Chapter 553: Annihilation Plane, Sacred Dwelling

Having just passed through the Portal, Xia Duo was immediately captivated by the scene before him; this was a world filled with infinite radiance and brightness, where glorious Holy Power flowed across the ground, following a specific trajectory from the ground to the sky, and from the sky back to the ground, circulating repeatedly.

After steadying his mind slightly, Xia Duo discovered that this was actually just a small camp, roughly a hundred square meters in size, and outside this sanctified space constructed of Holy Power lay a gray, lightless plain, deathly still and devoid of the slightest sound.

At this moment, there were only twelve people in this camp; besides the ten Arcanists who were playing Chess, there were also two Priests wearing Mage Robes bearing the emblem of Giles Tower?

Xia Duo clearly perceived that the two of them were communicating with the Holy Power space enveloping the camp; they were the core of the Holy Power circulation here.

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind, "This is a Sub-plane discovered by Giles Tower. The flow of time is much faster than the Main Plane; ten days pass here, while only 1 day passes in the Main Plane."

Xia Duo hurriedly turned his head, only to find Archmage Greta had arrived. No wonder she had constantly urged him to enter the Portal first; for every second spent outside, ten seconds passed here.

"Archmage Greta, will we be staying here until the Snow Melting Competition on the second day of the Main Plane?"

"Yes, you have about 5 days. Although those Elf contestants may not necessarily have more time to utilize than 5 days, do not lower your guard!"

Speaking of this, Greta turned her gaze toward the two Priests not far away who were communicating with the Holy Power space and said softly, "Staying in this Plane for a long time is not an easy task. Without the Sacred Dwelling constructed by two Astral Mages, even I could not stay here for more than three days. Make good use of this time!"

Xia Duo nodded and took another look at the outside world, a chill surging in his heart. He figured that Archmage Greta could not possibly be incapable of Spells like 【Plane Attunement】; if even she could not stay, what about him?

He had originally thought about going outside to take a look when resting; after all, the sanctified space here was a bit small, and with over a dozen people placed in it all at once, it was indeed somewhat cramped.

If he really went for a stroll outside, wouldn't it be a tragedy!

……

The intensive training began quickly. Because he did not know how much the Elves could learn from the first day of the 【Arcane Maze】 project or how much time they could utilize, Xia Duo certainly had to calculate on the high side.

However, his understanding of Chess on Earth was limited to knowing how to play it himself, and playing it quite well, but he had no experience in teaching.

Therefore, Xia Duo still let these ten contestants comprehend it on their own during the process of playing Chess, just like in the previous training; additionally, this time he added a review session.

Although he did not know what Chess teaching on Earth was like, he could explain his own thought process during the review. This approach might not allow these ten contestants to surpass him, but at least they could get close to him.

Xia Duo still had some confidence in his own chess skill; unless they were truly geniuses with extreme talent who learned instantly and mastered it instantly, it would be very difficult for normal people to surpass him in a short time.

Of the ten people this time, except for Stuart who was absent, the other nine were the same ones Xia Duo had trained before; the one replacing Stuart was an Arcanist from Morien Tower.

Their chess skill was not weak compared to the other nine.

Moreover, Xia Duo felt that their progress in chess skill was very obvious compared to over half a month ago; he figured that even when Xia Duo was not there during this period, they had practiced extensively on their own.

……

And just as Xia Duo was called into the Sub-plane to provide intensive training for the Netherese contestants, the competition contestants from Yierlan and Keman Suo also began their intensive training.

Elf Court.

Faluo once again gathered a group of High Mages to come here to conduct the 【Omniscience Ritual】, which happened to coincide with the three nations' Snow Melting Competition reaching the 【Arcane Maze】 project.

At the request of Suweilisi, before conducting the 【Omniscience Ritual】, Faluo also had to create an acceleration space for the competition contestants of the two nations, Yierlan and Keman Suo, to allow them to conduct intensive training inside.

Of course, the High Mages of Yierlan would also participate in it, just like in the 【Omniscience Ritual】.

"Archmage Suweilisi, are you satisfied now?"

"Hmph—" Suweilisi did not speak, only letting out a cold snort. He was still angry about Faluo commanding Jielinisi to control the competition contestants to probe the Netherese not long ago!

Faluo, however, had a calm mindset and did not take Suweilisi's attitude to heart, but he still gave a reminder, "This Spell is not true Time Acceleration. The time they can perceive inside is only three days. Let them make good use of it; this is the only opportunity. Tomorrow we must conduct the 【Omniscience Ritual】, and there will be no energy to extend the time for them at night."

"Mm. I understand."

Suweilisi's attitude softened somewhat, but he did not continue to say anything to Faluo, only walking to the side to chat with several Elf Elders who had come to watch the excitement.

Nowadays, Keman Suo was facing a fierce offensive from the Drow. He did not expect the young High Mages to go to the front line to risk their lives against the Drow, but the connection between these Elf Elders and the mortal world had long been severed; wasn't the point of them forcibly remaining in the mortal world to deal with this kind of situation?

The only regret was that most of these Elf Elders had come to the Elf Court to retire before Keman Suo was established; some of their homelands had already perished, some had merged into Keman Suo, and some still existed.

Perhaps they would go to battle because of the Drow, but they would not fight for Keman Suo.

Suweilisi was very clear about this point, and could only try his best to maintain good relations; once the war situation changed, these Elders would definitely be able to play an important role.

……

One night's time in the Main Plane passed quickly.

Xia Duo, who had just left the Sub-plane through the Plane Portal, now had to rush to the Arena without stopping, but this time, he enjoyed the treatment of a member of Giles Tower—

Entering the venue via teleportation!

By the time Xia Duo arrived at the Arena, the spectator stands were already almost full; they could be considered to have arrived quite late.

Finding the location where Niya was in the section belonging to Giles Tower, Xia Duo could not help but quicken his pace. As soon as he sat down, he heard Niya ask curiously, "Where have you been from last night until now?"

"Niya, you might not believe it when I say it, but it has been a full five days since we last met!"

"How is that possible! Clearly last night—" Niya suddenly stopped speaking, and immediately followed with an exclamation, "Could it be that you went to the 【Annihilation Plane】 last night?!"