Chapter 716: Main Brain

About half a li to the left, the fissure there widens even more.

Reslin examined carefully and only then realized the fissure was not a single one but two, intersecting to form an irregular "X" shape, but his position blocked the view, preventing him from seeing the whole picture.

The junction of the two fissures is a vast lava lake.

A massive black rock stands in the middle of the lava lake, like a sheer peak, its highest point nearly reaching the fissure's upper gap, one side blocked by a great waterfall, resembling an island in the lake.

Several stone bridges girdle the rock's waist, spanning the hundreds‑meter‑wide lava lake and linking the surrounding sheer cliffs, appearing as if walking among clouds in the mist.

At this moment, a Spirit-absorbing Monster drifts over a stone bridge, entering the interior of the peak.

Reslin's gaze follows it; the All-Seeing Eye penetrates the rock and discovers a huge hollow carved inside, divided into a dozen or so levels.

The highest level sits atop the peak, forming a dim palace shrouded by invisible magical forces, even the All-Seeing Eye cannot see through. The palace's exterior architecture is distinctive; its walls are carved with countless Spirit-absorbing Monsters, tentacles and tadpole‑shaped murals, the style gloomy and eerie, exuding what seems to be tangible mental energy.

The vastness of this mental energy becomes visible to the naked eye.

It resembles a shimmering blue‑purple glow that can seize souls, yet it feels alive; staring at it for a while induces hallucinations.

This is the purest spiritual power!

The palace atop the peak resembles a tower, its emanating spiritual power enveloping the entire city. Numerous caves, stone bridges and tunnels on the cliffs are also fitted with corresponding rune arrays and magical traps. Within sight, the city exudes a strange light, as if entering a twisted nightmare world.

Reslin felt a private alarm and withdrew his gaze.

If an outsider breaches the city and cannot resist this spiritual intrusion, they will quickly fall into hallucinations and eventually become a Spirit-absorbing Monster's slave.

At the same time, triggering these magical traps will also alert the Main Brain.

Even though he cannot see inside the palace, Reslin can be certain that the Spirit-absorbing Monster Main Brain is inside!

At that moment, Kuilu transmitted, "Follow me."

The group followed her Invisibility Field into an unoccupied cave nearby, where several gray dwarf skeletons lay, apparently abandoned long ago.

Reslin carefully inspected the cave, confirming there were no traps.

In fact, the tunnel entrance they used lies at the city's edge, far from the core district, making it relatively safe.

Kuilu looked at Reslin, "What are you thinking?"

"I agree with Yizite's conjecture; Thus Place: Yilaientu likely harbors a Saint Rank strong one," Reslin said, glancing at Yizite, "But I still want to try."

That palace is equivalent to a mage tower; judging by the intensity of its spiritual power, it far exceeds Legendary High-rank, with over 99% chance of housing a Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster.

The Book of Strange Monsters explains that Spirit-absorbing Monster society is divided into four ranks.

The highest is the Main Brain, controlling the entire community; other Spirit-absorbing Monsters are merely extensions of its Willpower. Next are Super Spirit-absorbing Monsters, also called Spirit-absorbing Monster Elders; these powerful mental sorcerers possess six tentacles, two more than ordinary ones, and form the city's daily governing council.

Then come the ordinary Spirit-absorbing Monsters, the city's citizens.

The lowest tier consists of the countless slaves.

Slaves are also split into two grades: one type are armed guards equipped with weapons and armor, forming a Transcendent Army; their leaders can accompany a Spirit-absorbing Monster as retainers or servants. The other type are labor slaves who handle all dirty, hard work and also serve as food for the Spirit-absorbing Monsters.

Spirit-absorbing Monsters must consume at least one intelligent creature's brain each month, or they become malnourished, weak, and may starve to death.

Therefore, Spirit-absorbing Monsters keep slave numbers steady, forcing them to breed to secure ample labor and food sources.

Slaves, the slave army, and ordinary Spirit-absorbing Monsters are not to be feared.

The Main Brain controls all Spirit-absorbing Monsters, but it itself does not possess exceptionally great power; once one reaches its brain pool, killing it is not difficult.

