Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 1241: Section 1242 Auspicious Complex Pattern Key

Before returning to the Southern Domain, Angel made a solitary trip back to Ice Valley.

His main purpose was to retrieve Popota, but as he passed the crystal palace, he caught a glimpse of Odeclass’s figure in the hall.

He had thought that Odeclass would be cultivating in the Underground Fire Crystal Mine and that this departure would likely happen without a farewell; unexpectedly, Odeclass appeared in the palace at this moment.

Having seen him, it was impossible for Angel to ignore Odeclass.

He walked into the hall, greeted Odeclass with respect, and then informed Odeclass that he was about to leave.

Odeclass nodded indifferently, “The Flame Mark on your body is a token of our friendship, so I will not take it back.”

Angel bowed his head and, placing his hand on his chest, said solemnly, “May our friendship last forever.”

Odeclass paused, a faint smile curving the corners of his mouth. Just when Angel thought his eyes were deceiving him, Odeclass’s face returned to expressionless.

“You seem quite interested in Feng,” Odeclass suddenly brought up an unrelated matter.

Angel nodded and said, “There are some things for which I need to seek confirmation from him.”

Without probing into the “things” Angel mentioned, Odeclass pondered for a moment, then took something out from an unknown space and tossed it to Angel.

“This thing was left behind by Feng, I don’t know its use. Since you’re so interested in him, I’ll give it to you.”

Upon closer inspection, Angel saw that what Odeclass had thrown to him was a long key with complex patterns etched into it.

“An Ojia Pattern Secret Key?”

The so-called Ojia Pattern is actually an encryption tool favored by wizards, which can be understood as a type of master-and-slave lock key with a pattern that can be self-compiled.

The locked item bears the “master pattern,” and to unlock it, one requires the corresponding “slave pattern.”

The so-called master-and-slave patterns can be self-set, as long as the core is the Ojia Pattern, thus avoiding repetition.

Of course, this encryption tool is not as simple as just the pattern; the density of energy distribution within the pattern, the source of the energy’s essence, and the attribute of the energy, also form part of the encryption.

Therefore, deciphering an Ojia Pattern Secret Key is not so straightforward.

“It seems you recognize this thing, then I did give it to the right person,” Odeclass said flatly.

Angel briefly explained the use of the Ojia Pattern Secret Key. He could identify it, and suspected that it was a secret key with a “slave pattern” etched onto it, but if he couldn’t find the corresponding “master pattern,” it was essentially a useless item.

“Perhaps one day, you’ll come across its master pattern,” Odeclass paused, then continued, “Or perhaps, Feng intended to give this key to you.”

After pondering for a moment, Angel eventually nodded and thanked Odeclass, “Then alright, I’ll accept it.”

After taking the key, Angel bid his farewell and left.

He then left the perennially snow-swept Ice Valley with Popota in tow. Learning that Sanders was waiting just outside, Popota’s expression carried a hint of fear, yet knowing he was about to leave the Abyss, he felt some anticipation.

It wasn’t until Popota saw Sanders that his complicated emotions began to settle.

He noticed that Sanders had only glanced at him once indifferently at the beginning and then never looked at him directly again, which allowed Popota to relax a bit.

After leaving the Ice Valley, they boarded a Gondola, with Popota by himself in the rear cabin, while Angel sat opposite Sanders.

Because of Sanders’ warning, they didn’t discuss any sensitive topics, even though Sanders was very curious about Angel’s recent experiences, he decided to wait until their return to the Southern Domain to inquire further.

“Where are we going now?” Angel steered the Gondola in a direction per Sanders’ instructions, but he was still unclear about their next step.

“We’re going to pick up Kanter. He came here with me this time but went ahead to the Underground City of Dong La to buy some materials. After we pick him up, we’ll use the Mayfly Fragment to return to the Southern Domain,” Sanders explained.

The Underground City of Dong La is a stronghold city, on the same level as Undying Street and Ashenrock Giantstone, but the city was not built by the Frostmoon Alliance, rather by another wizards’ alliance—the Blood Origin Alliance.

Understanding dawned on Angel, and he nodded. There were many materials in the Abyss that were not seen in the Southern Domain, and most wizards would go to a stronghold city to trade for specific materials before leaving the Abyss.

Angel didn’t need to, as his bracelet was filled to the brim with Abyssal materials… He had bought plenty previously in Lassudral, and many of those materials were exclusive to the Abyss and had been acquired at bargain prices. Compared to the human-operated stronghold cities, the prices were incomparably cheaper.

Having set their course, Angel drove the Gondola forward.

