Chapter 27: Undercurrents — A Moment's Thought

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Countless spheres of light drifted through the darkness. They varied in size and color: some bore exquisite, multicolored patterns, while others gleamed with the cold, pure hues of gemstones. Some floated in silence; others revolved soundlessly, trailing hazy halos of light. Standing among them felt like stepping into a river of stars, into the vastness of the cosmos.

“These are the inheritances left behind by the wizards.” Ji Yaoguang beckoned, and a pale green sphere entwined with ivy parted the surrounding lights as though cleaving the sea, spinning toward his fingertip. “Witchcraft is the spiritual power that manipulates Heaven and Earth and unlocks the hidden treasures within oneself. It is the source from which a wizard’s own path is formed. Many wizards, when they are near death, separate a portion of their spirituality and memories and leave them here, so that those who come after may inherit them.”

Lin Zhao wandered in astonishment among the starry river. Unable to resist, he carefully reached out and touched the green sphere in Ji Yaoguang’s hand.

In that instant, he learned that the witchcraft by which Ji Yaoguang could grow different kinds of fruit was called the “Spring God Rite.” Its principle was to use a vegetation totem as its foundation, devouring the spirituality of different trees or seeds. Once the spirituality of a plant had been stored, one needed only to expend the corresponding amount of witch-power to recreate the desired plant through the vegetation totem.

This spell was not merely used to produce fruit. More importantly, it could cultivate precious fruits and divine trees that served as materials. It was the Witch Kingdom’s most important source of medicinal herbs. Yet its limitations were considerable: a Human-rank vegetation totem could not cultivate seeds, fruit trees, or divine trees of the Earth, Heaven, or Divine ranks.

The spell was of an extremely high rank and could be learned only by Human Wizards or those above them. Merging with the memories would take roughly an hour.

But…

“I don’t have a vegetation totem. Why would I learn it?” Lin Zhao promptly withdrew his hand. Then he looked toward the surrounding spheres, his eyes shining as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “What about inheritances related to fire and light? Do you have anything involving the Golden Crow? If not, a Vermilion Bird will do. And don’t bother teaching me spells like fireballs. Give me something like Heavenly Fire Annihilates the World…”

“Well…” Ji Yaoguang’s tone grew somewhat unnatural. “There really aren’t any witchcraft or totems related to fire.”

“What?” Lin Zhao turned toward him in disbelief. “Do you even know what you’re saying?”

Fire was the source, the origin of all life. He could scarcely believe that such a vast Witch Kingdom would possess no spells related to fire or light.

Ji Yaoguang’s expression turned solemn. “There is no alternative. Fire and light are the authority of the Great Sun Golden Crow. Ever since the Golden Crow suddenly began illuminating the sky in the form of a Violet Sun ten thousand years ago, wizards have lost the ability to manipulate flames with witch-power. We can only use sacred wood indirectly to kindle fire and repel calamity. In fact, we do not even dare harm the Violet Sun Golden Crow in the heavens.”

Lin Zhao stared blankly. “Why is that?”

Ji Yaoguang answered helplessly, “Because we need to survive! Although the Violet Sun brings calamity and corruption to the earth, it also brings light and warmth. If the Violet Sun were lost, then even if we drove every trace of calamity from the land, the world would still fall into darkness and ice. The damage would likely be no less than that caused by the calamity itself.”

“Huh. I suddenly feel much more important.” Lin Zhao touched the feathered totem over his heart, then leaned close to Ji Yaoguang’s ear. “Old Tree, you really aren’t tempted by such a huge Golden Crow totem?”

“I do not seize what belongs to others.” Ji Yaoguang helplessly pushed away the little bird’s face, which clearly wished to throw the world into chaos. “Time is limited. Are you going to study or not?”

“There aren’t even any fire spells. What am I supposed to study…?” Having failed to obtain a powerful ultimate technique, Lin Zhao looked rather disdainful. “I’m not going to become some sort of lifestyle player. I have no interest in forging, tailoring, or alchemy.”

“You are a pure-blooded Golden Crow. As your bloodline grows, you will naturally master new spells. With me here, you need not worry.” Ji Yaoguang took his hand and spoke gently. “I brought you here so that you could learn more about witchcraft. Among these arts are many strange and insidious techniques. The more you understand, the less likely you are to fall victim to them. After all, even the most careful precautions may have gaps. I cannot promise that you will be perfectly safe simply because you are by my side.”

“Fine, I’ll study. But don’t get so sentimental—I’m not used to it!” Lin Zhao waved his hand and snorted. “Tell me, where do we begin?”

Ji Yaoguang smiled faintly. “I have already chosen something for you…”

Another leaf appeared in his palm.

“By decree—Spring Returns.”

In an instant, the stars shifted. Tens of thousands of points of light flew in from every direction, forcing aside the original spheres. Around Lin Zhao, they formed a distant river of stars.

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Lin Zhao’s expression changed at once.

Why did this suddenly feel like he was about to sit for the imperial examinations again?

—

While Ji Yaoguang was cramming Lin Zhao full of various spells, a young man carrying a bucket and a rag entered the Academy through the palace gates. His expression was gloomy, and he looked at everyone as though they had wronged him deeply.

The young witches nearby began whispering as he approached. Their voices grew louder as he drew near, then faded again as he passed.

Halfway there, however, he suddenly stopped, as though he had seen the murderer of his entire family.

Standing before him was a pale, diminutive boy who looked every inch the timid sort destined to be bullied.