The real danger comes from those Spirit-absorbing Monster Elders!

Super Spirit-absorbing Monsters with six tentacles are few in number, at least Legendary Mid-stage, and most are Legendary High-rank.

The author of the Book of Strange Monsters speculates that a few Spirit-absorbing Monster Elders who resist the Main Brain's Willpower might lead a group out of the city, devour enough brains, then transform themselves into a new Main Brain, establishing an entirely new Spirit-absorbing Monster community.

However, most Spirit-absorbing Monster Elders are fully controlled by the Main Brain, willingly serving it.

The larger and more populous a Spirit-absorbing Monster community, the higher the chance of producing a Saint Rank strong one; Thus Place: Yilaientu is such a case.

But one thing: a Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster is unique.

The likelihood of a city spawning two Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monsters is extremely low; first, resources are insufficient, and second, the Main Brain would not permit a situation beyond its control.

Kuilu considered and said, "You may try, but only one chance."

She meant that once combat begins and the Main Brain is alarmed, it will broadcast the situation to all Spirit-absorbing Monsters, heavily shielding the palace. Especially the unknown-location Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster, the Main Brain, upon sensing Reslin's intent, will never allow the Saint Rank strong one to leave its side.

"One time is enough."

Reslin nodded calmly, "I will be responsible for drawing the Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster out of Thus Place: Yilaientu. Once it departs, I will open a portal directly into the palace where the Main Brain resides. Lady Kuilu, you lead everyone into the palace to kill the Main Brain."

This diversion tactic is simple yet effective.

Spirit-absorbing Monsters, unaware of the enemy's target, will almost certainly fall for it.

"Alright."

Kuilu readily agreed.

She is very confident in her strength, not fearing a duel with a Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster, but prefers to avoid direct combat, lowering the risk to the minimum.

Reslin looked at his teammates, "Everyone check your Spiritual Pearls."

Spirit-absorbing Monsters are innate spirit users, wielding many mental spells; protecting the mind is paramount in battle. Previously, the team hunted a Barro Flame Demon; to avoid its mental domination, Yizite equipped each person with a top‑grade Spiritual Pearl, which now proves useful again.

A top‑grade Spiritual Pearl can resist one level‑9 mental spell per day, or three level‑7 and lower mental attacks.

When combat begins, Dao En Suosi will grant each person the Divine Technique "Spiritual Protection," adding two more resistances.

"I'll pass."

Kuilu smiled softly; the Grand Mage possesses superior protective spells.

Reslin took five deep‑blue gems from the Nebula Ring and handed them to his teammates, including Kuilu.

She took one, glanced at it, and exclaimed, "Leap Transfer Gem?"

"Yes." Reslin nodded, "Wear it; if things go awry, crush the gem to teleport to my Mirror Image outside Thus Place: Yilaientu. My Mirror Image will monitor the situation outside the city and help everyone escape danger."

Leap Transfer Gems are costly, each fetching tens of thousands of Gold Shields.

There are many ways to use it; one can pre‑infuse it with soul energy to form a teleport rune, then crush the gem to transport. Lei En used this method to enter Anse's tomb, bypassing spatial barriers.

It can also be reversed, using the gem as a coordinate to teleport the bearer to a designated location.

The space in the dim region is unstable, preventing long‑range teleportation, and the effective range of the Jump‑Stone has shrunk considerably, but teleporting out of Thus Place: Yilaientu is still fine.

After using it last time, Lei En deliberately gathered a dozen or so Jump‑Stones, and finally put them to use.

The teammates felt relieved once they obtained the Jump‑Stones.

"Please, Ms. Kuilu, conceal my casting aura," Reslin said, gripping his staff. After Kuilu complied, he began to activate the Real Mirror Image on the Endless Storm Staff.

This Ten-ring Spell can be cast only once every seven days, requires one minute of casting, and consumes mana equivalent to three Nine-ring Techniques.

Kuilu saw him casting for half a minute, the massive magical aura still roiling, and she was startled, exclaiming without a voice:

"Ten-ring Spell!"

