The Invisible Blade

Anthony had previously explained to Adam the role, origin, and future development of semi-solidification technology in detail.

Before the advent of semi-solidification technology, full solidification had already been invented.

At that time, sorcery books had not yet been developed, and sorcerers created full solidification technology to protect themselves.

However, full solidification has now been completely phased out due to its severe limitation on spiritual power potential. Most sorcerers who used full solidification technology never managed to forge a ritual and are now only found among those with incomplete training.

Solidification technology was initially meant to be discarded with the emergence of sorcery books, but the appearance of semi-solidification technology pushed it to its peak.

Semi-solidification allows for continuous adjustment of the sorcery model, unlike full solidification, which permits instant spellcasting but severely restricts one's potential.

Most importantly, semi-solidified sorcery models are embedded in the spiritual power operation mode, enabling sorcerers to observe and adjust the differences in individual spiritual power operations through model variations.

The tenth floor of the Reflection Tower houses numerous books, many of which record various sorcery models.

Among them is the only sorcery point for mages, "Light Spell."

There is also the faith-based sorcery, "Fireball."

And many other sorceries, including the "Dustless Shield."

Adam carefully examined the descriptions of these sorceries. Many were powerful, and some had unique effects.

But Adam's attention ultimately settled on the "Invisible Blade."

Its function is to use spiritual power to invoke certain invisible fields in nature, then use this field to bind spiritual power, forming a sharp blade.

This blade, composed of an invisible field and spiritual power, is difficult to detect with normal senses, hence the name "Invisible Blade."

However, Adam valued not its invisibility, but another capability: the blade could cut into a wound and allow spiritual power to probe inside, meaning the Invisible Blade could cut both physical and spiritual entities.

Strictly speaking, it was more a supernatural scalpel than a combat weapon.

It had some combat capability while aiding in the study of spiritual power, and the invisible field constraint allowed for more than just spiritual power within it.

This sorcery had great developmental potential.

"Are you sure this is the one?" Anthony asked after seeing the Invisible Blade. He didn't show approval or disapproval because, in reality, the choice of semi-solidified sorcery wasn't crucial—what mattered was the attitude.

Too many sorcerers pursued the power of sorcery after choosing their semi-solidified sorcery, forgetting that the most important aspect was how the sorcery model reflected their spiritual power operation.

Anthony had deliberately created a false dilemma earlier to reinforce his previous teachings to Adam.

"You'll need materials like Earth Marrow Stone and Nightshade Flower. I'll fetch them for you. Once you have them, familiarize yourself with their properties and memorize the sorcery model. Come to me tomorrow for semi-solidification," Anthony instructed.

"Thank you, Professor," Adam quickly expressed his gratitude. Anthony treated him exceptionally well. Typically, apprentices had to do many menial tasks for their teachers and learn at the teacher's whim, with no expectation of provided materials.

"Is Celine not here?" Adam noticed but didn't ask, restraining his curiosity.

Anthony was over eighty now, so his niece must be around fifty or sixty, yet she still looked like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.

"Does she use the same longevity method as Anthony?" Adam speculated as he left the Reflection Tower with a box.

Macallan, leaning against the carriage, trembled slightly when he saw Adam coming out.

Glancing into the distance, Adam noticed David standing in a corner, nodding to him.

"Smell of a stranger... can't wait, can you?" Adam thought, smiling, and got into the carriage. "Back to the Boku residence," he told Macallan.

"Yes, Mr. Adam." Macallan, sitting in the front, hunched nervously and fidgeted.

Seeming to have a thought, he straightened his back and turned the carriage onto another road.

Adam sensed this but didn't stop him.

Soon, the carriage halted. Adam heard Macallan jump off and run a short distance.

Peeking out from the carriage, Adam saw seven or eight people surround the area, with Macallan leading the way.

"Mr. Mat instructed that's the man," Macallan said, not daring to look Adam in the eye, which would have revealed the disappointment on Adam's face.

"Macallan, you're a good driver, but just a driver," Adam sighed. "Your talent limits you. I've warned you."

Macallan instinctively panicked, wanting to stop, but someone lifted him by the armpits and brought him before Adam.

Adam jumped down from the carriage, no longer looking down at the driver.

"Mr. Adam, I just want to be the best driver," Macallan's legs gave way, his face pale, supported only by those behind him.

"I was wrong. Spare me, Mr. Adam. Spare me," Macallan pleaded, unable to struggle. "I can be your best driver. Believe me, I'll be the best driver!"

"Sorry, Macallan, no one can spare anyone," Adam said seriously. "I've got a new driver. You're no longer needed."

With a dull thud, Macallan fell silent. Adam exhaled, looking away.

"If I fail, my end will be worse," Adam thought. Macallan represented most people of this era.

Their vision was limited, their understanding of the outside world shallow. Until death, Macallan worried only about his job as a driver—that was his ambition.

"This is a warning," Adam thought, observing the commotion.

"Sir?" one person asked, confused.

"Carry on," Adam smiled. Macallan's body was loaded onto another carriage, likely to be buried somewhere quietly. The Rom family wouldn't even notify the sheriff; Macallan was their servant, and they'd handle it.

"Mr. Adam, I'm Crow. I'll be responsible for your travels from now on," the man said respectfully.

"Very well. Let's go back to the Boku residence," Adam said, pulling the curtain closed.

Adam etched the image of Macallan's body in his mind. His tasks were far more dangerous; any mistake could lead to a worse fate.

"I must be cautious, thorough, broad-minded, and ruthless," Adam reminded himself.

In the direction he had glanced, Mat was kneeling, drenched in sweat.

Doug stood by the window, watching Adam's departing carriage, flanked by Walker and David.

Then he turned to Mat.

"Stand up. You're my son, after all," Doug's words provided some solace. Mat had thought his fears were unfounded.

"I'm his son. Even if I messed up, it's just some punishment..." Mat's thoughts were cut short by Doug's next words, which shattered him.

"So I'll give you a dignified end," Doug said with finality.

Mat wanted to scream, but a numbing sensation in his throat stopped him. Walker, who had appeared behind him, slowly withdrew his hand.

Mat opened his mouth to scream but couldn't. He lost control over his body.

"Prepare a statement. Announce that Mat fell ill with a strange disease and is in a coma..." From that moment, Mat's life ended, regardless of Doug's future success. Mat had been abandoned.