Xiao Ning took out all the silver bullets and discovered three final items in the box: a silver box the size of a cigarette case, a half stick of chalk, and a silver ring. The faint spiritual aura he had sensed earlier was emanating from these three items.
There was a cautionary note in his grimoire:
"Unknown extraordinary items should not be tested carelessly."
No one knew what might happen if some strange item was activated by spiritual energy. Just like that pendant watch brought by a wealthy girl, which almost absorbed his spiritual energy and released unknown powers.
Fire, frost, poison, petrification, curses, blessings... among these unknown possibilities, death accounted for a full ninety percent!
The most prudent approach was to identify their functions.
Anything extraordinary must be recorded. Any extraordinary item from ancient times would have some trace in history.
Although he didn’t have a chronicle of darkness, he did have the Comprehensive Guide to Alchemical Engineering.
Xiao Ning opened his grimoire again and found, to his surprise, the chalk's description in the alchemy section under golden items and consumables.
"Passage Chalk"
"Grade: Legendary"
"Usage: Draw a dashed line door with the chalk and push it open!"
...
Golden legend!
Xiao Ning carefully picked up the half stick of chalk, his fingers trembling slightly. This was a legendary item capable of distorting space! Unfortunately, it seemed it could only be used a few more times. But if he only drew small doorways, it might last longer!
Xiao Ning praised himself for his cleverness!
The remaining two items were clearly not alchemical tools. In fact, he found the silver box's description in the combat enhancement section of engineering.
It was an ancient mechanical trap, activated by injecting spiritual energy, ready to trigger.
As for the silver ring, he couldn’t find any description.
This was the most troublesome part: extraordinary items not documented in his books.
Xiao Ning picked up the ring and examined it closely. It was a very common silver ring with no decorations on the surface and no engravings inside. It looked very ordinary...
Its spiritual fluctuation was minimal, barely detectable without his sensing ability.
Xiao Ning thought for a moment. "An item worn on your finger surely wouldn’t have a self-destructive function..."
The spiritual fluctuation was so small that it didn't seem capable of releasing a large destructive spell.
After some consideration, Xiao Ning put the ring on his index finger and raised his hand toward the shop door, leaning back slightly.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
As he injected spiritual energy into the ring, he instinctively leaned his head back.
It seemed nothing happened...
Yet he felt something in his palm, making him instinctively grasp it.
Xiao Ning turned to look.
He saw his fingers closed as if holding something.
Slowly bringing his hand back, he squinted.
The air seemed to be slightly distorted?
Unable to see anything with the naked eye, he activated his perception state.
With the dimming light, the mysterious object in his hand began to reveal itself.
It was an invisible, intangible blade!
Amazed, Xiao Ning gripped the barely perceptible invisible blade with both hands.
This was a genuine extraordinary weapon!
Since it had no weight, it had no feel, and its distance could only be sensed through that faint spiritual connection.
Xiao Ning lightly swung it at the nearby counter, intending to test its sharpness by cutting off a corner. To his surprise, he ended up slicing the entire counter in half.
"......"
Hmm, it required specialized practice to use proficiently.
Or maybe it should be used while in a sensing state.
Xiao Ning slowly sorted through his findings for the day.
A feeling of invincibility washed over him, like a newly created character with max-level gear.
Yes, despite some minor surprises.
After packing up, Xiao Ning looked at the bisected counter.
...
With sufficient aces up his sleeve, he could finally focus on his training with peace of mind. The following days were spent meditating day after day.
August 23: Meditation; slight spiritual increase.
August 24: Meditation; slight spiritual increase.
August 25: Fina visited, opened shop.
August 26: Meditation; slight spiritual increase.
August 27: Meditation; slight spiritual increase.
August 28: Fina came to discuss travel plans.
August 29: Half-day meditation, packed luggage.
On the last night, Xiao Ning held the pocket watch, preparing to test his meditation results.
As the colors in his eyes gradually faded, he entered a sensing state, observing everything around him with a detached gaze.
The hazy moonlight fell before him, and the dim shop reflected thousands of versions of himself in numerous mirrors.
The quietness of Crow Town at night was serene. Whether because his father had cleaned up the place or it was the norm in the real world, there weren’t as many extraordinary phenomena as he had imagined.
In this calm analysis, time ticked away, and the duration of this ability amazed even him.
Focused meditation had indeed significantly enhanced his spiritual power.
When his mind was finally exhausted, he pressed the stopwatch, clutching his aching head.
21 minutes and 11 seconds...
Compared to his initial awakening, the duration had increased fivefold.
But spiritual power was not just the energy needed to activate extraordinary abilities; it was also the fuel for various extraordinary items. He still had a long way to go.
A qualified extraordinary individual should have started meditating from a young age to train their spiritual power.
His current progress only meant he was slowly becoming a qualified extraordinary individual.
No room for arrogance or complacency...
With this realization, Xiao Ning closed his eyes again, using meditation instead of sleep.
...
Morning of August 30...
Xiao Ning yawned, waking up on time.
His body, unmoved all night, felt a bit sore.
He glanced at the clock on the wall.
7:13...
Slightly later than usual, probably because he had exhausted his spiritual energy last night, making him sleep a bit longer.
"No problem, there's still time..."
Muttering, Xiao Ning quickly got up to wash and change into his travel clothes.
His luggage was ready from yesterday, now he needed to check a few things.
Lighting the pipes, checking doors and windows, and most importantly, the basement...
Although Fina’s family would look after the shop while he was gone, he still needed to ensure safety measures were in place.
He had to make sure no one, like a thief, could enter that place.
Activating the mechanisms, Xiao Ning pushed hard, confirming the hidden door was securely locked before moving the bookshelf over for the first layer of defense.
Then he locked the study door.
He had done all he could for security, leaving the rest to the neighborhood's safety, Fina’s parents’ care, and the low crime rate the police had promoted in recent years.
Before leaving, wearing a brown trench coat and carrying a suitcase, Xiao Ning took one last look back.
If he had the chance, he would definitely move this laboratory in the future.
Opening the shop door, he smiled at Fina waiting at the entrance.
"Let's go."