Book 3: Chapter 284: Advancement to Fifth Tier ’Secret Word·Luminous Moon’

Merging Aspects and forging a new core is like performing a massive surgery on one's own Fate Plate. The process is extremely dangerous, and the slightest misstep could lead to backlash, injury, or even death.

Fortunately, over tens of thousands of years, as sages of various races continuously explored, the problems that might arise during advancement have accumulated countless precedents and experiences. Nowadays, few people attempt those highly risky primitive advancement secret methods, and most choose already-verified paths.

The larger the organization, the more experience it accumulates in focused professions and Paths, allowing it to provide more assistance during training and advancement and avoid accidents—something wild mages and scattered small organizations could hardly imagine.

After preparations were complete, Sylutia first notified the academy and the Named One, His Majesty, then officially began her advancement.

The first step was to accumulate the power of the 'Luminous Moon' Aspect to the peak of the Fourth Tier. For others, this process would take considerable time, but for Sylutia, it was much simpler. Since she no longer needed to worry about her identity, the methods available to her were extraordinarily diverse.

Earlier, while in the Hidden Grove, she had accumulated quite a few 'Bright Flame Cornflowers.' Using them in the [Purity Ritual · Bathing in Moonlight] (Luminous Moon·Bloodline·Verdant Nectar) inherited from the 'Silver Radiance Church,' she could leverage the purifying properties of moonlight and 'Bright Flame Cornflower' to cleanse her bloodline, enhance her physical qualities, and slightly elevate her 'Luminous Moon' Aspect.

After doing this several times, she neared the peak of the Fourth Tier.

With the Aspect's power accumulation complete, the next step was constructing a new Core Card, much like when she had constructed 'Autumn Garden' and 'Astronomical Clock Chapter Page' before. However, this time she was constructing the 'Moon Clock.'

The process and difficulty were considerably higher than the previous two times, but Sylutia was also far more skilled and refined than in the past. The process went smoothly without incident. After constructing the basic outline of the Core Card, she slowly integrated the 'Origin Moon Clock' she had forged into the Core Card, then embedded it into her Fate Plate—one of the two most dangerous steps on the path to the Fifth Tier.

In ancient times, wizards advancing would forcibly split open their Fate Plates in a near-self-mutilating manner, creating cracks, then insert the Core Card into the fissure, and finally let it slowly heal. This archaic method caused a third of members to die on the spot during advancement.

Fortunately, the methods available now were far gentler and more sophisticated. Sylutia's mind turned, and her Fate Plate gradually began to change. Like building blocks in a puzzle, small cubes slowly shifted, moving only a tiny piece at a time. But with each transformation, the entire Fate Plate expanded by a ring, and a new empty slot appeared on the side of the Fate Card.

Then, that brand-new silver-blue [Origin Moon Clock] slowly sank into place, finally fusing perfectly with the Fate Plate. Fine patterns spread like threads, ultimately becoming one seamless whole.

After completing this step, Sylutia released the 'Secret Word' Aspect she had been suppressing, driving the transformation of the 'Astronomical Clock Chapter Page' on the other side, causing it to break free from the realm of book pages, then reshape into a physical 'Astronomical Clock,' before advancing it to the 'Fifth Tier' state.

At this moment, the 'Astronomical Clock' and 'Moon Clock' on either side of the Fate Card formed a perfect equilibrium. Their powers surged toward the central Fate Card, where 'Secret Word' and 'Luminous Moon' intertwined. The original imagery within the Fate Card also transformed into a brilliant silver-purple vortex, spinning endlessly.

The most critical moment had arrived. If she failed to fuse the two powers now, the backlash would deliver a massive impact and damage to the Fate Card. At best, she would lose half her life and drop in rank; at worst, she would die on the spot.

Within the ritual magic array, Sylutia knelt on the ground, palms pressed together, eyes closed in prayer. Six candles surrounded the array—three silver and three purple—currently emanating a penetrating glow. Their flickering flames appeared exceptionally bright and dazzling, radiating halos.

