Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2828: Chapter 2829: Thunder of the Homeland

Angel contemplated for a moment and attempted to activate the green patterns in his right eye.

When the phantom mask appeared around his right eye, a ”Domain Field” constructed by countless dancing green patterns heavily enveloped Angel.

This ’Domain Field’ ability, ever since Angel developed it, has established remarkable achievements in areas influenced by the Nightmare Realm.

For instance, when Culori initially stole the Nightmare Light from the Nightmare Realm, he couldn’t handle it after his research, so he used a Magical Energy Array to confine it in a secret room within the ruins. The Nightmare Light, which even Culori found troublesome, could easily be isolated by Angel’s Domain Field.

Furthermore, the Domain Field can isolate the dome of Eternal Night City, blocking all the maddening murmurs.

Therefore, when Angel felt he might be influenced by some will of the Nightmare Realm, his first choice was the Domain Field.

Sure enough, with the appearance of the Domain Field, the anomalous images flashing in Angel’s mind disappeared directly.

Although these images had limited influence on Angel, even limited influence is still influence, so being able to restrict them eased Angel considerably.

And Angel’s relieved expression happened to be seen by the Black Earl.

The Black Earl originally wanted to discuss with Angel whether to withdraw. The deeper they ventured, the more he feared his own nature might change drastically.

But upon seeing Angel’s relaxed expression, the Black Earl felt only absurdity and confusion.

The absurdity was that he and Angel were clearly on the same stage, yet seemed to hold different role scripts—he was the suffering supporting character, while Angel was the leisurely bystander. Isn’t this absurd?

And the confusion was: Is Angel truly unaffected? Or is the relaxed demeanor he shows actually the result of being influenced?

The Black Earl forcibly suppressed the inexplicable images of the bone palace jumping in his mind, trying to use a calm tone to ask: ”Has your spiritual power been influenced? How about temporarily retreating?”

Although the Black Earl tried his best to remain composed, in Angel’s eyes, the Earl’s expression was sometimes grim and sometimes tense, remarkably unusual.

Because of the Earl’s strange behavior, Angel couldn’t help but perceive the Earl’s emotions.

At this moment, the Black Earl had no ability to conceal his inner emotions. Therefore, Angel effortlessly perceived the Earl’s fluctuating emotions.

Self-doubt and rebuilding confidence; self-loathing and restoring calm; madness and composure, absurdity and confusion... All sorts of emotions overflowed, and mostly conflicting emotions at that.

The myriad of complex emotions made Angel realize the Black Earl might have an issue.

The Earl asking him whether ”spiritual power has been influenced” might suggest that the Earl’s own spiritual power had indeed been influenced?

But what could influence the Earl’s spiritual power? Could it be the images emerging from the red wax area?

Yet those images didn’t seem to contain anything stimulating to the spirit, did they?

While Angel didn’t know the exact cause, it likely related to the influence of the red wax area. Thus, the solution was simple.

Angel directly expanded the Domain Field, enveloping the Black Earl.

As the Domain Field surrounded the Black Earl, a cool aura seemed to rush into his mind, and the eerie images before were washed away by this refreshing aura and vanished instantly.

The madness dissipated, and thoughts returned to stability.

The Black Earl sensed it and confirmed there were no aftereffects before looking at Angel: ”How did you do it?”

As soon as he spoke, the Black Earl seemed to recall something and added: ”You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

Although the Black Earl stated he didn’t need an answer, Angel still explained briefly: ”A special field-type illusion technique can intervene in the invasion of external emotions.”

Does the Black Earl believe Angel’s explanation?

Of course he believes it. It’s so vague, it’s like saying nothing—who wouldn’t believe it?

Although this was the Earl’s internal retort, at least Angel gave a rough explanation: indeed, the red wax area has issues, and his erected field can serve as a ward.

As for why it can ward, what the principle is, Angel certainly wouldn’t disclose. The Earl, though curious, wouldn’t ask at this moment either.

One was about to confront Infant Spirits, possibly a fierce battle—it’s highly unwise to doubt a teammate now.

Moreover, as they drew nearer to the Qingkong Poetry Room, the Earl’s feelings intensified... Would this goal, left unfulfilled by the Noah Clan, come to an end in his hands?

These thoughts have surpassed the doubts about Angel.

Therefore, he wouldn’t question now; if there’s a chance in the future, it wouldn’t be too late to ask then.

