Chapter 14: Inheritance Holy Artifact

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Inheritance Holy Artifact

The Rune for the entry [Power Burst] was quickly dismantled by Chen Shang. Since this entry acted directly upon his body, he could rely on [Energy Control] to rapidly familiarize himself with its mechanics. However, [Scale Armor Hardening] was a different story. Without scales of his own, he could only figure it out slowly through trial and error. Even so, his progress was still tens of millions of times faster than that of an Ordinary Apprentice. The entry was a ready-made answer, and his task was to work backward from it to analyze the process. He revised it version by version. In addition, he took time to practice Meditation every day, persistently engraving the Runes into his Spirit. As he worked, the days slipped by.

"Chen Shang."

An unknown number of days had passed when Leia’s voice finally drifted in from the doorway.

He looked up and noticed that the light outside the window had changed. It was no longer the gloomy, gray light of the primeval forest; instead, it felt much more vast and open.

"We’re here. What are you researching with such Concentration?"

Chen Shang stood up and briefly explained what he had been doing over the past few days—summarizing Runes and engraving them into carriers.

Leia listened, her gaze turning slightly subtle. "Very good. Keep at it."

"Senior Sister, I thought you’d say I was wasting my time."

"Wasting your time? Why would you think that?"

"The Wizard World must have much more advanced technology, right? Techniques that are far superior to my crude Runes."

Leia looked at him and shook her head. "The Wizard World does indeed have more advanced technology, but it doesn’t belong to you. Doing this yourself is equivalent to learning it from scratch. Even if you don’t succeed in the end, you’ll still learn a lot.

"If you just spent every day practicing [Energy Ball Ejection], that would truly be a waste of time. Breakthroughs in foundational theory can alter the very form of evolution. Don’t waste your time fixating on how large of a Fireball you can cast."

Chen Shang nodded in deep agreement. Someone could master a broadsword or spear to absolute perfection, but they still couldn’t defeat a Maxim gun. It was a fundamental difference in power. However, he didn’t think he would fail.

"Pack up and get ready to disembark. We’ve reached our destination." Leia turned and walked out. Chen Shang quickly gathered his blueprints and hurried after her.

Outside, the towering trees were gone, replaced by a vast, expansive wetland.

Standing at a high vantage point, Chen Shang looked down. Large stretches of shallow Water shimmered under the sunlight. The surface of the Water was densely covered with round, floating leaves, and thin streams of Water meandered between them.

In the distance, rows of buildings constructed from massive, unidentifiable bones stood upon the Water, covered in translucent membranes. These structures varied in height, scattered haphazardly. The tallest was easily ten stories high, its peak inlaid with a giant pearl that slowly rotated in the sunlight.

Chen Shang squinted, spotting a group of figures passing through the Waterways between the buildings. They had slender torsos and arms, but from the waist down, they possessed long fish Tails.

"Mermaids?" Chen Shang thought. Looking closer, they indeed bore a striking resemblance to the Mermaids from his previous life.

An older Mermaid swam out from the largest building. Its fish Tail was wider than the others, covered in dark Gold scales, and its face bore deep, lined patterns.

It swam beneath their combat troop carrier, looked up, and spoke a long string of words in a language Chen Shang couldn’t understand.

Leia casually cast a piece of Witchcraft onto Chen Shang. Instantly, he could understand the Mermaid’s words, and he simultaneously collected a new entry: [Language Mastery].

"It is our honor to welcome the great Wizard Envoy."

The older Mermaid turned and swam toward the tallest building. Leia leaped off the combat vehicle, and Chen Shang followed suit. The moment his boots touched the Water, a faint suction force emanated from the soles, buoying him steadily on the surface.

They followed the older Mermaid through the Waterways. The bone structures grew taller and more densely packed, and the number of Mermaids lining the sides of the channels increased. They poked their heads out of the Water, staring at the newcomers with Gold, slit-like pupils. Some looked fearful, others curious. There were also many little Mermaids hiding behind the adults, revealing only their eyes.

Chen Shang felt like he was walking through a zoo—only the roles of who was inside and outside the cages were reversed.

Soon, they arrived at the largest building. Viewing it from the Water’s surface was far more awe-inspiring than seeing it from a distance. The bone-built structure was much thicker and sturdier than he had imagined. The surfaces of the bones were carved with dense, intricate lines, forming decorative patterns.

At the entrance, a row of robust adult Mermaids holding spears stood guard on both sides. The older Mermaid swam inside, with Leia and Chen Shang right behind it.

Inside was a massive hall. The domed ceiling was incredibly high, and the light filtering through the translucent membrane dyed the entire Space a pale Blue. The floor consisted of individual stone platforms submerged in Water.

In the center of the hall, more than a dozen Mermaids formed a circle. They were older than the ones outside, with darker scales and much more elaborate adornments. Seeing Leia enter, they all bowed their heads in unison.

Leia walked into the center of the circle, stepped onto the largest stone platform, and drew a Scroll from her robes.

"By the order of the Pan-Wizard Alliance, as of today, this territory is officially incorporated into Wizard jurisdiction. The following regulations take effect immediately.

"First, it is strictly forbidden to harm intelligent creatures within Wizard territory without cause. Violators will be punished according to Alliance law.

"Second, all trade and transactions must be integrated into the Wizard Coin system.

"Third, wars between species are strictly prohibited. Existing disputes shall be submitted to Wizards for arbitration.

"Fourth, you must offer an annual tribute to the Lord, consisting of species samples, local specialties, and newly discovered resources...

"Fifth, any peculiar items, unknown phenomena, or abnormal Energy fluctuations must be reported immediately. Concealment and hoarding are strictly forbidden."

After reading the edict, Leia stowed the Scroll and swept her gaze over the Merfolk Elders. "Have you understood all of the above?"

After a moment of silence, the leading Merfolk Elder raised its head, seemingly weighing its words. "We understand, Lord Envoy. We will comply and execute these orders."

Leia nodded. "Very well. One last thing. I wish to see the Holy Artifact of your heritage."

The atmosphere in the hall changed instantly. One Merfolk Elder jerked its head up, its Gold, slit-like pupils shrinking into thin needles. It opened its mouth to speak, but another Elder beside it quickly grabbed its arm to hold it back.

Standing behind Leia, Chen Shang felt a surge of nervous tension. These Mermaids were far more powerful than he was. If they turned hostile, he would likely be torn to shreds before he even had time to cast a single [Energy Ball].

So, he discreetly tugged at Leia’s sleeve and asked in a low whisper using the Wizard Common Language, "Senior Sister... aren’t you afraid they’ll turn on us?"

Leia didn’t even turn her head. "What do you think we brought so many combat troops for? You didn’t actually think Wizards were charitable saints, did you?

"We won’t spare a second glance for anything devoid of value. But for something truly valuable, we wouldn’t hesitate to wage war across the Star Sea!"

The leading Merfolk Elder finally managed to compose itself. "Lord Envoy, please follow me..."

It turned and swam toward the exit, while the other Elders lowered their heads and parted to clear a path. Leia stepped forward to follow, and Chen Shang kept close on her heels.

Leaving the hall, they traversed a long Waterway before eventually stepping onto solid land.

The Merfolk Elder finally stopped before a stone wall. Its surface was densely carved with ancient, narrative frescoes. Mermaids, oceans, storms, the sun, the moon, the stars... Scene after scene flowed together, seemingly chronicling a forgotten history.

"The Holy Artifact... is right inside."