Chapter 208: Death Cantor

Chapter 208: Death Cantor

After packing his experimental equipment, Luo En strode to another corner of the laboratory.

There stood a specially designed meditation pad used for daily cultivation. This pad, woven from a unique material, could block external disturbances while enhancing the concentration of spiritual energy.

Seated cross-legged on the mat, Luo En closed his eyes and released his spiritual energy, keenly sensing his spirit state.

His Spirit Ocean had expanded several times over compared to months ago.

The Murmuring of the Star Devourer cultivation technique operated efficiently— even brief meditation sessions brought noticeable spiritual energy growth. This wasn’t slow accumulation but a continuous, tangible enhancement, like an unceasing stream feeding directly into his Spirit Ocean.

Especially since mastering the technique to isolate Whispering interference using Erosion Sonata, his cultivation efficiency had increased by at least several dozen percent.

Those once-annoying soundwaves now bolstered his progress—like seizing an enemy’s weapon for counterattack.

“At this rate, reaching the critical threshold of 4.9 within three months should be no problem.”

Luo En mentally calculated:

“Recently, I’ll try stacking the Puppet Substitute’s Charging Progress to 50%. Advancing to Demon Hunter class should grant additional spirit attribute boosts. Full Mage’s threshold is practically within reach.”

Yet his brows furrowed, expression darkening.

Despite progress, the Schools’ control over Key Potions remained a significant obstacle.

This rare potion essential for Full Mage ascension was tightly regulated by major Schools, serving as a crucial tool to bind prodigies. From what he’d learned, unlike common potions, Key Potion formulas were top-tier secrets. Even many senior potion masters couldn’t access their complete recipes.

After all, this singular path for apprentices to ascend into Full Mages constituted a strategic-grade resource—a foundational tool for Archmage factions maintaining governance.

With the next Key Potion distribution assessment ten years away, over two years remained until the next evaluation.

“Two years… too long.” Luo En shook his head, eyes flashing with impatience:

“I can’t waste two years here waiting for a potion that might never materialize.”

Moreover, while The Murmuring of the Star Devourer granted astonishing cultivation speed, it also produced severe spirit pollution.

Luo En had begun noticing pollution symptoms—occasional hallucinations, brief mental confusion, and strange dreams were warning signals.

Though he’d started using Liliya’s “Boon” to purify the pollution, this method was merely temporary, unable to resolve the root issue.

Liliya’s innate talent, Diligence Compensates for Inadequacy, made her Boons exceptionally pure and abundant—partly why Luo En patiently mentored her.

Even so, this remained a stopgap measure, insufficient for sustaining intensive long-term cultivation.

Checking his Timekeeper Pocket Watch, Luo En found the mana quota already at 50/50 full capacity. This surprised him.

“Mana quota increased again?” He began scrutinizing the pocket watch’s mana flow.

Since acquiring it, he’d always used its mana cautiously, never seeing it restore to full.

“Perhaps traversing the Bloodline Altar’s spatial gateway charged it somehow.”

Realization dawned in his eyes: “Spatial twists and time flow discrepancies… seems related to the pocket watch’s inherent trait.”

As a semi-independent space, the Bloodline Altar’s internal time flow differed from the outside. This time disparity might have triggered the pocket watch’s self-replenishment mechanism.

“Still, this won’t support two years of waiting.” Luo En tucked the pocket watch away carefully.

“The pocket watch’s mana is limited, and its charging method unclear. No guarantee when—or if—the quota will increase again.”

After Valen departs, he’d visit Madame Ellen to investigate alternative methods for Full Mage ascension beyond conventional School-issued Key Potions.

This path promised greater freedom but even graver risks. Yet for Luo En, risk often meant greater reward.

Regardless of success, he intended to head to the Central Lands.

There awaited broader resources, deeper knowledge, and more opportunities.

Border Schools like Black Mist Academy, while suitable starting points for novices, ultimately constrained those pursuing true mastery.

