Chapter Summaries

Luo Lin refined his control over opposing energy particles, then began designing a wind-and-water composite spell for Wizard Stone’s final assessment. After choosing a practical cleansing and stabilizing effect, he spent his days researching and testing spell models, ending with new inspiration from Wizard Eric’s advice.

• Luo Lin used mental force to buffer conflicting particles and learned to keep them balanced for over five minutes.
• Wizard Stone praised Luo Lin’s barely successful assignment, then taught the apprentices about interactions between different elemental particles.
• The Moonlight Orchid in Luo Lin’s nourishment array bloomed, and he collected its petals for calming potions.
• Wizard Stone assigned a final assessment: each apprentice had to design and cast a minor composite spell within a month to earn course certification and eligibility for a laboratory assistant position.
• Luo Lin chose wind and water for a supportive spell that could disperse dust, purify odors, and calm energy disturbances.
• Luo Lin researched and tested spell models, and Wizard Eric’s advice on energy-field gradients and mental-force anchors gave him fresh inspiration.

Luo Lin completed and demonstrated [Breeze Dust-Cleansing], a stable wind-and-water spell that cleaned dust and soot while calming weak energy interference. Wizard Stone praised its unusual practical design and precise control, leaving Kyle Silverglow stunned by the assessment.

• Luo Lin developed a seventeen-node double-helix model for [Breeze Dust-Cleansing] and practiced until he could cast it reliably.
• At the assessment, Kyle Silverglow demonstrated [Dreadfire Seed], a fire-and-lightning spell that burned a target and briefly disrupted it.
• Luo Lin cast [Breeze Dust-Cleansing], clearing chalk dust and easing odors and restless energy in the classroom.
• Luo Lin explained how the spell used wind for physical dispersal and water to absorb odors and weak energy interference.
• Wizard Stone praised Luo Lin's unique support spell and outstanding precision, while Kyle looked stunned.

Luo Lin earned the assistant position in Wizard Stone’s laboratory and strengthened his skills through research. After reaching Third-Rank Apprentice, he registered for a ten-year support mission at the dangerous Black Forest Frontline Outpost and began preparing to leave the academy.

• Wizard Stone awarded the laboratory assistant position to Luo Lin, angering Kyle Silverglow and drawing new attention to Luo Lin.
• Luo Lin studied in Wizard Stone’s laboratory, applied its precise methods to his own work, and deepened his understanding of energy.
• After half a year, Luo Lin’s Mental Sea transformed, and he reached Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice with Basic Meditation Method at Perfect proficiency.
• The academy announced a support mission to the Black Forest Frontline Outpost, and Luo Lin consulted Wizard Eric and Wizard Stone before deciding to go.
• Luo Lin registered for the ten-year mission, and the steward confirmed his eligibility and said departure was expected within three months.
• Luo Lin began preparing for his departure and counted his accumulated assets, which totaled eight thousand contribution points.

Luo Lin arrived at Gray Tower Outpost, adapted to patrol duty in the Black Forest, and proved useful in combat. When his squad encountered a huge Gloomscale Python, he struck its vulnerable mouth with Acid-Erosion Ray as the fight began.

• Luo Lin prepared supplies and spells, then left the academy with the third batch bound for the Black Forest.
• After nearly a month of travel, Luo Lin reached Gray Tower Outpost and was assigned to a patrol unit.
• Luo Lin learned from Captain Holm and gained the outpost logistics staff’s favor through his careful work with materials.
• During patrols, Luo Lin helped his squad defeat low-level magical creatures using Acid Spray and Mage Hand.
• Luo Lin’s squad tracked signs of a huge Gloomscale Python to a cave, where the creature attacked them.
• Luo Lin hit the Gloomscale Python inside its mouth with Acid-Erosion Ray, giving Holm and the others an opening to restrain it.

Luo Lin earned a reputation at Gray Tower Outpost after helping kill a Gloomscale Python and skillfully processing its materials. Four months later, during an exploration of Silent Marsh, his team encountered a Sludge Devourer, and Luo Lin used his spells and a mental-protection array to help them fight it.

• Luo Lin helped Holm's team kill a near-mature Gloomscale Python, then collected and processed its valuable materials.
• An Official Wizard awarded Luo Lin a portion of the gallbladder essence and twenty dark scales, while the team received contribution points.
• Over the following months, Luo Lin gained patrol experience, refined his spells, and processed materials for other patrol members.
• Holm's team accepted an exploration mission to investigate abnormal energy readings in Silent Marsh and encountered several marsh creatures along the way.
• A Sludge Devourer attacked Holm and another team member, and Luo Lin used [Acid-Erosion Ray] and [Mage Hand] to help them resist its tentacles.
• Luo Lin activated a mental-protection array that weakened the Sludge Devourer's mental shock and helped his teammates recover.

