Chapter 32: Psionic Tower and Lesser Artifact

Naimi Xisi and Sgena, under Sarufar's leadership, went to the Psionic Tower in the city center.

This was once a building where the Mind Flayer stayed to control the city; the towering Psionic Tower could, under the Mind Flayer's control, emit mana amplified several times, but now it has been seized by Sarufar.

Sgena transformed into a human shape, but Naimi Xisi, as a hapless young dragon, could only squeeze into the tower in his draconic form; fortunately the Psionic Tower is designed extremely large, and Naimi Xisi's dragon body is small enough.

The massive Psionic Tower is six stories tall, each story having a height of over ten meters. Naimi Xisi was surprised to discover that after the Mind Flayer's control was lost, there still remained a mana fluctuation here.

Although extremely faint, he did indeed feel it.

But this mana feeling was a bit strange, making one feel evil.

"Welcome, mighty Corrosion Tide, is this the companion you brought?" a Gray Dwarf clad in silver armor walked up to Sarufar and said to them.

"Cunning Gode, as you can see, I have brought a powerful ally—White Mystery, a Juan Ce Long!"

The Gray Dwarf was momentarily surprised; unlike those narrow‑minded country folk, he understood the Juan Ce Long dragon species.

But this one looked somewhat different from what he knew.

Naimi Xisi proudly nodded; the Gray Dwarf also emitted a mana fluctuation within his body, but it was not very strong.

A ninth‑level Psychic Sorcerer.

"I didn't expect the Gray Dwarf to also have someone skilled in the way of the mind," Naimi Xisi said, looking at him.

A ripple flashed in Gode's eyes; he had already sensed the massive mana pressure from the other party. He didn't know where this mysterious Juan Ce Long originated, but he could be sure the opponent's strength was far beyond that of a young dragon.

Thus a smile rose on his face, with a hint of ingratiating tone, he said: "Powerful White Mystery, you may not know that Gray Dwarves, over the past few decades, have, due to prolonged control by those octopus‑faced beings, evolved many individuals who master Psychic Ability."

"I believe that in a few more decades, we Gray Dwarves will become a truly Psionic Race," Gode said confidently.

Naimi Xisi perfunctorily nodded; he was not interested in the Gray Dwarves' present or future, and if Gode did not possess a Psychic Sorcerer rank stronger than his, he wouldn't even have the interest to engage.

Throughout the entire city, the only one he regarded as a threat was Sarufar alone.

But that's all; as one who masters all abilities of Psychic Teleportation, he would only be vulnerable if Sarufar ambushed him unknowingly, and a single strike would be fatal.

He also lacks the ability to kill himself.

Sgena, standing aside, interrupted: "Alright, stop talking about irrelevant matters. How is the situation outside the city during the few days I've been away?"

Gode and Sarufar exchanged a glance, then Sarufar coldly said: "Those black‑skinned brats haven't launched another attack since retreating; they are probably waiting for reinforcements."

"Only three of the six Middle Circle Casters from the Di Fo Family have been deployed; perhaps they are moving the remaining casters over," Gode speculated.

"No," Sgena shook her head: "You don't understand. My informant in Menzoberranzan told me the Di Fo Family has considerable trouble in the city lately; the Baenre Matron Mother of the First Family seems to have some grievances against them."

"They are unlikely to send any more direct heirs; not long ago, the Fourth Miss of their family led her private troops to smuggle across Glimmersea, and there has been no word since."

Gode pondered for a moment after hearing this and said: "Then that's probably more mercenaries and slave armies."

The silent Naimi Xisi suddenly spoke: "What if they aren't waiting for reinforcements?" Gode frowned and said: "If not for waiting reinforcements, I can't think of why they halted their assault; the last time they attacked, we expended great effort to defend."

Sarufar, standing aside, said gloomily: "Mainly because of that Sixth Circle Mage; that damned fellow's deterrence is so great that I dare not step onto the battlefield lightly."

"But our base combat power is far inferior to that group of Drow."

"I say," Naimi Xisi sighed, cutting them off, "what does a twelfth‑level Warrior fear? That mage probably can't even aim for half a day to match your speed."

Sarufar snorted, "Normally I wouldn't be afraid, but that mage wields a Lesser Artifact that can emit an area‑wide Slow Curse."

Naimi Xisi's eyes lit up. A Lesser Artifact?

A so‑called Lesser Artifact is a treasure even rarer than a prized Magic Item; only Legendary heroes can forge a Lesser Artifact.

And it inevitably requires an exorbitant price.

Naimi Xisi felt greed rise toward it.

Sgena saw the Juan Ce Long's desire and mocked, "Don't even think about it; I've already reserved that Lesser Artifact."

Naimi Xisi looked at her disdainfully, not mentioning who could obtain it; if she persisted, he would let her know the power of a Xenodragon.

"First focus on dealing with the Drow; after that's over we can fight," Naimi Xisi gave her that look, and Sgena, understanding, fell silent.

Gode was about to continue speaking when a shrill bell rang with a resonant echo in his ears; his complexion changed, and he shouted quickly, "The Drow are attacking; prepare to battle."

Then his body flashed and vanished on the spot.

Sarufar and Sgena also left in succession, leaving only Naimi Xisi, who, before departing, glanced back at the top of the Psionic Tower.

At the instant Gode left, he sensed that the evil mana became more pronounced, seemingly emanating from the tower's uppermost level.

Naimi Xisi intended to observe closely, but his peripheral vision caught Sarufar in the distance staring intently at him.

"Interesting." Naimi Xisi stared deeply at the tower's summit; it was his first realization that mana could become evil.

The Juan Ce Long spread its wings and swiftly flew to the city wall.

Kulagramosh differs from Goblin City; this city, built by the Mind Flayer, possesses fortress‑grade walls, with steel and stone jointly forming a hard barrier, and dozens of large Dragon Crossbows positioned along the walls.

Naimi Xisi could even sense residual mana fluctuations on the walls, echoing the Psionic Tower at the city's center.

"How's the situation?" Naimi Xisi asked.

Sgena lifted her chin toward the distance, the two massive horns on her draconic head swaying up and down: "Those disgusting Necromancers are truly a nuisance."

Naimi Xisi looked outward; the army in the distance was continuously marching toward the walls.

At the forefront were thousands of Undead, mostly Skeletons and Zombies, with occasional Mummies and Bodaks interspersed; above the Undead army, a dozen or so Wraiths were flying.

(End of Chapter)