Sorcerer’s Handbook

Dozens of meters away in the darkness, rustling sounds continuously emerged, occasionally mixed with crisp crunching noises, reminding Dilo Ge of her favorite dish-Rice Roll.

She had grown up in the Dust Tribulation Fire district of the Tribulation Fire Chapel. The Dust Tribulation Fire controlled a vast area of Gray Fox farms, with 50% of Senlo wasteland's food supply coming from these farms. With such abundant food resources, culinary efforts naturally flourished. Dilo Ge's top three gourmet recommendations included the deep-fried dough called "fried ghost" and the steamed rice batter known as "rice noodle roll." Combining a fried ghost inside a rice noodle roll created her beloved Rice Roll.

The rice noodle roll soaked in soy sauce exuded a fresh aroma while the skin remained as smooth as milk. The fried ghost was crisp and sweet. Chewing slowly, the fragrance of the fried dough filled the mouth. Eating the Rice Roll, one would first feel the smooth skin almost kissing the lips, followed by the salty flavor of soy sauce awakening the entire palate, and then the crispy fried ghost bursting between the teeth, its sweet taste seeping into every crevice.

Every morning, Dilo Ge loved to start her day with a serving of Rice Roll. Even after returning from the disorienting Virtual Realm, it felt like this carbohydrate delight was what brought her back to the dusty reality of the wasteland. Even after trying various other expensive and rare delicacies, she still craved a plate of Rice Roll the most.

However, the noises coming from the darkness were not from someone eating Rice Roll.

It was the Green Beast gnawing on bones and sucking marrow.

Tens of thousands of discarded corpses had attracted countless herds of Green Beasts. They dared not approach during the day, only daring to dig up these bodies at night to feed on the flesh, tendons, organs, bones… even the blood-soaked sand, as if their insatiable hunger had dried up all their sanity.

It was only because so many had died this time that they couldn't finish eating in just two days.

Had it been only a few dozen people, the ground would be licked clean by the next day.

Constructed by thousands of Earth spell and Senlo sorcerers working together, they forged the colossal Vine Giant City from blood-stained corpses and vines!

Among the builders, not a single necromancer was present; the reason the walls were covered in corpses was purely due to using materials readily available-just three days ago, this area was under the control of the Qinyi Alliance. However, the Four Pillars Cult suddenly launched a full-scale attack, disregarding all other battle lines, concentrating all forces here. Even the legendary sorcerer, the Pope of Annihilation, Oreyva, joined the fray, slaughtering the thirty thousand-strong sorcerer army of the Qinyi Alliance, turning the area into a river of blood with corpses strewn all around!

Dilo Ge took a deep breath, the pungent stench of decay filling the air, even causing a slight itch in her throat. She gulped, turning to open a glass bottle on the table and drinking deeply from the blood-red wine inside.

Tribulation Fire disciples could hardly enjoy life, with delicacies being the limit, and alcohol strictly forbidden. Dilo Ge had never cared much for alcohol, but after joining the Four Pillars Cult, she found herself unable to put down the bottle.

However, as a physical sorcerer, sobering up was just a thought away for her, so it didn't really matter. She even summoned a 'spirit of indulgence' that made her more attractive the more she drank.

Nevertheless, she refrained from drinking while at work. The Four Pillars Cult had no taboos, but negligence on the job was punishable by death. Everyone knew that the High Seat could possess any disciple at any moment to check if their work was satisfactory. Who would dare slack off under such circumstances?

Yet this bottle of wine was truly exceptional, making Dilo Ge feel her spirit of indulgence scratching at her heart. Moreover, with recent fierce battles, although the Qinyi Alliance suffered heavy casualties, weren't there also countless bodies of Four Pillars Cult members within those blood-stained city walls?

Thinking she might die tomorrow made the prospect of a performance review by the High Seat seem less daunting. Dilo Ge sipped her wine, her gaze unfocused, and pulled a black crystal from her pocket, rubbing its oily surface, lost in thought.

Suddenly, her consciousness blurred.

When she came to, she found herself tightly embraced, unable to move. She tried to scream for help, but only managed a mosquito-like whisper: "An~ attack~"

Spirit of Flashing Fire!

Since she was on guard duty, she naturally had the ability to raise alarms! This spirit could shoot a blinding white flame visible even a hundred meters away, potentially blinding those nearby.

However, the white flame exploded in her face before it could launch! Even as the master of the Flashing Fire spirit, the bright light made her eyes tear up.

Mental control!

Sanctuary!

Dilo Ge, battle-hardened, immediately realized she was trapped in a Sanctuary. A Sanctuary could protect one as well as confine others.

A chill went through her as she realized she was in a dire situation, being just a silver sorcerer, yet targeted by a sanctuary sorcerer!

Seconds later, her vision cleared and she looked up to see three men, one woman, one beast, and a black raven staring at her. She turned her head back and saw a pale and beautiful young girl holding her, not only incredibly strong but also unnaturally cold to the touch, and the strong smell of decay invaded her nostrils.

