Ch: 49-60
Chapter 49: Methods to Enhance Magical Power
Throughout the entire school year, Hermione Granger received perfect scores in almost all her classes and was deeply loved by the Professors—
except Snape.
However, no matter how hard she tried, there was always one person who consistently outperformed her—Susan Bones.
The two were often paired together in class. Whenever a Professor asked a question, they would raise their hands almost simultaneously.
But the difference was—Hermione excelled at quoting textbooks, while Susan's answers were often more insightful.
Hermione's answers were impeccable, but Susan could always provide examples, analyze principles, and deduce conclusions. Naturally, the Professors preferred the latter.
There were even rumors that Snape had once praised Susan during Potion Class—she was the only non-Slytherin student he had ever complimented.
Hermione initially thought it was just a rumor, but gradually, she began to suspect: had Susan received professional training long ago?
Especially when she noticed that Susan often extrapolated knowledge beyond the textbook and even offered her own insights when answering questions.
"She definitely knew about the existence of the Magical Core early on," Hermione thought. "Maybe... she can control her magic at will."
At that moment, her competitive spirit was completely ignited.
——
After class that day, Hermione mustered the courage to ask Lin An, "Professor, can I access my Magical Core myself?"
Lin An put down his pen and smiled, "Of course, as long as you are willing to practice."
"Practice?" Hermione's eyes lit up.
"Exactly." Lin An's tone was steady. "Every day before bed, repeatedly cast simple spells, such as 'Lumos Solem.'
Before your magic is exhausted, feel the flow within your body—once the magic is spent, let it recover naturally.
Repeating this cycle will not only train you to sense your core but also make your magic more flexible and increase its growth rate."
"Professor, are you saying—magic can grow through active consumption? It doesn't rely on age or talent?"
"That is absolutely correct." Lin An nodded.
As his voice fell, the entire room went silent.
Even Hagrid's eyes widened—he had lived for so many years and had never heard of such a thing.
Hermione's worldview was completely overturned.
She asked in shock, "Then... shouldn't this be a secret? If others knew, wouldn't it cause chaos?"
Lin An smiled slightly, "The fact that you thought of that shows you truly understand the value of knowledge."
He paused slightly and continued:
"But I don't believe knowledge should be hidden. The advancement of magic stems from sharing and inheritance.
If it is locked away in the hands of a few, it will stagnate. Only through circulation can magic evolve."
Hermione wanted to ask more, but she saw him gently raise his wand.
A silver-white thread of light, as fine as hair, flew out, silently sinking into the center of their foreheads.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid were stunned simultaneously, then felt a gentle yet sturdy lock added to their minds.
"I have added a layer of protection to your memories," Lin An's voice was low and steady,
"You will not forget what happened today, but when you attempt to mention it to others, this memory will be temporarily sealed away.
It will automatically restore itself after a few hours. No one can read this memory through Legilimency."
Hermione was startled, then realized, "This... is a variant of the Secrecy Charm?"
Lin An smiled, "Something like that. The prototype comes from the Fidelius Charm, but I have improved it.
It no longer relies on a'Secret-Keeper,' but directly locks the structure of thought and incorporates the triggering mechanism of the Memory Charm."
This was originally an experimental spell Lin An developed for "Information Security Arts."
As long as he sets the conditions, he could even make covenant breakers "disappear" immediately upon leaking the secret.
But now, he only used the gentlest version.
The few people nodded, yet none realized the difficulty of this magic.
They simply couldn't imagine that what Lin An had just done was equivalent to restructuring parts of four souls in a matter of seconds.
——
"So," Lin An raised his eyes and smiled faintly, "what did you originally come to see me about?"
Only then did everyone snap back to reality—they had initially contacted the Professor about Norberta.
Hagrid cautiously explained the situation, mentioning that Malfoy was also aware of the dragon's existence.
Lin An listened, then remained silent for a moment.
Logically, he should have let them handle the matter according to the "Original Plot," having the dragon sent away and letting fate take its course.
But he suddenly stopped his train of thought.
"Why should I continue to act according to 'Predetermined Fate'?" he asked himself internally.
Initially, he thought it was to leverage the plot and gain control over the future.
But upon deeper reflection, he realized the real reason was—fear.
He feared the unknown.
He feared that the "future he already knew" would be rewritten.
That sense of security from "controlling everything" actually stemmed from an internal wound—
Since the death of his parents, he had deeply believed: no matter how hard one tried, fate ultimately would not change.
But things were different now.
He was no longer the person he used to be.
He possessed the power to change the world.
He could even redefine the meaning of "fate."
If that was the case—why be bound by fate any longer?
Lin An closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The shadow that had weighed on his heart for years seemed to finally dissipate.
"Professor?" Hermione called softly.
Lin An opened his eyes, his expression peaceful. "It's nothing."
He looked at Hagrid, "I will make you a Magical Suitcase, similar to Newt's, for raising Norberta.
I will obtain the Rearing Permit from the Ministry of Magic for you."
"R-really?" Hagrid's eyes widened, his voice catching in his throat.
Lin An smiled and nodded.
Hagrid excitedly wanted to open his arms for a bear hug, but seeing Lin An's slightly raised eyebrow and recalling the lesson from the last warning, he forcefully stopped the action, scratching his head with an embarrassed laugh.
"Th-thank you, Professor! I promise I will take good care of Norberta!"
"I believe you." Lin An replied calmly.
Chapter 50: The Truth of the Philosopher's Stone
The atmosphere of the end of the school year quietly arrived. The corridors of Hogwarts were filled with the anxiety and tension unique to exam season.
Lin An ensured that none of the students failed the theoretical examination in the Alchemy course he taught.
His method was very direct—forcibly instilling knowledge into the failing students using magic.
As a result, all students passed the written test, but the price was a week of splitting headaches.
Despite this, they were still grateful to the Professor. After all, no one wanted to fail a class at Hogwarts.
As for the practical portion—Lin An did not interfere at all.
He had already provided enough guidance and materials, even offering weekend tutoring.
If someone still failed to refine the substance, it was due to limited talent or lack of effort.
—
Strangely, even though he had interfered with the course of events in several places, Harry Potter was still sentenced to detention and sent into the Forbidden Forest at night.
This made Lin An fall into deep thought.
"Fate... perhaps it truly exists in this world."
He suspected that the entire world possessed a "Correction Force" that would push interfered events back onto their original trajectory.
That power was not the hand of a deity, but more like the automatic regulation of cosmic rules—maintaining the "origin point" of the story.
Therefore, he decided to verify this theory at some point in the future.
—
After the final exams concluded, Hogwarts gradually quieted down.
Lin An used the "Marauder's Map" he refined as an aid to monitor the movements of Dumbledore, Quirrell, and Harry's group.
The moment the three stepped into the restricted area on the third floor, he cast a higher-level invisibility spell than the Disillusionment Charm—the "Invisible Charm Script."
This inspiration came from the "Headless Hat" invented by the Weasley twins, which could completely erase the aura of existence.
He silently followed behind, witnessing their progress through the challenges.
They passed Hagrid's Cerberus, "Fluffy," overcame Professor Sprout's Devil's Snare, went through Flitwick's Flying Key Challenge, then Professor McGonagall's Chessboard Test, the Troll placed by Quirrell, and finally, Snape's headache-inducing Potion Riddle.
Lin An remained silent throughout and did not interfere.
He merely observed quietly—watching how fate proceeded step by step.
Yet, a subtle sense of melancholy arose in his heart.
"Even I wasn't invited to design a challenge."
He thought to himself, a hint of professorial jealousy even rising within him.
—
When the plot reached its conclusion according to the original trajectory, he saw from the shadows:
Harry collapsed after confronting Quirrell, and the Philosopher's Stone slipped from his hand and rolled onto the ground.
Lin An reached out and gently picked up the red stone.
Purple light flashed in his eyes—the "Eye of Analysis" exclusive to Alchemy.
The patterns of the magic circle slowly rotated in his pupils.
"Just as I thought," he muttered, "The Philosopher's Stone is a crystalline body that uses countless souls as a medium to condense pure magic to its extreme."
He closed his eyes and slowly analyzed:
"magic is an almost omnipotent energy; as long as one possesses sufficient quantity and knowledge, any miracle can be achieved."
"And this stone contains nearly infinite magical power.
It can break the limits of elemental transformation, turning base metals into pure gold; it can even break the Fifth Law of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration."
"As for the so-called 'Elixir of Life'—it is merely liquefied magic mixed with soul energy, continuously nourishing the body and soul, allowing life to be endlessly extended.
But—it still cannot prevent aging."
He sighed softly and murmured, "To use this for Alchemy and seeking longevity is truly a waste."
"Don't you agree, Principal?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the air stirred slightly.
Dumbledore's figure appeared in the shadows, his blue eyes gleaming with scrutiny.
"How do you think this stone should be used?"
"To fully utilize its value," Lin An replied calmly. "This stone is a perfect energy source.
