Chapter 76

Afternoon.

Translation: "Afternoon."

Luosen points at the clay terrain map of Dragon-sleep Snow Peak: "Show me the location of the cave you mentioned."

Translation: "Luosen pointed at the clay topographic map of Dragon Sleep Snow Peak: 'Point out the cave location you mentioned for me.'"

Check: Need to keep quotes? We'll keep as is.

Yigenini watched the clay deform in person, finding it utterly miraculous, and he also felt that the lord's methods were utterly unfathomable.

Translation: "Igonini watched the clay transform with his own eyes, which made him feel incredibly miraculous, and at the same time he felt the lord's methods were profoundly unfathomable."

He stared at the terrain map for a while before matching it to the real mountain terrain, then pointed to a mountain pass about 100 meters up the snow line and said: "Here."

Translation: "He stared at the topographic map for a while before matching it to the real mountain terrain, then pointed to a mountain hollow about 100 meters above the snow line and said: 'Here.'"

The cave entrance is well hidden, blocked by a reclining giant stone, and the open ground before it is covered with many cold-resistant snow lotuses, an excellent herb for treating bruises.

Translation: "The cave entrance is very hidden, blocked by a reclining giant stone, and the open ground at the entrance grows many cold-resistant snow lotuses, an excellent herb for treating bruises."

Luosen carefully examined the spot indicated by Yigenini, cross-referenced it with Laifu's recorded terrain map, and quickly found the corresponding location in the database.

Translation: "Luosen carefully examined the spot Igonini indicated, cross-referenced it with Laifu's recorded topographic map, and quickly found the corresponding location in the database."

Thank you very much, Yigenini; this information is very important to me. As a reward, here is this for you.

Translation: "Thank you very much, Igonini; this information is very important to me. As a reward, this is for you."

Luosen handed over a specially crafted mithril amulet shaped like a flying bird.

Translation: "Luosen handed over a specially crafted silver amulet shaped like a flying bird."

It's an intermediate lightning amulet; the lightning power stored within will help you escape a danger once.

Translation: "'This is an intermediate lightning amulet; the lightning power stored within will help you escape one danger.'"

No charging needed; after being activated once, placing it in sunlight for ten days will restore its effect.

Translation: "'No charging needed; after activation, place it in sunlight for ten days and it will become effective again.'"

This amulet is specially made, and it is also the high-end version of the magical devices he plans to sell in the Northern Prefecture later.

Translation: "This amulet is specially made, and it is also the ultra-high-end version of the magical implements he plans to sell in the Northern Prefecture later."

There's also no need to worry about leakage, because he used an encryption spell lock that requires enormous computational power to break, wrapping the true technical core inside.

Translation: "He also doesn't need to worry about leakage, because he used an encrypted magical seal that requires enormous computational power to crack, wrapping the true technical core inside."

Yigenini looked at the amulet with reverence, learning human etiquette, and solemnly bowed to Luosen: "Thank you very much for your reward, my lord."

Translation: "Igonini looked at the amulet with reverence, and, imitating human etiquette, solemnly saluted Luosen: 'Thank you very much for your reward, my lord.'"

Come here, let me put it on you.

Translation: "'Come over, I'll put it on you.'"

Yigenini looked flustered, showing an expression akin to being startled by favor.

Translation: "Igonini's face showed a flustered, bewildered expression, as if he were startled by unexpected favor."

Obviously, he hadn't expected the human lord to treat them, the forest sprites, so gently.

Translation: "Obviously, he hadn't expected the human lord to treat them, these forest spirits, so gently."

As he stood awkwardly before Luosen receiving the amulet, Puppet Sage #1 Wen had already quietly headed for Dragon-sleep Snow Peak.

Translation: "Just as he stood awkwardly before Luosen to receive the amulet, Puppet No. 1, Sage Levin, had already silently rushed to Dragon Sleep Snow Peak."

Although New Moon City can see the snow peak with just a turn of the head, the straight-line distance is actually over twenty kilometers.

Translation: "Although Crescent City can see the snow peak by turning around, the straight-line distance is actually over twenty kilometers."