As for the Workshop…

Luo En considered his arrangements.

Daire and Ai Lan would naturally accompany him.

After receiving their specialized bloodline formulations, they’d formed a unique bond with him—almost extensions of his being. Betrayal wasn’t a concern.

Ai Lan, this Ancient Tree Fairy, could communicate with plants and perceive surrounding energy fluctuations—a natural alarm system. Her living barrier-like vines offered additional protection during crises.

Daire shared similar traits.

Now evolved into a pure-blood Gold-Ring Siren, she commanded formidable Water Element control. Her Charm Song ability could prove pivotal in critical moments.

Their non-human physiques also made them… easier to transport.

Previously, Ai Lan mentioned she could curl into a half-meter-wide vine ball during extreme situations, entering low-energy hibernation—conveniently storable in a Storage Bag.

But Liliya…

Luo En sighed, brow furrowing.

Despite her outstanding performance, bringing her to the Central Lands posed challenges.

First, her life-binding contract with Black Mist Academy required formal termination.

Second, the journey to the Central Lands brimmed with unknowns—his own survival wasn’t guaranteed, let alone protecting an ordinary apprentice.

Moreover, while Liliya’s innate talent Diligence Compensates for Inadequacy was precious, her combat effectiveness remained limited.

As a pure human, she lacked the non-human traits Daire and Ai Lan possessed.

“I’ll ask Madame Ellen later.” Luo En resolved:

“With Liliya’s Diligence Compensates for Inadequacy innate talent and learning attitude, she might become the School’s new sequence chief within years. Madame Ellen doesn’t seem to dislike her…”

Completing meditation, he prepared to leave the laboratory.

He exited swiftly, locking the door to prevent hazardous materials from leaking.

The night deepened, the Workshop silent.

Returning to his room, Luo En drifted into slumber amidst swirling thoughts.

Yet even in dreams, contemplations about future plans lingered.

Early the next morning, Luo En completed his routine meditation and bloodline awakening exercises.

He then spent an hour practicing the spells Flowing Barrier and Radiant Halo.

The early morning Black Mist Jungle remained shrouded in mist as Luo En arrived at the Workshop training ground for daily spell practice.

This was an unshakable habit—regardless of the previous day’s trials or triumphs, he’d maintain this consistency, as natural as breathing.

Extending his right hand palm-up, golden light gradually coalesced.

Initially no larger than a match head, it rapidly expanded into a thirty-centimeter-diameter halo.

Fine mana patterns shimmered across its surface, each glowing faintly yet steadily like flowing golden rivers.

“Radiant Halo, Form Transformation—Light Sphere.”

As Luo En whispered, the floating halo abruptly contracted, solidifying into a blazing golden light sphere.

Its surface transformed from smooth to textured—patterns resembling the sun’s surface emerged, shifting dynamically with the mana flow as if alive.

Sweat beaded on Luo En’s brow. His spiritual energy focused to the extreme. Each transformation demanded precise mana control.

Form Transformation—Golden Light Spear.

The light sphere elongated, sharpening into a meter-long spear. Its tip gleamed with chilling brilliance, seemingly capable of piercing any defense.

Luo En maintained steady breathing, though his heartbeat quickened.

Each transformation consumed spiritual energy, but compared to his early days of exhausting fatigue, he now managed this far more easily.

Form Transformation – Light Whip.

Under his spiritual guidance, the light spear rapidly transformed into a three-meter-long flexible whip, humming as it slashed through the air.

Luo En maneuvered the whip into elegant arcs before suddenly lashing it at a wooden post ahead.

“Crack!”

Contact sparked a shower of brilliant sparks. The post bore a deep scorched mark, emitting the smell of burnt wood.

Luo En’s expression remained neutral, but satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

He experimented with various forms—light shield, light arrow, light net, even a complete light sword.

