Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2708: Chapter 2709: Countermeasures

"Why don’t we take a detour?" Vay suggested.

"A detour? How do you detour if it’s hiding?" Dox sneered. "The premise of a detour is you have to find it. We’re currently unaware of its hidden ability, so implementing it specifically is entirely unclear. Even if we can find it, if the You Nu hides on the path we must take, like the entrance of the Hall of Wisdom, how do we detour there?"

Although Vay wanted to retort, he had to admit Dox’s point was plausible, and indeed very likely.

If ’she’ truly intended to deal with them, there’s no way she would leave such a serious flaw, not giving them the opportunity to detour. The place occupied by the You Nu is definitely a path they can’t bypass.

Angel added, "As far as I know, on the way to the Hall of Wisdom, although there are side paths, they all lead to dead ends. There’s only one way to the Hall of Wisdom."

So taking a detour was impossible.

The group fell into silence again; not only couldn’t they deal with the You Nu, they also had to face this bizarre creature directly, with no way to detour. They were indeed in a difficult position.

"Only one way, but there are side paths?" The Black Earl suddenly spoke.

"Yes." Angel nodded, recalling his previous experiences in Nightmare Abyss City. "There should be only one side path, but whether it’s a three-way crossing or an intersection, I don’t know."

Actually, Angel did know the specifics of that side path. After all, he had been chased there by the projection of young Sanders in the Nightmare Realm.

But he couldn’t disclose all these details. If the so-called "intelligence source" knew such detailed matters, that source would be very suspicious. Although now, discussing his intelligence, people already found it suspicious...

"Only one side path, that makes it even clearer." The Black Earl mused.

"Clearer? Clearer about what?" Vay asked, puzzled.

"The location of the so-called ’test’."

As soon as the Black Earl spoke, the group quickly realized that if the one behind the scenes, ’she,’ wanted to arrange an interception, she would certainly find a way that didn’t allow for a detour and minimized retreat options.

Therefore, this location is highly likely to be the side path. Here, they couldn’t take a detour and might even be forced into a dead-end.

Vay understood now and, imagining the situation in his mind, couldn’t help but shiver: "If there’s pursuit from behind and an ambush in front, we wouldn’t even have the option to retreat."

Black Earl remarked, "Whether the retreat route is under attack is not the point of discussion now. At least we have now ascertained the You Nu’s location. Even if it’s camouflaged, we roughly have a range it could be in."

Dox commented, "With the position known, you’d think it would help, but it feels even harder to get through."

Vay and Kaier nodded in agreement, the clearer the analysis, the greater the pressure.

Unlike the despondent apprentice squad, the Black Earl remained unflustered, calmly analyzing. After all, at worst, he’d just die, then his true self could show up and help resolve the crisis.

"Previously, the Wise Sovereign hinted at many things, for example, to deal with the You Nu, space mages must cooperate. This suggests the You Nu’s true body might not be in the real world."

"Moreover, when it came to passing through the You Nu’s area and not harming it, the Wise Sovereign had given an answer."

At this point, the Black Earl turned to Angel: "It likely requires your cooperation."

The group recalled Dox earlier querying the You Nu’s weakness, to which the Black Earl had replied: "This is your test."

Even though Dox asked, Black Earl was looking at Angel when answering and even ignored others, indicating it was Angel’s test.

Black Earl further explicated, "The Wise Sovereign’s meaning was clear: How to find the weakness, he’s unsure if we can achieve it, but you certainly can."

Dox speculated, "Is it something only Angel can do, like an illusion? Or...alchemy?"

Angel pondered briefly, then replied, "It should be the Magical Energy Array."

In fact, Angel had been contemplating the Wise Sovereign’s earlier words, which highlighted his own trial, suggesting a unique skill only Angel had demonstrated.

The showcased skills to the Wise Sovereign were illusion techniques, alchemy, and the Magical Energy Array.

Alchemy could likely be ruled out. While the Wise Sovereign was aware Angel possessed alchemy skills, the extent was unknown. Although Angel showed alchemy by creating a wood spirit staff, it wasn’t profound, akin to something non-alchemists could accomplish.

