After searching in vain, Xiao Yu set her sights on her father's study.
Xiao Yu had seen the ancient books and scrolls in the study, and many of them had cool patterns. One in particular left a deep impression: a fierce monster head, perfect for a tattoo.
With that thought, Xiao Yu scurried over and crept towards the study door.
The moment she opened it, a pungent odor wafted out, causing Xiao Yu to sneeze multiple times.
Now it was a disaster. She had intended to grab a book and leave, but her sneezing fit had alerted her father.
Facing her father's gaze, Xiao Yu quickly improvised, saying, "I'm going to grab a book to review some of the magic I've learned."
Xiao Yu was her father's first disciple, and she had already mastered some simple magic. Her father wasn't worried about her causing trouble, so he let her have her way.
After all, in the future, technology would play a lesser role, and magic would once again become mainstream. Learning more magic would be beneficial for Xiao Yu.
"Alright, remember to put the book back when you're done."
With that, her father lowered his head and continued translating the ancient texts on his desk.
Seeing that her father wasn't suspicious, Xiao Yu immediately ran to the bookshelf to find the book. She rummaged through it and finally located the one she needed on the third shelf.
As Xiao Yu turned to leave with the book, her father called out to her again.
"Xiao Yu."
"What is it, Father?"
Xiao Yu felt a pang of guilt, hiding the book behind her back as she answered cautiously.
"Father's red tea is finished. Without tea, I can't concentrate. Go make me some."
He handed her the teapot.
Xiao Yu sighed, resigned. Under her father's gaze, she had no choice but to brace herself and take the teapot. However, this action revealed the book in her hand to her father.
"Xiao Yu, why are you taking that book? Dark magic is evil and dangerous."
Her father's study contained many magic books, some of which recorded dark magic.
The reason dark magic was called dark magic was primarily because of its immense destructive power, often accompanied by side effects after use. The materials used were often unacceptable to many, which is why it was opposed by mainstream mages.
Her father, a traditional archmage, would naturally not study these "heretical" arts. However, by reading about dark magic, he could gain inspiration and knowledge, preparing for potential future encounters.
Her father knew Xiao Yu wouldn't actually practice dark magic; he was just curious why she was seeking out that particular book.
"Uh..." Xiao Yu, being quick-witted, her eyes darted around as she said, "We're dealing with demons now, aren't we? The Holy Lord must use dark magic, so I wanted to read up on it beforehand. Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll win every battle."
"Mm." Her father nodded, very pleased with Xiao Yu's explanation.
Fearing her father would pry further, Xiao Yu quickly changed the subject and asked, "Father, what's wrong with Uncle Chen Long?"
Her father glanced at Chen Long, feigning an air of normalcy, and said, "Nothing, he's probably just tired and wants to rest."
"But he shouldn't sleep here; he'll catch a cold."
Her father replied, "It's fine. Chen Long still has work to do. When he wakes up, he'll help me translate ancient texts."
Seeing that her attempt to change the subject had succeeded, Xiao Yu said no more and ran out of the study with her short legs.
After leaving the study, Xiao Yu quickly returned to her room, closed the door, locked it, and flipped through the book, quickly finding the page with the cool-looking human head.
"This is too easy."
Xiao Yu placed a piece of paper over the page and traced the drawing with a marker. While the ink was still wet, she took the drawing to the washbasin, pressed it onto her ankle, poured some water over it, and then pressed down hard. A few minutes later, she peeled it off, and the black pattern was perfectly transferred onto her leg.
"Great, it looks just like the real thing."
Xiao Yu was very satisfied with the cool pattern on her leg. She could show it off tomorrow.
As she was applying it, the pattern had already begun to take effect.
But Xiao Yu knew nothing of this.
While she was admiring her new "tattoo," Xiao Yu suddenly remembered that her father had asked her to make tea. She had been so focused on her fake tattoo that she had forgotten all about it.
Xiao Yu dared not delay. She quickly returned to her room to get the teapot and make tea, lest her father start nagging her again.
As Xiao Yu passed by the study, a sudden commotion from inside caught her attention. The noise continued, sounding like something colliding, and it was growing louder, causing the entire antique shop to tremble slightly.
"Sir."
Sensing the abnormality in the study, Te Lu hurried out of the kitchen and rushed to the study door.
First, he told Xiao Yu to step aside, then grabbed the doorknob and shoved the door open with a bang.
The moment the door opened, several books were swept out by a strong gust of air.
Fortunately, Te Lu was large enough to stand at the doorway and block all the flying books.
Inside the study, it was a mess. Books and papers were scattered everywhere, tables and chairs were overturned, and the entire study looked as if it had been hit by a tornado.
And the source of all this chaos was Chen Long, who was floating in the center of the study.
However, Chen Long was still asleep, his body suspended in mid-air, oblivious to everything happening around him. Her father stood by the wall, watching with a solemn expression.
"Father," Xiao Yu ran to her father's side and asked, "What's wrong with Uncle Chen Long?"
Her father pushed up his glasses and said nonchalantly, "Chen Long is tired and needs to sleep."
"Okay, I won't disturb you then."
Her objective achieved, Xiao Yu swiftly fled the study, not wanting to waste another second.
As Xiao Yu left, her father let out a helpless sigh. Chen Long's condition was not simply due to tiredness, but what could her father do? Telling Xiao Yu would only worry her, and it would be of no use.
All he could do now was hope that Chen Long could persuade the immortal soul within the divine armor.
The result was that her father had greatly overestimated Chen Long, the Muggle.
Chen Long could fight black hands and demons without fear, but asking him to understand magic and deduce his current location was truly asking too much.
"Ah! I'm going to fall!"
Opening his eyes, he looked at everything around him.
Chen Long was completely bewildered by his current predicament. Everything he saw was shrouded in a hazy mist, the entire world seemed to be covered by a large veil, giving a sense of faintness.
This was not the most urgent matter. When Chen Long looked down and saw that he wasn't standing on the ground but floating in mid-air, he felt a sudden unease, and his body belatedly began to fall.