Chapter 31

The rune structure of the meditation method is constantly changing.

The rune structure of the meditation method is constantly changing.

Upon completing the first layer of the Water-Wood Mutual Growth Meditation Method, the rune structure appears as an equilateral triangle parallel to the lake surface.

When the second layer is completed, the rune structure becomes a hexagram formed by two interlocking, inverted equilateral triangles, together with their common circumscribed circle, forming a flat cylinder.

Translation: "Upon completing the second layer, the rune structure will appear as a hexagram formed by two inverted equilateral triangles, plus their common circumscribed circle, forming a flat cylinder."

(The runes are three‑dimensional structures, not two‑dimensional lines or shapes.)

Translation: "(The rune is a three-dimensional solid structure, not a two-dimensional line or figure.)"

Six runes are located at the intersections of the hexagram and its circumscribed circle.

Translation: "Six runes are located at the intersections of the hexagram and its circumscribed circle."

Link has already constructed five runes.

Translation: "Lin Ke has already constructed five runes."

They are, respectively, the will rune 'Derivation' at the top vertex of the upward triangle, the water‑element rune 'Water Element Aggregation' at the lower left vertex, and the wood‑element rune 'Wood Element Aggregation' at the lower right vertex.

Thus: "They are, respectively, the Will Rune 'Derivation' at the top vertex of the upward equilateral triangle, the Element Rune 'Water Element Aggregation' at the lower left vertex, and the Element Rune 'Wood Element Aggregation' at the lower right vertex."

Plus the will rune 'Refinement' at the top vertex of the downward triangle, and the water‑element rune 'Water Element Purification' at its lower left vertex.

Translation: "And the Will Rune 'Refinement' at the top vertex of the downward equilateral triangle, and the Element Rune 'Water Element Purity' at the lower left vertex."

Only one rune is missing—the wood‑element rune 'Wood Element Extraction' at the lower right vertex of the downward triangle—and then the second layer of the meditation method will be complete.

Translation: "Only one Element Rune 'Wood Element Extraction' at the lower right vertex of the downward equilateral triangle is missing, and the second layer of the meditation method will be completed."

At that point, Link will be a duly promoted second‑class wizard apprentice.

Translation: "By then, Lin Ke will be a duly promoted Second Grade Wizard Apprentice."

Um…

Translation: "Um……"

Second‑class and first‑class wizard apprentices have no essential difference; both are apprentices who can only study and master zero‑tier spells.

Translation: "Second Grade Wizard Apprentices and First Grade Wizard Apprentices have no essential difference; both are wizard apprentices and can only study and master Zero-Ring Wizardry."

The only difference lies in how many zero‑tier spells they have mastered, how often they can cast them, and their understanding of those spells, which determines the effects and power they can exert.

Translation: "The difference between them lies solely in the quantity of Zero-Ring Wizardry mastered, the number of casts, and their understanding of Zero-Ring Wizardry and the effects and power they can exert."

The division of wizard apprentices into first, second, and third classes was an innovation introduced by the first sage in wizard history (the collective term for fourth‑ to sixth‑class wizards).

Translation: "The division of wizard apprentices into these three minor grades—First, Second, and Third—was an innovation by the first Sage in wizard history (the collective term for Fourth to Sixth Grade Wizards)."

He surveyed all available meditation methods, synthesized them, simplified the complex, and introduced a basic, universal, extremely low‑threshold meditation practice for the masses.

Translation: "He consulted all available meditation methods he could gather, synthesized and simplified them, and introduced a basic, universal, extremely low-threshold Popular Meditation Method."

This historic innovation lowered the threshold from ordinary folk to wizard apprentice, and divided the path from apprentice to full wizard into three stages.

Translation: "This historic innovation lowered the threshold from mortals to wizard apprentices, and divided the path from wizard apprentice to official wizard into three stages."

Since then, wizard apprentices who train step by step have a chance to be promoted to full wizard.

Translation: "Thereafter, wizard apprentices who train step by step have a chance to advance to official wizard."

Rather than before, when promotion depended entirely on personal luck with little regularity to follow.

Translation: "Rather than before, when advancement depended entirely on personal fortune with little regularity to follow."

Afterward, each school and wizard organization, according to its own traits, rolled out its own distinctive basic meditation methods.

Translation: "Afterward, various schools and wizard organizations, according to their own characteristics, introduced their own distinctive basic meditation methods."

After the deep meditation ended, Link could clearly feel that today's meditation progress was much faster than yesterday's.

