Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2586: Chapter 2587: Depths

It’s called a black hole, and it really is a pitch-black hole.

The walls of the cave are mostly made of bricks and stones. These bricks and stones are different from the Star Color Stones outside; they are a rare type of Limestone. This kind of stone can be polished into an Array Plate, and can accommodate most Intermediate Rank magical energy arrays, as well as some simple High Order magical energy arrays.

Materials that can accommodate High Order magical energy arrays, whether it’s parchment, stone, or demonic materials, are very expensive. And here, the walls are entirely composed of this Limestone.

If Angel can notice the difference in the stone, naturally, others can too.

Except for the Black Earl and Angel, everyone else had a bit of a covetous thought but were too embarrassed to speak up, except for Dox, who unabashedly said, ”How about you guys go ahead, I’ll dig up some stones and catch up.”

After Dox voiced his opinion, Kaier and Vay seemed eager to try.

However, before they could speak, Angel calmly said, ”If you want to be backfired by the magical energy array, then go ahead and dig. But wait until we reach the exit before you do it. I don’t want to accompany you to the grave.”

”Is there a magical energy array hidden here?” Dox asked doubtfully.

”What else? Just using Limestone to build a tunnel, to appear rich?” Angel replied somewhat speechlessly.

The magic patterns here, like the ones on the Star Color Stones outside, have gradually concealed themselves within the stone over time. So, it’s impossible to see the magic patterns from the outside.

However, the magic patterns here are more complex than those outside. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have used Limestone to fill it.

The magical energy array with these magic patterns needs to interact, entwine, and deceive with the huge magical energy array of the Underground Labyrinth and maintain a dynamic balance to ensure the safety of this passage.

Once a stone here is pried open, even just one piece, it could cause an avalanche-like destruction.

Moreover, these Limestone stones have already been engraved with magic patterns, which means that even if re-smelted, they cannot reach the highest quality, making them not very valuable.

It’s not worth causing an avalanche of the magical energy array just for a small benefit. If it involves the huge magical energy array of the Underground Labyrinth, the commotion caused would be big.

After listening to Angel’s explanation, the two young ones were somewhat relieved they hadn’t spoken up, while Dox remained shameless: ”Ah, what a pity. How about we pry away a few when we come back, then it wouldn’t matter if a disturbance occurs.”

Angel said, ”If the disturbance affects the entire Garden Labyrinth, more places will collapse than now, and I don’t know how many adventure groups will be doomed. You can do it, but you’ll have to bear the consequences.”

Angel only mentioned adventure groups, but indeed, it would also affect the Merchant Organization and the Birlos Family behind it.

Although the Birlos Family isn’t a giant, it wouldn’t have a problem taking care of a Dox.

As for them not discovering Dox did it? That’s impossible. Once it’s done, causing so many deaths, as long as one ordinary person births a soul, it can serve as a medium for the Prophet Wizard to pinpoint the real culprit behind the scenes.

Unless Dox has a tool like Angel’s Blood Night Shelter to prevent the Prophet Wizard’s spying. But such tools are extremely rare, even at large auctions in the Extraordinary City, they’re rarely seen, so the likelihood of Dox possessing one is very low.

Of course, Dox understands what Angel means; he isn’t afraid of encountering individual Birlos Family wizards, but if a whole family teams up with Prophet Wizards against him, then he might be in trouble.

Doing this for a few stones of low value is clearly not worth it.

”Disappointing... thought I could gain something as soon as I entered. Unexpectedly, it’s all a dream.” Dox sighed.

Angel glanced at Dox: ”Maybe there’s something better in the Underground Labyrinth.”

Dox said, ”I think, after so many years of looting, there shouldn’t be many good things below. If there are, they’re probably in really dangerous places. At best, the materials from those magical creatures count as good things, but you told us not to touch the magical creatures if we don’t have to... Alas, I might not get any good things this trip.”

Angel and the Black Earl exchanged a meaningful look and silently noted Dox’s words, considering their previous experience suggested those words might have an inspiration bonus.

”Material gains are not as fulfilling as spiritual wealth,” Angel casually threw out a sentence. It seemed like heart-lifting advice, but it was actually hinting to Dox not to forget the original purpose of this expedition.

To have a breakthrough in inspiration, leading to a talent.

In fact, Dox is just one step away from this breakthrough. Once he breaks through, any material gain would not compare to this ”spiritual wealth.”

”Although your words sound a bit dismissive, for some reason, I’ve come to agree with them,” Dox laughed heartily, never considering why he agrees with them.

