Chapter 1484 - 58: Shadow of the Curtain

As the tier increases, the advanced nature of Bologue’s Alchemy Matrix becomes more fully apparent. With all-around amplification, the highly aggressive ether can easily penetrate the Rectangular Soul Critical of low-tier Condensers, thus completely dominating their bodies, causing self-collapse.

However, under the influence of Infinite Sharpness, Bologue also clearly noticed the limitations imposed by extreme tendencies.

Compared to Overlord Xilin, Bologue is not proficient in large-scale command operations. The more he dominates, the heavier the consumption of his ethereal amount, and he cannot, like Xilin, conduct precise coordination of these controlled objects while engaging in large-scale command.

If Xilin can treat each command object as part of his own limb, reacting accurately and swiftly, then Bologue can only give them rough command instructions, resulting in clumsy and brute force offensives.

Yet due to the existence of Infinite Sharpness, Bologue is now more adept at micro-level command control, the kind that is meticulous, deep into the soul, and targeted.

"Are you sure you can avoid drawing the attention of the Aurora Path?" Palmer sneaked behind Bologue, whispering.

"Not sure, but there’s no other way besides trying."

Even the most tightly sealed Cultivation Room has a few channels connecting to the outside, and the foundation structure of the Supreme Hub before us is no different.

Through naked eye observation, even Bologue finds it hard to detect the existence of an entry or exit. But now, with Palmer by his side, thanks to his subtle control of airflow, he can easily sense the exchange of gases between the building and the outside, thereby finding the gap for infiltration.

"We’ve arrived."

Bologue said as he stopped, finding a narrow and low vent in the gap of the factory buildings built along the foundation structure. Behind the grid, faint airflow could be felt, and the sound of an exhaust fan could be vaguely heard.

"Do you think we’ll encounter others once we break in?" Palmer asked.

"Probably, maybe they’ve already dealt with the Ancestral Council by the time we arrive."

Bologue crouched down, pressing his hand against the grid, attempting to remove it without emitting any ethereal fluctuations.

"Dealt with the Ancestral Council?"

Palmer thought, looking up at the towering building that extended into the darkness, then emerging from the earth’s surface, crossing the circular chasm, finally reaching the sunlight above.

Their escape alone triggered a series of upheavals, almost destroying several districts. Palmer doubted the clash between Nesanel and Holt would stir less trouble than the chaos they caused.

Now, the Supreme Hub remains silent and tranquil, making him ponder what kind of situation it is inside—whether it’s the final battlefield or another trap.

"I’m feeling uneasy," Palmer clutched the Lucky Dice in his hand, "very uneasy."

"Do you think something unfortunate will happen next?"

Bologue removed the grid, peeked inside to assess the situation. The vent was much smaller than Bologue imagined. He’s unsure if he could fit through. Bologue could use the Power of Command to enlarge the vent, but nobody could guarantee this wouldn’t alert the enemy.

"Who knows?" Palmer shook his head uncertainly, "If I could predict disasters that accurately, I wouldn’t be called a ’gambler’ but a Prophet."

"A Prophet? Don’t you find prophesying and foreseeing the future very dull?"

Bologue mused while crouched at the vent, "It’s like having a movie spoiled for you... Sometimes knowing the course of fate is not a good thing, losing many of the joys of uncertainty."

"But knowing the future in advance could bring peace of mind, right?" Palmer hesitated, cautiously saying, "Actually, I have a habit when watching movies."

"What is it?"

"For example, with some particularly tragic films, to avoid a dreadful ending ruining my mood for sleep, I might take a peek at the ending, spoil it for myself, this way I can better accept the tragedy when it arrives."

Hearing this, Bologue frowned, glancing at Palmer. As a film enthusiast, Palmer’s behavior seemed like a desecration to films. What’s worse, Bologue never realized this before.

No wonder Palmer always seemed cheerful no matter how tragic the movie, it wasn’t because he was heartless, he was just prepared in advance.

"Let’s put it another way. If you could foresee your own dark end, would you feel at ease with your conclusion like you do with movies?"

Bologue described further, "For instance, one day in the future, due to conflicts, you divorced Vasilina, or escalating wars lead to the deaths of those around you, leading to your self-destruction... What would you think?"

Palmer was stunned, "Are you cursing me?"

"No, just a mere example," Bologue continued, "Knowing all this, would you feel relieved, conforming to a fixed conclusion, or attempt to change it?"

This time Palmer was silent for almost half a minute, as if seriously contemplating this issue.

"Sounds like something out of a mythical story," Palmer said, "Knowing a dark fate and attempting to alter it, but it’s the act of altering that accelerates the arrival of that dark fate... A self-fulfilling prophecy."