If one were to fly there straight, it would consume forty percent of Wen's power.

Translation: "If he flew all the way, it would consume forty percent of Levin's power."

But if one were to run there on foot, the time cost would naturally increase greatly, yet it would only require half of his power.

Translation: "But if he ran on the ground, the time cost would naturally increase greatly, yet he would only need to expend half of his power."

Considering the complex situation at Dragon-sleep Snow Peak, Wen decided to sneak there on foot.

Translation: "Considering the complex situation at Dragon Sleep Snow Peak, Levin decided to sneak there on foot."

After about three and a half hours, Wen arrived at the site.

Translation: "About three and a half hours later, Levin arrived at the site."

Compared to half a month ago, there has been little change here aside from the vast white snow and some exposed black earth and rock.

Translation: "Compared to half a month ago, there has been basically no change here, aside from the vast expanse of snow and some black rock and soil exposed to the surface."

After walking a bit, he indeed saw some frost-purple snow lotuses and that reclining giant stone.

Translation: "After walking a bit, he indeed saw some purplish-frost snow lotuses, and also saw that reclining giant stone."

Worried about an ambush, he did not rush inside.

Translation: "Worried about an ambush, he did not rush inside."

First he crouched, placed his hands on the ground, and began casting the fourth-circle spell Detect Soul.

Translation: "He first squatted down, placed his hands on the ground, and began casting the fourth-ring spell 'Detect Soul'."

This spell was stolen by Luosen from Master Shaheram; at the time it posed great risk, and it remains one of the highest-circle spells he has learned from others.

Translation: "This spell was stolen by Luosen from Master Shahelamu; at the time it involved great risk, and it is currently one of the highest-ring spells he has learned from others."

Although it's only a fourth-circle spell, its performance is excellent, especially its stability.

Translation: "Although it is only a fourth-ring spell, its performance is excellent, especially its stability."

Because it is knowledge within the current magical system, it has been extensively studied and refined by many mages, and repeatedly tested in actual combat; its structure is mature, its performance reliable, and it basically has no detection loopholes.

Translation: "Because it is knowledge existing within the current spell system, it has been repeatedly studied and refined by many mages, and after extensive combat testing, its structure is mature, its performance reliable, and it basically has no detection loopholes."

Unlike the high-circle spells Luosen himself has explored, which are all beta test versions, and he has no idea where deadly bugs might lurk.

Translation: "Unlike the high-ring spells Luosen himself explored, which are all beta-test versions, and he has no idea where deadly bugs might lurk."

Laifu can't help him with this either.

Translation: "Laifu can't help him with this either."

Because no new data is added, repeatedly training on old data leads to overfitting, and the resulting output is only useful for self-indulgence.

Translation: "Because no new data is added, repeatedly training on old data leads to overfitting, and the resulting output can only be used for self-indulgence."

After about tens of seconds, the feedback indicated that there is no soul presence within at least 300 meters around.

Translation: "After about ten seconds, the feedback indicated that there was no soul presence within at least a 300-meter radius."

Thus, he rose and continued forward.

Translation: "Thus, he rose and continued forward."

After going around the stone, he indeed saw a tiny, inconspicuous cave entrance about 1.5 meters high and over a meter wide, with some old footprints visible at the entrance.

Translation: "After going around the boulder, he indeed saw a very inconspicuous small cave entrance, about 1.5 meters high and over a meter wide, with some old footprints visible at the mouth."

Judging by the footprints, all who came here were forest sprites, and the most recent visitor likely arrived five days ago.

Translation: "From the footprint characteristics, all who came here were forest spirits, and the most recent forest spirit to have arrived likely did so five days ago."

Out of caution, Luosen had Wen follow the forest sprites' footprints.

Translation: "Out of caution, Luosen had Levin follow the forest spirits' footprints."

At first the cave was narrow, but it gradually widened into a dim cavern about fifty square meters, with several burnt-out pine torches stuck in the floor.

