Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2900: Chapter 2901: Astrology Chess Divination

With doubt, Angel closed his eyes and sank his thoughts into the Crystal Origin of Dreams.

The Gatekeeper’s authority allowed him to smoothly obtain the coordinates of the Fungal Bloom. And indeed, as he imagined, the coordinates of the Fungal Bloom were still within the Crystal Mountain.

Furthermore, according to the coordinates in the current spatial location, the Fungal Bloom is precisely at the central section of the mountain base of the Crystal Mountain.

Once the coordinates of the Fungal Bloom were confirmed, Angel attempted to further pinpoint the situation at the location of the Fungal Bloom. However, to his dismay, while the coordinates could be confirmed, the exact position of the Fungal Bloom could not be locked down.

This situation is identical to the one when Laplace entered Helen’s Dream before.

Could this mean that the Fungal Bloom is also currently in a special dreamland? A special dreamland of the Crystal Mountain?

If so, why didn’t Angel discover any traces of the Fungal Bloom when he investigated the Crystal Mountain through the Box Garden Perspective?

The more Angel thought about it, the stranger it seemed. From the form of existence to the Box Garden situation, this Crystal Mountain is vastly different from other special dreamlands. There must be something fishy going on.

However, although Angel felt something odd in his heart, he did not ”awaken” the Fungal Bloom.

He had a hypothesis that the Wonderland of Dreams concealed all other crystal creations, except this Crystal Mountain. Could it be because of the Fungal Bloom?

Has the Fungal Bloom become a ”player” of the special dreamland?

Or perhaps the special effect of the Fungal Bloom stabilizing half-plane space stabilized the Crystal Mountain as well?

Regardless of the situation, keeping the Fungal Bloom is better than taking it away.

Moreover, such a massive crystal creation as the Crystal Mountain might very well be the culmination of the authorities of the ”Wonderland of Dreams.” With the location of the Fungal Bloom, studying the Crystal Mountain and thereby researching the authority of the ”Wonderland of Dreams” would likely yield very positive results.

But all of this is predicated on the Fungal Bloom being able to survive well inside the Crystal Mountain.

”It should be fine, right?” Angel rubbed his chin. ”The Fungal Bloom doesn’t like activity, if it finds a place to hide, it should last... right?”

...

”What’s wrong with you? Judging by your look, did the Fungal Bloom encounter some trouble?” Laplace asked Angel who had been silent for a long time.

Angel: ”Don’t worry, it’s fine. I have arrangements for the Fungal Bloom.”

Upon hearing Angel say so, Laplace nodded and didn’t continue the topic.

And just at this moment, a new rift appeared in the mirrored space.

Before anyone arrived, the nebula came first.

The pitch-black night background, carrying the starry sky and thick clouds, surged from the rift.

In no time, it occupied half the sky of the mirrored space.

Following it, an aged woman, stooped and leaning on a cane, slowly walked among the stars.

The visitor was none other than Glaipnir, whom they had awaited for a long time.

Glaipnir trod on the nebula and slowly descended from mid-air.

Angel noticed that Glaipnir’s attire was distinctly different from the previous meetings. The last few times Angel encountered Glaipnir, she wore star-moon robes and a triangle hat commonly seen among astrologers. But now, Glaipnir was dressed in a silver-scaled robe.

The scales were imbued with energy, projecting starlight around her. Countless constellations appeared like illusions, emerging and dissipating around Glaipnir.

This silver-scaled robe exuded an ancient and timeless aura.

Even without using the Alchemy Eye, Angel could sense that the silver scales on the robe were from the same creature as the molted scales in the bottle earlier.

This was likely the second molting of the main body, as mentioned by Laplace.

Beyond the robe, Glaipnir’s cane was also different from before. Previously, it was a black wooden staff, but now Glaipnir was holding a silver-white bone staff.

This bone staff’s aura differed entirely from that of the silver-scaled robe. The robe’s aura was gentler, whereas the bone staff felt like a blade ready to unsheath at any moment. Even without pointing it at Angel, it exuded a sharp oppressive force.

Next to him, Laplace noticed Angel’s gaze lingering on the silver-scaled robe and bone staff, softly spoke: ”I believe you’ve guessed it, the robe Glaipnir wears is the special Astrological Disk I mentioned. It can transform into clothing or an astrological board.”

”And the staff in her hand is a weapon borrowed from the Ancient Ruins of Tooth Fairy, named the Tooth Bone Staff. It was forged from the remains of the strongest battle elder of the Tooth Fairy Elders Council.”

”Because the Tooth Bone Staff was kept in a special space deep within that cannot be accessed via mirror passage, obtaining it required some time, which accounts for Glaipnir’s tardiness.”

As Laplace spoke, Glaipnir also nodded gently towards Angel, apologetically saying: ”Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Angel quickly waved his hands: ”It’s alright, we didn’t wait that long.”

Glaipnir smiled faintly: ”So... shall we begin the divination now?”

