Chapter 152 - Sun’s Spike
Almost at the same time, a sliver of light had cut through the skies. The bolt possessing the Divine Power plunged accurately between the two will-o-the-wisps with its shadow in tow…
“No!” The scream of the Lich was filled with despair. Strong Divine Power erupted, and in an instant, only a silver blaze arose.
The body of the Lich was melting as fast as snow in the sunshine in the middle of this silver blaze. As the silver blaze grew stronger and stronger, the screams of the Lich became fainter and fainter. Finally, it was completely turned into a pile of ashes.
The lingering black mist cleared away at once, and the sky was blue again. With the death of Bhaskar, everything returned to its original tranquility.
“Phew…” Standing in the place where Bhaskar died, Lin Li took in a breath heavily before bending down and gently pulling the bolt from the ashes.
It was called the Sun’s Spike, and was among Lin Li’s most unsuccessful investments so far.
Why “among”?
Damn you, Darian, go and find trouble with the Supreme Council if you have the ability. What’s the use of pestering me every day… the old fellow thought shamelessly. I’d like to see if the people from the Supreme Council are cultured like me…
…
“Good evening, Mr Macklin.” Lin Li and others took a comfortable hot bath and each changed into a clean mage robe—all three of them looked refreshed at present.
“How is it, you didn’t encounter too big of a trouble in the Shadowglen, right?” Macklin was in a good mood, having solved a big problem which was Darian. He was showing concern for his disciples—something that was rare of him.
“…” Mason swallowed his saliva. As a matter of fact, he wanted to ask Macklin,Is a Vampire above level-18 and a Lich of at least level-16 considered “too big of a trouble”?
“We didn’t encounter that big a trouble”—Lin Li nodded his head and smiled with ease—”but we saw two groups of undead fighting each other. I wonder what was that about.”
“Damn!”
Macklin was taken aback; he hurriedly called the three guys into his tent, and after looking around and making sure that no one was eavesdropping, he lowered his voice and asked, “You boys really saw two groups of undead fighting each other?”
“Yes, it was splendid!” Mason was already talking with great rapture without waiting for Lin Li to speak. From the thousands of Skeletal Warriors to the large number of high-level undead creatures creeping from the depths of Shadowglen… this fellow always liked to exaggerate, so everything about the size of a sesame was described as a watermelon in his mouth. Besides, the war of the undead was so great in power and impetus that it sounded like the end of the world coming from him. Even someone with great experience like Macklin was taken aback by it.
“Damn, you guys are lucky…” After Macklin heard from them, he remained dazed for a long while before sighing with emotion. “Do you guys know why the undead were fighting each other?”
Mason was startled. “Could it be a crime of passion?”
“…” Macklin almost slapped Mason on the head. Crime of passion from the undead creatures? You can kill one for me to see…
“Was someone manipulating them in the dark?” Lin Li probed.
“Half right.” Macklin nodded, and then went on to say, “They were not manipulated by human beings, but by two powerful undead creatures—one a level-22 Lich, and the other a level-22 Skeletal Lord. For some reasons unknown, these two creatures have been fighting for a long time since the Dark Ages. Almost every once in a while, they will start a large-scale war of the undead.”
“Seriously? Two level-20 undead creatures?” Lin Li started in fright.
“Do you know how bad it was now? That’s why I said that you boys were lucky enough to be involved in such a fight and still come back alive…”
The three of them broke out in a cold sweat at Macklin’s words.
Mason and Orrin felt extremely thankful—luckily, they were grouped with Felic. If it hadn’t been for his Petrifying Potion, they might have been captured by the group of undead creatures and presented to the two powerful undead lords as tribute.
“Alright, cut the crap. Now let’s get on with business.”
“What business?”
“You all have done well this time.” Macklin’s creepy old face revealed a rare hint of admiration. “24 mages participated in the trial, but only 13 completed it, and you boys made up three of them. Before you left, I told you that this trial was decided by the Supreme Council. That is to say… the reward for accomplishing the mission will also be issued by the Supreme Council.”
“Reward?” Mason’s eyes lit up at once.
“Yes, reward!” The old man was in a good mood. His disciples were rewarded by the Supreme Council; as their trial mentor, he was naturally proud of it.
“Heh heh, Mr Macklin, can you tell us in advance what kind of reward is the Supreme Council giving us?”
