Chapter 545: Direction
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In the Mind Tower, Merlin stepped onto the first floor!
Back in the familiar Mind Tower again, Merlin did not waste any more time. The floors which he had successfully completed were no longer of any help to him. Therefore, he went through them like a hot knife through b.u.t.ter, and quickly reached the ninth floor.
“Hmm? You’ve come again? It looks like you must have gained an understanding!”
On the ninth floor, the old man in black appeared once again. Evidently, Merlin had made an impression on him. Thus, he was able to recognize Merlin at a glance, and a subtle smile flitted over his lips.
“That’s right, I’ve recently gained a new understanding. Please guide me, old Wizard!”
Merlin was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence. Although his Mind Heart was only the Eighth-level now, the Mind Power it contained was equivalent to a peak Ninth-level Spell Caster. However, this old man in black only had the Mind Power of an average Ninth-level Spell Caster, so Merlin had suppressed part of his Mind Power, and only used Mind Power of the average Ninth-level.
“Windstorm!”
A windstorm emerged completely from Mind Power, yet it was not an Occult Mind Spell but purely a technique of control. Merlin had discovered upon fusing his Mind Power with his instincts that using Mind Power to induce a windstorm was an incomparably simple matter.
Back then, the old man in black was able to stir up a storm at will because his Mind Power had been merged with his instincts.
“Haha, good one!”
The old man in black was in exuberant spirits. His Mind Power filled the air as he used various tricks to catch Merlin off guard with an attack. Both sides exchanged blows in this manner. Even the sneakiest attack when confronted with its target, was easily dispelled.
This was the benefit of having Mind Power which was fused with instincts. No attack was as fast as Mind Power, so even the most unexpected attack would be blocked by one’s instinct. With Mind Power merged into the instincts, one could fend off any sudden attacks.
Both of them were Spell Casters who had fused their Mind Power into their instincts, so both were unable to get in a single blow.
“Haha, that’s enough, that’s enough!”
Suddenly, the old man in black retreated, and stood in mid-air, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “In the past, those Spell Casters would use the absolute strength of their Mind Power to instantly defeat me but this method would not bring benefit to the growth of one’s Mind Power. They didn’t consider why was the Mind Tower erected? Without understanding, how would one profit? I can see that you’ve got it. What’s most precious about the Mind Tower is that every floor provides an opportunity for learning. Each floor would benefit a Spell Caster. Since you’re a Mind Power Master, it would aid you even more. I can feel that your Mind Power is formidable, and you’ve suppressed it to the Ninth-level on purpose. Therefore, I’ve lost long ago. Go ahead to the tenth floor – you’ll obtain even more precious things there…”
After bowing to the old man in black respectfully, Merlin took one step back, and his body was instantly washed in a white light, which wrapped around him. His figure disappeared instantly…
…
On the tenth floor of the Mind Tower, there was already an old man in white when Merlin arrived. The old man was sitting on the floor silently, and a tea set was set out before him.
“You’ve finally come…”
The old man in white lifted his head to glance at Merlin as he spoke serenely as if he had been waiting here long ago.
“O Wizard, is this the tenth floor?”
“That’s right, this is the tenth floor. I’ve waited for you a long time.”
“Waited for me?”
Merlin furrowed his brows but did not know what the old man in white meant. Still, he inquired, “I wonder what test is there on the tenth floor?”
“Test? Don’t bring that up first. Will you have a cup of tea with me?”
The old man gestured with one hand, and a cup of tea flew from the floor to Merlin. Merlin accepted it dubiously, and took a small sip.
After coming to this world, Merlin had never drunk any tea. Now that he tasted this familiar flavor once again, he reminisced for a moment.
“Oh? Do you like tea?”
The old man in white asked in astonishment.
“I don’t but I’ve drunk it before, and it brought back some memories.”
The old man in white set down his cup, and said with a smile, “Very well. Before you came to the tenth floor, old man Sea has told me about your situation, and have asked me to provide you with some benefits. Oh, that’s right, you still don’t know who old man Sea is. Old man Sea is the guardian of the ninth floor that you’ve met.”
Merlin was slightly stupefied. It turned out that the old man in black on the ninth floor was so helpful to him, asking the guardian of the tenth floor to give Merlin more benefits. Merlin became more respectful to him because of this. The guardians of the Mind Tower were personally appointed by the Arcane Wizards. In terms of Mind Power, they were exceptional.
“Since old man Sea had already mentioned you to me repeatedly, I’ll naturally give you some benefits. However, whether or not you can obtain these benefits still depends on you.”
Merlin’s expression trembled. He knew that the test of the tenth floor might be coming.
“There’s no need to be so nervous. Since you’re a Mind Power Master, do you know what Mind Power is?”
The old man in white raised a question that appeared simple but one which Merlin was unable to answer.
What was Mind Power? Even Honored Legends would have no answer. In fact, after becoming a Great Wizard, Mind Power did not appear to be important because for a Great Wizard to become a Great Legend, the main thing was to understand the Essence of Elements, and form a Maxim. There was no need to use Mind Power to simulate the Spell Models to cast spells anymore.
It looked as if upon reaching the level of Great Wizard, Mind Power would be abandoned completely. This was the end result of the cultivation of most Spell Casters.
