Peering towards the tip, I saw a flock of small, sparrow-sized black birds busily flitting and rubbing against Zhong Shenxiu.

These little birds were stunningly beautiful, with feathers of every color. Their eyes were an agile blue, and they exuded an aura of nobility.

Don't let their seemingly harmless appearance deceive you. If you assume they are weak because of this, you would be gravely mistaken! No demonic beast that Zhong Shenxiu has managed to contain within the "Chaos Cards" is ordinary stock.

This little bird is named "Windbeak." Its flight speed is swift as the wind, and it possesses an unparalleled destructive force; when it accelerates, it can pierce steel!

Another point worth mentioning is that this "Windbeak" is incredibly empathetic and highly vigilant. In the past, Zhong Shenxiu often used it for sentry duty!

Although the "Windbeak" is considered the weakest of the demonic beasts within the "Chaos Cards," in this world, it could definitely walk sideways, likely able to instantly kill any so-called dragon here!

Zhong Shenxiu watched the "Windbeak" with a smile. It wasn't just because he had gained a capable helper; the more important reason was that it proved the feasibility of his audacious idea. At this rate, summoning the "Tongzang" demonic beasts wouldn't take much longer!

He glanced out the window; everything was still shrouded in darkness, suggesting his meditation hadn't consumed too much time!

Zhong Shenxiu felt no trace of sleepiness. He instructed the "Windbeak" to go outside and stretch its wings, while he remained there, pondering the inscriptions he had seen in the illusion.

The next day, when Zhong Shenxiu appeared before everyone, a beautiful little bird was perched on his shoulder. However, the others were long accustomed to this sight, so they paid it little mind!

Today, Beridanti and Mercedes were here again, for no other reason than the giant demonic worm from yesterday.

"I thought about it last night, and I've decided to study that demonic worm of yours!" Mercedes stated to Zhong Shenxiu with firm resolve.

Zhong Shenxiu wasn't surprised; he was rather composed. "You just need to tell Robin about that!"

Living creatures like that were stored in Robin's "Storage Bracelet," which is why Zhong Shenxiu suggested it.

"Is there anything else?" Zhong Shenxiu found it amusing that Mercedes lingered, looking as if she had something more to say.

"I wish to ask you a few questions regarding magic!" Mercedes said.

"What questions?" Zhong Shenxiu looked at Mercedes with interest. This woman had just given him a surprising gift, and regardless of the matter, he could certainly offer her some help!

"First, I want to ask about the spell you taught me yesterday. Why does it feel different from other techniques, and why can it break convention to affix elemental forces onto an object?" Mercedes asked with determined expression.

"Convention?" Zhong Shenxiu laughed, then added, "Woman, have you been reading too much of that old knowledge?"

Mercedes looked at Zhong Shenxiu, puzzled, not grasping the true meaning of the statement.

Fortunately, Zhong Shenxiu continued, "Convention is merely a shackle binding human thought. The technique I taught you yesterday is nothing to be overly surprised about; it's just that you've never encountered it before!"

Hearing Zhong Shenxiu utter these philosophical words, Mercedes wore a slightly vacant expression!

Zhong Shenxiu felt a bit helpless, so he decided to guide her gently. "Hey, woman, let me ask you a question: do you think ice is cold or hot?" Why ask such a question? Mercedes stared at Zhong Shenxiu, bewildered. Any person with a brain knew that ice was cold, wasn't it? Could there be hot ice?

So, she quickly voiced her thought. To her surprise, Zhong Shenxiu burst into laughter upon hearing it.

Just as Mercedes was wondering why he was laughing, Zhong Shenxiu extended a hand. In his palm rested a square block of ice, about the size of a small block of tofu!

"Woman, touch it, then answer me if it is cold or hot!" A hint of slyness flashed in Zhong Shenxiu's eyes.

Mercedes obeyed, but the moment her hand brushed against the ice block, she snatched it back as if zapped, exclaiming, "It's scalding!"

Beridanti, witnessing this from the side, looked curious. "Let me try too!"

Saying that, she also reached out, but immediately followed with a gasp: "Ah, it really is so hot. How can this be?"

Both women looked at Zhong Shenxiu with pitiable, almost vacant eyes, hoping he would explain it to them.

However, Zhong Shenxiu offered no explanation. Instead, he uttered another philosophical sentence: "Stop letting convention bind your thoughts. Then you will see things beyond your wildest imagination!"

