"Phew…"

Merlin let out a long sigh. He had not only set up a Runic Magic Circle in this cave but also left the cave, braved the snowstorm, and created Runic Magic Circles at a few other hidden locations.

In this manner, Merlin had placed Runic Magic Circles in Subzero Snowfield. Based on the great power of the Runic Heartprint, Merlin was able to perceive any Runic Magic Circle he had set as long as it was in Subzero Snowfield. In the future, even if he encountered any danger, he could instantly create a Runic Magic Circle and teleport here.

This was an effective method of survival!

After he had set up the Runic Magic Circles, Merlin found that the snowstorm had not ended. Thus, he could only stay in the cave, using this opportunity to review the second volume of the Neverending Book which he had just acquired.

Opening the Neverending Book, he was greeted with Fourth-level to Sixth-level spells. It was a dazzling array of spells which was far more comprehensive than the first volume of the Neverending Book that Merlin had obtained back then.

"Not bad. The Fourth to Sixth-level spells within this second volume of the Neverending Book could be used to populate the database of the Matrix." With that, Merlin activated the Matrix and began scanning and recording the Fourth- to Sixth-level spells of the Neverending Book into the Matrix. Merlin was very strict about the spells he placed into the database of the Matrix. He would not populate the database with spells which were too simple or even full of flaws.

Only when the various spells used were of a certain quality would the derived spells be more refined and have greater power. Therefore, ensuring the quality of spells within the database was crucial.

Nevertheless, Merlin knew that the true form of the Neverending Book was not like this. Previously, the first volume of the Neverending Book which he obtained had only revealed its true form after the black cat Didimoss had deciphered the runes. Only then did Merlin learn the secret of the Neverending Book.

Thus, in order to learn the secret of the third volume of the Neverending Book, he would have to decipher the runes hidden in the Neverending Book. In the past, Merlin would be helpless when faced with this, having to rely on the black cat Didimoss to decipher the runes in the Neverending Book.

However, now that Merlin had the Runic Heartprint, the mystical Heartprint created by the Great Wizard Fidel with his blood and sweat, he was able to decipher even the most complicated, obscure runes.

"Hum."

Following that, Merlin's left hand tapped his forehead, and the Runic Heartprint surfaced indistinctly. As expected, after the Runic Heartprint appeared, Merlin could "view" the hidden, dense runes in the second volume of the Neverending Book.

"So, there's a Runic Magic Circle after all. Runic Heartprint, decipher!"

Immediately, mysterious runes flew out from the Runic Heartprint and burrowed into the Neverending Book. The runes which were firmly adhered to the Neverending Book flashed slightly, following which they gradually faded under the effect of the Runic Heartprint.

The Neverending Book glowed with a soft light once more, after which its appearance changed greatly. It took on a form that was similar to the first volume of the Neverending Book. The only difference was that this was the second volume, and it held many Fourth-level to Sixth-level spells.

"It's been deciphered as I thought! This is the true form of the second volume of the Neverending Book."

Merlin felt a rush of glee and hurriedly focused his gaze on the cover of the Neverending Book. He carefully looked for information regarding the third volume.

Back then, the first volume of the Neverending Book had mentioned that the second volume was at the Death Sea whereas the third volume was in the Rock Cavern.

However, the second volume of the Neverending Book had now appeared in Subzero Snowfield. Merlin could not help but doubt the veracity of the information regarding the other volumes that was presented in the first volume.

On the cover of the second volume of the Neverending Book, there was also information about the third volume.

"The third volume of the Neverending Book is located in the mysterious Black Desert. Any Spell Caster who possesses the second volume of the Neverending Book will be able to detect the third volume in the Black Desert. Once all three volumes of the Neverending Book have been compiled, one will have the chance of retrieving a Maxim I had left behind!"

The cover of the second volume of the Neverending Book contained the words left by the great Wizard who had created the Neverending Book. However, this time, Merlin did not believe these words. Conversely, an odd expression had crossed his face.

The first volume of the Neverending Book mentioned that the third volume was in the Rock Cavern but now the second volume claimed that it was in fact in the mysterious Black Desert.

Merlin had heard of neither the Rock Cavern nor the Black Desert. Still, based on their names alone, he knew that both places would not be a walk in the park. Between them, one of them was surely false or maybe both were.

If Merlin had not obtained the second volume of the Neverending Book, he might have truly believed that the third volume was in the Rock Cavern. If someone had received only the second volume, they might have gone to the Black Desert in search of the third volume.

Nonetheless, the more Merlin thought about it, the more he felt that the Neverending Book was hidden in neither of these places. These two locations were likely false information that the Great Wizard had intentionally left behind back then.

As for the Great Wizard's purpose in doing so, he could not guess at the moment. It might merely be a cruel prank played by that Wizard or a spontaneous scheme.

