I'm really not the god of time.

Chapter 106 [Phantom Steed] Breakthrough [Illusion Test]

Ding Wanrou gently nuzzled him and said:

"That's great. Auntie knew she hadn't misjudged you. You're so much better than that scumbag Chen Muyan."

Zhang Lingyun took a step back and added another reminder:

"Auntie, Chen Muyan is not the fraudster's real name; it's just an alias."

Ding Wanrou was stunned for a moment, then her eyes immediately welled up with tears.

She instinctively moved closer to Zhang Lingyun, wanting to find someone to lean on.

Ding Wanrou said, choking back tears:

"That bastard is so awful! He lied to me about having a daughter for him, and he didn't even tell me her real name."

Just then, the back door creaked softly.

Ding Shuangshuang walked in, frowning as she looked at the two of them.

Ding Wanrou quickly took a step back and subconsciously straightened her clothes.

She said somewhat awkwardly:

"I'm going out to get busy. You two chat for a while."

Her actions were too deliberate.

Even when nothing's wrong, people feel like something's wrong.

Ding Shuangshuang grabbed Zhang Lingyun by the collar and questioned him:

"That's my mom, what do you want?"

Zhang Lingyun was truly helpless.

He pinched her tense cheeks to let her know the master-servant relationship.

I explained it to her once.

He bought the coffee shop, and now he and his daughter would have a stable life.

She no longer needs to force herself to find a job; she can help out at home if she wants, or continue her studies if she wants.

Upon hearing this, Ding Shuangshuang's icy demeanor immediately softened.

She lost her fierce demeanor and pressed her face against his, about to say a few words of submission.

Suddenly, her gaze swept over the inside of Zhang Lingyun's collar.

There was a faint pink lipstick mark there.

Ding Shuangshuang immediately understood.

This is Xia Youran engaging in a battle of wits with her from afar.

She really didn't expect that the young girl would be so resourceful at such a young age.

It seems I have a long way to go before I can become his official girlfriend.

***

The two chatted for a while longer.

We discussed the issue of auxiliary magic potions for the [Body Tempering Technique].

Zhang Lingyun's plan is to use this time to improve his own strength.

Then he would hire Fang Xinyu and her brother to follow the hunter team into the danger zone and capture a live fairy dragon.

Upon hearing this, Ding Shuangshuang suddenly became worried:

"Those two siblings are hunters; they'll do anything for money. It's too dangerous for you to go alone. Let me go with you."

Zhang Lingyun glanced at her:

"But you haven't reached the level of a [formal warlock] yet, have you?"

Ding Shuangshuang gritted her teeth and said:

"My [Magic Power] will soon reach 200,000. Although I can't break through to the fourth level of [Body Tempering Technique], I can make up for it with other methods, but it will require more time and money."

Zhang Lingyun nodded and said:

"Don't worry about the funding, I'll find a way to solve it for you."

Ding Shuangshuang pouted and said:

"You've spent so much money on me, Xia Youran won't be angry, will she?"

Zhang Lingyun thought for a moment and sighed:

"That is indeed a problem."

However, after a moment's thought, he added:

"I've already spent ten million on you and your daughter, so spending a little more won't hurt."

Hearing this, Ding Shuangshuang felt that she was quite valued.

She swayed and asked:

"So how much did you spend on Xia Youran?"

Zhang Lingyun said:

"She has very low material desires and rarely spends money."

Ding Shuangshuang looked into Zhang Lingyun's eyes.

You could sense a sense of pride in him when he said that.

It's as if he's praising his wife for being particularly thrifty and good at managing the household.

This made Ding Shuangshuang somewhat unhappy.

***

Zhang Lingyun has finally become a [formal warlock].

Although he is still at the lowest rank of [Beginner Warlock].

For the next period of time.

He would be like a doctor rotating through different positions to learn and improve his abilities in various aspects.

The first position given to the manager of the Golden Rose Society was in the society's security department.

This is the same security team that Lan Ruoxi sent to rescue them when they encountered the fraudster last time.

However, Zhang Lingyun cannot participate in formal operations yet and can only learn from his seniors first.