If its mechanism can be replicated, the Wizarding world will usher in a true leap in civilization."
His tone gradually became resolute.
"Magical civilization should not remain stuck with ancient rituals and sparks from wand tips.
With the power of this stone, we can develop Magical Technology—building magic cities, curing all diseases, and even exploring the universe.
As long as we can control the energy source, Wizards can usher in a new era."
Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged, but he sighed, "It certainly sounds tempting.
But have you considered how many souls are needed to bind the magic required to create such a stone?"
"There is no need to sacrifice the living," Lin An shook his head. "We only need to take the residual souls of deceased Muggles and reuse them.
Instead of letting death consume them, it is better to give those souls new meaning."
He smiled slightly, his tone soft yet carrying a rational coldness:
"If that still makes people uneasy, then we look for substitutes.
The key to the magic is 'binding,' and the soul is merely the most stable medium.
'Emotion' can also guide magical power—intense love, hatred, and fear can all become catalytic sources for Alchemy."
He paused, then looked up at Dumbledore.
"Shaping energy with emotion, and extending civilization with magic. That is the true meaning of the Philosopher's Stone."
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then sighed softly.
"You are indeed intelligent, and dangerous. Your rationality is admirable, but you are too quick to forget the cost."
"Cost?" Lin An smiled faintly. "I prefer to call it 'Equivalent Exchange'."
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to tighten.
A silent struggle for power spread between the two Wizards.
Finally, Lin An tossed the Philosopher's Stone back.
"Don't worry, I won't take it. Since I already know how to manufacture it, there is naturally no need to take risks."
He turned and left, leaving behind only a casual request:
"If the opportunity arises, please convey to Nicolas Flamel that I would very much like to discuss Alchemy with him."
Dumbledore took the stone, his gaze complex.
He watched Lin An's retreating figure and sighed softly—
"A variable of the era has appeared."
—
Lin An walked out of the Chamber of Secrets and let out a long breath.
At that moment, he finally realized that he was still not ready to be Dumbledore's enemy.
If they truly fought, perhaps he could win, but the cost would be too high.
He needed time, and he needed deeper levels of power.
In the past month, he had already deciphered the "Apparition Mechanism" of the House-elves.
Their magical frequency differs from that of humans, allowing them to pass through protective barriers.
After several experiments, he was also able to move short distances within certain Anti-Apparition areas.
Furthermore, the "Key of Space" he was refining was nearing completion—
Once activated, it would become his gateway to countless worlds.
Moonlight spilled onto the stone steps, stretching his shadow long.
Lin An looked up at the night sky, the corner of his mouth slightly raised.
"The Philosopher's Stone is just the beginning."
"True Alchemy is not about eternal life, but about creating civilization."
Chapter 51: The Price of Fairness
The Hogwarts Great Hall was brightly lit, and the feast marking the end of the school year was about to begin.
Students took their seats, and the air was filled with a mixture of excitement and tension.
But this time, the banners hanging in the Hall were not the green of Slytherin, but the gold and black of Hufflepuff.
That was the glory belonging to Susan Bones and her House.
She had earned a large number of points for the House almost single-handedly throughout the year. Whether in Charms, Potion, or Herbology classes, she raised her hand and answered correctly almost every lesson.
Even Professor Snape, who favored Slytherin, had to award points for her accurate answers—after all, his future happiness depended somewhat on her 'fearsome' cousin.
To help Hufflepuff win the House Cup, Susan even actively sought advice from Lin An regarding Quidditch tactics.
Lin An did not refuse, redesigning a training plan for her, customizing training regimens based on the fitness and reaction abilities of each team member, and giving the Captain a tactical manual—complete with invisible, enhanced flying notes.
He even secretly cast a weak Magical Enhancement Charm on Hufflepuff's brooms, making them lighter and more stable during flight.
Lin An appeared calm, yet he poured his heart into helping Susan realize her wish for "House Revival."
——
The result was obvious.
At the end of the school year, Hufflepuff led in points, and the whole House cheered.
However, just as everyone thought the Golden Cup would finally return to their hands, Dumbledorespoke.
"To recognize the brave actions of Gryffindor's Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley in preventing the theft of the Philosopher's Stone—the House is awarded an additional two hundred and forty points."
As his voice fell, the entire Great Hall instantly went silent.
Immediately following was a wave of overwhelming cheers.
—from the Gryffindor long table.
The Hufflepuff students were dumbfounded.
They watched in disbelief as the hourglass on the Scoreboard flipped its numbers.
Red jewels dropped one by one, and Gryffindor's points soared—until they surpassed Hufflepuff.
The Little Badgers who had been full of expectation just seconds ago could only watch in shock as their victory was snatched away.
Especially Professor Sprout; the smile on her face completely froze.
She had thought that this year she would finally lead her students to win the House Cup, but she never expected it to be so easily snatched away by the collusion of the "Savior" and the "Old Fox."
In that moment, a crazy thought even flashed through her mind—should she add a little poison powder to Dumbledore's Lemon Drop?
——
Lin An, standing in the corner, watched the scene and merely sighed softly.
He was not surprised.
In his view, all of this had been written into the Script of Fate long ago.
He used a slight Psychic Sense to peek into Professor Sprout's thoughts, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
"...Fortunately, she didn't actually go through with it."
——
Before the feast began, Susan sat at the Hufflepuff long table, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
She tried hard to force a smile, but ultimately could not hide the disappointment in her heart.
Just then, a familiar presence quietly entered her mind.
She put down her fork and calmly closed her eyes.
[What's wrong? Little Susan, you look very unhappy.]
That was Lin An's voice, sounding directly in her consciousness.
[Cousin... didn't you already know this would happen?] she responded softly.
[Yes, I warned you long ago. Dumbledore is a good person, but he will never be a fair one.]
Susan clenched her fist.
[But I still thought he would be at least a little fair...]
[There is never true fairness in this world.] Lin An's voice was calm but carried a chill.
[Everyone has their own preferences and stance.
What you perceive as justice is merely convenience chosen by others.]
He paused for a moment and added:
[But remember—if you want to change injustice, you must become the one who can leverage the rules.]
Susan remained silent for a long time.
[Can I do that?]
[Of course, you can.]
Lin An's tone softened slightly.
[But before that, eat something first. Tonight, I will take you and Amelia to see a truly 'worthwhile' sight.]
[...What sight?]
[The Moon.]
At that moment, Susan's eyes finally brightened. She set aside her disappointment and picked up her fork again.
Although the resentment in her heart hadn't dissipated, at least she had something to look forward to.
——
Meanwhile, Dumbledore sat alone in his office, an ancient Communication Mirror resting on his desk.
A face full of wrinkles yet radiant with spirit appeared in the mirror—Nicolas Flamel.
"Do you think the theory that child proposed... is feasible?"
Dumbledore got straight to the point.
"Extremely brilliant." Flamel nodded slowly.
"I have brewed the Philosopher's Stone countless times in my life, yet I never thought of using 'Emotion' to replace the 'soul'.
If what he says is true, this substitution method could significantly reduce the side effects during the brewing process. Although the effect would be weaker, the cost would be much lighter."
Dumbledore fell into contemplation.
"He proposed replacing soul energy with Emotional Energy, and believes that the Philosopher's Stonecan not only be used for Alchemy but also provide energy for the Wizarding world, and even promote the development of technological civilization."
"That means he has reached a height I never trod upon," Flamel sighed.
"I spent six hundred years merely trying to extend my life, yet he wants to reshape the world through Alchemy.
Perhaps... we old folks truly wasted our time."
Dumbledore did not respond, merely lightly rubbing the tabletop.
After a moment, he asked, "What do you think of the boy?"
Flamel pondered for a moment, then slowly replied:
"In my life, I have met a few people similar to him—
They are rational, calm, and harbor no prejudice toward good or evil.
On the path of magic, they can both create miracles and destroy civilizations.
As long as they still have attachments in their hearts, they will maintain a bottom line;
but once they lose what they love, they will become the most dangerous existence in the world."
"Are you worried that day will come?" Dumbledore asked.
Flamel looked at him and sighed:
"Old friend, if that child truly loses all constraints—
I fear even you would be unable to stop him."
Dumbledore was silent for a long time, revealing only a complex expression in the flickering candlelight.
He recalled those eyes, so rational they were almost cold.
Those eyes contained endless knowledge, and also a trace of... humanity's unextinguished warmth.
"Perhaps," he murmured softly, "but at least for now, he is still thinking for the light."
The night wind outside the window ruffled the parchment, and the flame flickered.
Another year had ended, and a New Era was quietly awakening beneath the horizon.
Chapter 52: Reconstruction of Life
After the school year ended, Lin An entered a deep research seclusion.
He sent letters to all his acquaintances and collaborators, stating that he would not be in contact for a considerable period.
To appease his aunt Amelia and little Susan, he fulfilled an earlier promise—to take them to the moon.