“You actually dare show your face before me?” The boy with the bucket looked as though he would dearly love to dump it over the other’s head.

“Senior Brother Weisheng Wu…” The timid boy seemed to summon all his courage. “Please stop targeting me. It won’t do you any good. Listen to me and leave the Di Kingdom as soon as possible, or you may not be able to leave at all…”

“Bai Rang!” Weisheng Wu glared fiercely at his junior. “Don’t think that an alibi means I can do nothing to you. I saw you burying something tainted with calamity beneath the Academy with my own eyes. I even helped you when you were being bullied, and now I discover that you’re a disgusting traitor!”

Bai Rang looked deeply troubled. “I know you meant well, Senior Brother, and I’m grateful. But I truly wasn’t the one who buried that object. You have the best grades and are a prodigy personally selected for the Great Shantu School. You should go to the Witch Kingdom as soon as possible.”

“Hmph! In your dreams!” Weisheng Wu seized Bai Rang by the wrist and dragged him toward the center of the Academy. “I’m taking you to the Junior Academician. Once I prove that you’re a Source Ghost, all the grievances I’ve suffered these past days will be cleared!”

Bai Rang stumbled as he was dragged along. “Senior Brother, don’t. You can’t prove that I’m a Source Ghost. If you go before the Junior Academician, you’ll only be the one to suffer.”

Weisheng Wu stopped abruptly and turned to look at this fellow who appeared timid but was, in truth, utterly unafraid. “Then shall I take you to the Lord of the Di Kingdom?”

Bai Rang froze, bewildered. “How could you possibly meet the Lord of the Di Kingdom? With the Vast Sea in turmoil, he probably doesn’t even have time to eat.”

Weisheng Wu gave a cold laugh. “I am the eldest son of the Weisheng family, the next bearer of the Ancestral Spirit Totem, and a prodigy with a chance of becoming a Celestial Wizard. With that alone, do you think I have a chance of meeting the Lord of the Di Kingdom?”

“Probably not…” Bai Rang hesitated. “Everyone who enters the Great Shantu School is a prodigy. But even there, for one Celestial Wizard to emerge every ten terms is already a blessing from the Wizard God.”

Weisheng Wu’s brows drew together coldly. “You truly aren’t an ordinary witch apprentice. You know far too much.”

Bai Rang answered helplessly, “If we truly knew nothing, would we Source Ghosts dare return to the human kingdoms? You really don’t need to keep an eye on me. I’m only an ordinary witch apprentice who wants to eat a decent meal in peace. The food here is simply the best.”

Weisheng Wu sneered. “You eat the Academy’s food while burying a source of calamity and smashing the bowl that feeds you, yet you still have the nerve to act aggrieved?”

Bai Rang said timidly, “I didn’t bury it. Besides, you have no idea how awful the black soil of the Vast Sea tastes. How can you accuse me unjustly?”

“Then tell me who buried the source of calamity, and why was he using your face?” Weisheng Wu wore an expression that clearly said: Keep pretending.

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“That was my elder brother.” Bai Rang sighed helplessly. “We were born of the same womb, so naturally he looks just like me.”

Weisheng Wu stared at him in shock. “You’re actually admitting it?”

Bai Rang said guiltily, “I know you’re a good person, but you have no evidence, and no one will believe you. Leave quickly. The Di Kingdom won’t exist for much longer…”

“What a joke!” Weisheng Wu roared furiously. “The Great Wall has fallen twice, and our Di Kingdom rebuilt it both times. As long as the Vast Sea remains, the Di Kingdom will forever be the perilous beacon guarding against the Vast Sea!”

“This time is different.” Bai Rang spoke anxiously. “This time…”

He paused, but in the end said nothing more.

“Go on. Why have you stopped?” Weisheng Wu looked at him coldly, though his fist tightened despite himself. “Is it impossible?”

“Actually, I don’t know either.” Bai Rang lowered his voice. “My elder brother thinks I’m no help, so he never told me anything.”

“You really are a wonderful little brother.” Weisheng Wu released his wrist and exposed his sturdy arm. “All right. Stop following me. Otherwise, every time I see you, I’ll beat you.”

Bai Rang watched him walk away sadly, then left with his head bowed.

He slowly returned to the Academy dormitories and entered the honeycomb-like room he shared with another person. His gaze fell upon the bed that should have belonged to Senior Brother Weisheng Wu, and his expression grew melancholy.

Suddenly, a young man identical to him appeared soundlessly on the opposite bed. In the instant the two brothers looked at each other, their eyes were so alike that it seemed they were gazing into a mirror.

“You’re always this reluctant to leave the human world. It isn’t a good thing.” Bai Ren smiled at his younger brother.

Bai Rang remained silent.

“Look, even Ji Yaoguang is about to become one of us. That proves our choice was right.” Bai Ren let out a soft laugh. “How interesting. During the incident at the Lightless Sea, the forces above were wiped out completely, giving us our chance to rise. Ji Yaoguang sacrificed himself to save the Witch Kingdom, yet he was not even granted the right to rest in peace.”

Bai Rang still said nothing.

Bai Ren’s figure, however, was gradually fading.

“Where are you going?” Bai Rang could not help asking.

“The Hall of Inheritances. There is still one final source of calamity to plant.” Bai Ren turned to look at him and teased, “You may as well go tell that little witch apprentice. Let’s see whether I’ll let him survive this time.”

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