Chapter 985: Invitation, The Ceremony Begins

With Luodite saying this, Xia Duo immediately became spirited; such ruins are unlike ancient Elf Ruins, not only possessing systemic differences but also not necessarily having much advancement.

The ruins near Zhenisi, however, can reflect specific knowledge from the Nether Scrolls; one must know that in the past, the Nether Scrolls were open for anyone to view, and no one knew what kind of knowledge those pioneers were actually attempting to explore.

But now, the vast majority of people have no chance to see a Nether Scroll even once.

Even for a Pioneer or an Archmage, there is a limit of once per year; if one only sees it once a year, how much content can one really see?

No wonder Luodite is so attentive to those ruins!

Even Xia Duo himself felt somewhat tempted; it is said that the knowledge on the Nether Scrolls is infinite, and even with his Memory Retrospection ability, his time is limited, so it is impossible to record it all.

If there could be some external supplement, that would also be excellent.

Of course, the premise is that the cost is not high; if the cost is huge, it would be better to strive to see more during that once-a-year reading opportunity!

However, the Age of Discovery for the Nether Scrolls was several hundred years ago; if there are still ruins near Zhenisi that have remained undiscovered for hundreds of years, that counts as a unique form of value screening.

After all, Netheril's history has not been interrupted since its founding, and since there are still discoveries now, it can only mean that they are either fake or were impossible for anyone to discover from the start, making them highly valuable.

Combining this with the mysterious transparent frame discovered earlier at Pu Lan Jie Jiao, Xia Duo felt the latter possibility was more likely.

But still, the same question: what is the cost?

After thinking carefully for a while, Xia Duo finally shook his head and said, "Mage Luodite, I am indeed quite interested in the ruins you mentioned, but I already have arrangements for a considerable period ahead. If you have no requirements for the time of exploration, I will have time this time next year; if it is very urgent, I am also willing to provide some help."

Xia Duo said these words with great sincerity, and it was not entirely a perfunctory response; he truly had his own plans. The ruins from the Age of Discovery did indeed have significant appeal to him, but this appeal was not great enough to make him change his plans.

In fact, he preferred to support others in exploring and then share the results, rather than exploring in person; after all, there are simply too many potential accidents in such ruins.

As for the items in the ruins, Xia Duo believed that as long as he was given time, the civilization achievements he could create would absolutely not be inferior to those of his predecessors!

Therefore, as long as it was not a must-go situation, he would be more inclined not to go.

……

Xia Duo's refusal did not discourage Luodite, nor did he continue to persuade him, but instead asked, "I wonder how much distance the mind spell that Mage Xia Duo cast in the Green Field Plane can cover?"

How much distance?

Xia Duo had never considered this question before, but he also realized why Luodite had come to find him; it was not just because of the Magic Mark he gave out at Pulan Street, but because Luodite had taken a fancy to his Mind Link.

Having experienced the Green Field Plane War, Luodite naturally knew the role of Mind Link in combat, and it was the same for ruins exploration.

Luodite asking about the distance of the Mind Link was actually asking whether Xia Duo could act as a command hub from the outside.

The Mind Link spell was not unique to Xia Duo, but being able to observe and integrate all linked information so meticulously, and making correct responses based on it, was not something an ordinary person could do.

This was also the source of Xia Duo being promoted by the Seven Towers as the "Omniscient Observer, Omnipotent Commander."

Luodite's words made Xia Duo realize that the ruins the other party spoke of were likely not that simple, and at the very least, they should be real.

Otherwise, why invite him repeatedly, even when he had already clearly refused, and seek his indirect participation from the outside?

This kind of participation was almost risk-free; Xia Duo only needed to hide in a Mage Tower in Zhenisi and wait for Luodite to bring people over to perform the Mind Link.

If there was anything to worry about, it should be Luodite worrying about him intentionally slacking off or causing a total wipeout halfway through.

Thinking this way, Xia Duo said to Luodite, "Theoretically, once the Mind Link is completed, it remains effective as long as one is in the same Plane; of course, this is theoretical, and I have not tried it specifically."

"Really!"

Luodite was immediately overjoyed; although Mage Xia Duo said it was theoretical, he knew that the theory spoken of by an Arcanist refers to the achievable range!

"Mage Xia Duo, although it is a bit abrupt, I still want to say that you must participate in this ruins exploration; I guarantee there will be a great harvest!"

"Mage Luodite, didn't I just say—"

"I know!"

Luodite immediately interrupted Xia Duo, "It doesn't matter if Mage Xia Duo cannot participate in person; if you can provide Mind Link command like you did in the Green Field Plane, that would also be extremely useful."

"Allow me to consider it!" Although Xia Duo had already made a decision in his heart, he still did not want to agree so quickly.

However, his hesitation made Luodite somewhat anxious, "We can head to Nan Jing and set off from the Tower of Time. I have a long-term Communication Key for the New Moon Tower in Zhenisi. Mage Xia Duo only needs to cast the spell to complete the link for us when you are free, and then command; you don't need to leave the Tower of Time."

"I understand, but the celebration is about to begin now; I will definitely give you an answer after the celebration ends."

Xia Duo pointed outside; although the Hall of Wisdom had a Soundproof Barrier, everyone had come from outside, so it was not hard to imagine the lively scene out there.

Seeing that Xia Duo mentioned the celebration, Luodite also calmed down; he knew he had appeared a bit too eager, and if it were him, he wouldn't dare to agree so easily either.

"In that case, Mage Xia Duo, please consider it further; I will come to disturb you again after the celebration!"

After saying this, he stood up and left.

……

After Luodite left, Niya gently nudged Xia Duo and asked via Sending, "Aren't you tempted? Why didn't you agree? There isn't much risk anyway!"

"Agreeing now doesn't mean we can act immediately; we have to wait until after the celebration anyway. By then, I'll first find someone to inquire about Luodite's situation."

Actually, even if there is no obvious risk, it doesn't mean there are no hidden risks. On Earth, one would perform due diligence before signing a contract!

In the world of Magic, High Mages and Arcanists have significant influence, so one must naturally act with caution, not to mention that this involves one's own person, which allows for no mistakes.

And even if there were no risks at all, if someone comes to your door proactively and seems very urgent, then letting them wait a little is in one's own interest!

……

Not long after Luodite left, there were more and more people in the hall. As Spellcasters, they naturally did not like to be too close to other Spellcasters; even Xia Duo and Niya, though they were husband and wife, usually kept a certain distance.

This was not only the habitual privacy of Spellcasters but also to prevent potential interference between the spells permanently cast on their bodies.

Therefore, after the number of people in the hall reached a certain level, those who came later would just take a glance and leave directly.

Of course, those inside did not feel very comfortable either; if nothing else, just by activating Magic Vision, the whole room was filled with dazzling spiritual light.

Just as Xia Duo was hesitating whether to call Niya to go out and wait, Greta suddenly walked in from outside: "Her Highness the Princess and several other Tower Masters have already appeared in the square; the ceremony is about to begin!"

As soon as the words fell, there was a sound of "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" as people in the hall stood up.