Nonetheless, Merlin was a Mind Power Master. There was still a group such as the Mind Power Masters in this world. They attempted to forge a path that was different from Spell Casters, further strengthening their Mind Power to the level of a Great Legend!
However, what was Mind Power? Merlin thought about it carefully for a long moment before replying, “Mind Power is intangible and vague. Perhaps it’s a type of consciousness.”
The expression of the old man in white did not change. He set down his cup gently, and said calmly, “What’s Mind Power, really? In truth, even I don’t know. Not just me but even the Ultimate Arcane Wizards, who are beginning to be enlightened about the natural order, are unable to completely grasp the Essence of Mind Power… Spell Casters understand the Essence of Elements, and can create Maxims, becoming Great Legends! In that case, by understanding the Essence of Mind Power, can we Mind Power Masters also become as powerful as Great Legends?”
The words of the old man in white set off a spark in Merlin’s eyes. Wizard Ossais’ lifelong goal was to perfect the system of Mind Power Masters, hoping that this would give rise to a Mind Power Master who was on par with Great Legends. As a result, he had created the formidable Occult Mind Spell Nine Hit Strike.
The old man in white appeared to have expected Merlin’s interest, and smiled. He continued saying, “Although no one has discovered the Essence of Mind Power even now, the intangible nature of Mind Power is still evident. Mind Power attacks are most peculiar. Spell Casters can merely feel Mind Power but cannot “see” it which means that Mind Power doesn’t exist on the material plane.”
Merlin nodded as well. He was thoroughly immersed in the old man’s point of view. In terms of his understanding of the system of Mind Power, Merlin was, in fact, an amateur with an incomplete understanding. This was a rare opportunity, and he listened with rapt attention.
“Mind Power doesn’t exist on the material plane as it’s incorporeal! However, once it had reached the Seventh-level, it’ll start to interact with the material world. I believe you’ve experienced that. Mind Power at the Seventh-level can form a powerful attack, which may directly affect the material plane. This is transformation. In fact, we Mind Power Masters, as we constantly improve our Mind Power, are also uncovering the Essence of Mind Power step by step.
“Still, Mind Power remains shapeless. If Mind Power was to turn from shapeless to corporeal one day, what would change? Mind Power can simulate anything, and once it attains a form, won’t we be able to obtain anything we want with a single thought? That is, in fact, a power that only belongs to the grand natural order… The entire Void Zone is operated by the natural order, and even the Ultimate Arcane Wizards have no way of violating the natural order.
“Your Nine Hit Strike merely interacts with the material world through powerful Mind Power. In truth, that’s already the wrong path… Interacting with the material world, in the end, can’t compare to turning Mind Power itself into something material. That would be a grand, limitless scenario. Think about it. If someone from the Mind Power Masters truly achieved this, what would they become?”
The old man in white was now wearing an expression of unrestrained emotion and excitement.
“Boom.”
At the moment, it was as if a thunderclap had rung in Merlin’s mind. Everything was turned upside down. Mind Power was intangible but it could transform into anything. What if it really could become something tangible?
Turning something incorporeal into something solid seemed to be a fairy tale but Merlin believed that it could be done because he had personally witnessed this fairy tale. The black cat Didimoss had transformed from a non-living ent.i.ty to a living being.
It was as if a stone had suddenly gained life. It was inconceivable and outrageous for it had reversed the natural order.
Since the black cat Didimoss could reverse the natural order, why not Mind Power? Moreover, after Mind Power had reached the Seventh-level, was it not able to interact with the material world?
If taken one step further, Mind Power would directly turn into something material from the intangible into the tangible… Perhaps this was the true direction of Mind Power Masters, the road for them to achieve power.
If that day really arrived, and Mind Power could turn the intangible into something material, Merlin was unable to picture how powerful Mind Power Masters would actually be.
At the very least, once Mind Power could turn corporeal, it was something the average Legend or Honored Legend could not compare to.
Merlin became more and more excited, and his gaze toward the old man in white had changed, becoming very respectful.
“Teacher! You’re my teacher!”
Merlin bowed deferentially to the old man in white. This discussion did not seem to have brought many benefits to Merlin but in fact, it had illuminated a direction for Merlin, a direction which no one would imagine.
This wonderful gift was even greater than Ossais’ teaching of the Occult Mind Spell Nine Hit Strike!
“That’s right, perhaps our hopes are really placed on you… You’re also my only disciple! Alright, you can go. There’s no need to go to the eleventh floor. You won’t have to come to the Mind Tower anymore. This tower is no longer of any use to you.”
The words of the old man in white caused Merlin’s face to s.h.i.+ft slightly. He had merely reached the tenth floor. The Mind Tower had sixteen floors in total, how could it be useless to him?
Moreover, the old man in white was only the guardian of the tenth floor. The eleventh floor, twelfth floor, and so on – would those not be even more helpful to Merlin?
Merlin’s expression s.h.i.+fted uncertainly as he looked at the old man in white. In that instant, the mood between them turned taciturn.
“Teacher, this Mind Tower is created by the Arcane Wizards, containing endless mysteries, so I still wish to attempt further and gain more understanding.”
Merlin spoke cautiously.
“Oh? Merlin, you think you’re on the tenth floor?”
The old man in white gave a wooden smile as he looked at Merlin, following which, with a light wave of his hand, the tenth floor of the Mind Tower began to rapidly transform. The familiar surroundings were disappearing at a terrifying speed…