Translation: "At first the cave was narrow, but it gradually widened into a dim cavern of about fifty square meters, with several burnt-out pine torches stuck in the ground."

Luosen then saw the mysterious stone tablet mentioned by Yigenini.

Translation: "Luosen then saw the mysterious stone tablet Igonini had spoken of."

There are three in total, each leaning against the left, middle, and right stone walls; the tablets record a large amount of text in tiny script, occasionally interspersed with simple diagrams and runes.

Translation: "There were three in total, each leaning against the left, middle, and right stone walls; the tablets recorded a large amount of text in tiny script, occasionally interspersed with simple diagrams and runes."

Upon seeing the text, Luosen felt it was familiar and immediately asked Laifu: "Is this the script of the Sete Kingdom?"

Translation: "Upon seeing these characters, Luosen felt they looked familiar, and immediately asked Laifu: 'Is this the script of the Set Kingdom?'"

Searching and comparing... confirmed... now translating.

Translation: "'Currently searching and comparing. Confirmed. Now translating.'"

With this information, Laifu projected virtual subtitles onto Luosen's field of view, making reading much easier.

Translation: "With this information, Laifu projected virtual subtitles onto Luosen's field of view, making reading much easier."

Speaking of which, the Sete people's recording habit is strange: they write in a serpentine pattern, from bottom to top then top to bottom, which feels rather awkward to read.

Translation: "Speaking of which, the Set people's recording habit is strange: they write in a serpentine pattern, from bottom to top then top to bottom, which feels rather awkward to read."

Fortunately, Laifu's translation is strong, so Luosen's reading speed is not slow.

Translation: "Fortunately, Laifu's translation is strong, so Luosen's reading speed is not slow."

"The golden ring has appeared, lasting more than six degrees; doom approaches, the kingdom is about to fall, causing me to weep bitterly." (Laifu's translation).

Translation: "'The Golden Ring has appeared, lasting more than six degrees; the apocalypse descends, the kingdom is about to fall, causing me to weep bitterly.' (Laifu's translation style)."

"I, Sebatis, fled my homeland, originally intending to pilgrimage to the ancestral holy land to seek ancestral relics to save the nation, but after searching the holy mountains for ten years, I found only white snow and black earth."

Translation: "'I am Setibas, fleeing my homeland, originally intending to pay homage to the ancestral holy land, seeking the ancestral treasure to save the nation, but after searching the sacred mountains for ten years, I found only white snow and black earth.'"

"My frail body has reached old age, and my left leg was accidentally broken; I can no longer search, so I can only leave some meager wisdom in this cave to prove that I once existed."

Translation: "'My frail body has reached old age, and my left leg was accidentally broken; I can no longer search, so I can only leave some meager wisdom in this cave to prove that I once existed.'"

That is the summary of the stone tablets.

Translation: "That is the general outline of the stone tablets."

Simply reading this summary, even if one lacks sufficient background knowledge, they might understand it but miss much useful information.

Translation: "Merely reading this outline, if one lacks sufficient knowledge reserves, although one can understand it, one will miss much useful information."

For example, the so-called "golden ring" is actually a solar eclipse in this world.

Translation: "For example, the so-called 'Golden Ring' is actually a solar eclipse in this world."

Because the moon's silhouette is smaller than the sun's, a total solar eclipse does not occur; instead, it covers the central part, leaving a ring of light around the edges, hence the name "golden ring".

Translation: "Because the moon's outline is smaller than the sun's, a total solar eclipse does not occur; instead, it covers only the central ring, leaving an outer ring exposed, hence the name 'Golden Ring'."

Lasting more than six degrees, according to the Sete Kingdom's timekeeping system, where one degree equals ten minutes.

Translation: "Lasting more than six degrees is the Set Kingdom's timekeeping system, where one degree equals ten minutes."

In other words, this eclipse lasted over an hour, far longer than the usual quarter-hour of a normal solar eclipse.

Translation: "That is to say, this eclipse lasted well over an hour, far exceeding the usual quarter-hour of a normal solar eclipse."

Such an unusually long-lasting special solar eclipse is called the "Demon's Eye" in the current Natural Alliance's astrology.