Although Glaipnir deliberately kept her voice subdued, Angel could still sense an urgency in her emotions.

It seemed that more than the silver-scaled robe or the Tooth Bone Staff, what Glaipnir cared about was performing divination for Angel.

Angel: ”Could you tell me what kind of divination method you plan to use? You know I possess the Blood Night Shelter, similar prophecy spying doesn’t work on me.”

Angel appeared to be asking, but was actually warning Glaipnir not to use spying-type divination, as it would not only fail but also be detected by him. Likewise, trying to have him remove the Blood Night Shelter under the guise of divination was impossible.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Glaipnir’s eyes, she indeed considered asking Angel to remove the Blood Night Shelter. But since Angel had said this, she could only take a step back.

Glaipnir: ”Astrological Chess Divination.”

Angel furrowed his brows: ”Are you asking me to play astrological chess with you? I don’t really understand the rules of astrological chess.”

Glaipnir shook her head and extended her right finger, pointing at the empty space. A chessboard filled with starlight appeared before Angel, with crisscross lines emitting a dreamlike glow, yet the board was stark and had no pieces placed.

”No need to play chess, there are three pieces beside you. You can place them on the board based on your feelings.” Glaipnir continued: ”By the way, while divining, think of three questions related to Sweet Dreams entering the Crystal Origin of Dreams, or I might make errors interpreting.”

As the words fell, Angel clearly felt three ghostly floating starlight chess pieces beside him. Though they were ethereal, upon touching Angel could feel the smooth texture of the pieces.

”Ready, you can place the pieces anytime.” Glaipnir gestured, indicating Angel could proceed.

Angel didn’t know what kind of divination this was, but it seemed not to be the prophecy spy type. With this in mind, he didn’t hesitate further and began placing the pieces on the board.

With each placement, Angel would silently ask a question in his heart.

Soon, Angel mentally recited the third question: ”Will Sweet Dreams entering the Crystal Origin of Dreams negatively impact the Crystal Origin of Dreams?” while placing the final piece.

The three pieces formed an irregular zigzag, falling on various parts of the astrological chessboard, flickering with a faint glow.

Glaipnir glanced at the chessboard, pondered briefly, then began interpreting the pieces.

During the interpretation, Glaipnir didn’t ask Angel what questions he pondered, merely revealing the answers she perceived.

”Your first placed piece landed in the position named ’Wheel,’ the wheel travels the road, and the road has both forward and backward directions, advancing and retreating are both possible.”

After interpreting the first piece, Glaipnir looked at Angel, seemingly offering him time to think.

Angel feigned understanding on the surface, internally he was continually griping.

When he placed the first piece, the question in his mind was: Can Sweet Dreams enter the Crystal Origin of Dreams?

Now Glaipnir’s interpretation was: advancing and retreating are both possible, meaning it could enter the Crystal Origin of Dreams or it might not.

Isn’t this just talking nonsense?

Angel: ”I understand, what about the next one?”

Glaipnir glanced at Angel’s second move and said blandly, ”Before interpreting the second move, can you tell me if the question you were thinking about during your first move is related to the one you were considering for the second move?”

Angel: ”Related.”

Glaipnir: ”If it’s related, then the second move is called ’Heaven’s Path.’ Walking the road of the heavens does not align with the earth. It can also be interpreted as, the heavenly path is accessible, and one can reach the other side without necessarily walking the earthly path.”

Glaipnir’s explanation is straightforward, but when Angel tries to understand it personally, it seems somewhat connected to his second question, yet appears entirely irrelevant.

The second question Angel was pondering was: ”If Sweet Dream can enter Crystal Origin of Dreams, will it affect Crystal Origin of Dreams?”

Glaipnir’s so-called ’Heaven’s Path’ seems to mean ’the heavenly road and the earthly way are unrelated,’ so that means: no impact?

Angel’s personal interpretation is this, but if broadened, it can also mean that the influence of Sweet Dream has transcended the heavens, unreachable by the earth. And here, ’earth’ refers to Crystal Origin of Dreams.

So, both interpretations are possible. However, people always tend to lean toward positive meanings, so if Angel had to choose, he would opt for the former—Heaven’s Path and Earth’s Way do not interfere, thus no impact.

Glaipnir’s gaze turned to the third move, positioned at the edge of the board, far from the other two moves: ”Is the third move related to the previous questions?”

Angel still nodded.

Glaipnir pondered for a moment: ”If it is related, then there’s only one answer, this move is called ’Kite.’

”Kite? How to interpret?”

Glaipnir thought a bit and said: ”Holding a paper kite, dancing with the wind. It means that the string is in your hand, you can control the kite; but the kite’s flight is not merely controlled by the one holding the string, it also needs a gust of wind.”

Angel frowned: ”And then?”

Glaipnir shrugged: ”That’s it, all the answers have been given to you.”

Angel was bewildered, is this the end?

