Chapter 330 Encountering Bacchus Gillardeau <TOC> Chapter 332 The Desolate Abandoned Village
Translator: SumTLMan
Although Angel did not know the exact relationship between the Colorful Dragonflies and the Bacchus Gillardeau, this seemed to be an unexpected delight on their journey.
However, the joy did not last long. Regardless of the high value of the Void Floating Algae, it held little significance in this land of eternal darkness. If they couldn’t leave, the value of even the most precious items would remain only at the concept stage. With this realization, Angel’s initially elated heart gradually sank once more.
Placing the Void Floating Algae into the bracelet, he allowed it to spread on its own.
Then, the lengthy journey began again.
Three days later.
Following the trail of the Nightmare Plane’s aura, Angel experienced a tremendously adventurous journey that no one would likely believe.
Angel initially thought the Bacchus Gillardeau was just a minor episode, but it wasn’t so. Throughout their journey, the Colorful Dragonflies seemed like kings on an inspection tour, occasionally revealing the presence of enormous beasts.
One such beast was so immense that even the radiant light scattered by the dragonflies could not reach its tail, with an estimated length of at least one hundred meters.
It dwelled amidst the thick miasma of the Nightmare Plane’s aura, and as the Colorful Dragonflies approached, it glanced at them with massive, purple-jade-like eyes before gently allowing them passage.
Although Angel had not seen the beast’s full appearance, the pure white scales and purple-jade pupils alone did not match the descriptions of any creatures mentioned in his books.
Moreover, the fact that it could grow to such an immense size within the planar passage suggested its strength was beyond calculation, possibly surpassing the limits of ordinary wizards.
Angel sensed the glimmer of wisdom within its gaze, aware that it had seen him. However, the colossal beast showed no intention of communicating with him, quietly closing its eyes and allowing the Colorful Dragonflies to carry Angel away from its territory.
Such encounters occurred more than once on their journey.
Angel secretly speculated that this planar passage might actually be a breeding ground for the Nightmare Plane’s magical beasts, with the Colorful Dragonflies serving as the caretakers. This was because all the beasts seemed to linger near the Nightmare Plane’s aura.
Angel now felt somewhat relieved that they had encountered the Colorful Dragonflies. Otherwise, relying solely on himself and Toby to travel along the trail of the Nightmare Plane’s aura would have undoubtedly led to their demise when encountering these beasts.
Perhaps it was destiny, or a sign that their lives were not meant to end just yet?
…
Angel did not know how much longer their journey would last, but he and Toby had already begun to consciously ration their food. Toby had also reduced his energy expenditure, primarily by making Angel’s hat his home, nestled within it, lost in thought.
Angel then took out his holographic tablet and searched for the culinary magic “Magic Bread.”
Fortunately, Sanders’ collection of books included some low-level tricks from the mysterious branch, one of which was “Magic Bread.”
However, just as Angel understood, his progress in learning these spells was incredibly slow.
Although cross-disciplinary practice was common among wizards, like when he frequently used elemental tricks, it also counted as cross-disciplinary practice; but if he stepped into the mysterious branch, the difficulty of practice would increase manifold.
The mysterious aspect was indeed mysterious due to its singularity.
Although Angel found it challenging to learn, he had no choice but to continue. Toby’s fish treats would eventually run out, and heaven knows how long this journey would take. To satisfy his hunger, he had to learn.
Time passed day by day.
A week later, on the first day of the latter half of the Harvest Moon, Angel looked at the heavy, black lump in his hand, which smelled like a month-old, sealed, stinky sock.
This uneven, hole-ridden black object was the result of his unwavering focus and nearly a hundred hours of effort, ultimately casting “Magic Bread” for the first time.
Angel could hardly bear to taste it, especially with the stinky sock odor. He considered it a success that he didn’t vomit.
He thought, Toby loved the smelly fish, didn’t he? Although this didn’t have a fishy smell, it was just as foul! Perhaps Toby would like it.
So, with an excuse even he couldn’t convince himself of, he presented the black lump to Toby with a shy smile.
“Toby, come, this is delicious bread. Taste it, and if the flavor is acceptable, I’ll make more for you later,” Angel offered, holding the black lump with both hands and smiling at Toby.
Toby glanced at Angel, jumped into his palm, and sniffed.
“Chirp—coo—” Toby scolded sharply, and with a flap of his wing, sent the black lump flying, hitting Angel right on the forehead.
After a brief moment of dizziness, Angel speculated in a low voice, “Perhaps gourmet wizards use Magic Bread as an offensive spell? This is quite painful when it hits!” Rubbing his slightly reddened forehead, Angel silently threw the black lump into the dark void.
Angel later made several more Magic Breads, but for some reason, whether it was his learning posture or something else, they all turned out as black lumps. The only difference was how long the stinky sock smell had been sealed in.
The “Magic Bread” mentioned in the books was all fragrant, soft, and velvety, with flavors that could be customized according to the gourmet wizard’s preference, such as orange, mushroom, tomato, or cheese.