Each transformation flowed more smoothly than the last, mana consumption steadily decreasing.

Luo En felt the bond between himself and the Radiant Halo spell growing tighter, like the unspoken understanding between old friends.

This sensation was incomprehensible to beginners. Only when a spell approached the mastery level could one truly experience this wondrous state of perfect unity with the spell.

"The control of Radiant Halo has nearly reached mastery."

Luo En nodded in satisfaction as the radiant light in his hands transformed at his will. A faint smile played at his lips before quickly returning to composure. "Still, I need to improve the transformation speed further. In battle, a single second’s delay could be fatal."

【Radiant Halo Experience Points +1】

【Current Progress: Radiant Halo (Proficient 87/100)】

"Next, 'Flowing Barrier'."

Luo En dispelled his light-element spell and summoned a semi-transparent mana barrier instead. The pale blue barrier rippled like flowing water around his body, ready to intercept incoming attacks.

"Increase intensity."

He activated the pre-set attack golem. The automaton began hurling objects—pebbles at first, then metal darts—with gradually escalating force and speed.

The defining feature of "Flowing Barrier" lay in its malleability and adaptability. Ordinary shields typically maintained fixed forms, reacting differently to various attacks. But "Flowing Barrier" could automatically adjust density and shape based on the attack’s nature, maximizing defensive effectiveness.

"The memory function is becoming more refined", Luo En noted approvingly.

This self-adaptability was the core value of "Flowing Barrier." Not only could it adjust to different attack types, but it could also "remember" previous assault patterns for faster, more effective reactions against similar future attacks.

Yet Luo En’s ambitions extended beyond this. He began experimenting with adding a counterattack function to the barrier, transforming its passive defense into active mana reflection.

"Mana conversion and feedback", he murmured, adjusting the barrier’s mana structure to incorporate a reflection layer without compromising stability.

This was an exceptionally challenging refinement requiring delicate mana balance. If the reflection layer was too strong, it would weaken the barrier’s foundational defense. If too weak, the counterattack effect would be negligible. Finding this equilibrium was the key to success.

After testing multiple configurations, Luo En finally discovered an ideal balance—a thin "elastic membrane" added to the barrier’s outermost layer. This membrane only activated its reflection function when external force exceeded a certain threshold. This way, the barrier’s foundational defense remained intact while still enabling retaliation against powerful strikes.

【Flowing Barrier Experience Points +1】

While maintaining the barrier against attacks, Luo En contemplated further improvements.

"If I could increase mana density while preserving fluidity, perhaps I could achieve a 'liquid armor' effect."

With this thought, he adjusted the barrier’s mana structure to conform more closely to his body’s contours while increasing localized mana concentration. Instantly, the barrier thickened but lost some of its fluidity.

"The balance point still needs fine-tuning", he frowned. "Perhaps I could borrow techniques from Bloodline Knights’ 'Life Eruption'—establishing a resonance circuit between mana and my body. This would bridge spells with bloodline powers."

He mentally noted this idea for future study.

【Flowing Barrier Experience Points +1】

【Current Progress: Flowing Barrier (Proficient 55/100)】

Mid-training, Luo En felt his spiritual energy wane. He retrieved a small vial of self-brewed Spirit Stabilization Liquid and took a sip. A refreshing chill spread from his throat through his body, revitalizing his spiritual energy flow.

"Continuing—'Sound Wave Oscillation'."

He inhaled deeply, directing spiritual energy along specific pathways to generate subtle vibrations in the air. Since this was only foundational practice, he omitted the erosion ability. Adding erosion to Sound Wave Oscillation would drain him significantly.

As spiritual energy surged, visible ripples formed in the air, radiating from his palm. These waves carried specific-frequency vibrations that twisted the surrounding air, creating invisible yet devastating shockwaves.

"Boom!"

The wooden dummy across the room shattered upon impact, its surface webbed with cracks as fine splinters scattered.

