Chapter 2628 Inspiration Sublimation <TOC> Chapter 2630 Nascent Consciousness
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel hesitated for a moment before replying: “According to the information I have obtained, it should, it should not be in the sewer.”
Previously, when Angel said this, he was quite confident, with an expression of absolute certainty; but as he stood at the entrance of this path, his words became somewhat less confident.
Because the smell here was really too strong.
If the Hanging Prison Staircase was really inside, then even standing in front of it, one should be able to smell the stench.
But when he was in the underground labyrinth of the Nightmare Plane, from beginning to end he did not smell any stench; instead, he smelled a fragrance——the scent of the Demon Eater Flower.
It was because of his experience in the Nightmare Plane that he was previously very certain that the Hanging Prison Staircase was definitely not in the sewer.
But now that he thought about it carefully, it seemed that he had been overconfident earlier. The projection of Nightfall City in the Nightmare Plane was from when it hadn’t completely collapsed; perhaps at that time, the management of the sewer wasn’t as bad as it is now, so even if Angel was in the sewer, perhaps he wouldn’t have smelled any stench.
Or perhaps, at that time, the faint fragrance of the nectar of the Demon Eater Flower King lingered around him, so he couldn’t smell the stench at all?
If these were the reasons, then the conclusion he had made earlier could have deviations.
Because of this, Angel’s words at this time were not as firm as before.
Vai also heard the hesitation in Angel’s tone, which was completely different from his previous confidence.
As Angel’s newly minted little fanboy, Vai naturally wouldn’t blame his idol; he even came up with excuses for Angel.
——After all, the lord had obtained the information from other channels and hadn’t actually been here. The gap between ideal and reality is normal, so how could he blame the lord?
Although Vai came up with this excuse and had no complaints about Angel, it didn’t stop him from worrying about the real situation.
He repeatedly murmured in a low voice: “If it’s really in the sewer, what should we do… what should we do…”
At this time, all that echoed in everyone’s ears was Vai’s “what should we do.”
On the other side, Black Count also stopped speaking, because he had directly jumped onto Angel’s body, since Angel was the center of the Purification Force Field and also the cleanest place.
If it was really in the sewer, Black Count believed that Angel wouldn’t make himself so embarrassed, so being on him was the best choice.
However, after all, he was a well-known wizard in the Southern Region. Running to Angel just to avoid the stench would be really embarrassing if it got out. Therefore, he said nothing, pretending that he casually came to Angel because he was a bit tired from flying, treating Angel as a tool-man mount.
Black Count’s little calculation was very precise, but Angel was not a fool; how could he not know what Black Count was thinking?
However, pretending to be confused is an innate talent of mature humans. After all, feigned ignorance can make life smoother.
The Black Count’s abnormal behavior, Angel could see through it, and as a long-time tool-man mount, Vai could naturally guess as well.
But the Black Count was just a nose in a small stone slab, and landing on Angel didn’t seem awkward; but he was a big living person, what should he do? Should he hug Angel’s thigh all the way? ——Although this thought made Vai very excited, he knew that if he really did that, he would definitely not have a good ending.
“Crying and whining, what does that look like? If it’s really in the sewer, then so be it. A qualified wizard should adapt to any harsh environment. Look at Kael; he hasn’t said anything. This is vision; this is the gap.”
“Do you know why? Kael has explored many ruins and encountered countless crises, and life-and-death situations are common. And this little bit of stench won’t kill you, and you are within Angel’s Purification Force Field; what are you afraid of?”
These words were not wrong; Kael indeed didn’t show any discomfort, and the reason was probably similar to what was said… However, the tone of this speaker, why did it sound so much like someone?
Everyone thought of this and quickly turned their heads to look in the direction of “someone.”
Sure enough, Daus, who had been silent and dazed all this time, had his eyes rekindled with light, and the person who had just spoken was undoubtedly him.
“You’ve come back to your senses? So, are you going to start the final battle with your inspiration?” At this time, Angel’s speech was no longer as reserved as before, because Daus had already awakened.
Daus shook his head: “Start what? It’s all over; how can I start?”
Angel was stunned for a moment. This… it’s over? Is the inspiration’s advancement to talent so quick? Not even a bit of anomaly, or even a little energy leaked out?
