The interior of The Leaky Cauldron was dim and damp, the air thick with the sour smell of old butterbeer.
As Zhang Ming pushed the door open, he immediately felt dozens of wary eyes fall upon him.
"Another lost Muggle?" muttered Tom, the bartender. "There's been more and more lately."
Zhang Ming ignored the whispers. His spiritual sense had already swept through the entire pub, rapidly constructing a complete spatial model.
[Scan Complete]
[Detected 23 lifeforms, average energy fluctuation intensity: 1.2-3.5 standard units]
[Detected spatial fluctuation anomaly on rear wall]
[Speculation: Teleportation point or spatial fold]
"Interesting," Zhang Ming murmured to himself. "Disguising a portal as an ordinary brick wall? This world's spatial technology has some merit."
He walked straight towards the backyard, ignoring Tom's attempt to stop him.
"Hey! You can't—"
Tom's words died in his throat.
Because the young man of Eastern descent simply raised his hand and pressed lightly, and the brick wall in the backyard parted on its own, revealing the entrance to Diagon Alley.
"Merlin's beard..." Tom's eyes widened. "He didn't even use a wand!"
Patrons inside the pub turned their heads, whispers rising like a tide.
Diagon Alley.
Sunlight bathed the cobblestone street, lined with magical shops of various styles. Zhang Ming stood at the entrance, observing this "commercial street of the magical world" with interest.
"Judging from the architecture, a mix of late medieval to early modern European styles. Technological level stagnant... no, it's more accurate to say they never developed technology, choosing a different path instead."
He analyzed as he walked forward.
The [Myriad Celestial Mechanism] continuously collected energy samples and information data from the surroundings. Each scan of a magical item generated a detailed structural analysis report.
"Huh?"
Zhang Ming stopped before a shop window.
It was a broomstick—a Nimbus 2000, priced at 52 Galleons.
"A flying vehicle?" He narrowed his eyes. "Let's see how far this world's aerodynamics has developed."
His spiritual sense pierced through the glass, analyzing every detail of the broom.
Three seconds later, Zhang Ming's mouth twitched.
"What kind of design is this? It completely defies fluid dynamics! That riding posture would create enormous wind resistance, speed probably can't be that fast... Wait, the propulsion isn't physical, but relies on fixed runic arrays inside?"
He nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Using a magical energy field to forcibly counteract gravity and air resistance, allowing it to fly despite physical principles. Crude, but effective."
"But this efficiency..." Zhang Ming shook his head. "Energy loss is at least 70% or more. And that riding posture is so awkward, definitely back pain for long flights."
He mentally scored the broom: Creativity 6/10, Practicality 4/10, Technicality 2/10.
"Sir, interested in the Nimbus 2000?" A clerk eagerly approached. "This is the latest model this year! It can reach—"
"About 150 kilometers per hour," Zhang Ming interjected flatly. "And only accelerates in a straight line, poor turning performance, braking distance needs at least 50 meters. Am I right?"
The clerk froze. "How... how did you know?"
"Observation," Zhang Ming said casually, turning to leave.
Behind him, the clerk muttered, "Weirdo... and why isn't he wearing robes?"
Zhang Ming's next stop was Gringotts.
The wizard bank, run by goblins, was majestic, its pure white marble structure gleaming in the sunlight.
"Financial system... interesting." Zhang Ming ascended the steps. "Seems this world, while magically advanced, has a rather primitive feudal social structure. Monetary economy, class divisions, racial discrimination... Tsk, typical medieval level."
He pushed open the heavy bronze door.
Inside the hall, dozens of goblins sat on high stools, recording in ledgers with quills. The clinking of gold coins filled the air.
Zhang Ming walked straight to the nearest counter.
"Hello, I'd like to open an account."
The goblin looked up, scrutinizing Zhang Ming. "Opening an account requires an initial deposit, at least 10 Galleons. Do you have money?"
"Not at the moment," Zhang Ming stated frankly.
The goblin sneered. "Then what are you doing here? This isn't a charity."
"But I have this."
Zhang Ming pulled a brick from his pocket—one of the bricks transformed from the Knockturn Alley thugs' wands.
"A brick?" The goblin frowned. "Are you insulting me?"
"Wait a moment."
Zhang Ming placed the brick on the counter, then extended his right index finger, tracing patterns in the air.
Pale golden light followed his finger, forming complex runic circuits in the void. The runes pulsed with rhythmic light, emitting an energy fluctuation that made one's heart palpitate.
Goblins around looked up, their eyes showing shock.
"Is that... ancient alchemy?"
"No! The rune structures are completely different!"
"What is he doing?!"
Ignoring the exclamations, Zhang Ming focused on completing the final rune.
Then, he lightly tapped.
Hum—!
The ordinary brick began to glow and transform.
Its rough texture vanished, replaced by a metallic luster. The brick elongated, thinned, its ends sharpened, and intricate inscriptions appeared along its length.
Thirty seconds later, the light faded.
Lying quietly on the counter was a small flying sword, about a foot long, bronze-colored, with faint spiritual light shimmering along its blade.
The hall fell dead silent.
