Pillar of Yita

”Gita,” at this moment he spoke, ”can you try to dismantle it?”

Now that a Puzzle Lock Barrier was discovered here, the next steps became simpler. Fang Hong knew that no matter how miraculous a Permanent Magic might be, it needed a foundation. A spell could exist in mid-air, but an array could not be drawn upon air. Something must be concealed on the other end of this illusion, which was exactly the purpose of this Puzzle Lock Barrier’s existence.

Gita slowly blinked, looking in the direction of the darkness, the deep gloom forming a shadow in her eyes. She placed her small hand on the Magic Guided Book, and due to the magic power’s resonance, a string of spells emerged in her mind.

The procedure should have been aided by a system, but due to the words of the Archmage, she increasingly preferred to rely on her own ability to memorize those spells — her spellcasting speed became slower, but also more precise and steady — as well as calm.

Calm is a trait of spellcasters, though not every Invoker possesses such a valuable trait.

Of course, except in front of Fang Hong. As each spell was sketched one by one, illuminating in the darkness, Gita suddenly spoke with some panic: ”I, Brother Ade, it seems I can’t manage...”

Fang Hong was momentarily stunned, but he immediately thought that Gita’s level was still very low, and a Spellcaster capable of constructing such a large Puzzle Lock Barrier must be of a very high spellcaster level. Miss Natural Historian’s inability to suppress this spell was also quite normal.

”That’s alright,” he replied, ”we’ll find another way.”

But Gita hurriedly shook her head: ”...No, it’s not that, but... I mean...” She spoke anxiously while maintaining the spell, almost on the verge of tears, ”I mean... I can temporarily suppress it, but I can’t dispel it...”

”Then suppress it for now,” Fang Hong couldn’t help but smile wryly, ”How long can you maintain it?”

”About a few minutes.”

”That’s enough.”

Fang Hong gave her an encouraging look, indicating she should proceed as planned.

Only then did Gita feel relieved and calm down. The spells that were on the verge of collapsing stabilized once more under her effort. She directed her focus deep into the enormous structure, slowly seeking out those crucial spell words.

Large barriers also possessed powerful self-repair capabilities, but as Kalatu had said, Miss Natural Historian seemed to have an almost instinctual keenness for spell-breaking and disenchanting, for Ether and the essence of elements. She seized a fleeting opportunity to temporarily obscure part of the array’s spells, and in that instant, the scene before them changed:

The darkness receded like a tide, as if a crack had opened in the wall of this illusion, allowing the light from Parker’s torch to extend further, illuminating the other side of the cliff.

The endless abyss disappeared, revealing a chasm about twenty meters wide —

The broken road continued forward on the other side of the chasm.

Seeing this scene, everyone couldn’t help but let out a gentle sigh. Such a concealing barrier couldn’t form naturally. Combining with the clues they previously found, what those people were using this Puzzle Lock Barrier to obscure was now almost self-evident.

What the enemy didn’t want them to see was likely the very secret and vulnerability of the other side. No matter how deeply it’s hidden, eventually, it would show some flaws.

Miss Natural Historian looked at the situation over there, this time without needing Fang Hong’s reminder, she softly said, ”Captain, Captain, I can create a rock bridge...”

”It’s up to you, Gita.” Fang Hong decisively replied.

Gita took a breath and nodded.

However, Miss Natural Historian’s spell couldn’t last long, especially when she needed to maintain the suppression of the illusion. Fang Hong quickly turned around and looked at the others — mainly the Big Cat People and Walnut from underground: ”Mr. Reed, please stay here; and you Walnut, as well, the beasts of burden must be watched over by you.”

The Big Cat People shouldered their swords, nodding their heads.

Walnut and the others from the underground naturally had no objections.

Then he turned to the Papalarians: ”Parker, come with me.”

”Why me?” Parker was immediately displeased, wondering why the dangerous tasks were given to the Papalarians and why there was no increase in wages — come to think of it, did they even have salaries? This wasn’t just worker exploitation; it was turning them into outright slave laborers.

The Papalarians might have little voice, but they would not compromise without a fight.

”But there might be treasure below.”

”Well, I’ll take care of it, let’s split it half upon discovery.”

But splitting half upon discovery was impossible, as it was public property of the Seven Seas Travel Group, belonging to every member of the team. ”Ade.” Fang Hong turned back, somewhat surprised to see the Miss Ship’s Officer calling him.

Hilveld didn’t speak, but the bright look in her eyes spoke volumes. Fang Hong hesitated, ”Hilveld... this time I cannot...”

Miss Ship’s Officer merely smiled lightly, using a rare commanding tone: ”Take Xiesta with you.”

Fang Hong glanced at Miss Maid, who kept a cold demeanor, understanding her intentions. However, he didn’t overthink it, nodding directly. Xiesta’s combat ability was one of the top in their small team. It was only sensible the Big Cat People stayed behind while Miss Maid went with them.