Su Nan did not personally open the two scrolls. Instead, he instructed Vasilian the Death Knight to do so. After all, his non-living, non-dead body was immune to potential traps.
Surprisingly, there were no tricks hidden within the scrolls.
The first scroll contained [The Meditation of the Dead], though it was incomplete, appearing to be a fragment transcribed from a larger tome.
This meditation technique only allowed cultivation to the level of a second-tier wizard apprentice. It didn't even cover the full scope of a first-tier apprentice.
However, this was the first meditation technique Su Nan had ever encountered.
Merely glancing at it caused his spiritual energy and magical power to shift automatically. Within his mental world, unique runes associated with the Meditation of the Dead began forming on their own.
These runes assembled into intricate geometric patterns, not limited to three-dimensional structures but extending into a four-dimensional configuration.
For the first time, Su Nan felt he could truly perceive the mysteries of death. Countless secrets beckoned him, waiting to be explored and unraveled.
This meditation was a remnant of the once-great wizarding civilization from over two millennia ago. Just a single glance revealed its immense depth and the profound legacy it carried.
Yet, alongside this newfound knowledge, a flicker of doubt ignited within Su Nan—doubt about his chosen path.
His potion-based magical system had been born from necessity, crafted in the absence of access to true wizardry. But now, faced with the remnants of a genuine wizarding civilization, Su Nan wondered: should he adapt his methods?
He hated indecision. For Su Nan, choices had to be clear—commit fully or not at all. Straddling two paths often led to ruin, achieving nothing in the end.
Setting aside his thoughts, he turned to the second scroll. It contained a spell model for a magic called [Lesser Breath of Death].
This spell, a simplified version of a first-ring spell, allowed the caster to exhale a deadly breath infused with the essence of death itself.
Any living being exposed to this breath would suffer devastating harm.
If Su Nan could master this spell, it would significantly enhance his combat capabilities.
However, like the meditation technique, the spell model was incomplete, containing only about two-thirds of its full details.
After pondering for a moment, Su Nan understood the reason behind this omission.
Vasilian the Death Knight observed, "Master, this is incredible. These scrolls are unraveling the lies that the church fed me in life. Their control over my mind is breaking further with each revelation."
"Meeting you has been my greatest fortune."
"But, Master," Vasilian continued, his tone cautious, "why would that wizard gift us such seemingly important items? Is this a trap, or is there some hidden flaw in them?"
Su Nan shook his head. "No, these items are genuine. The meditation technique is functional, and the spell model is usable. For someone lacking proper guidance, these are indeed valuable treasures."
"I now understand what he meant when he spoke of a lack of legacy."
Su Nan explained, "In the wizarding world, meditation techniques serve as the tree trunk, while spells are the branches. The two are intertwined. A properly paired spell gains power from its associated meditation technique, reducing its energy cost."
"Moreover, their understanding of magic is more advanced than ours."
"The Forgotten Ones inherited the profound knowledge of the wizarding civilization from over two thousand years ago. They possess a framework of magic refined by their schools' founders—genius wizards who left an indelible mark on history."
"On top of that, their spell systems have been optimized and enhanced over millennia. Their legacy is steeped in unparalleled wisdom and innovation."
Su Nan held up the two scrolls, a cold smile forming on his lips. "The old wizard gave me these treasures not out of goodwill but with a calculated motive."
"These scrolls are like keys, offering a glimpse into another world. But they also ensure I can only see the world through a narrow doorway."
"That world is alluring, yet just out of reach. I'll be consumed by the desire to explore its mysteries, wasting precious time and energy in pursuit of truths I can't fully grasp."
"His goal is to distract me, rendering me ineffective in the short term. He wants me to either remain stagnant or eventually come crawling to him for answers."
"This is the essence of his strategy."
Su Nan chuckled, impressed. "As expected of a wizard. His tactics are leagues ahead of the brute force employed by warlocks and zealots."
"By leaving room for compromise, he ensures our enmity doesn't escalate. He even leaves open the possibility of future cooperation."
"But he underestimates me," Su Nan thought, his gaze steely. "If the Four Seasons Garden is as powerful as I suspect, it now belongs to a stronger wizard—me."
"The one who will compromise won't be me. It'll be him."
Su Nan resolved to quickly advance to the rank of a first-tier wizard apprentice, strengthening his magic to the point where the Forgotten Ones wouldn't dare challenge him.
For now, however, outright confrontation was unwise. The Forgotten Ones had the advantage of operating from the shadows, while Su Nan's position was exposed.
Reversing this dynamic required patience and strategy.
At the same time, Su Nan began formulating plans to expand his magical forces. Five priorities emerged:
1. Strengthening the Werewolf Corps – Enhance existing units and recruit more members.
2. Expanding the Golem Army – Focus on mass-producing gargoyle units with the help of his sculptor, Soren.
3. Advancing Death Knight Research – Push the limits of his Death Knight magic, albeit carefully to avoid overtaxing his resources.
4. Developing General-Use Potions – Create versatile potions like the Sleep Bug and Firefly Series for broader applications.
5. Enhancing Personal Magic – Prioritize potions that directly bolster his own power.
With these priorities in mind, Su Nan turned to his AI companion.
"I need a new unit to provide long-range magical support for my werewolf corps," he instructed.
> [Acknowledged. Based on available data, including the new scrolls and anc
ient texts acquired through merchants, a Tree Guardian potion could be designed for this purpose.]
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