Under the transparent dome, the three overlooked the blue Earth, the ocean like flowing sapphires, white clouds entwining the continents, like a silent dream.
Amelia shed quiet tears, while Susan just clutched Lin An's sleeve tightly.
At that moment, she finally believed—techno-magic was not just a fantasy.
But this was just the prologue.
Lin An's true goal involved three things:
First, rewriting his own life code.
Second, refining his own Philosopher's Stone.
Third, using the Philosopher's Stone as the energy core to activate the "gate of the world" project.
However, he understood—if even his body and soul were not perfect, the latter two steps would be impossible.
Thus, he chose to first complete the most dangerous and crucial experiment—"Life Rewriting."
—
The initial stage of the experiment was external verification of the plan.
He single-handedly captured several escaped Dark Wizards and tested the "Life Code Reconstruction Technique" on them.
These individuals were all wanted criminals; some had massacred Muggles in wars, others specialized in illegal transfiguration experiments.
Lin An conducted "Atonement Experiments" for them—if they survived, they would be buried beneath the lunar surface; if they failed, their bodies would be converted into data.
It turned out that the initial experiments had many problems.
Some subjects suffered mental breakdowns and uncontrolled magic during the rewriting process; others experienced physical dissolution due to bloodline rejection.
Lin An did not get angry, merely making calm annotations in his notebook.
After several iterations, the procedure became more refined.
The last few test subjects even gained astonishing magical vitality for a short period—
However, Lin An personally ended them.
"This power should not be wielded by the unworthy."
He said this in a tone as flat as if discussing the weather.
He had briefly considered whether he could control these survivors and transform them into loyal guards.
But this thought was quickly rejected by himself.
Power should only be shared with family and loved ones.
Even so, the version given to them would never be the same as his.
—
With all preparations complete, Lin An stepped into the pristine white laboratory.
It was located in the core area of the lunar base, named the "Regeneration Chamber."
Hundreds of rune arrays and life barriers were inscribed on the white walls.
From organ failure to soul detachment, almost every "possibility of death" was written into the protection program.
The outermost layer was a barrier woven from the threads of the deathly hallows—the invisibility cloak, used to "obscure the gaze of death."
Lin An sat on the white bed in the center, breathing quietly.
"Any possible accident must be eliminated before I die."
This was the first line he wrote on the flyleaf of his notebook.
In the distance, a "backup body" replicated from his genes floated in a liquid chamber.
Should an accident occur, his soul would be forcibly transferred.
—
The experiment officially began.
He first drank a small bottle of Felix Felicis, the liquid flowing like golden light, warm and slightly bitter as it slid into his mouth.
This was his first bottle in a year—the dosage was just right, enough for "luck" to protect the entire process.
Next, he picked up a silver syringe from the sterile table beside him.
Inside was his modified Werewolf virus strain.
Over the past year, by observing the reproductive mechanisms of different magical creatures, he had analyzed the underlying structure of what he called "life code."
He discovered that this code was not an abstract symbol, but a complex intertwining of soul, bloodline, and magical fluctuations.
Originally, the Werewolf virus would invade the bloodline segment, forcibly altering the infected person's "magical sequence."
Lin An modified it—removing the uncontrolled violent factors and rewriting it as a "bloodline grafting vector,"
to replicate and integrate the advantageous characteristics of various magical creatures without changing the main soul.
He took a deep breath and plunged the needle into his left arm.
The silver liquid slowly injected.
—
Thirty seconds later, excruciating pain struck.
Lin An felt as if his blood was set ablaze.
His skin cracked inch by inch, and his muscles and bones seemed to be crushed and recast by some force.
Immediately, he lost consciousness.
His body completely liquefied, turning into a viscous, dark gray gelatinous substance, emanating a putrid smell.
Subsequently, the liquid burned into a ghostly blue flame, silently flickering within the vacuum barrier.
In the firelight, a new life gradually condensed.
Cells regenerated, divided, and reorganized at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.
After seven days and seven nights, a new body was safely formed.
—
Lin An opened his eyes on the eighth day.
The air was filled with faint silver-gray light particles, the lingering glow of the life rune arrays.
He raised his hand, feeling lighter and steadier than ever before.
His reflection in the mirror showed a more stern and handsome face.
He was nearly twenty centimeters taller, with a slender build and shoulders like a sculpture.
"It seems I have finally won the gamble with fate," he murmured with a light laugh.
Next, he examined his magic core with his mental vision.
The original magic cube was now enveloped by a larger cubic structure—
That was his new form after breaking through the "first layer of restriction."
Calculations showed that his magic reserves had almost doubled: approximately fifty times that of an adult Wizard.
He understood that this meant he had entered a completely different level.
But he also noticed an anomaly.
According to the design, he should have been able to break through the "second layer of restriction" simultaneously, but reality was not so.
He wrote a brief note in his notebook:
"Suspected existence of a higher-order constraint mechanism. Further verification needed."
—
After confirming his magic was stable, he began testing his physical performance.
A blaze of flame rose from his feet, and the next moment, he appeared several meters away.
That was the "Fire Apparition" he inherited from the Phoenix bloodline.
Lin An exhaled contentedly.
"Initiate defense test, Siri."
"Yes, sir," a soft female voice replied.
The voice came from a floating crystalline sphere, with runes shimmering inside.
It was a magical intelligent system he created based on the Sorting Hat and the Ravenclaw Diadem, combined with magical logic arrays.
He originally wanted to name it "Jarvis," but later changed it to "Siri" to commemorate a memory from his previous life.
Dozens of spell beams shot simultaneously from the walls, dense as a downpour.
Lin An stood in the center, allowing the light and fire to envelop his body.
A minute later, the light dissipated.
He looked down—his robes were unharmed, his skin intact.
"Siri, data."
"Report: magic resistance has increased beyond that of Dragons and Trolls. If attacked simultaneously by twenty ordinary Wizards, it would require more than thirty seconds to cause minor injury."
"What about a Dumbledore-level Wizard?"
"Calculating... Can cause damage, but efficiency is reduced by twenty to thirty percent, depending on the spell type."
Lin An nodded, then added, "Add parameter—assume the target breaks through the second restriction, with magic more than fifty times that of a normal person."
"Calculating... Unable to parse."
He chuckled softly, not disappointed.
"It seems you still have more to learn."
Chapter 53: The Fire Dimension
"System analysis complete."
Pale blue runic light flashed in the air, and a mechanical female voice sounded soft and restrained.
Lin An nodded slightly.
"Continue the test."
He slowly raised his wand, pointing it at his left arm.
"Sectumsempra."
Accompanied by the cold incantation, a visible cutting beam instantly erupted.
The sharp airflow sliced through flesh and blood with almost no resistance, cleanly severing the entire arm.
Blood gushed like a fountain.
But Lin An remained calm, not even frowning.
He simply lowered his head, observing the flow of blood, the manner in which the tissues ruptured, and the reaction of the magic within.
A few seconds later, a cluster of silent blue flames suddenly ignited at the wound.
The flames spread along the severed edge; the flesh reorganized in the fire, blood flowed back, and bones grew.
A few minutes later, a brand new arm was perfectly restored.
He flexed his fingers; they were as nimble as before.
"Regeneration successful. Fire Spiritual Foundation stable." he recorded calmly.
This experiment confirmed the core secret of the Phoenix bloodline—that regenerative power did not originate from ordinary life energy, but from an independent Fire Dimension.
Lin An discovered in previous research that this dimension was filled with primal vitality and fire elements, the source of all Phoenixes' ability to "reborn."
Through that dimension, Phoenixes could instantly teleport anywhere in the world and restore injuries using its Life Fire.
What was even more shocking was that every Phoenix left a complete copy of itself within that dimension.
When they were killed in the current world, they only needed to reawaken their consciousness to that "backup" to return.
In other words, the Phoenix's "immortality" was not a miracle, but a dimension-level data transfer.
Lin An looked up and said calmly, "So that's it."
At this moment, he could also feel the breathing of that dimension—a fire that was gentle yet eternal.
Now that he had merged with the Phoenix bloodline, he could also freely enter that space.
—
"Begin the next phase."
He commanded.
"Siri, initiate strength and agility testing."
A black cube appeared in the center of the room, its surface engraved with Gravity Runes.
Lin An reached out and lifted it. The cube initially weighed only a few tens of kilograms, but its weight rapidly increased under the drive of magic.
One minute, five minutes, ten minutes... his breathing gradually became heavy, and fine sweat covered his forehead.
Fifteen minutes later, he suddenly threw the cube onto the ground.
Boom—
The ground shook, and the stone slabs cracked. Immediately, Repair Runes automatically flashed, smoothing the cracks back to normal.
"Siri, calculate the data."
"Report: Maximum load capacity is 1,263.89 kilograms."
Lin An pondered for a moment.
"1.4 tons... barely acceptable."
This strength did not come from the bloodline of Giants or Trolls, but from the characteristics of Phoenixtail feathers.
