Warlock Apprentice

Due to energy instability in the void, a series of chain reactions frequently occur. Sometimes, even a small energy contraction can lead to the collapse of a rift at some point in the future.

Thus, the appearance of space rifts in the void is not uncommon.

However, this rift was somewhat different. Its manifestation had no apparent cause—it appeared out of thin air, not as part of one end of a reaction chain.

Such spontaneously appearing space rifts are typically not naturally formed but created through external forces.

Toby was having too much fun, and coupled with the lingering energy vortex from its recent breakthrough, it failed to sense this space rift. Yet, Angel and the others farther away had already taken notice of it.

”Should we warn Toby about it?” Angel asked.

Sanders gazed into the distance. At the moment the space rift formed, he had already discerned its origin and the identity of those emerging from it.

His eyes flickered briefly. ”A group of intriguing folks has arrived.”

Intriguing? Angel didn’t grasp Sanders’ meaning.

Sanders offered no explanation. Instead, he slowly removed his gloves, his elongated middle finger and thumb curling lightly against each other. With a crisp ”snap,” numerous Illusion Nodes materialized out of thin air around them.

As soon as the nodes manifested, they rapidly vanished. With them disappeared the traces of Angel and the group as well.

”Concealment Illusionary Realm?” Angel instantly recognized the realm obscuring their forms. Yet, he was confused about Sanders’ intent—why hide? Was it because of these mysterious newcomers?

Who were they?

”Keep watching, and you’ll soon understand,” Sanders said placidly, offering no further explanation. His demeanor remained unruffled.

After thinking for a moment, Angel nodded. They were nearby, after all; if Toby encountered danger, they could provide immediate assistance. Angel, too, was curious to see how ”intriguing” the people Sanders had mentioned truly were.

Not long after their forms disappeared, the space rift finally stabilized, and a black-robed woman dressed in ritualistic garments stepped out of the rift. Following shortly, a group of black-robed figures emerged behind her.

”It’s her?” Greya narrowed her eyes as she observed the leading black-robed woman.

Angel wasn’t yet familiar with all the key figures of the Wizards’ Realm and didn’t recognize the newcomer. Yet, their attire quickly revealed their affiliation to Angel.

The back of their black robes bore an emblem resembling a solar eclipse—an insignia that explained everything.

Sure enough, Greya confirmed Angel’s suspicions: ”The woman at the forefront belongs to the Profound Alchemy Association—the Submerger, Haley.”

A Submerger wasn’t a title but a term used to describe adherents devoted to the Profound One.

Although Angel’s understanding of the Profound Alchemy Association was limited, he knew that Haley, like Misarlo—who had previously sent him an invitation—was a high-ranking individual within the association.

”Seventy years ago, Haley was a supernova with immense potential. I never expected her to join the Profound Alchemy Association. Once she became a devoted follower of the Profound One, regardless of her potential, she ultimately became nothing more than a tool for the Profound One, forever trapped and unable to transcend,” Greya remarked wistfully.

”Speaking of which, I’ve heard rumors that Haley is currently the most favored individual within the Profound Alchemy Association in the Profound One’s eyes. She spends years in seclusion, rarely interacting with the outside world,” Greya mused, her eyes tinged with doubt. ”Why would she come to the void this time?”

While Greya was deep in thought, the group of individuals from the Profound Alchemy Association had all stepped out from the rift.

Their first action upon entering was to survey their surroundings.

When their eyes landed on Toby’s towering form, subtle ripples flickered across their expressions. Nevertheless, they didn’t react and continued observing.

After a long while, the group of black-robed figures gathered around Haley. ”There’s no one nearby,” they reported.

Of course, this conclusion was based solely on their visual observation. As for probing with spiritual energy, it was rendered impossible due to the chaotic surrounding energy and lingering anomalies.

Haley was well aware of this but remained confident that even if someone were hiding nearby, it wouldn’t be covertly.

Anyone of lower strength would have left obvious traces, and those of higher strength wouldn’t find it necessary to hide.

Thus, it was highly likely no one was truly present.

”The divine command I received was to use this magical creature, which caused the anomaly, as a sacrificial offering. With no one around, we won’t need to worry about interference or dividing shares,” Haley paused and commanded the surrounding devotees. ”This is a rare and explicit mandate from our Profound One regarding the sacrificial item. We must fulfill this to the best of our abilities. Understood?”

After receiving their responses, Haley narrowed her eyes and glanced at Toby, who continued to play exuberantly in the distance. Her gaze glimmered with undisguised yearning.

If she sacrificed this Snake Bird, she might gain further favor, prompting the Profound One to descend even greater power upon her. At that time, she could potentially break her chains and step into the realm of True Knowledge.

While the Profound Alchemy Association members watched Toby with voracious intent, they were unaware that Angel and his group nearby had fully witnessed their dialogue.

”Indeed intriguing,” Sanders remarked with a faint smile.

Angel and Greya, however, didn’t find it amusing; their brows furrowed deeply. What concerned them wasn’t this group of people; rather, it was Haley’s tone, which suggested that the Profound One seemed interested in Toby.

If Toby were targeted by the Unparalleled Great Demon God, it would undeniably spell trouble.

Sanders noticed the grave expressions on their faces. He calmly reassured them: ”The Profound One has its sights on countless entities. You needn’t concern yourselves needlessly.”

”If the Profound One truly harbored urgent desires, it wouldn’t merely send this group after Toby.”

Sanders’ statement was logical. With the Profound One’s high stature and far-reaching vision, if it genuinely coveted something, it would utilize more decisive and effective methods rather than dispatching a group whose strength might not surpass Toby’s.

Even someone like Popota, who stirred chaos in Lassudral and potentially knew secrets surrounding the Lord of the Flameless’s fall, hadn’t been pursued by the Profound One with urgency. It was improbable for the Profound One to genuinely care about Toby—it was likely mere curiosity.

With this realization, Angel and Greya felt somewhat relieved. However, although they didn’t need to overly worry, they couldn’t afford to underestimate the situation.

Under no circumstances could Toby be allowed to fall into the hands of the Profound Alchemy Association.

Nearby, Toby seemed to notice the presence of the Profound Alchemy Association members and immediately sensed the intense malice emanating from them.

Toby was no fool. Upon seeing the blatant hostility in their eyes, he instinctively understood that these people were his enemies.

Against an adversary, Toby would never hesitate to strike.

”But can Toby defeat this group?” Greya hesitated briefly. ”Perhaps I should step in to help?”

”No need to rush. Step forward only if defeat becomes inevitable,” Sanders said calmly and paused, then added, ”This could also serve as an opportunity to assess Toby’s newfound strength following its advancement.”