Chapter 523: Back on Track
Chapter 523: Back on Track
"Alarson?!"
Lindsey saw Alarson rushing forward and was about to chase after him.
But before he could take a step, a terrifying will from the pitch-black sea suddenly latched onto the depths of his mind.
Lindsey was different from other Awakened ones.
He had received 'special attention.'
In an instant, his Essence was sealed, his skills were unusable, and he couldn't even access his attribute panel! He felt like a spectator watching a performance from a godlike perspective.
Except for his ability to think, he couldn't do anything else, and this was exactly the experience that the musician and others were going through!
"..."
"Why didn't they do this from the start? Why now...?"
Lindsey was utterly confused.
It was at this moment that he thought of young Alarson's state before his disappearance.
—Memory sharing.
The real Alarson had fallen into a coma after being pulled into the vortex, unable to share any subsequent memories.
This was evident from young Alarson's state as well.
But just now, young Alarson had started sharing memories again. What did this mean? The real Alarson must have awakened, allowing these individuals from different timelines to receive new information in their minds.
Even the Eighth Stage Artist didn't want certain things witnessed to be revealed.
Speculating further, the Fallen Artist on Black Tide Island must have reached a crucial stage in her plan.
This was the real reason she was willing to use her power to eliminate Lindsey and the others as 'obstacles'!
"This is our dearest hometown."
"The azure waters flow through the streets, where a thousand sails gather, and the sound of art echoes through the clouds..."
At the same time, a song echoed behind Lindsey.
His body turned involuntarily, and he saw the musician from before, singing.
The musician's song depicted the beauty of the Thousand Sails City.
Within the song, a rainbow-hued gateway opened from the corpse of the Abyssal Whale.
People around them filed through, one by one, disappearing into the isolated island at sea.
"..."
Lindsey, among the crowd, couldn't be an exception.
He strode towards the light gate, his movements perfectly in sync with the others.
"No, I can't go back!"
"The situation in Thousand Sails City, the distorted rules of the Mirror World..."
"If I leave here, I might never get another chance!"
In that instant, the power of the Ladder of Heaven burst forth, fueled by Lindsey's intense will.
Courtyard Fruit.
An Eighth Stage Garden Core, this unique item within Lindsey's body formed an independent and complete Essence system, resolving the conflict between the two Essences and, being of the same Eighth Stage essence, evaded the control of the Eighth Stage Artist.
"..."
"Haa..."
After the Essence burst, Lindsey immediately leaned forward, crouching on the ground and gasping for breath.
This burden wasn't physical but rather a psychological and emotional strain.
Although it was only a few minutes, the feeling of being overwhelmed by despair was not something an ordinary person could endure while conscious.
Lindsey paused for a moment, gradually regaining his composure.
At this moment, a cold breeze blew from the distance, and the dark sea calmed.
On the back of the Abyssal Whale's corpse, Lindsey stood alone.
Even the enchanting gateway the musician had opened was slowly shrinking.
Within half a minute, it would likely close completely.
"..."
"Everyone has left..."
Lindsey muttered to himself.
Young Alarson returned to the flow of time, and all the others re-entered the Thousand Sails City. Even the Fallen Artist from Black Tide Island ceased her interference with the world's order.
Lindsey, however, remained on the whale's corpse, determined not to return.
He was acutely aware of the distorted rules in the Mirror World and the dire situation in Thousand Sails City.
Lindsey knew that if he left now, he might never get another chance to set things right.
On the vast ocean, only Lindsey remained.
Confusion and pressure filled the cold air, and he became more aware of the enemy he was facing.
On one side was the disappearing escape route.
On the other side was a lonely world left behind after the devastation of supreme artistry.
"Huff—"
Lindsey took a deep breath.
He cleared his mind of all distractions, and his gaze instantly steadied.
"I probably don't count as a brave hero."
"But, someone is waiting for me, and it's not time to go back yet."
Just then, Lindsey spotted a black cloth on the ground ahead.
"This is... Alarson's robe?"
Lindsey walked over and picked up the robe, then fell silent.
Alarson had claimed to be very skilled in quick sketching, and Lindsey had witnessed his companion's artwork on several occasions.
Now, he finally witnessed Alarson's speed was finally revealed.
In the moment of crisis, Alarson had used rapid and precise brushstrokes to create two paintings on his robe.
The first painting depicted a sky, and with just a few strokes, a clear and serene sky was portrayed, a scene that could be seen at any time and in any place.
The second painting was of a small bridge.
Purple light shone down from above, reflecting the colors of the bridge and the Red Sea's waters.
"..."
Lindsey blinked, sensing the power preserved in the two paintings.
It was the skill used when constructing the Memory Channel.
"The first painting, a sky that can be seen anywhere—most worlds should have this element. So, with the right token, I can enter the corresponding world."
"The second painting..."
Lindsey thought back to the scene from half a day ago.
At that time, he had been rushing around the city, searching for an Awakener who could create a Memory Channel.
Right in front of a small bridge like this, he had met Alarson, and the two had traveled together to this point.
"So, this is the way back to the Thousand Sails City that he left for me."
"..."
Lindsey's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
When the Eighth Stage Awakener manipulated the world with their mighty power.
Even in the nick of time, they managed to escape, analyzing the situation during their retreat, and leaving him with two entrances to the Memory Channel.
"This level of quick-wittedness is definitely not something an ordinary person could possess."
"You say I'm hiding my true strength..."
"You, my friend, are truly amazing."
Lindsey smiled and accepted the two paintings.
Sitting cross-legged on the corpse of the Abyssal Whale, he opened his Map skill.
Aside from some nearby marine life, he couldn't detect any special targets.
It was as if the loneliness in the surrounding air had extended below the ocean's surface, permeating the entire world.
Lindsey's gaze was incredibly calm:
"The enemy is in a critical state."
He recalled the words of the young Wah Wah Wah before his disappearance:
"Unwilling to accept the end of their artistic path, they challenged the pinnacle of artistry through the creation of a script..."
Lindsey carefully analyzed the information.
In every scene of the Seven Seas Alliance, key elements began to emerge:
"Wah Wah Wah, Black Tide Island, Fallen Artist, the relic of a Ninth Stage powerhouse, the missing Eighth Stage artist, challenging the peak of artistry..."
Lindsey's thoughts gradually became clearer.
He stood up and placed the painting of the sky that Alarson had drawn in front of him.
Then, he took out an unfinished candy from his bag and placed it gently on the painting.
"The Enchanting Dream."
"Although it's just a piece of candy, since she ate it, it should be sufficient as a token."
"Destiny? Script?"
(End of Chapter)
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