The Thirteen Trials of the Deceptive Monk

However, the path of ultimate magic also has its flaws compared to the path of faith. Under the new system, becoming stronger is no longer as simple as before. Because faith and fear are no longer useful, anyone who wants to become stronger must constantly study the original texts and supplement their knowledge.

Both gods and demons needed time to learn, and the warring factions no longer wanted any connection with each other. Living independent lives in their own worlds was what everyone longed for back then.

Thus, the magician who created the ultimate magic personally wrote down the first "Original Text." This Original Text recorded the secrets of the entire ultimate magic system, dividing the world in two into "outer" and "inner" sides. Gods and monsters built their own secret realms and lived on the inner side, while humans freely multiplied and thrived on the outer side.

From then on, the inner and outer worlds lived in peace, and the world was at harmony.

And the original text was called—

“The Emerald Book,” Velsa said.

Lü Wenjun moved his lips slightly: "So... what if it falls into the hands of some... scheming fellow...?"

"Considering that the Jade Record is the world's first original text and has determined the face of the world today..." Ling Gong said, "If the contents of the original text were altered, the whole world would probably change."

Lu Wenjun nodded slowly and exclaimed, "Honestly, is this something a bunch of stupid college students like us can get involved in!"

“That’s why I said I should run for president,” Faris said, shrugging.

"The very thing that lays the foundation for a new era! The very cornerstone of the entire edifice of magic! Just how arrogant must one be to covet something like this?!"

He finally understood why Merdin had thrown such a tantrum earlier. What a joke! This book was practically the Imperial Seal of the Magical World, a true Imperial Seal that came with its own powerful, de facto army and provisions—getting it meant you could declare yourself emperor on the spot!

You bunch of lousy college students can't even understand your first-year college textbooks, yet you dare to covet the Imperial Seal of the State? If you're not stupid, who is?

Lu Wenjun pressed his throbbing temples, looking weak and listless: "I don't understand why people would believe such rumors... Why would anyone actually think the Imperial Seal of the State is in the university library..."

“You know, it’s actually quite credible,” Faris said. “The Imperial Seal is a symbol of power and influence, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for any great god or demon to have it in their hands. And when it comes to a faction known for its neutrality and teeming with experts… everyone’s first thought would be our Mythic+ Trista.”

"I thought we were just a run-down university."

"Our lousy university doesn't have the resources to store so many books; they would have all been stolen long ago."

Lu Wenjun nodded and then said, "But the timing doesn't match."

"How to say?"

“We all received the news shortly before the start of the semester, so those who wanted to get the Jade Record should have started to show their talents on the train. But in reality, many people on the train were still thinking of keeping it to themselves, and only started to study eagerly on the third day of the semester, which doesn’t make sense.”

Ling Gong's eyes were subtle: "I think it might be because of that..."

Following her gaze, Lü Wenjun saw a boy in a high school uniform sneaking around behind the red and blue ghosts. He whispered, "Interested in the secrets of the Jade Record? I have firsthand information passed down from a senior a hundred years ago. I'll sell it to you for just 100 magic coins..."

Upon hearing this, the red and blue demons became eager to try, but Lu Wenjun rushed over and grabbed the "high school student": "What are you doing, Kano-senpai?!"

Kano waved to him: "Hey, good afternoon, Bunjun!"

"Don't use that disgusting tone! What are you doing, spreading rumors everywhere here?!"

"Because, because, didn't you hear me say a few words yesterday?" Kano crossed his arms. "After thinking it over, I felt that it was too unfair to have a one-sided information gap, so I decided to give one to the other freshmen at a friendly price today as well."

Versa was filled with respect: "This senior is truly fair."

"Fair my foot! This person is obviously just stirring up trouble."

"How can you say that!" Kano's eyebrows shot up. "I'm a yokai, stirring up trouble is my job!"

"You still dare to argue!"

Kano burst into laughter and suddenly vanished dozens of meters away. The Red Oni and Blue Oni brothers hurriedly gave chase: "Kano-senpai, wait for us!"