Thus, alchemy was excluded, leaving illusions and the Magical Energy Array, with Angel leaning more toward the latter.

Illusions focus more on control, deception, and psychological tactics, none effective against the You Nu. As the Black Earl analyzed, the You Nu does not pursue; it merely waits at the side path, holding the utter advantage.

With its mouth open, passing through would have one swallowed.

Confusing it with illusions? You’d first need to locate the real body. Though Angel possessed some spatial knowledge, this was unknown to the Wise Sovereign, who couldn’t factor it in. He explicitly stated that targeting the You Nu’s true form would provoke its offspring, making illusionary tactics futile for Angel in finding the You Nu.

This left the Magical Energy Array.

The Black Earl agreed, "Your judgment is likely correct; leveraging the Magical Energy Array might be the approach. The entire underground sewer is shrouded by the Magical Energy Array, and the You Nu can’t evade its confinement. However, leveraging it to restrain the You Nu might require your consideration."

Concluding, the Black Earl cast an apologetic glance at Angel. In his view, ’she’ targeted them as Noah’s descendants. The test was his to spearhead, now pushed onto an outsider, which left the Black Earl remorseful.

Angel didn’t overthink it, even matching the Black Earl in his resolve to venture to the legacy land. Hence, he’d tackle any obstacle in his path with utmost effort.

The puzzle remained—how to utilize the Magical Energy Array to achieve the goal?

Angel sank into thought.

The group respected his contemplation, ceasing their Mind Ribbon communication, quietly waiting for Angel’s return to focus.

Soon, Angel abruptly lifted his head, eyes locking onto the Wise Sovereign seated across.

He recalled something he needed to verify.

"Did the Wise Sovereign mention Little One-Eye came to report our whereabouts?"

The Wise Sovereign, who was observing the wood spirit, turned to Angel after his query: "Indeed."

Angel questioned, "Through the Spell of Whispering?"

The Wise Sovereign shook his head, "I never mentioned the Spell of Whispering. It approached me directly...Little One-Eye is still lively, unlike its more sedentary brothers. It enjoys roaming around, thus becoming my link with the outside world’s magazines."

Angel: "..." Really, no need to explain again, it seems you care quite a bit about your pen name."

The most important thing is that Angel still needs to pretend to not know, and cannot naturally continue the conversation.

Fortunately, the Wise Sovereign hadn’t finished speaking, so Angel didn’t have to forcefully respond: "At that time, I was with You Nu, extracting some research data. Little Bao knew our location and said he was coming to report to me, but in reality, it was to meet You Nu. He is very attached to his mother."

The Wise Sovereign briefly explained what happened before. What Angel cared about was not the content, but the fact that the Cyclops Little Bao was actually able to move?

"Can those holes move unrestricted by the Magical Energy Array?" Angel asked in amazement.

If this were true, wouldn’t You Nu be able to freely move within the Magical Energy Array?

The Wise Sovereign immediately understood Angel’s implication, "Yes and no."

Seeing the puzzled look on Angel’s face, the Wise Sovereign explained: "Her Magical Energy Array expertise is far superior to mine. Back then, to repay her for helping stabilize the space of the Hanging Jail Stairway, I gave her partial control permissions over the Magical Energy Array. In return, she granted permissions to You Nu and others to move within the Magical Energy Array’s range."

"For me, this is also a good thing, as I still need Little Bao to communicate with the outside world."

At this moment, Angel didn’t care to ridicule the Wise Sovereign for repeating the issue; he only felt a headache. She actually has control permissions over the Magical Energy Array?

How are they supposed to contend with her like this? Not to mention going head-to-head; if she were to make any changes in the Magical Energy Array, they would be finished immediately.

Seeing the change in Angel’s expression, the Wise Sovereign understood and continued, "However, the core of the Magical Energy Array is still controlled by me. I was present when she granted permissions to You Nu and others."

"Originally, it was evenly distributed, allowing them to move within the Hanging Jail Stairway’s range. But You Nu, considering Little Bao’s lively and active nature, requested to transfer her permissions to him."

"So, Little Bao is the only one currently able to move to the outside world’s holes. Big Bao and Second Bao can move within the Hanging Jail Stairway’s range, while You Nu’s own movement range is much smaller and further restricted."