In a flash, Dilo Ge knew who these people were: "The Undying Gospel, Ashe?"

"Although that's not really what I wanted to ask," Ashe crouched down curiously. "But why is my title the Undying Gospel?"

"Because you escaped from the Dead City," Dilo Ge replied. "The High Seat commanded that if we encounter the undead Ashe, we are to abandon our missions and flee."

"But I wasn't the only one who escaped."

"I'm not sure, but it seems everyone thinks you led the others out of the Dead City, and since we've never been able to catch you, and you were previously considered the First Gospel, that's why they call you the Undying Gospel."

Igor added, "Alright, let's get to the point-"

"What are their titles?" Ashe inquired.

Dilo Ge thought for a moment: "Ghost knight Harvey, Fire of Wrath Chikara, Rebel Star Gwen, Raven Annihilation, and…" She glanced at Igor.

Ashe chuckled: "What, is his nickname that bad?"

"No, Mr. Bukin's nickname is, Gospel Keeper Igor."

Gwen turned her head away, covering her mouth, and Chikara immediately clamped his hand over his mouth, but his laughter seemed to leak from the corners of his eyes; even Harvey, usually stoic, couldn't help but bite his thumb, showing a hint of a smile; only Igor and the black raven appeared unamused.

Ashe's expression fell.

Damn, he was called the Undying Gospel, and Igor was called the Gospel Keeper, which basically suggested Igor was keeping him like a pet! Although it had been the case recently, this was tantamount to being treated like a pet!

"This is Mercury Trojan Horse trying to sow discord," Igor's words seemed rational, but his voice was laced with a playful tone, stretching out the syllables. "You wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Of course not. Mercury Trojan Horse's understanding is too shallow. In my heart, we're already like father and son. I've always considered myself your dad," Ashe said, patting Igor's shoulder.

Since Blood Moon didn't have the cultural context for father-son jokes, it took Igor a second to grasp Ashe's logic. But before Igor could start cursing, Ashe had already stepped back, admonishing, "We're in the middle of an interrogation, everyone. Let's be serious and stop with the nonsense. Igor, it's your turn!"

"You rascal…" Igor gritted his teeth in frustration, choosing not to argue, and crouched down to press Dilo Ge's head. "I can forcibly search your memories, but the price is that your brain might malfunction afterward, like being unable to relieve yourself properly. But if you answer my questions truthfully, we might consider letting you go. Of course, you can try lying in front of a Mental Sanctuary."

"We Four Pillars Cult disciples aren't that steadfast," Dilo Ge immediately replied. "Ask away."

"Why is the Four Pillars Cult surrounding the Silent Spiral?" Igor asked. "Is it really because the Silent Spiral can help the Four Pillars Cult summon the Four Pillars?"

"Such strategic decisions are beyond the knowledge of a small fry like me," Dilo Ge paused. "But I feel it's not the case."

"Oh?"

"We've been skirmishing with the Qinyi Alliance around the Silent Spiral for half a month, but until a few days ago, the battles weren't that intense. We were just ensuring the Qinyi Alliance couldn't seize the Silent Spiral. But three days ago, the Pope spared no effort to annihilate the nearby Qinyi Alliance and immediately established this fortress to fend off their counterattack."

At that moment, a patrolling disciple of the Four Pillars Cult walked along the city wall. However, Igor glanced at him, and the disciple seemed to see nothing, simply passing by them.

Igor continued, "Did anything happen three days ago?"

Dilo Ge shook her head, "I don't recall anything special… If I had to say, there was a minor earthquake that night, but there was no battle at that time, which felt odd to me. However, earth sorcerers causing earthquakes is quite common, so it might have been triggered by the Qinyi Alliance."

"After you surrounded the Silent Spiral, did anything else happen?"

This time, Dilo Ge remained silent for a long while, her face showing fear and hesitation. Eventually, she confessed, "Oreyva brought many people down there."

"Oreyva?" Raven Annihilation immediately spoke up, "Legendary sorcerer 'Pope of Annihilation' Oreyva? As the highest combat power, he's not stationed above ground?"

Ashe glanced at Raven with surprise, puzzled by his sudden excitement. Igor's eyes sparkled with intrigue upon hearing the news.

"I saw him go down with my own eyes," Dilo Ge stated earnestly. "And as he descended, he issued an order from the throne: the fortress must be defended at all costs, preventing the Qinyi Alliance from reclaiming the Silent Spiral. Everyone is to follow the directives of the four Bishops above ground."

"To boost morale, he opened the reserves for lavish rewards, feasting the entire army. Ordinary sorcerers received at least one spirit, while two-wings sorcerers were awarded two or three spirits. As for silver and gold coins, they were distributed in abundance."

The group exchanged glances, and Igor asked, "When will Oreyva leave the Silent Spiral?"

"I don't know," Dilo Ge replied helplessly, "but it shouldn't be more than a month."

"Why?"

"If Oreyva doesn't appear within a month, the Qinyi Alliance will become suspicious and send divine hosts to attack the fortress. We won't be able to withstand them," Dilo Ge pondered further, "it could be as soon as half a month."

