Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3214: Chapter 3215: Dragon Pact

After bidding farewell to Ufry, Khuntela quickly flew near the Cloud Cave.

From afar, the Cloud Cave looked like a barrel-shaped cumulonimbus layer, soaring from the top of the Hanging Mountain into the azure sky.

Khuntela landed on the peak of Hanging Mountain and prepared to contact Lord Kukurus, who was within the Cloud Cave.

Yet before it could engage the Shared Frequency through the Dragon Pact, it caught a glimpse of a slightly darker square hole within the cumulus clouds atop the mountain.

”Is this... the entrance?” Khuntela, well-versed with the Cloud Cave, instantly recognized the truth of the square hole: ”Why hasn’t the entrance to the Cloud Cave been sealed?”

Typically, the Cloud Cave remains sealed, only the Cave Dragons have a means to open it.

Now that the Cloud Cave’s entrance is open, it could only have been done by the Cave Dragons... and the only Cave Dragons stationed here apart from itself are Lord Kukurus.

So... was it opened by Lord Kukurus?

Could it be that the lord sensed my arrival and left a path open especially for me?

Khuntela hesitated for a moment, then flew to the square entrance, peering inside with curiosity.

Inside was a gray murk, filled with swirling clouds and mist, a sight Khuntela was naturally familiar with, as the Cloud Cave often looked like this. However, what puzzled Khuntela was that it couldn’t see any sign of Lord Kukurus inside.

But earlier when at the Rock Palace, Khuntela sensed through the Dragon Pact that Lord Kukurus was indeed inside the Cloud Cave and hadn’t left.

Could the lord have left in such a short time?

If he did leave, then why wasn’t the Cloud Cave sealed?

Khuntela hesitated at the entrance for a moment but decided to first use the Dragon Pact to contact the lord; perhaps the lord had left temporarily for some matter?

Khuntela closed its eyes, preparing to connect the Dragon Pact, but before it could fully sketch out the pact, a familiar voice echoed by its ear.

”What are you doing, going back and forth, standing at the door for most of the day yet not coming in?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Khuntela was somewhat puzzled... Isn’t this Lord Kukurus’s voice?

Did the lord imply that he saw me from inside the Cloud Cave? But I didn’t see him just now?

After hesitating for a moment, Khuntela peered into the entrance again.

This time, Khuntela finally saw the familiar Lord Kukurus.

Not only did it see the lord, but also a slumbering puppet beside him.

Khuntela naturally recognized this puppet as the lord’s sister, Luskania, who due to her physical condition remained asleep for years, and to avoid mental decline transferred her spirit onto the puppet’s body. Generally, the puppet form of Luskania doesn’t sleep... so why is she asleep now?

Khuntela’s doubts flashed briefly without scrutinizing them further. Because compared to Luskania’s situation, it was more concerned with Lord Kukurus.

Earlier when looking inside, there was clearly nothing there, why does it appear now?

...

Inside the Cloud Cave, Kukurus finished listening to Khuntela’s purpose and nodded faintly: ”Luigi left with my consent.”

”As for Ufry’s message, I’ve received it.” Kukurus: ”However, Grandfather Wan would never leave the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom, Jasmine should be aware of this.”

Khuntela: ”Ufry also mentioned, if Grandfather Wan doesn’t come, then please...”

Before Khuntela could finish, Kukurus interjected: ”That they’d ask Lord Aiya, correct?”

Khuntela nodded.

Kukurus snorted coldly: ”Jasmine never intended to invite Grandfather Wan, her goal was always Aiya.”

Khuntela: ”... Then why not directly mention Aiya?”

Kukurus gave Khuntela a meaningful look: ”Who knows, maybe she simply doesn’t like Aiya?”

Not liking Aiya? Khuntela froze a moment—Aiya is a Mystic Book Dragon! An exceptionally unique and noble entity of the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom; would Lady Jasmine truly disdain Aiya?

Is there potentially an unknown secret within this?

Khuntela wished to gossip further, but Kukurus shifted the topic: ”Didn’t Ufry mention what secretive item Singer and Yusen specifically brought?”

Khuntela shook its head: ”No mention.”

Kukurus murmured softly: ”That is rather odd... but shouldn’t be stranger than Luigi’s Log-in Device.”

Khuntela: ”Luigi’s what?”

Khuntela felt as if it heard a peculiar term.

