Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2938: Chapter 2939: City of Hot Gold

Angel looked into the distance at the City of Hot Gold.

At first glance, in the vast galaxy composed of shattered starlight, it seemed very small. But upon closer inspection of the constantly breaking mirror surface and the flowing transmutation of the galaxy, its unchanging dome appeared so resilient in comparison.

It’s like hardy grass in a raging storm, clinging stubbornly to the earth, unwilling to be swept away by the wind.

”Since it’s so dangerous here, why do settlements like the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom and the City of Hot Gold stand here...”

Laplace said faintly, ”You should be able to guess.”

Angel: ”Is it Aggregation Energy?”

Laplace nodded: ”The life and death of the mirror is indeed dangerous, but every time the mirror breaks, it releases some Aggregation Energy.”

Upon hearing this, Angel could basically piece together the overall story in his mind.

Every time a mirror breaks, it releases Aggregation Energy, and here, in this galaxy, the number of broken mirrors is countless and endless, so one can imagine how terrifying the Aggregation Energy released here each and every second is.

And for creatures within the mirrors to become stronger, absorbing Aggregation Energy is a necessary condition.

Therefore, no matter how dangerous it is, there will always be mirror creatures trying to establish themselves here.

Like the City of Hot Gold, or the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom.

”Surely there must be more ways for Aggregation Energy to be generated, right?” Angel asked.

Laplace: ”Of course, as long as the mirror reflects the outside world, Aggregation Energy will be born, but the speed of its creation isn’t as fast as when a mirror breaks. Also... the Sea of Void Mirror is full of Aggregation Energy as well.”

Angel wasn’t surprised that there was Aggregation Energy in the Sea of Void Mirror. If there wasn’t, would Laplace’s true form stay in the Sea of Void Mirror?

”Are there many places like this?” Angel gestured to the galaxy below.

Laplace: ”If you’re referring to the Immortal Mirror Sea, there are plenty, just like mountains and rivers in the human world, it spans the Mirror Domain.”

The Immortal Mirror Sea refers to the galaxy Angel mentioned.

”You could say, the most common feature in the Mirror Domain is the Immortal Mirror Sea. However, the density and the intensity of Aggregation Energy differs between them.”

”There are only a few Immortal Mirror Seas suitable for absorbing Aggregation Energy and within a controllable range of intensity.”

Angel nodded in understanding, meaning there were few Immortal Mirror Seas suitable for mirror creatures to build something like the ”City of Hot Gold”. Using mountains and rivers as an analogy, the suitable Immortal Mirror Seas are like famous human mountains and rivers, fewer compared to unknown barren hills.

During their conversation, a strange multi-faceted prism suddenly rushed into the galaxy below.

By its looks, it seemed its destination was the City of Hot Gold.

In the constantly breaking starlight of the galaxy, the multi-faceted prism was constantly being eroded and digested, and at that moment, layers of its prism fell away; when these prisms collided with the broken mirror, the starlight noticeably dimmed a bit. This meant it slightly delayed the breaking of the mirror surface.

And taking advantage of this dim period, the multi-faceted prism rushed into the City of Hot Gold.

Notably, at the moment the multi-faceted prism entered the City of Hot Gold, the crystals around it had almost all fallen, revealing its true form inside.

It was a creature wearing a bowl-shaped puffy skirt and holding a similar bowl-shaped umbrella, initially appearing humanoid. But as it entered the dome of the City of Hot Gold and turned slightly to the side, Angel saw its face... filled with crystals, with only a single vertical eye in the center.

”It belongs to the Crystal Eye Clan.” Perhaps seeing Angel focusing on the mirror creature, Laplace explained.

The Crystal Eye Clan is a common race in the Mirror Domain, with varying appearances, determined by how they choose to stack their external crystals. They can stack into human forms, geometric shapes, or even a pure mirror. The Crystal Eye Clan’s appearances vary, but one thing is definite: each of them has a very beautiful eye.

Angel recalled that the vertical eye of the Crystal Eye Clan creature looked strange, but if separated and viewed on its own, it was indeed beautiful, as clear as a crystal.

