Chapter 228 - Magic Hunting Cards
Chapter 228: Magic Hunting Cards
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Under the nervous gazes of Yuna and Alice, Yang Ling carefully controlled the speed at which he cast the Imprisonment Spell, his massive mental energy seeping into the thin crystal like a thread, closely observing the transformation within.
There was a total of one hundred and twenty eight hand gestures for the Restriction to retrieve things from thin air, and twelve different variations for each gesture. But the Imprisonment Restriction had even more actions to complete. Even though it also only had one hundred and twenty-eight hand gestures, each of the hand gestures had thirty six variations. Luckily, Yang Ling’s memory capacity far exceeded that of an average person’s. If someone else were to do it, they might not even be able to memorize all of the actions given half a year’s time.
The Wizard Restrictions recorded on the stele were mysterious and obscure. Every hand gesture, every action was of paramount importance. Using his powerful mental energy, Yang Ling could clearly sense every change that occurred within the crystal.
Under the effects of the Restriction, the thin crystal rapidly absorbed the Wizard Power Yang Ling injected into it. It also absorbed the rich energy within the space of the Wizard’s Pagoda with seemingly unquenchable thirst. The more energy it absorbed, the more symbols appeared on the surface of the crystal, and the faster the symbols rotated.
Unlike what Yang Ling had expected, not only did the crystal ore not expand after absorbing so much energy, it shrank instead. Most of the energy had gathered at the epicenter of the crystal, concentrating to form a small dot about the size of a pinhead.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Even though Yang Ling had tried his best to slow down, the crystal ore still thirstily absorbed the energy around it under the effects of the Restriction. Slowly, a vortex of energy formed in the sky. Ripples appeared in the air, spreading outward like a tide.
After seeing the energy vortex above the crystal ore growing, and feeling a formless pressure descend upon them, Alice and Yuna retreated from Yang Ling. Alice glanced at Yuna and asked, “Do you think Brother Yang will be alright? What can we do?”
“It’ll be alright, this place is Brother Yang’s Domain. He isn’t in any danger. Don’t worry!” Yuna consoled Alice softly, holding her icy hand. “Brother Yang is very powerful. Even an assassin at the level of Lesser Sage could best him.”
Even though Yuna looked composed on the surface, consoling the worried Alice, she was also very nervous, holding her staff tightly.
Yuna and Alice were filled with worry, but Yang Ling increased the speed of the technique despite their worried faces. After having carefully explored the Imprisonment Restriction for some time, he was more familiar with the spell, his gestures changing faster as he gradually increased the intensity of Wizard Power and mental energy he was supplying to the crystal.
As Yang Ling’s hand gestures changed, as the crystal ore absorbed more energy, the speed of the crystal’s contraction increased, and its changes became more obvious. The energy inside the crystal revolved as it got condensed, the area of the orb of energy shrinking, yet the energy it contained became greater.
As the energy became more compressed, the thin crystal ore began shaking gently. Even Yuna and Alice could feel a powerful sense of danger. The feeling was as if millions of miniature bombs that had been piled together had just been lit and were about to explode all at once.
After sensing the changes within the crystal, Yang Ling hurriedly increased the speed of the Restriction. More symbols appeared on the surface of the crystal, rotating faster, surrounding the crystal as if they were a beam of moving light.
At the same time, the area of the energy vortex in the sky increased, boiling with a massive amount of energy. Under the effects of the Restriction, the energy surged into the transforming crystal.
Rumble…
Just as the hearts of Alice and Yuna were threatening to beat out of their chests, at the instant Yang Ling formed the last hand gesture, the thin crystal made a dull, explosive sound. It sounded as if thunder had crackled on the horizon, or a tremor had hit the core of the earth.
After the explosion, the orb of energy in the crystal disappeared, and in its place was a cramped space, surrounded by haze. At the same time, the energy vortex spiraling up in the air dissipated instantly, the sky regaining its calm.
Could this be the Alternative Space that is used to seal a Summoner’s Magical Beast?
Carefully examining the interior of the crystal, Yang Ling ascertained that there was now a stable space inside, due to the Imprisonment Restriction. Yang Ling had an epiphany, finally understanding how the Alternative Space had come about.
With this Alternative Space, could one recall the Magical Beasts they had tamed, the same way he used the Wizard’s Pagoda?
Yang Ling summoned a team of Magical Beasts. Soon he had confirmed that it was as he expected. He had quickly stored a Horned Bee Beast inside the crystal, using the same method as he did to transport Magical Beasts into the space with the Wizard’s Pagoda.
