Chapter 142: The Shadow of Hidden Mist

"Are you saying that Noritz took you into 'The Tower,' and after completing the tests, asked you to assist in an experiment that no one has ever completed?"

Inside the office, Lorna rested her chin on her hands, looking at Lin Wei, who stood before her, and asked doubtfully.

"Yes, Mentor Lorna." Lin Wei nodded.

Lorna remained silent, a look of contemplation flashing in her eyes.

"So, the secret experiment they were plotting behind the scenes was..." After a while, Lorna began to mutter to herself, "A Life Energy Ignition Experiment. What could that possibly be related to?"

"Lin Wei, you only need to cooperate with Noritz's requirements. Leave the rest to me; I will request assistance from the organization," Lorna decided finally.

"Understood, Mentor Lorna," Lin Wei agreed.

Lorna nodded and pulled out a memory crystal and a stack of loose papers. "Here are the level-three wizard apprentice spell models you requested, along with the essential knowledge of psychic sorcery."

Lin Wei stepped forward and respectfully accepted the items.

"This spell model is quite interesting; you should study it carefully," Lorna said with a smile.

"Interesting?" Lin Wei instinctively checked the memory crystal in his hand.

Lorna nodded noncommittally. "Although it is a single spell model, it records two spells. When combined, they create a new, distinct spell."

Lin Wei was surprised. "A composite spell?!"

The scarcity and value of composite spells were far beyond what ordinary spell models could compare to.

"Correct," Lorna continued. "This was personally selected for you by Lord Gries."

"Lord Gries..." Lin Wei whispered to himself. His other powerful spell, Star-Dark Quicksand, had also been selected by Gries; it was arguably the most formidable physical spell at the wizard apprentice level.

"Lord Gries has high expectations for you. Do not let him down," Lorna said after a moment of hesitation.

Lin Wei vaguely felt that Lorna was trying to give him a hint.

"I understand, Mentor Lorna," Lin Wei said.

"Go now." Lorna seemed to need to report the information Lin Wei had gathered to the Fanged Blood Shadow as soon as possible. "Remember, cooperate well with Noritz's experiment and do not expose your true identity."

"Yes."

...

In Lin Wei's room.

"Chip, scan and analyze the essential knowledge of psychic sorcery first."

Lin Wei commanded the intelligent chip.

"Psychic sorcery knowledge essence scanning... information recorded... analyzing... analysis complete... transferring..."

In an instant, Lin Wei's once-barren knowledge base in the field of psychic sorcery became enriched.

"Chip, can the Dream Halo be optimized and enhanced with just this reserve of knowledge?" Lin Wei inquired.

"Calculating optimization possibilities... calculation complete."

"There is a 97.99% probability of optimizing a memory-reading function."

"Memory reading?"

This was somewhat beyond Lin Wei's expectations.

"Begin optimization now!"

Lin Wei said without hesitation.

"Optimizing... estimated completion time: 17 hours and 18 minutes."

"It seems to be a massive project..."

Lin Wei sighed slightly. One had to realize that for him, analyzing and mastering a standard spell usually took only a few hours, but this single optimization would consume over seventeen hours.

"I'll wait..." Lin Wei did not have the intelligent chip analyze the newly acquired spell model simultaneously, as multitasking would decrease the chip's processing speed.

Lin Wei did not sit idle and began his meditation.

...

"Dream Halo optimization complete!"

Lin Wei's eyes snapped open, a look of anticipation flashing across them. "Transfer."

"Dream Halo (optimized) transferring... transfer complete."

"Memory retrieval..." The corners of Lin Wei's mouth curved slightly. "At its core, it still relies on the stimulation of dream energy... Although the Dream Halo has undergone some changes, I don't need to cultivate it from scratch; I only need to modify the psychic structure model..."

"Chip, continue receiving the spell model from the memory crystal!"

Lin Wei held the memory crystal in his palm.

He was extremely curious about this composite spell. The fact that Lorna hadn't even told him the name of the spell model at the time only deepened his anticipation.

"Spell model 'Fog-Hidden Shadow Pole' scanning and recording..."

"Fog-Hidden Shadow Pole?" This was the first time Lin Wei had heard the name of this spell model.

"Recording complete... analyzing and deducing... estimated time: 30 minutes and 17 seconds."

Lin Wei raised an eyebrow. "As expected of a composite spell... the chip's processing speed has increased significantly with the improvement of my strength, yet it still requires thirty minutes for analysis and deduction..."

"Analysis and deduction complete... transferring... transfer complete."

A familiar, long-absent throbbing pain appeared in Lin Wei's head, though this discomfort lasted only a dozen seconds before fading.

"Fog-Hidden Shadow Pole..." A sense of novelty surfaced in Lin Wei's eyes. "Fog-Hidden is a spell, Shadow Pole is a spell, and Fog-Hidden Shadow Pole is yet another spell..."

"Fog-Hidden: Emits a mist of shadows to block both psychic perception and physical sight. Shadow Pole: A tiny sphere condensed to the extreme, generating massive explosive power. Fog-Hidden Shadow Pole: Casting Shadow Pole while in the Fog-Hidden state grants a power bonus and concealment effect."

"Lethality..." Lin Wei smiled with satisfaction.

Currently, what Lin Wei needed most was a spell with immense destructive power.

"Chip, transfer the optimal practice method!"

...

At the west gate of the Shadow Forest.

"Lin Wei!"

Seeing Lin Wei approaching, Setoli waved her hand eagerly.

Today was the day Lin Wei and Setoli had agreed to return to their family together.

"What interesting things will happen today?"

Lin Wei's smile appeared natural, but his heart held a different attitude.

When Setoli had invited him to return to the family to handle a tricky experiment, Lin Wei had agreed immediately, but he knew she was lying.

Lin Wei did not expose her because he was curious whether it was Setoli plotting against him or someone behind her.

After Lin Wei advanced to a level-three wizard apprentice, he had not intentionally suppressed his aura, but Setoli, a level-one apprentice, could not detect his true strength.

"Did you get the temporary exit permit?" Lin Wei asked as he reached Setoli.

"I took on a simple external mission, so I managed to get it," Setoli said, shaking the silver-white prismatic stone in her hand.

"Setoli," Lin Wei called out suddenly.

"Hmm?" Setoli met Lin Wei's eyes, only to be dazed as she saw two circular halos manifesting within them.

"Dream Halo... Activate!"