During his genetic design, he recompiled the muscle fibers of his limbs into a "Flame Tension Structure," giving every muscle bundle support similar to a Phoenix tail feather.
—
Subsequently, he began speed and reaction testing.
Running, turning, dodging—his body's reactions far exceeded human limits.
Every movement was precise down to the millimeter.
"Not bad," he murmured to himself.
—
"Next item: Muggle Firearm Test."
He commanded.
"Yes, sir."
A section of the room wall split open, and a handgun automatically floated up.
The muzzle aimed at his chest and fired ten shots consecutively.
Bang bang bang bang—
The bullets struck his skin, scattering sparks, but failed to leave a mark.
Lin An lowered his head to check: his skin was intact, and not even the magic defense had activated.
"Ordinary firearms ineffective," he recorded.
"Next item."
A machine gun barrel extended from the wall, suddenly spitting out dense bursts of fire.
The dense rain of bullets nearly engulfed him.
Ten seconds later, the gunfire ceased.
Several shallow marks appeared on Lin An's chest, and blood beads slid down, but they automatically healed within seconds.
"Penetration less than three millimeters," Siri's voice reported calmly.
Lin An nodded: "Good. Can withstand most Muggle weapons."
—
Next, the room fell silent.
"Sniper test."
The air seemed to solidify.
Lin An closed his eyes.
The next moment, his brow twitched slightly, and his body instantly vanished.
A sniper bullet grazed the spot where he stood, sparking against the air.
He reappeared, his expression calm.
"Thunderbird's precognitive ability—effective."
This talent allowed him to sense the precursors of dangerous fluctuations, enabling an instantaneous reaction.
He remained standing still, waiting quietly.
The second sniper bullet flew toward him.
This time, he did not dodge.
Just as the bullet was only a few centimeters from his forehead, a transparent shield automatically appeared.
The bullet hit the shield and shattered into powder.
"Automatic Defense Charm triggered, response time 0.12 seconds," Siri reported.
Lin An nodded slowly.
This was the only modification he had made to his soul structure—
A Defense Rune embedded deep within his soul that automatically activated upon sensing a threat.
He named this charm the "soul Guardian."
Its function was not only to resist Muggle weapons but also to defend against Dark Arts attacks.
Even the "Avada Kedavra Curse" was theoretically included within its defensive scope.
Years of research led him to discover that the essence of this spell was not the destruction of the body, but the instantaneous annihilation of a specific "Life Anchor"—a microscopic energy that connected the soul and the body.
As long as that anchor was protected, the soul would not be severed.
Therefore, he constructed a Reverse Barrier within his own soul, specifically to protect this energy core.
He had tried to resurrect people struck by the Avada Curse, but always failed.
Because once that anchor collapsed, the Life Circuit was completely broken and could not be rebuilt.
Even injecting new vitality could not replace the original connection.
He closed the experiment log and calmly wrote:
"Life Anchor cannot be replicated. Further research is still needed."
—
The final test was a self-examination at the soul level.
He released his spirit during silent meditation.
The light of his soul spread like an ocean.
Memory Charms, Legilimency, Imperio, Occlumency—all magic related to the mind were triggered one by one in his consciousness, yet easily resolved by him.
The feeling of control gave him the near illusion that—
the magic laws of the entire world were breathing at his fingertips.
When the test concluded, the white laboratory was silent.
He looked up, gazing at the moonlight beyond the transparent dome.
"Power—it has indeed reached my ideal form."
He smiled faintly and turned to leave.
Next, he would begin the experiment to create the Philosopher's Stone.
Chapter 54: The Mind Palace
Before beginning to refine the Philosopher's Stone, Lin An decided to temporarily return to Earth.
The difference in time flow surprised him—only a few days had passed during his experiments on the moon, yet over a month had elapsed on Earth.
He first sent updates via magical communication, writing letters to his family, friends, and partners, informing them of his safety.
While organizing the letters, one sealed with golden wax caught his attention.
The envelope bore an ancient Alchemy mark and a familiar cursive signature.
After reading the contents, Lin An smiled faintly. The next morning, he donned a black frock coat, took out Floo powder, and stepped into the fireplace.
Green flames erupted, and his figure vanished.
—
When the flames extinguished, he appeared before the fireplace of an old French manor.
The air was filled with the scent of old wood and herbs, and 14th-century still-life oil paintings hung on the walls—Muggle artworks, devoid of magic fluctuations.
He recognized the era and style of these paintings with just a glance.
"It certainly matches the owner's taste," he thought.
Soon, faint footsteps echoed from the long corridor within the house.
An extremely aged man slowly emerged.
His body was so thin it was almost transparent, as if a gust of wind could scatter him.
Yet his eyes—they remained bright and steady, like gems unfaded by the years.
Lin An stepped forward and gently clasped his hand.
"Mr. Nicolas Flamel, it's an honor to meet you. I was surprised to receive your letter."
"Oh?" The old man chuckled hoarsely. "Didn't you ask Dumbledore to pass on your address to me?"
"To be honest, I didn't think he would."
Flamel slowly sat down, his tone calm: "That means you don't know him well enough.
His attitude towards you is one of both admiration and wariness.
On one hand, he hopes you can bring about change in the magic world;
On the other hand, he fears you will repeat his old mistakes—like Grindelwald, like Lord Voldemort.
He considers those his lifelong regrets and shadows, and doesn't want to make the same mistake a third time."
Lin An fell silent for a moment, his brow slightly furrowed, then he smiled faintly.
"Perhaps I did view him with prejudice. Never mind, let's not talk about him."
Flamel nodded slightly, gesturing for him to sit.
Soon after, a spry old woman entered carrying a tea tray—it was Perenelle Flamel.
She smiled kindly, placing a teacup in front of Lin An: "Your youth potion is truly miraculous; it made me at least a hundred years younger."
Lin An gave a slight nod: "I'm glad it worked."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two Alchemist masters got straight to the point—knowledge exchange.
"Mr. Flamel," Lin An said solemnly, "I have a method that can allow us to share knowledge more efficiently.
However, this process might be a bit painful."
A flicker of curiosity appeared in Flamel's eyes: "Go ahead, what's an old man like me afraid of pain for?"
He indeed had no worries.
From the moment Lin An stepped into the house, he had sensed that this young Alchemist had broken through the "First Limit."
Achieving this through bloodline modification indicated that his research far surpassed ordinary people.
Even if he activated all the defensive enchantments in the house right now, they wouldn't be able to harm the person before him.
Therefore, he chose to trust.
Lin An took out a sapphire-encrusted crown from his bottomless bag and placed it on his head.
As soft light flowed, ancient runes shimmered into view.
Flamel's gaze sharpened, and he immediately recognized the legendary artifact: "Is that… RowenaRavenclaw's Diadem?"
"Strictly speaking, it's a replica I made after analyzing the original," Lin An replied.
The old man sighed softly: "Youth is truly wonderful; even miracles can be used as experimental material."
Lin An smiled without answering, merely raising his wand and lightly touching his forehead.
A wisp of white light slowly emanated, pointing directly at Flamel's forehead.
It was a linking spell that used the soul as a medium.
Flamel did not hesitate, allowing the light to enter his body.
The next moment, he found himself in a magnificent hall.
The hall was divided into two halves by an invisible wall—one side densely packed with bookshelves and countless ancient texts; the other side vast and boundless, like an endless ocean of knowledge.
An explanation naturally emerged in his consciousness:
This was the "Mind Palace."
The smaller half represented his six centuries of scholarship;
And the immense other half belonged to Lin An.
He was stunned for a long time before letting out a bitter laugh:
"My six hundred years of accumulation are actually less than a young man in his twenties."
Lin An's figure emerged from the light and shadow.
"Mr. Flamel, what is preserved here is not just knowledge, but also memories.
If there's anything you don't want me to see, please hide it."
"Understood," the old man nodded.
Lin An raised his hand.
"Then—let's begin."
A book flew out from each side of the bookshelves, slowly exchanging places.
The pages turned automatically, and runes flickered, pulsating like breathing.
As the pages turned, an invisible force seemed to flow between the two of them. Each overlapping page was like a collision of knowledge, and new understandings surged into their minds like a tide.
The core of this unique method of knowledge exchange was "equivalent exchange." For every book exchanged, both parties gained valuable experience and theories in the corresponding field. This was like a feast of ideas, where both could draw wisdom from the other's books in areas they had never explored.
In this process, they were not just reading books, but also exchanging their thoughts and insights. Each book was like a key, opening a door to a new realm of knowledge. This mutual exchange of knowledge also broadened their horizons and made their thinking more flexible.
However, they both knew that this exchange could not be entirely fair.
The value of knowledge can never be precisely measured.
So they continued to repeat the process.
One, two, ten books... until the entire Mind Palace echoed with a torrent of light.
Flamel sighed inwardly.