The mentor assigned to guide him was a graduate student from the same university named Wu Shaofan.

He's a cheerful and handsome guy, and he also seems very capable.

Perhaps it was because handsome men appreciate each other, but he and Zhang Lingyun got along quite well.

Not only did they guide him in practicing spell cards, but they also practiced close combat with him.

According to Wu Shaofan, maintaining distance and exchanging magical attacks is a classical approach that has been phased out.

Modern warlocks not only compete with magic in battle, but also often need to engage in close combat.

If a modern sorcerer encounters a classical sorcerer.

They could easily defeat them with a single blow by relying on their physical advantages.

Zhang Lingyun felt that he had benefited greatly from the training.

I admire this senior even more.

This day—

Wu Shaofan called specifically to remind him.

He said that his mentor was giving a public lecture and hoped that he would attend.

His mentor was a renowned sorcerer who majored in the Illusion School and minored in the Prophecy School.

Zhang Lingyun heard that it was the "Illusion School," so he definitely had to go and listen to it.

Even if it's not for myself, I should listen for Xia Youran's sake.

Xia Youran majored in the [Charm School] and minored in the [Illusion School].

As her most beloved cousin, he naturally had to pave the way for her studies.

When Zhang Lingyun arrived at the venue, she saw that it was already full of people.

But what puzzled him was that the first three rows were empty.

That's a bit strange.

Why is no one sitting in the front row when the lecture is so popular?

Zhang Lingyun, young and fearless, sat directly in the middle of the front row.

Most of the students sitting in the middle row belonged to the [Illusion School].

They saw a strange teenager sit directly in the front row.

Someone whispered:

"Where did this expert come from?"

"Perhaps he doesn't know the rules."

"Should we tell him?"

"No, let him suffer a bit, let's watch a good show together."

Several people were talking incessantly.

But a pretty senior student next to him, looking at Zhang Lingyun's handsome profile, felt a pang of pity.

She called out softly a few times:

"Hey, it's dangerous for you to be sitting in the front."

Zhang Lingyun looked back, somewhat puzzled.

"Is there any danger?"

"Which school of thought are you a junior student from?"

"I belong to the [Change School]."

"As expected, you're from the outside school. Anyway, you'd better listen to me and sit in the last row."

Zhang Lingyun's doubts deepened.

Just then, Wu Shaofan went up and set up the podium.

Then, he saw Zhang Lingyun.

Wu Shaofan said with a smile:

"Junior, you've got guts."

Zhang Lingyun asked with even greater confusion:

"Is there a problem?"

Wu Shaofan explained:

"During my tutor's lecture later, all sorts of hallucinations will occur. Since you're so close, you'll be the first to be affected."

Zhang Lingyun then let out a loud "Aww".

I thought to myself, no wonder everyone is sitting so far apart.

However, he was still not prepared to change seats:

"I'm here to listen to the lectures, but it would be even better if I could experience it firsthand."

Wu Shaofan laughed:

"Good, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger."

After adjusting the equipment, Wu Shaofan spoke a few more words.

To Zhang Lingyun's surprise, he didn't say anything polite like "thank you" or "welcome," but instead started selling potions while playing GG.

Wu Shaofan said:

"Let me tell you in advance that I have a batch of excellent Illusion School potions here, all of which were personally prepared by my mentor and are very suitable for university students."

I suggest you buy a bottle of medicine and take it before attending the lecture; it will make things much more effective.

There was a rustling sound in the hall; everyone was talking quietly.

Then someone stood up and asked to buy a potion.

Wu Shaofan walked over with a smile, exchanging money and medicine with one hand, making the transaction very skillful.

After he had walked around once, he had already sold dozens of bottles of magic potions.

However, they were all low-level magic potions such as [Illusionary Sound] and [Cloud Mist].

When he walked up to Zhang Lingyun, he asked again:

"Junior, do you have any illusion magic?"

Zhang Lingyun nodded and said:

"I possess the [Disguise Technique] and the [Sound Illusion Technique]."

Wu Shaofan shook his head and said:

"It's barely acceptable, but too low. If you want a better learning experience, I suggest you choose one in the third ring road or above."

