exceptional caution.
Weak Force-Field Armor remained active at its lowest level, consuming a steady but acceptable amount of mana.
His spiritual power swept across the path ahead like invisible feelers, probing for possible traps and lurking predators.
On the first day, he found no trace of Crystallized Scorpion Lions. He only encountered some ordinary mountain animals and several low-threat magical beasts.
He easily dealt with a Shadowstripe Leopard that tried to ambush him using Acid Spray, testing the spell's effectiveness in real combat.
That night, he found a sheltered rocky peak and set up a simple warning formation.
It was one of the practical little tricks he had recently learned from Basic Formation Analysis.
The formation consisted of several stones inscribed with runes. Once a creature entered a certain range, it would send him a mental warning.
Though crude, it could provide the most basic level of security.
On the afternoon of the second day, Luo Lin finally discovered several large lizard skeletons that had been gnawed completely clean beneath a steep slope.
Fine crystalline powder remained on the bones—the trace of Crystallized Scorpion Lions.
His spirits rose, and he searched upward along the slope.
As he went deeper, the terrain became increasingly rugged, with jagged rocks forming a complex maze.
A faint fishy stench, like a mixture of sulfur and metal, began to permeate the air.
Luo Lin became even more careful. He lightened his steps and slowly advanced under the cover of the rocks.
At a narrow pass, he stopped.
Ahead came a rustling scraping sound, accompanied by low roars like colliding stones.
He cautiously poked his head out and saw three Crystallized Scorpion Lions tearing apart a freshly captured rock goat on a relatively flat patch of gravel beyond the pass.
This was Luo Lin's first time seeing these magical creatures with his own eyes.
They were slightly smaller than ordinary lions, but their entire bodies were covered in irregular, multifaceted crystals that refracted cold glimmers in the dim light.
Their limbs were powerful and their claws and fangs sharp. Most striking of all was the tail raised high behind each of them. Its tip was not a venomous stinger, but a fist-sized crystal core that continuously flashed with unstable energy.
Those were the mission targets: Tail-Stinger Cores.
Before you continue