Chapter 267: Chapter 165: Bright Forbidden Technique·Celestial Punishment Purification

When it came to morals, Lu Cang had some semblance of a moral code.

But when it came to the conduct of gentlemen versus villains, Lu Cang admitted he was no true gentleman.

In truth, Lu Cang didn’t think what he was doing was right...

He just knew full well that his actions were wrong, yet he carried them out with unwavering resolve.

’I got past this Restriction with my own abilities.’

’You’re lucky I’m not taking anything. What’s the harm in taking a look?’

’Restrictions are set up to keep people out and protect important things in the first place.’

’If I just followed the rules...’

’Wouldn’t this Talent of mine for breaking Restrictions have been awakened for nothing?’

Lu Cang "borrowed" with a clear conscience, having long since shed any psychological burden.

The Copy Paper touched the page of the book.

Because he had already broken the Restriction on the book, its contents could now be copied directly.

Lu Cang copied the book’s contents page by page, and the copies soon piled up into a new volume.

Then, he turned to the next book.

*Holy Light Spell: Purification of Original Sin*.

’Mhm, borrowed.’

*Punishment Light Spell: Prayer of Sinful Fire*.

’Mhm, borrowed this one for a look too.’

*Holy War Light Stream*. ’A Light Element Combat Skill School, nice... Borrowed.’

*Celestial Creature Summoning Magic*.

’Oh?’

’That sounds pretty good.’ The Summoning Technique for Void Creatures had brought Lu Cang a lot of satisfaction, and he had even deliberately searched for other Summoning Magic afterward.

But he discovered that Summoning Techniques in this world were pitifully few.

Lorentz Magic Academy only had a Flame Element Summoning Technique and a Water Element Summoning Technique. It didn’t even have other similar techniques like Earth and Stone Element Summoning, or Summoning Techniques for wind, thunder, and other Elements.

In the end, Lu Cang had to create the remaining few Element Summoning techniques himself, based on the ones for Flame and Water.

However, these Summoning Techniques were completely different from true Summoning Techniques.

They were just Element manipulation disguised as Summoning.

Only after he later performed an Ascension on these spells, turning them into Beyond Magic, could they finally be considered true Element Summoning Techniques.

Before that, it was just summoning a lump of burning Flame Element and controlling it to attack enemies. That was basically remote-controlled Flame, not Summoning at all.

’To think I’d find another Summoning Magic book here.’

’As expected, all this hidden stuff is top-quality. The Light Church’s Forbidden Hall really is full of good things.’

After quickly copying these books one by one, Lu Cang returned them to their original positions, untouched.

The Restrictions remained as they were.

Nothing was broken, and no abnormalities were triggered.

Lu Cang came quietly and left quietly... without taking a single item.

...

Recalling the experience, Lu Cang couldn’t help but feel a thrill.

’Fortune really does favor the bold.’

Lu Cang felt this was probably the biggest risk he had proactively taken since coming to this world.

Before deciding to break into the Forbidden Hall, Lu Cang had already cased the joint for two straight days.

He confirmed that no Observers were monitoring it around the clock.

After undoing the Restriction, he swept his Perception through the entire Forbidden Hall, carefully checking every nook and cranny. He also confirmed there were no other traps or Magic Tools that could detect his presence.

Only after repeated probing did Lu Cang finally make such a risky move.

Currently, only a Level 7 Reincarnator could instantly threaten his life.

Even against a Level 6, Lu Cang estimated he could hold his own for a bit and escape.

"Still, the haul was pretty good..."

’These Magic Books feel much more powerful than the Ordinary Magic available outside.’

’Even Magic of the Same Tier has its own rankings.’

’Even at the same tier, some Magic can destroy the heavens and the earth, while others are as useful as a fart.’

Lu Cang was full of anticipation, especially for the grimoire called a Forbidden Technique.

’I hope it’s a spell.’

...

「Lorentz Magic Academy」

Iz spent more time at the academy than at home, so Lu Cang often came here to find him.

"Oh..."

"So, what you’re trying to say is... you just happened to find these copies of top-secret grimoires from the Light Church on the side of the road."

Iz said in a calm tone, holding a stack of manuscripts on Copy Paper.

’Er, that excuse does seem a little lame.’

’Iz could actually tell where this Magic came from.’

’Then again, Iz’s knowledge of Magic is far greater than the average person’s.’

’I should have come up with a better excuse.’

Lu Cang felt he couldn’t hide it any longer and decided to come clean.

"Iz..."

Izparut asked, "So, in other words, you went to steal Magic Books, too."

Lu Cang’s words died in his throat.

In their place was another question: "What do you mean, ’too’?"

He looked up to see a faint, appreciative smile on Iz’s face—the expression of a master who found his student teachable.

"As expected of my student, to be able to ’borrow’ the secret grimoires of the Light Church."

"Back in my day, even I only managed to ’borrow’ the original texts from the Cold Church and take a little ’peek’ at the Ruijia Kingdom’s Secret Techniques."

"Those secret grimoires of the Light Church... they hide them way too well."

For a moment, Lu Cang was at a loss for words...

’Is this something to be proud of?’

Iz suddenly asked, "Lu Cang, what is the creed of a Mage?"

"To seek... the Root Source?"

’Isn’t that common knowledge? Why is he suddenly asking this...’

’Oh... I get it now.’

Iz continued, "Correct. We are steadfastly walking the path of our creed, doing whatever it takes in our quest for the Root Source."

"Well done. You have upheld the creed of a Mage admirably."

Lu Cang was utterly shocked.

’So you can explain it from that angle?’

At the same time, in Lu Cang’s mind, Iz’s moral standing dropped a few notches.