NOVPUBChapter 1179: 368. Departure Preachings _2
Additionally, this is a form of Wild Magic, defined by the system as a type of Illusion Magic of the mystical kind.
The more Energy Points and Soul Energy Noland Lee invested, the more powerful the “Veil of Different Worlds” became, and the better the disguise effect was.
This was both a benefit and a drawback.
The advantage was that Noland Lee could easily adjust the strength of the “Veil of Different Worlds.”
The downside, well, was that he could only passively “match the bet.”
If the Metal Ancestor Dragon acted unreasonably and launched a detection spell over ten million points, then Noland Lee would be out of luck.
...
His panel did not have enough Soul Energy to cast the “Veil of Different Worlds” with a power over ten million points.
Only after obtaining the Gem Box would he have the confidence to compete in the field of detection and counter-detection against the Metal Ancestor Dragon.
However, speaking of which, wasn’t the energy used by the Assassin Angel Soul Energy?
Noland Lee asked,
“Your Excellency, would that box of Soul Gems be able to replenish your strength?”
“Perhaps due to the Main Brain Controller, I find that I cannot absorb Soul Energy. Just like last time we sneaked into the Undead Cult’s Soul Factory, I thought I could replenish my strength there. But it turned out not to be the case. I was completely unable to absorb Soul Energy.”
The Assassin Angel did not elaborate much on this topic.
He checked the “Veil of Different Worlds” on Noland Lee once more and said,
“Very good, you have succeeded in casting. If my strength fails tonight, you can cast the ‘Veil of Different Worlds’ yourself to remedy the situation. That box of Soul Gems will be your source of energy.”
Noland Lee stopped casting and dispelled the “Veil of Different Worlds” from his body.
The extraordinary ability he had longed for was finally his, but amidst his joy, Noland Lee felt a slight dejection.
Just thinking about the Big Shot who had been accompanying him for months about to leave made him feel hollow inside…
He wondered whether he could withstand the pressure from the Metal Ancestor Dragon after the will of the Assassin Angel dissipated.
“Whether I can successfully escape right under the nose of the Metal Ancestor Dragon today is crucial. As long as I can escape without leaving traces, I will be able to plan the next Ceremony to communicate with the ‘Escape Core of the Plane’ in a relatively safe state.”
Noland Lee pondered silently for a few seconds.
The two of them watched Jay Spade’s main visual frame and discussed the details of their action.
The Assassin Angel sensitively sensed the energy fluctuations on the Metallic Gem Box.
Beyond the Protective Array guarding the box and the Magic lock on it, he also detected a faint aura of the Metal Ancestor Dragon, lurking deep inside the box.
“The ‘Veil of Different Worlds’ can indeed shield the box from the Metal Ancestor Dragon’s detection, but the actual blocking effect will depend on how much the Metal Ancestor Dragon is willing to spend to activate that aura,” he said.
If the Metal Ancestor Dragon was willing to expend billions of points of Soul Energy to activate the aura, then the Assassin Angel would not be able to prevent its detection of the box’s location with the ‘Veil of Different Worlds’.
At that time, it would be up to Noland Lee to take action.
“We could use the opportunity of stealing the Gem Box to test the strength of the Metal Ancestor Dragon.”
The Assassin Angel watched as Jay Spade placed the Gem Box into the Valuables Warehouse and continued,
“If the Metal Ancestor Dragon ultimately manages to break through my ‘Veil of Different Worlds,’ then I will be able to confirm one thing.”
“What’s that?” Noland Lee asked.
The Assassin Angel said,
“It has entered the Inner Cosmos with its real body, not just an avatar.”
“Real body???” A string of question marks popped up in Noland Lee’s mind.
He pulled up the Deconstruction Results from over a year ago when he had deconstructed a Magic ship.
It clearly stated that there was a fragment of the will and lineage of the Metal Ancestor Dragon within the Magic ship.
The system mentioned “a part,” not “all” or “the real body.”
Reflecting on the past year, during which the Metal Ancestor Dragon had kept a low profile and stirred up no trouble, Noland Lee made a conjecture:
It was during this past year that the Metal Ancestor Dragon secretly conducted a Ceremony to enter the Inner Cosmos with its real body.
Of course, this conjecture was based on the premise that the Assassin Angel’s ‘Veil of Different Worlds’ was overwhelmed by the opponent.
