Chapter Nine: The Cosmic Singularity Meditation Technique

Seeing Enoch’s social anxiety, Qi Xiao was somewhat surprised—after all, this man was the ultimate winner in that brutal internal struggle. Still, he didn’t dwell on it; whether the shyness was real or feigned, it was best to become acquainted first.

After everyone had finished their introductions, Rocco called out to the group and led them outside. There, a flying carpet was already floating in the air, awaiting them. Under Rocco’s guidance, they all climbed aboard.

Once they were seated, the flying carpet soared into the sky, speeding ahead. Qi Xiao, intrigued, ran his hand over the carpet beneath him. A transparent dome seemed to enclose them, shielding him from the raging winds outside.

From his seat at the front, Rocco addressed them: “At present, you can choose between eight-person rooms, double rooms, or single rooms. The eight-person rooms are free of rent, doubles cost twenty magic crystals a month, and singles are forty per month. There’s a discount for paying annually, but I’d suggest you only rent for a month—you’ll likely be moving in with your mentors soon enough.”

“I’ll take a single room,” Qi Xiao spoke up first. He carried many secrets and often needed to practice alchemy; sharing a room would be inconvenient.

Feng had intended to ask Qi Xiao about sharing, but seeing his decisive choice, he could only look to Little Bai, who shook his head vigorously, refusing to share as well. Feng sighed, resigned.

In the end, except for Laura, who opted for a double, everyone else chose to live alone.

The carpet began its descent. Rocco instructed the remaining four to wait while he escorted Laura to her dormitory. Less than two minutes later, he returned to take Little Bai. One by one, everyone was led away, until only Qi Xiao remained.

When Rocco returned for the last time, Qi Xiao was already standing on the ground, waiting. He smiled and said, “Thank you for your trouble, senior.”

The mushroom on Rocco’s headband swayed from side to side, as if to say it was nothing.

They soon stopped in front of a house shaped like a giant mushroom. Rocco paused and said, “This used to be my place, but I hardly live here anymore. You can stay for now. Once you receive your invitation, move to your mentor’s residence; that way, you won’t waste your magic crystals. The house is well-equipped—don’t worry. If you need anything, just come find me.”

Qi Xiao, surprised, replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Senior Rocco, but I’d feel better transferring the rent to you. Otherwise, I won’t feel quite at ease staying here.”

“No need, truly. You’re now favored in the eyes of the grand wizards; I wouldn’t dare take advantage,” Rocco said, nervously touching the mushroom on his headband. “Let’s consider it a gesture of friendship.”

With things settled thus, Qi Xiao could not refuse further. He smiled, “Then thank you, Senior Rocco! I’d be glad to be friends with you.”

Rocco seemed relieved. Handing Qi Xiao a key, he quickly added, “I’ll let you rest then. If you need anything, just press the red mushroom on the wall three times. I’ll come and help.”

After watching Rocco fly away, Qi Xiao turned and entered the mushroom house.

Inside, the layout was quite normal, with neatly arranged furniture—except for a few mushrooms growing from the walls. In the bedroom, even the bed was made of mushrooms. Qi Xiao sat down; it was soft and smooth, a curious sensation.

He lay back, and the mushrooms gently enveloped him. A moderate pressure massaged his limbs and shoulders, soothing away the fatigue of recent days. Drowsiness swept over him.

When he opened his eyes again, the bed had returned to normal, though the soft touch of mushrooms remained. Sensing his awakening, the mushrooms serving as curtains slid back into the shadows of the wall, and harsh sunlight suddenly flooded in, making him squint.

As his eyes adjusted, Qi Xiao looked out the window. Below, wizard apprentices in all manner of bizarre attire passed by, some tending stalls along the roadside.

After watching curiously for a while, Qi Xiao went to the bathroom to attend to his needs. He planned to examine the new meditation method he’d obtained the previous day after washing up.

When he finished, two mushrooms stretched from the wall, drying his hands. It was still a little odd, but Qi Xiao knew he had to adapt—this was the wizarding world, where even stranger things surely awaited. If he couldn’t get used to this, he’d be lost before long.

Seated on the mushroom sofa, Qi Xiao began to review the “Cosmic Singularity Meditation” in his mind.

For every wizard, a meditation method was absolutely vital. Only by constructing the model described in the meditation within one’s mindsea could a wizard take the first step on the path of cultivation.

To build the model, one had to first perceive the existence of their mindsea—a feat that eliminated ninety-nine percent of aspirants. For the sake of research and record-keeping, wizard scholars defined the minimum spiritual power required to sense the mindsea as ten points. Anyone below this threshold, barring miraculous encounters, would never become a wizard.

Those above ten points had greater talent, but also more unstable spiritual power.

Thus, the first crucial function of a meditation method was to construct the model and stabilize spiritual power.

Second, it served to store magical power.

By storing magic within the model, one could break through to the next rank once both spiritual power and magical energy reached a critical point. When the model was fully saturated, one could attempt to advance to a formal wizard—though saturating the model was only the most basic requirement for that breakthrough.

Third, some high-level meditation methods offered additional benefits, such as elemental affinity.

In short, a suitable meditation method was indispensable for any wizard.

The moment Qi Xiao opened the Cosmic Singularity Meditation in his mind, his consciousness went utterly blank.

“Qi Xiao? Qi Xiao? Are you there?” Rocco’s voice, along with knocking, sounded at the door.

Snapping back to himself, Qi Xiao’s face was deathly pale. Glancing outside, he saw the sun had already slipped behind the clouds, its rays much dimmed. When he turned his attention inward, his expression shifted further—within his mindsea, several models had already formed.

After some careful inspection, Qi Xiao’s mood grew complicated. He was certain he had constructed these models himself, bit by bit, yet he had no memory of the process—not even a recollection of what the meditation model looked like.

The only thing he was sure of was that the meditation method was incomplete—at present, perhaps only one third of it had been obtained. The remaining two parts would likely have to come from the system.

The door opened, footsteps hurried toward the bedroom. Forcing his mind to focus, Qi Xiao shook his head vigorously.

Rocco entered and, seeing Qi Xiao seated on the sofa, sighed in relief. “Is something wrong? You weren’t responding for so long.”