"If we sell it now, the price will go up."

"I'll pay 300! Buy it now!"

Reiko adjusted her glasses and concluded, "What was initially dubious information has now become true thanks to Kano-senpai's confirmation. As a result, everyone's enthusiasm has exploded today."

"Isn't anyone at this school going to do anything about him?"

“If someone were in charge, there wouldn’t be a thousand-year-old cave.” Ling Gong’s eyes lit up. “More importantly, we need to hurry! If we slow down, others will decipher it first!”

Lu Wenjun said expressionlessly, "Why are you grabbing my arm? Did I agree to go find the original text with you? Why are you dragging me along? Let go of me, I need to eat, I need to study—"

Ling Gong had already dragged him far away. Faris patted Versa on the shoulder: "Are you getting involved?"

Vilsa shook her head: "I'm young, I don't want to get a stupid disease."

·

Lu Wenjun spent an hour with Ling Gong in the library before finally finding a chance to escape. As they left the library, the succubus auntie at the door gave them a disdainful look, as if to say, "You don't know your own limitations and you're too arrogant."

He sat on a roadside bench, his long, slender fingers tapping his temples. After pondering for a while, he placed his left hand on the back of his right.

(Prophet Sheen, please reply upon receipt.)

A brief surge of heat ran across the back of his hand, followed by Sheen's clenched teeth reply: (What! Is! It!?)

(Official business. First, how many people within the organization know about my mission to Trista?)

Upon hearing his tone, Sheen quickly straightened his posture: (This is a mission personally assigned by the King, and no one else knows about it except you and me... Although I am young, I will never leak it!)

Sheen quickly stated his position halfway through his sentence. Lu Wenjun then asked: (Secondly, I'd like to know the level of discussion surrounding the *Jade Record*.)

(Let me adjust the topic's popularity.) A series of keyboard clicks. (At least in the last five hundred years, there hasn't been much change. Most people believe the Jade Record is hidden in the past, while a minority believe it's hidden in the future... These are all old news, is there anything strange about it?)

Lu Wenjun paused for a few seconds, then said: (Our mission has been exposed.)

(What did you say?!) Sheen was startled.

(All the freshmen in my class received news that *The Jade Record* was in the college library. This news was generally given shortly before the start of the semester.) Lü Wenjun said, (The lack of a sudden shift in discussion recently indicates it's not a hot topic. That leaves only one explanation: someone obtained the information in advance and accurately leaked it to all the freshmen in this year's class.)

This was the only possibility he could think of.

What kind of person would think the more people who know a secret, the better? Of course, it's someone planning to fish in troubled waters. If they hide in a pool of muddy waters, their outrageous behavior will no longer be noticeable.

(But... this can't be!) Sheen thought incredulously. (The intelligence the organization spent so long to obtain, how could they...?)

Lu Wenjun interrupted, saying, "(It's already happened, what do you think we should do next?)"

(I'll make the support request for you, right now.) Sheen quickly came to his senses. (No wonder this mission is so urgent; it seems the King really did foresee this.)

Lu Wenjun's heart skipped a beat, and he continued, "(You also find it strange that you haven't moved around for so long, right?)"

(I just finished my prophecy and thought it would be perfectly safe to keep the book at the school. It would be a bit redundant for us to keep it for the school. I didn't expect someone to have such a scheme.) Sheen said angrily, (Agent, you must hold on! This original text is of utmost importance. You have the peace of the whole world on your shoulders!)

(World peace is too far away; having enough to eat and wear is what really matters. Could the organization consider allocating some magic coins for my living expenses?)

(Special Agent!!)

(Okay, okay, I understand. I'll do my best. Your shouting is making me anxious.) Lü Wenjun released his hand. (Keep an eye on things and stay in touch.)

(Go for it! It's up to you!)

Sheen quickly logged off. This guy really doesn't seem to have much experience; he panics easily when something happens...

