Chapter 720: Insider of the Supreme Council

I want to borrow your brain for a bit.

When Yizite first asked why he was looking for a Spirit-absorbing Monster city, Reslin answered that in his mind, but in front of Augulevi Master, even with a hundred more courage he wouldn't dare say it.

Obviously, the Spirit-absorbing Monster master brain of Yilaientu has already been taken over by Augulevi, or rather, they have merged into one.

The master brain is Augulevi, and Augulevi is the master brain.

The Soul Eye cannot discern Augulevi Master's condition, but by comparison it is easy to see that the one before me is definitely stronger than the former Lich! Remember, the Lich was a level‑41 spellcaster, and it took six Holy Soul wizards working together to kill it.

What does a level higher than 41 even mean?

Reslin doesn't even dare to imagine.

The recent bout was already the limit of what I could do, barely escaping the palace, and Augulevi Master clearly hadn't used his full power, as if he were just playing with me.

Not to mention there are four Saint Rank spellcasters, plus Augulevi Master, almost enough to match half of the Supreme Council!

Moreover, Reslin guesses this is still not all of Augulevi Master's strength; there may be more Saint Rank spellcasters hidden within Yilaientu City.

With such a massive power gap, there's not even a chance to flee; it's truly despairing.

Since I can't beat them, I'll join them.

Aside from his mental instability, Augulevi Master seems mentally sound, holds no hostility toward me, and if I can become his friend, that would be perfect!

Cling to his leg... no, make friends.

To make friends one must be sincere; even if I don't state my purpose for coming to Yilaientu, Augulevi Master can guess some of it.

Reslin's mind shifts quickly, deciding to tell the truth.

"Master, I want a demon soul of the master brain."

"Hmph."

Augulevi's spirit energy sent a shockwave through Reslin's mind, sounding a bit displeased, "You led people to raid my palace; that's bold."

Reslin could tell the other wasn't truly angry, thought his move was correct, but hurried to explain, "If I had known the Master was here, I would never have dared to storm Yilaientu; please forgive my recklessness, Master."

"What will you do with the master brain's demon soul? Fuse it, or study it?" Augulevi asked, staring at him.

"I'm not sure either."

Reslin shook his head and replied honestly, "I'm currently facing an alchemical problem that has plagued me for years without solution. A few months ago I found a book that recorded information about Spirit-absorbing Monster cities and mentioned certain traits of the Spirit-absorbing Monster master brain; it seemed it could solve my problem, so I came to the Dark Realm to seek the master brain's demon soul."

Halfway through, he noticed Augulevi's emotions becoming active, as if very interested in the topic.

"Which book did you see?" Augulevi immediately followed up.

"'Record of Strange Creatures'." Reslin answered.

"Hahaha..." Augulevi suddenly laughed.

It was his first laugh since revealing his identity, but after a few chuckles, the excessive emotional fluctuation triggered a terrifying vision, and the laughter abruptly stopped.

Reslin jumped in fright, cautiously asking, "Master?"

"I wrote that book," Augulevi's blue flame in his eyes flickered at a low frequency.

"It's actually the Master's work!" Reslin was truly surprised; he remembered the author of 'Record of Strange Creatures' was named Hapworth, an obscure wizard from centuries ago, who left no other records besides this book.

"So the Master is Hapworth?"

"Exactly, it's rare you still know that name." Augulevi gave a slight nod, his tone both proud and a bit teasing, "Back then when I was researching Spirit-absorbing Monsters I casually wrote the book under that pseudonym, so it didn't draw outside attention and quickly got buried among countless books. I didn't expect that after so many years someone would still see my work."

"This is fate's arrangement," Reslin smiled, "If I hadn't read your work, I wouldn't have come to Yilaientu."

The Soul Eye shows Augulevi's mood is very pleasant; six pale‑purple tendrils curl and uncurl unconsciously, like cheerful seaweed.

"You managed to find Yilaientu, and came for magical research; that counts as destiny with me," Augulevi calmed, "However, a Spirit-absorbing Monster city has only one master brain..."

Before he finished, Reslin immediately replied, "Master, I will look for another Spirit-absorbing Monster city."

Augulevi gave him a glance, his thoughts rather odd.

"You're impressive."

"Much better than some people."

