Dawn and Dusk Bracelet

Stepping into the mine and looking at the surrounding mountain walls, Su Ming once again felt a sense of familiarity.

"Miss Qiluo, could you please scout out this place?" Zijin suddenly spoke up.

The unicorn appeared behind the two, its invisibility glow shattering. "How did you know I was following you?"

You're wearing forbidden magic cloaks, aren't you?

"The dried sweet potato that little girl was holding by the roadside just now suddenly disappeared," Su Ming replied.

"This is my reward for purifying her!" Qiluo chewed the dried sweet potato in her mouth and swallowed it.

She was a little girl, about six years old, dressed simply but cleanly. She didn't have any major problems; she had a few parasites in her stomach, and the unicorn had just done it on a whim.

Of course, it's more likely that Qiluo was just craving something sweet.

Qiluo explored the area and found it to be calm and peaceful. Su Ming and Zijin began to descend the inclined shaft.

The unicorn caught up, "Scholar Li, you invented the insect-repelling technique, didn't you?"

"I am the second author; the first inventor is Stacy Green," Zijin corrected.

"Great Scholar Stacy?" Qiluo thought for a moment, "Hmm, it's a pity, it seems she was captured by the Temple of Light."

"Yes, we are all necromancers."

"So what exactly happened with that ghost incident?" Qiluo asked, her curiosity was remarkable, and it was quite remarkable that she had been able to hold back until now.

A year ago, major organizations around the world received reports that a large group of necromancers were attempting to recreate ghost magic. Ghosts are a type of inferior undead spirit, but they can transform their targets into ghosts after killing them, causing them to multiply rapidly.

Ghosts are weak in combat and ineffective against elite warriors, but they would be a catastrophic threat to ordinary people.

In the ensuing joint operation, Pope Augustus killed the mastermind behind the ghost incident and immediately received the approval of the Divine Favor Scepter. Subsequent joint investigations by various forces revealed that the vast majority of necromancers participated in this research, including top scholars such as Li Ma.

This sparked a global manhunt against necromancers that continues to this day, with Su Ming and Zijin being among the few who managed to escape.

"The research on spirits is real; I've participated in the deduction of some of the spells," the scholar replied. "The project is called ' Spirit Cloud,' and its initiators claim it can build a wide-area network based on soul resonance, creating a powerful system of Magic Power interaction."

"I've read the relevant materials," Su Ming interjected. "From the perspective of the Chestnut Crow Scholar —no, from the perspective of many participants—this research is sound. Its application prospects are very broad, and it could bring about a qualitative change in the scale of collaboration within existing magic."

"That's right. But I didn't expect ' Spirit Cloud ' to be just the surface; its true core is actually a ghost network," Zijin continued. "Using blockchain technology to create synergies among ghosts, connecting them into aggregates, thereby greatly enhancing their combat power."

If the terrifying proliferative properties of ghosts were to be further enhanced in combat, they would immediately become an insurmountable calamity. No wonder many forces in the other world were shocked and thus issued warrants for the arrest of the undead.

If this succeeds, it will be an absolute catastrophe!

Qiluo pondered for a moment, "So you were tricked, this was a trap?"

"More or less, but there's no denying it," Zijin sighed. "We did participate in the research, and technology is a double-edged sword."

Research into expanding the boundaries of magic is not contradictory to causing disasters. Similar to nuclear fusion on Earth, which can generate electricity, it can also cause destruction.

"Is it possible that this is a conspiracy orchestrated by the Temple of Light?" Qiluo posed a guess.

Zijin shook her head. "I don't doubt their intentions. But if they want to confuse us necromancers in academic matters, the priests of the Temple of Light are not qualified!"

****

The three ventured deeper into the cave, where there were no more tunnels or inhabitants. Qiluo snapped her fingers, and the detection energy spread again. "Safe. But remember, Grand Magus Mage and above can still evade my senses."

"That's enough." Zijin lifted the hood of her cloak and began to look around.

Now that they're underground, the spiritual energy between her and Su Ming will be blocked by the mountain, greatly reducing the distance it can travel, so they don't need to be too careful anymore.

Su Ming also unfastened his cloak, quickly releasing his senses, and the surrounding world became clear.

He immediately and keenly sensed the subtle fluctuations around him, "The space here is very active!"

"It seems these things are what attracted you here," Zijin said.

"And what about you?" Su Ming asked the scholar, who wasn't sensitive to spatial fluctuations. "What attracts you?"

"Something I hate, yet can't help but get close to," Zijin hesitated for a moment before saying, "Death."

Su Ming sensed something. "Undead? There aren't any."

Zijin shook her head. "It's a tangible concept of death, different from the concept of the undead."

The ground began to flatten, the sloping terrain ended, and they entered the first level of the mine. From there, the tunnels branched into multiple passages, extending deeper in different directions.

Zijin turned to Qiluo, "Please wait here for a moment. This invitation should be for us."

"Hey, is it dangerous?" Qiluo asked.

Su Ming shook his head, "If the other party can interfere with concepts, they don't need to go to such lengths to target us."

