Chapter 40: The Darkest Moment

Naimi Xisi flew to the side of the ash‑turned WuAngNuoSi, and thanks to the Magic Item's strong anti‑magic resistance, everything except his robe and corpse was preserved.

First, the ring he was carrying; Naimi Xisi picked it up, intrigued—it was an old acquaintance.

Master-level Plastic Energy Magic Ring

Effect: three times per day at will release any Evocation spell of five Spell Circles or lower.

It is essentially an upgraded version in Akdina's hands; both spell power and usage count have been greatly increased.

Next is the second item, a space bag!

Naimi Xisi rubbed his twin claws, opened it, and in an instant, golden coins and gems glittered in his eyes.

Gold coins and gems worth nearly one hundred thousand, a Spellbook, and three six‑circle Abjuration Scrolls!

They are 【Anti‑Magic Field】, 【Anti‑Biological Field】, and 【High‑level Dispel Magic】! Great harvest! Aside from the ten‑thousand‑gold‑coin and gem bounty, the three extremely expensive six‑circle Abjuration spells can be used for defense and kept for future learning when reaching six circles! Not to mention the Spellbook that records the essence of WuAngNuoSi's spells! Spell Scrolls contain Spell Models; a Mage can, by deciphering the Spell Model in the scroll, learn the corresponding spell.

This characteristic of Mages also leads to many precious rare unique high‑circle magic having no Spell Scroll for sale, because the owners fear you will steal the knowledge!

Then the staff.

Obsidian Death Staff

Grade: Legendary

Effect One: Once daily 【Death Spirit Light】, a large‑area boost to Undead.

Effect Two: Three times daily 【Animate Dead】.

Effect Three: 【Animate Dead】 effect is doubled.

"Finally… it's you."

Naimi Xisi's claws grasp a tiny five‑pointed star gem; his gaze is as gentle as if gazing at a treasure in the universe.

【The Darkest Moment】

Grade: Lesser Artifact Effect One: The wearer may freely use a third‑circle Necromancy spell 【Curse】.

Effect Two: Once daily an eight‑circle Necromancy spell 【High‑level Curse】.

Effect Three: Once daily 【Spellcraft Propagation】, the curse's power is greatly amplified; the caster can choose to spread the curse to more targets, or simply increase its potency.

"Sss"

Inhaling a breath of cold air, Naimi Xisi was shocked by The Darkest Moment's effect, not to mention the once‑daily eight‑circle Necromancy spell; the power of 【Spellcraft Propagation】 is simply astounding.

One reason Necromancers are weak in melee is that curses cannot affect the opponent, but with The Darkest Moment's aid, WuAngNuoSi even disabled Sarufar using only a third‑circle spell 【Curse】.

Swallowing the ring and gem in one bite, the Magic Net instantly fed back the required synchronization time:

28 days.

Naimi Xisi relaxed; such a long synchronization time further proves the Lesser Artifact's power.

He flapped his wings and flew toward the city wall; by now the Dark Elf army had all fled, leaving only scattered Orcs still battling the remaining Undead.

Naimi Xisi casually cast a few spells to clear the remaining foul fish and rotten shrimp, and returned to the wall.

At this moment Sgena was still listless; the 【Death Formation】 had rotted a large portion of her internal tissues, and after only a few days of sleep for metabolism, even a dragon's Physical Quality was no better.

Gode, however, had just regained consciousness; he was affected by WuAngNuoSi's spells and completely missed the scene of Sarufar's death in battle.

Upon hearing Naimi Xisi say the Orcs were killed, he was silent for a while, seemed to want to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

"So, you obtained the Lesser Artifact?!" Sgena, though looking as if about to die, still looked greedily at Naimi Xisi and asked.

Juan Ce Long glanced at her nonchalantly and said lightly, "What does it have to do with you? It's my loot."

Sgena threatenedly bared her teeth, but Naimi Xisi completely ignored her; having obtained The Darkest Moment, he would only need a simple 【Curse】 to deal with Sgena.

He flapped his wings and said, "Since the matter is settled, I will return to my domain, Volensa." Just as he was about to summon Volensa, who had been hiding in the city with Shadow Sword, Gode, a bit anxious, called out to him.

"Wait, mighty True Dragon."

He invited with a kind smile, "You and Lady Sgena have been campaigning all day; why not rest at Kulargromsh? By the way, I could share some insights on Psychic Ability with you."

Naimi Xisi pondered briefly, nodded in agreement; he was still quite eager to see Gode's Psychic Ability.

The Shapemaster's Psychic Ability, that is very rare.

