by Zhuang Bifan
This place was huge, but it did not seem spacious. There were rows of shelves in the hall, and there were all sorts of magic books on them. It was like a huge and bright library. The silence within it could calm one's breathing.
"Oh gosh! Could this be the royal library that belonged to the High Elves?"
The men gasped after they saw their surroundings. Although the era when Anril was ruled by the High Elves was also known as the Dark Age, it was no doubt the era when the magic civilization was the most prosperous. As this was Immortal King's Sky Castle, and he was the driving force of the development of the High Elves, the magic books here had to be related to the High Elves.
"No! The magic books here did not belong to High Elves. They belonged to humans!" exclaimed Lin Li after he walked over to the nearest shelf. He glanced at the covers of those books, and discovered the language that was written on the cover.
"What? How could they have belonged to humans?" gasped the others as they advanced towards the shelves after Lin Li.
It was a known fact that although the High Elves did not ban humans from learning magic during the Dark Age, it was impossible for them to write any magic books for the humans. In the Dark Age, humans could only learn magic through the word of mouth, and slowly develop magic that belonged to the humans. Hence, every human mage at that time had their own set of notes about magic, which they valued as much as their own lives.
Lin Li was extremely shocked as well, but he managed to come to terms with the huge collection of magic books when he remembered that the key belonged to Geresco. Geresco was known as the God of Mages who'd pushed for the development of magic among the humans. Hence, it was not impossible for these magic books to belong to him.
However, there was one thing that was confusing to Lin Li. He could not fathom the reason why these magic books were left behind in the castle. It had been more than 1300 years since the end of the Dark Age. He wondered how magic would have advanced in human society if humans had gotten hold of this collection.
Yet, since Geresco had left the magic books here and he now possessed the key to the hall, Lin Li knew that all of these resources would be his to enjoy.
Just when Lin Li was about to ransack the books in the hall, all the books suddenly flew down from their shelves and projected a ray of light onto a common point. A figure appeared in the middle of the hall.
That figure was a mage donned in black robes. Lin Li was stupefied when he saw the appearance of that figure.
"G-Geresco!" gasped Lin Li.
He was right. The figure that appeared was the same figure Lin Li saw through the Spacetime Beacon Spell when he was with Tutankhamun. The Spacetime Beacon Spell was just like a recalling of time. It was just like meeting Geresco in real life.
Of course, Lin Li regained his composure very quickly. He knew that the figure was just an image left behind by Geresco.
However, Geresco's figure alone was intimidating enough. His existence was as daunting as Immortal King. As someone who had witnessed the mightiness of Immortal King's incarnation, how would Lin Li not be intimidated by Geresco's incarnation?
The others who were standing behind Lin Li could guess the real identity of the figure as well. While they had met Highlord Osric and Immortal King's incarnation, they did not expect to see Geresco's incarnation here. It was not easy for common men to see the three powerhouses of Anril's history. Now that they had seen the three of them, they did not know whether it meant good luck.
At the same time, Geresco's incarnation moved. He waved his hands and blurred the men's visions. When they regained clarity, Geresco's incarnation and Lin Li were nowhere to be found. The countless magic books vanished as well. They were left with a spacious hall and rows of empty shelves.
Lin Li's view, on the other hand, was different from theirs. He saw that he was still standing before Geresco's incarnation in the hall. It was just that the rest of the men had gone missing. Lin Li could not even use his mental strength to sense where Connoris and his two Undead followers were.
To Archbishop Martin and the rest, it seemed that Lin Li had been taken away by Geresco's incarnation, yet to Lin Li, it was the other way around: Geresco's incarnation had transported Archbishop Martin and the rest of the men elsewhere, leaving him alone in that space. While the similarity across the two situations was the unchanged hall, it was as though they were in two different dimensions.
"Geresco?" Lin Li asked carefully despite recognizing him long ago.