Of course, all these are premised on trusting Angel. Being valued by Rhein and also Sanders’ disciple, these two relationships alone were enough for the Earl to place trust in Angel.

As long as Angel didn’t exhibit overt betrayal or breach, the Black Earl would trust him, even sacrificing this avatar to safeguard his safety.

If it were anyone else, the Black Earl wouldn’t be so accommodating.

The Earl chose not to investigate the specifics of the Domain Field, and temporarily set aside the ”dreadful” red wax area. Now, they faced a more pressing problem—the Infant Spirits staring ravenously at them.

’Ravenous staring’ was the Earl’s perception.

To Angel, the ugly Infant Spirits without skin gave him a familiar feeling. Although Angel could confirm he hadn’t seen this Infant Spirit before, the sense of familiarity might not stem from the Infant Spirit itself, but from the swaying red flower embedded into its skull.

Maneater Flower.

Could it be the Maneater Flower from the alley?

Angel speculated while crossing the first Weaving Net.

The net had already been cracked, so they crossed it easily and without any hindrance.

However, while crossing the net, the Black Earl manipulated a thread of the Power of Earth, forming a square box, attempting to take a segment of the net back for research. Yet, as soon as the Power of Earth enveloped the net, the box crumbled into dust, scattering lightly.

Watching the dust fall, the Black Earl’s brow tightly furrowed.

The box formed by the Power of Earth had a complete shape, with its internal energy very stable. Yet contact with the net directly broke this highly stable energy, transforming it into the most primitive form, dissipating into the earth.

This scene seemed inconsequential, but it harbored... another kind of terror.

Who was the Black Earl? A top Earth Wizard in the Southern Domain; his understanding of the Power of Earth wouldn’t lessen just because he’s an avatar. The box his avatar formed with the Power of Earth would show no difference from his true form’s creation.

Yet even so, the net directly dissolved the energy.

This is astonishingly shocking!

Meaning even if the Earl’s true form were here, using energy against the net could meet disastrous defeat.

If this isn’t terrifying, what is?

Now, the Black Earl already knows that the red wax will affect spiritual power, even for him, staying in the red wax area for too long would lead to madness; the web disrupts energy, and the energy level it disrupts is very high.

It can be concluded that the wizards present are likely unable to withstand the energy disruption of the web.

Hence, a conclusion can be drawn: whether it’s red wax or the web, they are traps they cannot ward off. Any one of them is enough to stop them here and prevent further progress.

Yet now, not only have they broken through the web, but they have also ignored the impact of the red wax. All of this is owed to Angel.

This makes the Black Earl have to wonder if Angel had foreseen this, which is why he was so well prepared?

But what kind of foresight could be so precise in knowing Adanis’ methods, as well as what otherworldly infant spirits would be summoned? At least, the Black Earl can be certain that even Maya’s prophecies cannot be this accurate.

The Black Earl did not ask Angel directly, but in his heart, he has a suspicion that perhaps Angel truly has some inexplicable connection with these ruins. And this connection contributes to Angel’s unstoppable momentum and the reason behind it.

The Black Earl temporarily chooses not to ponder what this connection is; he might even be thankful for such a connection. Otherwise, they might really have come here in vain. The traps of the red wax and the web would definitely have hindered them.

Even if the Black Earl’s true body were to come, it may not have absolute confidence in breaking them.

So, whatever secret Angel has, the Black Earl won’t probe.

At least at this time and place, he feels gratitude rather than suspicion.

Afterward, they crossed several webs in succession, and the Black Earl did not touch them again. Instead, all his attention was focused on the infant spirit.

The infant spirit has been watching them, but curiously, it hasn’t made any movement.

The mist serpent still towers overhead, looking down at it, yet it ignores the mist serpent. Angel and the Black Earl quickly approached it, and it remained motionless.

If not for those terrifying eyes occasionally moving and the maneater flower swaying from time to time, the Black Earl might suspect this was a statue.

Finally, they reached the web closest to the infant spirit.

Now, they are only about ten meters away from the infant spirit.

Observing the infant spirit up close made it clearer how terrifying and repulsive its appearance is, along with the eerie atmosphere that chills the heart. And this eerie atmosphere has a subtle resemblance to the feeling when Angel releases his illusion techniques.

The Black Earl and Angel stopped in tacit understanding.

