Chapter 544: Conversation

In the deep spirit realm, several eyes flashing cold, pure light twisted outward, overlapping the surrounding spirit realm area with reality, and the prophet's avatar and Ge Lan's figures appeared here.

Ge Lan half‑raised his right hand, brilliant starlight flickered in midair and fell, spontaneously coalescing beneath their feet into the shape of a carriage; the carriage bore them racing deeper into the spirit realm.

Only after they had completely left the spirit realm area corresponding to Luosi De Qundao did Ge Lan finally relax, half‑leaning against the seat at the carriage's rear, and said calmly, "The silver straight sword in the hand of 'Sea King' Aien Kauteman is rather interesting; it seems it can amplify the upper limit of the power he can endure from the 'Lord of Storms.'"

The bronze whistle that the person beside you just threw must have been an item from a high‑ranking member of the Artificial Death God faction of the Spiritual Sect; it actually summoned something related to the Death God, so it looks like their plan wasn't entirely fruitless.

Why were you there again? I recall you were just two days ago saying you'd go check the Knowledge Church's records, looking for an effective method to harness and transmute the extraordinary power of the Sun Domain.

"Huh"—spitting out foul breath, the prophet's avatar shrugged, pulled a glowing blue crystal from his pocket, tossed it twice in his hand and said, "'Yellow Light' Weinitan hinted that I could look for 'Orange Light' Xilaliang's incarnation in the real world, the one called the 'Father of the Second‑Generation Differential Engine' Tulan Ni von Helmoshuiyin, and then I was casually swept into this assassination plot orchestrated by the Rose School."

That mist‑like monster should be a long‑standing sacrifice of the Artificial Death God faction of the Spiritual Sect, causing a slight aberration in the uniqueness hidden by the Death God, thus creating the monster.

Leaning on the seat, Ge Lan gave a light nod and whispered, "I have no idea how many night‑cloaked believers are hidden among that Artificial Death God faction of the Spiritual Sect."

She paused, then continued:

"Helmoshuiyin is indeed 'Orange Light' Xilaliang, but their Seven Lights do often enter the real world, taking human forms in various ways to teach the corresponding knowledge."

Such a hobby suits your Knowledge Church well; Luka Brus te from Pas Valley also likes to give lectures in all sorts of occasions and places.

You should have sensed something from 'Yellow Light' Weinitan's hint, yet you still chose to go to Luosi De Qundao—why?

On the left side of the star‑light‑formed carriage, the prophet's avatar leaned against the back of the seat, eyes closed in a meditative pose, and said evenly, "Buy him a favor; there are places later where we'll need their help."

As for the Artificial Death God faction of the Spiritual Sect, that one known as the 'Hidden Mother' has a better method.

"What did you discover?" Ge Lan asked curiously, tilting his head slightly and whispering.

The words fell, and seeming to think the topic unsuitable for such casual discussion, she raised her left hand, gently rubbing thumb and middle finger together twice.

One star after another materialized around them, the starlight dimming, drifting around the carriage and sketching mysterious symbols and magical sigils that represented secrecy.

The prophet's avatar opened his eyes to glance around, then closed them again, and in an even tone said:

The 'Death Governor' of the 'Pale Disaster' era of the Fourth Era fell into a repeatedly dying and resurrecting state akin to an 'Undead'; his most recent appearance was in Luen Tinggen City, where he served as a faculty member of the History Department at a university.

That place is somewhat special, forever watched by the night.

Ge Lan nodded thoughtfully and exclaimed:

"It sounds like a long‑planned scheme; perhaps soon the revered name of the night's believers will include descriptions like 'the final destination of all living beings.'"

On the flat ground not far outside Baiyam City, near Luosi De Qundao, 'Sea King' Aien Kauteman rode the raging wind down to the ground.

The ethereal, lofty aura around him had vanished; his deep‑blue eyes appeared rather indifferent, tinged with a restrained madness, and a few silver‑white strands appeared among his sea‑grass‑green hair, as if he had suddenly aged considerably.

The ground before him was charred black, vegetation withered and died, even the soil and stones bore varying degrees of weathering; there should have been two small peaks here, but now they had completely vanished without a trace, as if a massive machine had repeatedly plowed the area countless times, leaving only a flat hollow.

Everything around exuded a sense of decay and withering, as if racing endlessly on the road of death, nearly reaching its end.

Aien Kauteman stared solemnly at the pale fish‑belly glow on the distant sea surface and whispered the names of several people who had previously appeared here:

"A Er Tai En Si"

"Rose School. Si E A Ge Er Man Si Pa Luo!"

