88: Chapter 88 Mysteries of the Ruins

The next day, evening.

Wizard Tower.

Nie Ning walked into the Wizard Tower and, as expected, did not see Audrey.

Seeing that Audrey had truly left, Nie Ning headed straight for the study to start looking through various books.

Compared to Nie Ning's own collection, the number of Wizard books owned by Audrey was simply outrageous.

From runology to anatomy, from spell construction to alchemy item crafting, almost everything Nie Ning could think of was here.

Looking at the walls full of books, Nie Ning pulled out a book about runes and started flipping through it.

Audrey was right; rogue wizards really could not compare to these wizards who belonged to established factions.

When it came to introductions to runes, the records kept by rogue wizards were rough and crude, relying almost entirely on Nie Ning's own blind guesswork to translate.

Audrey's rune books, however, offered more efficient insights and learning methods regarding runes.

The gap was clear at a glance.

After some thought, Nie Ning selectively took a few books.

They were: Rune Analysis, Precautions for Wizard Cultivation, Guide to Exotic Creatures, Encyclopedia of Materials, and Theoretical Knowledge of Anatomy.

These were the books he needed most at the moment.

Especially the last three, as they were books that could be applied to Supernatural Adaptability.

Not every part of an exotic beast could be eaten, and anatomy could help avoid damaging the integrity of materials; they were all very practical.

Whether he went out in the future or not, he would be able to use them, so as not to encounter treasures without recognizing them.

"I'll take these few for now; we'll talk about the rest later."

Looking at the wall full of books, Nie Ning couldn't help but mutter to himself.

If it weren't for the fact that Audrey would be coming back, he would have really wanted to move all the books in the room away.

But it should be soon.

Audrey seemed very eager to leave this place; she would likely leave once the elemental erosion was healed.

By then, if he played the victim a bit, maybe Audrey would be moved and leave all these books behind.

It had to be said, the more Nie Ning thought about it, the more carried away he got; he wished Audrey would leave without wearing anything, leaving everything behind for him.

...

After wrapping up the few books, Nie Ning left the Wizard Tower.

Strolling through the City Lord's Mansion garden, although it was more beautiful than Lilith's garden, a garden that was too large felt somewhat desolate.

"Mr. Bronk."

As Nie Ning was walking, Ivy's voice suddenly came from behind him.

Turning his head, he saw Ivy in a white dress, walking over with a smile on her face.

"Long time no see."

Nie Ning waved with a smile.

Ivy walked up to Nie Ning and shot him a reproachful look.

"You're a wizard now, so busy that you can't be seen; of course it's been a long time."

As for Nie Ning's strength, Ivy had already learned about it when chatting with Audrey.

It had to be said, it was truly surprising; she hadn't expected Nie Ning's wizard talent to be so high, and that he would advance to a First-Ring Wizard so quickly.

She had even heard that Nie Ning would soon take over the wizard duties in the city, replacing Ms. Aotili.

"I am indeed quite busy, but I actually wanted to ask you what that was about; didn't you say you had something you needed my help with last time?"

"I'm a First-Ring Wizard now, so you can tell me about it."

Nie Ning shrugged and asked with a smile.

Borton had mentioned before that Ivy seemed to want to explore some kind of ruin, and Nie Ning was also very interested in it.

A small cave had been enough to set him on the path of a wizard back then; if it were a ruin, he would certainly benefit greatly.

Upon hearing this, Ivy looked around furtively.

After making sure there was no one around, Ivy spoke cautiously.

"I didn't want to bother you anymore, after all, you'll have to guard Ska City in the future and deal with those strange creatures..."

"Then forget it."

Hearing this, Nie Ning interrupted Ivy.

Ivy was stunned for a moment, not expecting Nie Ning to refuse directly.

But seeing the teasing look in Nie Ning's eyes, she realized that Nie Ning was just messing with her.

Ivy puffed out her little lips in anger: "There are plenty of people who will accompany this young lady; if you don't want to go, forget it!"

"Hey, I'm kidding, don't take it seriously."

Nie Ning waved his hand and said with a sheepish smile.

Without Ivy, he might still be lingering at the wizard apprentice level, and he certainly wouldn't have known about the illness he had.

To a certain extent, this could be considered a life-saving grace.

Although he still needed to pay a separate price, Ivy's help had played a key role.

Ivy glared at Nie Ning and then began to tell him about the ruins.

It was said that there used to be a faction here called the Blood Flame Knights Association, located south of the Wantai Forest.

The Blood Flame Knights Association possessed a special secret technique of explosive energy, which could briefly increase the user's strength; it was a very domineering knight secret technique.

And during years of fighting, they naturally collected many precious items and knight cultivation techniques.

Someone in Ivy's aristocratic circle had obtained a map that seemed to point to this vanished knight faction.

For this reason, Ivy wanted to invite Nie Ning to form a team to enter the Wantai Forest and search for the ruins of the Blood Flame Knights Association.

...

After listening to Ivy's account, Nie Ning tilted his head, his interest immediately waning.

"A knight faction? Don't you have the talent of a Psionicist? Why don't you become a wizard?"

Nie Ning asked in confusion.

Compared to knights, wizards were obviously stronger and had better prospects for development.

Given Ivy's family background, and since Audrey lived here, it shouldn't be difficult to become a wizard, right?

Ivy rolled her eyes at Nie Ning.

"Wizards depend on Spiritual Power aptitude; my knight talent is higher, and the probability of becoming stronger is greater, and also..."

Towards the end, Ivy's face flushed slightly, and she began to stammer.

"What's wrong?"

Nie Ning looked at Ivy's reddening face, feeling very strange.

Ivy took a deep breath and then stated the reason.

"And my academic grades are not good; I've been at the bottom of the class in school for years, so I'm not suitable to be a wizard who needs to learn all kinds of knowledge."

Upon hearing this, Nie Ning couldn't help but be stunned.

After realizing what she meant, Nie Ning fought hard to keep himself from laughing out loud.

So that was it; he had thought Ivy had some unspeakable secret, but it turned out she was just a standard super academic failure.

Thinking about it, it did make sense; a learned and talented wizard was indeed not suitable for an academic failure.

But at least Ivy had self-awareness; in this way, becoming a knight was indeed more promising than becoming a wizard.

Anyway, she had a strong body, and for fighting, she could just rely on brute force.

"What's so funny? It's not that I don't want to learn, it's just that the knowledge in the books doesn't want me to learn it."

Ivy pouted, her little face turning red with anger, and she argued defensively.

"Yes, yes, it's the fault of the knowledge; it's that the knowledge likes to go in one ear and out the other."

Nie Ning chimed in, finding it somewhat amusing.

Knowing that Nie Ning was teasing her, Ivy couldn't help but step forward and 'bang bang' punched Nie Ning twice.

However, as a High-Tier Knight, even though Ivy had also advanced to a High-Tier, she still couldn't cause any substantial damage to Nie Ning.