Geresco's incarnation had yet to make any sound. His stern expression made Lin Li's heart skip a beat. Although Lin Li felt that Geresco would not do anything harmful to him due to the mission he'd left for him, he was unsure whether the mind of the legendary figure was as predictable as he hoped it to be.
Geresco's incarnation did not reply to Lin Li. After he gave Lin Li a cold glance, he waved the staff in his hand and launched an attack on Lin Li without any warning. The movement of the magic staff called out numerous arrow-like bolts of lightning that aimed at where Lin Li was standing.
"F*ck! Why didn't you warn me?" gasped Lin Li in shock. Geresco's incarnation was unlike Immortal King's incarnation who spoke before launching his attack.
However, Lin Li's curse was of zero use in his situation. It was fortunate that Lin Li could react quickly to the threat by establishing thousands of defenses using his Domain World with the seven pieces of the debris of the stars.
In reality, Lin Li was glad that the ability of Geresco's incarnation was akin to Immortal King's incarnation's. It felt like he was around level-25. As Lin Li was at level-26, he knew that the shadow's power was worse than his.
Although levels were not the deciding factor for everything, Lin Li had been defeating opponents who were in a higher level than him ever since he entered Anril. Hence, although it caught Lin Li by surprise, the sudden attack made by Geresco's incarnation was not very daunting to him.
Of course, Lin Li knew that Geresco's incarnation was not something for common men to trifle with, but he was confident in his full set of debris of the stars and his ability as a level-26 Sanctuary powerhouse.
This was especially evident when Lin Li battled Highlord Osric at the control panel of the Central Tower. Although it seemed that he was greatly challenged by Osric then, the battle was a great boost of ego. After all, Osric was a Sanctuary powerhouse of level-27 or level-28.
This did not mean that Lin Li had started to become arrogant. He just had the confidence to challenge Geresco's incarnation. It was absolutely crucial for one to be fearless in his battles. If not, he might not be able to exert his full potential, and discount his combat prowess.
Geresco's incarnation launched an extremely powerful first attack. The thousand arrow-like lightning bolts filled the space. They engulfed Lin Li and his Domain World without warning. Every single arrow-like lightning bolt manifested a terrifying aura that challenged even the stars.
It was doomsday within Lin Li's Domain World as well. His sky was torn by the countless arrow-like lightning bolts, and the earth he was standing on started to erode. The cracks that filled his space made the entire Domain World seem as though it was a mirror that had shattered.
Yet, there was no sign of anxiety on Lin Li's face. He used his mental strength to activate the seven pieces of the debris of the stars that were hidden in the space. At once, there were seven colorful rays shining within the Domain World. Then, the cracks in the entire domain started to heal at a speed that was visible to the n.a.k.e.d eye.
The countless arrow-like bolts were like fishes caught in the net of the seven rays of light. They could neither pass through the light nor create any impact.
Lin Li's Domain World was extremely fragile when he was battling Immortal King's incarnation and the resurrected Osric. That was not because it was weak, but rather due to the huge difference in power. Strictly speaking, the reason why Lin Li could defeat both of them was not due to his own abilities.
If not for the external factor
s, there would've been a high chance for Lin Li to be defeated by Immortal King's incarnation and the resurrected Osric. However, while Geresco was only level-25, and one's level would not always be a deciding factor, it was a cap on his potential.
No matter how talented a level-25 person was, he could only exert the powers within level-25. The only difference lay in his experience and tactics when using his powers. If he were to use a method that exceeded level-25, then he would not be in level-25.
It was just like Lin Li. He had made himself a match for a level-20 Legendary powerhouse when he had been at level-19, yet he could not use the Realm Magic that belonged to real Legendary-mages at that time. If he had been able to create Magical Domains, he would've been a real Legendary-mage, and not a level-19 Archmage.
Since Geresco's incarnation was at level-25, it meant that it was unable to use powers beyond level-25. Hence, he would not be able to create absolute destruction like Immortal King's incarnation and Osric in exerting maximum oppression to the Domain World created by Lin Li, a level-26 Sanctuary-mage.