After nearly a year at Gray Tower Outpost, Luo Lin reunited with Mason, who revealed that an ancient wizard tower once stood near Rotting Mire. Mason asked Luo Lin to find Glowcap Mushrooms there and offered a map of the dangerous mire’s edges.

• Luo Lin and his squad drove back the mutated Sludge Devourer in Silent Marsh, then returned with samples and terrain data.
• The outpost rewarded Luo Lin for the mission and gave him a Tranquil Crystal fragment, which he later used to make a wearable mental-protection talisman.
• After nearly a year at the outpost, Luo Lin met Mason in the central hall and learned that an ancient wizard tower had once stood near Rotting Mire.
• Mason told Luo Lin he had failed to find Glowcap Mushrooms after fleeing swamp aberrations near the mire.
• Mason asked Luo Lin to find Glowcap Mushrooms in exchange for a premium and showed him a hand-drawn map of routes and dangers near Rotting Mire.

Luo Lin prepared carefully and ventured into the Rotting Mire outskirts to gather Glowcap Mushrooms for Mason. He found and harvested some after defeating the creatures guarding them, while leaving smaller mushrooms behind.

• Luo Lin studied Mason’s map and agreed to search for Glowcap Mushrooms, without promising he would find them or a specific amount.
• Over half a month, Luo Lin prepared his equipment, potions, spells, and route, then received Captain Holm’s approval to leave the Gray Tower Outpost.
• Luo Lin traveled through the Black Forest and avoided dangerous areas and Marsh Aberrations as he approached the Rotting Mire.
• Luo Lin found Glowcap Mushrooms at the first marked site and triggered hidden threads that summoned aggressive insects from a pond.
• Luo Lin crushed the insects with rubble, used Acid Spray on a nearby hole, and carefully harvested the Glowcap Mushrooms while leaving smaller ones behind.

Luo Lin reached a second Glowcap Mushroom collection site in a force-field interference zone and was ambushed by a mutated Swamp Sludge Monster guarding the mushrooms. After several exchanges, he unleashed his newly developed [Corrosive Orb] at the charging monster, and the attack raced toward its defenses.

• Luo Lin camped safely through the night, then continued toward the second collection point as the interference zone suppressed his perception and mana.
• Luo Lin discovered a large Glowcap Mushroom patch and dodged the mutated Swamp Sludge Monster that erupted from the ground to guard it.
• Luo Lin damaged the monster's arm with [Acid-Erosion Ray], then used [Mage Hand] to knock it into the ancient tree and bring down the mushrooms.
• Luo Lin defended against the monster's corrosive mud spray with [Weak Force-Field Armor] and fired another [Acid-Erosion Ray], but the monster blocked the shot with sludge.
• Luo Lin developed and launched [Corrosive Orb] at the charging Swamp Sludge Monster.

Luo Lin killed the Sludge Monster, collected Glowcap Mushrooms, and ventured toward the ancient Gray Tower ruins. He found a patrolling Metal Skeleton near a damaged hall, but a powerful monster drawn by the earlier battle forced him to decide quickly whether to stay or flee.

• Luo Lin killed the Sludge Monster with a [Corrosive Orb] and recovered seven intact, excellent-quality Glowcap Mushrooms.
• Luo Lin recovered his strength, then followed his curiosity toward the map's Unknown Force-Field Interference Zone.
• Luo Lin discovered the ancient Gray Tower ruins and sensed powerful presences around the gray-mist-shrouded center.
• Luo Lin hid from a Metal Skeleton patrolling a damaged hall and spotted possible chests and ancient records inside.
• Luo Lin sensed a destructive energy fluctuation and realized a stronger monster had been drawn toward the ruins by his battle.

Luo Lin sneaked into the ruined hall and recovered several ancient objects, including a seemingly lifeless egg that resonated with his spiritual power. When the Metal Skeleton approached, he escaped using a Greater Flash Rune Stone and fled the Rotting Mire as other powerful presences closed in.

• Luo Lin slipped into the half-collapsed hall while the Metal Skeleton patrolled outside.
• Luo Lin found a rusted chest and stored its scrolls, crystals, compass, and sealed red liquid in his Dimensional Bag.
• Luo Lin discovered a heavy gray-patterned egg whose shell briefly resonated with his Mental Sea, then wrapped it and hid it in a box inside his clothes.
• The Metal Skeleton approached the hall, so Luo Lin blinded it with a Greater Flash Rune Stone and escaped through another opening.
• Luo Lin fled toward the outskirts of the Rotting Mire as the Metal Skeleton and other dangerous presences pursued him.