"So, this is the thought speed of a new-era Alchemist…"
Meanwhile, Lin An silently absorbed the insights of this ancient scholar.
Six hundred years of experiments and failures, achievements and sacrifices, all compressed into symbols, flowed through his consciousness.
Chapter 55: The Floating City
In the boundless sea of light within the Palace of Thought, Lin An and LeMay had lost track of time.
Both were immersed in the torrent of knowledge—the pages turning not only recorded their individual studies but also carried countless experiments, failures, successes, and painstaking efforts.
What they exchanged was not just knowledge, but the imprints of their souls.
Time had long since lost its meaning in the realm of consciousness.
When LeMay reached out again to exchange pages, he found that the bookshelf on his side was empty.
He was stunned.
—It meant that his knowledge had been completely absorbed.
The old Alchemist sighed deeply, looking toward the shining Library of Light opposite him.
That was Lin An's domain of knowledge—infinite, complex, and so vast it almost inspired awe.
Occasionally, he would sneak a peek at a few pages out of curiosity.
Sometimes it was the derivation formulas for magic Runes, sometimes the decomposition experiments of the Dark Arts, and sometimes, cross-disciplinary research on the soul and cosmic energy.
Some of the discoveries within shocked even him, a six-hundred-year-old master.
—Especially the research concerning the Code of Life and "Dimensional Projection."
LeMay closed the book and murmured softly, "This child... will fundamentally rewrite the nature of the magic world one day."
Just as he was preparing to exit, Lin An, across from him, slowly opened his eyes.
The two exchanged knowing smiles, tacitly concluding the exchange.
—
In the real world, LeMay's body suddenly trembled, and sharp pain struck him like needles.
His hands gripped the armrests tightly, and veins bulged on his forehead.
"Nicolas!" Perenelle cried out, trying to rush over, but her elderly body slowed her down.
Fear flashed in her eyes—they had been in a meditative state for two hours, and now her husband was suddenly screaming; she feared the worst had happened.
Lin An merely frowned slightly, quickly regaining his composure.
He calmly explained, "It's nothing. Just a side effect of the knowledge exchange. His soul received too much information and couldn't process it immediately."
"But he—"
Lin An took out a clear potion and handed it over.
"Don't worry. This is a soul-Soothing Potion I specifically designed for mental disturbances. Please trust me."
Perenelle hesitated for a moment but ultimately took it.
She leaned down and fed it to her husband.
Soon after, LeMay's pained expression gradually eased, and his breathing stabilized.
When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was tranquil and profound.
He gently touched his forehead and whispered, "I feel... my thoughts are clearer than ever before."
After a brief silence, the old man slowly said, "It seems it's time for the title of 'Greatest Alchemist' to pass to someone else."
Lin An did not deny it, merely offering a faint smile.
After a brief exchange, the two said their goodbyes and parted ways.
Only after Lin An's figure vanished in the green flames of the fireplace did Perenelle tightly grasp her husband's hand and quietly ask, "What exactly did he do to you?"
LeMay pondered for a moment, leaving only one reply: "He showed me the future."
—
A few hours later, LeMay sat before a mirror in his study.
The mirror surface flashed with light, and the face of Albus Dumbledore appeared on the other side.
"Nicolas," Dumbledore asked calmly, "I hear you've met the young man?"
"Yes," LeMay nodded.
"And how did you feel?"
"Shocked."
The old man's voice was low, carrying a hint of hesitation: "I finally understand why he achieved such success in a short time.
It wasn't due to talent, nor diligence, but because—his way of thinking transcends this era."
Dumbledore frowned slightly.
"Transcends? What do you mean?"
LeMay slowly replied, "We Alchemists are accustomed to dividing the world into 'soul' and 'matter,' but in his worldview—
magic, technology, life, and even the laws of the universe can all be explained uniformly.
He believes that magic is a 'language,' and as long as you master the grammar, any miracle can be compiled and realized."
Dumbledore was silent for a moment.
"Then what did you see that moved you so deeply?"
LeMay's expression was complex: "A blueprint."
"A blueprint?"
"Yes, the blueprint for a Floating City."
Dumbledore looked up, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"A Floating City?"
LeMay slowly recounted—
It was a city powered by a massive Philosopher's Stone as its energy core.
Inside, it was equipped with an Anti-Gravity magic Array, Energy Shields, a Climate Control System, and comprehensive magic research facilities.
The city's perimeter was surrounded by magic Turrets and the Alchemical Golem Legion.
"What's more terrifying," he paused, his eyes brightening, "is that it's not just a city, but an Interstellar Ark.
According to his calculations, as long as the Philosopher's Stone had sufficient energy, the entire city could instantaneously teleport across star systems, even reaching the boundaries of the universe."
Dumbledore's expression shifted from surprise to shock.
He remained speechless for a long time.
LeMay sighed, "He calls the city—Atlantia.
He said it would be the Second Dawn of magical civilization.
If it comes into being, Wizard society will no longer hide, but will become the race that dominates the stars."
After a prolonged silence, Dumbledore finally asked, "Do you think he can succeed?"
"From what I've seen, he will eventually succeed," LeMay stated with certainty. "Perhaps not now, perhaps decades from now,
but that child's footsteps are destined not to remain on the ground."
Dumbledore lowered his gaze, his fingers lightly tapping the desk.
The sentence Lin An spoke during his Professor interview surfaced in his mind:
"I will lead Wizard civilization truly toward the stars."
"Perhaps..." he murmured softly, "he truly can do it."
The mirror's light gradually dimmed, and the communication ended.
LeMay gazed at his reflection, his expression complex.
It was anticipation, but also hidden concern.
"May he not forget his original intention," he whispered.
Chapter 56: The Beginning of the Philosopher's Stone
After leaving the LeMay couple's mansion, Lin An did not immediately return to his Moon Laboratory. Instead, he went back to Britain for a brief reunion with his aunt, Amelia, and cousin, Susan.
During those days, he rarely discussed research, spending his time walking and dining with his family, occasionally helping Susan practice basic spells.
Watching the girl stand in the sunlight, trying repeatedly to make a feather float, Lin An felt a warmth in his heart.
At night, he sat with Amelia by the fireplace, discussing the concept of 'limitation'.
He explained that within a Wizard, there exists a 'magic power threshold'; once breached, it leads to the first qualitative change.
Most people spend their entire lives below the 'First Limitation,' but he intended to design a potion for his aunt that would allow her to break through under safe conditions.
"I don't plan to use bloodline modification on you," Lin An said calmly. "That's too dangerous, and the risks are hard to control. I will design a potion that allows a Wizard to break through autonomously. In another year or two, your magic power should be sufficient to reach twenty-five times the baseline of an adult Wizard, and then you can use it."
Amelia was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Then I'll consider this a belated challenge for myself."
Lin An smiled.
He knew his aunt's inner resolve and didn't need to persuade her further.
As for Susan—she was still far from that level.
However, with Lin An's personal guidance and the aid of potions, her growth rate would far exceed her peers.
"When she comes of age, even my magical achievements from back then will likely be overshadowed by hers," Lin An thought to himself, a hint of pride in his eyes.
—
After bidding farewell to his family, he also took the time to visit a few old friends.
Not even Soleil was left out.
This Witch, with whom he once had a brief entanglement, was clearly not living a peaceful life now.
Her husband had discovered their past secret, but after confirming that 'that person' was Lin An, he surprisingly dared not pursue the matter, merely maintaining a facade of calm.
However, from the weariness in Soleil's eyes, Lin An knew that her family was a family in name only.
He said no more.
He had warned her back then—their relationship would have no future.
She wanted to use him to cure her daughter's bloodline curse, and he was temporarily captivated by her beauty.
It was a mutual utilization from the start, and now it was merely the end of their relationship.
As he left, Soleil whispered, "If there's a next life, can we meet again?"
Lin An paused, leaving only a calm reply: "Perhaps."
—
In the following days, he refocused his attention on communications from around the world.
Letters from Europe, America, and the Far East arrived, from scholars and researchers with whom he had corresponded for a long time.
They discussed magical ecology, spatial dimensions, and soul theory.
Lin An's knowledge far surpassed theirs, but he was still willing to listen—
Because he knew deeply that knowledge was never an island.
He wrote in his letter:
"The pinnacle of any field is worthy of awe.
While I may be a step ahead in Alchemy and soul research, your experience in magical biology, runic geometry, and even Muggle science can still inspire me.
Knowledge is our ladder to progress."
—
After finishing the letters, he finally reached the most crucial step—creating his own Philosopher's Stone.
He had analyzed LeMay's Philosopher's Stone structure and confirmed it was a high-concentration magic power crystal.
Therefore, the first step was to find the location with the most concentrated magic power.
Lin An had conducted experiments to verify whether 'magic power exists in the environment'.
If, like in some other worlds, the air contained free magic power, then Wizards would have long been able to freely manipulate energy and cast spells strong enough to be almost divine miracles.
But the experimental results were negative.