Kukurus waved his hand: ”Nothing, just a little gadget. By the way, I have some matters on my side, contacting Aiya is up to you.”

Khuntela froze for a second, promptly said: ”But, I don’t have Lord Aiya’s Dragon Pact.”

The Dragon Pact is the medium through which Mirror Dragons communicate.

Every Mirror Dragon can form its unique dragon-shaped contract, known as the Dragon Pact. It can also be understood as their personal Dragon Emblem.

As long as other Mirror Dragons know the shape of your Dragon Emblem, they can use a special contractual power to engage a Shared Frequency, thereby communicating.

Because the Dragon Pact symbolizes the Mirror Dragon itself and is exclusive to it, once leaked, it can likely be targeted. Hence, Dragon Pacts between Mirror Dragons are generally kept confidential unless the two share a very close relationship.

Khuntela and Kukurus were in a superior-subordinate relationship, thus knowing each other’s Dragon Pact.

But Khuntela and Aiya had no connection at all, barely having met, so it wouldn’t have Aiya’s Dragon Pact.

Additionally, Aiya being a Mystic Book Dragon, the confidentiality level of its Dragon Pact would surely be the highest, and Khuntela wouldn’t consider itself qualified to explore it.

Kukurus casually waved his hand and tossed over a dragon scale filled with deep patterns to Khuntela.

”The scale has Aiya’s Dragon Pact, just contact it directly.” Kukurus said indifferently.

Seeing this, Khuntela was at a loss, fearing to even hold the dragon scale, placed it on the ground, then retreated over ten paces.

This was Lord Aiya’s dragon scale! And the corresponding Dragon Pact! It’s a step beyond merely knowing the pact’s shape; if used by someone with ill intent, even Lord Aiya might struggle to cope!

Khuntela dared not take it lightly; it wouldn’t even dare to glance at it.

Kukurus, well aware of Khuntela’s apprehensive demeanor, instantly discerned its thoughts: ”You needn’t worry, something like the Dragon Pact, even if leaked, wouldn’t be burdensome to Aiya.”

Khuntela looked over in confusion: What do you mean?

Kukurus: ”Because the existence of the Dragon Pact itself is an invention improved by the Mystic Book Dragon...”

Through Kukurus’s explanation, Khuntela gradually understood that the Dragon Pact was invented by the previous Mystic Book Dragon and that Aiya, as the successor, has the most comprehensive understanding of the Dragon Pact in the entire Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom.

Others’ Dragon Pact might be targeted, but Aiya, as half of the Dragon Pact’s inventors, could not be restricted by the Dragon Pact.

Thinking of this, Khuntela hesitated for several seconds before finally stepping forward to pick up the Dragon Scale and hold it in his hand.

”But even if I have the Dragon Pact, I don’t know how to talk to Lord Aya.” Khuntela: ”Should I go and ask Ufry again to see what the Singer and Yusen have really brought?”

Kukurus: ”No need, you can directly tell Aiya that Jasmine sent it, it will understand naturally.”

Khuntela still hesitated, but Kukurus interrupted directly: ”Alright, hurry up and do it. I have important matters to attend to next, if it’s not important, don’t come looking for me.”

With Kukurus acting like issuing a guest expulsion order, Khuntela could only sigh and turn to walk outside.

However, just as Khuntela reached the door, Kukurus suddenly recalled Khuntela’s abnormal performance upon arrival and curiously asked: ”By the way, when you came earlier, why were you peeking at the door for a long time without coming in?” 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Khuntela also had doubts but previously couldn’t find an opportunity to ask. Now, with Kukurus actively inquiring, he wouldn’t hide and explained in detail what he saw.

After speaking, Khuntela couldn’t help but ask: ”Lord, did I see wrong just now?”

Facing Khuntela’s question, Kukurus had a somewhat strange expression because he didn’t know how to answer. At that time, he didn’t move, how could Khuntela not see him?

Was Khuntela lying? Probably no need to lie about this.

If he wasn’t lying, could it be because of ”that”?

Kukurus pondered for a moment: ”Are you... sure you didn’t see anything just now?”

Khuntela nodded: ”Sure. I only saw clouds everywhere, nothing else, including not seeing Miss Luskania.”

Kukurus frowned, thinking: Previously Luskania was behind me, it was normal for Khuntela not seeing Luskania since he didn’t even see me. But why couldn’t he see me? Could it really be due to ”Assimilate”?