This is probably... the final haze before the inspirational breakthrough.

Even Kaier and Vay have faintly noticed some situation, yet Dox remains trapped in the haze.

This is what is meant by the insiders being the most confused, while the bystanders are the most clear.

No one reminds Dox, because even if reminded, he may not necessarily break through the haze, and it might even create a bigger haze. What Dox can do is to realize it himself, and break through the haze himself.

Judging from his own inspiration feedback, this relic adventure might truly become the catalyst for this final breakthrough step if nothing goes wrong.

...

Earlier, they thought this black hole wouldn’t be too long, but when they really started walking, they found this black hole winding and twisting—sometimes spiraling upwards, sometimes dropping vertically—the journey was quite long.

Moreover, the surroundings were pitch-black, and they didn’t dare use magic power casually, fearing it might trigger a backlash. So, they relied solely on their feet, walking for a full ten minutes before they saw the end of the black hole.

The end of the black hole wasn’t a bright exit they’d imagined, but rather a magical energy array used for concealment.

There are two ways to break it, because this magical energy array isn’t particularly advanced, so the first method is directly using magic pattern proficiency to crush and break it; the second method is using the main control magic pattern layout of the Underground Church to temporarily constrain this magical energy array.

Apparently, those demon god followers back then used the second method.

Angel can use either method but chose the second one, as the first method truly breaks—deconstructs destructively, while the second method doesn’t damage this magical energy array, merely temporarily rendering it ineffective.

Angel is a pragmatic person; there’s no need to show off his magic pattern proficiency by doing something unnecessary.

He easily constrained the magical energy array, and a ”door” appeared before them.

At first glance, it’s a ”door,” but when Angel touches it, he immediately realizes it’s actually some large object blocking this entrance.

The object is quite hefty; even when Angel used his projected bloodline arm, he could only barely move it... Barely move it means Angel felt he pushed it a bit, but in the others’ eyes, it remained unmoved.

”What kind of bloodline did you fuse? The strength boost is so little. Also, why does it still look like a human arm?” Angel’s effort was naturally noticed by Dox, ”Could it be a mermaid’s bloodline? Or some other humanoid bloodline... none of them? Did you fuse a wizard’s bloodline?”

Angel responded, ”Why don’t you speculate that I haven’t fused any bloodline?”

”Impossible,” Dox shook his head vehemently, already an Official Wizard yet hasn’t transplanted any bloodline, which is almost impossible.

”If you think it’s impossible, then randomly pick a reason to believe. Oh, by the way, this task is yours, Mr. Mighty Red Sword Wizard.”

Angel didn’t bother to explain; the projected bloodline itself is a secret.

Though the current effect seems mediocre, it’s the most suitable for him, and only when using the projected bloodline is controlling the green pattern the most convenient.

Dox grumbled a few words before stepping forward to start pushing the obstructing object.

It must be said, this obstructing object is quite heavy, and also serves to dilute extraordinary power. Probably only a wizard like Dox, who aligns with the Bloodline side, can manage to push it with sheer brawn.

As Angel watched Dox push the obstructing object, he heard the voice of the Black Earl in his mind: ”You truly did not activate your bloodline just now?”

Angel kept a calm expression: ”Even you are curious about this, my lord?”

The Black Earl did not reply.

Angel continued: ”Since my lord is curious, I’ll give you an answer: I did activate the bloodline, but unfortunately, it’s not strength-based; it enhances other aspects.”

At some point, a subtle mist enveloped Angel, obscuring his expression and blocking the casting of the True Word Spell.

To discern truth or falsehood, the Black Earl could only rely on his own judgment.

”Is it true?”

”If my lord believes it is true, then it is true,” Angel said blandly.

”It seems to be true.” The Black Earl answered with certainty this time.

Angel sighed silently in his heart, trying to create some mystery and provoke a contrary mindset, but in front of the Black Earl, it seemed to have little effect.

The Black Earl, worthy of being one of the top wizards in the Southern Domain, didn’t need a spell technique; with pure verbal analysis, he could discern truth from falsehood.

This is the gap in insight and perspective.

Being guessed, Angel didn’t mind much; after all, no matter how formidable the Black Earl is, he couldn’t guess that it was a projected bloodline. Thus, Angel merely smiled and didn’t reply further to the Black Earl.

The Black Earl silently observed Angel’s gloved right arm through ”nostrils,” contemplating something unbeknownst to Angel.