Lü Wenjun, on the contrary, felt better; after this conversation, he had a clearer understanding of his situation. Judging from Sheen's attitude and response, the organization—at least in this mission—was acting for the sake of overall stability.

Sheen explicitly stated that the theft of the book by agents was out of fear for the original text, and as it turned out, the organization's concerns were not unfounded; there was indeed another party eyeing the original text. This at least shows that he is not a member of any evil organization, and even if he were caught, he would likely not be sentenced to death.

But the agent on whom the organization placed such high hopes turned out to be nothing more than a lousy college student. Is he really in a position to shoulder the responsibility for the peace of this monstrous future world?

Let's take it one step at a time. If things really get complicated, it's better to tell the teacher than to mess around on your own.

Lu Wenjun, being a good-natured person, knew this wasn't something he could worry about, so he simply stopped overthinking it and just treated himself like a clueless fish joining in the fun, just like Erlier and her gang. He moved his left hand away and suddenly froze.

The eye on the back of my right hand has changed today. The second "tear of the gods" under the corner of my eye has already filled halfway.

How come there's an extra half-square?

Yesterday morning I checked and it was still the last space at the end of the train station. How did it suddenly become full today after just one day?

Lu Wenjun found it utterly absurd. According to the prophet Sheen, the Eye of the Living Sacrifice meant "gaining divine power through a victorious sacrifice." He had at least come in first place at the train station, so calling it a victory wouldn't be entirely wrong. But who had he beaten yesterday? Wasn't he just running around and…losing his genitals the whole time…?

Then he remembered the piece of cheese thrown into the blanket, and the magic spider that disintegrated with a "smack".

No, that can't be.

...So, you win if you make the enemy faint from the stench?

Chapter 29: Mutual Integrity Boosting Failed

Lu Wenjun thought about it more and more and it made more sense. After all, Fang Mo and Kano didn't really "fight" yesterday; if we're talking about a real battle, it was only with Polly. If that even counts...

He took out the jade pendant and typed rapidly.

-Lü Wenjun: Urgent! Tell Lieutenant General Faris to return to the teaching building immediately! This is a great thing!

Three seconds later, the jade pendant flashed with a returning light.

- Faris: When a general is in the field, he may disobey some of the military orders.

Lu Wenjun wrote with a heavy heart: "I will also reward the French general with a cup of lemon tea and a pair of egg tarts."

A few minutes later, Faris ran over and said seriously, "Eunuch Lü, where are my provisions?"

"Sit down, sit down. We'll talk about your provisions later," Lü Wenjun said thoughtfully. "I've summoned you here because there's something incredibly important."

"Oh, I'd like to hear your ramblings."

Lu Wenjun tapped his forehead with one hand and said excitedly, "I accidentally awakened the Infinite Upgrade System. I can gain experience by attending classes, answering questions, and sparring with friends. The more I fight, the stronger I become, with experience points rolling in and magic power flowing endlessly. Now I'm recruiting you to be the number one stepping stone after the system awakens. We'll be honest and fair, and we'll split the experience points 30/70. We'll climb straight to the heavens by stepping on each other!"

Faris rested his chin on his hand and nodded slowly.

"I never imagined there was such a ridiculous way to do this. I'm truly impressed."

Lu Wenjun waved his hand and said, "Come on, let's start... let's begin the battle!"

·

Half an hour later, Lü Wenjun sat under a parasol outside the small supermarket, looking worried.

Faris yawned and asked, "What do you mean, Eunuch Lü? How much EXP did you get?"

Lu Wenjun's face was ashen: "I really underestimated you... Your base experience points are probably lower than a slime that gets a fixed 5 experience points."

"Screw you, give me the provisions!"

Lu Wenjun went to the supermarket and bought two egg tarts and a lemon tea, feeling a pang of pain as he looked at the -25 magic coins he'd spent. Faris took a sip of her lemon tea and asked, "So what's going on?"