Augulevi expressed his view of Reslin, making Reslin pleased, then he fell into a long silence; the Soul Eye saw his soul color constantly shifting, low frequency, as if recalling the past and deeply contemplating.

Reslin didn't understand, "Who are the 'some people'" but didn't dare ask.

It wasn't until two or three minutes later that Augulevi's inner voice sounded again.

"I've been in the Dark Realm for five hundred years; at first I only studied Spirit-absorbing Monsters, and over the past three hundred years I've become like this, living in seclusion in Yilaientu without disturbance, carrying out many plans and many thoughts..." Augulevi said slowly.

His words contained a wealth of information, and Reslin dared not interrupt.

Suddenly, the surrounding space shifted.

Reslin found himself transported onto a stone bridge spanning a sheer cliff, with a massive waterfall plunging directly above, less than a hundred meters away. Below the bridge lay a vast lava lake; the waterfall crashed into it, hot and cold colliding, the explosion spraying endless white mist, and standing on the bridge felt like walking among clouds.

Augulevi hovered a few steps away.

He waved his hand, a gust of wind blew the mist aside, revealing Yilaientu's spectacular view.

The stone bridge linked the massive peaks within the lava lake; a little higher lay the master brain palace atop the mountain, the highest point, offering a clear view of the entire Spirit-absorbing Monster city.

The city's slaves, seeing the two on the bridge from afar, all prostrated themselves, bodies trembling, whispering prayers as if revering a deity.

They feared not themselves, but the Augulevi Master beside them.

Reslin's slow sweep over Yilaientu from the heights, the All-Seeing Eye captured the entire city, seeing through cavern walls and tunnels; many hidden spots were exposed, secrets laid bare.

Soon, he discovered an anomaly.

Yilaientu's Spirit-absorbing Monsters are too few!

The 'Record of Strange Creatures' notes that the larger a Spirit-absorbing Monster city, the more monsters it has, up to a thousand. Yilaientu has sixty‑seven thousand slaves, who are both labor and food, enough to sustain over five hundred Spirit-absorbing Monsters.

However, Yilaientu has fewer than one hundred Spirit-absorbing Monsters.

The brain pool in the palace is used to cultivate Spirit-absorbing Monster offspring, yet it contains not even a single tadpole‑like juvenile; at this rate, the community will inevitably perish.

All of this must be linked to Augulevi Master.

Moreover, those Spirit-absorbing Monsters ignore Augulevi, each busy with their own affairs.

When he previously observed from the shadows, the distance was too great and time was urgent, so Reslin couldn't see clearly; now, after a careful observation, he finally discovers that these Spirit-absorbing Monsters all have a problem.

They are all controlled—completely controlled!

It's not achieved through mind‑control technique or enslavement technique; each Spirit-absorbing Monster is willing, with no trace of rebellious Willpower, because they are all Augulevi's avatars!

Reslin couldn't help but feel horrified.

So many avatars!

No wonder his true Mirror Image felt a bit odd when fighting Spirit-absorbing Monsters in the mine; those monsters' understanding and mastery of spells far exceed their rank. Each Spirit-absorbing Monster is like a spellcasting master, cooperating with perfect coordination, fully unleashing the spells' power.

He originally thought this was a natural talent of the Spirit-absorbing Monsters, but now realizes he was mistaken.

He is actually dueling Augulevi Master.

If it weren't for the MutatedPhone's multi‑core crystal, combined with the enchantment effect of Endless Storm, which grants each Mirror Image spellcasting skills and power comparable to the original, relying only on those high‑tier and legendary Spirit-absorbing Monsters, he would never be a match.

A Saint Rank Spirit-absorbing Monster arrived at the mine from behind, and the Mirror Image was completely crushed.

"Did you see through it?" Augulevi said lightly.

Reslin knew he was referring to those Spirit-absorbing Monster avatars, and nodded, "Yes."

"Your eyesight is excellent, and your strength even more so," Augulevi praised, "Especially your Mirror Image technique; I have never seen anyone master Mirror Image to the extent you have— even I cannot."

"Master, you flatter me," Reslin said with a modest smile.

He and Lei En's original body have mastered many spells, including the so‑called King of All Laws Wish Spell and the enigmatic Key of Doors. Yet, so far, the spell he is most proud of and that has boosted his power the most is undoubtedly the Mirror Image technique!