Luo Lin returned to Gray Tower Outpost with Glowcap Mushrooms and mysterious relics from the ruins, then examined the ancient scrolls and discovered the Gray-Spotted Egg was still faintly alive. He delivered the mushrooms to Mason, who was delighted with the haul.

• Luo Lin escaped the dangers near the Rotting Mire and returned to Gray Tower Outpost after several days of cautious travel.
• Luo Lin studied the Bronze Compass, sealed vial, and ancient scrolls, learning about a Stasis Field, an improved [Rock Skin] model, and research on Soul Imprints and contracts.
• Luo Lin inferred that the Gray-Spotted Egg had been preserved by a Stasis Field and sensed a faint response when he fed it gentle mental power and mana.
• Luo Lin brought the twelve Glowcap Mushrooms to Mason, who eagerly accepted them and celebrated the successful delivery.

Luo Lin studied ancient texts to understand the Gray-Spotted Egg and discovered it was trapped in a delayed life process, then gradually awakened it through careful spiritual and energy nourishment. Nearly two years into his term at Gray Tower Outpost, he had strengthened his magic and standing while the egg continued to gather vitality.

• Mason bought Luo Lin's Glowcap Mushrooms for thirty percent above market price and gave him Flashing Dust, hinting that Luo Lin could come to him with future needs or goods.
• Luo Lin spent most of his contribution points on books about ancient runes, magical beasts, familiar contracts, and energy hatching.
• After nearly a month of study, Luo Lin deciphered the energy inertial field theory and realized that a damaged Stasis Field had left the Gray-Spotted Egg in an extremely delayed life process.
• Luo Lin optimized Weak Force-Field Armor using ancient ideas about earth-element stability and began gently communicating with and nourishing the egg.
• About two months later, the egg responded with a faint longing and began drawing in spiritual force and life-energy, prompting Luo Lin to continue its careful daily care.
• Over nearly two years at Gray Tower Outpost, Luo Lin improved his defenses and reputation through study and patrols, while the egg grew increasingly active and his Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice progress reached 89%.

Luo Lin nurtured the ancient egg while growing stronger through dangerous missions, and in his third year at Gray Tower Outpost, it finally hatched into a mutated Six-Eyed Crow. He began forming a gentle equal contract with the exhausted hatchling.

• Luo Lin used his spells and command skills to help his squad defeat Shadowsteel Scorpions in Weeping Death Canyon and gathered materials to support the egg's hatching.
• Luo Lin traded potions and antidotes for rare resources and learned more about milestones on the path to becoming an Official Wizard.
• Wizard Eric advised Luo Lin to seek treasures that could nourish the egg's life origin, while Wizard Stone praised his work with energy particles and spells.
• In his third year at Gray Tower Outpost, Luo Lin sensed the egg was hatching and supplied it with spiritual power and life energy as cracks spread across its shell.
• A weak chick with six pairs of eye-slits emerged, and Luo Lin recognized it as a mutated Six-Eyed Crow.
• Luo Lin drew an equal-contract rune and guided his blood-infused symbol toward the exhausted chick.

Luo Lin bonded with the Mutant Six-Eyed Crow chick, named it Baha, and raised it into a perceptive companion whose abilities improved his research and patrols. In his fifth year at Gray Tower Outpost, Luo Lin reached the limit of the Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice stage.

• Luo Lin completed an equal contract with the chick and named it Baha.
• Luo Lin cared for Baha as it slowly grew, opened its first two pairs of eyes, and developed perception that revealed energy flows and concealed things.
• Baha helped Luo Lin refine spell models and wizard arrays, and its warnings and discoveries improved his patrols and earnings.
• Luo Lin used Baha's feedback to improve the precision and efficiency of his spells.
• During deep meditation in his fifth year at Gray Tower Outpost, Luo Lin reached 100% progress as a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice.

Luo Lin reached the limits of a Third-Rank Apprentice and learned what resources and preparation he would need to become an Official Wizard. He abandoned attempts to force a breakthrough and began pursuing materials, an Advanced Meditation Method, and a path for his innate spell.

• Luo Lin sensed the barrier at the edge of his Mental Sea and refrained from forcing a breakthrough into the First-Circle Wizard realm.
• Luo Lin observed Baha's growth and recognized how its abilities and spiritual feedback had strengthened him.
• Luo Lin reviewed advice from Wizard Eric, Wizard Stone, and Old Jack about Crystallization Media, Advanced Meditation Methods, and innate spell materials.
• Luo Lin considered how his Perfect Basic Meditation Method might help him and accepted comfort from Baha.
• Luo Lin began organizing his studies, watching high-risk Outpost missions, and asking Mason about black markets and secret gatherings.