After testing it repeatedly, Yang Ling discovered that he could seal the Magical Beasts into the crystal without taming them with his blood. All he needed to use was an ordinary summoning spell. In a sense, this crystal was similar in function to the space necklace that sealed the Green-skinned Condor around Hans’ neck. The only regrettable thing was that it required a little more mental energy to function.
The user could either store one Withered Tree Warrior or one Horned Bee Beast at a time. No matter the size, the user could only store one Magical Beast in the space. This was similar to Hans’ space necklace, and was a fundamental difference from the Wizard’s Pagoda.
Even though it was a little lackluster, Yang Ling was satisfied that he could successfully create an Alternative Space to seal Magical Beasts, and on his first try!
After calming himself, he ordered the Tarantula King to capture a few wild Vampire Bats.Then he numbed their nerves using his poison, causing them to fall motionless to the ground. He then handed the crystal ore to Alice, and asked to try taming Magical Beasts like a Blood Wizard.
“Do I just recite the spell and drop my blood onto the bat’s forehead?”
Holding the transformed crystal ore, and looking skeptically at the fierce Vampire Bat, Alice was nervous. She did not draw her own blood, and she hesitated for a long time.
Yang Ling smiled reassuringly, and said, “Yes. Just draw a bit of blood from your index finger and press it on the bat’s head. Just don’t stuff your finger into its mouth!”
Stuff my finger into its mouth? Hearing Yang Ling say this, Alice’s face turned red in awkwardness, while Yuna burst into laughter and pinched Yang Ling. “Detestable boy, Alice is already so nervous, but you are still spouting nonsense at her!”
Yang Ling genuinely could not understand how Alice could remain unshaken by the ingredients of poisons like the Gut Severing Plant, or the embryos of Orcs, but she was squeamish about a single drop of her own blood. Or maybe it was the bat that made her hesitant.
Finally, Alice took a deep breath and bit her index finger. She closed her eyes tightly and pressed her bloodied index finger onto the fierce bat’s head, nervously reciting the Wizard Mantra. Soon, symbols began to surface on the Vampire Bat’s body, and presently it vanished into thin air, sealed within the Alternative Space of the crystal.
“Oh, it worked, Brother Yang, I succeeded!” cried Alice excitedly. After successfully summoning the bat she tamed using the technique Yang Ling taught her, looking at the bat obediently circling her. She had finally succeeded!
Enjoying Alice’s excitement, Yang Ling remained expressionless. This successful experiment meant that there was finally a way to impart beginner level Wizard Techniques to the people around him. It meant that there would come a day where he could build a powerful army of Mythical Beasts, and have each of his soldiers summon their own Magical Beasts to aid them in battle.
Yang Ling noticed Yuna waiting patiently off to the side, and it did not take him long to discover her intentions. He used his Blood Elf Dagger and carved out a thin piece of crystal, about the size of a playing card, he once again cast the Imprisonment Restriction.
It was easier the second time around since he was familiar with the process!
His hand gestures changed more quickly and with more rhythm, becoming more regular. Soon, he had once again succeeded in creating a crystal ore that was capable of storing Magical Beasts.
Taking the crystal from Yang Ling’s hands, Yuna quickly sealed a wild Horned Bee Beast that had been directly transported into the space by Yang Ling. Just like Alice, she would sometimes keep the Horned Bee Beast sealed in the crystal ore, sometimes summon it out and instruct it to fly around her.
“Brother Yang, this crystal ore is so great! Let’s give it a name.” Unlike Alice, Yuna had quickly understood the strategic significance of this item. If they could equip every soldier in the territory with a similar item, their battle capabilities would increase quickly, and there would be an unprecedented sense of safety in the territory.
Looking at the little rectangle of crystal, alluring and sparkling in Yuna’s hands, Yang Ling could not help but recall the meal cards he used in college, and bank cards and phonecards. After a moment he said, “Cards that could seal Magical Beasts, let’s call these crystals Magic Hunting Cards!”
Even though the Magic Hunting Cards still had flaws and insufficiencies, their strategic importance was unprecedented!
With the Magic Hunting Cards, he would be able to impart the vast array of Wizard Techniques to those close to him and rapidly boost their abilities. With the Magic Hunting Cards, he would be able to further strengthen the abilities of the hunters and adventurers that pledged loyalty to him, and impart to them beast taming techniques and summoning spells. When the time was right, he could even further impart to them Wizard Techniques and establish his lieges and faction on a larger scale.
Holding the thin Magic Hunting Card between his fingers, Yang Ling knew that there was now an even greater guarantee to his plan of setting up a Hunters Association. Favorable treatment, status higher than an average person’s, detailed and all-encompassing services, as well as Summoner-like abilities; Yang Ling believed that after he set up the Hunters Association, it would act as a powerful allure to the wandering adventurers and hunters. He was sure he would receive their greatest support!