Chapter 16: Learning Magic

Although Li Mingxing had little knowledge of magic, he could still tell that the spells recorded on this wall were the tactical spells Raymond had mentioned.

In the Inner World, magic was actually divided into four categories: combat, tactical, strategic, and campaign spells.

Combat spells were ranked as basic, intermediate, and advanced, and could be learned on the first to third floors of the magic tower. These were mostly single-target spells like magic arrow, fireball, and ice arrow.

Tactical spells were also divided into three ranks and could be learned on the second to fourth floors of the magic tower. Generally, these included spells like web, slow, and boost, which altered attributes or controlled areas.

Strategic spells had three ranks as well; basic and intermediate could be learned on the third to fifth floors of the magic tower, while advanced ones could only be learned through quests. These were wide-area spells like ice storm, earthquake, and mass blessing.

Campaign spells were likewise divided into three ranks. Basic ones were taught on the fifth floor of the magic tower, intermediate could only be learned through quests, and advanced ones could only be used once or twice via special missions. These included spells like flood, volcano, terrain transformation, and desertification of forests, which could affect entire regions.

Among these four types, combat and tactical spells were most commonly encountered in the adventurer levels. Li Mingxing considered himself fortunate to have come across such a tactical spell this time.

As for which spell exactly was recorded on the wall, Li Mingxing would have to transcribe all the contents onto his own spellbook before he could be sure.

Just then, Li Mingxing suddenly detected a faint fragrance drifting from the entrance of the Temple of Sorcery. Turning around, he saw the girl Aisha walk in, her expression blank.

Seeing this, Li Mingxing’s first instinct was to find somewhere to hide, for he was still without a stitch of clothing.

Yet Aisha seemed not to notice him at all, passing by him and heading straight for the wall covered in magical inscriptions.

At the moment she halted, Li Mingxing noticed a book appear by her hand, seemingly woven from leaves. The characters on the wall flew into the book, and this strange phenomenon continued for nearly an hour before ending.

After everything was over, Aisha vanished right before Li Mingxing’s eyes, leaving him utterly bewildered.

When Aisha disappeared, Li Mingxing found his body had reverted to the form of a juvenile manticore, and his subordinates rushed in.

As soon as they entered, Yin Haitao exclaimed, “My lord, that woman just now seemed to—”

“I know already. She copied the spells from the wall and then vanished. You should record the magic here, since I’m in no shape to do so myself,” Li Mingxing said, pushing his spellbook toward Yin Haitao.

He then walked out of the Temple of Sorcery. Outside, his followers were busy organizing their recent gains.

Upon seeing Li Mingxing emerge, they all rose and saluted him. Li Mingxing nodded in return and smiled, “What were you discussing just now?”

Page 1/3

Hearing Li Mingxing’s question, a Blood Knight sprang up. “We were talking about the rideable creatures above ground, my lord. We lost our mounts and were hoping to find something suitable to ride.”

“Have you found anything that interests you?” Li Mingxing asked, intrigued.

“Not yet. The creatures above ground lack combat prowess, and even those with some strength can’t coordinate with us for our special attacks,” the Blood Knight replied, shaking his head.

Li Mingxing grew curious; these Blood Knights had only recently joined him, and without their mounts, he had no idea what skills they possessed.

Prompted by Li Mingxing’s questions, the Blood Knight explained their abilities. Normally, their mounts could be of three types: lizard, spider, or bat. Their two main attack skills depended on their mounts: a coordinated pincer attack and a descending strike from above.

The first could be executed with any mount possessing attack capabilities, but the latter required a flying mount, or, in the underground world, a mount that could climb walls and move freely along the ceiling.

Now, without their mounts, their combat ability was effectively halved.

After hearing this, Li Mingxing promised that he would seek suitable mounts for them when necessary; for now, they would have to act as infantry.

After spending over an hour in discussion with his troops, Yin Haitao emerged from the Temple of Sorcery.

He approached Li Mingxing and whispered, “My lord, I cannot use this spell.”

Li Mingxing was surprised, then glanced at Yin Haitao, who opened his spellbook. Li Mingxing saw the spell recorded in detail, copied from the Temple of Sorcery.

For some unknown reason, however, the spell was written in gray text.

Li Mingxing took the spellbook and examined it closely. The spell was labeled “Wood Armor,” with a small note beneath: “Earth-water hybrid spell; must be cast by a magic class.”

Li Mingxing thought for a moment. Given Yin Haitao’s nature, he would never be suited for a magic class, and Li Mingxing himself could only use a handful of magic-like skills, mostly following an Eastern path, perhaps some rituals, but true spells were beyond him.

To make use of this spellbook, he would ultimately need a magical follower.

With that realization, Li Mingxing lost interest in lingering here. He checked the time—about half a day remained. Even if he hurried, he wouldn’t get far, so he decided not to rush. Instead, he told Yin Haitao to take the troops and hunt some beasts nearby.

Earlier, while talking with the dwarven smiths, Li Mingxing had learned that the beasts here carried peculiar powers, and if these were used as forging materials, they might yield some excellent equipment.

Of course, these beasts were also subject to the Inner World’s rules; upon death, they would turn into spirit coins. This was another reason Li Mingxing agreed to let his men hunt them.

Page 2/3

Half a day quickly passed. As Li Mingxing waited for his men to return, a mysterious circle of light appeared beside him. Before he could react, a powerful suction drew him in.

When Li Mingxing came to, he found himself no longer in the Inner World. Now in human form, he stood in a rather mysterious space.

His followers and troops were nowhere to be seen; only his mentor, Raymond, stood before him.

Beside Raymond was a wall like a water mirror, displaying the record of his Inner World expedition. Apart from a D-grade evaluation, it listed the number of wild units slain, structures conquered, troops recruited, spirit coins, resources, and treasures acquired, and tasks completed.

In the “tasks completed” section, Li Mingxing saw only one: surviving in the Inner World for ten days, which earned him 3,000 spirit coins and 3,000 experience points.

There was also a record for helping the witch conquer Minotaur Valley and causing the Inner World witch to feel gratitude toward the Dark Alliance, for which Li Mingxing received the Alliance’s commendation and an extra Black Mage’s Gem as a reward.

As for wild units defeated, Li Mingxing had accumulated a substantial number of spirit coins; his total now reached 13,098.

After Li Mingxing finished reviewing his achievements, Raymond spoke. “You’ve done quite well this time.”

“With only a D rating, you call that ‘quite well’? That seems too easy,” Li Mingxing said, puzzled.

“Low-level missions have only three ratings: D, E, and F. Getting a D is indeed quite good,” Raymond replied. “Besides, you obtained a valuable blueprint, a treasure, several useful items, a formidable troop, and a follower…”

“A follower? That can’t be. Besides Yin Haitao, I haven’t gained any others,” Li Mingxing protested.

“You’ve forgotten Aisha?” Raymond looked at him pointedly.

“You mean that girl? What’s her background?”

“Nothing special. She’s just an ordinary person who accidentally entered the Inner World. Such people are typically assimilated; during that process, they gain an identity certificate. If you hadn’t met her, she might have become a wild creature. But you saved her and took her certificate, so she’s very likely to become your follower.”

Listening to Raymond’s explanation, Li Mingxing was baffled. “But why did she disappear so suddenly?”

“Because she gained powerful abilities and had the chance to return to her true self. So now, apart from your real-world task, you have a side quest: to find her,” Raymond explained.

Page 3/3