【Sound Wave Oscillation Experience Points +1】

【Current Progress: Sound Wave Oscillation (Proficient 92/100)】

During a brief rest, Luo En recalled the "Abyss Resonance" ability—the Awakening-state power of Abyss Fusion Entities. This technique not only damaged physical forms but also directly attacked targets’ spiritual states, inducing fear, disorder, or temporary mental disruption.

"If I could combine 'Erosion Sonata' with Abyss Resonance’s traits, creating dual destruction and erosion effects—"

A spark of excitement flashed in his eyes. This was a bold concept. Success would elevate his already piercing erosion sound waves to new destructive heights.

Reality quickly tempered his enthusiasm.

"However, this requires deeper understanding of Abyssal forces and more precise Whispering control", he mused, unconsciously rubbing his chin. "At my current spiritual energy strength, sustaining such a complex fusion spell is probably impossible. Plus, I lack means to reproduce Abyss Resonance effects."

The phenomenon itself was highly erosive and unstable. Without sufficient spiritual energy as a buffer, attempting to control it would be like playing with fire. Moreover, whether Abyss Resonance and Star Whispering could stably coexist was itself a theoretical challenge.

"Perhaps after becoming a Full Mage and refining my unique spells, attempting this fusion would be wiser."

Luo En decided to shelve the idea for now, yet resolved to keep it as a future goal.

"Heh. Sound waves invisible and intangible, yet capable of driving targets mad and making them bleed black blood. Perhaps one day I’ll earn the title 'Death Cantor'."

As the sun climbed higher, Luo En concluded his training session. Physical exhaustion lingered in every mana wisp, but this weariness brought unexpected satisfaction—a testament to progress.

Each spell breakthrough and skill refinement strengthened the foundation for his magecraft. True power didn’t lie in spell quantity, but in deep comprehension and creative application of each technique.

As Apprentice Ladder recorded: "Mastering one spell surpasses familiarity with a hundred. True masters wield only three or five techniques yet adapt to myriad transformations."

Mastery of a spell forged specific "thought circuits" within the caster’s spirit world. The stronger and more complete these circuits, the greater the spell’s potency, speed, and mana efficiency when one became a Full Mage.

Apprentices fixated on spell quantity rather than quality often faltered at critical moments. Their chaotic thought circuits slowed responses, even causing spell collapse when urgency demanded flawless execution.

Dismissing his spellcasting medium, Luo En reviewed his progress one last time.

"Radiant Halo" and "Sound Wave Oscillation" neared mastery level, while "Flowing Barrier" stood midway through proficiency. As for the old friend "Slime Splash", it had reached maximum experience points but was rarely used nowadays.

His path was clear—once core spells attained mastery, he could attempt ascension to Full Mage.

At that moment, Ai Lan glided gracefully into the training ground. Her steps were nearly silent, yet Luo En’s special spirit link immediately alerted him to her presence.

Her once-vine-like form now resembled a human woman, draped elegantly in living garments woven from vines and petals that swayed with her movements.

"Master, a visitor has arrived." The tree spirit’s voice was soft and clear, like wind rustling leaves. "It’s Cui Xi."

Luo En raised an eyebrow. Cui Xi’s visit surprised him, particularly so soon after the Bloodline Altar trial.

"Show her to the reception hall. I’ll join shortly."

He nodded, brushing away sweat and dust with a mana flick—an instinctive technique honed from his time as a High Apprentice, and early practice for the refined mana control expected of Full Mages.

After adjusting his robes, Luo En donned his standard visitor-reception attire—a long purple-embroidered cloak reflecting his masterful restraint.

Hastening down the corridor, he entered the reception hall.

Cui Xi already sat sipping flower tea served by sentient vines. Her gaze followed the vines’ movement, freezing in shock when her eyes met the nearby tree spirit. Her brown eyes widened in disbelief.

"Th-This is Ai Lan?!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end