The next morning.
Zhang Ming awoke from meditation, feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
In one night, he had devoured all dozen-plus of those basic magic books. With the mental processing power of a Golden Core cultivator and the [Myriad Celestial Mechanism]'s data analysis capabilities, this amount of information was a light snack.
"Interesting... truly interesting."
He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at Diagon Alley bathed in the morning light.
"The 'magic' of this world is essentially a crude, intuition-based method of wielding energy, reliant on bloodline. Wizards use the 'magic' within them—a special energy similar to spiritual energy—guided by specific incantations and gestures to produce fixed effects."
"But the problem is..." Zhang Ming narrowed his eyes. "They don't understand the principles at all. It's like a bunch of monkeys learning that pressing a button gives bananas, but having no clue about the mechanics behind the button."
The [Myriad Celestial Mechanism] projected a new report in his consciousness:
[World Rule Analysis Progress: 0.37%]
[Spells Recorded: Basic Charms - 127 types]
[Potion Recipes Recorded: 43]
[Transfiguration Theories: 5 entries]
[Energy Conversion Efficiency: Magic -> Spiritual Energy - 82%]
[Current Energy Reserves: 11.3%]
"Still not enough energy." Zhang Ming sighed. "Seems I need to speed up collecting this 'Magical Essence'."
He changed into clean clothes—still his modified black robes, lined with temperature-regulating and self-cleaning formations—and left the inn.
Today's goal was clear: make money.
While he had 80 Galleons, at his spending rate, that wouldn't last long. More importantly, he needed to establish a stable source of funds for future research and experiments.
"Turning stone to gold..."
A smirk played on Zhang Ming's lips.
In the world of cultivation, this was a basic skill for artifact smiths—transforming low-value materials into high-value ones by altering their atomic arrangement and energy structure.
Of course, true "transmutation" consumed vast amounts of true essence and violated the principle of equivalent exchange, making it impractical.
But in this magical world...
"They don't even understand basic material structure, let alone nuclear reactions," Zhang Ming muttered to himself. "To them, 'gold' is just a metal with a specific color, density, and magical conductivity."
He found a secluded corner in a Diagon Alley side street and picked up a few ordinary pebbles from the ground.
"Let me test if the matter in this world can undergo deep-level restructuring."
Zhang Ming closed his eyes, his spiritual sense penetrating the stones.
To a Golden Core cultivator's perception, matter was no longer solid, but a collection of energy composed of countless tiny particles.
"Silicates structure... main components are silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, iron oxide... hmm, trace amounts of other elements."
He began to mobilize a wisp of true essence, restructuring the stones at an atomic level according to the optimal solution provided by the [Myriad Celestial Mechanism].
First, separate the impurity elements.
Then, rearrange the main components' structure.
Finally, inject a tiny amount of true essence as a catalyst, guiding the material towards the target form.
The entire process took less than ten seconds.
When Zhang Ming opened his eyes, the rubble in his hand had transformed into a thumb-sized nugget of gold.
"Density 19.3 g/cm³, melting point 1064°C, excellent ductility... Yep, this is gold."
He nodded in satisfaction. "And because it's restructured from the microscopic level, the purity is even higher than natural gold ore."
[True Essence Consumed: 0.03%]
[Recommendation: Mass production of gold will lead to energy deficit]
[Recommended Solution: Produce in small batches, maintain scarcity]
"I know." Zhang Ming stored the gold nugget. "Let's go to Gringotts."
Gringotts, Appraisal Room.
Ragnok adjusted his gold-rimmed spectacles, staring incredulously at the ten gold nuggets on the table.
"This... this is..."
"Gold." Zhang Ming said calmly. "99.99% pure gold. I'd like to exchange it for Galleons."
"But... you only opened an account yesterday, and now you have gold to exchange?" Ragnok eyed Zhang Ming suspiciously. "Forgive my impertinence, but where did you acquire this gold?"
"Found it."
"Found it?!"
"Yes." Zhang Ming nodded seriously. "On the ground in the alleys of Diagon Alley. I picked up a few random stones, found they contained high-purity gold ore, and simply refined it."
Ragnok: ???
What kind of excuse was that?!
If you could find gold ore on the ground in Diagon Alley, the whole street would have been dug up long ago!
But looking at Zhang Ming's earnest expression, and remembering the flying sword forged from a brick yesterday...
"Could you... demonstrate on the spot?"
"Certainly."
Zhang Ming pulled a few ordinary pebbles from his pouch—the ones he'd just picked up from the roadside.
"Please provide a quiet room and a full set of alchemical equipment."
Ten minutes later, in Gringotts' dedicated alchemy room.
Ragnok and three other senior appraisers surrounded Zhang Ming, watching his every move intently.
Zhang Ming arranged five pebbles neatly on the alchemy table.
"Observe closely."
He extended his right hand, his fingers lightly tracing patterns in the air.
Pale golden runes appeared again, this time more complex and precise. They seemed alive, weaving a three-dimensional network in the air that enveloped the five stones.
"Step one: Material Analysis."
The runic network glowed, causing ripples to appear on the stones' surface as if water disturbed by a thrown pebble.
"Step two: Element Separation."
Tiny cracks appeared inside the stones, strands of light in different colors seeping out—the energy manifestation of different elements being separated.
"Step three: Structural Reorganization."
All the lights converged, guided by the runic network, beginning to rearrange according to specific patterns.
"Step four: Form Solidification."
Zhang Ming lightly tapped the air.
Hum—!
The light faded.
On the alchemy table, the five dull gray pebbles were gone. In their place were five golden nuggets, each the size of a pea.
