Chapter 282

After the performance, applause thundered.

The dancers bowed gracefully to thank, and then used an amazing elemental skill as a curtain call.

Several people raised their hands at the same time, and the four basic elements were arranged into a perfect Ring of Rainbows.

Every inch of the ring shimmered with Lans's iconic colorful light, symbolizing the tribute to this great bloodline modulation master.

After leaving the elemental performance area, the group continued to stroll in the ocean of the festival.

Yi Fu's eyes were almost not enough, and every novel scene attracted her attention.

Luo En noticed that as time passed, the restraint on the little princess of the Wang Guan Clan gradually melted away.

Replaced by a liveliness close to her actual age.

"Mentor, look over there!"

Lis suddenly pointed to an archway made of shining crystals in the distance:

"That's the 'Illusion Garden', one of the most popular attractions during the Lans Festival!"

Luo En's gaze followed the direction she pointed.

It was indeed a wonderful building, with all kinds of glowing plants surrounding the archway.

Each one emitted subtle spiritual fluctuations, which could affect the viewer's perception and emotions.

The entire area was covered by a translucent magic dome, completely isolating the internal and external environments, ensuring that the special environment inside was not disturbed by the outside world.

"It is said that the plants in the Illusion Garden are all special varieties from the 'Fairy Land', specially supplied by the 'King of Illusions' to commemorate his friends."

Herman explained, his voice full of the enthusiasm peculiar to scholars:

"They can release a special illusion induction, allowing every visitor to see different scenes, usually the scenes they desire or fear most in their subconscious."

"Fairy Land", recorded in ancient books, is the "Kingdom" conquered and ruled by the "King of Illusions".

Various incredible creatures survive in it, and many rare beasts from the God Era are preserved.

And this "King of Illusions" is a rare female Wizard King.

Although at the Great Wizard level, gender is already of little significance.

But the beauty of this "King of Illusions" is the "dream that should not exist in the world" praised by many ancient poems.

It is rumored that everyone who witnesses her true face will fall into an illusion dream from which they cannot wake up.

"This project sounds very interesting." Expectation shone in Yi Fu's amethyst eyes:

"Shall we try it?"

Luo En thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Since it's a festival, it doesn't hurt to experience it."

In his view, this kind of illusion induced by plants has its value at the level of enjoyment, but it is also quite worth exploring from a research perspective.

Understanding how these plants affect perception might provide new ideas for him in the field of spiritual power.

The group lined up to enter the garden, and a gardener in work clothes at the door handed each person a small "Guide Flower".

This flower emitted a faint blue light, and its shape looked exactly like a miniature version of a water lily.

"Dear adults, please take this 'Heart Anchor'."

The gardener explained, his voice full of fatigue; the sudden increase in passenger flow during the holidays also brought a great burden to them:

"It can provide you with a stable anchor point in the illusion, preventing your consciousness from being completely lost.

If you feel uncomfortable, just gently crush the petals, and the energy within will immediately interrupt the illusion connection, allowing you to return to reality."

The moment he stepped into the garden, the surrounding scene immediately began to change.

The original plants and paths gradually blurred, like reflections in water being blown away by the wind, and then re-condensed into a brand new picture.

What everyone saw was different, depending entirely on the deepest desires in their hearts.

What unfolded before Luo En was a boundless starry sky.

But not looking up from the ground, but as if he were floating in the center of the universe, with bright stars in all directions.

Every star was much larger than what was seen in reality, clearer, and closer to its essence.

He could see the energy flow inside the stars and feel the power fluctuations they radiated outward.

Most wonderfully, those stars seemed to be "alive".

They were no longer distant celestial bodies, but energy entities with some kind of consciousness.

He reached out his hand, as if he could directly touch those ancient lights.

【Whispers of the Star Eater (Proficient) Experience +1】

The stars in the illusion were more "intimate" than in reality; this experience gave Luo En a deeper realization of the characteristics of his own meditation method.

He could clearly feel that every star had its own unique "personality" and "preference".

Just like creatures with different tempers, they need to be communicated with in different ways.

What Yi Fu saw was a vast crystal forest.

Every tree was exquisite and perfect like an artwork, the trunk was made of transparent crystal, and a seven-colored magic stream flowed inside.

