novelraw Chapter 104 : The Path of the Wizard
Chapter 104 : The Path of the Wizard
Chapter 104: The Path of the Wizard
Jiang Zhaoming stepped out of the tent where he had secluded himself for nearly a month. His gaze swept across the training grounds where soldiers were drilling, and he nodded in satisfaction.
Then, his eyes were caught by a strange sight in a corner, and his pupils contracted.
“This is—”
He saw dozens of soldiers dressed in long robes, each holding a peculiar wooden staff, waving them toward the empty air.
As they moved, flames suddenly rose from some of their palms, while sparks of lightning danced at others’ fingertips.
Though the power of those flames and bolts was limited, far inferior to true Divine Power arts, the mere fact that they appeared among soldiers only in the Tempering Bones Realm or Blood Refining Realm was enough to overturn the very logic of martial cultivation.
At that moment, a familiar and bewitching figure approached gracefully.
Her fiery red hair cascaded like a waterfall, her waist swaying lightly—it was Lilian.
“My revered King, your power grows ever more awe-inspiring.”
Lilian bent slightly, her amber eyes glimmering with amusement.
Pointing at the strange formation, Jiang Zhaoming raised an eyebrow and asked, “Lilian, this must be your doing, mustn’t it? Explain.”
Lilian nodded elegantly and began to explain the “Path of the Wizard” from her homeland in the Cavern Plane.
“Your Majesty, this is a cultivation method from the world beneath the surface—the Path of the Wizard. We divide it into two major stages: the Wizard Apprentice and the Official Wizard.”
“An Official Wizard’s power is roughly equivalent to a cultivator of your land’s Divine Power Realm. Although the essence of power ultimately converges to the same destination, the paths leading there are entirely different.”
Lilian emphasized the distinction, and Jiang Zhaoming pondered the differences between her and Yue Fei.
“In the Great Zhou, cultivators of the Divine Power Realm focus their strength on the battlefield—on slaughter and formation warfare. We Wizards, however, devote ourselves to the mysteries of spiritual will and the mastery of elemental magic. It is a difference in the ‘Dao,’ yet both lead to the hall of power.”
“The greatest difference, however, lies not above the Divine Power Realm, but below it—in the stage of the Wizard Apprentice and the Martial Artist.”
She gestured toward the soldiers practicing spellcasting.
“These Wizard Apprentices correspond to the realm of Martial Artists.”
“The Way of the Martial Artist centers on tempering the blood and qi, drawing in spiritual energy to nourish and strengthen the body, using surging vitality as a foundation to eventually break through the barrier of Divine Power.
We call this the path of ‘nourishing the body with spirit.’
The Martial Artist’s advantage is their formidable physique and vibrant life force, but—pardon my bluntness—they cannot directly control elemental power.”
“In contrast, the Wizard’s path focuses on tempering the mind—absorbing spiritual energy to nourish the soul and strengthen spiritual will.
When one’s spiritual strength becomes sufficient, an Apprentice can construct a Spell Model, using it to leverage the elements of heaven and earth, and cast Zero-Ring Spells—which are precisely the sparks and lightning you just witnessed, Your Majesty.”
She looked toward the soldiers with a faint nostalgia, recalling her days as an apprentice.
“However, Your Majesty, an Apprentice’s spiritual power is limited. Constructing a Spell Model consumes immense energy, and casting even a Zero-Ring Spell cannot last long. Its power pales in comparison to true Divine Abilities.”
“Only by successfully advancing into an Official Wizard, undergoing a qualitative transformation of the spirit, can one imprint a Spell Slot within the depths of the soul.”
Jiang Zhaoming roughly grasped Lilian’s meaning—this Spell Slot seemed akin to a Dao Seed.
As he gazed at the soldiers practicing spells, bold thoughts arose in his heart.
If the Path of the Wizard was viable, could Anxi Prefecture cultivate its own Wizard Corps?
Moreover, according to Lilian, the Cavern Plane had no concept of “Battle Formations.”
If he combined the two systems, could he forge a Wizard Legion capable of formation warfare?
Even the mere thought of it sent ripples through his heart.
Perhaps this was the greatest reward he had gained from summoning Lilian.
After a deep discussion with her, Jiang Zhaoming gained a new understanding of the cultivation path of Wizards.