However, the delicious taste only existed in the books, and Angel could only make stinky-sock-flavored Magic Bread. After all, he was engaged in cross-disciplinary practice and had “succeeded” in just a week, which was already quite an achievement.
One afternoon, Angel endured the suffocating aroma and hesitantly consumed a small bite of the Magic Bread.
The taste was as he had imagined, akin to chewing wax… or rather, to say chewing wax would be an embellishment.
Fortunately, his tongue could not detect the foul smell. As long as he pinched his nose and didn’t think about the taste, he could manage to swallow it.
However, recalling that single bite, Angel resolved not to eat the Magic Bread again until he had no other choice.
His journey through the planar passage continued. Amidst the darkness, Angel noticed many subtle details, such as the rapid growth of his magical source while meditating and practicing here.
Although the conversion rate of magical power remained the same, his magical source grew rapidly.
Two days later, upon completing his meditation, Angel suddenly felt a fullness in his magical source. His eyes brightened, and according to the records, this sensation indicated that he had completed the training of a first-level apprentice!
He had now reached the pinnacle of a first-level apprentice!
Angel was somewhat surprised by the rapid progress. Due to the “Singularity Scattering Meditation,” his cultivation speed was already far ahead of others, but the training he underwent in the planar passage for just over half a month was equivalent to three or four months of regular practice.
Originally, he had estimated that he would reach the pinnacle of a first-level apprentice by the Frost Descent month or even when the Purification Garden opened. But now, in the Harvest Moon month, he had advanced by a full four months!
It was important to note that even if he reached the pinnacle of a first-level apprentice during the Frost Descent month, Angel was probably the only one in his peer group with such confidence. For others, it might take several years or even longer to reach this stage – a qualitative difference. Like David, who entered the Savage Grottoes five years before Angel but was now just a first-level apprentice, still far from the pinnacle.
Angel couldn’t believe it and felt secretly delighted, wondering: could cultivating in the planar passage be faster?
However, no book seemed to record such a thing.
Or perhaps the reason for his accelerated cultivation was the dense Nightmare Plane aura?
Angel couldn’t be sure, but he had no ability to investigate the cause now. The most important thing at present was to intensify his cultivation. After all, no one knew where the Colorful Dragonfly would take him, but wherever he went, strength was undoubtedly the supreme principle.
From the pinnacle of a first-level wizard apprentice, he would advance to a second-level wizard apprentice.
This was a minor obstacle.
Generally speaking, this minor obstacle was not as terrifying as advancing from the pinnacle of a second-level apprentice to a third-level apprentice. Even those with average talents could progress after a few years. If one had money, they could buy elixirs to promote themselves, while those without could rely on time to eventually overcome this hurdle.
But Angel was different. The guiding method he learned was already highly compatible, and he had also constructed the Universal Axis, achieving even higher compatibility. For him, this minor obstacle was as simple as drinking water, and the major obstacle of advancing from an apprentice to a formal wizard was the true challenge.
In merely three days, Angel successfully advanced to a level two apprentice wizard without any hindrance.
In a way, this could be considered a blessing in disguise. Had he not been ambushed and thrust into the planar passage, he might not have advanced so quickly.
However, Angel faced new concerns.
His rapid promotion left him with many fundamental gaps in his knowledge and skills.
For instance, he had not even learned a handful of level 1 tricks, let alone metal and stone-related smelting spells or ice magic. He originally planned to list out the tricks he wanted to learn after resolving the matter at hand, attend some classes at Tree Spirit Court, corroborate his knowledge with Jon’s teachings, and then proceed to learn.
But his rank had increased without taking the courses or learning the tricks.
It could only be attributed to fate.
Once he managed to leave the planar passage, he must focus on solidifying his foundation, or his level two Apprentice title would be undeserved!
However… could he truly escape the planar passage?
This question or concern was answered the following day.
…
On the sixth day of the late harvest moon, Angel’s 21st day in the planar passage.
With the support of the Colorful Dragonflies, this long journey finally reached its conclusion.
At the journey’s end, Angel saw a white exit in the darkness, which was incredibly conspicuous.
The Colorful Dragonflies also struggled to fly towards the exit.
This exit was similar to the one he had seen in the women’s bathhouse, but it appeared larger and more stable.
Before he even approached, Angel could vaguely see the outlines of some buildings.
“Could that be the Nightmare Plane?” Angel was apprehensive but also felt a sense of relief at having survived.
Regardless of whether the other side of the passage was the Nightmare Plane or not, Angel felt it was no longer important. As long as he could leave, it would be better than remaining in this eternally dark and silent place. Moreover, even if he ended up in the Nightmare Plane, there would still be hope for escape.
Angel consoled himself while following the Colorful Dragonflies, leaving the planar passage he had been trapped in for half a month…
Chapter 330 Encountering Bacchus Gillardeau <TOC> Chapter 332 The Desolate Abandoned Village