Chapter 470: A Sudden Meeting

Dong~ Dong~

Two quick, light taps on the table sounded in succession, and beneath Tu Ba Ge, Buli and Li Ci, a deep, eye‑shaped fissure instantly opened.

"Um" "Wow"

Before they could react, their bodies fell into the fissure, and the space seemed to fold, dropping them directly onto the blanket‑covered wooden chair opposite Ge Lan, where they collapsed in a heap.

"Alright, I know you're all thrilled after digesting the demon‑pills, but please be quiet for a while," Ge Lan said with a light laugh, not even lifting his head while leisurely sitting on the chair beside them.

She flipped through the Noliqi Journal, published by the Knowledge Church in Pas River Valley, and with a slight sigh said:

"I heard the Mysterious Queen's bounty in Yin Disi has risen to 100 million Ferkin; she now resembles the 'King of the Five Seas' even more than Na Si Te."

"Yao Su Li Ming has been opposing your Morse Ascetic Sect; why does your tone sound so cheerful?"

Leiketon raised an eyebrow at Ge Lan; the other's tone struck him as somewhat unexpected.

Ge Lan flipped a page of the journal casually and said, tone ambiguous:

"She's fighting the Morse Ascetic Sect, not me. As an old aunt, isn't it a cause for joy to see one's junior advance?"

Without waiting for Leiketon's reply, she changed the subject and asked, "How long do you think Mei Sangyes' reforms in Pas River Valley will last?"

Leiketon leaned his body against the chair back, his right thumb gently rubbing his chin, and after a moment said in a low voice:

"Such large‑scale reforms require continual external funding and supplies before they achieve measurable results, in order to keep social order stable."

"As for that, both Mr. Plak and the Knowledge Church have made preparations; by the end of this month, Pas River Valley's development should be roughly on track, and thereafter we will gradually promote improvements to social order and advances in mechanical technology."

While speaking, Leiketon reached for the Pas Daily lying on his desk—a newspaper founded by the Knowledge Church that is issued daily; besides publishing important notices, most of its content consists of compiled everyday knowledge and basic information.

Under Mei Sangyes' initiative, Pas Daily has become the most popular newspaper in Pas River Valley; locals can not only learn the latest news there but also acquire useful knowledge.

He flipped through it twice and, in the most prominent spot, saw that Mei Sangyes will soon represent Pas River Valley in signing a treaty with Lu En and Yin Disi, recognizing Pas River Valley's independence, establishing new trade routes, and launching friendly cooperative exchanges.

Leiketon chuckled as he turned the newspaper, saying:

"Ha, I didn't expect Yin Disi to agree to Pas River Valley's independence so quickly, rather than joining the Northern Continent nations to isolate the region."

Ge Lan flipped the journal on the table with one hand while taming his overly fluffy hair with the other, speaking calmly:

"The nations of the Northern Continent are far less united than you think, and besides, this side has the backing of the two major True God Churches; the remaining churches are unlikely to meddle in these disputes."

"Between the North and South Continents lies the Raging Sea, a natural barrier, making it unlikely that Yin Disi and Lu En could retake the colonies by force."

"Of course, the most important thing is that in the previous battle we displayed sufficient strength; although multiple alliances were involved, the presence of angels in Pas River Valley is an established fact. In this age where the gods dwell in the Star Realm, angels represent the highest tier of power available to this world."

Leiketon suddenly thought of something, turned his head curiously toward Ge Lan and asked:

"So, you need to stay in Pas River Valley for a long time?"

"Exactly, I've received a divine decree from the Great Sage, delivered in the guise of the Unidentified God!"

As he spoke, Ge Lan's eyes flickered faintly, his gaze becoming distant and profound, as if gazing through the river of fate.

The Hidden Sage's decree, issued in the Unidentified God's name! It seems the Knowledge Wilderness borrowed the Hidden Sage's identity; the Unidentified God indeed refers to it.

After a moment of contemplation, Leiketon turned his head to Ge Lan and asked, "Will other members of the Morse Ascetic Sect come here?"

Ge Lan sighed lightly and said softly:

"You should be asking who won't come here."

"The decree has been issued; as long as they have no urgent tasks, all members of the Morse Ascetic Sect will relocate to Pas River Valley, which will become our new headquarters."

"A new headquarters! Such a big move?" Leiketon sat up straighter, staring at Ge Lan in disbelief.

The Knowledge Wilderness is basically emptying the Hidden Sage's assets!

Dong~ Dong~ Dong~

Three short knocks sounded in succession; Leiketon turned slightly, his eyes catching Tu Ba Ge and two cats lined up, the rabbit wearing a black top hat.

They stood before a somewhat aged, dark wooden door with strange carvings on the right‑hand wall of the lounge, its appearance unknown in time.

Orange cat Li Ci stood at the front, his lithe hand tapping the dark door three times, a strange ripple emanating from it.

With a creak, Li Ci easily pushed the door open, revealing a messy, laboratory‑like area behind it.

Tu Ba Ge and the two cats rushed through to the other side, and Tu Ba Ge, still attached, lifted his leg to kick the door shut.

Thanks to the special Insightful Eye, Leiketon easily saw that the door still on the wall was a wondrous item for travelers.

Curiously, he turned to Ge Lan and asked, "Did they acquire so many Apprentice Path traits?"