The power of Wizards in this world relies entirely on their own reserves—there is no magic power available for direct absorption from the outside.
However, magic power does not completely disappear.
It still exists in the **Ley Line Nodes** deep underground.
These underground rivers of magic power form a network, converging into massive energy sources at specific nodes.
Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic building, and even Gringotts are all built on such nodes.
This is why those places have stood for millennia, their magic power ever-present.
Lin An also discovered similar structures on the moon and built his experimental base on the strongest node.
He speculated that this indicates the Harry Potter world was once a high-magic civilization universe.
It's just that these nodes now seem to be sealed or are 'dormant,' not yet reactivated.
Regrettably, he had not yet found evidence of a seal.
—
The second step for the Philosopher's Stone was binding souls.
He entered a sealed white Chamber of Secrets.
It was filled with diamonds—from thumb-sized to fist-sized, each shimmering with a faint silver glow.
Lin An picked up one of them and gazed inside.
Beneath the luster, a blurry human figure was vaguely curled up.
Those were souls.
"Muggle souls," he murmured.
He had long prepared for this day.
Between 1985 and 1991, he participated in almost all large-scale wars and conflicts worldwide.
When death descended upon the battlefield, he collected the scattered souls and sealed them within diamonds.
Diamonds were ideal containers—after alchemical treatment, they could stably store souls for long periods.
And Lin An had secretly controlled several mines in Africa long ago, ensuring ample reserves.
He never collected the souls of children and had specifically set down a precept for this.
"They should be spared before they've experienced enough mistakes."
He wrote this sentence on the first page of his experimental log.
He knew his actions were not entirely righteous, even tinged with hypocrisy.
But this was the only bottom line that allowed him to consider himself'still human'.
With a flick of his wand, one hundred thousand diamonds rose into the air, floating around him like a silent rain of stars.
—
According to calculations, the number of souls required to create a Philosopher's Stone should be around fifty thousand.
But in his discussions with LeMay, Lin An learned another truth.
The side effects of the Philosopher's Stone's Elixir of Life were due to the resentment of souls.
Those disturbed departed souls would not willingly serve as 'fuel'.
Their suffering would seep into the Stone, ultimately corrupting the user's body and soul.
LeMay's physical weakness and magical decline were not only due to age but also the backlash from constantly enduring soul resentment for six hundred years.
"Resentment is a variable that cannot be ignored," Lin An murmured.
Thus, he proposed a new solution—
Replacing resentment with emotional energy.
In each diamond, the suffering of the resentful souls was purified by his spell array, then balanced with his own 'emotional energy'.
These were genuine emotions he extracted from countless memories, joys, angers, sorrows—
Compassion, guilt, nostalgia, even love.
Although this method was extremely costly, it allowed the souls to remain peaceful during transformation.
"If the Philosopher's Stone is destined to be based on souls, then at least let them no longer suffer."
He took a deep breath and waved his wand.
Tens of thousands of souls slowly rotated in the air, converging into light.
The experiment officially began.
Chapter 57: The Blue Philosopher's Stone
The laboratory lights were cold, white, and steady, and the air was filled with a faint scent of chemical solutions.
Lin An pushed open the heavy protective door and entered the Alchemy Control Room.
It was filled with flasks, test tubes, and Runic Engraving Plates, resembling an Alchemy chemistry lab where the ancient and the modern intertwined.
Solutions of different colors flowed within the transparent containers, emitting a subtle luminescence.
The only difference was that ancient magic Runes were inscribed on every vessel.
Lin An stood in the center and chanted a spell softly.
As the wand was waved, dozens of different solutions rose simultaneously, crisscrossing and merging in the air.
With every mixture, a Rune would light up.
He would softly chant an incantation almost every time a step was completed—an ancient language used to harmonize energy and stabilize the magic reaction.
When the final beam of light extinguished, a crystal-clear stone body floated in the air.
Its shape was nearly perfect, and a faint blue light emanated from within.
It was similar to LeMay's Red Philosopher's Stone, but purer.
"The second Philosopher's Stone," Lin An murmured softly.
He reached out and held the Crystal Stone; his soul slightly trembled.
It was a vessel capable of holding limitless magic—a true miracle.
—
After the crystal was successfully refined, came the most difficult stage: soul Processing.
Lin An had originally planned to "purify" the soul like LeMay, but experiments proved it unfeasible.
He tried various methods:
The Sanskrit Incantation soul Purification Technique learned from Indian monks,
The soul Suppressing Talisman Method obtained from Huaxia Daoists,
And the soul Exorcism Rituals of Caribbean and African Voodoo Priests.
However, all these spells could only appease the departed spirits and guide them into the afterlife, but they could not eliminate the deep-seated negative factors within the soul.
Even Western Ghost magic proved equally ineffective.
Lin An even attempted to reshape the soul using his self-created "Life Code Rewrite Technique," but failed.
It was then he realized that his mastery of soul Studies had still not peaked.
"I still have shortcomings." He wrote this self-reflection in his notebook.
Therefore, he changed his approach—
Since purification was impossible, he decided to strip away its "will."
Using the "Mechanical Mind Technique" as a blueprint, he decomposed the souls one by one, removing their thoughts, memories, and emotions, leaving behind only the purest energy and structure.
After this process, the souls indeed became pure, entirely devoid of resentment,
But the cost was that their power was also greatly weakened.
This meant that to obtain sufficient energy, he had to consume many more souls.
Looking at the pile of unconscious "soul Fragments" on the experimental bench, Lin An sighed softly, "What a waste."
He felt no guilt, only regret.
Although this experiment came at a huge cost, it allowed him to take a crucial step forward in understanding soul structure.
He repeated this process one hundred thousand times.
—
When all preparations were complete, Lin An walked into another vast Chamber.
In the center was a blue lake, where scattered gray light shimmered in the water, like countless stars falling onto the surface.
He placed the transparent Crystal Stone into the center of the lake,
Then, he slowly raised his hand, controlling the lake water to flow into the crystal's interior.
The lake water was actually liquefied magic.
Lin An had endured countless failures to create it—
The liquefied magic was extremely unstable; it would automatically dissipate if it left a certain range, making preservation impossible.
Only today had he successfully managed to keep it in a flowing state within a sealed environment.
As the blue magic flowed into the crystal, the air in the entire Chamber trembled.
Lin An stretched out his hand and summoned tens of thousands of souls.
They floated mid-air, no longer possessing human forms, but appearing as mist-like light clusters.
With a wave of the wand, the souls were enlightened one by one and guided into the crystal.
The surface of the crystal was covered with Runes,
And the ancient magic Runes lit up one by one,
The lights intertwined, pulsing like a heart.
The souls and the magic began to merge,
The crystal gradually changed from transparent to azure blue,
And a slowly rotating Energy Vortex appeared inside.
The entire process lasted for three days and three nights.
When the last beam of runic light dissipated, the stone body emitted a soft blue radiance.
That was Lin An's Philosopher's Stone—
Unlike LeMay's, it was pure, without resentment, pain, or screaming.
He reached out and grasped it, feeling a slight coolness, as if holding the heart of the ocean.
—
The subsequent test was extremely simple—and also the most dangerous.
First was Matter Transmutation.
Lin An placed a block of lead on the stone platform,
And lightly touched its surface with his wand.
As blue light flickered, the metal's texture rapidly changed.
A few seconds later, the dull gray metal turned into dazzling pure gold.
"Success," he whispered.
This was not an ordinary change, but a permanent transmutation—
From a physical perspective, he had reached the manipulation of the microscopic structure of matter.
In other words, this was the true pinnacle of Alchemy.
—
Following this, he distilled a small bottle of golden liquid.
It was the Elixir of Immortality.
After drinking it, Lin An closed his eyes.
A surge of power erupted within him—his soul was cleansed by a mysterious force,
And his body cells were saturated with magic, as if every single molecule was being reborn.
He could clearly perceive that the limit of cell division had been broken.
That meant he had truly achieved "immortality" in the physiological sense.
"Science and magic are fundamentally the same truth."
He muttered to himself, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
—
However, he knew that all of this was far from over.
He walked into another sealed laboratory,
He paused at the doorway and whispered, "I need an experimental area built with the highest defense standards."
The next second, the ground shook, and the walls automatically warped,
A perfectly scaled model of Hogwarts appeared inside the Chamber.
Lin An raised his wand and chanted softly, "Bombarda!"
The light burst forth instantly—
The model's tallest tower collapsed with a crash, and debris slammed against the walls.
Flames swept through, and the shockwave generated waves of wind tens of meters high.
"Not bad," Lin An commented lightly.
He waved his hand, instructing "Siri" to reconstruct the model.
A few minutes later, Hogwarts was restored to its original state.
After being remade by him, this Room of Requirement could now directly connect to the Earth Vein Nodes, thereby drawing vast amounts of energy.
Lin An then put away his smile.
He took a deep breath and gripped the Philosopher's Stone tightly.