Sgena also reluctantly agreed; even now it would be difficult for her to fly. — In the following days, Naimi Xisi would come to the Psionic Tower to exchange insights with Gode.

The Shapemaster's Psychic Ability opened a new realm for Naimi Xisi, and Gode was likewise interested in the Psychic Enchantment that Naimi Xisi had mastered.

Through back‑and‑forth, Naimi Xisi not only mastered all of Gode's Psychic Ability cleanly, but also fully comprehended WuAngNuoSi's Spellbook.

However, both Gode's Psychic Ability and WuAngNuoSi's Spellbook contain many high‑circle spells that he still cannot learn for now.

From the Creation series of Psychic Ability, he obtained six.

First‑circle ability 【Star Matter Construct】, second‑circle ability 【Repair Construct】, third‑circle ability 【Star Matter Cocoon】, fourth‑circle abilities 【Divine Craftsmanship】 【Extraction】, fifth‑circle ability 【Crystal Hail】.

WuAngNuoSi's Spellbook is extensive; as a Mage leader of the Matron Mother Family of Menzoberranzan, his arcane knowledge is vast, spanning the three major systems of Necromancy, Transformation, and Enchantment!

Spells are divided into the Eight Major Factions; each faction has its representative color and unique power; the vast majority of beings can only specialize in one spell, only geniuses and extraordinary Magic Creatures can learn multi‑faction spells.

Even so, a Mage must choose two opposing schools, and cannot learn any spell from the opposing schools.

This is a rule from the Magic Net.

But Juan Ce Long is different; as the Magic Net's favorite, Juan Ce Long is not only innately proficient in all Conjuration and Divination spells, but can also freely learn spells from any faction.

(Purple) Abjuration: spells used for protection, blocking, or removal. Mages specializing in Abjuration are called Protectors.

(Orange) Conjuration: spells that grant the caster biological or material effects. Mages specializing in Conjuration are called Conjurers.

(White) Divination: spells used to reveal information. Divination specialists are called Diviners. Unlike other specialists, Diviners only need to forgo one category of other spells.

(Indigo) Enchantment: spells that grant the subject certain traits or allow the caster to control other beings. Enchantment specialists are called Enchanters.

(Red) Evocation: spells used to manipulate energy or create matter from nothing. Evocation specialists are called Evokers.

(Blue) Illusion: spells that can alter perception or create false phantasms. Illusion specialists are called Illusionists.

(Green) Necromancy: spells that manipulate, create, or destroy life and life force. Necromancy specialists are called Necromancers.

(Yellow) Transformation: spells that change the physical form of the target or finely alter some of its traits. Transformation specialists are called Transformers.

Being able to possess the spells of the three major factions, WuAngNuoSi is sufficient to be called a master; the spells in his notes are therefore extremely rich.

Among necromancy spells: first-circle spell 【Weak Ray】, second-circle spell 【Command Undead】 【Blindness/Deafness】 【Fear】, third-circle spell 【Curse】 【Animate Dead】 【Vampire Touch】 【Greater Strike Undead】.

Fourth-circle spell 【Enfeeblement】 【Plague】 【Fear】 【Agony】 【Undead Seed】, fifth-circle spell 【Soul Jar】 【Exhaustion Wave】 【Wall of Soul】, sixth-circle spell 【Death Circle】 【Raise Undead】 【Black Water Corruption】.

Transmutation spells are:

First-circle spell 【Human Enlarge/Reduce】, second-circle spell 【Bear's Endurance】 【Bull's Strength】 【Cat's Grace】 【Eagle's Splendor】 【Fox's Cunning】 【Owl's Wisdom】, third-circle spell 【Blink】 【Greater Magic Weapon】 【Fear】 【Spider Shape】.

Fourth-circle spell 【Polymorph】 【Beast Shape】 【Iron Bones】 【Control Water】, fifth-circle spell 【Mud to Stone】 【Stone to Mud】 【Flesh to Ice】, sixth-circle spell 【Disintegrate】 【Petrify】 【Greater Control Water】 【Earthquake】.

As for the enchantment spells that WuAngNuoSi knows, for Naimi Xisi who possesses the Mind Gem, they are somewhat redundant, as most of them can be accomplished and done better by Mind Power.

Only one sixth-circle spell 【Endless Slumber】 is recorded as the sole sixth-circle spell in the Spellbook, the only spell Naimi Xisi can use, but it is temporarily shelved due to its circle being too high.

If you don't want to look at the collection of EMM spells, you can skip it; it's mainly for squirrel party readers. If it later goes V, I'll figure out a way to post it in the author's notes or related works, so I won't post it in the main text.

(End of chapter)