”I just saw that Crystal Eye creature enter the City of Hot Gold without any obstruction. Does the City of Hot Gold open its gates without any conditions?”

Laplace: ”I mentioned before, those who can come here are all strong. Being strong is, in itself, a condition.”

”Aside from that, there are no other conditions, but if the dome of the City of Hot Gold is in danger, it’s a matter affecting everyone there, and even the strong must contribute their efforts. This, in a way, is an implicit condition for the City of Hot Gold accommodating All Clans.”

In other words, this place serves as a free cultivation ground when there’s no trouble. But when there is trouble, no one present can escape, everyone must work to secure the City of Hot Gold.

This can actually be considered a form of transaction.

In fact, this transaction can even be secretly controlled. Sometimes, even if the dome is fine, as long as the City Lord wishes, they can still forcibly enlist the All Clans.

For instance, if it feels the dome isn’t secure enough, they might stir up some commotion, forcing the strong to take action and reinforce it.

Of course, this is just Angel’s imagination; he doesn’t know if such situations actually occur.

Laplace: ”The rule maker of the City of Hot Gold is smart, and precisely because they opened a convenient path, allowing a large number of strong beings to enter, that’s how its dome stays unbroken.”

Angel: ”Accommodating All Clans... can humans also enter?”

Laplace glanced at Angel: ”Do you want to go in?”

Angel: ”Having traveled to a foreign land, I’d like to see the sights here if I have the time.”

As soon as Angel finished speaking, Laplace waved a hand softly, and the mirror corridor in front of them abruptly changed direction; ahead was no longer void darkness, but a golden dome.

”Since you want to go, then go take a look.” Laplace said no more and walked forward directly.

Angel was stunned by what Laplace did.

His response earlier was purely courteous; he even said ”if I have time,” implying he didn’t have much time to linger there. He was planning to leave the Subterranean Ruins soon to study the traits of the Immortal Realm and the Sweet Dream.

So, he had a thought of wanting to see the City of Hot Gold, but it was just a thought, not a firm intent.

Yet, with Laplace’s sweep of a hand, their path shifted to the City of Hot Gold.

This left Angel bewildered.

Although Angel had many things he wanted to say, he ultimately kept silent and followed Laplace.

Originally, he didn’t know where Laplace planned to take him, so he had already allocated some time and wasn’t worried about wasting more.

After all, they were already there.

...

”The mirror corridor isn’t affected by the Immortal Mirror Sea?” After settling his thoughts, Angel now had the time to observe his surroundings and noticed that while they had previously been above the Milky Way, the mirror corridor had now descended into it.

Because of this, Angel could clearly see the continuous cycle of birth and death in the surrounding mirrors.

Laplace said lightly, ”Ordinary mirror corridors are affected by the Immortal Mirror Sea, but mine is not.”

Laplace didn’t explain why hers wasn’t affected, and Angel didn’t ask... The reason could only be one of two things: immense power, or being the cherished daughter of this Daylight Mirror Domain.

”So there won’t be any problems using the mirror corridor to go directly to the City of Hot Gold?”

Since Laplace’s mirror corridor was so special, wouldn’t entering the City of Hot Gold make them a focus of attention? It’s known that Dream Realm creatures from the Crystal Eye Clan lost several layers of skin entering the City of Hot Gold.

Laplace shook her head, ”The creatures inside can’t see the outside scene. Even if they could see, they wouldn’t guess that we used the mirror corridor. Many Dream Realm creatures have concealment abilities, and even in the Immortal Mirror Sea, they can remain hidden.”

Angel: ”Going in with a human form, is it really okay?”

Laplace shook her head, ”No problem. You asked before if humans could enter. I can now answer you, yes.”

”Although I haven’t gone to the City of Hot Gold myself, Glaipnir and Little Laplace have been there.” Laplace also added ’Little’ to the Rabbit Girl’s name, perhaps to make it easier for Angel to distinguish between them.

”According to their memories, there are humans in the City of Hot Gold, although not many. But there are quite a few humanoid beings.”

That means, not only the humanoid, even humans entering the City of Hot Gold shouldn’t face much trouble.