Since there were many topics that couldn’t be discussed, Angel brought up some of the things he saw in Ice Valley, and particularly told Sanders about the news of Madeline.

Regarding Madeline’s choice, Sanders indifferently nodded, “It’s the best news that she is alive. As for her decision to stay in the Abyss to study the Black Thorn, that’s not a major issue. Wizards, once inspired, could spend decades researching in the Bone Graveyard or Miasma Dark Marsh, and they are certainly not in the minority.”

“Compared to Madeline, I am more interested in the matter with that Yisu.”

Angel, “Dong La?”

Sanders nodded.

Angel contemplated for a moment, then slowly recounted what had happened in the Moliay area. After Sanders listened, a murky light flashed in his eyes.

“I didn’t expect you’ve actually fought her,” Sanders said, his finger tapping on the table as if in thought. After a while, he spoke, “Dong La is a person of extremely narrow-mindedness and holds grudges. You laid your hands on her and even repelled her, according to Dong La’s character, it’s possible she will seek revenge against you.”

“The Silian family was targeted by Dong La over a minor incident, which led to their annihilation.”

The Silian family was indeed the wizard family where Madeline had originally belonged.

Sanders’s judgment was almost identical to Madeline’s. After hearing this, Angel felt wronged, “It was she who started it. If I didn’t fight back, I would be lying there already.”

“That makes it even more troublesome,” Sanders mused. “She became Yisu, obviously because of the Calamity Curse, perhaps she has switched to another body, or possibly possessed someone else. Regardless, she has been hidden for so long and yet she attacked you, it must be intentional. She’s likely targeted parts of your body.”

“I estimate you’re already on her list of enemies she is determined to deal with.”

Upon saying this and seeing Angel downcast, Sanders comforted him, “However, she has many enemies and her power has significantly decreased. She definitely wouldn’t dare to show herself for a while, let alone return to the Southern Domain, so you don’t have to worry for now.”

When the conversation typically reached this point, Angel guessed there would be a “but”.

Indeed, Sanders suddenly changed the subject, “But considering her physical reserves, in at most ten or twenty years, she will become powerful again. Once she returns to the Southern Domain, she will probably come looking for you, so you can’t let down your guard, and improving your power is the right path.”

Angel understood this reasoning, and from Dong La’s unrestrained actions, it was clear she wasn’t a wizard who followed the rules. Even if not for himself, to protect his loved ones, he needed to improve his strength.

“Speaking of improving strength, your physical body is already much stronger; it’s time to consider the Witchcraft Slot. Have you made a decision?” Sanders shifted the topic to Angle.

Angel nodded, “I’ve already got some ideas.”

Sanders was initially interested in hearing which Trick Angel would place in his first Witchcraft Slot, but Angel stopped mid-sentence and said no more, leaving Sanders curious, “Are you planning to keep me in suspense? Don’t tell me you’ve chosen Alchemy and are too embarrassed to say it?”

Angel shook his head without speaking.

Sanders narrowed his eyes, seemingly having a guess, “Are you planning to follow a path you created yourself?”

Although Sanders was very pleased to see someone take their own path… time waits for no one.

“Not exactly creating my own, it’s a very special ability,” Angel replied, holding back. While he had a vague guess about this ability in his mind, the specific effects would still need to be seen when they materialized. Moreover, since the Gate Model was from that peculiar world and related to the Eye of the Sky, he couldn’t disclose its origin and could only play coy and avoid the subject.

Sanders looked deep into Angel’s eyes, “Then I’ll look forward to it.”

…

Without the restrictions of the Calamity Curse, the journey was very smooth.

The only minor incident was a few encounters with emaciated Demons flapping their bat wings. However, when these Demons saw Angel, they backed off and fled as if they had seen a higher-ranked Demon.

Sanders raised his eyebrows, a look of puzzlement in his eyes.

Angel, innocent to the oddity, pointed to the Flame Mark on his ear, “It’s left by Odeclass, and I was able to get by in Lassudral at first because of this.”

Understanding, Sanders nodded, but suddenly a glimmer flickered in his eyes as he peered at Angel’s earlobe, “Is that still there?”

Sanders pointed at his earlobe.

Angel didn’t understand at first, but then realized Sanders was likely referring to that mysterious pale yellow Primeval Flame that had inexplicably approached him.

“It’s still there.” Angel’s response made Sanders’s eyes instantly light up.

“Good,” Sanders commented and refrained from asking further. He was well aware that pressing on would inevitably involve Angel’s recent experiences, which were best not mentioned in the Abyss, even if no one was watching now. Who knew whether those powerhouses had other ways of finding out?