Although they hadn't expected a casual stroll to unfold like this, Su Ming and Zijin both had a very clear feeling that someone wanted to see them.

Or perhaps, one of them.

The two people and the beast waved to each other. Qiluo stayed where she was, while Su Ming and Zijin continued to walk deeper into the area.

To avoid hindering their ability to explore the surrounding area, they did not use Illumination. This worked fine within the diagonal range, but once they descended into the alleyway, the terrain became more complex, and Su Ming began to struggle.

Zijin reached out and took his hand, guiding him to adjust their direction. "That's the stone gate over there. Let's go down the main well."

"Why does this look so familiar?" Su Ming asked. He only had a sense of déjà vu, but the scholar felt as if he were coming home.

"The structures of all the mines are pretty much the same," Zijin explained. "I've gotten used to traveling through the human world since I came here."

This former dragon initially made a living by doing manual labor in mining.

"The mine is a great place. I'm strong, so I earn much more money than others," Zijin explained. She found the main shaft and, leading Su Ming, floated towards the bottom of the mine. "Sometimes when my Polymorph is tired, I can easily find a secluded spot."

Restore to physical rest.

"Is your salary enough to eat?" Su Ming asked, thinking of the unicorn with its enormous appetite. Even when Zijin was still a dragon, or even as a young dragon, she was probably no match for Qiluo.

"Food is very cheap in the mining area," Zijin explained. "And you know, I'm good at catching rats. I can just find a dark alley, slip into it, and have my fill. That copper mine is huge; you could walk around for a month without repeating a single one."

Su Ming tightened his grip on the girl's hand. He said in a relaxed tone, "You have a deep connection with rats. I remember your first paper was about rats."

"You've read this far?" Zijin exclaimed. "Is it 'Genetic Research on Mouse Hybridization' or 'Exploration of Embryonic Malformations'?" she asked. "I don't quite remember which one came first."

Having been thoroughly tested by the information-saturated internet, Su Ming 'Su Ming reading speed is clearly superior to that of scholars. He can finish a book of tens of thousands of words in an hour, and he can skim through the key points even faster.

"Are you testing me? The earliest one must be 'The Mouse's Diary'," he said, puzzled.

In the dim light of the Levitation Spell, shock filled the scholar's face. "Wait, how did you find that?!" She turned and glared at Su Ming. "I hid it very well!"

"That book, whose cover says ' Principles of Economics,' turned out to be a stack of handwritten manuscripts. It was easy to find."

Zijin covered her mouth with her other hand, her expression incredulous. "No, that thing—I locked it!"

During the conversation, the two drifted down to the lowest level of the alleyway.

"The six colors represent different magical elements. Just trigger them according to the elemental order in which you release 'Hexagram - Divine Decree'."

I thought it was a riddle you left on purpose.

Scholars often create puzzles, and Su Ming didn't think much of it when he first unlocked it, wondering why this one was so simple.

Zijin released her grip on his hand and looked at him. "You read it all!?"

"Hmm. It's written very meticulously, describing how the father and mother mice gradually build their nest and raise their baby mice—" Su Ming said earnestly.

Enraged, Zijin slammed a wooden pillar supporting the mine shaft down on the edge of the wall, aiming it at Su Ming. The latter merely raised his left hand to block it before being sent flying and crashing into the cave wall.

She looked at Su Ming with embarrassment and annoyance, only to find that he was just standing against the cave wall, showing no intention of fighting.

Zijin could only drop the wooden pillar, walk to his side, and impatiently pull his left arm, placing her palm on it and casting a water-based spell to soothe the wound. Although she wasn't really fighting, Su Ming hadn't activated any protective abilities, so some minor injuries were inevitable.

"Didn't we agree on a safe word?" Zijin questioned. According to their agreement, using a safe word in this situation would end the battle.

"I went through your personal belongings, so getting a beating isn't a big deal."

Zijin bit her lip. "Although I don't want anyone to see those embarrassing things, they've already been seen, so I can only accept the apology. Do you think I'm that unreasonable?"

Su Ming shook his head. "Okay, it was just my own mind that was in turmoil. Actually, I cried for a long time when I saw the manuscript that day."

"I've read your paper, 'Genetic Research on Mouse Hybridization,' a foundational work in genetics. I've also read 'Exploring Embryonic Malformations,' which pioneered the theory and methods for detecting fetal malformations. Later, you reduced the difficulty and cost, making this technology available to all races worldwide. Thinking back to the beginning of all this, it was just a lonely, wandering young dragon, doing hard labor in a dark mine, keeping company with mice in its loneliness—"

Su Ming wiped his eyes. "Humans really do love to cry."

"It's not that pitiful," the veteran miner whispered. "I actually enjoyed that time quite a bit."

She lied, because she had also shed tears when she recalled the past, even when she was still a dragon. In moments of loneliness, when she was young, cold, and hungry, she would lie in the dark, deserted underground, silently weeping. Facing the pitch-black mine, she didn't know where to turn for comfort.

