Chapter 65: Severed

“Hmm… what is this?” Flipping through the Magic Weapon Summoning Book, Zheng Yichen observed an unusual strand of Mental Energy stored inside. Like the other Mental Energies, it belonged to someone trying to investigate the Magic Weapon Summoning Book’s true form. However, this one was different: it wasn’t assimilated immediately and was resisting stubbornly instead…

But that was all. The resistance was just a futile struggle. Just as Zheng Yichen intended to control the Magic Weapon Summoning Book to speed up the erasure process, the Mental Energy was abruptly pulled away. The sudden change made Zheng Yichen pause for a moment. How should he put it? Aside from himself, the only person who could extract energy from the book was Loris. Since she took it, Zheng Yichen didn’t bother with that unusual Mental Energy anymore.

“Ugh!? What is this?”

Dan Marina held one hand to her forehead. She had just tried to use her own ability to indirectly trace something through the Magic Weapon Summoning Book when her head felt as if pierced by a needle, causing extreme pain.

The unique nature of the Magic Weapon Summoning Book prevented her from directly tracing its source. However, using it as a conduit to bypass the book and search for related connections was possible. Simply put, when one road was blocked, she took a detour. It might take a bit more time, but the end goal was exactly the same!

Just as she traced something interesting, the Tracing was interrupted. Not only that, but whenever she continued the Tracing, her mind would become unsettled. Though not intense, it severely affected her ability’s performance!

Someone was scheming against her! Moreover, the schemer had grasped something important that was connected to her. Otherwise, the effect wouldn’t be this severe, and she wouldn’t be unable to trace the root of the problem!

But she was certain she hadn’t let any important personal items fall into others’ hands. After all, given her abilities, she was always cautious about anything that could become a handle against her.

So, the first thing she thought of was the portion of her own Mental Energy that the Magic Weapon Summoning Book had retained. Only Mental Energy had such a vital connection to her. Additionally, her Mental Energy was extremely unique. Ordinary Mages couldn’t utilize it; they even needed thorough preparation just to make contact, lest they risk contamination.

Therefore, whoever managed this must be another Witch…

“Very well! It’s been years since anyone managed to scheme against me.” After sorting through all possibilities, Dan Marina’s tone turned grim. This scheme, while not massive, effectively blocked her from Tracing the Magic Weapon Summoning Book’s origin. All related branches involving it became unusable. From now on, she’d have to rely on investigation rather than her ability to find anything.

But she was rarely this interested in something. Being schemed against like this left her feeling extremely displeased.

“Dan Marina, sister… what’s wrong?”

Hearing the voice behind her, Dan Marina turned around. The grim expression on her face seemed to have never existed as she wore a gentle smile. “I just suddenly remembered something. Don’t worry about it.”

Hmph! Even if her Tracing line was cut, so what? She had already found some useful clues. Aside from Petty, the information she traced pointed not only to Sta City but more prominently to the Phantom Demon Forest.

The Forest of Illusions—let the people from the Sanctuary Church go there.

“Ugh… who’s thinking about me?” Zheng Yichen, enveloped by a sudden chill, looked around suspiciously. Seeing no Ghostly Little Maids eyeing him, he shook his head, grabbed a wooden bucket nearby, bit onto the large straw inside, and took a sip of the drink. Then he refocused on the matter before him. Even if Zheng Yichen wanted to bring Petty back now, he couldn’t.

This matter was currently handled by people at the Tavern. He would be informed immediately once there was news. After a period of feeling somewhat upset, Zheng Yichen calmed down and continued with what he wanted to do.

Making Intermediate Magic Weapons had become second nature to him. He couldn’t produce them casually, but it no longer took several days to make one. On average, he made one Intermediate Magic Weapon per day; if including matching sets, it was close to three days.

This efficiency was quite high. At least for now, the variety of Intermediate Magic Weapons was no less than that of basic and low-level ones. The weapon types were comprehensive, basically allowing every type of Professional to find a suitable weapon. This was part of the original plan: to make the part-time role of Magic Weapon Summoner encompass all Professionals in this world!

Petty’s situation made Zheng Yichen accelerate the distribution of the Magic Weapon Summoning Book. He no longer focused only on Sta City; distribution extended to other cities, aiming to create more Magic Weapon Summoners. After all, he couldn’t grow stronger quickly himself, but the Magic Weapon Summoning Book could. As long as he could perfectly mobilize the Mana within the Magic Weapon Summoning Book, it was like growing stronger himself. Though a bit opportunistic, it was still a method.

The Mana stored in the Magic Weapon Summoning Book now was nearly a hundred times greater than in the initial test version after it took shape! Of course, the base amount in the book back then wasn’t high, but it wasn’t low either. The completed test version had Mana provided by nearly eighty Ranked Practitioner Ghost Maids.

As the Mana in the Magic Weapon Summoning Book increased, its power grew accordingly. Zheng Yichen didn’t know if there were so-called Divine Artifacts in this world, but as long as the Magic Weapon Summoning Book developed smoothly, it had the potential to become one. As for being destroyed… tsk! Zheng Yichen really didn’t believe anyone could destroy the Magic Weapon Summoning Book’s true form through a Projection!

Destroying it would also have to consider his ability’s characteristics. So, only he could destroy the Magic Weapon Summoning Book…

“Hmm, Magic Weapon Forging… To create things like firearms with this Magic, I probably need to master the complete version first.” Zheng Yichen flipped through the Magical Grimoire, looking at Magic like Magic Weapon Forging. Low-Rank, Mid-Rank, High-Rank… No matter the tier, if it had a prefix, it wasn’t complete. The final stage was the complete Magic Weapon Forging, which Zheng Yichen hadn’t mastered yet. He tried several times, but failed every time. How to put it? Tiered Magic could be cast as long as the conditions were met.

But truly complete Magic required so-called “comprehension.” Low-tier Magic had low requirements, like the Fireball Spell… It had no tiers; it was a complete, simple type of Magic, so anyone could learn it. However, high-tier conditions were stricter; at least those below Reaching the Tier found it hard to master! This involved “comprehension.” Ranked Practitioners might not lack in strength, but they certainly didn’t lack in “comprehension.”

Therefore, Mid-Rank and High-Rank types of Magic were also called Ranked Magic… Unfortunately, Magic Weapon Forging fell between Mid-Rank and High-Rank Magic… Zheng Yichen’s strength grew quickly, but his “comprehension” didn’t keep up. He lacked relevant experience!