Translation: "After deep meditation, Lin Ke could clearly feel that today's meditation progress was much faster than yesterday's."

Especially when refining mental power and absorbing water elements into the body to form mana, one aspect became smoother and the other purer.

Translation: "Especially when refining spiritual power and absorbing water elements into the body to form magical power, one became smoother, the other purer."

Because the wood‑element rune 'Wood Element Extraction' has not yet been constructed, the mana generated from absorbing wood elements into the body remains the same as before.

Translation: "Because the Element Rune 'Wood Element Extraction' has not yet been constructed, the magical power formed by absorbing wood elements into the body remains the same as before."

Link estimated that, at today's pace, he would complete the second layer of the meditation method within two weeks.

Translation: "Lin Ke estimated that, at today's efficiency, meditating for two weeks would allow him to complete the second layer of the meditation method."

This means that, within less than three months of enrollment and before the first term ends, Link will be able to advance to second‑class wizard apprentice.

Translation: "This also means that, within less than three months of enrollment, before the first semester ends, Lin Ke will be able to advance to Second Grade Wizard Apprentice."

Such speed is truly astonishing.

Translation: "Such speed is truly astonishing."

Even the top‑tier geniuses with fifth‑grade aptitude may not be that fast.

Translation: "Even the top-tier geniuses with Fifth Grade Upper Aptitude may not necessarily be this fast."

The benefit that the supreme state 'Brain Sealing Technique' brings to Link, especially in meditation, is enormous!

Translation: "The supreme state, the Brain Seal Technique, brings Lin Ke immense benefits, especially in meditation—it's truly enormous!"

Having enrolled only two weeks ago, Link succeeded in completing the first layer of the meditation method on his very first attempt and was promoted to first‑class wizard apprentice.

Translation: "Lin Ke entered the academy only two weeks ago, and his first meditation successfully completed the first layer of the meditation method, promoting him to First Grade Wizard Apprentice."

He was the first newcomer of this cohort to report to the academy, and he only achieved promotion at the weekend of the fourth week.

Translation: "The first newcomer of this batch to report to the academy, also a Newblood, only advanced to that rank at the weekend of the fourth week."

Back and forth, Link has meditated at least four weeks more than anyone else.

Translation: "All told, Lin Ke has meditated at least four weeks more than others."

Others find that their meditation progress cannot keep up with the speed at which they acquire knowledge.

Translation: "Others are always unable to keep their meditation progress up with the speed of acquiring knowledge."

Link's situation is reversed: his knowledge acquisition cannot keep up with his meditation speed.

Translation: "Lin Ke is the opposite: his knowledge acquisition progress cannot keep up with his meditation speed."

This is a wonderful dilemma.

Translation: "This is a wonderful torment."

Carrying this dilemma, Link returned to his bedroom and fell into a deep sleep.

Translation: "Carrying this torment, Lin Ke returned to his bedroom and fell into a deep sleep."

……

Translation: "……"

The next day.

Translation: "The next day."

Link began the new day in a cheerful mood.

Translation: "Lin Ke began the new day in a cheerful mood."

Even when Jasmine, as usual, showered him with flattery, Link responded with a smile.

Translation: "Even when Mo Li, as usual, flattered him, Lin Ke responded with a smile."

This surprised Jasmine greatly.

Translation: "This surprised Mo Li greatly."

She was so stunned she forgot to immediately seize the chance to climb up and take advantage of Link.

Translation: "She was so shocked she forgot to immediately seize the chance to take advantage of Lin Ke."

By the time she reacted, she reached out with her soft, sinful little hand, ready to fiercely touch Link's chest, but it was already too late.

Translation: "By the time she reacted, extending her fair, sinful little hand to fiercely touch Lin Ke's chest muscles, it was already too late."

Link promptly restored his cold expression and ruthlessly refused.

Translation: "Lin Ke promptly restored his cold face and ruthlessly refused."

"Ah ah ah ah, don't play with me like that!"

Translation: "\"Ah ah ah ah, I won't play with you like this! \"" (We need to keep quotes? The Chinese line includes quotes. We'll translate: "\"Ah ah ah ah, I won't play with you like this! \"")

Jasmine went berserk.

Translation: "Mo Li went berserk."

Link paid no heed to that and headed straight for the lecture building.

Translation: "Lin Ke paid no heed to these, heading straight for the teaching building."

Earlier, he had already visited the Third Botanical Garden to check on the silver star flowers, and everything was fine.

