Chapter 1804: Secret Box Containing the Sword, Negotiations

In the Laboratory, Xia Duo expanded the Intellect Brain's level-three thought network to level six, but the improvement in the thought network did not lead to a significant increase in cognitive complexity.

This once again confirmed his hypothesis—he needed to start from basic thought patterns and identify more of them to make the overall cognition more complete, approaching that of a normal person.

However, in the short term, it was almost impossible to figure out the specific composition of consciousness. Xia Duo had now turned this project into a long-term plan; he believed that sooner or later, he would truly penetrate the principles of consciousness.

Of course, although the Intellect Brain was still quite imperfect, it could already provide Xia Duo with a lot of help on the Floating City Mythallar project, at least by saving many calculation processes used for verification.

Occasionally, when the Intellect Brain had wild, unconstrained ideas, it could also provide him with some amusement, and even some inspiration.

……

Just as Xia Duo was feeling troubled about the upcoming raid, in the Listar Forest in the east, Cormanthor also received news about the anomaly at the World Spine.

Kemansuoer, Tower of Governance.

Yilisier Mianwang received Jielinisi, who had only just returned from Asikeer after much delay, in the living room. Looking at this vassal of his, whose attitude was respectful and sincere, Yilisier felt anger in his heart but could not vent it, and in the end, he only said indifferently:

"So, you only brought back a guess?"

"Yes, the attackers were very cunning and cleared almost all traces. If it weren't for the recent anomaly at the World Spine, I'm afraid we wouldn't have been able to reach such a guess!"

Jielinisi said respectfully.

Just as he said, before learning about the World Spine anomaly, both he and Ailikante had focused their investigation within the country.

After all, they had discovered traces of Gold Elf activity in Asikeer.

At the time, Mage Ailikante had concluded that it must have been the work of domestic political rivals. Although Jielinisi had his doubts, he did not refute it to his face.

It was not until the news of the World Spine anomaly arrived that he realized it might have been Yierlan trying to tie down Cormanthor to gain an advantage in the struggle for the Ancient Fortress.

It was just that Ailikante had returned long ago; Mianwang should not have been unaware of this!

Jielinisi carefully speculated in his heart about the purpose of Mianwang's summons this time, while his face became increasingly respectful and sincere; after all, he bore some responsibility for the Prince's disappearance.

"Your Majesty, although we suspect this incident may be related to Yierlan, it is only a guess. I suggest adjusting the direction of the investigation while increasing the intensity of the investigation."

These were all platitudes, and Yilisier did not want to hear them at all. After weighing his options, he looked directly into Jielinisi's eyes and said unquestioningly:

"I want you to go to Taiweimansa to test the reactions of all parties in Yierlan. I will have Ailikante provide you with the corresponding support. Do not let me down this time!"

"This—"

Jielinisi felt a wave of bitterness in his heart, especially at the last sentence, "Do not let me down this time"—didn't that just mean he had let Mianwang down before!

After hesitating for a moment, Jielinisi agreed.

……

After Jielinisi left, Mianwang turned and walked toward a collection room near the living room, opening a magic box that had been sealed for a long time but still glowed with a brilliant light.

Inside was a longsword whose blade looked as if it had been carved from stone. It was almost identical to the Sword of Ruling at Mianwang's waist, both constantly emitting a dazzling Magic Aura.

Mianwang took the longsword out of the box, stroked it a few times, and put it back, his eyes gradually becoming sharp.

Afterward, he put the longsword away, sealed it back into the Secret Box, and then walked quickly out of the collection room.

……

Seven Towers.

Iolum personally visited Gustav Tower. For such an important figure, Badijiaer naturally had to receive him personally, but after sitting down, Iolum had no intention of making small talk and asked directly:

"What on earth did you do to Xia Duo? The Arcane Union's Avoidance Detection Array has been triggered almost constantly these past two days!"

A long time ago, Iolum had promised Xia Duo to set up shielding for Daxia Territory, but in all this time, he had never encountered detection power like the recent one.

Therefore, he could not help but suspect what the Seven Towers had done to cause Xia Duo to be affected as well.

After listening to Iolum's questioning, Badijiaer could not help but smile bitterly. Who could have imagined that just capturing a Prince of Cormanthor would attract such intense pursuit?

In fact, even if Iolum hadn't come to find him today, he would have taken the initiative to find him and confess, because the Seven Towers was almost unable to cover it up anymore.

Whatever exists leaves a trace, including the act of clearing traces itself.

Even Avoidance of Detection would leave a large number of traces that could be tracked, but under normal circumstances, no one would investigate such clues that seemed to have no beginning or end and pointed nowhere.

But this incident might have truly touched a nerve in Cormanthor, and the intensity of the search was almost unprecedented.

The Seven Towers had tried their best to cover up and mislead, but the more they covered up, the more flaws appeared, and being discovered was only a matter of time. If they hadn't covered it up, they might have been discovered on the very day of the incident.

"Master Iolum, the Seven Towers was too confident in this matter. We should have informed you sooner."

"What exactly happened?"

"We captured Prince Se Er of Cormanthor. The other side is probably desperate and has been tracking us frantically these past two days."

"……"

Iolum looked at Badijiaer deeply. He was aware of the Seven Towers' previous tracking of the Nether Scroll clues; after all, it was he who had told the Seven Towers about Xierdalanna.

It was just that he hadn't expected this matter to involve a Prince of Cormanthor, and that the Seven Towers had even captured him. This, this was truly—

How to put it? After a long while, Iolum managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Did you find the Nether Scroll?"

"Found it. Not just one, but a set!"

"There is actually a set!"

Iolum's eyes lit up. If there were only one, Cormanthor might still be able to argue that the Prince had only obtained it by chance, but if it were a set (ten pieces), it would be very difficult to explain that it had nothing to do with the thieves.

"What are you going to do?"

"Negotiate. Make them return the remaining sets. If possible, make them admit to the theft and apologize and compensate for it," Badijiaer said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Iolum nodded in agreement, "That is how it should be. So when will the negotiations begin?"

"At least wait until after the raid promised to Xierdalanna. Before that, the news that Prince Se Er is with us must be kept hidden."

"I understand. I will use the resources of the Arcane Union to help cover it up, but it won't last long. The Seven Towers must make the corresponding preparations."

In fact, Iolum had already started helping with the Avoidance of Detection. It was precisely because he had already intervened that he knew he didn't have much time left; at most, in two or three days, there would be so many clues that it would be impossible to hide them.

"Xierdalanna notified that the operation will begin tomorrow." Badijiaer told Iolum the operation time and asked, "Is there no problem on the Arcane Union's side?"

"No problem. If necessary, I can have Buluode cooperate with you."

"That would be great, but Buluode doesn't need to act with us; he can just support us from the rear."

The two of them made their decision in the span of a few glances and a couple of words.