Dead silence.
For a full three seconds, the room was utterly quiet.
Finally, Ragnok reached out with a trembling hand and picked up a gold nugget.
Cold to the touch.
Heavy weight.
Familiar luster.
"It's... really gold..."
He almost sobbed the words.
As a senior appraiser with fifty years at Gringotts, Ragnok thought he'd seen everything.
Dragon-hide wallets? Seen.
Bottomless money pouches? Seen.
Spells that automatically duplicate Galleons? Seen those too—though they were fakes.
But...
TrueTransmutation?!
Genuine, bona fide, element-level transformation?!
This defied... science!
Oh wait, this defied magic!
"This... this is impossible..." another appraiser murmured. "The Philosopher's Stone... only the Philosopher's Stone can achieve true transmutation... but that's a legend..."
"It's not the Philosopher's Stone." Zhang Ming corrected. "This is basic Material Transmutation. The principle is simple—all matter is composed of elementary particles. Once you grasp the transformation laws between particles, you can convert different materials into one another."
"Of course, this process requires energy input. The laws of Mass Conservation and Energy Conservation are fundamental and must be obeyed."
He pointed at the five gold nuggets. "The total mass of these five stones was about 250 grams. After transformation, the total gold mass is about 47 grams. The remaining mass was released as gas."
"As for energy consumption..." Zhang Ming paused. "I used roughly the equivalent magical energy of a single 'Lumos' charm."
Boom!
All the goblins present went insane.
The magic needed for one Lumos spell, to produce 47 grams of gold?!
One Galleon weighed 17.5 grams; 47 grams of gold was almost 2.7 Galleons!
And a Lumos charm... a first-year could cast it without breaking a sweat!
If this could be mass-produced...
Ragnok shuddered.
No.
This technology absolutely must not leak.
Otherwise, the entire wizarding financial system would collapse!
"Zhang... Mr. Zhang." Ragnok struggled to keep his voice calm. "Regarding this... technique of yours, could we engage in a more in-depth discussion?"
"Of course." Zhang Ming nodded readily. "But I have a condition."
"Name it!"
"Gringotts must keep this confidential for me." Zhang Ming said seriously. "This technique cannot be leaked. At the very least, no outsider should know about it before I permit it."
Ragnok breathed a sigh of relief. "But of course! Confidentiality is Gringotts' most sacred tenet! I swear on the name of Gringotts, aside from those present here, no sixth being shall learn of this!"
"Excellent." Zhang Ming nodded satisfactorily. "Then, please exchange these fifteen gold nuggets for Galleons at the market rate."
Ragnok calculated swiftly. "Fifteen nuggets, total weight approximately 142 grams... can be exchanged for 8.1 Galleons. We'll give you a round number, 8 Galleons."
"Acceptable."
After the transaction was completed, Zhang Ming turned to leave.
"Wait!" Ragnok suddenly called out. "Mr. Zhang, I... I have an impertinent request."
"Speak."
"Could you... could you teach me this technique?" Ragnok's eyes blazed with fervor. "Not all of it! Even just a glimpse! I am willing to pay any price!"
Zhang Ming looked at him and shook his head.
"This isn't a matter of money."
"Then what is it?"
"Aptitude." Zhang Ming said flatly. "This technique requires an extremely precise understanding of matter's microscopic structure, the ability to control energy precisely down to the atomic level, and a deep comprehension of energy conversion laws."
"To be frank, with your current magical system... no offense, but you don't even meet the basic prerequisites."
His words were blunt, but Ragnok wasn't angered.
He knew it was the truth.
"Then... what if we studied?" Ragnok refused to give up. "If we started from the basics, is it possible?"
Zhang Ming was silent for a moment.
"It is."
"Really?!"
"But it takes time." Zhang Ming said. "At least ten years. And you must completely abandon your current magical认知 system, and learn the foundational theories of Scientific Cultivation from scratch."
"Ten years... I'm willing to spend ten years!" Ragnok said excitedly.
"Then wait." Zhang Ming smiled meaningfully. "Wait until I've established myself at Hogwarts. I plan to offer public lectures. You are welcome to audit them then."
With that, he turned and left without looking back.
Leaving behind a group of stunned goblins.
After a long while, Ragnok finally snapped out of it.
"He said... Hogwarts?"
"He's going to Hogwarts?"
"He's going to offer lectures at Hogwarts?"
The goblins looked at each other, seeing the same shock in each other's eyes.
"Quick!" Ragnok ordered. "Send a message to Hogwarts! Inform Headmaster Dumbledore that a remarkable individual is about to arrive!"
"Remember, use the highest level of encryption!"
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, at the other end of Diagon Alley.
Zhang Ming walked into a shop that looked somewhat shabby—Ollivanders Wand Shop.
"Good afternoon." A soft voice came from the depths of the shop.
An old man with silver hair emerged from the shadows, his pale eyes shining with a strange light in the dimness.
"I am Garrick Ollivander." The old man smiled. "Young man, have you come for a wand?"
"No." Zhang Ming shook his head. "I've come to learn."
"To learn?"
"Yes." Zhang Ming said earnestly. "I am deeply interested in the craft of wandmaking. If possible, I would like to observe your process."
"In exchange..."
Zhang Ming took out the flying sword from his sleeve.
"...I can show you what true 'Magical Tool Forging' looks like."
Ollivander's eyes instantly lit up.
It was the look of a master craftsman beholding a peerless treasure.
"Deal."
The old man agreed almost impatiently.
"Then..." Zhang Ming smiled. "Shall we begin this exchange of knowledge?"
Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly.
The legend of Diagon Alley had only just begun.