Chapter 411 - 408: How Many People Has "Association Secret History" Duped?

Chapter 411: Chapter 408: How Many People Has "Association Secret History" Duped?

Hilbert and Frank took the sudden appearance of a new Magic Pattern on the Magic Pattern Scroll very seriously. They couldn’t shake the feeling that the text was an allusion to them.

Without delay, the two of them grabbed the Scroll and left the records room, heading to the administrator’s office for this Sub-Secret Realm.

The archives administrator for this Sub-Secret Realm was a bald man of Chinese descent. After listening to their explanation, he carefully inspected the Magic Pattern Scroll from top to bottom.

He then took out a special pen and tapped it on the side of his desk. A Magic Pattern Scroll that looked completely identical appeared before them.

He opened the Scroll and looked directly at the end, discovering that this copy did not have that line of text.

"Mister Administrator, have you ever seen a situation like this?"

"Never!"

The bald man sat down at his desk, scratching his head and frowning at the final Magic Pattern.

"Although it looks like it’s from the same batch of Magic Pattern Scrolls, these aren’t regular published books. They don’t have edition numbers or dates, so it’s hard to say what the origin of this particular Scroll is."

Looking at Hilbert and Frank standing by the desk, the administrator thought for a moment and said,

"After all, we aren’t true Magic Controllers. For us, trying to directly read these records, which contain the power of incredible Techniques, is like trying to see through a fog."

"Besides, while I may be the administrator for this section, I only started half a year ago. Even if you gave me another ten years, I wouldn’t dare claim to have a complete understanding of this material. According to some of the seniors..."

The administrator paused to recall something. Seemingly deciding there were no confidentiality rules against it, he continued speaking to the two men, whose curiosity he had already piqued.

"According to some seniors, the Association’s source of Magic Pattern knowledge is very mysterious. In addition to the compiled progress from the major research divisions, it also includes ancient Magic Patterns and Magic Patterns from the Otherworld. It’s said that some Magic Pattern Scrolls contain special power themselves. They..."

At this point, he instinctively lowered his voice and pointed to the special Magic Pattern Scroll on the desk.

"They’re alive!"

It was hard to say if the administrator’s senior had been joking with him or if this was a genuine belief. In any case, the administrator now felt there was some credibility to it, so his tone was very serious.

"As for why it didn’t change before, it’s likely related to the reader. By the way, what did you two do?"

The bald man’s curiosity was piqued as well.

"We didn’t do anything special. We just discussed how to awaken Magic Power and, at most, shared some of our experiences on the topic," Frank replied.

"I see, that’s pretty much what everyone does. Huh!" "Huh!"

Just as he was muttering, the administrator and the other two men noticed that the last line of text on the special Magic Pattern Scroll was gradually fading.

Just a few seconds later, it was gone without a trace. If they hadn’t all seen it, they would never have been able to tell this Scroll was anything special.

"Good thing we showed it to you. Otherwise, you definitely wouldn’t have believed us..." Frank said instinctively.

"Yeah..." the administrator replied, just as instinctively.

After leaving the administrator’s office, the two of them continued their research for a while longer before departing.

These days, members of Dawn, aside from new recruits, rarely had long periods for quiet study. They might get one or two such opportunities a week, with the rest of their time spent traversing dangerous zones around the world.

Frank’s work was more administrative, so his situation was a bit better. Hilbert’s status meant he could have easily stayed in the rear, but he chose to put pressure on himself and remain active on the front lines.

As they parted ways, they agreed to get together again to research a breakthrough.

As the saying goes, words spoken without thought are sometimes taken to heart. Hilbert kept the archives administrator’s words in mind.

He and Frank truly hadn’t done anything special, but there had to be a reasonable explanation for why the text had appeared on the Scroll.

The most fitting one was likely the fact that he was the sole direct bloodline heir of the Chakus Clan.

...

「One day later, in the United Kingdom」 A heavily modified car sped toward Nottingham.

The driver was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Celestial Travel Association. With his superb reflexes, he drove the vehicle as if it had wings.

He didn’t just tear down the highway; he would occasionally veer into overgrown forests or grasslands, off-roading with ease. The car traversed places that looked difficult to even walk through.

The car’s spacious rear had two rows of simple seats.

Hilbert was in the passenger seat, while the two rows behind him were filled with six young people, their faces etched with nervousness.

Hilbert took a final drag from his cigarette. After looking around the car and finding no ashtray or trash can, he hesitated for a moment before snuffing the cigarette butt out with his fingers and flicking it out the window.

"Three days ago, during a patrol, the British Army garrison in Nottingham discovered several strange humans. They fled the moment they saw the soldiers and were incredibly fast. After they were killed, signs of parasites were found on their bodies."

Hilbert turned his head, explaining the situation in as calm a tone as he could manage.