Zhang Ming picked up the flying sword and casually tossed it into the air.
The sword immediately hovered before him, spinning and flipping nimbly according to his will, moving as fluidly as a swimming fish.
"This is a basic-grade flight magical tool," Zhang Ming said calmly. "Made with quasi-third-tier spirit gold material, inscribed with basic sword control arrays. Can carry 150 kg, max speed 300 km/h, duration depends on the user's energy output."
He beckoned, and the sword obediently flew back to his palm.
"According to your monetary system, how much should this artifact be worth?"
The receptionist goblin was dumbstruck.
The surrounding goblins looked at each other, speechless.
Finally, an elder goblin emerged from an inner room. He wore gold-rimmed spectacles, his eyes shrewd and cautious.
"I am Ragnok, Senior Appraiser of Gringotts," he said gravely. "May I examine this... artifact?"
"Please."
Ragnok carefully took the flying sword, pulling out a large set of inspection tools from his robe.
Crystal balls, rune stones, magical detectors... Various instruments were employed.
Five minutes later, Ragnok put down the last tool, taking a deep breath.
"Material... unknown metal, magical conductivity three times that of silver."
"Runic structure... completely unknown system, but confirmed to be far more stable and efficient than any existing alchemical product."
"Functionality... flight, attack, defense, all in one, and controllable by thought, no wand or incantation needed."
He looked up at Zhang Ming, his expression completely changed.
"The value of this item... at least 5,000 Galleons."
Boom!
The hall erupted.
"5,000 Galleons?!"
"Are you joking?! A Nimbus 2000 is only 52 Galleons!"
"But this isn't a broom, it's..."
The goblins chattered excitedly, their gazes towards Zhang Ming filled with awe and greed.
Zhang Ming remained expressionless. "So, can I use this artifact as collateral to open an account and obtain some startup funds?"
Ragnok hesitated, then nodded. "Of course. According to rules, we can offer a loan of 70% of the collateral's value, which is 3,500 Galleons."
"No need for that much." Zhang Ming waved his hand. "Just 100 Galleons will suffice for now. Keep the remaining credit line for when I need it later."
"You... really only want 100 Galleons?" Ragnok found it hard to believe.
"Enough is enough." Zhang Ming said calmly. "By the way, I also need to exchange some Muggle currency. I assume there's an exchange service between Muggle and wizard money in this world?"
"Yes, of course." Ragnok nodded quickly. "The exchange rate is 1 Galleon to 5 pounds."
"Then exchange 20 Galleons' worth of pounds. Keep the remaining 80 in the account."
Ten minutes later, Zhang Ming walked out of Gringotts, a money bag with an Undetectable Extension Charm at his waist containing 80 gold Galleons and a stack of pounds.
As for the flying sword, he casually stored it back in his sleeve.
Behind him, the goblins of Gringotts were still heatedly discussing.
"Who is that Easterner?"
"What kind of magic did he use? A completely different system!"
"We must report this to headquarters!"
Ragnok stood by the window, watching Zhang Ming's retreating figure, his eyes deep.
"Interesting... so interesting." He murmured. "This person is no ordinary wizard. He might not even be from this world..."
Zhang Ming's next stop was Flourish and Blotts.
As the largest magical bookstore in Diagon Alley, it housed tens of thousands of volumes, from basic charms to advanced Dark Arts.
"Hello, I'd like to purchase some foundational books." Zhang Ming said to the clerk. "On magical history, magical theory, basics of charmology, introductory potion-making, etc. The more comprehensive, the better."
The clerk blinked. "Are you preparing Hogwarts textbooks for a child?"
"No, for myself."
"Oh..." The clerk looked surprised but maintained a professional smile. "Please follow me."
Half an hour later, Zhang Ming walked out of the bookstore with a large stack of books, 15 Galleons lighter.
"Next..." He checked the sky. "Find a quiet place to go through these basics first."
He found a reasonably clean-looking inn in Diagon Alley, paid 5 Galleons for a week's stay, and locked himself in the room.
On the table, the magical books were neatly stacked.
Zhang Ming sat down, taking a deep breath.
"Now, let me see... what exactly is 'magic' in this world."
He opened the first book—The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1.
The [Myriad Celestial Mechanism] activated simultaneously, beginning to record and analyze all the content.
Outside the window, the sun set.
The bustle of Diagon Alley gradually quieted.
But in that small inn room, a "knowledge revolution" destined to颠覆 the magical world was quietly beginning.
Meanwhile, in Knockturn Alley.
The three dark wizards "warned" by Zhang Ming sat slumped on the ground, faces pale.
"Boss... could what that person said be true?"
"Shut up!" the leader snapped. "Outer Demons' whispers, soul corruption? All nonsense! He was just trying to scare us!"
"But... our wands really turned into bricks..."
"That... that was just advanced Transfiguration!"
"But he didn't use a wand at all..."
The three looked at each other, sinking into deep fear.
From that day on, a legend spread through Knockturn Alley—
There was a mysterious Easterner who could crush spells bare-handed, turn wands into bricks, and predict people's death.
To cross him was to court death.
And this legend would soon spread throughout the magical world.