Chapter 367: The Obstacle
Chapter 367: The Obstacle
Madman Walter was the first to enter the Inner Ring, not because he was the strongest, but because he had the deepest understanding of the Titan Core.
Even when trapped and confined for hundreds of years, Walter would ponder ways to enter the Inner Ring.
Although he had never actually attempted it, he had mentally rehearsed it countless times in his mind.
Upon his escape, Walter rushed towards the Inner Ring without hesitation.
Following closely behind was Witch Cheri, who carried a Wizard Tower. The tower emitted a radiant light that stabilized the surrounding space-time, and she charged towards the Inner Ring.
The power of the Abyss ignored the distortion of space-time forces, and once it locked onto its target, it would not be affected by any external influences.
If Aksha had been willing to cooperate, the Titan Core would have likely recognized its master long ago.
Lastly, there was Julia and her group.
Although young, Julia, a member of the Roll family, had access to knowledge far beyond that of her peers.
For wizards, knowledge was power.
Especially for Julia, who had sought advice from her family elders regarding the secrets of space-time before embarking on this journey.
She took out a magic carpet, and under the control of the three mysterious wizards, they soared towards the temporal turbulence.
Amidst the turbulent currents, the group quickly approached the Inner Ring.
"This isn't that difficult!" Theodore leaped onto the platform of the Inner Ring and stretched his muscles. "Aksha from Viper Academy took several hundred years to achieve this. How foolish."
"What's easy for some is difficult for others," Julia said calmly. "You should know that for wizards, some problems may never be solved through personal contemplation alone. But to certain wizards, problems are not even problems at all."
Theodore smiled and took the lead, rushing towards a large gate.
"Boom!"
Before he even got close, an invisible force pulled him back, causing a sonic boom.
"What are you doing?" Theodore turned and glared at Julia.
"Stay here and stop anyone from getting close," Julia said calmly, holding her staff. "This is an opportunity arranged by my family. Don't think about interfering."
"Sister..." Theodore's eyes flickered with worry.
"I'm just concerned that you might encounter trouble in there. That Witch Cheri is not easy to deal with."
"Thank you for your concern," Julia said, her eyes deep and mysterious.
"But I'm prepared." She waved to the three wizards behind her. "Follow me."
"Yes, Miss."
The three wizards, hidden beneath their large cloaks, glided forward as if they were shadows without feet.
Theodore's expression changed, his hands clenching and unclenching. In the end, he could only stop with a face full of resentment.
He knew his sister's personality well; if he insisted on following, she wouldn't hesitate to break his legs.
But as a Second Circle Wizard, he no longer had the qualifications to challenge a Third Circle Wizard.
"Why are you standing there?"
In his rage, he could only vent his frustration at those around him.
"All of you, keep watch! If you let outsiders in, you'll pay for it!"
"Yes."
The others could only respond with helpless agreement.
"Bang!"
A frozen jade plaque was smashed by Gear Jack, revealing the item behind it.
This was another valuable find for Linen and his group at the treasure site, following their discovery in the Nine-Layer Wizard Tower.
"A Magic Map!"
White Crow tilted her head, her three eyes blinking.
"This is a rare artifact that can record the movements of all things. Why would Aksha leave it here?"
"It should be used to record and analyze the patterns of temporal turbulence."
Gear Jack picked up the Magic Map and pointed at the numerous tracks on it.
"Look!"
"These are traces of someone entering the Inner Ring, proving that Aksha could have entered the Inner Ring long ago. It's not surprising that he left this here."
"He's been to the Inner Ring?" White Crow flapped his wings, his voice laced with surprise. "How did I not know about this?"
Gear Jack rolled his eyes.
"If our suspicions are correct," Lin, standing nearby, spoke thoughtfully, "Aksha's poisoning was intentional, meant to lure Witch Cheri in. He even allowed Ron to free Madman Walter, and he wasn't even poisoned in the first place. Why go through all this trouble to bring so many people to the Inner Ring?"
"The Kernel!"
The three of them felt a simultaneous surge of realization.
"Aksha must have been unable to open the path to the Kernel by himself, so he set this trap to lure others here," Gear Jack explained hurriedly. "Every move we make here might be under his watchful eye. We're as good as dead."
Given Aksha's stingy nature, he wouldn't let their actions go unpunished.
"Not necessarily," Lin said, his expression unchanged.
"Since Aksha faked his death, he must have had his reasons to fear. We can seek refuge with other powers."
"For example..."
"The Roll Family!"
"Exactly!" Gear Jack clapped his hands. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
With the traces on the magic map as their guide and a flying ship at their disposal, reaching the Inner Ring wasn't difficult.
When they arrived, they saw several people standing guard around a platform.
"Theodore?" Lin scanned the surroundings.
"Weren't you with Julia?"
Theodore raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I didn't expect you to make it to the Inner Ring either. Aksha is truly useless, living so long for nothing."
"No, that's not it!" Gear Jack quickly interjected. "Dean Aksha has already been to the Inner Ring, and he wasn't poisoned. This time, he deliberately lured you here. He must be planning to use you to achieve his hidden agenda."
"Is that so?" Theodore was taken aback for a moment before breaking into a low laugh. "Interesting!"
"But what does this have to do with me?"
"Hmm?" White Crow blinked. "Aren't you from the Roll Family?"
"Yes," Theodore replied. "But the benefits here belong to my sister, not me. Whether they get it or not doesn't concern me."
"Theodore," Lin shook his head, "If Miss Julia heard you say that, she wouldn't be pleased."
"Heh..." Theodore let out a light scoff.
"Lin, is it?"
"I always felt something was off about you, and now I understand where that feeling came from."
He pointed at Lin, "You show me no respect!"
Lin's eyes widened in confusion.
"You don't understand?" Theodore shook his head and paced. "I'm a direct blood descendant of the Roll Family. Even the Dean would show me respect, but I don't sense that from you."
"Especially when you address me by my name directly. It displeases me greatly!"
"Theodore," Lin frowned, "We have urgent business with Miss Julia."
"Hah!"
Theodore lifted his chin, his expression disdainful. "Lin, and you, the three-eyed crow. You killed my men. Don't think I'll let you off easily."
"Huff..."
Before he could finish, flames surged in front of him, transforming into a giant hand that slammed down.
"So much talk!" Lin's face turned cold.
"You asked for it!"
(End of Chapter)
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