Seeing the doubt on Angel’s face, Daus explained: “There was no final battle; inspiration is me, and I am inspiration. So what I did was reconcile with inspiration and then let inspiration sublimate, which is beneficial to both me and inspiration. Once it’s explained, isn’t it over? It’s simple and easy.”
Daus said these words with a smile.
But was it really as easy and simple as Daus said?
The answer was clear: definitely not. Everyone knew very well that Daus was speaking out of complacency after advancing.
It’s like after a difficult magic trick test, the top student, who gets good grades, faces a group of frowning poor students and pretends to be surprised: “You find it hard? How come? Isn’t it just basic operations?”
When top students say such things, they naturally have a sense of superiority and complacency. But they forget the hardships of burning the midnight oil and practicing a lot.
And Daus was such a “top student.”
If it was really as simple and easy as he said, Daus wouldn’t have been unable to advance his inspiration for so many years until this time when he vaguely felt a breakthrough and thick-skinnedly followed everyone to explore the ruins.
Moreover, without Angel and Black Count helping from the side, without pointing out the anomalies, and without preventing others from telling Daus about the abnormal situations, without these operations, Daus couldn’t have been so smooth.
Therefore, what Daus said at this time was just showing off in complacency, without any reference value.
Of course, there are indeed people in this world who, without much practice or cultivation, can reach heights envied by other wizards. However, using Jon’s classification of “poor students” and “top students,” such people can no longer be crowned as “top students” but are truly “student gods.”
On the scene, there was actually a publicly recognized “student god.”
This person was undoubtedly Vai’s admired idol——Angel. In just a few years, he rose from a mortal to the height of a formal wizard, and he was just one step away from the path of true knowledge; and during this period, he also mastered powerful alchemy, and his achievements in illusion were comparable to Sanders of the same realm back then.
Just hearing this made people envious and jealous.
Most importantly, such people are often unaware of their own achievements as long as you don’t make a forced comparison. Unlike top students who need to “pretend,” in most cases, they are genuinely unaware.
And such examples abound; take, for instance, when Angel learned that Vai admired him. At that time, Angel’s primary thought was: “How could Vai admire me? I don’t have anything worth admiring! There must be a conspiracy, definitely a conspiracy. Vai must be planning to use me to oppose the Black Count…”
The above is what is called “talent hidden within, yet unaware of it.”
…
At this moment, unlike the others who were pondering so many complicated trivialities, Angel, as the leader, only wanted to move forward… and to invigorate the gloomy atmosphere.
And now, Daus’ awakening gave Angel a sudden flash of inspiration.
“Finished? Really finished? That’s wonderful!” Angel approached Daus with a face full of joy, looking at him with expectant eyes: “Since your inspiration has ascended, quickly tell us, does the Hanging Prison Stairs lie within the stinky sewer?”
Everyone else also realized this and, like Angel, looked at Daus with the same hopeful expression. Even the Black Count turned his stone slab, aiming his nostrils at Daus.
Facing everyone’s gaze and the unspoken yet palpable anticipation, Daus’ expression did not show much happiness; instead, he instantly froze, stammering: “Th-this… what… you all…”
“What are you saying? What, you don’t know?” Angel asked in confusion: “Your inspiration, come on, release it quickly!”
Daus, somewhat flustered, retorted: “My inspiration isn’t a pet that can be released at will! Besides, I’ve said many times, I’m not a prophecy wizard; don’t treat me like one!”
“I’m not asking you; I’m asking your inspiration,” Angel said earnestly.
Daus exclaimed: “My inspiration is me!”
Angel raised an eyebrow, silently staring at Daus, his gaze gradually becoming deep and profound. This depth made Daus feel a chill creeping up his spine.
After several seconds, Daus finally couldn’t hold on and confessed: “I truly don’t know. My inspiration is said to have ascended, but this is just a phased result. It needs a process of rebirth, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.”
“Just like a seed falling into the earth, it needs the nourishment of spring and summer before it can finally bloom and bear fruit.”
“This requires waiting, patience. Understand?”
Angel squinted his eyes: “So, you’re saying your inspiration is completely ineffective now?”
