A spell book is a medium used by Wizards to transcribe Spells.
Just as wood can hold fire, and pottery can hold clear water.
Different Spells have different effects, and their requirements for their medium also vary.
For example, if a fire Spell is recorded in a spell book made of fish skin, the Yin Qi would be too heavy, affecting the Spell's effectiveness. That's why Ashmore bindings are often used to transcribe water Spells, Parisian bindings are used by Catholic Cultivators to chant holy texts, and Venetian bindings often appear in the hands of dark creatures.
Zheng Qing knew nothing about these details.
But his intuition led him to discard the spell books he had seen before that had ornate covers and exquisite bindings.
So, after he made his request, Manager Xiao Yuan led him to the Chinese-style spell book display cabinet.
“Pre-Qin bamboo slips, two feet four inches long, carved from thousand-year-old bitter bamboo, with a green patina and bound with seven-colored deerskin. The outer slips are carved with the complete ‘Uncle is in the Bush!’ fire Spell, and the inner lining is designed to be replaceable multiple times. We have provided a set of inner linings made of different materials, including mulberry paper, Shu Mountain silk, two-layer fox fur, and gold and silver pages, among others. Customers can reorder comfortable materials from our shop after using up the inner lining.”
“And this, the Han-Tang silk scroll, five feet three inches long and one foot eight fen wide, woven from thousand-year-old amber silkworm silk, with exquisite and soft silk, and a delicate and bright luster. The scroll is made of Ryukyu rosewood, warm to the touch, and naturally emits an invigorating fragrance. The bottom of the axis is engraved with the Spell ‘The East will be Bright, the Light of the Rising Moon,’ so that even in the dark of night, the use of the spell book is completely unaffected.”
“Over here, we also have Song edition spell books, with ancient and elegant styles and meticulously chosen materials. From the threading to the binding, everything reflects the historical charm of the East. What type do you prefer, honored guest?”
The bookshop’s manager displayed these Chinese-style spell books one by one, explaining them in detail.
Ever since the fat man with the triple chin revealed Zheng Qing’s identity as a Publicly Funded Student, Manager Xiao Yuan’s attitude had become even friendlier.
“What about the price?” Although he was short on cash, Zheng Qing was not averse to broadening his horizons and gaining knowledge.
The soft leather gloves on his hands were replaced with white fine linen gloves. The bookshop also thoughtfully provided a monocle, allowing him to carefully examine the patina on the bamboo slips, the Texture on the silk, and the binding of the Song books.
“The Pre-Qin bamboo slips start at fifteen jade coins, with room for fluctuation depending on the configured inner lining; the Han-Tang silk scroll starts at ten jade coins, and the scroll can be replaced, so the price is not fixed; the Song edition book is five jade coins, a unified price.”
“What type of spell book sells the most?”
“The University standard model, with a first-layer deerskin cover, silk ribbon bookmark, brass inlaid characters and corners, blank flyleaf, and mulberry paper.” Manager Xiao Yuan spoke quickly: “Because it’s a standard edition, its durability is limited, and most students replace it once a semester, costing one jade coin.”
“I see.” Zheng Qing pondered.
“Given that you are a Publicly Funded Student, if these do not meet your requirements, our shop can also custom-make a spell book for you, which will absolutely satisfy you, honored guest.” Seemingly seeing Zheng Qing’s hesitation, Manager Xiao Yuan enthusiastically recommended: “Shangyuan Bookshop has a Wizard Alliance-certified Great Master for spell book making, so you can completely rest assured.”
“It must be very expensive, right?”
“Prices start from one gold bean, with no upper limit. Depending on your materials and requirements, the price of the spell book will vary. Since you are a Publicly Funded Student, the labor cost can be discounted by 30%.”
“I’ll go take a look.” Zheng Qing felt a thrill in his heart, wondering if he could buy a spell book with three to five gold beans.
jade coins, gold beans, silver horns, and copper coins are several currencies in the Wizarding World. One jade coin can be exchanged for ten gold beans. If he could solve the spell book problem with three to five gold beans, then he could save at least six or seven gold beans.
According to Thomas, a handful of copper coins would be enough for Zheng Qing’s three meals a day at the University. Six or seven gold beans would probably be enough for his living expenses for a month.
His full scholarship was only ten jade coins, which needed to cover all the necessary school supplies on the list, as well as some other expenses after the start of the semester.
Zheng Qing felt a bit tight on money.
Ever since he learned the currency exchange rate, he had given up on the idea of asking his family for money.
Since there was no immediate way to generate income, he had to learn to be meticulous with every penny.
“This way, please.” Manager Xiao Yuan led Zheng Qing to a small door deep within the bookshop.
The blue double wooden door looked very out of place with the shop’s overall darker tone. The door frame around the wooden door was engraved with protective runes, and the door panels were adorned with New Year prints of Shen Tu and Yu Lei. The prints were somewhat old, and their colors had faded slightly. The two Great Masters, Shen Tu and Yu Lei, leaned against the bottom of the painting, sitting lazily, playing cards, and upon seeing someone approach, they merely waved their hands to acknowledge them.
Zheng Qing swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
“By regulation, I cannot enter.” Manager Xiao Yuan pushed open the door and made a gesture to invite him in, smiling apologetically.
It was a bit dark inside the door, and the threshold was a full foot high.
Zheng Qing looked around, carefully stepping over the threshold.
The wooden door closed softly behind him.
Dim, quiet, and with a fragrant aroma of Sunken Wood, Zheng Qing’s originally tense heart gradually calmed down.
The room was very large and spacious.
Torches burned on the walls all around.
In the center of the room, there was a huge counter. This was the most striking object in the room.
A clump of graying hair was piled on top of the counter, trembling in the firelight.
“Is anyone here?” Zheng Qing’s throat felt a bit dry, and his voice sounded somewhat shaky.
Swallowing, he walked to the counter, preparing to greet again.
Before he could speak, the pile of graying hair suddenly floated up.
A withered, wrinkled old face, like a dried walnut, appeared in his line of sight.
Zheng Qing was startled and immediately reached for the gray cloth bag in his embrace.
The old man’s dull eyes rolled, sliding over the cloth bag. Then he lowered his head, and the shriveled walnut disappeared behind the wide table.
“Hello,” Zheng Qing shifted backward, moving further from the counter.
Then he hesitated and bowed slightly.
When he looked up, the old man had already leaned in again, his wrinkled face almost touching Zheng Qing, his dark, seemingly lifeless eyes staring intently at him.
“Hello, that…” Zheng Qing was startled and tried to pull back, but the old man, without a hint of hesitation, stretched out his right hand, fiercely grabbed his collar, and pulled him closer.
Although he looked like a scrawny old man, his hand was like an iron clamp, squeezing Zheng Qing’s neck painfully.
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
Before Zheng Qing could speak, the old man’s murmuring voice echoed in the quiet room, sounding very ethereal: “A very powerful Soul, very powerful. Although chaotic and complex, it contains a pure Qi. I have never seen such a powerful Soul. This feeling is unprecedented. Don’t worry, I have prepared everything. You will have a powerful Wizard book.”