She is a th Level Grand Mage, currently mastering several Nine-ring Techniques; she won't begin researching the Ten-ring Spell until she reaches Thirty-level, still far away.

And Reslin is only a Legendary Peak…

Kuilu stared intently at Reslin, her violet eyes fixed on the staff in his hand, realizing that this Ten-ring Spell came bundled with a Legend Grade staff. Finally, after one minute, Reslin's casting completed, and a perfect duplicate of Reslin appeared.

"Real Mirror Image!"

Kuilu saw it at a glance, then guessed the staff's origin, praising, "So it's the 'Magic Storm, Endless Caster'! You actually obtained the Endless Storm— a staff that countless casters dream of possessing. Where did you get it?"

The female Zuo'er's eyes flickered, her beautiful face full of envy.

She also possesses a Legend Grade magical item, the "Silver Moon Robe" she wears, which has many powers but is mainly for protection; in both fame and might it pales compared to the Endless Storm.

"I paid a great price for it, madam," Reslin hinted.

Kuilu immediately understood, smiling, "Don't worry, I won't take your staff."

The Real Mirror Image lasts for one hour.

Reslin didn't want to waste time; he nodded toward the group with the Real Mirror Image, causing his Rainbow Light Cloak to vanish.

The Real Mirror Image, while invisible, retraced its original path.

He kept flickering, and in just two minutes returned to the gray dwarf mine outside Thus Place: Yilaientu, where the Spirit-absorbing Monster was still supervising the mine, still clinging to its earlier suspicion and releasing Probe Techniques throughout the mine to search.

Reslin's Real Mirror Image silently shed the Rainbow Light Cloak, instantly switching to Five-ring Invisibility.

Then, he stood in a corner of the mine, glancing at the Spirit-absorbing Monster.

The Spirit-absorbing Monster suddenly turned around.

It used a Mind Leap to close the distance to the Real Mirror Image, and without hesitation raised its hand to instantly cast a spell.

Spiritual Shockwave!

Snap!

An invisible wave of mental force spread like lightning, attacking both spirit and substance, covering a fan‑shaped area dozens of meters wide.

The Real Mirror Image's figure was exposed.

The Spirit-absorbing Monster's four tentacles twitched in unison, its ash‑gray pupils filled with spiritual light, its mood highly excited, as if it had finally won a patience‑testing contest and tracked its prey.

Its reaction was lightning‑fast, its spirit locking onto Reslin's Real Mirror Image, a fingertip point.

Mind Blast!

This is the Spirit-absorbing Monster's signature killing move; almost every Spirit-absorbing Monster spends vast time and effort mastering it. Mind Blast is a Five-ring Spell that generates an intense mental shock in an instant, striking straight into the enemy's soul; if mental protection is insufficient, it can even explode the head.

It is a Legendary Beginner, having upgraded Mind Blast to Six-ring, and even in Thus Place: Yilaientu it is one of the most proficient Spirit-absorbing Monsters at Mind Blast.

But in the next instant, its gaze froze.

Mind Blast struck the human opposite, yet it was like a gentle breeze—no effect at all. The imagined head‑exploding result never occurred, and it didn't even interrupt the opponent's casting.

A dark‑green ray responded to the Mind Blast.

Disintegrate!

The Spirit-absorbing Monster manifested a transparent spiritual shield around its body, and at the same time waved a hand to summon a smooth mirror in front of it, deflecting the Disintegrate ray.

The Spirit-absorbing Monster behind the mirror vanished.

It realized the human caster's overwhelming strength, far surpassing its own, and immediately chose to flee. It used Mind Leap Teleport to the other side of the mine, but upon completing the leap, found the enemy had also vanished.

Before it could locate the enemy, it sensed magical aura descending from above.

The Spirit-absorbing Monster, possessing global vision, need not turn its head to see all angles; a massive fist coalesced and slammed down with force.

Bigbai Capture Palm!

In danger, the Spirit-absorbing Monster remained calm, swiftly casting its second‑most favored spell, Summon Astral Guard.

