Chapter 168: Primordial
The Comprehend Unknown and Deduction abilities activated naturally, frantically recording the knowledge brought by that sliver of rule power.
Countless light points and Torch Ace flickered, signifying their agreement with this declaration. Ace’s words condensed into mysterious text within the Subconscious Sea. An old parchment scroll of witnessing unfurled, and the mysterious text landed upon it.
The collective will of the crowd and the rhythmic pulsing of the ancient scale formed a simple, golden binding cord. It secured the ancient parchment scroll and sank it into the deepest part of this temporarily formed embryonic Wizards’ Subconscious Sea.
“Based on the Wizard principles of Equivalent Exchange, Respect Knowledge, and Seek True Knowledge, I, the Torch-Bearer, establish the first covenant with all Wizards.
Anyone who embarks on the path of Magic I pioneered and learns my knowledge must share with me the new knowledge they discover and the new results of their research!”
The scale hung high above the ocean. The first covenant spoken by Torch Ace transformed into mysterious text, branded onto a second unfurled parchment scroll placed upon it. The scale wavered slightly, seemingly unstable.
“Based on the Wizard principle of Keeping Secrets, the Torch-Bearer establishes the second covenant with all Wizards. Unless I have the owner’s consent, I shall not share the knowledge and research shared with me with a third party.”
The golden scale began to shine brilliantly. The second covenant spoken by Torch Ace also transformed into mysterious text, branded onto an unfurled parchment scroll. Placed on opposite ends of the scale, they stabilized it.
“Based on the Wizard principles of Keeping Secrets and Standing Guard Together,” Torch Ace’s mental power was severely depleted. His torchlight had dimmed, flickering on and off, difficult to sustain. He struggled to say:
“The Torch-Bearer establishes the third covenant with all Wizards. All Wizards shall be unable, in any form, directly or indirectly, to betray the Torch-Bearer, Ace.” Torch Ace panted heavily in a human-like manner. The torchlight was extremely dim, but the golden scale remained unstable. The text formed by the third covenant circled the parchment scroll, but the witnessing scroll remained stubborn as a rock, refusing to unfurl.
Torch Ace did not hesitate. He continued: “The Torch-Bearer, Ace, must also protect all Wizards and provide guidance to all Wizards, provided it does not harm his own interests.”
The text formed by the third covenant continued to increase. The parchment scroll finally unfurled. The ancient scale suddenly burst with intense light. The red light transformed into three red binding cords, securing the three parchment scrolls of covenant and carrying them into the depths of the embryonic Subconscious Sea formed by the Wizard Apprentices’ mental network.
At this moment, the entire Subconscious Sea was boiling. The light points formed by the Wizard Apprentices felt mentally exhausted and listless. The ancient scale continued to pulse rhythmically, and the stack of witnessing parchment scrolls was about to vanish.
The exhausted Torch Ace felt the urging of the Subconscious Sea. With a flash of inspiration, he floated to the mid-air of the boiling Subconscious Sea. His flame hand grabbed the chubby little Spirit of the Book, who was diligently recording knowledge. The little chubby fellow was confused, looking innocently at Torch Ace.
Ace ignored him and shouted to the scale and scrolls:
“Let the rules of fairness and witnessing be clear! The Spirit of the Book was born because of me, and the Wizards’ Subconscious Sea was formed because of him. I wish to represent all Wizards and forge a Permanent Covenant with the Spirit of the Book.
Quasi-rule creature, Spirit of the Book, I represent the will of all Wizards. Based on the first and second covenants, I invite you to join me as the central hub of the embryonic Wizards’ Collective Subconscious Sea.
All Wizards will permit you to share our Wizard knowledge and research results. In return, you must provide me with permanent research assistance, organize the embryonic Wizards’ Collective Subconscious Sea, and help us better communicate with the Collective Subconscious Sea.”
The exhausted light points of the apprentices followed Torch Ace blindly, expressing their agreement. The entire embryonic Collective Subconscious Sea boiled even more fiercely, seeming eager to agree. Countless bubbles rose, as if reaching some critical state.
The ancient scale continued to pulse. The witnessing parchment flickered in and out of existence, showing no sign of opening.
Torch Ace was anxious. He intended to resolve the hidden dangers of the covenant with the Spirit of the Book once and for all.
He had keenly realized that the reason the mental network of the Wizards could transform into a Subconscious Sea and appear in this strange place between reality and illusion was precisely because of the Spirit of the Book!
This quasi-rule creature had mentioned the “Sea of Illusion and Reality.” Intuition told Ace he must seize this opportunity to bind both parties completely. This was a quasi-rule creature manifested by this world based on his Dictionary and Logic. If he didn’t forge a permanent covenant while it was still immature, it would be difficult to do so in the future.
This miraculous creature was the “Golden Finger” gifted to him by this world based on his knowledge from his past life. He had to grasp it firmly.
He opened his flame hand holding the chubby little Spirit of the Book and said to the little fatty, half-threatening and half-tempting: “Are you willing to obey what your Master says? If you obey, we will share infinite knowledge in the future!”
The chubby face of the Spirit of the Book, which had been somewhat conflicted, burst into flames upon hearing “infinite knowledge.” His childish voice said eagerly: “Infinite knowledge? I am willing to obey!”
The ancient Scale of Fair Covenant erupted with violent rhythmic pulsing. The words spoken by Ace and the Spirit of the Book transformed into mysterious text under the rhythm. The flickering, worn witnessing parchment scroll automatically unfurled.
The mysterious text landed on it, emitting a dazzling light.
The ancient Scale of Fair Covenant suddenly transformed into a beam of light, condensing into a cyan binding cord. It wrapped around the worn witnessing parchment scroll and then cast it into the deepest center of the boiling embryonic Wizards’ Collective Subconscious Sea.
Boom!
With the entry of this covenant, the entire Subconscious Sea instantly experienced a violent tsunami. It was rejoicing, celebrating. This accidentally born embryonic Collective Subconscious Sea was very pleased with the integration of the Spirit of the Book.
Torch Ace watched all this. Although he did not understand the Subconscious Sea’s instinctive urging toward him, forging a permanent covenant with the Spirit of the Book had been his expectation anyway. Everything was just right.
He and the exhausted apprentices were too weak to respond to the boiling cheers of the embryonic Collective Subconscious Sea. Their light gradually dimmed, and they returned to reality.
A cool sea breeze swept across the entire valley along the river. It was noon. The winter sun warmed all things. The lush, primitive evergreen jungle rustled under the caress of the sea breeze.
Countless birds roosting within were startled into flight, chirping as they soared into the sky, only to be hunted in passing by avian Monsters.
The sound of murmuring water echoed in the valley. The entire valley, filled with a primitive aura, appeared incredibly tranquil.
It perfectly matched a line of poetry from Ace’s past life: “The cicadas’ noise highlights the forest’s quiet.”
In the clearing where the primitive jungle met the river, all the Wizard Apprentices, including Ace, looked as if they had been soaked in water. They were drenched. Betty, Ollie, and several other female Wizard Apprentices were almost soaked through, their figures faintly visible.
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