Just when Lin Li thought that he had gained temporary safety after he blocked Geresco's attack, he felt an unusual force in his surroundings. Before he could react, an enormous hand that was created from mana tore into the space, and caught Lin Li tightly in its grasp.
This stunned Lin Li. Even if he was a Sanctuary powerhouse who was close to the divine, he had a body of a vulnerable human. He could be wounded and die if he were to suffer from severe injuries. Although the soul of a Sanctuary powerhouse was immortal, there would be no way for him to enhance his powers without his physical body. Osric was a good example; the perfect body he had created was not comparable to his original body.
Lin Li was extremely satisfied with his current body. This was a body that was filled with great potential in magic. He would not be willing to accept if one were to offer him the perfect body of the Ashen Warlock.
Chapter 1008 - Guidance Battle
The Ashen Warlock had existed since the Dark Age, and despite having lived for a long time, he had not reached the level of the Immortal King yet. Besides, he probably might not improve any further in the future. On the other hand, Lin Li had only arrived in Anril for a few years, and yet he had already become a Sanctuary powerhouse who had a huge potential and room for growth. A simple comparison would show the obvious differences between the two of them.
However, the giant mana hand that grabbed Lin Li was not as simple as a hand that was condensed using mana. As soon as Lin Li was grabbed by the mana hand, he felt a massive amount of strange mana surging into his body, causing the mana that was running in his body to stagnate.
Mana Shackle! A Sanctuary Master was struck with the Mana Shackle!
The battle between Lin Li and Geresco's incarnation had only lasted for a few seconds from the beginning before ending up in the former's defeat in the middle of a Domain World that was made up of debris of the stars. That outcome was a huge blow to Lin Li as it gave him a new perspective on his understanding of his own power.
After Lin Li advanced to level-26 and his debris of the stars was complete, he always thought that his power was enough for him to contend with a level-27 Sanctuary powerhouse. However, Geresco's incarnation was now only at level-25!
Just as Lin Li was feeling hopeless, the mana hand that was restricting him suddenly disappeared, after which the mana that had been restrained in his body also returned to its original operational speed.
"What's the matter?" Lin Li asked as he looked at Geresco's incarnation, finding it strange.
"Do you think you have everything just because you have strength? Do you think that by exhibiting all your power, you can defeat all your enemies!? You've really disappointed me!" Geresco's incarnation hollered sternly with anger written all over his face, as if he was a teacher who was lecturing his student.
Lin Li, who had just heaved a sigh of relief due to the disappearance of the mana hand, no longer looked relieved after hearing the words of Geresco's incarnation. Instead, he looked ashamed. He finally understood that just like the Immortal King's incarnation, the Geresco's incarnation was testing him.
Lin Li had obtained the three things left behind by Geresco, the Evil Eye Tyrant's magical crystal that was used for improving mental strength, the Book of Eternity that was used for increasing one's magical knowledge, and the key that was undoubtedly used to verify what was learned. Just like a final exam after the completion of a semester in school, Lin Li also had to go through an exam to test his knowledge.
Lin Li had been studying the Book of Eternity for a long time, and he would read it during almost all his free time. He had gained a huge understanding of the content of the Book of Eternity, but it was another thing to put theory into practice during battles. In particular, after Lin Li had stepped into the Sanctuary-realm and gained the power of the complete debris of the stars, he had been pouring out all his power during most of the battles that he fought while neglecting the sharpening of his techniques, just like what Geresco's incarnation had said.
For example, when Geresco's incarnation released countless arrows of lightning just now, the first thing that came to Lin Li's mind was to unleash his full power and resist the opponent's attack as hard as he could because he knew deep down that the level-25 incarnation of Geresco would not be able to suppress him during such a head-on clash of power.
However, Geresco had taught Lin Li that not all enemies could be suppressed with a powerful head-on collision. The loud arrows of lightning were just a cover that concealed Geresco's invasion of the Domain World on the other side when they clashed with the Domain World.
