That meant if that person activated the formation, every creature on this continent would perish.
Initially, it was believed that only a few thousand students were to be sacrificed, but now it seemed that these students were merely an appetizer!
The lives on this continent were surely more than a million?
John's hands trembled with anger, feeling for the first time how malevolent these people were.
"So even if we didn't help you, we'd all be headed for certain death anyway. Might as well see just how far your limits can go," Old Nick said with a hearty laugh, though a trickle of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
His shaking hands pulled a bottle of monkey wine from his pocket and he carefully took a sip.
"Back in the day, the Gnome race had the finest brewing techniques. We were, ah, the best of friends, but sadly they seemed to have disappeared."
John listened impassively, sensing that these matters might be different from what he had imagined.
"The continent crumbled, everyone scattered to where they should be. I know this isn't our original continent anymore, but there's still something that lingers."
"When I first saw you, I knew you might one day have the chance to take us home."
Old Nick took another sip of wine, smacking his lips, his gaze out to the sky as if reminiscing, his lips curling into a smile involuntarily.
"Our dwarf race... we are the finest blacksmiths in this world!"
Wayne, standing beside him, had reddened eyes and wiped his nose, then carefully helped Old Nick to sit down.
"Uncle Nick, you better rest for now."
Abby glanced at Old Nick, who was incessantly talking, and let out a light laugh.
"And the biggest drunkard."
Hearing this, Old Nick instantly became displeased.
"At least I have Wayne with me now. Look at you, all alone. What does it matter if you're an elven king? Without the Tree of Life, you're nothing but useless. Your life force dwindles more and more; I doubt you can hold on much longer."
Abby wasn't angered.
Instead, she stood firm, like the most upright pine between heaven and earth, like the most proudly solitary orchid between the cliffs atop an iceberg.
"If that man hadn't retreated so quickly, how many more swings could you have managed with your hammer? I suspect even your Dwarf Hammer would have shattered."
Old Nick seemed to mutter under his breath and touched his nose.
"Since they're all gone, these things aren't much use anyway."
As they exchanged words, John listened clearly from the side, forming a rough idea in his mind.
It seemed this fragment of the secret realm had split from a larger continental fragment, merely coming into Principal Sophia's possession by some twist of fate.
It's possible that several such fragments exist, with Abby and Old Nick's kin possibly on other fragments.
They might still be alive, or perhaps they have long since departed.
It's unknown exactly what happened, nor is it clear what force could cause an entire continent to shatter and degrade into fragments of a secret realm!
John suddenly felt a chilling sensation.
And if they couldn't break the spell, they had no way to leave.
"Do you have any other ideas?"
Old Nick took another sip of his drink, as if slowly recalling something.
"There is one way, but it might be a bit risky for you."
Archibald had been listening quietly on the side.
When he heard there was a way, his mood relaxed somewhat.
For some reason, he now felt that no matter how difficult things got, as long as John was with them, they could surely persevere!
"You know my nature; I'm the least afraid of these things. As long as we can achieve our goal, nothing else matters."
John slightly raised his chin, his facial expression becoming very distinct.
He wasn't afraid of these challenges; he only felt frustrated that he wasn't completing the mission quickly enough!
"I've realized that wasn't his true strength; he likely used the power of control to forcibly enhance his abilities to that level."
"So, if he takes even a slight hit, he will definitely sustain damage, and such injuries are fatal for him and irreparable."
Wayne paused slightly at this point, seemingly reflecting on Alastair's every move.
"If he really were that powerful, we couldn't have withstood him for so long; we would have been obliterated."
Old Nick nodded in agreement.
This kind of energy, accumulated through external forces, is actually the most unstable.
Like a balloon filled with air, just a gentle prick from them would surely cause it to burst suddenly.
They just need to find that opportunity!
"What should we do then?"
Archibald couldn't help but ask anxiously from the side.
By comparison, every one of them wanted to leave this place quickly.
This place was just too terrifying!
A semigod-tier powerhouse, even now injured, was still an unbeatable existence for them! If there was a chance to strike a fatal blow and break the formation, that would obviously be the best outcome.
"If they have already set up a formation, why don't you set up another one?"
Abby spoke softly, then turned to look at John with a flicker of light passing through her emerald green eyes.
"Look at the inside of your arm."
John was taken aback and instinctively looked at the inside of his left arm.
He noticed what seemed to be a small sapling tattoo that was glowing, looking exceptionally adorable.
"What is this?"