CH83

"Deep Blue, identify this slate."

Helag sat down to rest, still feeling dizzy and with a buzzing head.

Deep Blue quickly responded,

[There is an 87.6% probability that this is an ancient magic slate.]

"An ancient magic slate…" Helag understood what it was.

In ancient times, there were wizards, but they didn't have paper, so they used other materials to record spells.

Some used human or animal bones, while others used animal hides.

This slate was a more advanced recording medium, typically used for powerful spells.

"It should be a Level 1 spell," Helag concluded.

Only a Level 1 spell could make him dizzy after a short glance. No zero-level spell could have such an effect.

"Deep Blue, scan and record every detail of the slate," Helag instructed.

Such slates were extremely valuable, containing high-level spells. Ancient magic recorded on slates was usually crucial for a tribe's survival.

Helag had read in magical history books that ancient magic was highly combat-oriented, focused on practical battle strength.

In those primitive times, survival was the primary concern, requiring constant battles with beasts and magical creatures.

Thus, ancient magic was highly sought after by wizards to enhance their combat abilities.

[Scanning and recording complete,] Deep Blue reported after a few minutes.

Helag glanced at the recorded images but felt it might not be enough. Important information could be missing from mere pictures.

Circling the slate, he had a bold idea.

"Why not just take the whole slate?"

The slate was two meters tall and fifty centimeters wide, buried in the ground.

Using his herb-digging spade, Helag found the slate wasn't deeply buried and could be dug out.

Carrying the slate out would be difficult, but Helag had a space ring.

Checking his space ring, he saw there was still room for the slate despite the other items inside.

"The only problem is, does this place have an owner?"

Helag wondered why such a valuable slate was left unguarded if this place belonged to a wizard.

If he, a second-level wizard apprentice, could reach it, stronger wizards could do so even more easily.

Unable to determine if the place had an owner, Helag began carefully digging around the slate.

After half an hour of meticulous digging, he freed the slate from the ground.

He then placed the slate into his space ring, which fit smoothly.

With the slate inside, the space ring felt a bit cramped.

Looking at the empty pit, Helag scratched his head. "If this place belongs to a wizard, getting caught would be bad."

A wizard capable of maintaining such a large area would be far stronger than Helag.

He could only hope the wizard wouldn't return soon, giving him time to escape by dawn.

Helag felt he had gained a lot from this trip, not only acquiring potion ingredients but also the ancient magic slate.

He estimated it would be about half an hour until dawn.

If the blacksmith's information was correct, he would have a chance to leave soon.

However, Helag wasn't sure if the spiders outside would leave, as they were living creatures.

The blacksmith and others were spirits that hid at dawn, but the spiders were flesh and blood.

He walked around the plaza, carefully observing every spot.

The decorations and carvings were ancient but ordinary stone carvings.

After checking every corner of the plaza and finding nothing valuable, Helag cautiously approached the cave entrance.

Keeping a safe distance, he stopped and observed.

Through Deep Blue, he saw many spiders still outside, but the sky was beginning to lighten.

He sighed in relief. "Looks like it's almost dawn. Thankfully, the sunrise is normal here."

As the sky brightened, the spiders grew restless.

Some spiders began heading back to their nest, and those blocking the cave entrance started moving around, no longer fixated on the cave.

Ten minutes later, the spiders began retreating en masse.

A large number of spiders turned towards the pine forest nest, making a rustling sound.

What had been a terrifying noise now sounded pleasant to Helag, lifting a weight off his chest.

Helag waited in the cave until it was fully light.

Even then, he didn't rush out. He waited until the sunlight fully illuminated the area before cautiously stepping out.

The forest outside showed signs of spider activity, with webs hanging from branches.

Helag quietly moved through the forest, glancing at the distant fields.

To his surprise, there were no fields.

"This is the right spot. I remember correctly," Helag was sure the potion ingredient fields were here.

But now, the area was covered in shrubs and weeds.

Carefully approaching, he inspected the ground and found no signs of cultivation.

"What's going on…" he wondered.

"Deep Blue, was this the field where Dragon Beard Grass and other potion ingredients were planted?" Helag asked, doubting his eyes.