"Furthermore, You Nu is too large; even with full permissions, she may not be able to move like her children. In this regard, she is weaker than her children, and it is impossible for her to swim through the Magical Energy Array."

Upon hearing this, Angel sighed in relief.

However, the fact that You Nu can still move within the Magical Energy Array remains troublesome for him.

"What are the restrictions You Nu faces?" Angel asked.

The Wise Sovereign smiled without answering, "This is your test."

Seeing Angel’s speechlessness but hesitant to resist, the Wise Sovereign found himself quite satisfied.

Truthfully, the Wise Sovereign was not intentionally concealing anything. The so-called restrictions can be found by simply observing the Magical Energy Array near You Nu’s location. If Angel couldn’t discern this limitation, then his Magical Energy Array expertise can’t overcome You Nu’s obstruction.

Then, it’s needless to start with the Magical Energy Array; think of other methods... As for what methods, he previously mentioned Kaier, and wasn’t just saying it for fun.

While the Wise Sovereign was pondering this, the Black Earl timely asked, "Is the space where You Nu resides stable?"

The Wise Sovereign was slightly surprised; he hadn’t expected anyone to consider this, and it was such a coincidence.

"Unstable," The Wise Sovereign implied, "Breaking through the void is impossible. Attempting it would pass through You Nu’s body, leading to active capture by You Nu."

The Black Earl felt slightly disappointed. He was indeed contemplating whether spatial transmission could be used to traverse where You Nu is, but it seems this method won’t work.

Despite the disappointment, the Black Earl felt some curiosity.

The Wise Sovereign could have directly answered "Unstable," but why did he point out his thoughts? The most important thing is the Wise Sovereign’s expression seemed strange, as if suggesting something...

If breaking through the void is impossible, what is he hinting at?

While the Black Earl was pondering, Angel spoke from nearby, "Can’t open a space door? That’s indeed a pity... So, can the Wise Sovereign tell us the Spatial Beacon of the Hall of Wisdom’s location?"

Angel’s words stunned the Black Earl.

Spatial Beacon?!

Angel is considering...

Before Black Earl could speak, Dox beside him looked at Angel with astonishment, "Are you perhaps thinking of crossing over using the Plane Corridor?"

Angel nodded as if it were a given, "Yeah, if You Nu can’t be avoided, and void-breaking doesn’t work, then let’s use the Plane Corridor. Could she possibly lock onto the void location of the Plane Corridor?"

Dox: "Well, you say that, but, don’t you think you’re being too..."

Too extravagant?!

It’s not like you’re escaping for your life, why use the Plane Corridor? Are the resources for your Plane Corridor wholesale-priced? Do you realize the resources for a Plane Corridor could breed how many Wizards?

Not just the frugal Dox, even the Black Earl found Angel’s words somewhat too straightforward.

The most important thing is... the Black Earl guesses Angel speaking so casually indicates he doesn’t plan to pay for the resources for casting the Plane Corridor. So who would? Undoubtedly, the one she truly aims to deal with, and that means the descendant of Noah.

The Black Earl could indeed endure the costs of the Plane Corridor’s resources, but it hasn’t reached that point yet... In fact, they could attempt to break the Magical Energy Array.

Ultimately, if that doesn’t work, then use the Plane Corridor, and the Black Earl would accept it.

Meanwhile, the Wise Sovereign was actually startled by Angel’s boldness. He had previously mentioned Kaier, indeed with the intention to remind them that if necessary, they could take the Plane Corridor.

But Angel now intends to directly request the Spatial Beacon, planning to skip the test and reach the end?

Isn’t that a bit too much of a cheat?

Moreover, the Wise Sovereign offered them this backup route to prevent any real accidents from happening.

The Plane Corridor can indeed bypass You Nu, but the Hall of Wisdom itself cannot be accessed by You Nu, with extreme space restrictions, the Plane Corridor naturally wouldn’t work.

At that time, the Wise Sovereign would undoubtedly play a role, extend the anticipation, only then would he actively remove the space barrier and allow them in.

That would be the final resort, the last path.

Are you ready to use it now?