Zhong Shenxiu was imparting the necessary qualities of a research enthusiast to Mercedes!

This time, Mercedes seemed to grasp only half of it, feeling like she had seized onto something essential but couldn't quite articulate it.

Zhong Shenxiu knew that such truths were best understood intuitively rather than explained, so he said no more, instead asking, "Do you have any other questions?"

When Mercedes looked at Zhong Shenxiu again, her eyes were much brighter, and she no longer wished to dwell on the previous question. She quickly posed her second query: "I once read a passage in an ancient magic book that stated different magics can be combined to form more potent spells. However, it specified strict requirements for combining magical attributes, noting that mutually antagonistic attributes could not merge. I still don't quite understand the reasoning behind this."

"Your ancient magic book is flawed!" Zhong Shenxiu's simple statement left Mercedes stunned once more!

Mercedes could never have anticipated Zhong Shenxiu would say such a thing. The book she mentioned was acquired through legitimate channels, absolutely genuine—how could it be...?

Zhong Shenxiu noticed her doubt and quickly clarified, "There are no limitations on the combination of magics; it only depends on whether you can achieve it!"

To strengthen his point, Zhong Shenxiu provided an example. In his left and right hands, orbs of two different colors suddenly appeared. Upon closer inspection, one was clearly a Minor Fireball, and the other a Minor Water Orb!

Mercedes and Beridanti stared at Zhong Shenxiu in utter shock. Although these orbs were the lowest tier of magic, they had never heard of anyone being able to simultaneously cast two spells of different attributes.

This wasn't just a case of one plus one equaling two, because every mage knew that activating magic required mental force and intense concentration. Different elemental magics, due to their distinct elements and elemental arrangement patterns, were fundamentally impossible to cast simultaneously—unless the caster could divide their mind!

They hadn't expected Zhong Shenxiu to shatter another established convention with such casual ease. Indeed, conventions seemed worthless in his presence!

While Mercedes and Beridanti were already stunned by the simultaneous appearance of the two magic orbs, an even more astonishing scene unfolded!

Zhong Shenxiu surprisingly brought his two hands together, pressing the two opposing magic orbs against each other. Yet, strangely, there was no expected explosion, or rather, no sound at all!

What followed was a sight that made their jaws drop: the two orbs completely merged, forming an entirely new sphere—red on the outside, blue on the inside! This... how was this possible?

Mercedes and Beridanti’s jaws nearly hit the floor, their eyes wide, about to pop out of their sockets!

Shock, like a tsunami, instantly engulfed their reason! Their current state could no longer be described merely as 'shock.' Everyone understood the principle that 'water and fire are incompatible,' yet Zhong Shenxiu had so effortlessly overturned this truth!

Heavens, for him, was there anything in this world that remained fixed?

A long time passed before Zhong Shenxiu resumed speaking as Mercedes slowly regained some composure. "Now you should understand what I said earlier. There are no restrictions on combining magics; it just depends on whether you can execute it."

Mercedes had many more questions she intended to ask Zhong Shenxiu, but these two queries alone were already proving too difficult to digest, leaving her with no inclination to ask anything else!

Seeing Mercedes fall silent, Zhong Shenxiu, conversely, became a bit more talkative. Appearing calm on the surface, he asked with genuine interest, "Hey, did you bring that ancient magic book you mentioned with you?"

Mercedes nodded dazedly, as if she had lost her soul.

"Take it out and let me see it!" Zhong Shenxiu commanded. He was curious about everything Mercedes possessed now, unsure if it might bring another surprise.

Mercedes was quite forthcoming. She pulled out a very exquisite box from her magic ring. Since it was a book, unlike the demonic insects, it could be stored in the ring!

"This is it," Mercedes said, handing the entire box over.

Zhong Shenxiu took it casually and glanced briefly at the box. It was made from a type of wood called "Kardek," known for its moisture and pest resistance. The box was adorned with beautiful carvings, exquisitely styled, but it was otherwise an ordinary container, with no magic imbued upon it!

After examining the exterior, Zhong Shenxiu gently opened it.

Logically, given the sheer volume of literature Zhong Shenxiu possessed, he should have remained completely composed upon seeing any book. However, the moment he opened the box, he froze in astonishment!

It must be noted that Zhong Shenxiu’s shock wasn't because of the book inside, but because of another object placed on top of the book... D