This strengthened his conviction that training Wizards within the Anxi Army was indeed feasible.
He also speculated that Wizards cultivated the soul, while Martial Artists tempered the blood and qi.
If both paths were walked simultaneously, perhaps the chances of breaking through to the Divine Power Realm would increase.
With a blueprint of an Anxi Wizard Legion forming in his mind, Jiang Zhaoming ordered Lilian to begin nurturing Wizard troops.
At the same time, Jiang Zhaoming contacted Yue Fei on the frontlines to inquire about the reconquest of the Kingdom of Yutian.
According to the intelligence Yue Fei sent back, over ninety percent of the Yutian plains were now under Jiang Zhaoming’s control.
The remaining ten percent consisted of cities at the base of the plateau—some ready to surrender, others still stubbornly resisting.
But such resistance would not last long; within half a month at most, they would be wiped out.
Thus, Jiang Zhaoming’s final and most arduous task was clear—
To ascend the plateau and eradicate all Yutian Rebels entrenched there.
Yet what seemed simple was, in truth, the hardest step.
The Anxi Cavalry and infantry could fight adequately on the lower slopes, but once they climbed the plateau, facing Yutian’s Rock-Goat Cavalry would be far less favorable.
The rugged and complex terrain would render the Anxi Army’s Battle Formations nearly useless.
A forced uphill assault would bring grievous casualties.
What troubled Jiang Zhaoming even more was the intelligence pried from the mouths of surrendering nobles—
They claimed the rebels atop the plateau were waiting for a legendary event—the reappearance of the Kingdom of Sunlight.
Rumor had it that the Kingdom of Sunlight would manifest once again this year, descending with so-called “Divine Radiance.”
Ever since that rumor spread years ago, countless believers had flocked to the City of Sunlight atop the plateau.
Rough estimates suggested that millions of fervent devotees now gathered there, awaiting the descent of their god.
What exactly was this Kingdom of Sunlight?
As the thought crossed Jiang Zhaoming’s mind, the Artifact Spirit of the Fortune-Appraising Treasure Mirror, long silent within his consciousness, suddenly spoke.
“Master, your cultivation has now reached the late stage of the Myriad Phenomena Realm. You can attempt to activate the Treasure Mirror’s deeper power to glimpse the truth.”
Jiang Zhaoming’s heart stirred. He drew out the ancient mirror from his chest.
Following the spirit’s guidance, he unhesitatingly took out tens of thousands of Spirit Crystals, and with a wave of his hand, arranged a vast Spirit-Gathering Formation.
Dense, tangible spiritual energy instantly filled the chamber as the Spirit Crystals shone brightly, illuminating the walls.
Jiang Zhaoming sat cross-legged at the formation’s core, holding his breath, focusing his mind, and channeled the newly awakened power of the Treasure Mirror with all his strength.
In an instant, he felt the vast spiritual energy within his body—like an ocean—being devoured madly by the mirror.
At the same time, the surrounding mountains of Spirit Crystals dimmed visibly, their essence drained in moments.
“Buzz—!”
The mirror trembled violently, its surface erupting in blinding radiance.
When the light subsided slightly, Jiang Zhaoming peered closely—
Within the mirror, the qi fortune of mountains and rivers spanning ten thousand li appeared in intricate detail.
Countless points and lines of fortune representing talents, mines, and spiritual veins intertwined into a grand map of fate.
Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze was immediately drawn to a corner of the image.
Beneath the towering Tianwu Plateau, eight immense spiritual lights slumbered.
Upon closer inspection, he realized they were eight colossal Spirit Crystal Veins, each stretching for thousands of li.
Boundless spiritual energy surged underground like ancient, sleeping beasts.
Their intertwining veins resembled coiled dragons, faintly encircling a mysterious core deep within the plateau.
Before he could discern the secret at that core, the mirror’s light dimmed abruptly—the vision vanished, as if its power had been completely spent.
Suppressing his astonishment, Jiang Zhaoming asked, “Treasure Mirror, why do eight gigantic Spirit Crystal Veins lie beneath the Tianwu Plateau?”
The Artifact Spirit of the Treasure Mirror replied slowly, “Reporting to Master—that is no ordinary mine. That is the site of a Blessed Land.”
“A Blessed Land?”