Lin Ming’s physical potential had been fully stimulated, so there was neither a plateau period nor a barrier for his development from Tier 5 to Tier 6. It all happened naturally with little effort despite his consecutive leaps in tiers in such a short period.
The next day—
Lin Ming opened his eyes and shrugged. He felt a power surge in him, welling in his body—that was his breakthrough to Tier 6. It took him only a week to advance from Tier 3 to Tier 6, a growth speed unparallel to any being.
Lin Ming greeted Gandulf at the door with much respect.
Gandulf walked out of the room with a calm expression. But the moment he saw Lin Ming, he lost it. “You brat. You broke through again!” Gandulf detected the surging magic power in Lin Ming’s body.
Lin Ming nodded. “I got lucky last night.” There was no point hiding his advancement from a Sage Tier Mage like Gandulf.
“How quick…” Gandulf gasped mentally—three tiers in a week? There were no complications from Lin Ming’s hasty breakthroughs, not even an unsteady foundation to his powers. It was as if he cheated his way into Tier 6. Not only was it rapid, but he also far surpassed that of any ordinary mage. The fact hit Gandulf like a brick wall.
“Could you tell me how you did it?” Gandulf was now stuck at the Sage Tier—he well knew this was his limit. Though there was only one Sage Tier Mage in every empire—which many desired to achieve—there were higher realms, and so far, no one in this world could surpass the Sage Tier. And now, Lin Ming sparked a new idea. Even so, Lin Ming and his insane capabilities seemed so out of this world.
“My tier raised once in the Spirit Pool. Then yesterday, my body’s full potential was triggered. Naturally, I advanced again,” Lin Ming replied. It wasn’t the whole truth, yet it wasn’t all lies.
“And the Divine Artifact, Borobudur, acknowledging you as its master?” Gandulf couldn’t help but ask.
Lin Ming nodded. “Yes, it’s connected. But not of great importance.” It was also because of Bai Han. The real reason why Lin Ming could progress so quickly, other than his cultivation in the Spirit Pool, didn’t have much to do with Borobudur.
“How’s your practice on the Fiery Phoenix Spell I taught you yesterday?” Gandulf refocused himself on his teachings. As Lin Ming’s mentor, he taught Lin Ming everything he knew. He would never covet from his disciple—he had his ethics. Moreover, it wasn’t as easy to acquire Borobudur even if he harmed Lin Ming.
“Don’t be uptight if you still can’t cast it. After all, it’s only been a day.” Gandulf was worried it would deal a crushing blow to Lin Ming, and he gave him a heads-up. In his earlier years, he used half a year only to develop an embryonic form of the spell.
“Yes, Master. I’ll give it a go.” Without delay, Lin Ming cast the Fiery Phoenix Spell.
Screech!
They heard a sudden cry. Gandulf stood in a daze, unable to speak. As a large shadow enclosed them, the heatwave from the spell almost set the nearby trees on fire.
“How is this possible?” Earlier, Gandulf was surprised to see Lin Ming’s breakthrough. Now that he saw his spell, he was bewildered. How could Lin Ming have achieved such proficiency when he only practiced for a day?
It took Lin Ming aback, too. It wasn’t this strong when he cast it yesterday. But the realization kicked in—last night, he advanced to Tier 6.
“Have you learned the spell before?” That was the only possible explanation, Gandulf thought.
Lin Ming shook his head no. “I’ve only seen its name.” He would never lie to Gandulf. Plus, he still had a long way with his apprenticeship with Gandulf—he couldn’t have hidden things from him.
“You mean, you’ve only practiced for a day, and this is your result?” Gandulf could no longer control his agitation.
“Yes,” Lin Ming responded indifferently.
“This is impossible. It’s impossible!” Gandulf remained frozen on the spot, rambling on and on. For a moment, he couldn’t recover. If it were any ordinary spell, it would’ve been tolerable for him. But this was his signature move, one of his most dynamic spells in battle. How could it turn out so easy when it came to Lin Ming? Gandulf felt defeated.
“Master,” Lin Ming interrupted Gandulf’s chaotic thoughts. He assumed that Gandulf would get used to it eventually.
“Lin Ming, when the time comes, Sage Tier Mage would not be your end. I shall teach you with everything I have. As for your part, you shall work hard in your cultivation and strive to achieve that realm.”
Gandulf realized he had lost his composure—he hadn’t just found out about his monstrous potential, but Lin Ming’s outstanding performances were proof that he was bound to go beyond the limits of Sage Tier.
As the saying went, “When a man gets to the top; all his friends and relations get there with him”—not to mention how Gandulf was his master. As long as Lin Ming could surpass the Sage Tier realm, Gandulf believed it would benefit himself. Perhaps he would not die a Sage Tier Mage after all!
“Thank you, Master.”
Gandulf’s current state of mind was just what Lin Ming was looking for—he was strong, his views broad. On the other hand, Gandulf could tell Lin Ming wasn’t someone who wouldn’t acknowledge another’s kindness. They were helping each other, taking what they needed—their feelings for each other couldn’t be faked, of course.
“No more words are needed.” Gandulf waved his hand. As Lin Ming’s mentor, what he had to do was to teach his disciple. And it was to teach him without reservation.
Gandulf glanced at Lin Ming. “Cast the spell again.”