For others, Mirror Image merely creates a few sluggish temporary avatars; its main purpose is to confuse the enemy and then launch a few simple spell attacks.

As long as one's perception is slightly stronger, or they possess an ability akin to the True Knowledge Technique, they can easily see through the authenticity of Mirror Images.

But with Lei En and Reslin, Mirror Image is far too powerful!

It's practically a spell tailor‑made for oneself, and with the amplification of Endless Storm, it instantly boosts power by more than tenfold.

A superlative Elemental Burst's effect rivals that of multiple legendary Elements.

"You needn't be modest."

Augulevi said with a hint, "In terms of mastery of the Mirror Image technique, I am indeed not as good as you. I would like to know how you achieve it without merging the main brain's demon soul."

Reslin's expression froze.

He hesitated for a few seconds, slowly shook his head, bowed and said, "Master, forgive me for not being able to say; this involves my secret."

"No problem," Augulevi shifted his gaze and said lightly, "I only saw that the magical path you walk resembles my current situation, and out of curiosity I probed. Since you are unwilling to speak, I won't force you."

"Thank you, Master," Reslin breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

Augulevi suddenly said, "You are not in Weizelan."

"What?"

Reslin was momentarily confused by the nonsensical remark, paused, then realized the other meant that Lei En's original body is not in Weizelan.

This is true; at this moment, Lei En is in the study of Gral Morgan Castle!

How did he know?

Seated in the study, Lei En was startled, rose and looked around; his gaze pierced the castle walls, scanning the space within several miles, yet found no clue. This made him even more astonished—someone had evaded his detection and pinpointed his location.

The Willpower of Truth was not alert, and neither the Key of Doors nor the Soul Eye yielded any result.

From this we infer that Augulevi's avatars within the Empire are at least Saint Rank spellcasters; below Saint Rank, none could evade his detection!

Who could it be?

On the stone bridge of Yilaientu, Augulevi asked, "Why don't you go to Weizelan? Aren't you afraid I might intercept you halfway, depriving you of a chance to meet Anxi?"

Reslin sighed, "Master, I have never intended to uncover your secret."

"Oh?"

Augulevi's tendrils twitched a few times, inquisitively asking, "Why?"

"If you have already fallen, I would report to the teacher without hesitation," Reslin said, staring into the other's eyes, seeing two blue flames deep within, and replied steadfastly, "But I know you have not fallen; you remain the Augulevi Master whom all people of the Empire revere."

"What gives you such certainty?"

"Because I can judge whether a person holds goodwill or malice toward me," Reslin said earnestly, revealing part of the truth.

"Hehe…" Augulevi suddenly laughed, "I can as well."

Reslin was stunned.

Augulevi seemed pleased with his reaction and continued, "Even if you report to Anxi and forward the news to the Supreme Council, I still have a way to suppress the matter."

The sentence revealed far too much information.

There is a mole of Augulevi Master inside the Supreme Council!

Reslin's mind was horrified; countless possibilities flashed rapidly, the names of Holy Soul Wizards appearing one after another, finally settling on a young yet pallid face!

Outside Yilaientu's cave, Reslin's true Mirror Image looked at the human Grand Mage clad in a black robe.

He also has a young, pallid face.

Their appearances gradually merged; although there were many facial differences, their aura, features, gaze, and dressing habits were almost carved from the same mold. The biggest difference was that one was a Grand Mage and the other a Holy Soul Wizard.

Reslin does not know the name of that young Grand Mage in the cave.

But he knows that Holy Soul Wizard.

Black Robe Duke Tuzlei!

Lei En and Reslin suddenly realized, many past questions now had explanations. Elder Naisen Desade mysteriously died in the Justice Church's prison, and the murderer has never been found; it turns out it was the Black Robe Duke's hidden hand.

And that time the Supreme Council besieged the Holy Soul Lich, the Black Robe Duke was also the key figure.

The Black Robe Duke also mastered Time Stop; without his intervention to break the Lich's Time Reversal, the outcome could have been entirely different.

Moreover, Time's End slipped away under the very eyes of several Holy Soul Wizards, evidently also orchestrated by the Black Robe Duke in secret.

Truly hidden deep!

Reslin forced a wry smile, "So the Black Robe Duke is also an avatar of the Master."

(End of chapter)