The Philosopher's Stone is coming!" The figure drew out a black wand and whispered, focusing intensely on a bright red stone in their mind.
"This is the only way."
Soon, a brown package, glowing like light, flew from the distance, catching the amazed eyes of the Muggles. The figure steadily caught the package and stuffed it into a pocket sealed with magic.
The brown package vanished into the figure's cloak with a slight shake. The figure turned around and ran in the opposite direction.
In the distance, a thunderous roar echoed, like a giant awakening in anger. The ground itself seemed to tremble slightly.
The hooded figure ahead ran faster, disappearing around the corner in an instant.
"Bastard, stop right there!"
A black whirlwind shot out, knocking pedestrians aside. They crashed to the ground, screaming in pain as scattered objects filled the street. The whole street was filled with the screeching sound of car brakes.
Wang Yong was running, still not skilled in Apparition.
"Boom!"
The wall at the corner collapsed, and Wang Yong looked back to see a large black figure charging forward, holding a pink umbrella that sent out fiery streaks of light.
The anger in the figure's eyes seemed to burn, piercing through Wang Yong's eyes hidden in the shadows.
Wang Yong felt a pang of panic but quickly muttered towards a manhole cover, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The manhole cover flew up, and Wang Yong jumped into it.
The underground passages of London were intricate and vast.
In the darkness, Wang Yong grabbed a broomstick from the wall of the tunnel, mounted it, and sped away, quickly vanishing from sight. Behind him, Hagrid caught up in mere seconds. His pink umbrella pointed at the sewer entrance, sending a burst of red explosive light. The entrance exploded, and Hagrid jumped into the dark tunnel, chasing after Wang Yong.
In the thick darkness, he caught sight of a flickering figure and quickly gave chase.
Wang Yong was flying swiftly on the broom, but the dark tunnel made him cautious, not daring to speed too much in case he collided with something.
Hagrid was roaring behind, casting unintelligible spells, launching explosive blasts at the figure ahead. However, the narrow tunnel made it difficult to maneuver, and a few blasts nearly blocked his way, forcing him to abandon the tactic.
Wang Yong glanced back at Hagrid's distorted, menacing face, quickly steering his broom down a side tunnel. Ahead, a blinding light appeared—the London Underground system was just ahead. Hagrid soon caught up.
Wang Yong rode the broom swiftly, with a giant pursuing him from behind.
The Muggles screamed, and the subway system descended into chaos.
Suddenly, a train appeared. Wang Yong's face grew cold, and he sped in front of the train, disappearing into the narrow tunnel in an instant.
Hagrid roared and lunged, but the speeding train collided with his figure.
Moments later...
"Boom!" The train derailed, and the deafening crash echoed through the narrow underground space.
Countless Muggles screamed, debris scattered, glass shattered, and blood flowed. The scene was utter chaos.
Hagrid, covered in blood, collapsed unconscious on the tracks.
Muggles screamed in panic. This was beyond their comprehension, and the blood-soaked ground left them paralyzed. They had lived their whole lives in peace and didn't know how to react.
...
Wang Yong flew to a corner, put down the broom, changed clothes, and took the subway home. As soon as he returned home, his balloon-like figure quickly shrank, his bones and muscles creaking painfully, leaving him in his current form, similar to the world of Harry Potter.
He set the broom aside.
With calculated indifference, he had finally obtained the Philosopher's Stone.
Wang Yong felt a sense of satisfaction: "Xiao Yi, how does this thing look?"
"You've been so secretive all this time, I didn't expect this to be the plan," Xiao Yi said, her voice tinged with amusement.
She paused for a moment before suddenly manifesting in the real world as a small, silver light: "This is very good, very important. Can I consume it?"
"Of course," Wang Yong smiled broadly, "But..."
Xiao Yi hopped in mid-air, clearly understanding Wang Yong's thoughts: "Don't worry. Once I consume it, you'll definitely get what you want, and more."
With that, the red gem leaped from Wang Yong's sealed pocket, and the silver light quickly absorbed the stone's energy.
Wang Yong gazed, entranced, at the rare and mystical object—The Philosopher's Stone (or Sorcerer's Stone).
It was the secret of all secrets, a power of both morality and divinity, the pinnacle and ultimate purpose of all things in the world. It was the perfect essence of all elements, an indestructible object beyond the reach of any force. It was eternal radiance, a panacea for all diseases, the immortal bird of heaven's blessings, the most precious treasure of all wealth, and a key asset in the grand design of nature itself.
Countless alchemists and wizards had sung its praises throughout history.
But this mystical object was undoubtedly absorbed by Xiao Yi, gradually dissipating until it became a cloud of gray mist in the air.
Clearly, "indestructible" was relative—when faced with Xiao Yi, a being beyond the heavens and realms, the Philosopher's Stone was still a little lacking.
As soon as the absorption was complete, Wang Yong seemed to see a silver silhouette of a little girl, but it vanished in an instant. Xiao Yi's silver glow quickly returned to her body.
"So, how is it, Xiao Yi?" Wang Yong asked eagerly.
Xiao Yi let out a satisfied click of her tongue, as if savoring something delicious: "I knew it, robbery is the fastest way to wealth."
She paused, then spoke with a hint of empathy for Wang Yong's excitement: "Now we've both struck it rich, Wang Yong. I've eaten the meat, and you'll have the soup. You no longer need to worry about your lifespan, because with the Philosopher's Stone's blessing, you will have endless life. Second, you now possess the ability to turn anything into gold and cure all diseases."
Wang Yong's mouth dropped open. Although Xiao Yi joked about eating the meat and leaving him the soup, these benefits were overwhelming.
Seeing Wang Yong's stunned silence, Xiao Yi added, "Aren't you satisfied? Also, I've opened up a ten cubic meter personal space for you. I hope that's enough."
Wang Yong didn't answer right away. After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Xiao Yi, you are the only true god in my heart. This power you've granted me is just too much!" His eyes filled with joyful tears. Ever since he gained the ability to travel through worlds, his life had been like winning the lottery every day.
"Tch, this little treat makes you this happy? This is the Philosopher's Stone's ability in itself. I didn't reduce its power. Naturally, I have the same abilities. Plus, it holds vast energy, which humans can hardly utilize. Only I can fully harness it."
"I see," Wang Yong nodded. The Philosopher's Stone, something sought after by countless sages and wizards for thousands of years, certainly had its merits. Even in the real world, history had shown how many had sacrificed time and wealth in pursuit of it.
"It's a shame it can't be replicated."
"Yes," Xiao Yi replied crisply, "This Philosopher's Stone originates from the age of discovery. In that time, the magic materials from the New World allowed the European magical community, which was running low on resources, to become incredibly wealthy. It was only in that period, rich with rare minerals and plants, that it was possible to create such a stone. Nowadays, it's nearly impossible."