Badge in Azure

Chapter 920: Removing Hidden Dangers (Part 1)

Such an effect was produced when astrologers performed the custodian role when mages advanced. What was left was that no astrologer had been able to possess powers similar to that of the astrologer tower.

Saleen’s senses were becoming clearer. His mental strength was no longer leaving his body. A slight rumble was all that was needed for him to sense the extension of a mysterious power. It was as if Saleen’s mental strength had become more powerful but Saleen knew that it was because his mental strength was resonating with the outside world.

Just like how mages were able to manipulate the power of elements to cast spells once they possessed magic chords, Saleen was able to utilize his mental strength to manipulate the powers beyond his body for sensing.

No wonder powerful mages were able to sense up to 100 miles away. It was said that in the past, grade-18 mages were able to sense the entire Mainland.

Saleen no longer doubted it. It was because he finally understood that if his soul was powerful enough, his mental strength would become a source of energy that was even more pure and resilient than magic nuclei and could be extended without any limits.

Saleen’s soul was congregating together, to the extent of forming an image. It was like a clone of Saleen. He immediately thought of many spells that that could utilize images to attack, but since his magic chords were in the middle of evolving, he did not dare to try and experiment with any spells at that moment.

Gaine waited under the tower for 10 days before Saleen finally descended from the Outer Nebula and was guided into his room.

“Saleen…” Gaine wanted to ask about what happened in the Outer Nebula because he could sense that the powers there had weakened significantly. By right, even if Saleen could advance directly into a grade-10 astrologer, something like that should not be happening. Besides, Saleen was obviously still only a grade-1 astrologer.

“Gaine, we have fulfilled out contractual obligations. Please send us out. I’m afraid my subordinate will be in danger.”

Gaine was annoyed. Saleen’s subordinate had only been waiting outside for less than two days. Although a grade-9 Professional might not be too powerful, he should still be able to survive for two days.

Nicholas was outside the Imperial City of the Abyss. The dark waters pressed onto his body while the surface of his body was glowing with a dim and gray light. He was halfway into a deep sleep.

He was gripping his soul beads in his hands. Cracks had already appeared in these soul beads that were refined by Fycro.

Nicholas felt peaceful. He cast a lesser prophecy spell, which clearly indicated that he would not die. All around him were the massive skeletons of magic beasts. After the Imperial City of the Abyss had been destroyed, many magic beasts that were above grade-9 would still choose to come back there to end their lives.

Those that died outside of the Imperial City either ended their lives early or their grades were too low to be acknowledged by the humans in the past.

Nicholas laid amongst those skeletons. The soul energy there was rich, otherwise he would not have been able to sustain for so long. His soul beads were slowly absorbing the soul energy in order to sustain his Holy Shield.

Nicholas never really gave serious thought about his relationship with Saleen. He thought about it very carefully and seriously then. After following Saleen, he would never unleash his maximum effort in every battle. How did Saleen treat him? It seemed that Saleen had always been impartial towards him.

On the other hand, Saleen treated Nailisi and the winged skeleton so well that Nicholas almost felt jealous. Why did he treat them that way? Whenever Saleen was in danger, the two of them would always rush to the front to block off any attacks with their bodies.

Both Nailisi and Soldier were of higher grades than Saleen. Even with the soul contract, they really did not need to try so hard. It was clear to Nicholas that at the rate that they were going, both of them would break through grade-10 any time.

Once they reached grade-10, Saleen’s control over the two of them would weaken. To be more accurate, Saleen’s death would no longer be fatal to the two of them.

Yet, Nailisi and Soldier had never hesitated. What about himself? He was always hesitating, yet he also hoped to gain benefits from Saleen.

Mages believed in the rule of equivalent exchange. Surely, Saleen would be able to sense what he was thinking.

Nicholas had made up his mind that he would not leave and would await Saleen’s return!

Fallen holy masters were more powerful than ordinary holy masters and their source of power came from equipment like soul beads. On the other hand, it was much slower than accumulating power from the Gods. When Nicholas was trapped under the sea, he did think of finding a way back.

It was after careful consideration that Nicholas decided to stay. No matter what, now that Saleen was in a precarious situation, if Saleen was able to return and find Nicholas, the latter would still be able to contribute whatever he could. Especially on their way back, his fallen divine spells could still be very effective against magic beasts. If, for some reason, the winged skeleton’s pan’s turtle alchemical boat was damaged, then Nicholas’ skills would become even more important.

Besides, Saleen might be injured when he returned. Mages were unable to heal others quickly, but Nicholas’ divine spell could take effect very quickly and ensure everyone’s safety when leaving the abyss.

