Chapter 15 Joining the Mage Guild (Part 2)_1

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As they walked, Li De said to Nian Bing, "I will arrange for you a dormitory later where you can stay. This is a right only granted to mages of the Great Archmage level and above."

Nian Bing frowned and asked, "Mage Li De, does this mean I'm restricted from going outside?"

Li De smiled slightly and said, "Of course not. In this guild, unless there is a special command, no one will restrict your freedom. You are free to come and go as you please, and even travel outside. The room I mentioned is a permanent room for you. You can stay here whenever you return. However, I suggest you focus more on cultivation and improve your magic power. I look forward to seeing when you can breakthrough to the sorcerer realm. Look, we've arrived at the library." He led Nian Bing into a seemingly unimpressive small building nearby.

The small building was immaculately clean. From the outside, it appeared to have four floors. Each floor was not very high, making the building seem unnoticeable from the outside. Li De smiled slightly and said, "This is it. This library has four floors. Many resources inside are unique copies across the continent. Therefore, you may read here, but you absolutely cannot take any materials away, especially those on the third and fourth floors. Oh, right, you are not allowed to enter the fourth floor. Let me explain. In this library, each floor contains different materials according to the mage's level. The first floor is suitable for Junior and Intermediate Mages. The second floor is suitable for Advanced level Mages and Great Archmages, and the third floor requires the strength of a Sorcerer to enter. The top floor, although smallest, houses many lost high-level magics. Only those who have reached the Sorcerer Realm with the approval of the Guild Master can enter. The Guild Master has not met you but has a very strong impression of you. He specifically instructed me, because your magic control power is close to the Sorcerer Realm, you can read magic books on the third floor. Hence, you can learn more so that even if you go out to gain experience in the future, you will not be affected by a lack of spells. Good, you may browse here yourself. The Guild Master may return soon, and he should want to talk to you. If you do not understand anything while reading here, you can ask me or the Ice Mage Warren we met earlier. His magic level is even higher than mine. He is the Fourth Elder of the Guild."

Nian Bing looked at rows of bookshelves on both sides and couldn't help feeling excited. For a mage, this place was undoubtedly a treasure trove. Besides spells, the record of magic and notes left by previous mages alone were precious enough. "Teacher Li De, thank you so much, can I address you this way?"

Li De smiled slightly and said, "Of course. Watching you young people grow up, I feel I am getting older. Now, I just hope that when I die, I can see the Bing Yue Empire Mage's Guild become even stronger, and all of this depends on you, the younger generation. When you have the opportunity, you should have more exchanges with Ling'er. Like you, she is a Great Archmage of ice. Although her magic power and control ability are inferior to you, she is very clever and often has unique insights into magic. If you can have frequent exchanges, it will be beneficial for both of you."

Nian Bing nodded and said, "I understand. Thank you, Teacher Li De."

Li De sighed lightly and said, "You are aware of the city's lockdown in the past few days, but you probably don't know why. I can see that you're an honest child, so when the Guild Master returns, he will question you. You only need to answer truthfully."

Nian Bing curiously asked, "Teacher Li De, what exactly happened? I can't help but find it strange. A normal bustling city suddenly under lockdown like this should not be favorable for Bing Xue City. Just excluding traders from entering is a major problem."

Li De sighed softly and said, "It was beyond our control; such is the power of authority."

Nian Bing persisted, "So what actually happened, can you tell me?"

Li De glanced at Nian Bing and said, "Alright, this isn't exactly a major secret. A few days ago, the reason for closing the city was due to the arrival of a high-ranking individual in Bing Xue City. She came to investigate the whereabouts of an item, said to be extremely valuable. It's a magic item, and its magic power is likely close to that of a divine artifact. The Guild leader mentioned it was called something like the Ice-Snow Goddess Stone."

Even with Nian Bing's exceptional emotional stability, the sudden allusion to the Ice-Snow Goddess Stone made him pale with surprise. Fortuitously, as he stood behind Li De, his change in expression went unnoticed.

Nian Bing's heart began to beat faster and he calmly inquired, "The Ice-Snow Goddess Stone? So, from what you're saying, the person who came must be from the Ice God Tower. The gemstone must also be from there, right?"

Li De turned to face Nian Bing. At this point, Nian Bing had recomposed himself, his face showing nothing but feigned surprise. "Yes, the item is from the Ice God Tower. The reason it is considered precious is because the person who came is none other than the symbol of our Bing Yue Empire, the Priestess of the Ice-Snow Goddess Sacrifice."

Nian Bing's heart pounded. He had met the Ice-Snow Goddess Priestess once when he was ten years old. He remembered very well that in her presence, his father, a fire mage, was as powerless as a child; he didn't stand a chance. Had it not been for his mother's desperate attempt to save him, his father would have likely perished from the Priestess's initial attack. Now hearing this name that he deeply detested, his heart quivered. His presence in Bing Xue City may have inadvertently prompted the martial law. But how could the Priestess of the Ice-Snow Goddess Sacrifice know that the Ice-Snow Goddess Stone was in Bing Xue City? Could it be that his use of the Morning Dew Knife released the Ice-Snow Goddess Stone's aura and drew her here? Yes, that had to be it.

Realizing this, Nian Bing's back was drenched in sweat. If he had carelessly used the Morning Dew Knife during the three days of closure, perhaps he would already be captured by the Priestess. It seemed that he had to keep a low profile! Until he fully mastered magic, he could not let that woman find him.

Watching as Nian Bing fell into thought, Li De smiled faintly. "What's done is done, and there's no need for you to worry. I believe that with the Priestess's strength, retrieving her item, assuming it still exists, should not be difficult. All right then, you can stay here and focus on your studies, while we wait for the guild leader. Nian Bing, remember this, as a mage, it's important to always stay in a meditative state to enhance your skills. I've opened up the prohibition on the first three levels of the library, but don't attempt to go to the fourth level or the traps there could easily be fatal."

With Li De gone, Nian Bing was left alone in the vast library. He didn't rush to find what he needed, instead taking a moment to clear his thoughts. The appearance of the Priestess of the Ice-Snow Goddess Sacrifice had thrown him into chaos. His current priority was to leave Bing Xue City. Now that the Priestess had taken note of the city, who knew when she might return? Would he have the same luck next time?

Nian Bing wasn't afraid of the Ice-Snow Goddess Priestess. Even if it came down to a direct confrontation, he dared to face her. However, he was a rational person and knew that acting impulsively would only result in his sacrifice. He told himself to stay calm, as only rationality could help him achieve his goals. Leaving seems to be the smartest choice indeed. But with the Righteous Sun Knife still incomplete, he couldn't leave just yet. He hoped nothing significant would transpire in the intervening month.

At this moment, Nian Bing had already decided on his course of action for the next month. Carefully tucking the Morning Dew Knife into his clothes, he decided not to use this knife—which was also the Ice-Snow Goddess's Sigh—until he left Bing Xue City.

Having come to this understanding, Nian Bing felt somewhat relieved. The end of the city's closure meant that the Priestess had left. As long as he was careful, he could handle the next month just fine. With this thought, a cold smirk appeared on his face. Deciding to stay on the first floor, he began to search for what he needed.

When Nian Bing began learning magic, he and his father were roving across the continent. Although his father was very knowledgeable, Nian Bing still didn't fully understand some essential concepts. Now, what he needed was a theoretical foundation. Only with a strong base could he learn faster and grow stronger. Therefore, instead of rushing to the third floor, he began studying on the first floor, starting with a book titled "Magical Theory - A Detailed Explanation".