Chapter 1205: Phased Breakthrough, Iolum's Attitude

Afterward, the two went to the Teleportation Room together. Xia Duo teleported to the Arcane Union first; as for Kelifu, he did not need to worry about him.

……

Seventon, Arcane Union, Teleportation Area.

As soon as he stepped out of the Teleportation Room, Xia Duo strode toward the Trade District. At the same time, he cast a Sending spell to contact Iolum—the nominal teacher he had only just acknowledged not long ago.

In the message, Xia Duo briefly described his encounter with Kelifu and then sought advice from Iolum.

The Arcane Union Headquarters was not large. The so-called Trade District mostly served Spellcasters and did not engage in bulk commodity trade. Xia Duo crossed the Trade District in a few strides.

When he arrived at the entrance of the Library, Iolum's reply arrived, consisting of only one sentence—

"Come to me!"

Xia Duo did not stop his pace and walked into the interior of the Library. Passing through the Library led to the Administrative Office Area of the Arcane Union Headquarters.

Back at Leisen Territory, it had already been mealtime. Now, the sky had completely darkened. The interior of the Arcane Union was illuminated by Magic Lamps, but even so, several Secret Text Deacons were still working in the office area.

Xia Duo recognized the location of Iolum's office. He hurried along without stopping until he saw the office door, at which point a young Deacon ran toward him from another corridor.

The Deacon bowed as soon as he reached Xia Duo, then quickly said:

"Lord Xia Duo, apologies for being late. Please follow me!"

As he spoke, he quickly turned back to lead the way. Xia Duo did not stop his pace at all until he reached the door of Iolum's office, where he paused slightly.

Waiting for the door to open from the inside, Xia Duo was about to enter when he seemed to think of something. He turned back, nodded to the young Deacon who looked to be about his own age, and said, "Go back to your work," before walking inside.

Behind him, Xia Duo seemed to hear a long sigh of relief, which he couldn't help but find somewhat amusing, followed by the dull sound of the door closing again.

Walking up to Iolum's desk, Xia Duo bowed slightly and called out, "Teacher Iolum!"

"Sit first!"

Iolum pointed to a high-backed chair to the side with his pen, then continued to write furiously. Although Xia Duo was curious about the content, it would be too rude to lean over and peek.

After sitting down, he first calmed his mood, then began to trace the memory of his recent meeting with Kelifu, attempting to find some information he hadn't noticed before.

After a long while, not knowing how much time had passed, Xia Duo was deep in thought when he suddenly heard a deep, resonant voice come from nearby in front of him:

"Apologies for keeping you waiting so long. The data you gave me earlier is too important; I was calculating a critical step and truly couldn't bear to give up halfway."

Data?

Xia Duo had just recovered from his state of deep thought. Hearing this term, which was unrelated to the current matter, he was stunned for a moment before realizing that Iolum was referring to the data he had given him not long ago regarding Conductive Crystals and Weave String Materialization.

Recalling the "critical step" Iolum had just mentioned, a wave of ecstasy surged in Xia Duo's heart. The data he gave Iolum contained no tedious calculation processes, but rather experimental steps and details.

If there were calculations, it must mean Iolum had gained some new inspiration from that data. Could this be the moment of the birth of the Mythallar?

For a moment, Xia Duo completely threw Kelifu and the Dream Ruins to the back of his mind and immediately asked about the data, "Teacher Iolum, are there any new discoveries?"

"Yes!"

Iolum threw his pen down, stood up from his chair, and paced back and forth behind the desk. Xia Duo could clearly hear his heavy breathing even from three or four meters away.

Yet, just when he thought Iolum was about to announce earth-shattering good news, the other man sat back down in his chair and said:

"But I can't say it now. I'll tell you when the time is right! For now, let's talk about Kelifu's matter!"

"……"

Hearing this answer, Xia Duo almost choked. He had been prepared for the other man to announce a breakthrough in the research of the Independent Arcane Fire Device, but he hadn't expected to be met with "I can't say"!

What is this all about!

Xia Duo felt so anxious inside! But at the same time, he couldn't help but wonder: was Iolum's new discovery about the Conductive Crystal or the Weave String Materialization?

Was it a research achievement for the Independent Arcane Fire Device, or some phased breakthrough?

Sigh—

Xia Duo felt incredibly restless. Only after Iolum reminded him again did he snap back to reality.

Suppressing all distracting thoughts, he described in detail from beginning to end the encounter with Kelifu mentioned in the earlier message, then asked:

"Teacher Iolum, why is Lord Kelifu so obsessed with the Resurrection Spell?"

"Sigh!"

Iolum let out a deep sigh, his gaze fixed on the void as if recalling something. After a long time, he sighed with great regret:

"I didn't expect that so much time had passed, and he still hasn't let it go!"

"If possible, Teacher Iolum, could you tell me about it?"

"Since he didn't tell you, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to discuss it behind his back. He is a very annoying person; if he found out, I probably wouldn't have any peace for many years."

"……"

Xia Duo was speechless again. "Then, Teacher Iolum, what is your take on this exploration of the Dream Ruins?"

"Since he said it is possible, then it is possible. But Prophecy cannot be fully trusted either. Even if you find nothing, it is no matter; he won't do anything to you. However—"

"However what?" Xia Duo asked hurriedly.

"If you can fulfill this prophecy, you will gain an incredibly steadfast ally! I watched Kelifu grow up step by step and understand him quite well. If you can, you should try your best to help him!"

"Then, Teacher Iolum, does that mean—you support this exploration of the Dream Ruins?" Xia Duo said with implication.

To this, Iolum shook his head. "You don't need to care about my opinion. If you are unwilling, you can return to Nan Jing now; I will handle the negotiations with Kelifu."

"No, I will go!" Xia Duo said immediately.

He believed Iolum could handle Kelifu and this matter; with the other man's current status and position, there was no need to deceive him. But he would also owe a huge favor because of it. Besides—

If Kelifu had no ill intentions from the start, and the exploration had no negative consequences regardless of success or failure, then backing out now would be too damaging to his character.

After all, from beginning to end, Kelifu had not shown any intention of coercion. If he were to rely entirely on his own imagination, that would be even more damaging to his character.

Furthermore, considering the gains after a successful exploration—a resurrection spell and a steadfast Great Arcanist ally—what else did Xia Duo have to hesitate about?