The principles of sorcery. This chapter in the book explained how the Eye of True Sight worked.
Through Li Chengguo and Liu Ting's explanation, the "Eye of True Sight" was a tool used by sorcerers to view the world for what it was and recognize the natural laws that governed it.
However, Ren Xiaosu had also held the Eye of True Sight before, and it was even the most powerful Eye of True Sight they had mentioned. However, he did not sense a single thing they had pointed out, nor did he feel any difference in how he saw the world after he came into possession of the stone.
But in the book, the opening quote read, "The Eye of True Sight is a tool used by sorcerers to concentrate their willpower."
Compared to the mystical explanation of the two servants, Ren Xiaosu was more inclined to believe the explanation in the book. This way, it was clear the commonality between sorcerers and superhumans from the Central Plains was their willpower.
Now that he thought about it, what Yang Xiaojin had told him back then really was true. It could serve as an explanation for all the events that transcended nature. "When disaster comes, mental strength becomes the highest caliber of weapon humanity has in the face of danger."
When Ren Xiaosu first started reading the book, he had done so with the mindset it would be fun. But when he saw that quote, he turned serious and continued reading it.
"The willpower of humans is imperceptible, and no one has ever been able to accurately measure it before. It's as though it's non-existent.
"However, using the Eye of True Sight as a foundation, the Magi created a system to materialize their willpower.
"These methods are either incantations or meditative visualizations. This author had a discussion with a certain Central Plains rider who believes this could prove to be an obstacle to the advancement of the Magi, and this concern will be explained in detail later on."
When Ren Xiaosu saw this, he was taken aback. He instantly flipped through the book to see its publication date. However, there was nothing other than content related to sorcery in it. There was no indication of when the book was written nor its publication date.
"Mel, which era was the author of this book from?" Ren Xiaosu asked.
"Can you show a little respect?!" Melgor's anger soared.
"Wasn't I just trying to be endearing?" Ren Xiaosu said, "In order to express our affection, the people in the Central Plains call each other that."
"Bullshit." Melgor said angrily, "There's so many people from the Central Plains in the Kingdom of Sorcerers. Don't assume I don't know your traditions."
"Oh, you're a smart one," Ren Xiaosu muttered. "So Lord Melgor, who's the author of this book?"
"I don't know," Melgor snapped. "In any case, he's ancient. This book has already gone through seven editions."
"Then have you heard of the Central Plains Rider mentioned in the book?" Ren Xiaosu asked.
"Central Plains rider?" Melgor shook his head. He glanced over what Ren Xiaosu was reading and said disdainfully, "You mean like a knight? I've never heard of them before. Why would a sorcerer interact with a knight? The most honorable role for a knight is to assist a sorcerer. They know nothing about sorcery, so what's there to discuss with them? And they're even Central Plains knights?"
Ren Xiaosu lowered his head and pondered it for a moment. The author had described the person as a rider from the Central Plains. Perhaps those in the nation of sorcerers would think of them as knights who rode on horseback into war.
However, Ren Xiaosu knew full well that "rider" as a term in the Central Plains specifically referred to those who were members of the Riders organization.
He had asked Li Yinglong, Qin Sheng, and the others about it. It seemed that after The Cataclysm, no one from the Riders had ever left the Central Plains. Now that the Riders had made a trip to the southwestern mountains, that was considered going away on a distant journey.
Then who was the person that had a discussion with the author? Could it be Ren He, the founder of the Riders and the Qinghe Group?!
In that case, the author had to also be someone from the Pre-Cataclysm times, and he should be a very powerful figure as well. Otherwise, how could he be qualified to interact with a Rider?
For some reason, Ren Xiaosu felt a sense of endearment when he saw the familiar name in a book about sorcery.
Thinking of this, Ren Xiaosu suddenly placed more emphasis on this book, because the founder of the Riders was a true legend.
When Ren Xiaosu saw the hesitant expression on Melgor's face and also the two servants snickering, he guessed Melgor was just using the book to brush him off.
However, he was too excited to care about that now.
Moreover, he thought he might be able to learn more from this book than a fringe sorcerer like Melgor.
At night, Melgor sat at the campfire and meditated. His mouth was slightly open while his eyes were slightly closed. He was in an extremely relaxed state.
Ren Xiaosu put down the book he was reading and asked, "Do y'all sorcerers all need to meditate?"
Li Chengguo and Liu Ting hurriedly pulled him away and whispered, "You must never interrupt a sorcerer while they're meditating."
"It's that serious?" Ren Xiaosu asked, "What's the use of meditating?"
"Only those who meditate daily can become stronger." Li Chengguo explained, "Let me put it to you this way. For those who don't meditate, they might reach their limits after casting one or two spells. But for those who have meditated for ten years, they can cast more than 10 or even 20-plus spells a day."
Ren Xiaosu thought to himself that this must be a way to slowly increase one's willpower.
Melgor suddenly opened his eyes and explained, "Meditation is the way for a sorcerer to get stronger."
"Then how do I meditate?" Ren Xiaosu asked.
"You can't learn that yet." Melgor said, "Without the Eye of True Sight, you won't be able to enter a meditative state at all."
Ren Xiaosu was stunned. Meditation actually required external help?
He said, "Then teach me the method first. How should I meditate if I have the Eye of True Sight?"
When Melgor saw Ren Xiaosu's determined gaze, he said helplessly, "Hold the Eye of True Sight and then close your eyes. After a hundred respirations, you'll naturally enter your inner world of meditation."
"What's the inner world like?" Ren Xiaosu was curious.
"For some, it might be a pool, while for others, it can be a stream, a windmill, or even farmland. It varies from person to person." Melgor said, "Of course, the different inner worlds have something in common. The more powerful a sorcerer is, the more magnificent their inner world is. There was once a great sorcerer named Oz who said his inner world consisted of only a single leaf. However, the size of the leaf was a mountain floating in the air. It was so big it was difficult to look up at."
Ren Xiaosu suddenly said, "I'm going to sleep."
With that, he went back into his tent.
Li Chengguo and Liu Ting looked at each other. "He must have gone to meditate, right? Didn't Lord Melgor tell him that he must have the Eye of True Sight to do that? Why doesn't that kid believe him? He's way too stubborn. Besides, Lord Melgor hasn't even retired to bed, yet that guy dares to head back to his tent first?"
"Forget it, just let him be." Melgor sighed.
Melgor was still feeling guilty about brushing off Ren Xiaosu with the book.