Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2127: Chapter 2128: Array Plate

”Found it!” Rhein’s eyes flashed with joy as he took large strides toward the golden ”birdcage.”

Through the metal bars, they could clearly see that the ground inside was engraved with a Teleportation Magical Energy Array.

Because the teleportation array wasn’t activated, it looked somewhat dim.

”Overall, it indeed has the framework of a teleportation array.” Tree Spirit gazed at the teleportation array, hesitated for a moment, and then said, ”However, compared to other teleportation arrays I’ve seen, though this framework is complete, the ’flesh’ seems... overly full.”

Angel also saw the teleportation array. Although he wasn’t skilled at engraving them, compared to the teleportation arrays he had seen, this one appeared somewhat peculiar.

The core of the teleportation array was present, but attached to it outside were numerous strange magic patterns.

These magic patterns were densely packed, consisting of both independent magic patterns and deeply hollowed solid magic patterns. More often, unusual magic patterns were interwoven into the teleportation array patterns. It resembled multiple densely packed circuit boards overlapping, very intricate.

As Tree Spirit remarked, the ”flesh” was full to an unprecedented degree.

”Do you have a way to discern the effects of these non-teleportation array magic patterns?” Tree Spirit turned to ask Angel.

Angel gazed at the complex magic patterns, pondering for a moment before shaking his head: ”I’m afraid not. Many solid magic patterns penetrate beneath the surface. With my abilities, it’s difficult to discern the specific effects of these solid magic patterns without disturbing the overall structure.”

Not to mention Angel, who was only proficient in Alchemy Magic Patterns, even calling in a specialized Magic Rune Mage might struggle to discern them.

”This kind of complexity in a teleportation array has surpassed the current level of Magic Rune Mages in the Southern Domain,” Rhein, being the most experienced, pondered and said: ”It should be crafted by that Magic Rune Mage recorded in the Culori Chronicles.”

Tree Spirit also nodded, sighing: ”After all, it’s a Magic Rune Mage who glimpsed into the mysterious realm, making it indeed difficult to interpret.”

Angel: ”Although interpreting won’t allow us to determine the effects of the magic patterns on the teleportation array; merely activating it should make things clearer.”

Rhein nodded: ”Generally speaking, activating an unknown Magical Energy Array carries significant risks. However, this is merely a teleportation array, so despite any fancy effects, it shouldn’t be too dangerous.”

Because a teleportation array requires a very stable space, any external factor could cause the teleportation to fail, even backfire. Generally, activating a teleportation array isn’t very risky.

However, this risk is limited to merely ”activating” the teleportation array. During transit, the risk becomes unpredictable. The farther the teleportation distance, the greater the risk, making it easy to encounter unstable spaces halfway, potentially resulting in a fall into plane’s fissures. This is one of the reasons apprentices need Official Wizards to escort them when using teleportation arrays.

”I’ll handle activating the teleportation array,” Rhein said, looking at Angel: ”Can you discern any risk in this metal fence?”

Angel’s eyes flashed with a flicker; after a while, the light temporarily faded, and he waved to Rhein: ”This metallic fence protecting the teleportation array, although it also bears some magic patterns that can’t be identified, the metal material has a stabilizing space effect. It seems to prevent violent spatial fluctuations. It should be safe.”

Rhein nodded, and since Angel asserted as such, he no longer worried, stepping to the door of the metal fence and gently pushed inward.

”Clang clang—”

As the door was pushed open, a crisp metallic collision sound suddenly echoed, resembling... wind chime sounds.

Rhein halted his steps and looked up as the source of the sound came from above.

However, it was veiled by the thick Nightmare Light above, making it impossible to discern the situation without energy probing.

”Let me handle this,” said Angel. As his voice fell, his right eye glowed with vibrant green patterns.

The domain, originally wide-ranging, was gradually compressed by him. The horizontal compression, however, increased the vertical height.

As it slowly extended higher, the top of the ”birdcage” finally revealed itself.

A line dropping from the top, with three round silver-white metal plates hanging, swaying gently in the air— the previous ”clang clang” sound was produced when the silver-white metal plates collided with the door.

”Once the door is opened, it will inevitably hit it, making a sound.” Tree Spirit looked at it above, puzzled: ”However, generally such a touch-as-you-open mechanism would trigger some sort of dangerous device, yet now it appears not to elicit any response. Not even an energy fluctuation— it seems it’s merely a ’doorbell’?”

