Skills, it seemed, weren’t distinguished by Tiers.

But they could also evolve once their Skill Proficiency reached Level 100.

You couldn’t choose the evolutionary path for a Skill.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t be upgraded through Sacrifice.

So, after a Skill reached Level 201, the speed at which it leveled up slowed considerably.

Lu Cang then looked at the pile to his side: *High Level Cryptography*, *Beastman Language Basics*, *About Demons*, *Demon Classification*...

’Just get to it.’

’I can’t believe this is the result of just eight hours of studying.’

’If I’d been this efficient in my past life, wouldn’t getting into Qingbei have been a piece of cake?’

’Of course, that’s just a thought.’

Now he had focused on learning some new subjects.

He never expected the results to be so significant.

Previously, he had spent most of his time contemplating the Root Source. However, his progress in that area was far slower and less fruitful than when he was learning general knowledge.

He had certainly learned the fundamentals of Magic quickly too.

But he was a Mage, after all. He had already mastered so many spells and trained them to an extremely high Skill Proficiency.

Coupled with Iz’s tutoring and guidance, Lu Cang didn’t have a clear idea of his own aptitude for learning Magic.

He was certainly smarter than the average person.

But his practical experience with Magic and the knowledge in the books also reinforced one another.

But now, seeing the piles of books beside him...

"*Elementary Ritual Introduction*, *Dungeon and Demon Tide Analysis*, *The Language of Beastmen*, *High Level Cryptography*, *Demonology*, *Elf Language*, *Birdsong Science*, *High Level Trapping Art*, *Demon Classification*, *Demon Anatomy*, *Combat Technique School Theory*, *Gona Language*."

’I should be able to read and speak all three languages now.’

’I’ve finished High Level Cryptography and High Level Trapping Art. I should be able to easily spot hidden traps now, and set them too.’

’As for Rituals, Dungeon and Demon Tide Analysis, Demonology, Elf Studies, Birdsong Science, Demon Anatomy, and Demon Classification, I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I understand a great deal. At the very least, I’ve grasped everything the books covered.’

In particular, *Combat Technique School Theory* had deepened Lu Cang’s understanding of Combat Skills considerably.

’It’s already noon.’

He glanced at his pocket watch. It was already twelve o’clock.

Coming out of his state of intense concentration, he realized the library was now bustling with people coming and going.

He had been on alert all night, but nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

"Kumironi, are you in the city?"

Lu Cang called out, but received no response.

’Seems like he’s not here.’

"Obades, are you there?"

...He waited for a moment.

"I am."

A slow, unhurried response echoed in Lu Cang’s mind.

"Brother Shi Tou, where did Kumironi and Chi Cheng go?" Lu Cang asked.

The reply came a moment later.

"Subjugation. Death. Church."

Lu Cang didn’t ask the tactless question of when they would be back. Since they were on official business, there was no need to rush them.

’They’ll come back once the matter is settled.’

’Sigh. I was actually hoping to get Kumironi’s help to advance to a Level 2 Decryption Scholar.’

Lu Cang returned the books to his Space.

These were his own books, so he wasn’t bound by the library’s restrictions.

As he walked out of the library, his body seemed to merge with the wind.

[Source·Body is Law (Tier Four) (Root Source)]

[Effect 1: Magic and the physical body are of the same source. The body can be unleashed as if it were Magic, granting it partial magical properties. The specific properties vary depending on the Magic unleashed.]

[Effect 2: Possess one Source, which can be used to manifest All Laws, sustain effects perpetually, command All Elements, and enhance characteristics. Can imitate any Same-Tier Magic as it is being cast and can store up to three imitated instances of Magic.]

[Effect 3: The Source can be fused with any body and will be difficult to detect.]

This Root Magic was independent.

Lu Cang simultaneously possessed two Root Magics: [Source·All Laws (Tier Three)] and [Source·Body is Law (Tier Four)].

Which meant...

Seven colorful motes of light, each a Source, floated around Lu Cang.

He had eight Sources in total. One remained near Ant Mountain, continuously harvesting souls.

’It’s already noon... I should go check on the shop.’

Today was the day his Magic Staff was supposed to be ready.

Tomorrow, the War God Cup tournament would begin.

’My strongest opponent will probably be that Lu Luwei, the one with 5,000 consecutive wins.’

’But based on the tournament format, the two strongest competitors most likely won’t face each other in the early stages.’

’The seeding is based on arena points, not Level.’

’The two players with the most points will be placed in different brackets.’

’The next two highest will also be put into different groups, and so on.’

’So in the end, it will most likely come down to the strongest fighting the strongest...’

’Limited to participants from the Ruelun Continent...’

’And here I thought it was a worldwide tournament.’

’Then again, that makes sense. If it were a worldwide event, the prize would probably be more than a single Professional Secret Scroll.’

Lu Cang arrived at the Mysterious Magical Items Shop.

Even before he reached the shop, he could see Ai Jin waiting for him at the entrance from a distance.

Ai Jin’s face lit up with a broad smile when he saw Lu Cang arrive.

The boy was a major client and an endearing child; there was nothing not to like about him.

He felt like giving the boy a gift every time he saw him.

"Uncle Ai Jin."

"Ah! Lu Cang! Your Magic Staff is ready!"

"But where’s Iz? How come he didn’t come with you?"

Lu Cang sighed as well. "Master Iz seems to have gone after Meiser. He still hasn’t returned."

The answer startled Ai Jin.

’Chasing Meiser?’

’That notoriously vicious, ultimate villain?’

’That’s a chilling thought.’

’Then again, if it’s Iz, there’s probably nothing to worry about.’

"Well, that can’t be helped. Come with me."