Zhang Lingyun asked:

"Senior, do you have any third-ring potions here?"

Wu Shaofan picked up a gray reagent bottle and said:

"I recommend this [Phantom Steed]. You can summon a semi-transparent magical warhorse that can carry you across any terrain."

Zhang Lingyun blinked in confusion and said:

"Isn't it an illusion?"

Wu Shaofan said:

"It is indeed an illusion. But some illusions can be so realistic that they can be mistaken for the real thing."

At this point, Zhang Lingyun finally became interested.

Using this thing for transportation would be way cooler than a motorcycle.

Zhang Lingyun said:

"Then I'll take this one."

Wu Shaofan said:

"One million per bottle, thank you for your patronage."

Zhang Lingyun frowned, feeling that it was a bit pricey!

But he still paid for it.

Hearing the transfer notification sound, Wu Shaofan nodded in satisfaction and added:

"One more thing to remind you: once the Phantom Steed is summoned, it will continuously consume your [Mana].

Zhang Lingyun frowned.

I realized that's how it is; no wonder I haven't seen anyone riding a Phantom Horse to work on the street.

A moment later, the venue suddenly fell silent.

An elderly sorcerer slowly sat down on the podium.

He looked to be around seventy years old, with his gray hair neatly combed.

Wearing thick-rimmed black glasses, he held an enamel thermos cup with the words "Model Worker" printed on it.

He exuded the rigidity of an old-fashioned intellectual.

Wu Shaofan introduced in a low voice:

"This is my mentor, Song Qinghe. You should study hard."

After he finished speaking, he stepped back to the side of the podium.

Song Qinghe tidied up the lecture notes on the table.

Then he said slowly:

"Are there any new students today? I believe many people have a misconception that the Illusion School only creates useless illusions."

Actually, this is a huge misconception. Let me demonstrate it for you.

Then, with a whoosh, it went off.

The lecture hall next to me vanished instantly.

Instead, a vast grassland stretched as far as the eye could see.

A strong wind whipped up dust, instantly obscuring the sky.

Then thousands upon thousands of bison, heads bowed, charged from the horizon.

Their horns gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the sound of their hooves shook the earth.

It looked like they were about to crush everyone into mincemeat at any moment.

Zhang Lingyun was startled.

Not only did my mind tense up instantly, but my body also instinctively assumed a defensive posture.

But the next second...

All the illusions vanished in an instant.

The lecture hall has been restored to its original state.

Immediately afterwards, screams of agony came from behind.

Several timid students were so frightened that they fainted.

Zhang Lingyun frowned.

That move just now felt quite amazing.

Professor Song Qinghe clearly dispelled the spell at the last moment.

If those bison were to actually run over the students, who knows what terrible consequences would occur.

Song Qinghe looked up and glanced at the entire room.

Seeing Zhang Lingyun sitting in the front row, who only had a little bit of cold sweat on his forehead and continued to look at the podium with a calm expression.

Song Qinghe nodded slightly.

I thought to myself that this student was quite capable.

Then he began to explain.

It starts with the basic theories of the Illusion School and discusses its various applications in actual combat.

After everyone has digested it,

Song Qinghe added:

"To enhance everyone's understanding, I will take you through another illusion."

Those of you who just bought my potion, you can take it now. I'll help you digest its effects within the illusion.

Zhang Lingyun was stunned for a moment.

This doesn't feel like an academic lecture; it feels more like they're there to sell medicine.

Just like those TV dramas that sold fake medicine in my previous life.

The only difference is that this professor has genuine talent and knowledge.

Zhang Lingyun opened the bottle and drank the [Phantom Steed] potion.

Suddenly, all sorts of illusions appeared in his eyes and ears.

Then Song Qinghe took out a magic card.

In an instant, the entire lecture hall was drawn into an even deeper illusion.

After all the students were immersed in the illusion,

Song Qinghe stood up and asked:

"How much medicine did you sell today?"

Wu Shaofan glanced at the medicine packet in his hand and said:

"About fifty bottles."

Song Qinghe nodded:

"It's alright. How much income do you have?"