”If it’s not a mechanism, perhaps its presence might be some sort of indication,” Rhein said, extending his spiritual power to observe the metal plates for a while.

”The line is ordinary, without any triggering device. However, this metal plate can be removed.”

As he spoke, Rhein manipulated his spiritual power to remove the metal plate from the hanging line.

Rhein examined the silver-white metal plate in his hand, furrowing his brows: ”Hmm, it also bears teleportation array magic patterns.”

Besides the teleportation array magic patterns, Rhein saw many unfamiliar magic patterns, their specific effects unknown.

Rhein simply handed the plate to Angel for identification.

Angel took the plate and observed it meticulously. After a while, he said: ”There are numerous magic patterns on this that involve specialized engraving methods, making them indistinguishable. However, it bears some similarity to the teleportation array on the ground, likely a sort of linked teleportation formation disk.”

Linked teleportation formation disk. Rhein was not unfamiliar with this concept.

It’s a convenient form of teleportation array, portable, but with substantial restrictions. Primarily emphasizing portability at the expense of free teleportation opportunities.

Using such a teleportation formation disk can only transmit to a predetermined linked teleportation array.

Rhein: ”You mean activating this teleportation formation disk can teleport to this teleportation array inside the cage?”

Angel nodded: ”Yes.”

”Are there any distance restrictions? Any other effects?”

”As of now, the distance limitation is unknown. As for other effects, I’m not sure.”

Upon receiving Angel’s answer, Rhein pondered for a moment: ”When I examined the line above earlier, I noticed the spacing between the hanging teleportation formation disks was consistent. Yet at the bottom, the line had an extra long segment. Based on the corresponding distance, there should be one more disk.”

There should be a total of four teleportation formation disks, but only three were hanging above. This implies someone took one of the formation disks.

”It seems that the disk is likely in Culori’s possession,” Tree Spirit said, appearing enlightened: ”We had previously determined that the owner of this ruin surely had a way to enter without using the main door. Now it seems it was indeed through the teleportation formation disk... Thus, Culori could possibly return at any time?”

”Having not returned for hundreds of years makes it unlikely to be so coincidental that we arrive just as he returns,” Rhein said: ”We’ll disregard that for now. I’ll first activate the teleportation array to see if we can pinpoint the location of the Star Pond Ruins.”

Although Rhein didn’t believe activating the teleportation array would trigger any dangerous mechanisms, to be cautious, he expended valuable casting materials to cast a Third-level Spell: Light Sound Domain for Angel and himself.

This is considered a pseudo-law domain, a spell technique originally created by Rhein.

After being enveloped by the Light Sound Domain, Rhein stepped into the birdcage and began to activate the teleportation array.

Rhein chose to activate it by inputting his own magic power. Compared to using Magic Crystals as energy, this method allows for better perception of the internal information of the teleportation array.

When every magic pattern on the ground’s magical energy array began to glow with a ghostly light, it indicated that the teleportation array had been activated.

At this time, Rhein also closed his eyes and sensed the spatial information from the activated teleportation array.

After a while, the aura of the magical energy array slowly dimmed, and only then did Rhein open his eyes.

Rhein did not immediately leave the cage but stood atop the teleportation array, holding the teleportation formation disk he had taken from the wire before, contemplating with a strange expression.

After a long time, Rhein finally came out at the call of the Tree Spirit.

”You stood inside for a long time, did you discover anything?” the Tree Spirit asked curiously.

Rhein nodded: ”Indeed, I did make some discoveries. Let me start from the beginning.”

”This teleportation array has only one teleportation exit. From the information perceived, the teleportation exit is not far away; it should be the teleportation array within the Star Pond Ruins.”

Angel: ”Is it possible to close this teleportation passage?”

”Yes, this teleportation array on this side is the main array and can direct the passage on both ends,” Rhein replied. ”Currently, I have already shut down this teleportation channel, so there is no need to worry about any Nightmare Realm creatures teleporting over here using the array.”

Hearing this, both Angel and the Tree Spirit sighed with relief.

Rhein paused and continued: ”However, I discovered that the primary function of this teleportation array is not the connection to the Star Pond Ruins, but the interconnectivity with the teleportation formation disk.”

As Rhein spoke, he recalled the sensations he had experienced earlier.

Once he activated the teleportation array, he first sensed the teleportation exit of the Star Pond Ruins. Following that, Rhein perceived three very distinct spatial connections.