A blue current of light flowed from the stone into his arm, and his blood instantly boiled.
That power nearly tore his body apart—
Had it not been for the previous Physical Modification, he might have already exploded and died.
He raised his wand and repeated softly, "Bombarda!"
White light flashed suddenly.
Boom—!
An even stronger explosion than before engulfed the entire Castle.
The Defensive Barrier was shattered in an instant, and the ruins turned to dust.
The air was torn apart, and the magic aftershock spread out like ocean waves.
Lin An stood rooted to the spot, his robe flapping noisily, his expression calm.
"So this is the power of the pure Philosopher's Stone."
He understood that this was not the limit.
If he hadn't been worried about his body being unable to withstand it, he could have released even stronger energy.
With this Blue Philosopher's Stone as the core,
He could completely manufacture Alchemy Weapons whose power rivaled Nuclear Bombs.
And that was only the most basic application.
Lin An slowly exhaled and closed his experimental logbook.
"The Blue Stone is complete."
"Next step—creating civilization."
Chapter 58: The First Crossing
After the Philosopher's Stone's power test, Lin An didn't rest; he went straight to the deepest part of the moon base.
There, a colossal gate, several meters high and made of silver-grey metal, stood silently.
The gate was a seamless, integrated structure, its surface covered with intricate magical patterns and runic veins, with a slowly rotating blue core embedded in its center—that was the blue Philosopher's Stone he had personally refined.
He called this gate the "gate of the world."
Entering the experimental room, Lin An placed his hand on the gate.
As magic flowed in, the gate vibrated slowly, a central seam split open, and a grey-black light curtain appeared, like flowing gauze.
Lin An took a deep breath and stepped inside.
—
The scene before him instantly changed.
He found himself in a white corridor, the air crisp and dust-free.
At the end of the corridor were two doors: the left marked "Rest Area," and the right marked "Core Zone."
The "Rest Area" was actually a vast space, with a complete manor building inside, capable of housing hundreds of people.
But he didn't linger, heading directly for the "Core Zone."
As soon as he touched the doorknob, a cold, mechanical female voice rang out:
"Identity scan initiated—fingerprint match, iris match, appearance comparison 60%, magic parameters unknown, bloodline: unknown, soul fluctuation: abnormal. Intruder detected, defense system activating."
Lin An's mouth twitched slightly.
He had forgotten—when he designed this security system, he had obsessively set up multiple layers of defense.
And after his bloodline transformation, his physique and magic structure had completely changed, naturally making him unrecognizable to the system.
The air suddenly warped, and hundreds of automated defensive spells activated simultaneously.
Blazing flames, ice spears, and chain lightning struck almost at the same second.
Lin An immediately raised his wand, a low incantation erupting like a storm:
"Enable master control code—AKSLDHG8120390981-1248."
Moments later, the system responded:
"Code recognized. Highest authority confirmed—Creator level. Welcome back, Mr. Bones. Do you wish to update security protocols?"
"Rescan all my parameters, using my current body as the new template."
"Understood."
Over the next few hours, he patiently re-entered the data: physical features, bloodline fluctuations, magic frequency, soul fingerprint.
Only when the system was fully updated did he re-enter the "Core Zone."
—
It was a pure white, circular Chamber of Secrets, about thirty square meters in size.
The floor and walls were covered with runes and ancient texts, some belonging to ancient Norse magical script, others from the lost Atlantis.
Lin An walked to the center and placed the blue Philosopher's Stone into the groove.
The stone instantly released a dazzling light, and an azure energy line extended, flowing through the entire room's rune array.
"Sir, large-scale energy inflow detected."
That was the voice of another artificial intelligence, named "Mogina."
Unlike "Siri," she was the management core specifically designed for the gate of the world.
"I know. Check for any chaotic rune arrays," Lin An said in a deep voice.
"Scanning... Abnormality detected: energy deviation in auxiliary arrays No. 6, 67, 167, and 534."
Lin An waved his wand to repair the rune arrays, and the runes reorganized one by one.
He only stopped when the last ray of light returned to stability.
"Perfect," he murmured.
Next was the most crucial stage—activating the gate of the world.
—
Over the next few days, he specially crafted an Alchemy ring for the Philosopher's Stone that could be controlled remotely.
When all preparations were complete, he once again came to the Core Zone.
Azure light streams encircled the entire circular chamber, and the gate body lit up again.
The grey light curtain unfolded like a mirror, profound and unknown.
"Activate the gate of the world."
The light curtain expanded, and the time flow of the entire laboratory began to oscillate.
The walls, floor, and even the form of the equipment were rapidly regressing.
Through the holographic image, he clearly saw:
The moon base's buildings slowly "disappeared," returning to the barren surface;
Rock layers collapsed, dust rose, and everything was being rewound by time.
This process continued for a long time.
Time was rewinding—one year, ten years, fifty years... until at a certain moment, the base completely vanished, and the gate of the world was buried deep beneath the lunar soil.
Lin An's brows furrowed slightly.
"Indeed, it can travel through time, but it cannot cross space."
In other words, he could return to the past, but he was still anchored to the coordinates on the moon.
"It seems my understanding of 'time' and'space' is still not unified," he murmured to himself.
"If I want the gate of the world to achieve true dimensional travel, I still need deeper theoretical support."
He commanded:
"Mogina, record all energy fluctuations and spatiotemporal interference parameters."
"Recorded. All energy, matter, and life sign data saved for subsequent analysis."
Lin An nodded, took out the Alchemy ring, and put it on his left hand.
That was the "remote control terminal," allowing him to activate the gate of the world's energy at any time.
He waved his wand to cast an invisibility spell, then activated Apparition.
The next moment, he had left the moon and appeared in Diagon Alley in London.
—
The street was the same, but the atmosphere was different.
He randomly read the memory of a Wizard, and a few seconds later, he murmured:
"1926?"
A familiar surprise arose in his heart—that was indeed the era of **Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them**.
He frowned.
Theoretically, casually interfering with the past could lead to severe consequences; a time paradox could collapse the entire world.
But Lin An was silent for a moment, then smiled in relief.
"As long as it doesn't involve my family, what does it matter to me how history changes?"
He knew very well that this indifference and arrogance were side effects of his expanding power.
But he didn't care.
If fate were truly disrupted, he still had the gate of the world—
He could return to the starting point at any time and rewrite the outcome.
—
To confirm the historical node, he recalibrated his coordinates with the Global Plunder Map, quickly locating Newt Scamander.
"It seems he just departed from Europe for the United States."
Lin An pondered for a moment, then Apparated.
The air warped, and he appeared in New York.
But it was 1926 New York—the clamor of carriages, old-fashioned Muggle clothing, dim electric lights.
Fortunately, he was still invisible, otherwise the sudden appearance of a modern Wizard would have caused panic.
He stole a wealthy merchant's wallet from a street corner and checked into a high-class hotel.
Sleepless through the night, he spread out his notes on the desk, re-examining the meaning of this journey through time and space.
"The 'time jump' of the gate of the world has been successfully verified. The next step is to achieve spatial anchoring and cross-dimensional coordinate fusion. If I can integrate the two axes of time and space, I will truly be able to... control destiny."
Chapter 59: The Dark Parasite
The night in New York was lit by neon signs, the street's clamor forming a stark contrast with the undercurrents of the Wizarding World.
Lin An wore a well-tailored dark gray suit; his appearance was unremarkable except for the unsettling calmness in his eyes.
He stood in front of an apartment door and knocked three times.
The door was opened by a blonde Witch—Tina Goldstein (the heroine of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series). She eyed the strange young man before her warily, a faint unease stirring in her heart.
The fabric of the suit was clearly expensive, but the style was eccentric and completely out of step with current trends.
"My apologies, I just rushed over from very far away," Lin An said with a smile, snapping his fingers softly.
Instantly, his attire changed to the style of the twenties—a pinstriped English overcoat, with a golden watch chain dangling slightly.
"I am Lin An Alvin Bones, from Britain, and I have specifically come to visit Mr. Newt Scamander."
Tina frowned for a moment, yet, inexplicably, she let him into the house.
Given her former Auror vigilance, it was impossible for her to trust a stranger easily, yet at this moment, she felt a strange sense of security.
That was the Trust Charm Lin An had cast, which allowed others to instantly develop a favorable impression of him upon first meeting.
Combined with his cool appearance and steady demeanor, the effect was virtually flawless.
Inside, Newt Scamander was having dinner with Queenie Goldstein and the Muggle baker Jacob Kowalski.
Lin An approached with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the group.
Queenie frowned slightly, clearly attempting to probe his thoughts.
"Intruding on someone else's mind is not a polite thing to do, Miss Goldstein," Lin An said calmly, yet with undeniable power.
Queenie smiled, her voice gentle: "Since your Legilimency is so powerful, why bother with my small attempt?"
"Because you are beautiful," Lin An replied, his expression indifferent.
She paused, and her smile deepened.
