Chapter 481 482-Gathering Intelligence

Chapter 481 Chapter482-Gathering Intelligence

"A ceremony. This place is the site for a ceremony, prepared for the arrival of a god," the clown mask took a step forward, releasing his hold on the wound.

"There, I've answered your question. You should know what comes next."

"It's a pity you didn't join Eternal Flame. But now, you've run out of chances."

"I advise against struggling; it will only make your end more painful."

Step by step, the clown mask approached Nula, with her mana shield proving utterly incapable of forming an impediment.

The moment it came into contact with the clown mask's palm, it shattered thunderously, leaving only countless points of light wandering aimlessly through the air.

A layer of iridescent film coated the clown mask's palm, a manifestation of mana condensed to its utmost limits!

The clown mask had no intention of directly interrogating Nula, considering such an approach time-consuming and ineffective.

It would be much more convenient to question Nula's soul directly.

Nula met the clown mask's eyes squarely, with death imminent, yet no trace of fear could be seen in her gaze.

"Such a pity," she suddenly said, causing the clown mask to pause momentarily.

"What is regrettable?" he inquired.

"Why did you join Eternal Flame?" Nula asked, looking him in the eyes.

"This cult has produced nothing! Its existence only means more people will die!"

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural states of humanity," the clown mask responded blandly.

"We are merely accelerating the process. For the gods, for ascension, such sacrifices are inconsequential."

"What if you were the one being sacrificed?" she challenged.

The clown mask did not reply, merely continuing his previously halted actions.

"Hypocritical creature, your death will be no loss," Nula scoffed coldly.

Who is Dorek?

Anyone familiar with him knows it's better to provoke him directly than to mess with his disciple.

This damned immortal is undeniably very protective!

Why did Nula dare to venture alone into the stronghold of the Eternal Flame cult, and even upon discovering the presence of the clown mask, chose to follow instead of turning away?

Because her teacher is named Dorek!

The feeling of having a powerful mentor is truly wonderful.

A smile crept onto Nula's face.

"Seal Technique, Ashen Rock Space!"

Another scroll disintegrated, its mundane yet unstoppable mana fluctuations expanding outward.

Without any effective resistance, the clown mask lost his ability to move at the instant the scroll crumbled, his eyes veiled in gray.

This was something Dorek had once done to Amriel.

Using Dorek's scroll, Nula had frozen the clown mask's personal timeline, completely locking down his movements.

To the right stood an ink bottle and a feather quill, and to the left lay an open notebook, its pages filled with complex equations.

A glance at the formulas revealed they were all about the basics of magic spells.

Was this clown mask still studying these things?

Flipping through the notebook, she noted it was densely packed with very fundamental knowledge.

It seemed the clown mask was a studious learner; a significant portion of the notes were meticulously annotated, even including his own thought processes.

But why would someone, whose power neared that of a level 1 magus, delve into topics studied by preparatory-level magi?

The notebook didn't look old; the handwriting was clear, and the ink still vivid, suggesting it wasn't more than two months old.

Shaking her head, Nula placed the notebook back in its original spot.

Her intuition hinted that there was something hidden within these notes, yet she couldn't discern it at the moment.

Thus, her attention shifted towards the tall oak bookshelf.

Surely, it must hold something of value! Every cult should have its scripture.

Being the leader of the stronghold and a great diocese, the clown mask ought to possess such a text.

So, Nula began her search.

However, she found nothing.

It wasn't exactly fruitless; at least she could now confirm that the clown mask was indeed a studious and presumably self-

taught student with a strong capability for learning.

The entire bookshelf of the clown mask was stocked with foundational texts on magicology, virtually encompassing all branches of the discipline, from magic potions to magic spells, from mana creatures to puppet spells.

It could be said that these books were the most classic introductions to the study of magicology.

But what use was all of this? Both Nula and the clown mask had long since surpassed this stage.

Even if one were to review the basics, this wasn't the way to do it!

"What is this guy up to!"

Nula slumped back into her chair behind the desk, propping her chin with one hand and sighing at the immobilized clown mask in front of her.

"Are you also some extraterrestrial? With your power, yet still cramming the basics of magicology... One Howard is enough!"

Saying so, Nula leaned back, her gaze inadvertently falling upon the ceiling of the compartment, her eyes suddenly widening.

She saw a spell matrix!

"Painted on the ceiling, not afraid of corrosive ink dripping down on oneself, huh."

Nula sprang up, craning her neck to meticulously inspect every structure of the spell matrix.

This matrix was very similar to the one she had seen in Rodel city, almost identical in size, the number of functional modules, and scope, with only differences in the details.

Typically, variations in these details often point to the matrix's purpose.

The matrix before her was yet another one leading to an unknown location.

Should she activate it?

Could it be a trap?