“No.”
“Damn…”
“But I can disclose in advance the Alanna Guild of Magic’s reward to you…” The old man grinned, and whispered, “Congratulations, you are free to enter and exit the Omniscient Tower for the next two months!”
“Really?” Not to mention Mason, even Orrin and Lin Li’s eyes lit up at the mention of it. What kind of place was the Omniscient Tower? It was the largest library in the whole Felan Kingdom. For mages, the Omniscient Tower was an absolute treasure house of magic. The vast majority of spells circulated in Anril today could be found in it.
Moreover, every mage who had ever entered the Omniscient Tower would leave a reading note in it. To some extent, this reading note was equivalent to a mage’s lifelong research experience—this was not a joking matter. No matter how incompetent a mage was, he would acquire some unique skills more or less in the decades and centuries of research. These skills were the most precious gift in the world for mages.
Moreover, which of the mages who could enter the Omniscient Tower were incompetent stuff?
For the mages of the Felan Kingdom, the Omniscient Tower was a true Holy Land of magic.
Even Lin Li couldn’t help but get excited at the thought of being able to enter the Omniscient Tower.
Forget about those lost spells; those reading notes were something really precious things to him. After all, he was exposed to magic only for a short period of time. Although Andoine had laid a solid foundation for him, he had no time to master some of the more peculiar spell-casting skills. If he could enter the Omniscient Tower, his strength could at least be raised to a higher level…
Lin Li pondered, and asked with some doubt, “By the way, Mr Macklin, if we go to the Omniscient Tower to study, will we have enough time to complete the next trial mission?”
“Trial mission?” Macklin chided angrily. “What other trial missions are there? You have accomplished the mission issued by the Supreme Council. Would I possibly make you stay in the Shadowglen for another month?”
“Then…”
“There’s no more trial missions.” Macklin’s reply was very simple this time. “In the next two months or so, you can stay at the Omniscient Tower every day to study as you await the finals, and then… You guys can go back to your guilds.”
“This isn’t bad…”
“Alright, we’re done here. You boys, quickly pack your things and return to Alanna with me.”
…
The party of four returned to the Alanna Guild of Magic after a bumpy carriage ride.
“Oh, right, Felic, wait a minute. I have something to discuss with you.” Macklin stopped Lin Li after they’d entered the guild hall.
“Mr Macklin, what’s the matter?”
“This…” After the old man stopped Lin Li, he stood there and rubbed his hands in embarrassment. It seemed that he didn’t know how to broach the subject.
“Mr Macklin, is it about magical weapons?” Lin Li knew what the old man wished to say upon seeing the latter’s expression.The old fellow had to be worried and want Lin Li to give him some assurance, but he was afraid he’d anger Lin Li with his words, so he was all shilly-shallying there, acting like a sissy…
“Yes, yes, yes…”
“Do you want me to forge one now?”
“Yes, yes, yes…” The old fellow nodded in succession.
“Sure.”
Lin Li’s straightforward reply was totally unexpected to Macklin, such that the old fellow stood there dazed for a long time before coming to a realization. For a moment, his smiles were all about flattery. “That’s great, that’s great. I knew you’re honest and kind. Come, come. Let’s slowly talk about it in the smithy…”
Macklin heaved a long sigh of relief when he led Lin Li out of the guild hall. To be honest, he was afraid that this kid would not agree, and even more afraid that his words would offend him. The sentence earlier on was euphemistic, but the worry was undoubtedly expressed.
Macklin had lived for a long enough time to understand that anyone who had a certain ability would inevitably have some strange temper. Especially in the field where they were good at, no one could tolerate the slightest doubt. It was like the kid in front of him—he seemed to be very easy to talk to, but Macklin knew very well that this kid had a more terrific temper than anybody else.
Luckily, the kid was understanding today…
At the thought of this, the old fellow heaved a sigh of relief.
Lin Li did not speak as he followed Macklin out of the guild hall.
He could understand Macklin’s feelings. After all, it was a bet on the future of the guild; even if the old man had trust in him, it was entirely reasonable for him to be worried as well. It was not too much trouble for Lin Li if he could use a weapon to calm the old man down. Furthermore, he had just obtained two fangs and a magical crystal; he could mighty well make use of this opportunity to put them to good use…