"One of the Ten Pillars of the Moss Ascetic Order, Ge Lan Pars, and that oddly‑behaved spirit‑realm creature."

After a moment of silence, he suddenly waved his hand, summoning a gust of raging wind; the howling wind was gathered into a massive tangible palm, which lifted from the charred ground two objects shimmering with spiritual light:

One was a gem seemingly formed from thick, congealed blood, about the size of a fist, emitting a crimson glow like a miniature red moon. The other was a round glass pane bearing some charred and cracked marks.

"'Wizard King', and a wondrous item that evolved from the properties of a 'Machine'."

He murmured softly, the gale rose again, bearing Aien Kauteman's body away from this area.

Above the gray mist, with the help of Messenger Miss and the arriving Azk, they had completely shaken off the Divine Scion Si E A; Kelei En found a safe spot and entered the mysterious space above the gray mist.

He surveyed the empty palace, his gaze finally resting on the deep‑red star representing Leiketon, which radiated a spiritual touch into the past, informing him of what had happened in Baiyam, and allowing him, through the ritual of a granted request, to take the wondrous item back.

Having finished, he lazily flopped onto a high‑back chair and muttered lowly:

"Lost a secret pair, several talismans and paper figures, but at least they're safe now, and the prowling hunger has shepherded two new souls—a 'Wronged Soul' and a 'Desire Apostle'—so it's not too bad."

"The most pressing matter now is returning to Beckland; in this megacity, the Rose School can muster only limited power, perhaps we could try finding a circus to play the 'Secret Pair Master.'"

"Later, if there's a chance to get another secret pair, using a secret pair to wield those wondrous items with both strong positive and negative effects would be a good choice."

Within the grand ancient palace, a wailing gale suddenly rose, and the calm gray mist began to surge rapidly.

The deep‑red star symbolizing Leiketon kept expanding and contracting, sending out wave after wave of deep‑red ripples like tides, interspersed with Leiketon's prayer: "Fool of a time not belonging to this era, mysterious ruler above the gray mist, the yellow‑black king who holds good fortune."

"Your faithful servant prays to you."

"So quickly ready for the ritual?"

Muttering to himself, Kelei En sprang up from the high‑back chair, moved to the back of the hall, extended his spirit to push open the illusory great door, then raised his right hand; the items he had placed on the table rose of their own accord, soaring into the illusory double doors.

As the illusory sacrificial‑granting door closed, the space above the gray mist returned to calm.

Kelei En sat back in the fool's high‑back chair, thought for a moment, then again extended his spirit to touch the deep‑red star representing Leiketon, pulling the other into this gray‑mist‑above realm.

In the Divine Abandoned Land, having just secured the wondrous items retrieved from above the gray mist, Leiketon saw the dense gray mist and deep‑red light surge in his vision.

His mind briefly hazed, and when he came to himself he was already inside the ancient, grand palace above the gray mist, seated on the high‑back chair belonging to the 'White Tower.'

Kelei En, leaning back somewhat relaxed in the high‑back chair, looked at the approaching Leiketon, curled his lip and said:

"You say, if I now turn my head toward the Southern Continent, what do you think?"

Leiketon's mouth twitched, and he replied wordlessly:

"Are you planning to deliver a head? Or do you want the Rose School to launch a full‑scale attack on Pas Valley tomorrow?"

"Just kidding." Kelei En waved his hand, paused two seconds, then said again, "Watch out for trickery evil monsters and spirit‑realm raiders; since the Divine Abandoned Land has a 'Umbral Demon Wolf,' there's a high chance that this path contains the alchemical material."

Leiketon nodded lightly:

"Sure, but if you slip back to Beckland, it won't be that easy to play the role; shall we take a detour through the Channis Gate beneath Saint Samuel Cathedral?"

Kelei En looked at him with some surprise, yet his tone remained calm as he said, "How did you know I intended to return to Beckland?"

"Since I know the 'Trickster Mage' formula, why would I venture behind Channis Gate? If I didn't, I'd become one of the items sealed there myself."

Leiketon shrugged, his voice tinged with "I know you well," and said:

"It's not hard to guess; only places like Beckland, Trill, or Pas Island, the Ammanda Mountains, can reduce the danger from the Rose School to the lowest, making them safe enough for you. Among those, you don't have many choices; Beckland is the place you know best, and Benson and Melissa are also there."

(End of chapter)