Angel paid no mind to the Black Earl’s gaze. He now noticed his right arm, though already quite restrained. Other high-order extraordinary beings almost always looked at his right arm at first glance—such as Odeclass, the Lord of the Ice Valley, Baltica, the Resurrection Witch from the Land of Rest, and Fafnir, the Abyssal Wind Dragon. When they saw him, they all glanced at his right arm first.

Suddenly recalling these ”friends” from the abyss, he wondered what their current states were. If they met again, would they still be able to coexist peacefully?

Angel shook his head, dismissed the thoughts, and focused his gaze on Dox.

Originally, he wished to see what bloodline Dox possessed.

Rumor has it that the ”Red Sword” possesses speed comparable to spatial maneuverability and the force to sever mountains and rivers. Judging from the description, setting aside the exaggeration and the inherent enhancement from the Bloodline side, Dox likely transplanted the bloodline of a giant beast.

Possibly even a void behemoth, as speed is generally a weak point for giant beasts, except for void behemoths.

However, Angel underestimated Dox.

Dox didn’t activate his bloodline at all, just a few veins popped on his arm, and the thing blocking the exit was gradually moved aside.

As the obstacle was moved, the scene behind it was revealed.

A rather clean, narrow room.

After probing the passage a bit to ensure there was no danger, the group entered one after another.

This room was extremely clean, utterly pure and white, without the slightest stain, only the obstructing object present. And the object was an ordinary stone cabinet attached to the wall.

As for why an ordinary stone cabinet would be so difficult to push? Because it was connected to the room itself, which in turn was linked to the magical energy array of the entire underground labyrinth. They couldn’t even try to penetrate the room walls with spiritual power. With the array’s augmentation, it’s normal for the cabinet to be hard to push.

The room had no furniture, but there was a path.

But it wasn’t a downward passage, rather, it was an upward staircase along the wall.

”No downward staircase, does that imply this place might be a basement? Or perhaps, the exit is actually at the top?” Angel pondered and started climbing the stairs.

The others followed.

Only Dox remained there rummaging through the stone cabinet, but unfortunately, it held nothing inside, though there was some dust at the bottom, suggesting that the cabinet held something in the past, but with time, those things turned to dust.

Dox, with no gain, sighed and pushed the stone cabinet back to its original place.

He now believed the Merchant Organization would catch up eventually, though Angel instructed not to create traps. But since he pushed the stone cabinet open, why let latecomers enjoy it? So, the petty-minded Dox persisted on pushing the cabinet back again.

Then, Dox patted the dust from his palms, expelled the lingering pheromones around him, and walked up the stairs.

Upon reaching the upper level, a long corridor was first seen, with everyone standing by a window looking out.

Dox assumed he discovered some important clue, stepped forward to look, only to find there was no scenery, just a small alley outside. Though the wall opposite was a bit mottled, it wasn’t damaged.

”Did you discover anything?” Dox couldn’t discern anything, and thus asked.

Angel glanced at Dox and answered his question. Now, as long as Dox’s questions weren’t nonsense, Angel would respond, perhaps prompting some inspiration from Dox’s casual remarks.

”Two discoveries. First, do you see where I’m pointing? There’s a bit of green liquid at the base of the wall over there, although spiritual power can’t penetrate the window, but judging by the appearance of that liquid, it’s presumably some kind of magical creature’s bodily fluid. Moreover, it’s fresh.”

This suggests there should be magical creatures nearby.

”Second, although the wall opposite is mottled, its essence isn’t damaged, and one can faintly see some energy conduits.”

Dox: ”What does this suggest?”

Angel: ”It suggests that we’ve bypassed the surface layer of the underground labyrinth and entered the true depths.”

Because the surface layer has few magical energy arrays, most areas collapsed over time, while the depths are shielded by a giant magical energy array, with buildings made from extraordinary materials here, otherwise they couldn’t stand the test of time for thousands of years.

”The true depths... What awaits us here?” Kaier, at the side, showed some tiny excitement in his eyes.

”Who knows? Perhaps once we go out, we’ll encounter a large group of magical creatures.” Spoke Dox beside, trying to quench Kaier’s adventurous spirit with some absurd remarks.

Whether Kaier listened or not, one could not say.

Angel and the Black Earl heard it, though, and Angel’s previously relaxed body now was tense.

All words from others could be ignored, but Dox’s—even in jest—needed consideration.

If there really were a large group of magical creatures, it would be prudent to be cautious. Though the depths of the underground labyrinth were cleared out long ago, over the years, magical creatures could grow.

Who knows, perhaps stepping out the door would lead to meeting a magical creature of Official Wizard Level.