Translation: "Such a prolonged special solar eclipse is called the 'Devil's Eye' in the current Natural Alliance's astrology."

One reason is its appearance; another is that during this period, magical fields experience abnormal fluctuations, making magical training prone to damaging the mind.

Translation: "First, it looks like that; second, during this period the magic rings exhibit abnormal fluctuations, making magical cultivation prone to damaging the mind."

According to astrological records, the Demon's Eye occurs on average every 173 years.

Translation: "According to astrological records, the 'Devil's Eye' occurs on average every 173 years."

By contrast with Weilan's history, we can infer that this ancient Sete person named Sebatis likely landed on Sturgeon Island about 527 years ago.

Translation: "Furthermore, by comparing Weilan's history, one can infer that the ancient Set person named Setibas likely landed on White Sturgeon Island about 527 years ago."

And three years after that, the holy maiden Weilan ascended Weilan Giant Island.

Translation: "And three years after that, the saintess Weilan ascended Weilan Giant Island."

Another ten years passed, and the Gu Sai Te Kingdom fell at the hands of Weilan.

Luosen clicked his tongue in amazement.

Hey, Sebatis's astrology is actually quite accurate. I don't know whether it was calculated correctly back then or later they noticed the trend and came back to make up for it.

Also "astrology" is astrology, not a name.

Most likely it was later made up to boost their own reputation, because judging by the timeline, when the tablet was written the Sete Kingdom was already on the verge of collapse under Weilan, possibly already fallen.

Therefore, the tablet was likely inscribed around the year 504.

When searching for ancient relics, knowing this is very important.

Because the effects of many long-lasting permanent magical seals decay orderly over time, when breaking them one must consider the decay period; otherwise, failure is merely a minor issue, but causing a magical accident that destroys the relic would be disastrous.

What follows is the so-called wisdom of Sebatis.

The characters are tiny, the content vast, likely amounting to tens of thousands of words.

Luosen read carefully and quickly discovered that the text recorded a very peculiar magical system; the spell energy it condensed could turn almost any substance into a metal‑like material harder than steel. That is why it is called "Steel Sorcery".

Looking at it, Luosen immediately thought of the strange metallic energy he had sensed faintly in the soil when he first came to the island.

Sebatidis also called this mountain the Ancestral Holy Mountain.

He also recalled the Dragon's Blessing potion, one of whose effects was to make the body immune to blades and guns; the Forest Spirit Prophet Mubahate had obtained his power from the stone tablet.

"What is the relationship among these three?"

He continued reading, and as he read he discovered that "Steel Sorcery" could not be released bare‑handed; it required a special casting material.

This material was called "Steel Blood" by Sebatidis.

Luosen immediately thought of Mubahate's Dragon's Blessing again.

"Igeonini said Mubahate had obtained the Goddess's Blood, which gave him his new power. Could this goddess be an ancestor of the Saitè Kingdom?"

The situation grew ever more mysterious.

Luosen continued reading.

Soon he found a very important new piece of information, yet it was three riddles.

At the end of each tablet there was a riddle; solving it would yield the so‑called "Sebatidis's reward".

Upon examining the riddles, Luosen discovered they were actually three math problems.

Perhaps five hundred years ago this would have been hard, but today, after five hundred years of progress in mathematics—and especially since Luosen is an Earth soul from Earth who possesses Laifu GPT—it poses no difficulty.

The three riddles together took him less than ten minutes to solve.

"Ah, so each tablet hides a reward, and the answer to the riddle is the key to obtaining it. Let me see what the reward actually is."

Luosen first looked at the first tablet.

Following the hint on the tablet, he soon found a nearly perfectly hidden cavity inside it.

The cavity was carefully guarded by a long‑lasting constant spell of up to five rings.

Although the riddle had given the key, it could not be used directly.

Because more than five hundred years have passed, the spell lock is no longer what it once was; using the original key would surely fail.

He had to consider the decay of spells; Luosen pondered for a while before acting to unlock it.

"Zizzle—crack!"