The Black Earl did not show any signs of attack, merely secretly tying an energy ribbon to Angel.

At first, when the energy ribbon connected with Angel, he didn’t mind much, because the Black Earl had done similar things before. This is essentially a secured version of the Mind Ribbon, used for private communication.

But this time, when connected by the energy ribbon, Angel immediately felt a different sensation.

”Don’t worry, it’s just attached a thread of the Noah bloodline covenant. When you feel unable to resist or suffer a fatal injury, it will automatically activate the homeland’s thunder in the covenant, breaking through all space shackles below legendary level and leaving here.”

In other words, it’s like having the ability of a plane corridor.

However, compared to forcibly opening a plane corridor, the ’homeland’s thunder’ bloodline technique is more convenient, appears to have no post-casting side effects, and doesn’t worry about space instability issues.

Just, the materials for casting a plane corridor are incredibly expensive. Angel doesn’t believe the Black Earl can use such power recklessly.

Perhaps noticing Angel’s doubt, the Black Earl said calmly: ”The homeland’s thunder consumes the bloodline essence of my true body.”

The Black Earl’s true body is not here, so this statement implies...

Angel: ”Does it consume your avatar’s body?”

The Black Earl replied indifferently: ”Yes, that’s correct. However, the death of the avatar doesn’t affect the true body. You don’t need to worry too much... well, if you really do care, I hope you can find a way to bring Vay out after using this ability. Of course, if you can’t, it’s fine.”

Angel frowned: ”The homeland’s thunder was originally meant to be used for Vay, right?”

The Black Earl: ”Nothing is predetermined. It is my choice whom I want to use it on.”

Despite what was said, Angel still felt that the Black Earl’s ability was ninety percent intended for Vay.

Angel’s mood was complicated at this moment; he was indeed very moved by the Black Earl’s arrangements. However, to him, this was an unbearable weight.

Because it involved a significant debt of gratitude.

Angel was not afraid to owe favors, just that such a substantial favor leaves him a bit at a loss.

While Angel was contemplating refusing and how best to articulate that, he suddenly captured a sentiment of emotional waves.

Angel turned back to glance at the motionless infant spirit resembling a statue, and fell into contemplation.

After considering for a moment, he did not reject the Black Earl’s arrangement.

Although this favor is significant, if he does not end up using the homeland’s thunder, the heavy indebtedness wouldn’t exist. Certainly, the Black Earl’s goodwill is also considered a favor, but compared to the worst-case scenario, it’s mild.

The reason Angel believed he wouldn’t need to use the homeland’s thunder is precisely because of the emotional wave he captured earlier.

This emotional wave actively conveyed itself to Angel.

With a little perception, Angel quickly found that the source of the emotion was the infant spirit... To be precise, it was the maneater flower on the infant spirit’s head.

The maneater flower didn’t realize its emotions could be sensed by Angel; it merely expressed a routine inner excitement.

Angel was far too familiar with such emotions.

—Delight, respect, and admiration.

Nearly all Nightmare Realm creatures he encountered displayed similar emotions. However, this does not include the dollmaster Yorkshire; nonetheless, Yorkshire still addressed Angel respectfully upon meeting, though he seemed more loyal to the Queen, rather than Shava.

Other Nightmare Realm creatures see ”Shava” mingling with humans without any dissent. But Yorkshire dares to question whether ”Shava” has betrayed the Queen.

From this, one can see the distinction between Yorkshire and other Nightmare Realm creatures.

Aside from Yorkshire, according to Minister Nuka’s words, Minister Dim’s philosophy differs from Shava’s, perhaps Minister Dim won’t overly respect Shava either?

However, Minister Dim’s favorite weapon—the Dalmatian—has a friendly relationship with Angel.

It even enlisted the Void Traveler to stay in touch with Angel at all times. The only regret is that while the Dalmatian is good, it enjoyably plays dumb...

Minister Dim’s affairs aren’t something to be pursued now. After all, Angel has met Minister Dim in reality, but has not seen Minister Dim in the Nightmare Realm.

Therefore, returning to present matters, with the emotion from the maneater flower, Angel can pretty much confirm that this maneater flower is indeed from Naraku City in the Nightmare Realm!

As long as the maneater flower recognizes the identity of ”Shava,” Angel is likely to have the opportunity to negotiate with it. Thus, their lives shouldn’t be in danger, negating the need for the Black Earl’s homeland’s thunder.