The leaves were carved from solidified moonlight, making crisp bell sounds in the breeze.

And in this forest, a young white deer was running and jumping freely.

There was no pain of "Magic Eater" on it, no responsibility of the Wang Guan Clan, only pure, unrestrained joy.

"Is this freedom?"

Yi Fu muttered to herself, her amethyst eyes filled with tears, both reluctant and full of hope.

When leaving the "Illusion Garden", everyone's face carried different expressions.

Some were full of bewilderment, some were excited, some fell into deep thought, and some carried blurred tear stains.

This experience was both entertainment and an exploration of the depths of the heart.

"What did you see?" Albert couldn't help but ask curiously.

"I saw a vast library."

The silver-haired teenager Herman, who had always been the most mature, answered softly, blinking his eyes as if he didn't want to wake up yet:

"Every book was telling me higher-level occult knowledge."

"I saw my hometown." Lucia continued, her voice full of deep nostalgia:

"That crimson field, and the various strange creatures running in it... I haven't been back for three or four years."

"What I saw was the endless starry sky." Luo En answered briefly, without adding too much explanation.

That was, after all, his own harvest, and there was no need to share too many details with others.

Yi Fu smiled slightly, her amethyst eyes full of confusion: "I saw freedom."

A few simple words exhausted the endless longing in the black-haired princess's heart.

Just then, the clock tower in the distance struck seven times, announcing the arrival of night.

All the lights in the entire Dawn Port lit up.

Not ordinary fire or magic lamps, but countless miniature magic star points.

Like star fragments scattered into the human world, draping the entire city in a dreamlike silver veil.

"It's about to start!" Herman suddenly pointed excitedly to the Lans Square in the distance:

"'Feast of Light'! The finale performance of the Lans Festival!"

Luo En looked in the direction he pointed, only to see that the square was already crowded with people, and the center was a performance area isolated by a special magic array.

Dozens of wizards in robes of various colors were making final preparations in it.

"We have to find a good spot quickly!"

Lucia urged, her eyes full of expectation:

"The scale this year is larger than in previous years; it is said that the performers participating in it all have the level of senior modulators!"

Yi Fu also seemed to be rendered by this excitement, the nanny golems gently picked up the young girl who was still a bit inconvenient to move, and walked forward quickly with everyone.

The group passed through the streets and came to Lans Square.

When the crowd recognized Yi Fu's identity, they automatically formed a passage again, allowing them to easily reach the front row viewing area.

Luo En noticed that the two nanny golems always maintained vigilance.

The energy cores were always in a highly active state, ready to deal with any potential threats at any time.

A long horn sounded, and the noise in the square immediately quieted down.

All eyes were focused on the performance area.

With a blinding white light flashing, the performance officially began.

Dozens of light beams of different colors shot up from around the square, each representing a specific type of energy.

These light beams converged high in the center of the square, forming a huge energy vortex, like a mysterious eye that was opening.

The vortex slowly expanded, turning into a giant light ring with a diameter of more than several hundred meters.

The energy within the ring constantly changed, forming countless tiny patterns and runes, each with its unique meaning:

Some represented Lans's early experimental records, some were his most famous theoretical formulas, and others were the outlines of various strange creatures he created.

"That is the biography of Lans."

Yi Fu explained softly:

"Legend has it that he created more than three thousand different biological variants in his life, completely rewriting the basic theory and practical methods of bloodline study."

"Look at that!"

Lucia suddenly exclaimed, pointing to an emblem pattern in the light ring:

"That is the 'Triple Cycle', one of Lans's most important theories!"

Luo En's gaze was firmly attracted by that emblem pattern.

It was a complex pattern composed of three snakes biting each other's tails, representing the eternal cycle theory of energy, matter, and soul.

This theory advocates that all forms of existence are in an endless cycle.

Energy transforms into matter, matter breeds soul, and soul guides energy.

This is one of the core cornerstones of bloodline modulation study, and also the core knowledge imprint symbolizing the bloodline discipline today.

The light ring continued to change various patterns, each of which triggered bursts of exclamation from the audience.

Finally, the light ring began to shrink, and the energy gradually condensed, forming a lifelike human projection—Lans himself.