This kind of life only improved after she met the Great Scholar Gilbert, who was amazed by Zijin's research on mice.

This led her to the path of a scholar.

Zijin looked up at Su Ming. There was no light, but they could clearly sense each other. The previously hidden emotions were highlighted in the darkness and quiet.

Even her mentor, Gilbert, hadn't seen these manuscripts. At that time, she wasn't very good at writing; half the paper was covered in scribbles, and her vocabulary was awkward and immature. It was fortunate that Su Ming, whose native language wasn't Common Language, could understand them.

She suddenly felt that some things no longer mattered, and it didn't matter if this person saw her deepest, most painful past. Su Ming didn't laugh; he understood her academic work, appreciated her achievements, and empathized with her situation.

Even those in academia, while forced to acknowledge her achievements, secretly bestowed upon her the nickname "Liya."

Using owls to connect yin and yang with mice infuriated her so much that she ended up putting many burlap sacks over her head.

****

Just as Zijin was about to speak, Su Ming suddenly straightened up. The girl stopped the treatment, and the two stood side by side in the middle of the dark alley, looking around warily.

There was nothing unusual in his field of vision, but Su Ming sensed that the activity level of Space Element was constantly increasing.

"It seems they're looking for you." Even Zijin, who couldn't sense Space Element, noticed the anomaly.

Su Ming nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and calmed his mind. Space is a very special concept. Even though he inexplicably became a space mage and studied it for so long, he still found it difficult to grasp its profound depths.

The fluctuations grew larger, so Su Ming emptied his mental energy. Space, devoid of energy, is the foundation upon which all matter exists and cannot be altered like ordinary elements.

Boundless, eternal!

The surrounding commotion suddenly stopped. He opened his eyes, and the surrounding blackness was like a mirror. He wanted to move forward, but his own reflection appeared in front of him.

He tried to look up, and the same mirror image appeared above him.

I'm still in the same place.

He looked at his left hand, where he was holding someone's hand; the person was looking at him in return.

Something changed; space flipped at a certain moment, and the person looking for him had arrived.

"So, what do you want from me?" Su Ming asked.

A figure appeared directly in front of him, face to face, but the one to his left hadn't disappeared either. This wasn't movement or duplication; it was all just spatial reflection.

The colors have faded, leaving only black and white in the world. The figure before me is a beautiful girl with a slender figure and long, flowing hair, wearing a flowing cloth dress.

However, from the necromancer's perspective, Su Ming glimpsed a different truth.

"Archlich, the Archlich!"

The Archlich girl suddenly raised her wrist, where a bracelet was worn. She took the bracelet off and presented it to Su Ming with both hands.

Then I watched him quietly.

Is this to be handed over to him?

Su Ming examined it closely; it was a very simple bone bracelet, with a minimalist pattern dividing it into twelve sections. Unlike the ethereal Archlich, its existence was solid, and it was the only colored object here, as if all the power of the entire space was focused on it.

There are two words engraved on the inside of the bracelet, morning and evening.

He reached out to take it, and the moment he touched it, the Dawn and Dusk Bracelet shattered and disintegrated, causing the lich's hand to ripple as well.

It felt like the other side was in water!

Su Ming withdrew his hand, and the form in front of him reformed, along with the bracelet. He suddenly realized that everything before him was not in the same space as himself!

The lich's expression was indifferent yet gentle. She tilted her head, cupped her hands in front of her, and gestured for Su Ming to take it away quickly.

Although Su Ming had a lot of questions in his mind, the priority was to obtain the bracelet. And he was very experienced in retrieving things across space!

Runes flowed, spells were rapidly constructed, and Su Ming unleashed "Summoning of All Things."

Magic Power poured out, and the concept of the bracelet's existence began to unfold. Clearly, the bracelet was no ordinary object. Su Ming discovered that the scale of his spell was quickly reaching its limit, unable to handle the amount of information.

A tiny bracelet, yet it far surpasses Earth's devices, which are much larger than itself.

Su Ming concentrated his mind and began to use all his strength. A large number of runes unfolded around him, constructing nested multiple magic arrays that filled the space on his side. He had only just mastered this technique; it was not a skill from otherworldly magic, but rather incorporated the concept of recursion. Through rune calculations, he amplified his control over the layers, sweeping up exponentially more resources to construct the spell.

But it still wasn't enough; Su Ming was still unable to touch the essence of the bracelet. Even the lich opposite him was becoming somewhat anxious.

Su Ming steeled his heart and refocused his thoughts on the feeling he had when he first entered this place.

The perception instantly enters the boundless realm, and the originally quiet Space Element suddenly pulsate, creating a powerful resonance.

In the boundless cognition, distance and barriers lose their meaning. Su Ming's consciousness touched the bracelet, activating all the spells.

"Infinite Style: Summoning of All Things!"

The Dawn and Dusk Bracelet in the Archlich's hand shattered and dissipated, while Su Ming grasped something in his hand.

The next moment, a tsunami-like backlash of magic swept over him, plunging Su Ming into darkness.