"We need to enter the Nottingham civilian refuge to help find any other hosts. When we get there, do your best to follow my and Zhao’s instructions."

After speaking, he exchanged a glance with the driver, whose eyes held a similar look of resignation.

For the six rookies, this was their first combat mission. But for Hilbert and Zhao Kai, these rookies were part of *their* mission.

But it couldn’t be helped. Dawn’s personnel were all incredibly valuable. During the experience-building phase, babysitters were a must.

After all, not every rookie graduated from the Hell mode of the Silent Knight Training Camp. Most new recruits these days used Magic Potions to rapidly enhance their physical fitness after basic training.

They were severely lacking in both control over their own power and actual combat experience.

This was the first time either Hilbert or Zhao Kai had played "babysitter." Although it was a recognition of their experience and strength, they couldn’t help but feel a little pressure.

Unbeknownst to anyone inside, there were actually two other individuals on the car.

It was none other than Qin Xiaoxia, who was sitting on the roof enjoying the breeze, and the Holy Spirit, seated obediently beside him.

They could hear the entire conversation inside the car, but the people within couldn’t sense their presence above.

"Master Sage, is the bloodline power of the Chakus Clan so important to the Association? Does it require you to personally help him from behind the scenes?"

The Holy Spirit asked with some curiosity, looking at Qin Xiaoxia, who seemed to be resting with his eyes closed.

The latter glanced at it and smiled.

"What would you think if I told you that Hilbert has almost no bloodline power left in him?"

The Holy Spirit’s glowing face was unreadable, but it was clearly stunned for a moment before a look of realization dawned.

"You mean that after centuries of Magic Power depletion, with multiple generations of the direct line failing to awaken their Magic Power, the Chakus Clan’s bloodline inheritance has been nearly exhausted? So Hilbert himself actually has little hope of awakening his bloodline power?"

Then the Holy Spirit continued, as if talking to itself.

"No wonder Hilbert’s father died in a confrontation with a Demon right before returning to the Association. Although the Chakus Clan’s genes still possess a certain divinity, they aren’t Transcendents anymore. No wonder. If he were a true Baron Lion Heart, how could he have fallen so easily... What a pity..."

Qin Xiaoxia’s mouth twitched subtly. ’I haven’t even explained anything, and your version is already more complete than I imagined.’

"Shadow, have you read the *Association Secret History*?"

The Holy Spirit grew solemn.

"Yes, Master Sage! I’ve read it no less than ten times!"

"..."

This series of Magic Pattern Scrolls was actually written by "Count" Zhong Bolun, an editor at the publishing house, along with a few other fanatical editors. They had consulted countless known sources and injected a great deal of their own personal, emotional flair into the writing.

In essence, it was like an alternative version of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.

Although the author had long ago noted that parts concerning ancient history were his own additions due to a lack of verifiable sources, it seemed many in the Association paid this no mind. This was especially true since the Magic Pattern Scroll series was continuously being updated to include major subsequent events and noteworthy incidents of the new Dawn.

As a result, a considerable portion of the Association now believed that the *Association Secret History* was highly credible.

Every time new content was added, Zhong Bolun would present it to the Master Sage for review, so Qin Xiaoxia naturally knew what was written inside.

He just never expected... that even the Holy Spirit was a fan of the series!

Qin Xiaoxia suddenly felt it might be necessary to adjust his plan based on this new information.

"Alright... it’s more or less as you think. Saves me the trouble of explaining."

Hearing that its speculation was correct, the Holy Spirit felt a sense of satisfaction, but a new question quickly arose.

"Master Sage, since Hilbert’s bloodline power is so diluted, and he already overdrafted his bloodline’s potential before the Old Baron’s coffin, why do you still..."

"Why do I still give him hope, and why did I make this special trip?"

Qin Xiaoxia turned his head to look ahead, the roadside vegetation receding rapidly.

"The Association has a long history of studying human Spiritual Power. In this respect, it might be a blank slate in many Otherworlds. At the very least, the Magic Pattern knowledge obtainable through conventional means doesn’t include it. The people of the Chakus Family all possess a certain potential—the spirit of the Oath that symbolizes Dawn."

"The true Baron Lion Heart didn’t exist from the very beginning. Since the first one could appear, there’s no reason Hilbert can’t become the next one!"

Thinking of this, Qin Xiaoxia extended his right hand. Dots of light gathered in his palm, eventually forming a blurry, humanoid shape.

"The stable geometric structure of a Spiritual Technique is still missing its most crucial variable. Hilbert is a suitable candidate for observation."

Transmitting thoughts could draw inspiration from the Magical Quantum Realm, which combines Magic Pattern Technique and technology. However, forming a mature Thought Body still requires more development. Otherwise, a Thought Body that can only be barely maintained within a Secret Realm is not very meaningful.

PS: First Chapter for Wednesday.