Nicholas conserved all his powers and only released a little fallen godly power so that Saleen would be able to find him. Nicholas no longer bothered to track the passing of time. He just laid there in the dark. It was a test for Nicholas. In an environment where he could die from overwhelming water pressure without a sliver of light, he could very easily lose his mind.

Time passed quickly sometimes, and slowly at other times. Nicholas was just outside of the Imperial City of the Abyss then, so time there was different from the Oceanic Ice Block. Nicholas kept chasing away the illusions that were created in his mind. The most terrifying illusion was when he thought that his soul beads had been crushed so he wanted to cast his most powerful fallen divine spell, so that his soul could escape and leave behind his physical body.

Fortunately, his follower contract trembled slightly and helped him to escape from that illusion. That further affirmed Nicholas’ decision.

Nicholas had no idea how much time had passed when he suddenly saw a faint light break through the darkness and head towards him. There were three figures in the light and they were Saleen, Nailisi, and Soldier.

Nicholas closed his eyes again, thinking it was another illusion. That was not the first time he had seen an illusion of Saleen returning but that illusion felt different. Nicholas began to panic. Could his lesser prophecy spell have failed? Even if he wanted to leave, there was no longer enough power in his soul beads and his soul might not be able to leave.

“Nicholas!” He heard Saleen’s voice and Nicholas smiled. The illusion felt really real.

“Old fellow, Master is calling you!” He heard Nailisi’s voice and he was awakened. He finally realized that the three of them had already reached him.

Nicholas stood up and only became more worried. Could it be that he would not be able to get through the illusion anymore?

When Nailisi saw the guarded expression on Nicholas’ face, she became even more frustrated. She was trapped for more than half a month in the astrologer tower, yet she did not manage to gain any benefits. Other than her equipment being purified by starlight and the hidden dangers being removed, the past 10 days or so had been a waste of time. On the other hand, the winged skeleton gained quite a lot. His soul flames had advanced once again. The flames in his eyes were no longer dancing, instead, they looked just like a normal human’s eyes.

No matter how strong the winged skeleton’s body was, it would never beat having a powerful pair of soul flames. As the soul flames advanced, they would eventually end up like a human’s soul and would evolve into a very powerful level. The winged skeleton could even end up becoming a spirit of the dead that possessed life power. By that time, the winged skeleton would be able to possess a physical body of flesh and blood like a normal human.

The gray light on Nicholas’ body glowed as he raised the fallen staff in his hands. He did not say a word.

Saleen pulled Nailisi back. He took a few steps forward and said, “Nicholas, it’s me.”

Nicholas slowly put down the staff and said, “You’re an illusion…”

Saleen could see that Nicholas’ gaze was drifting, so he quickly activated the follower’s contract. He could see his own soul and the few contracts in the core of his soul very clearly. Saleen had become more adept at using contracts.

When Nicholas felt the power of the contract, there was finally a bit of clarity in his sight.

“My Lord…”

“No need to say it, Nailisi!”

Nailisi unwillingly took out a blood soul tower and gave it to Nicholas. He calmed himself down before taking the tower from Nailisi.

“There must be a problem in your soul beads. Nicholas, this is something that Nailisi has refined for you. It is similar to soul beads and can allow you to cast your fallen divine spells,” Saleen explained. He was in no hurry to leave. It would not be easy leaving that place. Although Saleen had obtained Gaine’s map, the giant puppets that guarded the abyss might not acknowledge his Star Gathering Needle.

Nicholas was overjoyed to see the blood soul tower. He had only heard of such an item, but never seen it in the Holy See. The people of the Supreme Court would never refine such equipment for the Holy Masters of the Pivotal Council. Such an item was not allowed in the Holy See and only fallen Holy Masters would find a use for it.

“My Lord, help!” Nicholas shouted.

Saleen did not mind and quickly used his water shield to surround Nicholas. Without the overwhelming water pressure, Nicholas finally took a deep breath before looking at Saleen with shock and said, “My Lord, you have advanced?”

“Yes, I have,” Saleen replied with a smile. He was not too excited about advancing to a grade-9 sorcerer. What he was happier about was that his soul power had become much more powerful. Before even reaching grade-10, he had already uncovered some of the secrets of the soul, which would be extremely helpful to his future advancements.

Nicholas stripped off the soul beads from his fallen staff and held them in his hands. The tens of thousands of souls in the soul beads were already extremely weak. A strange smile appeared on his face. “Goodbye, Fycro! From now on, I will follow Saleen with all my heart. I will not turn back even if you are to appear in front of me again! To hell with the Script of Redemption!”