Wu Shaofan said with a smile:

"The income is very good; someone bought a bottle of Sanhuan's 'Phantom Steed'."

Song Qinghe was immediately pleased:

"Wow, students these days are getting richer and richer. Who bought it?"

Wu Shaofan pointed to Zhang Lingyun, who was sitting at the very front.

Song Qinghe nodded:

"This young man is quite good. First of all, he is very bold, and he seems to have good comprehension."

However, since he was sitting so close to the front, he was probably the one who experienced the most shock.

Wu Shaofan smiled and said:

"I just reminded him, but he insisted on experiencing it for himself."

Song Qinghe stroked his chin with amusement.

Looking at Zhang Lingyun's empty eyes, his facial expressions kept changing.

Song Qinghe said:

"There are always some young people who underestimate the power of the Illusion School and sit in the front row without any restraint."

I want to see how long this young man can last in this illusion.

In the illusion.

Zhang Lingyun arrived at a strange place.

This place is like a fantasy world, with a blue-green sky overhead and strange creatures scattered all around.

Zhang Lingyun suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

He thought about it carefully—

Isn't this the spirit world where Miss Nine-Headed Bird was when I summoned the messenger?

During Zhang Lingyun's contemplation.

The students who were pulled into the illusion with him have been attacked one after another.

Amidst screams and groans.

They vanished one by one, like bubbles.

Zhang Lingyun estimated that once the people here die, they will likely return to the real world.

Some senior students from the [Illusion School] have begun to use various methods to fight against this illusion.

However, their methods were rather clumsy, and they were no match for Song Qinghe. They were defeated one by one.

Zhang Lingyun had just taken the [Phantom Steed]'s potion.

He wanted to take this opportunity to digest the effects of the medicine here.

So, he found a secluded place and entered a meditative state.

With the help of the [Awakening Card] simulator, Zhang Lingyun spent several years.

I finally fully digested the [Phantom Steed] potion and took the opportunity to max out my spell proficiency.

When a pack of hungry wolves made of skeletons suddenly pounced on him from the shadows.

Zhang Lingyun suddenly opened his eyes.

A silver-glowing card, "Phantom Steed," fell from his hand.

At the same instant, he summoned the translucent magical warhorse.

The horse had a black body and gray mane, its hooves treading on smoke, and its whole body emitted a faint, eerie light.

Zhang Lingyun mounted his warhorse and gently patted its neck.

This Phantom Steed seems to be in tune with his thoughts.

It let out a cry to the sky and suddenly charged off.

The semi-transparent horse, like a fleeting shadow, galloped wildly through the spirit world.

Whether it's a mountain or a river, a swamp or a jungle, it can easily and swiftly traverse them.

Along the way, strange creatures kept trying to eat the man and the horse.

But it couldn't catch up with the speed of the Phantom Steed at all.

In a real-world lecture hall.

The students gradually woke up.

Everyone was drenched in sweat and looked extremely disheveled.

Several girls buried their faces in their hands and cried quietly on the table.

Upon seeing this, Song Qinghe smiled knowingly.

Then he looked at Zhang Lingyun in the front row and showed a hint of surprise.

He never expected that this young man would persevere to the end.

Song Qinghe asked curiously:

"How long did you persevere back then?"

Wu Shaofan replied:

"37 minutes."

Song Qinghe shook his head incredulously:

"Then this young man is about to catch up with you."

Wu Shaofan nodded:

"Maybe he's a genius and might surpass me."

Song Qinghe then laughed again:

"There aren't that many geniuses in the world. I think he's probably just lucky."

Wu Shaofan said:

"Even if it was just good luck, this performance was still pretty good."

Song Qinghe nodded seriously and said:

"This young man is indeed quite talented and qualified to be my apprentice. I'll give him a chance when he wakes up later."

But Wu Shaofan smiled and said:

"Mentor, please don't even think about it."

Why?

"Because he already has a master."

"Hmph! I, the old man, personally asked for him. Do you think his master would refuse to give me face?"

Wu Shaofan coughed lightly and said:

"His master is Lan Ruoxi. Do you think she'll give you face?"