This spell cannot be instant like Mind Blast, but it only takes half a breath to complete. The Astral Guard, summoned from the astral plane, is a powerful alien beast with a towering, incredibly resilient body and storm‑giant strength, enough to block the massive fist overhead.

However, its spell was interrupted.

A wave of temporal‑spatial distortion caused the Summon Astral Guard to fail, and the Mind Leap was too late.

In the Spirit-absorbing Monster's stunned gaze, the massive fist came crashing down.

With a booming rumble, the entire mine shuddered; the Spirit-absorbing Monster was slammed onto the ground, falling into a pit. The massive fist grasped the dizzying monster in its palm, exerted force, and instantly crushed its spiritual shield.

Snap!

A clump of bloody mush oozed out between the giant palm's fingers.

Only then did the gray dwarf slaves in the mine realize what had happened. Seeing Reslin's mirror image emerge, they screamed in terror, dropping their pickaxes and fleeing in all directions.

The Real Mirror Image did not pursue the gray dwarves, allowing them to escape.

He pretended not to know that the Spirit-absorbing Monster had already transmitted everything it experienced before death to the central brain, and began searching the corpse.

In the city of Thus Place: Yilaientu, almost as the Real Mirror Image was spotted by the Spirit-absorbing Monster, the palace emitted a series of mental shrieks. In the upper layers of the city's rift, a dozen or so Spirit-absorbing Monsters appeared, flashing rapidly in midair, repeatedly using Mind Leap to enter tunnels and rush toward the mine.

Reslin and his teammates hid in the cavern, covertly observing the city's movements.

"They've passed," Kuilu whispered.

"Wait a bit longer."

Reslin slowly shook his head; he did not sense any Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster aura.

Among those dozen Spirit-absorbing Monsters rushing to the mine, two elders were Legendary High-rank, yet still far from Saint Rank.

Based on the strength shown by the real Mirror Image, the master brain will not instantly dispatch a Saint Rank strong one.

After a few minutes.

The first Spirit-absorbing Monster rushed to the mine, saw the real Mirror Image from afar, and immediately cast a spell to attack.

It was only a high-level psychic sorcerer, but because it was close it arrived fastest; Reslin's real Mirror Image let it unleash a Mind Blast at itself, casually shot out several light spears, shattered the shield within a second, and blew its body to mush.

The scene of the real Mirror Image killing the high-level Spirit-absorbing Monster was seen by several Spirit-absorbing Monsters that arrived later.

Instantly, they scattered and surrounded the enemy.

The real Mirror Image frowned, as if it hadn't expected so many Spirit-absorbing Monsters to arrive, yet remained unafraid and summoned twelve Mirror Images to engage in battle.

In the mine, spells burst everywhere, and the lights of spirit energy, Arcane, and flame blossomed.

Explosion, slicing, binding, counter!

Various spell effects filled the space, the mine shook violently, showing signs of collapse.

After this magical duel began, the Spirit-absorbing Monsters realized something was wrong; this human Wizard seemed immune to psychic spells, and their various mental attacks had no effect. His Mirror Images were also unique, each possessing self‑awareness and not much weaker than the original.

Fifteen Spirit-absorbing Monsters faced twelve Mirror Images—three more in number—yet they were utterly powerless to retaliate.

In less than half a minute.

The Spirit-absorbing Monsters quickly perished, leaving only two Spirit-absorbing Monster elders and three legendary Mid-stage ones alive, while none of the Mirror Images were lost.

They were trapped by the twelve Mirror Images, struggling to hold on, seemingly on the brink of total annihilation.

All this information was transmitted to the master brain.

Of course, Reslin's true self also knew the battle situation like the back of his hand.

In Yilaientu City, a terrifying, overwhelming aura suddenly appeared, covering the entire Rift Valley, and tens of thousands of slaves in the city all crouched on the ground, trembling.

"Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster!"

Reslin, Kuilu, and their teammates, hidden in the cavern, wore grim expressions, yet also showed a hint of joy.

The deployment of the Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster also meant an opportunity had arrived.

The real Mirror Image in the mine immediately withdrew from combat, taking six Mirror Images to flee; the remaining six Mirror Images continued to attack the three surviving legendary Spirit-absorbing Monsters. After leaving the mine, the six Mirror Images scattered in different directions, leaving ripples along the way.