Jacob coughed beside them, his expression complex.
Lin An turned to Newt, politely extending his hand: "Mr. Scamander, I have long admired your reputation."
"Have we met? — Bones? Are you part of the Bones Family in Britain?"
"You could say that; the blood relation is a bit distant," Lin An replied lightly.
They exchanged pleasantries for a moment, and the conversation quickly turned to Magical Beasts.
At first, the two talked quite congenially, but before long, the atmosphere began to heat up.
Lin An insisted that some Magical Creatures were inherently brutal and must be subdued by force;
Newt, however, believed that no creature was truly evil, provided the methods used were appropriate.
The debate between the two grew fiercer, leaving the onlookers stunned.
Lin An suddenly smiled and withdrew his argument: "My apologies, we tend to forget the occasion when discussing our favorite topics."
Newt lowered his head somewhat awkwardly, but Queenie could sense that he was very happy.
Having spent years researching alone, he had finally met a colleague who possessed profound knowledge yet held opposing views.
"It's alright, Mr. Bones," Tina broke the silence, looking at the completely cooled food on the table.
Lin An snapped his fingers softly, and the steam rose again from the plates.
They continued their meal, and the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.
Lin An turned his attention to Queenie, his tone light: "Miss Queenie, do you work at the Ministry of Magic?"
"Just call me Queenie," she smiled. "I'm in the Office of Permit Management; I spend all day brewing coffee and undoing Toilet Jinxes."
"It's a pity such a talented Witch is wasted on such matters," Lin An said softly.
Queenie stared at him for a moment, her eyes deep: "Most people only see my appearance, but you see something else. You are different from them."
Lin An chuckled: "Perhaps, but I've heard many women say that to me."
Before he finished speaking, Tina suddenly interjected: "Mr. Bones, what are your thoughts on the rise of Grindelwald?"
Silence fell instantly inside the house.
Lin An looked up and replied calmly: "What I think is irrelevant. What should truly concern us is why so many Wizards are willing to follow him.
This indicates that the structure of the Wizarding World itself is flawed."
He paused, his voice growing colder: "If the leaders of the Wizarding World continue to evade responsibility, that war will inevitably sweep across the globe."
"Grindelwald will be stopped," Tina said firmly.
Lin An's gaze was profound: "There is only one person who can stop him—Albus Dumbledore. And he doesn't seem inclined to act."
Newt looked up slightly, his expression complicated: "Perhaps he has his own reasons."
Lin An responded flatly: "No matter how noble the reason, it cannot change the outcome."
After a brief silence, Queenie smiled softly and raised her wine glass: "Let's not talk about this anymore. We can't let tonight's meal go to waste."
The atmosphere at the dining table lightened up again.
Lin An occasionally joked with Queenie and occasionally guided the conversation.
Jacob ate quietly but constantly watched the young Wizard's every move.
When the meal ended, Lin An stood up and bowed slightly: "Miss Queenie, tonight's dinner—it's been a long time since I felt such warmth."
He smiled and bid farewell, his light figure disappearing outside the door.
—
The night grew deeper.
Lin An returned to the hotel, took off his coat, and sat casually at the desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface.
He closed his eyes, reviewing the conversation he just had.
While debating Magical Beasts with Newt, he had casually mentioned a keyword—"obscurus."
In that instant, he used soul Sensing to capture the fluctuations in Newt's memory.
"As expected, he has seen cases of separating the obscurus..."
Lin An slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
He already knew that Newt Scamander had saved a Sudanese Boy who was possessed when he was young,
Now, all he needed was to create a momentary mental disturbance during their conversation, allowing him to read that part of the memory through a Mental Connection.
For most Wizards, this act was tantamount to sacrilege—unauthorized prying into the secrets of another's consciousness.
But Lin An never cared.
He had long surpassed the secular definition of "morality."
Of course, he still adhered to a certain "bottom line":
Never directly invading the mind of a conscious Wizard, and never forcibly taking a soul.
This was both a principle and a form of cover.
Newt's defenses were still solid.
Ever since the Queenie Legilimency incident, he had learned Occlumency.
If Lin An hadn't intentionally created a distraction during the conversation, this attempt would have been difficult to succeed.
"I gained enough this time," he murmured to himself.
"The obscurus... the ultimate product of soul suppression, perhaps comparable to the theory of the Philosopher's Stone."
Lin An picked up his quill and recorded his new research direction.
At the end of the notes, he wrote two sentences:
"The limit of emotion is the source of power.
The Dark Parasite is the cry of the suppressed soul."
Chapter 60: Dark Contract
Night covered the slums of New York, and thick fog spread like a tide beneath the streetlights.
Lin An stood at the entrance of an old apartment building, quietly observing the half-open door.
He tapped lightly three times, and footsteps sounded from behind the door.
When the door opened, the sight that greeted him was a nervous teenager, Dumbledore's son—Credence Barebone.
His gaunt face was covered in blue and purple marks, and his fingers were still trembling slightly.
"Who—who's there?" His voice was hoarse.
"Don't be afraid," Lin An said softly, his tone as calm as the night wind.
He entered the room and closed the door behind him. Dust flew up; the room was dim, with only an oil lamp flickering in the corner.
"Did you know?" Lin An looked at the narrow room, his tone sounding like he was talking to himself. "Hatred sometimes stems from Envy."
Credence was startled. "What are you talking about? Who are you?"
Lin An did not answer, but slowly began, "The root of your mother's hatred for magic is not faith, but Envy.
I once met a woman who was exactly like her. That person was named Petunia Dursley, and her sister was a gifted Witch.
Fate played a cruel joke—the older sister had no magic, so she vented all her resentment on her sister's child."
Credence's face was pale, and he instinctively backed away.
Lin An said calmly, "You don't need to try shouting. I have cast a Silencing Charm; our conversation won't be heard by anyone."
The room fell into an eerie silence, leaving only the sound of their breathing.
A moment later, the teenager asked coldly, "What exactly do you want here?"
Lin An's gaze softened. "I came because I want to make a deal with you."
"A deal?" Credence subconsciously clenched his fist. "I don't have anything to trade."
"Oh? Do you really think so?" Lin An smiled slightly. "The power within you is a miracle that any Wizardwould dream of possessing.
I can teach you how to control it, and teach you how to use true magic. In exchange—you only need to sign a contract."
Hearing the word "contract," Credence frowned.
He was silent for a long time before shaking his head. "I already have a teacher. I won't sign any magical contract without knowing the contents."
Lin An looked at him, a smile on his lips. "The teacher you're talking about is 'Percival Graves,' isn't he?"
Credence's pupils constricted.
"I know what he told you." Lin An slowly approached. "Unfortunately, he is not who you imagine him to be.
He detests Muggles and Squibs. If he hadn't discovered that strange power in you, he would have abandoned you long ago.
Once he confirms you are the 'thing' he is looking for, he will even change his tone—pretending to be benevolent."
Credence bit his lip, making a sound that was barely audible in his throat. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I've met too many people like him," Lin An replied calmly. "They treat controlling others like breathing.
And I—I never lie."
He paused, then added softly, "Our contract will state the terms clearly: I must teach you sufficient magic within a limited time, otherwise the contract automatically becomes void.
You don't need to worry about traps."
Credence remained silent for a long time, his eyes flickering.
Lin An saw through his hesitation and merely smiled. "No need to rush your answer. I'll give you time to consider it.
But before that, I need to ensure you won't reveal tonight's events."
Saying this, he drew his wand.
"Don't move." Credence instinctively backed away, shouting angrily, "What are you trying to do to me?"
"Relax," Lin An's tone remained calm. "Just a small protective measure."
He raised his hand and waved it; a silver beam of light shot from the tip of his wand and sank into the teenager's brow.
That was a Memory Lock—if Credence attempted to mention this matter to anyone else, the memory would be immediately sealed.
Lin An put away his wand and said softly, "Don't resist. Even if you unleash that power, you won't hurt me."
The teenager froze.
He truly felt that the magic power within the other person was as vast as an abyss—that sense of oppression was even more terrifying than Graves'.
Lin An turned to leave, saying faintly, "I will come back for you. By then, you will understand what you truly desire."
—
Moonlight spilled onto the broken glass in the alley.
Lin An strolled through the silent night, his thoughts calm and clear.
He knew that Graves' disguise would be exposed at any moment, and that was exactly the opportunity he was waiting for.
When Credence is betrayed and his anger spirals out of control, his Obscurus will fully awaken.
At that moment, Lin An would be able to use it to study this mysterious existence—
The ultimate form of suppressed soul.
He murmured softly, "The Obscurus is not a curse, but the other side of human nature."
The sound dissipated in the night wind.
He did not look back.
In this city full of noise and fear, a teenager was silently undergoing a transformation,
and a new chapter was quietly unfolding in the darkness.
More chapters on wtr-lab up to chapter 333: Start at Hogwarts, build a magical empire across the heavens