Lin Li had seen such techniques in the Book of Eternity too, and he also knew how to use them. However, he completely neglected it during the actual battle. Fortunately, Geresco's purpose was to test him, not to kill him. Otherwise, even if Lin Li had not died, he would have had to pay a huge price.
Geresco did not give Lin Li much time to think. After lecturing him, the staff in his hand began to glow again, and a Domain World was immediately opened. Although it seemed rather elementary, it was because Geresco's incarnation was only at level-25, after all. It was actually not considered a world at all, and was worlds apart from the Legendary-level Domain World.
However, Lin Li, who had already been taught a lesson, dared not belittle Geresco's incarnation at all. When he saw the latter opening the Domain World, he dared not delay for a single second, and quickly took out the Helios' Scepter. The large gemstone on it was also glowing with eruptive mana.
The battle between the two Sanctuary powerhouses broke out again, and although it seemed like a loud and powerful collision, both of them knew that the sounds were only superficial signs. Under the cover of the loud sounds, they each used their respective means, and the battle seemed to have become a battle of wits. It was no longer a clash of power, but also a clash of experience, knowledge, skills, and intelligence.
"So what if you're fast at casting spells? If you can't do any damage to the opponent, you'll just be wasting your time even if you can cast tens of thousands of spells immediately." Geresco's incarnation was just like the strictest teacher who was continuously pointing out Lin Li's mistakes. If he were berating someone else instead of Lin Li, they might really kill themselves out of shame.
At this moment, Lin Li finally discovered that even though he had learned a lot of magic, and had even stepped into the Sanctuary-realm that was coveted by countless people, he was still just like a mage apprentice in front of Geresco.
That was not an exaggeration at all. Lin Li was a level-26 Sanctuary Master who had powerful debris of the stars. By right, he should have an advantage when facing the level-25 incarnation of Geresco. However, Lin Li seemed to have suddenly become stupid and powerless in the battle with Geresco's incarnation. He seemed to have continuously stepped into traps.
On the other hand, the traps that Lin Li had put effort into designing were useless in the face of Geresco. After he had
painstakingly made Geresco fall into his trap, the latter would get out of it effortlessly. It was akin to a small pit dug painstakingly by a child that would barely cause any injury to an a.d.u.l.t who stepped into it.
In just a few minutes, Lin Li and Geresco's incarnation fought for dozens of rounds, but Lin Li would have usually been caught by Geresco's incarnation after just two or three rounds. If Geresco's incarnation had had the intention to kill Lin Li, the latter would have probably died several times. However, based on that alone, it was obvious that Geresco's incarnation had not unleashed all its strength yet. Otherwise, how could he have used his power so freely?
The fact that a level-26 Sanctuary powerhouse couldn't even be on par with a level-25 Sanctuary powerhouse was too much of a blow. All along, Lin Li had always been the one to launch attacks beyond his level, but this time he was the one being hit. That was a huge irony.
However, Lin Li was not simply being hit. Despite having failed countless times and being beaten to a pulp within such a short period of time, he had also learned a lot during his fight with Geresco's incarnation. Compared to the Immortal King's incarnation, Geresco's incarnation was truly a dedicated teacher who would sternly point out Lin Li's problems after defeating him.
Lin Li had initially learned a lot of knowledge from the Book of Eternity, and a variety of techniques of mana usage during battles was deeply etched in his mind. The only thing he lacked was putting his theory into practice. Without actual practice, the knowledge he had would only remain theoretical. Only after having tested it himself would he be able to truly internalize the knowledge.
After the sharpening and honing of his skills, Lin Li felt that he had gained a new understanding of the skills mentioned in the Book of Eternity. They were no longer just a type of knowledge, but had gradually become skills of his own. That was probably what integration was about.
However, just as Lin Li unprecedentedly and perfectly exhibited the magic skills that he had mastered and made Geresco fall into a trap with a design that amazed him, Geresco gave him a huge blow.