The real Mirror Image, however, did not get far; it gathered its aura, concealed itself with a rainbow‑light cloak, and hid within a cavern.

Shortly after they left, the Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster arrived.

The six Mirror Images that remained in the mine saw a terrifying Spirit-absorbing Monster; it was taller than the Spirit-absorbing Monster elders, its gaunt body radiating vast spirit energy, almost solidified, suffocating.

The battle in the mine began.

The six Mirror Images had almost no resistance against the Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster; the Truth Will only let the Mirror Images endure a bit longer, and within seconds one Mirror Image was slain.

Taking advantage of the Mirror Images holding the Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster, Reslin gave a slight nod to the group, first summoned twelve Mirror Images, then began casting.

After a few seconds, a portal appeared before them.

The portal's destination was that palace; Kuilu passed through for the first time, the teammates entered without hesitation, and Reslin's twelve Mirror Images quickly followed.

The palace interior was extremely spacious, spanning several thousand square meters.

The surrounding light was dim, the air humid, like a beast's den; Reslin vaguely smelled a scent of seawater. No sounds of any living thing were heard; the palace was as silent as a tomb, its only structure a massive pool in the center of the floor.

The circular pool's diameter was over fifty meters, filled with liquid, resembling a small lake.

The lake water was deep, emitting a bright blue‑purple glow.

Brain pool!

Reslin's spirit was stirred; the Strange Monster Book recorded that a Spirit-absorbing Monster's master brain must be immersed in the brain pool to survive.

Kuilu, wielding a silver sword, flashed to the edge of the brain pool.

The teammates hurriedly gathered around.

Reslin also instantly flashed to the pool's edge; looking down, he was stunned. He had considered many possibilities—perhaps the master brain was extremely powerful, or many Spirit-absorbing Monsters guarded the pool, or protective formations were set—but he had never imagined this situation.

The brain pool was empty, nothing at all!

Not even the Spirit-absorbing Monster offspring described in the Strange Monster Book—tadpole‑shaped larvae numbering in the hundreds or thousands—were seen.

Reslin's eyes widened in astonishment, thinking he must have misread.

However, with the All‑Seeing Eye, the Soul Eye, the Truth Will, and the Key of Doors, almost nothing could hide or disguise itself before his eyes; he looked at the Moon Dancer and saw the Grand Mage equally astonished—clearly, she also had not found the master brain.

"Where is the master brain?" Yizite asked in alarm.

The teammates also searched everywhere, employing various methods within the palace, but found nothing.

Reslin and the twelve Mirror Images scoured the palace, discovering nothing.

He sensed that in the mine, four of the six Mirror Images had been destroyed, leaving two still buying time; oddly, the Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster seemed not to have been summoned by the master brain, and continued to fight the Mirror Images at a leisurely pace.

That's wrong!

Reslin suddenly realized that the Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster likely did know about the palace intrusion, but being fully aware of the situation inside, it was not in a hurry to return for rescue.

Yilaientu could not be without a master brain; otherwise the Spirit-absorbing Monsters in the city would have disintegrated long ago.

The master brain cannot easily leave the brain pool; its range of movement is extremely limited.

It must be inside this palace!

But why is it unseen? The Spirit-absorbing Monster's master brain also has not attacked me or my teammates…

Suddenly, Reslin's whole body trembled, and his pupils constricted sharply.

He had experienced this before, but not Reslin—it was Lei En who had faced it, in that nameless minor plane; it was the most terrifying battle of his life, like a nightmare he would never forget.

Time jump!

The master brain entered a time jump!

A terrifying name surfaced in Reslin's mind, making his soul shiver; even if it wasn't the person he thought of, it was certainly no opponent.

"Run!"

Reslin shouted, "Crush the Leap Treasure…"

He hadn't finished speaking when a figure suddenly appeared on the surface of the Brain Pool; before anyone could even see the other's appearance, time in the palace stopped the moment the figure appeared.

Sweat…… writing until dawn……

(End of chapter)