At this moment, the only possibility Kukurus could associate with was the ”Assimilate” ability of the Dragon-Eating Sunflower.

Because when Khuntela came, Kukurus was organizing information related to ”Assimilate.” Since the information was too vast, Kukurus intensified his spiritual power to integrate the information.

The so-called spiritual power integration is about eliminating ineffective information, marginalizing redundant information, streamlining effective information, and storing unknown information.

And the ”Assimilate” ability itself requires spiritual power to be executed.

During the information integration process, excessive spiritual power could stimulate certain effective information, causing the ”Assimilate” ability to manifest in some external form around the body.

Of course, the premise is that: Assimilate is not fictional but can indeed be executed externally.

Although Kukurus thought of this possibility, he was still hesitant inwardly. Because he really didn’t want to believe that in the dream-like scenario akin to the moon in a lake, he transformed into the Dragon-Eating Sunflower and truly learned the ”Assimilate” ability from its bloodline?

Can bloodline abilities and ordinary abilities be the same?

Moreover, although both Dragon-Eating Sunflower and Cave Dragon have ”Dragon” in their names, it doesn’t mean there’s any connection. Abyssal Dragon and Mirror Dragon don’t necessarily have links either, it’s just that the powerful tribes are named ”Dragon,” let alone a Mirror Dragon and a plant slightly related to Dragon Blood.

For unrelated tribes to actually learn each other’s bloodline inheritance ability, how could it be possible?

Kukurus didn’t want to believe it... but Khuntela’s confident tone made him have to believe, as he truly couldn’t think of other possibilities.

He hesitated for a moment, then said to Khuntela: ”Leave now, come back in five minutes, then try and see if you can see me.”

”Don’t use spiritual power, don’t use any other abilities, just like you did earlier, just look in from the door.”

Indeed, attempting to observe with the spiritual power perspective, even if triggering ”Assimilate,” it might still be visible.

After all, the ”Assimilate” information he’s currently organized isn’t even one-fifth of the original version.

Khuntela didn’t know what Kukurus was doing, but as a perfect subordinate, he didn’t question and nodded before leaving the Cloud Cave.

Five minutes later, Khuntela returned to the Cloud Cave.

The answer he provided was: ”I can see, but I need to carefully distinguish. At first, it’s easy to overlook, it’s as though the Lord and the surrounding clouds are fused together.”

Although Khuntela gave an affirmative answer, his description fit the information on ”Assimilate” very well.

”Assimilate” itself isn’t invisibility but blends with the environment’s color, integrating with the surrounding aura.

Khuntela’s description largely aligns with the effect of ”Assimilate.”

After sending Khuntela away, Kukurus was deeply lost in thought.

His mind was very conflicted now, initially it was just to pass the statue test, he purposely researched the ”strategy.” Now he finds that the ”strategy” somehow influenced reality, leaving him unsure of what to do?

He knew clearly, if the ”Assimilate” ability could reproduce in reality, the value of Crystal Origin of Dreams would elevate further.

But... what if it’s just his misunderstanding?

After all, Khuntela still found him for the second time, and Kukurus himself didn’t feel he released any sort of ability.

But Khuntela’s description indeed matches ”Assimilate.”

What should be done now?

Kukurus could only think of two ways. The first one, complete the Dragon-Eating Sunflower’s test, which will reward the complete ”Assimilate” ability. Once possessing the complete assimilate information, more comprehensive tests can be conducted in reality... and then rely on the test results.

The second method is to directly find Luigi to inquire.

Luigi must know something.

But going to see Luigi now, Kukurus felt he couldn’t let go of his pride.

”Forget it, Aiya is coming soon anyway... first continue to figure out how to pass the test, and after Aiya arrives, discuss with Aiya.”

Kukurus didn’t consider himself a Sage; with the Log-in Device, he seemed to have been somewhat presumptuous previously.

From Khuntela’s reaction just now, the Log-in Device should be more valuable.

But Kukurus currently can’t judge to what extent this value can reach.

But if it’s Aiya, he’ll surely provide conclusions.

Kukurus didn’t want to think too much now; since Jasmine had spoken, Aiya would undoubtedly come. Since Aiya is coming, let Aiya make the assessment.

For now, he should think about how to pass the Dragon-Eating Sunflower’s test.