This projection was nearly a hundred meters high, composed of pure magic power, yet possessed amazing details.

That serious face, eyes as deep as an abyss, showing an eternal thirst for knowledge.

And the recording crystal pen in his hand that never left his side were all perfectly reproduced.

"On the road to pursuing knowledge, never fear failure."

The projection spoke, the voice echoing throughout the square:

"Every failure is the cornerstone of success, every mistake is a ladder to truth. Only by seeking eternally can we illuminate that dark wilderness of ignorance."

This is one of Lans's most famous maxims during his lifetime, regarded as a golden rule by countless scholars.

In the final stages of his life, even though he was cursed, he still insisted on daily experiments and records.

Finally, before his complete extinction, he completed his most important work—"Bloodline Origin Theory".

As the maxim ended, the projection slowly dissipated, turning into starlight all over the sky, sprinkling on everyone participating in the celebration.

When these light spots fell on people, they produced a subtle sense of warmth.

As if Lans's wisdom fire also ignited for a moment in everyone's heart.

When the entire performance ended, thunderous applause erupted in the square.

"It's truly an indescribable experience; I participate in the celebration every year, but I never get tired of the closing performance." Herman sighed softly.

"After all, the presentation every year is different."

Lis added, her voice full of longing:

"It is said that every participant will add unique elements and interpretations based on their own understanding of Lans's theory; perhaps Mentor, one day, will also have the opportunity to join this display line..."

Luo En nodded silently, his gaze sweeping lightly over the "Lans Experimental Notes" in his hand.

The night was deep, and the celebration was coming to an end.

The students reluctantly bid farewell to Luo En and Yi Fu, agreeing to meet again tomorrow, and then returned to their dormitories separately.

"Thank you for your company today, Mentor."

Yi Fu lowered her head slightly and said in a low voice before boarding the "Silver Feather" aircraft:

"This is the happiest day of my short life. No burden, no pain, only pure relaxation and joy..."

"You are welcome." A rare gentleness was on Luo En's face:

"Witnessing the growth and joy of students is the responsibility and honor of a mentor."

He watched the aircraft slowly rise and disappear into the night sky before returning to his residence with Ailan and Daier.

After returning to his residence, an envelope flickering with pale blue light was floating quietly in the center of the living room.

This is a magic transmission unique to the Crystal Spire, usually used to deliver important notices.

Luo En reached out to take the envelope, and the characteristics of the energy fluctuation showed that this was news from the Academic Review Office.

He opened the envelope, took out the parchment inside, and quickly browsed the content, the corners of his mouth rising slightly.

"Master seems to be in a good mood."

Ailan keenly noticed the change in his expression: "Is it good news?"

"My paper passed the second round of review."

Luo En explained briefly, satisfaction flowing in his eyes:

"The final contribution value is determined to be 1200 points, and it will be selectively excerpted and published in the 'New Academic Monthly', which is one of the most influential secondary academic journals in the Central Land."

"Congratulations, Master!" Ailan and Daier congratulated in unison, and the room became a bit festive again.

Touching the little sea siren's head and letting the two alien servants go about their own business, Luo En put away the letter flickering with pale blue light.

He walked to the sofa in the center of the study, sat down, gently pressed his palm to his temple, and closed his eyes.

In his consciousness world, that constantly expanding "Consciousness Library" emerged.

The knowledge neatly arranged on the bookshelf turned with the flow of his intent.

"Academic Journals and School Systems"

He called out softly in his heart, and then a row of specialized classics floated out from the bookshelf.

They opened automatically in his consciousness space, displaying relevant memories and information.

"New Academic Monthly", this academic journal co-founded by three associate professors, has quite a reputation among secondary journals in the Central Land.

Luo En's thoughts extended along the grading system of academic journals, sorting out relevant information in the Consciousness Library.

In the wizard academic world of the Ring Abyss Continent Group, the grading of journals is very strict, directly related to a wizard's academic status and influence.

The highest level is undoubtedly the "Monument of Truth".

This level has transcended the scope of general academic journals and become a special recording body similar to the "Wizard General Record".

Those that can be published on it are creative achievements, and the publishers are basically at the level of full professors, that is, the masterpieces of Great Wizards.