The 'Book-Scent Incense Candle' made from violet eggplant leaves and the 'Moon-Dream Candle' made from 'silver wax tree leaves' gently adjusted the balance between 'Secret Word' and 'Luminous Moon' within the array. When one side grew weaker, the corresponding candle would strengthen it, while the other matching candle would actively dim its glow, reducing its contribution, drawing them toward equilibrium.

And so, time slowly passed. Within Sylutia's consciousness, countless pieces of information surged like ocean tides. All the knowledge, history, experiences, and insights she had studied and understood radiated a faint 'Secret Word' Aspect, then converged into fine, pale-purple, light-white threads and fibers.

These threads and fibers continuously interwove and braided, and one by one, tough, thick scrolls gradually took shape. At this moment, the power of 'Luminous Moon' manifested, like moonlight from the heavens washing down and condensing, transforming into silver handwriting that clearly inscribed upon the scrolls, sketching out exquisite pictures and characters—revealing the creatures, dynasties, and histories of ancient times.

The scrolls at the front gathered one by one, then were bound into a thick tome. When it solidified, the image of that thick book first appeared in the center of the Fate Card, followed by the silhouette of a young woman. She gently held the book to her chest. A headband woven from silver wax tree leaves adorned her forehead, and behind her stood row upon row of towering bookshelves, encircling and guarding her.

Name: Sylutia Meizhalansi

Race: Human (※※※)

Status: Normal (No abnormalities)

Talents: Star [Unknown Tier], Cornflower's Affection [Perfect], Luminous Moon's Favor [Legendary]

Fate Card: [Ancient Scholar Maiden] (Fifth Tier·Secret Word·Luminous Moon)

"One who explores ancient knowledge and ruins, knows the past, and enlightens the future—a scholar."

- Effect [Discernment Eyes Lv.7]: Derived from innate talent and physique. She can perceive the seven colors imperceptible to ordinary people, as well as the inner essence of things. (When she raises the tier of her Fate Card, this ability also receives a synchronized enhancement.)

- Effect [Knowledge Integration Lv.4]: She can organize and integrate the vast information stored in her mind on a subconscious level, providing assistance in solving problems. (She can swiftly recall knowledge stored in her memory, avoiding omissions, and easily cross-reference and verify.)

- Effect [Spell Mastery Lv.5]: She has already comprehended the principles of spells and can cast any spell without being restricted by rune chapter pages. (Spell power +4, Casting speed +4.)

- Effect [Eyes of Countless Hearts and Words]: Her eyes reflect her inner self. The countless lives of the past converge into magnificent colors, as if a thousand words and ten thousand tales are being told, drawing people in irresistibly.

(Her eyes possess an extraordinary charm.)

- Effect [Bloodline Advancement]: Having stepped into the Fifth Tier, all her abilities have been comprehensively enhanced, and she can be exempt from the effects of many low-tier abilities.

- Progression Path [Clockmaker Lv.6]: A special progression path that fuses the specialties of the Mithril Clock School and the Origin Hourglass School. Enhances memory, tempers the spirit, and allows the casting of special clock-disk spells. (Mnemonic Method·Meditation Method)

Core Cards:

[Astronomical Clock] [Secret Word]

The Astronomical Clock forged in the past has been sublimated. It can manifest in life and combat, providing her with assistance.

- Effect [Casting Enhancement]: When casting specific spells, gains a powerful amplification effect. (Knowledge "Star Palace" and "Time" related spell power +5.)

- Effect [Mithril Astronomical Clock]: She can harness the power of the Astronomical Clock to perceive true time, and gain the effects of accelerated thinking and accelerated action.

[Moon Clock] [Luminous Moon]

Gathering the remnant radiance of the ancient moon into crystallized essence, adorning her twelve lunar phases, and exploring the mysteries of ancient times.

- Effect [Casting Enhancement]: When casting specific spells, gains a powerful amplification effect. (Lost "Moon" and "Time" related spell power +5.)

- Effect [Origin Moon Clock]: She can harness the power of the Moon Clock to reproduce the past history of objects, see scenes from bygone days, and fill in those lost fragments of information.

Ability Cards: [Star Prayer Meditation Method Lv.7] [Breathing Technique Lv.7] [Clockwork Engraving Lv.5] [Empty Slot] [Empty Slot]