In the past half hour, the two tried various forms of combat, from traditional mage duels to fighting game competitions and magic flag duels (they won the last few games because Faris let them win). Lu Wenjun won all ten games but made no progress, and the number of tears on the back of his hand did not increase at all.

The only change is that the eyes of the living sacrifice seem to have a hint of disdain, making one want to chop off their hand.

Lu Wenjun had already figured out the "truth" and said with a dark face, "Actually, I just created a new spell yesterday... The materials are some urban legends about mercenaries."

Faris's mind worked quickly: "Are you thinking of taking the spoils of war?"

“Right, mercenaries always get loot after each battle, so I created a spell that restores a small amount of mana after a victory to make up for my mana issues,” Lu Wenjun said. “But after playing 10 games against you, I haven’t gained any mana at all. I’m starting to wonder if I messed up my spell.”

Faris slapped his thigh: "You've come to the right person! Let me tell you, my dad did the exact same thing back in the day. His technique was to add an invisibility effect to every successful lock picking..."

"What exactly was your father's purpose in creating this spell? The activation conditions sound pretty terrible."

"After he finished the spell, he felt invincible. He picked his own lock several times to refresh his buffs and then went to work," Faris recalled. "He ran to the street, found a Mercedes, and started picking the lock."

Lu Wenjun couldn't hold back: "Your dad used magic to steal cars, huh?!"

“My dad was young back then, and he didn’t even verify if the technique was effective. He just stole someone’s car in broad daylight.” Faris shrugged. “In the end, he finally managed to unlock it, and a policewoman came over and handcuffed him. That’s when he realized, ‘Oh, so it’s not invisible after all.’”

"Serves him right! In every sense of the word, he deserves it!"

"That's how my dad and mom met," Faris concluded.

"The way your parents met is so fucking unique, my common sense is already screaming."

"By the way, my mom is a Chinese policewoman, which is why I know a lot about your ancient culture..." Faris pondered. "Strictly speaking, I am a hybrid demon, 50% old BJ, 30% American, and 20% demon."

"With your background, you could practically be considered for a genetic mutation route in a movie," Lü Wenjun said. "So why did your dad's career go wrong?"

Faris, munching on an egg tart, recalled, "My dad tried several times before he figured out the reason. He was good at picking locks in his own house, but that didn't count as 'lock picking' at all, and it didn't meet the requirements. Only by opening an unfamiliar lock, entering an unfamiliar door, and completing the work in that terrifying environment could his technique be successfully activated."

"Your dad is still trying it out despite his wicked intentions? Don't tell me he's still doing it now."

“No, he later switched careers and became a locksmith, and he’s quite popular in our neighborhood,” Faris said. “Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that you’re like my dad was when he was young, needing a policewoman who can handcuff you…”

Lu Wenjun started arm wrestling: "Just you wait, I'm going to fly to America and steal your car when winter break comes."

“Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue. You need an environment where you can get serious.” Faris pointed at him vaguely. “You mean, if a few of us classmates spar, we’ll eat an egg tart if we win and we’ll eat an egg tart if we lose? Isn’t it all the same whether we win or lose? If you really want to win, you have to find a real battle. For example, next week in class, you could pluck one of Merdin’s beard hairs and then bravely escape his curse. Your magic power will definitely increase dramatically!”

"Putting aside what happened with Merdin, I think there's a surprising bit of truth to your nonsense," Lü Wenjun said. "But the reason I created this spell is to stockpile magic power for emergencies. Now I have to find fights to get magic power? What a waste of my time!"

“There are tons of useless procedures, like ‘it can glow in sunlight’ or ‘it can become invisible when not detected.’ Every year, the Golden Chicken Award could produce 20 different ones,” Faris said sincerely. “I think you should go to a news agency right now and submit your article.”

Lu Wenjun said angrily, "Go drink your lemon tea!"

As it turns out, the "Eye of the Living Sacrifice" is not something you can cheat; you have little chance of gaining experience points without fighting hard.