The so-called ”inclusion of all clans” in the City of Hot Gold isn’t just empty talk.

Though perhaps not literally ”all,” as long as you can reach the City of Hot Gold, regardless of your origin, you can enter.

As the golden dome drew nearer, Angel finally voiced the biggest question in his heart.

”By the way, where were we originally headed?”

Initially, Angel didn’t intend to ask, letting Laplace lead the way, assuming she wouldn’t harm him. —If she had intended harm, there was no need to wait until now.

But now having diverted halfway to go to the City of Hot Gold, even though it was his own suggestion, it would inevitably waste some time. Thus, Angel wanted to know their actual destination and for what purpose? This way, he could at least plan accordingly. For instance, now that they were at the City of Hot Gold, should they take a thorough tour or just a quick look?

Laplace: ”To Little Laplace’s home.”

Angel had guessed that the destination was related to the Rabbit Girl; otherwise, the Rabbit Girl wouldn’t have been so anxious before.

But he didn’t expect that Laplace would directly take him to the Rabbit Girl’s home.

Angel: ”Little Laplace’s home isn’t in the Sea of Void Mirror?”

Angel had intended to ask if the Rabbit Girl’s home wasn’t the same as hers, but he rephrased the question.

Laplace: ”Not in the Sea of Void Mirror. Little Laplace’s home is a special reflection space, you’ll know when you get there.”

Laplace was unwilling to explain further, and Angel could only sigh and remain silent.

Silently, they soon arrived outside the golden dome.

Angel: ”Going straight in? Or should we disguise ourselves?”

Laplace gave Angel a peculiar look: ”It’s up to you.”

Since Laplace said so, Angel didn’t hesitate. He gently tugged at his skin, and with a series of cracking sounds, his bones, skin, hair color, and attire immediately transformed.

When Laplace and the Rabbit Girl saw Angel’s transformed appearance, they fell silent.

Because Angel’s new appearance was exactly Luigi!

Moreover, Angel not only simulated the appearance but even the aura was exactly like Luigi’s. He even simulated the faintly swirling Aggregation Energy around Luigi.

Laplace was momentarily stunned by Angel’s remarkable transformation.

She had seen transformations before, but Angel’s was exceptionally realistic... As if Luigi truly stood before them.

Laplace gently reached out and drew out a wisp of the swirling Aggregation Energy around Angel.

Only then did she feel that the Aggregation Energy was... fake.

The energy used to simulate the Aggregation Energy was a peculiar kind of energy, with faint green patterns shimmering.

”What’s the matter?” Angel looked at Laplace.

Laplace originally wanted to ask about this energy, but after a moment of silence, she chose not to. Perhaps this is Angel’s ability and talent, and casually asking isn’t polite.

Laplace shook her head, ”Nothing, but are you sure you want to imitate Luigi?”

Angel glanced up and down at his own transformation: ”Is there anything wrong with it?”

Laplace: ”Nothing wrong, it looks very much alike.”

At this moment, even the Rabbit Girl spoke: ”Are you really Angel and not Brother Luigi?”

Angel smiled slightly, raised his hand a little, and a harp appeared in his hand. The melodious sound of the harp accompanied Angel’s strumming and entered everyone’s ears. It didn’t stop there; Angel cleared his throat and in Luigi’s voice, he said:

”Rivers, starlit skies, all hold grandeur.”

”Myriad homes, lights, none illuminate me.”

The Rabbit Girl’s mouth gaped open in disbelief.

This phrase was Luigi’s favorite line, both a display of his misery and an expression of his solitude.

Angel, playing Luigi and uttering this line, seemed seamless.

For a moment, it seemed as though Luigi truly stood before them.

Laplace looked deeply at Angel, then said, ”Indeed, very similar, outsiders wouldn’t be able to tell. However, you’d best change your appearance because Luigi’s reputation in this Mirror Domain isn’t... exactly stellar.”

Angel originally wanted to say it didn’t matter since he was only pretending for a bit.

But seeing Laplace’s covert hint and meaningful tone, he finally nodded.