It was a straightforward reasoning, and everyone nodded in silent agreement. However, this news was not favorable for those who had traveled such a long distance.

In the midst of the frustrating silence, Raven suddenly picked up a bottle of wine from the table and asked an odd question, "How did you get this bottle?"

Dilo Ge paused, then said, "It was given out during the feast."

"Do you usually drink this kind of wine?"

"No, it's only this time that such fine wine was distributed," Dilo Ge shook her head, suddenly recalling something, "By the way, among the people Oreyva took down, there was a team of chefs, and they brought quite a lot of wine. I smelled it when I passed by. The wine seemed similar to this bottle."

"So, they had planned to live down there for a while…" Ashe mused, looking at the bottle in Raven's hand with some confusion, "Why are you so interested in this bottle of wine?"

Raven didn't answer Ashe, instead he asked, "Did you see a woman with silver hair, about my height, who likes to wear a mask covering half her face?"

Dilo Ge shook her head, "I'm not sure. There are quite a few silver-haired women, I can't be certain which one you're referring to."

Raven didn't ask further. Ashe glanced at him thoughtfully but chose to move past the topic, opening his palm to reveal, "What's this?"

Dilo Ge focused her gaze and saw that Ashe was holding her black crystal card.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Can I touch it? It's hard to explain otherwise."

Ashe looked at Igor, who stared at Dilo Ge for a while before slowly nodding. When Dilo Ge touched the card, it suddenly emitted a light, but Ashe, protected by his Sanctuary barrier, was naturally unafraid of any threat.

In fact, there was no threat. Ashe lifted the card to see that the text within had flipped to suit his viewing angle-gravity sensing, indeed.

Inside were lines of… the latest news.

"The Floating City Transportation and Security Bureau reminds you that the October holiday is approaching. Drive safely, avoid lane cutting, speeding, and overloading. Do not drive while fatigued, and always wear your seatbelt. The autopilot system is only for use on highways; unauthorized modifications are illegal."

"The Floating City Weather Station advises that from the 10th to the 11th, most areas will experience light to moderate rain, with heavy rain or storms in some regions. Roads will be slippery, so drive carefully. All outdoor workers should take leave as per regulations."

"Exciting news! Floating City is now fully covered by the augmented reality system and has been awarded the title of Model City for Augmented Reality! We invite you to experience premium augmented reality services. For more details, contact us…"

"[Gray Fox Literature] Author Suo Ren's new book 'For a Darkened World' has been available for 77,302 days! Don't miss out!"

"Floating Traffic Butler: The north-to-south route is currently clear. Safety first, please adhere to traffic laws."

Ashe and the others looked around, surrounded only by the stench of decay, walls made of bones, and barren land.

Perhaps this was once Floating City, perhaps the ground beneath them was once a highway, but now there was no trace of Gray Fox civilization.

Yet, the information system left by the Gray Fox sorcerers was still operational. Countless invisible signals continued to travel through the air.

"This is the Gray Fox heritage I obtained before," Dilo Ge said. "Aside from receiving these messages, it's useless."

"It's quite useful," Ashe replied, handing back the black crystal card. "Take good care of it."

Dilo Ge looked up at Igor, who expressionlessly pressed a finger to her forehead.

"I've placed a fear shackle in your mind. If you actively disclose our information, fear will consume you until your mind collapses," the Con Artist said calmly. "If you find a way to leak it passively, there's nothing I can do."

Before Dilo Ge could respond, Igor covered her eyes.

After a familiar haze, Dilo Ge found herself back in her chair, everything calm and as if nothing had happened.

But the glowing black crystal card and the missing bottle proved she had narrowly escaped from the sanctuary sorcerers.

She sat in a daze for a long time, not in the mood to test if the fear shackle was real. She picked up the black crystal card, watching the stream of information.

Her previous role at the Tribulation Fire Chapel was as a researcher, tasked with excavating Gray Fox ruins. This card was a heritage she had unearthed, deemed useless enough to fall into her hands.

Before this, though she held the faith of Tribulation Fire in her heart, the idea of "reviving civilization" felt more like a slogan, akin to "I want to unite the world" or "I want to kill everyone on the other side for freedom."

However, after obtaining this card and receiving constantly updated information daily, Dilo Ge realized for the first time that this was the civilization the Tribulation Fire Chapel sought to revive.

This was the ideal she was chasing.

From then on, she threw herself into her work with passion. Though just a silver sorcerer, she became one of the top researchers at the Tribulation Fire Chapel.

Until the Four Pillars Cult overran the Dust Tribulation Fire district.

Then she abandoned relic exploration, became a sentinel, and indulged in hedonism, making up for twenty years of missed pleasures.

But…

Dilo Ge pulled a small bottle from her pocket, took a few swigs, her face flushing as her consciousness grew hazy.

"Ah," she exhaled, lazily slumping in her chair.

"I still want to drink in the ruins, and then have a plate of Rice Roll."