Level 1 Sorcerers could live up to three hundred years, and this elderly sorcerer couple was less than twenty years away from the end of their lifespans. Throughout the countless years, they had performed numerous renovations and adjustments to their dwelling, making the Troika Tower stand in a triangular formation.
The area in the middle of the triangle was likewise covered with buildings, giving the overall appearance of a huge castle.
The secret observation point was set within the central triangular area.
After passing through several seemingly weak defensive measures, Ivan and his group eventually came to a very deep underground location, an empty chamber. In the center of the chamber stood an Ant Being statue, with mottled murals on the walls to both sides.
The murals depicted a ritual scene in which the Ant Beings seemed to be worshiping something, but with the erosion of time, it was no longer clear what they were worshiping. Enjoy new tales from empire
“This was originally concealed in the earth until someone unearthed it while expanding their residence. After clearing and reinforcing it, it became what we see now,” Christian explained.
“Is there anything special about it?” Ivan asked.
Christian replied, “The data given to you notes that the Ant King Barrier Array originally had 28 runes bundles, which later became 23. In reality, before the sorcerers took over the Ant Being camp, the power contained within the defensive barrier was far greater than just 28 runes bundles. This place is an abandoned barrier node from long ago and also a blind spot that the current defensive array cannot detect.”
“Are you suggesting that this place looks like a node of the Ant King Barrier Array but actually has only a weak connection?”
“Why else would it be called a ‘blind spot’? Here, you can research freely, and it’s difficult for others to notice. Once you have a deeper understanding, we can go elsewhere.”
“You have prepared thoroughly; I have no issues with it.”
Ivan couldn’t find any fault with Christian’s arrangements and agreed to study in the chamber for some time.
“Good luck to you.”
“No, good luck to us.”
Shortly after, Christian’s puppet representative became silent. He needed to focus on the internal affairs of the academy to deal with any sudden situations that might arise and couldn’t afford to devote too much attention here.
Andaya was his representative, supporting from the side while monitoring Ivan’s actions closely.
Ivan didn’t mind this.
He walked to the left side and observed the mural on the wall closely. Only half of the mural remained, and the most important part only revealed a corner, which seemed to be a structure similar to a platform.
On the right side was a hunting scene, with the Ant Beings cheering their hunting success. On the mural, an elder took materials from the spot and used fresh blood to draw symbols on the prey, likely preparing for the ritual.
“There is no special significance to the murals; the only thing worth mentioning in the chamber is the Ant Person statue. We had better make the most of our time,” Andaya said when she saw him staring intently at the symbols on the prey for a long while, and she couldn’t help but remind him.
“Is that so? Then I should study it well,” Ivan agreed readily and walked towards the Ant Person statue. It was as tall as a person; he had seen another identical one in Deputy Dean Teresa’s office.
He started to sense carefully and felt an aura similar to that of the Ant Being barrier. After a long accumulation of time, the aura here was still quite rich.
Previously, Christian had given him similar resources, presumably collected from within the statue. There was no further research value to this aura.
He waved his hand over the ground, neatly sweeping the dust to one side, then directly crouched down to sit on the floor.
The small Multi-changing Star Spike popped out from his waist and landed across his knee. Then, transparent thread-like lines emerged from the small Star Spike, drilling into the interior of the Ant Being statue like antenna.
Andaya was taken aback for a moment, her gaze inevitably drawn to the peculiar magicalized item.
“Sorcerer Ivan, is that an ‘array-breaking drill’? It seems different,” she asked.
“The small Star Spike and the array-breaking drill are similar items,” Ivan responded casually, focusing more on the inside of the statue. He was following the faint connection through the transparent threads, aiming to reach the Ant King Barrier Array.
Soon, the transparent threads started to snap one by one, and in the blink of an eye, none were left.
“How is it?”
“Not bad. The power transmitted through this blind spot is too weak and easily severed. It requires a bit more patience and skill.”
Seeing his confident demeanor, Andaya said no more. Words were cheap, she would truly believe only when she saw actual results, and only then would she let him explore the Ant Being barrier here.
After a moment, Ivan still made use of the small Multi-changing Star Spike’s power. Several transparent filaments sprouted from the hand holding the small Star Spike and, just as before, probed towards an unseen location through the Ant Being sculpture.
Andaya watched this scene, noting changes in the barely visible patterns on the transparent filaments. She had studied Enchantment and runes, and her intuition told her that some of these patterns were quite complex.
“It’s done.”
Before she could think it through, she heard Ivan’s voice.
Ivan dissipated the unnecessary transparent filaments, leaving only one that was slightly thicker than before, tightly connected to some heavy location.
The transparent filament twisted continuously as if it might snap at any second.
“Really?”
“No wonder you call them ‘observing points’; this field of vision is really narrow.”
Seeing her doubt, Ivan took out a Crystal Ball. The Crystal Ball floated to one side of the transparent filament, clinging and swaying, but the image inside the Crystal Ball appeared clear.
“No wonder Christian values you so much. You continue to observe; I will handle matters outside.” Andaya nodded in satisfaction, fully recognizing his mastery in Enchantment.
To hook up to the Ant King Barrier Array from here with only two attempts, she had never seen such enchantment skills before.
After speaking, Andaya left the secret chamber.
“It’s like an ant trying to shake a tree, but having the chance to observe and research the Ant King Barrier Array at will is indeed a rare opportunity.” Ivan pocketed the Crystal Ball, his attention following the transparent filament deep into the defensive array.
Limited by the faint connection between the observing point and the defensive array, the area he could observe was extremely narrow. Thus, the time needed to explore the entire defensive array would increase a hundredfold, a thousandfold.
After much thought, he felt that strengthening this connection was essential. There’s a saying that goes, “To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools,” and the principle is the same.
…
Twin Towers.
For nearly two months, Justine knew Ivan had been very busy and was at a critical moment in his research, so she wouldn’t disturb him unless it was absolutely necessary.
“Ivan, Sorceress Mauline wishes to see you.”
“Did she say what it’s about?”
In the meditation room, Wolban felt a twinge in his heart upon hearing this, but as no ordinary person, he quickly calmed the miscellaneous thoughts within.
“The Shadow Ant servant that came to deliver the message didn’t say.”
“I see. Got it.”
Wolban didn’t turn his head, simply responding briefly.
Justine didn’t pay much mind to his coldness. That was just Ivan’s way; no one should think of approaching him when he was engrossed in research.
However, Ivan had been seeming too aloof lately, which troubled Justine somewhat.