The Legend of Dungsworth

5. The Locking Seal Formation

“Oh, forgive me, Young Master. I truly didn’t know,” said Gavin Wang, the librarian, bowing slightly. “But this is only the beginner’s level. Anyone is free to borrow and study these books—even if they are at the lowest realm of cultivation.”

“Oh, Uncle Gu is right. This is only the beginner’s section.” Calder Flint crouched in front of Quincy Dungsworth, his eyes sharp with intimidation. He grabbed Quincy’s jaw with crushing force. “So, you got lucky surviving the burning trash heap. But don’t ever think you’ll amount to anything. Even if you memorize every book in this library, without spiritual power… you’re still just TRASH!”

He shoved Quincy away and walked off, followed by his laughing cronies.

Quincy remained buried under a pile of fallen books.

Gavin Wang frowned. He knew the boy everyone called “Filthy Brat.” But to him, the library was sacred. Knowledge was for everyone. Even trash could stumble upon a miracle through learning. That was why the Headmaster had once chosen him—why librarians and basic instructors were carefully selected. They were the first to shape young disciples. Favoring some while neglecting others could cripple futures forever.

Eight years ago, chaos had erupted at the Ancient Tower. The Headmaster of the Ironhart Institute had vanished after joining the battle of the three races there. Some claimed he had died, though no body was ever found. Others whispered he had returned, but none had seen him.

Only Gavin Wang and Mr. Liet remained of those personally chosen by the Headmaster. Since then, the Institute had fallen into decline under Vice-Principal Benedict Kong’s rule. Betrayal spread like plague. Teachers and staff became corrupt—pampering the strong, abandoning the weak. Discipline collapsed.

Both Gavin and Mr. Liet could only sigh and endure bitterly.

“Are you alright, child?” Gavin asked gently, offering his hand.

“Of course, Uncle. Don’t worry about me. I’m used to being bullied.” Quincy grinned faintly, holding up a book. “Thanks to Senior Calder, I found this book faster. Hehe.”

“No matter what realm you’re in, I will treat you like anyone else. Now stand up—I’ll help you put these back.”

“Thank you, Uncle Wang!”

“Call me Uncle.”

“Alright, Uncle!” Quincy clasped his hand and set aside the book he intended to borrow.

Together, they stacked the books back onto the shelves. When they finished, Gavin spoke:

“You may only borrow this book for three days. After that, return it to its proper place. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Uncle!”

Book in hand, Quincy rushed to the Forsaken Courtyard.

“Hey! Mysterious voice! Look—I brought the book!” he shouted into the empty hut.

Without waiting for a reply, he flipped through the pages. His brow furrowed.

“These patterns don’t match the ones on the cabinet door!”

“You’ll never find an exact match,” the strange voice replied. “That is a Locking Seal Formation. To open it, you must understand how it was created.”

“Created… and unlocked?”

Quincy quickly turned to the chapter describing Locking Seal Formations. It explained that to create one, a cultivator infused Spiritual Energy into an object, forming dots of power. The dots spread outward—closer together at the center, farther apart toward the edges. To unlock it, one had to connect the dots from the tightest cluster outward to the most distant.

Enlightenment flashed in Quincy’s eyes.

He picked up a rough pebble and carefully traced the glowing dots on the cabinet door, connecting them in sequence.

Rumble!

The cabinet shuddered, light spilling from its seams. Slowly, it opened—revealing a pitch-black passage below.

“Is this… the way to the basement?” Quincy asked.

“Correct. Enter carefully. There are many traps within,” the voice warned.

The moment Quincy stepped inside—

Shooo! Shooo! Shooo!

Arrows shot at him from the darkness.

“Divine Staff!”

Whooosh! Whooosh! Whooosh!

The staff appeared, spinning furiously, blocking every arrow. The instant they touched it, the arrows disintegrated into ash.

“Charge!” Quincy shouted, letting the staff lead the way, illuminating the darkness and breaking obstacles before him.

He sprinted behind it until the passage opened into a chamber. There, behind iron bars, sat a man.

His face was ruined, his appearance ragged and wild. Madness gleamed in his eyes.

“At last… someone has come… after eight years of imprisonment!”