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Chapter 216: Lanchi Couldn't Forget His Ambition
Chapter 216: Lanchi Couldn't Forget His Ambition
As the surroundings brightened, a verdant mountain range stretched to the horizon, with lush green grass meeting a meandering stream.
The clear stream flowed endlessly, its ripples reflecting the swaying trees, creating a pure, dreamlike backdrop that gave the scenery a surreal, enchanting feel.
Lanchi stood atop a high plateau, surrounded by irregular layers of white stone walls that formed a solemn temple. Lush vines twined around the majestic stone pillars, adorned with blooming flowers that gently trembled in the breeze.
Looming, immaculate pillars supported the intricately carved, pristine ceiling, adorned with reliefs exuding an otherworldly, sacred aura.
The polished floor reflected the sunlight filtering through the hanging branches above, and from the center of the temple, one could overlook the refreshing, verdant landscape outside.
"I never imagined there would be such a beautiful, ethereal place," Lanchi murmured, taking in the primitive yet mysterious realm.
"...Really?" Karen shot him a look, unimpressed.
"An amateur, only concerned with appearances."
This realm, though seemingly vast, was actually a projection created by an advanced barrier technique, similar in principle to an artificial Shadow World.
However, this space differed from the true Shadow World and fell far short of it.
It existed somewhere between the artificial and the real.
And due to its flaws, one couldn't venture too far; the farthest one could go was a certain distance from the temple before being unable to move any further.
Supporting this entire realm was a massive mural at the center of the temple.
The mural appeared incomplete, clearly a prototype of the [Primordial Stone Tablet-Wind] stone sculpture, bearing obvious marks of modification by Demon Craftsmen. It was etched with complex barrier techniques, but its material was not something achievable with human magicrafting technology.
"Lanchi, we're not here for the scenery. If you want enlightenment, you should pay more attention to the mural and the magicrafting techniques it contains," Karen prompted.
She still couldn't gauge Lanchi's true level, but she recalled Loren's comment about his card-making prowess, which piqued her curiosity.
A brief exchange would be enough to tell.
Lanchi turned his attention to the mural, gradually becoming engrossed.
After a while, he spoke, "They say that when all thirty-two sections of the Primordial Stone Tablets' murals are put together, they depict a grand, divine war that led to the end of the Age of Gods, ushering in the eras that followed for all manner of creatures. To witness it firsthand is truly awe-inspiring."
"And you're not at all interested in the magicrafting techniques depicted on the mural?" Karen asked, disappointed. She couldn't fathom why he was earnestly marveling at something that was common knowledge, even in textbooks.
"I find the mural itself more fascinating," Lanchi smiled.
"Those techniques are easily accessible in the academy's books, especially with the [Primordial Stone Tablet-Wind] and others that have been thoroughly researched in recent years."
"But seeing the real thing is different from looking at images," he added as they walked and chatted, exploring the temple.
The longer they stayed in this space, the greater the mental pressure they felt. Regardless of one's realm, one could only endure about two hours before being forcibly expelled, unable to re-enter—a trait similar to the true Shadow World, offering a unique, unrepeatable challenge.
It didn't take long to decipher the barrier techniques on the mural, and one could leave whenever the pressure became too much, which is why some magicrafters spent very little time here.
"Generally, only Card Creators spend a longer time observing," Karen explained. "Since this domain has a structure similar to the Shadow World, Card Creators can bring in portable card-making tool kits in the form of magic cards. They can then use the unique materials found within the domain of the Primordial Stone Tablets to create magic cards and soul-bind them for use outside."
"This is also the principle behind how battlefield Card Creators can increase their yield from the Shadow World. When entering and exiting the Shadow World, only soul-bound magic cards can be taken in and out. Thus, the only way to bring out the precious materials obtained during the exploration of the Shadow World in another form is by crafting magic cards within it."
In less than half an hour, the two of them had finished their observation.
"So, what do you think, Lanchi?" Karen asked with interest.
The only thing she was curious about now was Lanchi's ability as a Card Creator, someone Loren had high hopes for.
"To be honest, I can't quite understand the runes related to Wind magic," Lanchi admitted. "I'll just have to broaden my horizons this time."
After looking at it, he truly only appreciated the scenery and the beauty of the mural; even as a lead art designer, the style was unlike anything he had seen before.
However, when it came to the Wind magic runes on the mural, he felt like he was missing something fundamental, like how most people wouldn't understand sealing magic.
Unless they wanted him to appreciate the mural itself, in which case he could offer quite a few insights.
"You're adorable, Lanchi," Karen said, turning to him with a smile. "So, are you going to make a card now?"
The materials in the temple weren't particularly high-grade; they were just scraps and leftovers from the Primordial Stone Tablets.
If one couldn't understand the barrier runes on the Primordial Stone Tablets, then they wouldn't be able to create anything valuable using the materials that shared a certain degree of origin with them.
"I can, but I don't have to. I want to take another look at the mural," Lanchi replied nonchalantly.
"Then I won't wait for you. I'll be making cards here. You can watch if you like, and how much you understand depends on your own insight," Karen said amicably, like a friendly senior student.
However, beneath her friendly exterior, she still held a grudge against Lanchi and was just waiting for an opportunity to humiliate him.
The results of their observation would be the most straightforward indicator of their abilities as Card Creators—it would be evident in the cards they crafted.
There were scholars and reporters waiting outside, and the pyre for Lanchi's metaphorical burning at the stake was already set up.
And based on Lanchi's conversation, where he displayed a level of understanding akin to an illiterate magicraftsman, Karen found Loren's praise of him laughable.
She found the whole situation amusing. Once she made a good card, she could then see what Lanchi had created and put him in his place.
"Mhm." Lanchi nodded, his arms folded as he sat on a stone step, resembling a stack of boxes, not far from Karen, watching her.
He wasn't in a hurry to make a card because he truly couldn't grasp the principles of the magicrafting runes on the Primordial Stone Tablets.
Furthermore, he had never made a Wind-attribute magic card before, and his affinity with Wind magic was extremely poor. Using the stone tablet materials here without blowing up the card would be a blessing.
However, observing Karen's card-making process was meaningful.
There were only so many Platinum-level Card Creators in the southeastern region of the Southern Continent.
And for the Platinum-level Card Creator exam, there were often three Platinum-level or higher Card Creators as examiners.
The Yarloran Kingdom and the Hutton Kingdom belonged to the same examination area. According to the proximity principle used by the Southern Continent Card Creator Association when assigning examiners for the Platinum-level Card Creator exam, Lanchi was very likely to fill the vacancy left by Duke Migaya and participate in the examination process.
Karen would undoubtedly take the Platinum-level Card Creator exam in the future, so she was a very suitable candidate.
Lanchi could consider this a dress rehearsal for his future role as an examiner.
(End of Chapter)
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