Chapter Thirty-Six: The Core of the World

With a gentle tap of his right fingertips, he directed the wind element to lift the hood of the figure in the black cloak. Beneath the hood was the face of a middle-aged man, eyes closed, features worn and haggard, strands of silver woven into his thick brown hair, his beard somewhat disheveled, rainwater streaming down his cheeks.

After searching the body, he found nothing but a pouch containing two hundred magic crystals and some spellcasting materials. Judging by the materials and the radiance the middle-aged sorcerer had just unleashed, he seemed to be a rare practitioner of light magic, adept at manipulating various forms of brilliance.

Qi Xiao regarded him with a cold expression, pondering how to proceed. Though not someone prone to senseless killing, he knew that sorcerers as a group were often extreme and vindictive. Even if he let this man go, there was little chance of gratitude; more likely, he would become a future threat. Besides, had he truly been nothing but a traveling intermediate apprentice, and fallen into this man's hands, Qi Xiao doubted he would have met a better fate.

After wrestling with his thoughts, Qi Xiao sighed, conjured thorns to pierce the man's chest, then sent him off with a fireball spell.

His emotions were tangled; it was the first time he had killed in either of his lifetimes, and, unexpectedly, he felt little. Still, a certain melancholy lingered in his heart. The sorcerer's corpse burned in the rain. Qi Xiao did not know whether his attacker was driven by desperation or sudden greed, but he chose not to awaken him for questioning; he feared the man would spin a tale that might soften his resolve.

In the world of sorcerers, Qi Xiao could only promise not to harm others unprovoked. But if even legitimate self-defense moved him to mercy, sooner or later he would fall victim himself.

The corpse was soon reduced to smoke, and Qi Xiao withdrew his gaze with another sigh, walking onward in silence.

The climate of the Terran Empire was ever-changing; the downpour soon spent itself, sunshine returned, and rainbows shimmered everywhere. Qi Xiao noticed one rainbow where magic surged, likely to form Rainbow Essence—a rare alchemical material that appeared only after fresh rain, and only beneath rainbows that touched a pure medium, such as water, crystal, or certain transparent plants.

When the rainbow’s light touched such mediums, its colors were temporarily “imprinted” within, forming a thin layer of shimmering, multicolored substance.

Over time, these captured colors would solidify, creating a stable material known as Rainbow Essence. Unfortunately, it took about a week to fully form and was not particularly precious. Qi Xiao had neither the patience nor the time to wait, and continued on toward the Leta Federation.

The remainder of his journey was uneventful; Qi Xiao watched the scenery and occasionally practiced his teacher’s newly taught second-level spell: Spatial Art.

Its name was simple, and so was its function—it could carve out a temporary space within an object, lasting a week, after which the object would shatter and the space collapse. It served as a rudimentary storage tool, bearing some resemblance to alchemical items.

However, according to his teacher, the spaces he created could last several years without failing, and with a more precious vessel, even a decade or more.

Two days passed. Qi Xiao glanced about; flying vehicles and magical beasts were noticeably more plentiful. Comparing to his map, he realized he had entered the territory of the Leta Federation, not far from his destination: Pat City.

Pat City was a settlement entirely composed of sorcerers. There might be a handful of ordinary people living as sorcerers’ relatives, but their presence was negligible.

In truth, most organizations and cities kept mortals and supernaturals separate. Sorcerers would not live where magic was sparse, and since such places were few, they congregated where magic was abundant—naturally, leaving no room for mortals. Ordinary folk had no use for magic; regions of low magical density covered seventy percent of the world, so they never lacked places to live, and staying away from those who wielded dangerous power gave them greater peace of mind.

Places like the Sanctuary of All Souls were rare, where magical energy overflowed and large populations were necessary for the birth of “spirits,” resulting in the coexistence of sorcerers and mortals.

Upon arriving at Pat City, Qi Xiao descended slowly and presented his amethyst card to the gatekeeper. The guard hurried to report his arrival, and soon a sorcerer in evening attire, hair groomed to perfection, came forth to greet him.

This sorcerer, with a head of silver hair and the strength of a senior apprentice, performed a flawless formal salute and spoke respectfully: “I am Maorian, one of the administrators of the Pat Auction House. Might I inquire as to your relationship with Lord Midiel?”

Qi Xiao was sorting through scrolls atop the Azure Veil and replied calmly, “I am Midiel’s student. I’ve come to deliver an item for my teacher to be auctioned.”

Maorian’s demeanor grew even more respectful; he extended an arm toward the city, palm up, inviting Qi Xiao inside.

“So you are a distinguished pupil of the Shadow of the World. Someone will soon guide your magic carpet to its parking spot. Please, follow me.”

Maorian discreetly glanced at the Azure Veil as he led Qi Xiao into the city, unable to resist voicing his admiration along the way: “I’ve seen countless marvels, but your magic carpet’s beauty is truly breathtaking.”

Qi Xiao smiled, “Thank you for the compliment.”

Maorian only sighed in wonder; he never suspected Qi Xiao was the carpet’s creator. He asked, “May I inquire as to the item Lord Midiel entrusted for auction?”

Qi Xiao carried the box his teacher had given him and replied, “I don’t know myself. We’ll see when we arrive.”

They entered a massive building adjacent to the auction house, passing through floors of galleries until they finally reached a room filled with instruments, where three uniformed sorcerers sat at a table.

Qi Xiao placed the box on the table, recited his teacher’s incantation, and infused magic into the lock. The box soon opened on its own.

It opened slowly, revealing only a single vial containing a peach-pit-like object. Qi Xiao did not recognize it, but the three uniformed sorcerers and Maorian turned pale, immediately asking, “Are you certain Lord Midiel intends to auction such a treasure?”

Qi Xiao, though ignorant of its nature, could tell from their reactions it was exceptionally precious. But since his teacher had entrusted it to him, it was clear it was meant for auction; he nodded in confirmation.

He had planned to quell his curiosity and wait until returning to Lakeheart Isle to ask his teacher, but the others could not restrain themselves and began discussing feverishly.

“The Core of the World… This is a Core of the World! A strategic artifact like this brought to auction—Lord Midiel’s depth truly knows no bounds.”