Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 1980: Chapter 1981: Ruins Beneath the Surface

Sanders had no intention of discussing the Thief of Time’s choices any further.

If he discussed more before the choice came, it might make Angel a bit anxious. But since it was already determined that the Thief of Time would focus on the Wilderness of Dreams, discussing more now might only cause anxiety.

So, seeing Angel’s gaze grow resolute, Sanders casually shifted the topic.

Sanders: ”Speaking of which, you have never asked about the issue of this relic.”

Angel shrugged: ”Since we’ve already reached the gate of the relic, I prefer to set aside other impressions first and experience the relic myself.”

Because of this, Angel did not inquire about the relic from anyone. He planned to experience it himself before saying anything.

Sanders nodded noncommittally: ”You mentioned we’ve reached the gate of the relic, so you should know where the relic is, right?”

”The place where Mentor took me, isn’t it the entrance?” Angel’s gaze fixed on the triangular center of the three Observation Pavilions in the distance, also the core area of the Star Pond.

Although there was no visible anomaly, Angel could clearly feel the intense Nightmare Realm aura continuously dispersing from there. The nearly tangible mist in the sky, difficult to dissolve, must be coming from there unless I’m mistaken.

Sanders shook his head: ”That indeed is an entrance, but it’s not the only entrance.”

Under Angel’s confused gaze, Sanders looked down at the glowing Star Pond.

”Why not take a look beneath your feet,” Sanders said softly.

Following Sanders’ words, Angel looked down. The ripples created by their movement tore the stars reflected in the water, as well as shattered their own reflections into light fragments.

It was as if space was rippling. The distance between reality and illusory light and shadow was clearly severed.

At that moment of focused attention on the water surface, Angel’s vision underwent a sudden change.

The water surface transformed into a mirror, the mirror became a membrane of space, and on the other side of the membrane in shimmering ripples, an other-dimensional space emerged. A long ancient path, complex and traditional pavilions, and rooms obscured by colorful cloud clusters.

Suspicion and wonder flashed in Angel’s eyes: ”That place is...”

”What you’re seeing is the true appearance of the relic,” Sanders’ gaze circled the entire Star Pond: ”The entrance to the relic is not confined to the center. Every part of this Star Pond is an entrance to the relic.”

Though saying this, Sanders did not stop moving forward, continuing to walk until they reached the center of the relic, where he then stopped.

Whether it was Angel or Sanders, upon reaching the center of the relic, they both felt a joy arising deep within. This was the thought spontaneously generated in the brain when the Nightmare Realm’s aura flooded inward.

Sanders: ”Now look down again.”

Even without Sanders reminding him, Angel had already glanced at the water. Initially, it was still a starlit surface, but upon gazing longer, the world behind the water surface appeared once more.

Unlike before, what Angel saw this time was a pitch-black, profoundly deep tunnel.

No complex structures, no rooms obscured by colorful cloud clusters. Just this singular tunnel that seemed to lead to the Abyss.

When Angel stared at the end of the tunnel, he vaguely felt as if a pair of eyes were staring back at him from the darkest, most profound place.

”What did you see?” Sanders asked.

”A tunnel with no end in sight.” Angel answered and asked, ”Where does this tunnel lead?”

Sanders shook his head: ”I don’t know, but the only place in the entire Star Pond where the Nightmare Realm aura leaks is from this tunnel. Back then, the Wizards who disappeared from the Song of the Deep Sea also entered this tunnel.”

”I discussed this issue with Lord Rhein, and we unanimously believe this tunnel might lead to the actual core of the relic.”

Angel thought for a moment, agreeing. After all, the sole leakage of the Nightmare Realm aura here was odd, and while the other parts of the Star Pond had visible ends, only this place had a pitch-black, endlessly long tunnel.

”Are the vital line eruptions and Nightmare Realm creatures also emerging from this tunnel?” Angel inquired.

Sanders: ”No, vital line eruptions can appear anywhere within the Star Pond, and Nightmare Realm creatures mostly enter rather than exit. Even if they do emerge, they’re not confined to this tunnel.”

After saying this, Sanders gently extended his hand.

In Angel’s puzzled gaze, Sanders said: ”Next, I will open this tunnel.”

”Didn’t Lord Rhein say...” not to enter the relic recklessly?!

Sanders: ”I’m merely opening the relic, not asking you to enter. I need you to perceive some emotions within the relic.”

Before Angel could react, a mist of light emerged from Sanders’ fingertips, and within it, a beam of light drilled straight into the water surface.

The water surface did not ripple, but rather, opened into a pitch-black passage.

As the relic tunnel opened, a denser Nightmare Realm aura gushed out. Along with the wind blowing from the depths of the tunnel, Angel’s unruly red hair was tossed about wildly.

A gentle mental wave linked to Angel, and upon accepting it, the wave transformed into a Mind Ribbon. From the other end of the Mind Ribbon, Sanders’ voice came: ”Ignore other external disturbances and carefully perceive the emotions lingering within the relic.”

Rhein and Tree Spirit actually didn’t understand why Sanders insisted on bringing Angel to this relic. The main reason was Angel’s emotional perception of Nightmare Realm creatures.

Angel seemed innately capable of perceiving and interpreting the emotions of Nightmare Realm creatures.

Therefore, Sanders knew that to obtain information from the relic without entering it, Angel must interpret the residual emotions of the Nightmare Realm creatures.

It was for this reason that Sanders risked opening the relic tunnel.

As long as he didn’t step into the tunnel, Angel should be safe. Even if he did step in, Sanders believed that as long as it was Nightmare Realm creatures Angel encountered, he’d be fine.

However, that’s assuming he only encountered Nightmare Realm creatures.

The terrifying aspect of this relic goes beyond Nightmare Realm creatures — the relic itself is peculiar. It is known that when this relic was first discovered, Nightmare Realm creatures hadn’t occupied it, yet it still devoured the Wizards from the Song of the Deep Sea.

So, without thorough preparation, neither Angel nor even Sanders could enter.