"Too close, the spell almost collapsed."

This is a very precise spell lock, requiring calculation of decay down to the year; fortunately Luosen possesses rich learning, otherwise he would probably have ended up with only a pile of scraps.

He wiped away a cold sweat, gently pushed open the stone slab covering the cavity, and found inside a dagger‑like object made of a ceramic‑like material.

He took it out to test the feel; it felt brittle and fine, likely to shatter if dropped.

Behind the cube lay a scroll, on which a related description was written.

"Sovereign Dagger, a treasure left by the ancestors; using this dagger, one can transform magical power into pure steel force without needing steel blood as aid. The principle is unknown, it cannot be copied, and its efficiency is extremely low."

"Caution! Fragile, handle with care!"

Luosen immediately had Levin test it.

Levin obviously could not output pure magical power, but he possessed a Philosopher's Stone inside him, a treasure Luosen had invented.

This could serve as a relay station, passing Luosen's pure magical power through the void.

Of course, doing so incurs huge extra loss; unless necessary, Luosen basically doesn't use it.

As pure magical power flowed in, the Sovereign Dagger's surface instantly showed a strand of strange black light, strongest at the tip.

Luosen touched the dagger to the slab, and saw the black light quickly spread across the slab, like frost flowers spreading on glass.

"Where the frost flowers reached, the slab indeed showed a deep metallic luster."

Luosen put the dagger away, touched it with his hand, and found it felt icy cold and hard, almost identical to iron.

"Steel power, truly deserving of its name!"

The problem is that the conversion efficiency is indeed low: ten units of magical power yield only one unit of steel power.

Moreover, the steel power's effect is not lasting; as the dagger leaves, the steel‑treated portions on the slab gradually lose their metallic luster.

In the end, it didn't even last ten minutes.

But Luosen wasn't disappointed at all; instead, he was quite delighted.

"Just the free‑floating steel power already has such a strong effect; if we could develop precise steel arts, wouldn't the effect be heaven‑defying?"

"So this Sovereign Dagger is truly a treasure! Keep it safe and well‑guarded."

He then examined the second slab, also finding an intact cavity containing a scroll and an exquisite rune bottle.

The scroll read: "Potion: Ancestral Blessing; if later generations cannot fully decipher the slab's information, drinking the potion lets them directly obtain part of the ancestors' wisdom."

He took the bottle, but found the potion had failed.

The liquid was still there and hadn't spoiled, but the power it contained was gone.

Upon re‑checking the stone slab's cavity where the potion was stored, he noticed faint traces of power erosion.

After careful analysis, Luosen understood.

Well, it seems that this gift was unintentionally obtained by Mubahate.

Judging from the effects of the potion, the potion must have been infused with spiritual energy.

The biggest characteristic of spiritual energy is that it produces spiritual resonance due to strong emotions, leading to an uncontrollable, hard-to-shield 'Phantom Transfer' phenomenon.

Mubahate, being illiterate, certainly couldn't read the stone tablets; otherwise he wouldn't have left so much for Luosen.

But he is obsessed day and night with studying the tablets, so there's still a high chance he inadvertently drew the potion's power through resonance.

It's a bit disappointing, but the loss is not great, because Luosen can fully understand the tablet's content.

He then examined the third tablet and similarly found a cavity, inside which lay a map.

Upon opening the map, it turned out to be a topographic map of Dragon Sleep Snow Peak, with a marker placed at one location.

There is also a passage in the lower-left corner of the map.

"Actually, I have already found the Ancestral Holy Hall; the mark on the map is the cave entrance. I entered full of hope, but saw only some severely eroded ancient murals. If later generations happen to obtain this map and are interested, they should go see it for themselves."

Luosen was greatly interested.

"Shall we go take a look now?"

He wanted to act immediately, but he also harbored doubts, for the mountain seems to hide a goddess possessing Six Rings power.

Moreover, from the known information, the goddess has countless connections with the Predecessor Organization mentioned by Sabatis.

He feared encountering the true form of that so-called goddess during the exploration.

(End of chapter)