Ge Lan, still flipping the journal, replied without looking up:

"Who says Apprentice Paths aren't practical wondrous items? Perhaps they're handy for sneaking into hospitals to steal blood vials; those primitive Moonlight believers always favor items that let them walk through walls."

Leiketon nodded in agreement; Ge Lan's words reminded him of Em Lin, that unlucky fellow who could walk through walls all the way to the Harvest Church.

Uh, thinking about it, it seems that wherever the sealed Apprentice Path doors are absent, apprentices endure a miserable existence.

Just as the thought surfaced, Leiketon's mind hazed briefly; the scene before him flickered, and his surroundings changed suddenly.

The modest lounge transformed into a richly colored, layered spirit realm, with countless tiny brass‑colored glimmers drifting up and down. Amid those glimmers floated illusory bookshelves, each tome bearing an almost invisible eye; they piled endlessly, resembling an unseen, infinite phantom tower.

"Do not probe too deeply; the hidden knowledge is beyond what you can currently bear."

A mildly gentle voice echoed in his ear, pulling his thoughts back; as the voice resonated, the roaming brass glimmers burst into bright light, obscuring all the illusory shelves.

Instinctively turning, Leiketon saw specks of brass glimmer swiftly sketch Mr. Huang's silhouette in the air; he leaned on a staff resembling a dried branch, his gaze steady as he said to Leiketon:

"I foresaw some futures involving you, so I brought you here directly."

"Futures concerning me?" Leiketon asked, puzzled.

Mr. Huang nodded lightly, took two steps forward with his staff, and casually retrieved a somewhat ethereal book from the surrounding glow.

The book turned pages by itself, specks of light fluttering between them, outlining a brass‑colored eye; after a moment of silence, Mr. Huang smiled and said:

"If you intend to ascend to Sage, you should visit the God‑Abandoned Land; its unique properties let you sever your link to the Hidden Sage, avoiding the maddening influences accumulated during ascension."

"And it's close to the Western Continent; after your ascension you might try to retrieve something from the Knowledge Wilderness."

"Retrieval?" Leiketon lowered his gaze slightly, then quickly steadied his thoughts, listening to Mr. Huang's words.

"Although your unique nature lets you skip the ascension ceremony, it is not without effect; the primal madness contained in demon‑pills continuously accumulates, and once it exceeds a threshold, it will shatter your will and erase the hard‑won humanity you possess."

"I understand." Lei Kedun gave a composed nod and replied.

"In the Divine Abandoned Land you need to be careful of A Meng; his true form has been wandering there, try not to seek help from the True Creator, he is still mad, unable to control his instincts."

"Before you have stabilized your own condition, you don't need to rush back to the Southern Continent; you can leave that prophet's clone here, or find a Seer's trait to help him complete his ascension."

Lei Kedun lightly bowed his head and asked, "Do you know the whereabouts of the Hermit Card within the Defiling Card?"

He had a premonition that if he wanted to ascend to Sage, this Defiling Card would be very useful to him.

Mr. Huang fell silent for a moment, his eyes instantly turning silver‑white, reflecting a hazy profundity as if gazing directly at the river of fate.

A moment later, the silver in his eyes faded quickly, and his voice, steady and gentle, said:

"The Defiling Card's reverse divination and reverse prophecy traits have not been fully lifted, but I have made a certain prophecy about your fate; you should have already encountered that Defiling Card, and at the right moment it will naturally appear in your hand."

As soon as Mr. Huang's words fell, before Lei Kedun could ask, the surrounding environment suddenly became illusory, shattering like bubbles.

Huh— Lei Kedun seemed to jolt awake from a dream, a friction sound of air escaping his throat, his body thrust forward sharply, nearly colliding with the desk before him.

"Awake now?"

Ge Lan lounged lazily on a wooden chair covered with a blanket, his gaze amusingly appraising Lei Kedun for a moment, then curled his lips and said:

"Who was looking for you just now? Even with the Eye of Secret Gazing I couldn't trace the connection to see the other party; aside from the night and the angels of the Gate Path, no one should be able to block my sight so easily."

"The former doesn't seem likely; they prefer to pull people straight into dreams or hidden realms. As for the latter, no traveling mage has appeared in this world for a long time."

"You can guess higher." Lei Kedun rubbed his forehead and replied evenly.

He then glanced at the wall clock, did a quick calculation, and found it was already close to 3 p. m. Beckrand Time.

Today's Tarot session is about to begin; according to Ke Lai En's demon‑potion digestion progress, he should today request Jia De Li Ya to board the "Future" for a sea voyage.

No wonder he sought me at this time, not to let me seek help from the True Creator, but likely because he's worried I will obtain the first Defiling Stone Tablet for him.

As the true god of the White Tower Path, he can also use the first Defiling Stone Tablet himself; why not let me retrieve it from the Giant King's Court? Does he think I lack the ability to take the first Defiling Stone Tablet out of the Divine Abandoned Land under the gaze of A Meng and the True Creator? Or does he think he cannot guard it?

When Mr. Huang mentioned the Wilderness of Knowledge earlier, he used the term "retrieve"; what something that should belong to me was left there in the Wilderness of Knowledge?

Thought after thought floated through his mind; Lei Kedun sighed, lazily rose from his seat, stretched, walked to the door on the right wall, mimicking Ritz's earlier motion, and gave the wooden door three short knocks.

(End of Chapter)