These three spatial connections corresponded exactly to the teleportation formation disk in Rhein’s hand and the other two disks on the wire.

Rhein could clearly perceive the connection between the teleportation formation disks and the teleportation array.

But that was not the most important part. Beyond these three spatial connections, Rhein vaguely sensed another spatial connection.

This spatial connection was not as clear and even appeared intermittently. Even with the teleportation array, it could not be precisely located, yet it undeniably existed.

”Do you mean that this final spatial connection is the teleportation formation disk in Culori’s possession?!” the Tree Spirit exclaimed in astonishment.

Rhein nodded: ”That seems to be the case. Although the spatial connection is extremely weak, it feels identical to the other teleportation formation disks to me.”

There was no reason for Rhein to lie, so the Tree Spirit immediately believed him: ”If you can perceive Culori’s teleportation formation disk, does it mean that he is very close to here?”

Rhein shook his head with a strange expression: ”No, not close at all.”

This was the exact reason for Rhein’s earlier bewilderment—he could distinctly feel that Culori was incredibly distant from here, across innumerable expanses of space-time!

Rhein had traveled to the Wizard Realms in the Western Lands and Northern Territory many years ago. These Wizard Realms are already very far from the Southern Domain, even if an Official Wizard traveled through the Void Road, it might take many years to arrive; he had a feeling that Culori’s location was even further than the distances to the Western Lands and Northern Territory!

For a distance so vast, the teleportation array could still detect the information of the teleportation formation disk! Even if very blurry and without a clear position, there was at least a sensation!

This detection range had already exceeded Rhein’s imagination.

Rhein’s words left Angel and the Tree Spirit in disbelief, so they decided to test it themselves.

The truth was just as Rhein had said. In the spatial-time sensing upon activating the teleportation array, they seemed to traverse through endless time and space, perceiving the final teleportation formation disk at an extremely distant point.

”No wonder Culori can accurately lock onto drifting ruins in the vastness of the void,” the Tree Spirit marveled: ”Is this the power of a mysterious Alchemist?”

To accurately sense the position of a teleportation formation disk across space-time was an ability unimaginable to the Magic Rune Mages of the Southern Domain.

”The world beyond legends, whether in Alchemy, magic patterns, or other fields, is beyond our imagination. No wonder the Wizards who advance to legend all leave because there’s a more magnificent world beyond...” Rhein’s eyes flickered with a hint of longing.

But soon, Rhein’s expression turned slightly bitter. Although he knew the world beyond legends was exciting, he still lacked the courage and the strength to take that step forward.

Although he did not like Monty’s ways, he sometimes admired Monty’s decisiveness.

Rhein shook his head: ”Speaking of which, if this teleportation array can sense such a remote teleportation formation disk, what would be the effective range of this formation disk? Could it cross planes?”

Tree Spirit: ”If cross-planar teleportation were possible, even to just nearby planes in the Southern Domain, it would be a strategic resource.”

The Tree Spirit paused: ”The only unfortunate thing is that the teleportation array is set within the Nightmare Light. For now, only Angel can use it freely.”

Rhein also showed a look of regret. Aside from Angel, anyone using the teleportation formation disk who teleports to this room and gets covered by the Nightmare Light would almost certainly die.

Tree Spirit: ”Why not simply activate the teleportation array and send the Nightmare Light back to the Star Pond Ruins?”

Rhein: ”Impossible! Although we cannot study the Nightmare Light fully for now, its intrinsic value is very high, and it has a beneficial effect on Nightmare Realm creatures. We mustn’t teleport it away.”

Rhein even considered how to seize the Nightmare Light from the Star Pond Ruins, as it might prevent Nightmare Realm creatures from lingering at the Star Pond Ruins for too long.

So how could they possibly teleport the Nightmare Light back?

What’s more, if they did teleport it away, given the Nightmare Realm creatures’ covetous nature for the Nightmare Light, they would undoubtedly follow the teleportation array back, and it would be more harm than worth.

Tree Spirit spread his hands: ”Then there’s no way. This place can only serve as a transit station for Angel.”

Saying this, the Tree Spirit tossed a teleportation formation disk to Angel: ”Here, you take one. Although we haven’t tested the furthest teleportation distance yet, the entire Southern Domain is certainly covered, so you can return here from anywhere in the Southern Domain anytime, saving the material cost of creating a Plane Corridor.”