Chapter 856 – A New Miracle

Mo Lan deliberately waited two more days, giving the White Crystal People time to gather and store more light liquid, before once again assuming the image of the “Light-Gathering Fairy.” She sat poised atop her leaf-shaped flying carpet, surrounded by a soft radiance, and appeared above the valley.

“Are you prepared to face the true test?”

Her thoughts spread throughout the valley as her gaze swept over the White Crystal People below, who bowed respectfully at her arrival.

Led by Xinhen, the White Crystal People all nodded. Under their breathless, attentive gazes, Mo Lan raised her hand and pointed toward the enormous orb of light hovering above the valley.

“From this day forward, the light of this valley shall be guarded by you yourselves.”

As her words fell, the enormous light orb dissipated silently like a phantom. The bright valley instantly dimmed considerably, leaving only the glow of Light-Gathering Star in the sky and the small light orbs the White Crystal People had made themselves.

True self-reliance began now.

Unfortunately, they had only just begun learning Magic. Their Heart Light was far too scarce — two people working together, exhausting all their Heart Light to cast a light orb, could only supplement the basic illumination needs of a single high-yield white crystal tree. In three days, they could barely condense a single drop of premium light liquid.

Admittedly, the energy contained in that one drop of premium light liquid was already enough to maintain two White Crystal People’s bodies in a basic state resistant to cracking for three days, with even a slight surplus. This was far, far better than the old days of squeezing dry their own emotional energy just to drink a little diluted inferior light liquid each day, perpetually struggling on the brink of shattering.

But having witnessed that enormous orb brighter and more enduring than Light-Gathering Star itself, having experienced the warmth and security of being surrounded by abundant energy — how could the White Crystal People possibly be content with this feeble light, dim as a single spark among the stars?

Moreover, the《Magic Fundamental Principles》bestowed by the “Light-Gathering Fairy” clearly stated that as proficiency in the Light spell increased, Heart Light consumption would gradually decrease, while control over brightness would become ever more precise and effortless.

“Practice! Only more practice!”

The White Crystal People erupted with even greater enthusiasm for magical practice.

“Fortunately, we followed the Fairy’s guidance earlier and stored so much premium light liquid.”

Now, these reserves became their most precious asset for maintaining high-frequency magical practice.

Whenever their Heart Light was exhausted, they would drink premium light liquid to recover quickly, then immediately throw themselves into the next round of spellcasting practice.

Mo Lan was happy to see this.

From what she could tell, even having just learned the Light spell, the White Crystal People had no problem sustaining themselves by growing white crystal trees.

If the trees here weren’t the high-quality variety that produced premium light liquid, they would certainly yield more than just this amount.

But reaching the days of having more premium light liquid than they could drink was still a very long way off.

Still, this was enough. Being able to achieve self-sufficiency through their own power at the very beginning of learning Magic was far more worthwhile than extracting emotional energy. Anyone would know which option was more advantageous.

On White Crystal Star, Magic had already established the basic conditions to replace emotional energy.

The next step was getting more White Crystal People to learn Magic.

In the days that followed, Mo Lan would appear briefly each day, specifically to guide the White Crystal People in the valley on how to master the Light spell with greater finesse. But from beginning to end, she never taught a single new spell.

No matter how much light liquid was stored in the crystal pools, it couldn’t withstand the near-constant, high-intensity practice consumption of twelve White Crystal People.

The rate of consumption far exceeded what their light orb spells could produce, and the light liquid in the crystal pools began to visibly diminish. Finally, the very last drop of light liquid in the pools was divided and consumed.

The White Crystal People had no choice but to drastically reduce their practice frequency, spending more time waiting for their Heart Light to recover naturally.

This sudden shift from abundance to scarcity caused tremendous discomfort and anxiety among the White Crystal People, who had already grown accustomed to rapid recovery and efficient practice.

Eventually, led by Xinhen, the White Crystal People gathered before the altar. They prayed devoutly toward the three eternally cool and distant Light-Gathering Stars in the sky, calling for the “Light-Gathering Fairy” to descend once more.

When Mo Lan’s figure appeared accompanied by streaming light, Xinhen, representing them all, prostrated on the ground and pleaded with reverence and urgency:

“Great Light-Gathering Fairy, we humbly beseech you to perform your miracle once more and grant the valley the radiance it once had! We are willing to pay any price!”

Mo Lan listened quietly, but had no intention of granting their wish:

“Miracles can be relied upon in emergencies, but not depended upon forever. Reliance will only make you forget your own strength. I have already taught you Light Magic sufficient to sustain your survival. The remaining path must be walked by yourselves.”

As her words fell, twelve cards with the texture of crystal flew from her hands, landing precisely in the hands of each White Crystal Person.

“These are invitation cards to the Light-Gathering Society, and also the last gift I leave you. The remaining magical teachings are all contained within the Society’s Knowledge Cards — join the Light-Gathering Society and you will have the opportunity to obtain them.”

Mo Lan’s voice echoed in their minds:

“The barrier around the valley has been lifted. You… are free to leave. Whether you stay here to refine your skills, or venture out to bring hope to more of your kin — the choice is in your own hands.”

The moment she finished speaking, Mo Lan’s figure vanished completely from the sky. No matter how the White Crystal People called out, she did not appear again.

The hope the White Crystal People had just kindled seemed to be drained away in an instant. The atmosphere in the valley sank to its lowest point.

They had been brought back from the depths of despair to this paradise by the “Light-Gathering Fairy.” Now the Fairy’s departure made them feel the panic and bewilderment of abandonment once more.

In this oppressive silence, someone — no one knew who — instinctively used the Light-Gathering Society Invitation Card in their hand.

In that instant, a detailed explanation of the “Light-Gathering Society” and a dazzling 《Light-Gathering Card Catalog》 appeared directly before their eyes.

“The Fairy hasn’t abandoned us!” they cried out excitedly, their voice trembling with wild joy. “The Fairy has bestowed a new miracle!”

This shout was like a stone cast into a still lake, sending ripples spreading outward in every direction.

All the White Crystal People eagerly used their invitation cards. After learning about the Light-Gathering Society, they immediately signed the Society’s membership contract, paying a portion of their permanent Heart Light as the price.

Then, an even greater surprise struck them:

“The marketplace has inferior light liquid! And the price is so cheap! Even if we’re not great at Magic, at least we won’t have to worry about starving!”

“Look, there’s new magical knowledge! Light Flame Spell? That sounds incredible! And there’s a matching Light Flame Spell Teaching Card — using it lets you see the Fairy’s projection teaching in person? …Damn it, why does it say I have insufficient permissions and can’t purchase it?!”

“Here! ‘Permission level: Apprentice 1’ — you need contribution points to raise your permission level! And contribution points… can only be earned by inviting new members to join the Society!”

…