Still, no matter what the goal was, Merlin would no longer believe that it was in these two places. Regardless of whether it was the Rock Cavern or the Black Desert, Merlin would not go.

"It's a shame that there are only false clues in the Neverending Book."

Merlin shook his head helplessly. He took out the first volume of the Neverending Book, comparing both volumes. Other than the spells, there was nothing different between them.

"Swoosh."

Suddenly, just as Merlin placed the two volumes of the Neverending Book together, they began to emit a gentle glow which quickly shrouded both volumes.

Merlin's Mind Power could distinctly feel that the two volumes of the Neverending Book were slowly merging together. This mystical transformation somewhat stupefied Merlin.

"The three volumes of the Neverending Book must surely hold some secrets!"

Merlin thought that the three volumes of the Neverending Book were far too enigmatic. Moreover, the Wizard must have been a Great Legendary Wizard to be able to leave behind a Maxim. It was not surprising that the Neverending Book left behind by a Great Legendary Wizard would have strange features.

The merging process took only a short time. Soon enough, the light of the Neverending Book gradually dissipated, and what was before Merlin's eyes was a volume that appeared more mysterious, filled with an alarming, terrifying force.

This force was very likely left behind by that Great Legend who created the Neverending Book.

"Since they've merged into one volume, what changes are there?"

With a reach of his hand, Merlin held the transformed Neverending Book in his palm. This volume was made by an unknown material which twinkled with a faint golden light. Even the words seemed to contain fantastic magic, making the words unforgettable in just a glance.

"This new volume of the Neverending Book is rather unusual and mysterious. There are First- to Sixth-level spells inside, and the Spell Models are imprinted into one's memory in just a glance. How wondrous!"

Merlin carefully flipped through the new Neverending Book. The contents within had not changed much and were still First- to Sixth-level spells. It was appropriate for the merging of the first and second volumes.

However, there was a great transformation on the cover.

As Merlin directed his gaze on the cover of the Neverending Book, the words on the cover flew out and formed into words in mid-air.

"O' fortunate one, you haven't been to the Death Sea or the Rock Cavern, and likely have not gone to the Black Desert. These places are deathtraps. Once you step into them, not even a Great Wizard would be able to help you.

"Only by possessing the first and second volume of the Neverending Book can one receive the true message. I have placed the third volume of the Neverending Book on the top of Sky-Piercing Peak. Only when you've obtained the third volume and merge it forming the Neverending Key, will you be able to access the Maxim I've left on Sky-Piercing Peak."

These words appeared on the cover of the new Neverending Book and were deeply imprinted into Merlin's mind. Following that, the words disappeared, and there was not a word left on the cover – only a blank space as if everything had been a dream.

However, Merlin knew that it was not a dream. The Spell Caster who had left this message behind was a Great Legendary Wizard named Saitu. No matter if it was the Neverending Book or the Maxim, it was left behind by the Great Legendary Wizard Saitu.

Moreover, the initial places of the Death Sea, the Rock Cavern, and the Black Desert were all dangerous locations. Once one entered these places, one would be in a disastrous situation, unable to escape. This was a trap set by Wizard Saitu.

He did not know what Wizard Saitu's intention was in devising such a dangerous trap. If Merlin had not obtained the second volume of the Neverending Book, he might have actually gone to the Death Sea in search of the second volume. At that point, he would be in grave danger.

"So, it's at Sky-Piercing Peak?"

A strange glint emerged in Merlin's eyes. He believed that no Wizard in the southern Spell Caster world would be unfamiliar with Sky-Piercing Peak because it was located within the territory of the southern Spell Caster world.

Moreover, it was very well-known, being the highest peak in the south. In addition, a rather famous Spell Caster clan had grown in the area surrounding Sky-Piercing Peak, and it was occupied by this clan.

"Since there's much trouble in the south, I won't go to Sky-Piercing Peak for now."

Merlin believed that the third volume of the Neverending Book was ninety percent likely to be at Sky-Piercing Peak. Otherwise, Wizard Saitu would not have gone to such lengths, requiring two volumes of the Neverending Book to be merged before a new clue was provided.

If it was still a false clue, Merlin would admit defeat. A trip to Sky-Piercing Peak was necessary for the sake of a Maxim even if turned out to be fake. It was just that he would not go now.

The entire southern Spell Caster world was in chaos right now. Merlin had escaped all of that, waiting for time to pass before returning.

Moreover, Sky-Piercing Peak was occupied by a Spell Caster clan. The capabilities of this clan were not weak, and there were a good few Seventh-level Spell Casters. Even if Merlin reached Sky-Piercing Peak, he would not be able to acquire the third volume of the Neverending Book so easily.

Therefore, with various reasons considered together, Merlin still decided to stay in Subzero Snowfield for some time.