Daus nodded.
“When will it recover?” Angel’s voice became devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
“Pr-probably… a few days? Or a few weeks? Or… a few years?”
Angel didn’t want to listen anymore. He turned his head indifferently, no longer paying attention to Daus. Previously, considering that Daus’ inspiration was helpful to them, even needing his inspiration to find the Wood Spirit at the Hanging Prison Stairs, they had accommodated him all along, slowly making their way through the narrow path.
Now it seems he was of no help at all.
Having lost his usefulness, Daus was completely ignored by Angel.
Although they couldn’t get an answer from Daus, they couldn’t stay at the entrance forever; they still needed to move forward.
Angel said: “Since Daus is awake, let’s go in. According to the Echo Positioning Spell and Speedling’s scouting, at least in the short range, there’s no visible passage to the stinky sewer.”
Vai murmured: “This is even scarier. Even your Echo Positioning Spell can’t detect the entrance to the stinky sewer, yet it’s already so smelly here. I can hardly imagine what it would smell like deeper inside.”
For the first time, Vai’s words received deep approval from the Black Count. However, the Black Count remained silent, staying on Angel’s body as if he were an ornament.
Angel looked at Vai and said: “Whether the Hanging Prison Stairs are in the smelly sewer or not, and no matter how strong the smell inside is, trust me, I will never let the stench seep into the illusion realm.”
Angel spoke sincerely, giving a clear guarantee. Moreover, since Vai was Angel’s devoted admirer, with the added effect of idol worship, Vai was completely convinced.
As for Daus and Kael, Angel didn’t need to comfort them; they weren’t particularly bothered by the stench.
If they really couldn’t stand it, at worst they could block their five senses.
As for the lingering stench on their bodies after leaving, which might not dissipate for several days, that didn’t matter. They could continue to block their senses. After all, it’s others who would suffer from the smell, not themselves.
“Then let’s set off; this place is ultimately not safe.” As Angel spoke, he glanced back at the distant Twin Bell Towers.
He wasn’t worried about those two wizard-level Wizard Eye Ghosts but rather… the latecomers.
It’s still peaceful here now, but the latecomers, unaware of the situation, might accidentally ignite this powder keg that’s been dormant for years. By then, this place would probably descend into chaos.
If that special Wizard Eye Ghost used that extraordinary item, perhaps that sovereign would come.
To avoid an unexpected encounter with that ancient monster, they had to leave here quickly.
Moreover, if that sovereign really came, perhaps they could exploit a time gap and pass through the great hall without meeting the other party.
Thinking of this, Angel didn’t hesitate any longer and stepped into the darkness first.
…
Re-entering the familiar labyrinth, everyone had different feelings.
There were no more mutated carrion squirrels here, nor any Wizard Eye Ghosts. Everything seemed cold and desolate, but there was an added Unbearable Stench that Vai and the Black Count couldn’t bear.
Although they were now within a purification field, unable to smell the outside odor and seemingly carefree, this also meant they couldn’t extend their senses, and their perception of danger would drop to the lowest point.
Here, the advantages of teamwork became apparent.
Vai and the Black Count, due to their own reasons, lost their ability to sense danger, but the others were not too afraid of the stench, so safety wasn’t a concern.
In fact, for those other than Vai and the Black Count, this quiet labyrinth tunnel without monsters allowed them to travel quite comfortably.
With their spirits lifted, no monster disturbances, and Daus’ successful inspiration sublimation, his incessant chatter returned.
Like a haunting melody, his voice echoed in everyone’s ears.
The most affected, naturally, was Angel. Because Daus’ words were almost all questions, and all required Angel to answer.
Perhaps because of this, although the others were also enduring Daus’ verbal assault, no one stopped him.
Because not only Daus, they also wanted to know these questions——
What did Angel do when he suddenly cut off the mental connection earlier?
How did Angel know that when multiple Wizard Eye Ghosts cultivate together, their perception decreases?
Also, how did he manage to force the Wizard Eye Ghosts into performing shadow fusion?
And, can that silver pendant and crown truly fit together?
Chapter 2628 Inspiration Sublimation <TOC> Chapter 2630 Nascent Consciousness