During his third move, the question he was pondering was: ”If Sweet Dream affects Crystal Origin of Dreams, to what extent will the impact be?”

And Glaipnir’s answer is: Kite?!

This means: In control I am, but influenced by the wind?

The previous meaning is, how much influence depends on Angel; but the extent of the impact depends on the ’wind’?

Wind is an uncontrollable variable; does it refer to the operating rules of Crystal Origin of Dreams, or the will of the Dream Realm?

Angel couldn’t quite comprehend, and the more he thought about it, the more his mind felt dizzy.

It seemed these answers could all address his questions, but it also felt like nothing was gained.

After pondering for a long time, Angel rubbed his temples and decided not to think anymore.

Why do those involved with prophecy and oracles like to speak in riddles? Maya likes to say utterly confusing things, and the White Bear always talks about fate guidance passionately. Why can’t they just speak plainly like Dororo, saying whatever they see?

Angel mused that Dororo is indeed better. In the future, for this kind of prophecy work, he should go to Dororo; guessing riddles is exhausting.

While Angel was thinking this, Laplace looked over from a distance: ”Did you get the answer you were looking for?”

Angel shrugged: ”I just wanted to know if Sweet Dream entering Crystal Origin of Dreams would affect it. Now, I’m even more confused.”

Beside him, Luigi chuckled: ”Friend, confused is right. With Glaipnir divining for you, you’re bound to be confused.”

Laplace glanced at Luigi, and he immediately quieted down.

Laplace turned to Angel and said, ”The answer is actually simple. When you feel confused, the first thought you have—whether good or bad—is most likely the answer. Each has its proportion; the higher proportion is the more likely answer.”

Angel: ”So, if that’s the case... then the conclusion leaning toward the positive seems to have a higher proportion?”

Upon careful consideration, Angel realized that if he went by the positive proportion, indeed, his initial thoughts tended to be more favorable.

For example, for the second question, Angel wanted to know if Sweet Dream entering Crystal Origin of Dreams would cause any influence. Glaipnir’s answer ’Heaven’s Path’ was the first thought Angel had, which was Sweet Dream traveling on the heavenly route, would not contradict the earthly path, meaning ’a separation of heaven and earth,’ naturally no impact.

The third question was similar; upon hearing the answer ’Kite,’ Angel’s immediate thought was that he is the person controlling the kite string and can freely decide whether to fly the kite. Although there’s also the variable of ’wind,’ wind itself is not something humans can control; it’s the sky, a rule, the will of the world. These factors can appear anytime and remain uncontrollable, but Angel, as the holder of the paper kite, has the right to decide if he wants to fly the kite or not.

So, for the second and third questions, Angel feels the ’positive’ proportion is indeed higher than the ’negative.’

Laplace: ”If that’s the case, then have faith that the outcome is positive.”

Angel really wanted to say, but isn’t this somewhat naive? Are we talking about probabilities?

However, seeing Laplace’s sincere gaze, Angel refrained from speaking further and nodded: ”Then... should I try bringing Sweet Dream into Crystal Origin of Dreams now?”

Laplace responded faintly: ”It’s your decision, I have no right to interfere.”

After that, Laplace moved aside. Luigi, Glaipnir, and even the Rabbit Girl followed Laplace, leaving the center of the scene to Angel.

After contemplating briefly, Angel decided to try pulling Sweet Dream into Crystal Origin of Dreams.

The very creation of Crystal Origin of Dreams was originally meant to test Sweet Dream.

Now that Crystal Origin of Dreams has been successfully created, why not boldly experiment?

Moreover, although Angel felt the Dream System’s mysterious object has a chance of being drawn into Crystal Origin of Dreams, the probability might not be high.

Perhaps his solemn preparations might ultimately activate the Dream Conch to reflect Sweet Dream, but it might not work at all, which would be very awkward.

With this in mind, Angel suppressed his last shred of worry and took out the Dream Conch.

Timely, Laplace also drove away part of the pink wind surrounding Sweet Dream, allowing the mysterious aura to spread immediately.

Without hesitation, Angel activated the Dream Conch at the center of the mysterious aura.

New mysterious power surged out from the Dream Conch.

Sweet Dream evokes feelings of leisure and sleepiness, while the Dream Conch evokes a sense of pure mysterious power, devoid of any other traits.

The two mysterious powers thus encountered unexpectedly.

According to past experiences, collisions of mysterious powers usually result in incompatibility, mutual exclusivity.

But this time, the mysterious powers slightly merged.

Upon seeing this, Angel’s eyes gleamed.

Could his speculation be correct? Previously, the Dream Conch couldn’t pull mysterious objects into Wilderness of Dreams due to differing natures of mysterious powers? This time it works because they are both from the Dream System?

As Angel was excitedly pondering, the initially merged portion of mysterious power was inexplicably forced apart.

Soon after... the mutual collision of mysterious powers once again resembled other different types of mysterious objects, completely incompatible.

So could this be... failure?