Translation: "Before, he had already been to the Third Botanical Garden, checked the condition of the Silver Star Flower, and found nothing wrong."

Link had looked up the relevant literature on cultivating silver star flowers, but lacking credits, he could not obtain the complete cultivation plan.

Translation: "Lin Ke had looked up related literature on cultivating the Silver Star Flower, but lacking credits, he could not obtain the complete cultivation plan."

Even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice.

Translation: "Even a skilled housewife cannot cook without rice."

Thus Link could only cast a minor mist‑rain spell to supply moisture to the silver star sprouts and nurture their vitality.

Translation: "Lin Ke could only cast a Secondary Mist Rain Technique once, to replenish moisture for the Silver Star Flower's sprouts and nourish its vitality."

To avoid delaying the silver star flowers' growth, Link submitted a task completion report.

Translation: "To avoid delaying the Silver Star Flower's growth, Lin Ke submitted a task completion report."

The intelligent management center of the Third Botanical Garden, Tata Ling, immediately replied that the inspectors would finish the inspection today and report the result.

Translation: "The Third Botanical Garden Intelligent Management Center's Twin Pagoda Spirit immediately gave a reply; the inspection personnel will complete the verification today and report the result."

Link just needs to go back and wait for the notice.

Translation: "Lin Ke just needs to go back and wait for the notice."

Regarding this, Link naturally felt at ease waiting.

Translation: "Accordingly, Lin Ke naturally felt at ease waiting."

Amid Jasmine's resentment, the day's lessons ended.

Translation: "Amid Mo Li's resentment, the day's classes ended."

After dinner, Link escorted Jasmine to the library, then detoured to the Third Botanical Garden himself.

Translation: "After dinner, Lin Ke escorted Mo Li to the Library, then himself took a detour to the Third Botanical Garden."

Sophie Lukia was already waiting outside the third‑row, number‑three Great Peng.

Translation: "Su Fei. Lu Qia was already waiting outside the Great Peng in the third row, number three."

She still wore a cold expression, her whole body exuding a sense of rejection.

Translation: "She still wore a cold face, her whole body exuding a sense of rejection."

Holding her personal smart device, Sophie Lukia operated it a bit and told Link: 'The sprouting work is done; you remain responsible for cultivating the silver star flowers. The cultivation plan has been sent to you—please check it.'

Translation: "Holding a Portable Smart Brain, Su Fei. Lu Qia operated it a bit and said to Lin Ke: \"The sprouting work is complete; you remain responsible for cultivating the Silver Star Flower; the cultivation plan has been sent to you—please check for receipt. \""

"Thank you."

Translation: "\"Thank you. \""

Lin Ke did not like Su Fei. Lu Qi Ya's manner, but he didn't show it, and still said a polite remark.

Afterwards, he took out his Portable Smart Brain and saw on it the notice that the sprouting work had passed inspection, as well as the full set of the Silver Star Flower cultivation plan.

Su Fei. Lu Qi Ya hesitated, then finally put aside her airs and asked, "Where did you get your sprouting method? Could you share it?"

Saying that, Su Fei. Lu Qi Ya took out a small box from her clothing pocket and gestured, "I can exchange Magic Stones with you."

Lin Ke's heartstrings tightened instantly.

He also has such a small box, specially for holding Magic Stones, each box can hold at most five pieces.

Lin Ke seemed to smell the scent of wool.

Keeping a calm expression, Lin Ke replied calmly, "I came up with it myself; I feel there's still great room for improvement, but I don't want to sell it yet."

Upon hearing that, Su Fei curled the corner of her mouth into a subtle smile.

She's no naive innocent; of course she knows that "not wanting to sell" means "you need to pay more."

However, Su Fei also didn't want to indulge Lin Ke, and immediately said coldly, "This is the highest price I can offer. I'm just curious about it; I don't absolutely need it."

"Is that so?"

Lin Ke nodded, unflustered, smoothly continuing the conversation, "That works out perfectly. I'll keep the sprouting method, you keep the Magic Stones, and we'll both be happy."

"Alright."

Seeing Lin Ke looking as if he had already decided to take advantage of her, Su Fei. Lu Qi Ya felt a surge of anger and took back the small box holding the Magic Stones.

She doesn't have to buy it from Lin Ke; through other channels she could also figure out his sprouting method.

However, there are risks involved, so it needs to be done very covertly.

Since Lin Ke is being unreasonable, don't blame her.

(End of chapter)