The Assassin Angel said,
“You have to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Assuming the Metal Ancestor Dragon has entered the Inner Cosmos in its real body form, you’d better avoid visiting Tatis, and avoid any contact with the Pure Light Court, the Glowing Gold Society, the Horale Gathering, and other wizard forces related to the Metal Ancestor Dragon. The farther away you are from it, the safer you are, even if you manage to escape from it today.”
A heavy weight settled on Noland Lee’s heart.
The Assassin Angel continued,
“I’m not exaggerating. The real body of the Metal Ancestor Dragon has absolute control over metal objects. Your Mechanos, metal Magic Wand, coins, all could be its spies, and you wouldn’t even know it. It might not know who stole its Gem Box, but through thorough investigation, it can still narrow down the search range. Once the investigation range is determined, you will eventually be exposed by the omnipresent spies and tracked down by the Metal Ancestor Dragon.”
Hearing this from the Assassin Angel, Noland Lee’s eyebrows furrowed tightly as he quickly recalled the events of his journey.
From talking with Morster in the underground office area of Division Intelligence Unit Two to repeatedly disguising himself to infiltrate the territory of the Undead Cult, up to his current sitting here planning a theft operation.
Throughout this entire process, there was only one person who might accidentally reveal his whereabouts.
Morster, yes, it was Morster, the acting commander of Division Intelligence Unit Two.
He was the only one who knew that Noland Lee had come to Tatis.
To kill and erase the soul would protect his secrets.
But Noland could not take this step; he wasn’t that cold-blooded.
So, how could he make Morster willingly keep the secret and never reveal it to anyone?
Noland’s mind raced.
There was still some time until the optimal moment for action; he should probably go and meet Morster and sign a mutually beneficial soul contract with him.
Noland shared this idea with the Assassin Angel.
The other party approved of his plan.
Noland left, cloaked in the sunset glow, and went to visit Morster at the underground office area of Division Intelligence Unit Two.
One piece of good news was:
The Metal Ancestor Dragon was not proficient in the realm of souls.
It could not, through magic or other extraordinary means, know what a soul contract between one person and another was.
This undoubtedly gave Noland Lee considerable relief.
…
…
Late evening, at 11 o’clock.
Noland Lee concluded his conversation with Morster and returned outside Revival City.
He and Morster had forged a soul contract:
Morster would keep his secrets, and in return, Noland promised to do one non-law-breaking, non-companion-harming task for Morster.
At that point, Noland had erased the place where he was most likely to be exposed.
He could now fully immerse himself in the operation tonight.
“That Paisi Dingda is using meditation as a disguise, assimilating all the metallic objects in the city,” said the Assassin Angel.
He continued, “Starting now, you must not touch any metallic object.”
“Understood,” Noland replied.
Noland floated about twenty centimeters off the ground, enveloped by the “Veil of Different Worlds,” entering an invisibility status.
He had already removed all metallic objects from his body, including the Mechanos.
As the Assassin Angel spoke:
“Jay Spade has been equipped with the ‘Veil of Different Worlds.’ You can freely use mental magic on him without worrying about being discovered by Paisi Dingda. Manipulate Jay Spade, touch the gem box, and my ‘Veil of Different Worlds’ will envelope and shrink the box, attaching it to Jay Spade. You just need to approach him to take the box away.”
Noland Lee gazed into his magic vision, nodding solemnly.
At that moment, Jay Spade was discussing with Lamont and three Light Wizards about pretending to be Grey Wizards to trade with the Undead Cult.
“Remember one thing, once the gem box moves more than 100 meters away from Paisi Dingda, he will realize it’s gone,” the Assassin Angel said.
“Thus, the best course of action is to summon your Companion Witch within a 100-meter radius of Paisi Dingda. Have her take you to the seaside, and then you both can leave Alchemist Island together.”
In the magic vision, Lamont and the two Light Wizards stood up to leave.
“I’ll take Denise Green via the sea route, using deep-sea magic to return to Island 33,” Noland Lee inhaled deeply, restraining the nervousness and excitement within him.
Jay Spade remained alone in the study room.
In the entire Pure Light Post, only the duty wizards were still active.
Paisi Dingda’s work of assimilating metal continued and would not end in the immediate future.
Now was the best time to strike.