Luo Lin searched for rare materials and studied ways to advance his spells, then led his squad into a deadly valley where mutated Crystal-Cluster Mountain Demons attacked them. He created a temporary Acidic Interference Field that disrupted the demons and gave the squad a chance to break out.

• Luo Lin and Baha investigated dangerous areas, uncovering notes about Glimmer Dust and gathering information about Soulflame Flowers and Elemental Essence from Old Jack.
• Luo Lin refined his mental power, experimented with defensive spells, and began planning an innate spell based on corrosion and penetration.
• Luo Lin's squad found Mind-Calming Crystal Ore Seedlings in a mist-filled valley and was surrounded by mutated Crystal-Cluster Mountain Demons.
• Luo Lin used Corrosive Orb to wound a demon attacking Holm, then asked Holm to hold the demons back while he prepared an idea.
• Luo Lin formed a temporary Acidic Interference Field that disrupted the demons' crystal armor and blinking, allowing Holm and the squad to break through and flee.

Luo Lin returned to Gray Tower Outpost with a Mind-Calming Crystal, earned recognition for his actions, and began strengthening his abilities. Mason offered dangerous leads on an Advanced Meditation Method and the rare materials Luo Lin needed, leaving Luo Lin to prepare for a long and uncertain search.

• Luo Lin’s team escaped the valley with a Mind-Calming Crystal, and the exhausted group returned to Gray Tower Outpost.
• The Outpost rewarded Luo Lin’s team and praised Luo Lin’s decisions, raising his reputation among the apprentices.
• Luo Lin exchanged his contribution points for Basic Energy Structure Deflection and refined his defensive spells while training Baha in reconnaissance.
• Luo Lin asked Mason about an Advanced Meditation Method and rare materials, and Mason mentioned Deathwhisper Marsh, elemental nodes, and rumors of ancient meditation fragments in Shipwreck Bay.
• Luo Lin decided to focus on improving his mental strength, physical condition, knowledge, and spells while keeping the dangerous leads in mind.

During his sixth year at Gray Tower Outpost, Luo Lin prepared to compete for entry to the Afterglow Secret Realm, where rare Elemental Essence and a First-Circle Meditation Method could help him advance. He returned to the Academy and began gathering information about the selection and his rivals.

• Luo Lin strengthened his foundation, refined his force-field armor, and continued developing his coordination with Baha while gathering resources at the Outpost.
• Captain Holm delivered notice of the Afterglow Secret Realm selection, which would admit the top one hundred applicants to an assessment demiplane.
• Luo Lin decided to participate, and Holm arranged his departure as Luo Lin trained, maintained his equipment, and sought advice from Wizard Eric and Wizard Stone.
• Luo Lin left Gray Tower Outpost and returned to Shadow Crow Holy Tower Arcane Academy, where his spiritual power at its apprentice limit surprised an administrator.
• Luo Lin settled in, then searched the mission hall and library for information about the selection and its competitors.

Luo Lin survived the Shadowwood Realm selection by completing tasks and defeating threats with Baha, keeping his ranking around the top fifty. As the competition entered its final stage, he cautiously began a dangerous mission to eliminate Wailing Banshees in the Rotten Woodland.

• Luo Lin witnessed Aubrey advance to First-Circle Wizardhood by signing a two-hundred-year service contract and resolved to pursue advancement without surrendering his freedom.
• Luo Lin entered the Shadowwood Realm selection and defeated a group of Shadow Panthers with Baha's help.
• Luo Lin found a Ghost Orchid and repelled an apprentice who tried to take his task tokens.
• Luo Lin completed tasks using his rune knowledge and Baha's energy sense, maintaining a ranking around the top fifty.
• Luo Lin accepted a high-reward task to eliminate Wailing Banshees in the Rotten Woodland and observed the dangerous spirits from the forest's outskirts.

Luo Lin passed the selection in twenty-first place, earning entry to the Afterglow Secret Realm. With the realm opening in a month, he began studying its dangers and planning his supplies.

• Luo Lin used a purifying radiance to destroy the Wailing Banshee and collected Pure Resentment Crystals.
• Luo Lin defeated Lina’s attack with Flashing Dust and a controlled Corrosive Orb explosion, then claimed the Shadow Ghostface Mushroom.
• Luo Lin finished twenty-first in the selection and qualified to enter the Afterglow Secret Realm.
• Luo Lin consulted Sacred Tower Academy’s archives and learned about the secret realm’s unstable regions, potential resources, and ancient construct guards.
• Luo Lin planned exploration routes and began checking his supplies for the secret realm, which would open in one month.