Warlock Apprentice

”As for the second matter mentioned by Lord Rhein, it’s about the current situation of the ruins,” Sanders said. ”The active line eruption is still ongoing, but there is a solution for the active line infection. So, overall, the ruins have become stable, and the timing of the active line eruptions can also be predicted.”

”Does Lord Rhein mean I can go and explore the mysteries of those Nightmare Realm creatures?” Angel asked.

Sanders replied, ”Yes, but he also mentioned there’s no rush. We can wait for the results from the Star Observing Day before delving deeper.”

Angel nodded in understanding. Last time, Lord Rhein had already mentioned that during the Star Observing Day, Florenza of the ”Sea God” from the Song of the Deep Sea will send someone to specifically prophesy the situation within the ruins. If they can foresee any conclusions, combined with Angel’s interpretation of the Nightmare Realm creatures’ language, the situation in the ruins will become clearer.

Angel speculated that this was one of the reasons why Lord Rhein was eager to borrow the mini signal tower since it concerned the ruins.

”I understand. I am also very curious about what those Nightmare Realm creatures intend to do. After the Star Observing Day, I’ll head over to take a look,” Angel nodded in agreement.

Sanders did not continue on this topic any further. After all, when Angel visited the ruins, he would definitely accompany him. Sanders would not miss any intelligence related to the Nightmare Realm.

As they were discussing the topic, a flash of daylight suddenly glimmered ahead. When they looked directly at it, they vaguely saw what seemed like an exit leading to the outside world.

Angel saw this white light but did not show any signs of relaxation. Instead, he became more cautious.

Because along the way, they had already encountered the flashing white light three times. The first time, Angel thought it was an exit, but upon approaching, he discovered it was not an exit at all. Rather, it was a terrifying giant beast living in the void using the white light as bait, and Angel was the hooked fish.

Thankfully, Angel, as the ”fish,” was strong enough. Even if he couldn’t defeat it, he could escape, which allowed him to remain unharmed.

Having been tricked before, Angel wouldn’t act impulsively this time.

Due to the strong suppression of spiritual power by the void, they could not use it to investigate the situation within the white light and could only cautiously approach it.

When they were about two to three minutes away from the white light, Sanders’ spiritual tendrils finally reached it.

”It’s an exit,” Sanders provided a definite answer, but his expression remained tense. ”Generally speaking, the exits opened by plane corridors, due to their brightness and aura, always attract some void creatures. Thus, until you truly step out, never let your guard down.”

There have been instances where a wizard was ambushed by void creatures at the exit. Although such instances are few and far between, there is a precedent, so caution must not be neglected.

Fortunately, no void creatures appeared as they walked out through the exit.

Once their feet were firmly planted again, a wave of heat enveloped them.

They found themselves in an endless expanse of yellow desert, the scorching sun overhead and the heat-absorbed sand beneath their feet making it feel as if they were in a steamer.

Mortals likely wouldn’t last long in such an environment and would die of dehydration. But for Sanders and Angel, it had no effect at all, not even a drop of sweat appeared on their foreheads.

However, although the desert environment had no impact on them, Sanders furrowed his brows as soon as they stepped into it, showing a look of disgust.

”Is there something wrong with this desert?” Angel asked, puzzled by Sanders’ expression.

Sanders shook his head, ”There’s nothing wrong with the desert itself, it’s just that the air from the Sin World carries the stench of the Extreme Sect, which is loathsome.”

The so-called stench in the air is not a real smell but a pure mental aversion to the Extreme Sect. This sentiment is shared not just by Sanders — most wizards in the Southern Domain dislike the Extreme Sect, even if they are favored by the World Will.

Sanders flew up into the sky, looked around, and then at the scorching sun, before slowly descending again. ”If nothing else, this should be the Qimei Continent.”

Qimei Continent is a land at the southern end of the Sin World, where over seventy percent of the terrain is desert, making it famous for its deserts. As a result, not many people live on the Qimei Continent, and it has only one nation.

”The Extreme Sect’s headquarters is located at the northernmost fringe of the Sin World, near a place called the Kingdom of Gabiron,” Sanders paused. ”We are far from their headquarters here, so we don’t need to worry about any large movements being detected. Let’s choose this place.”

Angel naturally had no objection and nodded, ”Then let’s choose here.”

After deciding on this location as the final resting place for Popota, Angel began to survey the surrounding area. Once he confirmed there were no threats, he released Popota from the bracelet.

After not seeing natural light for a long time, Popota instinctively shielded his eyes against the intense sunshine as soon as he appeared.

It took Popota some effort to adjust to the light, and when he finally did, he lowered his hand, revealing his grotesque, alien-like face.

”Master,” Popota greeted Angel and Sanders respectfully, then glanced around at his surroundings with a look of understanding. ”It’s almost time... Is this where I belong?”

”Yes,” Angel nodded and informed Popota of the territory and information about this place.

”There are no other choices, are there?” Popota murmured almost dreamily in a soft voice. But before Angel could respond, a bitter smile appeared on his lips. ”Although I wish to walk my last journey in the Fairy Tale World, after all, that’s my homeland, where things could come full circle... but here, too, is fine.”

”In the Fairy Tale World, I might even implicate my sister, so here will do, here will do.”

”The desert will likely bury me quickly, won’t it? A gust of sand, and my ugly body will be covered beneath it, not having to face this world anymore, and that’s fine.”

Throughout, Popota kept talking to himself, occasionally reminiscing about the past, and sometimes musing on the present, seemingly using this way to bid himself farewell on his final journey.

Angel and Sanders said nothing, merely watching silently from the side. Sanders’ expression remained unchanged; he had seen countless corpses, with countless perishing by his hand. Popota’s death could not stir a ripple in his heart. If it were not for the fact that Popota had signed a contract with the Abyssal Demon God, Sanders wouldn’t have come to witness his passing.

Angel’s expression was equally serene. True death might elicit some feeling from Angel, but Popota’s death was not the end. His consciousness spark would finally enter the Wilderness of Dreams, and Hua Que was determined to cultivate and grow strong enough to reclaim Popota’s soul taken by the Demon God. Although Hua Que might not succeed in the end, someone still cares about him, remembers him, and is willing to fight for him. Moreover, his consciousness could still persist in another form. How can this be called death?

However, Popota was unaware of these things, so his self-reflection was understandable.