And these achievements are often recorded in wizard history.

Even after hundreds or thousands of years, these papers are still repeatedly cited and discussed, and may even directly affect the development direction of the entire wizard society.

I heard that the library of the Crystal Spire treasures several complete "Monuments of Truth", and only those at the lecturer level are qualified to consult them.

Thinking of this, Luo En's slightly satisfied mentality also calmed down.

Being able to publish papers in secondary journals is already quite an achievement.

But compared to those true academic peaks, this is just the first step of a long journey.

Further down are primary journals, which are the core journals of the seven major schools.

Each school has an official journal for its own areas of expertise, representing the highest academic achievements of the school in that field.

Those who can publish articles in these journals need at least the achievements of an associate professor level, representing that the author has reached the master level of attainment in a certain sub-field.

As the most core wizard organization in the Ring Abyss Continent Group, the seven major schools have irreplaceable authoritative status in their respective fields:

1. "Crystal Spire" — the head of the seven major schools.

Almost all major breakthroughs affecting the Wizard World can find their initial inspiration source in the experimental records of the Crystal Spire.

The corresponding core journal is "Deconstruction".

2. "Elemental Garden" — an authoritative institution related to elements, with thousands of elemental creatures cultivated in its unique ecosystem.

Each area simulates different extreme environments, from volcanic lava to polar ice fields, providing an unparalleled experimental field for elemental research.

The corresponding core journal is "Wang Guan of Elements".

3. "Dark Cabin" — although named "Cabin", it is actually a huge underground building complex.

Specializing in the study of concealment techniques, illusion techniques, and spiritual influence, most of its members act secretly.

The corresponding core journal is "Shadow Research".

4. "Tower of Vibration" — the palace of sound research; the tower itself is a huge tuner capable of generating and absorbing sound waves of various frequencies.

Its most famous achievement is the "Resonance Theory", using sound as a bridge connecting different dimensions.

The corresponding core journal is "Melody and Harmony".

Each school has its own characteristics and areas of advantage, and they together constitute the cornerstone of extraordinary knowledge in the Ring Abyss Continent Group.

"Publishing a paper in a primary journal already means gaining quite high recognition in that field."

Luo En pondered in his heart:

"Generally speaking, this is one of the necessary conditions for promotion to associate professor."

Then there are secondary journals, usually co-founded by a full professor or several associate professors, and obtained the permission and review of the School Alliance.

Although this type of journal is not as authoritative as primary journals, the gold content is still quite high, and most of the research achievements published on it are below the associate professor level.

Finally, there are tertiary journals, mostly founded by small and medium-sized wizard organizations outside the Central Land, and the quality of content is uneven.

Even with contribution value rewards, they usually do not exceed 200 points.

The gold content of this type of journal is not high, but as a channel for knowledge dissemination, they still play an irreplaceable role.

Especially for those marginal areas far from the Central Land.

The "New Academic Monthly" he is about to board focuses on cross-innovation in alchemy, bloodline modulation, and potionology, and is an important platform for the younger generation of wizards to show their talents.

And being able to have his paper published in such a secondary journal within half a year.

Even in an academic palace like the Crystal Spire, it can be regarded as a sign of rapid rise.

Many senior wizards who have worked hard for many years may not necessarily have such achievements.

Luo En nodded gently, a trace of imperceptible satisfaction rising from the bottom of his heart, but it was quickly suppressed by his rationality.

Any satisfaction in emotion is temporary, and the true value lies in the growth of power brought by knowledge itself.

In addition to notifying him of the paper contribution value and the news that it will be selectively excerpted and published in the "New Academic Monthly".

It also invited him to go to the review office when he has time to discuss the specific matters of the paper's publication.

And to discuss the further improvement plan of the mobile simulated combat device, while discussing the specific situation of the School Alliance's investment in his project.

"School Alliance's investment" Luo En's eyes revealed a look of thought.

He picked up the quill on the table and wrote on the reply paper:

"Respected Review Office:

Thank you for your recognition and invitation.

Due to holiday business limitations, I will come to discuss relevant matters on the afternoon of the first day after the holiday ends (i. e., Wednesday).

Yours faithfully,

Luo En Ralph"

(End of chapter)