Chapter 254: Legend of the 77 Resurrection Stone Tablets

Shadow Secret Technique is an extremely rare and uncommon magical power.

In fact, many people's definitions of Shadow Secret Technique have removed it from the ranks of Arcane Power.

Because Shadow Secret Technique and Arcane Power are not inclusive of each other, but rather stand side by side.

As the embodiment of magic's dark side, the true secrets of Shadow Secret Technique are hard to learn, and only a rare and guarded few possess them.

Even within Juan Ce Long's memory inheritance, the description of Shadow Secret Technique only covers its basic principles.

As a dark Arcane Power art, Shadow Secret Technique is subtle and obscure, involving two fundamental principles of mysterious power.

1. Empathy

Similar things are linked. If a Spellcaster controls something similar to or related to the target, the Spellcaster can control the target itself. Some cultures' Spellcasters use this principle by employing dolls resembling a particular person or by stealing a handful of the target's hair or a fragment of clothing to gain advantage. Shadow Secret Technique takes the usual maximum advantage of Empathy a step further. By manipulating an individual's shadow, the Spellcaster can control their mind, their soul, and even their physical form.

2. Reflection

For every action, there exists an equal and opposite reflection. This reflection is invisible in most forms of magic. A Mage hurls fire at his enemy, unseen and uncared for, while the fire element plane correspondingly loses a tiny wisp of flame when the spell succeeds. A priest uses Divine Spell power to save a dying companion, yet barely notices the energy drawn from the deity. Shadow Secret Technique does not conceal these effects; on the contrary, it exploits them, drawing power from weakness, material from emptiness, and darkness from light.

In plain language, Shadow Secret Technique is the art of manipulating shadows, the opposite of all Arcane Power. Almost every Shadow Secret Technique has a corresponding Arcane Power version, though with different functions.

Shadow Secret Technique has three major branches and six major factions.

The Apprentice—Intermediate—Master three branches correspond respectively to: 1–3 Spell Circles, 4–6 Spell Circles, and 7–9 Spell Circles of Shadow Secret Technique.

If the pseudo-memory spell is correct, its syllable count is at least that of a master-level Nine Ring Shadow Secret Technique.

Such a powerful magical force can instantly kill a pseudo-entity, which is perfectly normal.

"It seems we need to find a time to go there and see what's going on; the Throne can't stay there. If Number Eleven dies, we must retrieve the gem."

Naimi Xisi's gaze deepened as he rose from his chair and left the Arcane Power Tower.

After exiting the Arcane Power Tower, Naimi Xisi strolled around Askartra City again. Before Xianai left, she only told him to wait for her return in the Royal City, so these past few days he has been idling around the city, passing time.

As night fell, Naimi Xisi returned to the tavern where he lodged.

At this moment, the hearth in the tavern's main hall was already alight, and many off‑duty residents trickled in to drink and dine.

Naimi Xisi sat at the bar, pulled out a silver coin, and told the bartender, "One glass of black chestnut wine."

The halfling bartender took the coin, beamed, and poured a cup of pitch‑black liquid for Naimi Xisi, placing it before him.

Naimi Xisi lifted the cup, took a sip, and the sourness and cloying sweetness burst in his mouth, prompting a contented sigh.

Juan Ce Long cannot refuse any food with a sweet‑sour taste.

While savoring the fine wine, the table behind Naimi Xisi suddenly erupted into a quarrel.

A dwarf forcefully threw his wooden mug to the floor and shouted loudly at his tablemate, "What did you say? You damned cowardly sissy! I will never abandon Molei Nuo!"

Naimi Xisi jumped at the sound and glanced back at the table.

An angry dwarf, a handsome man in noble robes with a flushed face, and a silent female gnome polishing a dagger.

A very classic adventuring party lineup.

Seeming aware of the others' attention, the flushed man lowered his voice, gritting his teeth: "Enough! Chui Li Er, do you know how dangerous that place is? Molei Nuo is the strongest among us; he sacrificed his chance to flee so we could live, and you still want to go back to die?!" The dwarf sneered, replying coldly: "Aren't you just afraid of death? You were the one who suggested we go there, yet when real danger appeared, you were the fastest to run!"

He rubbed his reddened eyes with his hand, and his rough skin made the area even redder.

"Do you know," the dwarf's voice choked slightly, he took a deep breath, then returned to normal: "Do you know why Molei Nuo agreed to go there?"

The man was taken aback: "Why? Aren't we all adventuring for treasure?"

The dwarf scoffed, then said slowly: "Molei Nuo's sister was killed, brutally slain by Sai Er's henchmen."

"No one can revive a person killed by the Red Robe Mage's Blade, but there is one exception."

The man furrowed his brow, hesitant to speak: "You don't think Molei Nuo went there to look for the Resurrection Stone Tablet, do you?"

Naimi Xisi, listening nearby, was fascinated; it was a touching story of someone who gave everything to save a beloved sister.

A person killed by the Red Robe Mage's Blade cannot be revived by ordinary Divine Spell.

But there is still hope; as a Seven Circle Priest, Naimi Xisi naturally knows what that hope is.

!

Nine Circle Divine Spell — Complete Resurrection Technique.

A Divine Spell that even legendary priests rarely master.

Complete Resurrection Technique, because it can resurrect the long‑dead with almost no limits, disrupts the rules between life and death.

After the Saints' Cataclysm four hundred years ago, the deities of the entire Feren Continent almost all reclaimed the Complete Resurrection Technique from priests.

Only the deities' chosen—those they hold dear, the Elect—can wield this chaotic life‑and‑death Divine Spell.

Compared with the Revival Technique, which can only revive corpses dead for a few minutes, the Complete Resurrection Technique can resurrect corpses measured in years.

When cast by a high‑rank priest, the Complete Resurrection Technique can even revive individuals who died centuries ago.

Unfortunately, such a powerful Divine Spell has now almost vanished into the river of history.

And the Resurrection Stone Tablet the dwarf mentioned is one of the few items capable of recreating the glory of the Complete Resurrection Technique.

The Resurrection Stone Tablet today is almost on par with an Artifact; it is the final boon the deities granted mortals after reclaiming the Complete Resurrection Technique four hundred years ago.

Legend says that four hundred years ago, the deities created 77 stone tablets imbued with the power of the Complete Resurrection Technique, hidden in various corners of the Feren Continent.

When a user shatters a tablet, it releases a single Complete Resurrection Technique according to the user's will, then turns to dust.

It is the deities' final chance for humans who wish to reverse life and death; each tablet is hidden in the most dangerous, darkest corners. Only adventurers who have endured life‑and‑death trials without giving up may discover the Resurrection Stone Tablet.

Over the years, countless adventurers have sought the Resurrection Stone Tablet, but almost all have ended up buried.

In four hundred years, only three Resurrection Stone Tablets have been known to be found, two of which were bought by unknown purchasers.

The third is kept in the treasury of the Harpist Organization's headquarters.

(End of Chapter)