Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2147: Chapter 2148: Feng and the Oil Painting

Shell World, Kingdom of Saint Ysha.

A group of girls dressed in Luthean Holy Church uniforms strolled under the sunshine, laughing and discussing the recent news about the Holy Selection Conference.

"By the way, I heard that the Pope values this Holy Selection Conference greatly and will even attend in person."

"That’s not surprising. The Pope has come to past Holy Selection Conferences as well, hasn’t he? After all, it’s an event to choose the Saintess."

"But usually, the Pope only appears at the end. This time he’s showing up at the beginning; it’s unprecedented."

"Indeed, the Pope is always busy. I heard last month that he received divine instructions to go to the Idia Mine to prevent a disaster, and yesterday, I read in the church newspaper that the Pope plans to send a team to the Mechanism Nation of heretics to spread the gospel."

"With such a gentle Pope leading, the Holy Church can only flourish... I’m already starting to look forward to the Holy Selection Conference."

While the ’candidate Saintesses’ were chattering away, a blond woman carrying painting tools suddenly stopped.

"Sister Feng, what’s wrong?" asked a girl who was holding hands with the blond woman, sounding puzzled.

The blond woman, referred to as ’Sister Feng,’ smiled and said, "It’s nothing. I just suddenly remembered that I have some paints especially suitable for Saint Star Blue, but I didn’t bring them with me. I’ll go back to get them now."

The girl glanced at the other ’candidate Saintesses,’ then at Sister Feng, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded, saying, "Alright, we’ll wait for you at St. Astor’s Chapel."

Today, they gathered together so that Sister Feng could paint the most beautiful holy painting to present to the Bishop. Therefore, even the details of the paints were something they hoped could be the best.

Feng, the painter, nodded, "Alright, I’ll be back soon."

With that, Feng, carrying painting tools almost as big as half her body, turned and walked toward her street.

However, what the girls didn’t know was that although she headed toward her residence, she vanished after crossing a street, turning into a gust of wind, and in a flash, appeared at the lakeside in the suburbs.

Noticing a Lake Heart Island on the lake, Feng’s eyes brightened, and she flew over to the island.

Upon reaching Lake Heart Island, Feng shook her head and sighed, "Ever since coming to the Luthean Holy Church, the sense of being watched has only intensified. There’s no moment to breathe... Fortunately, that suspected mysterious object can’t bypass water."

Only in places surrounded by water did she feel a sense of relaxation in mind and body.

After taking a breath on Lake Heart Island, she gently waved her hand, and a hidden painting emerged from the depths of space in front of her.

This painting was a portrait of a woman from the shoulders up.

The woman was extremely beautiful, not just in appearance; even her bones and inner qualities, as perceived on paper, were flawless.

Even though Feng had drawn this painting herself, every time she saw it, she still felt a pounding heart.

After admiring the work for a while, Feng extended her hand and touched the surface of the painting. Strangely, her fingers did not touch just the paper surface but probed into the painting, causing ripples in the space.

After a moment, a lazy, raspy voice sounded from within the painting: "My dear Feng, do you know what you’re doing?"

"You’re destroying art, disturbing my painting! Even if you’re my close friend, you’ll need to pay for your recklessness."

After a silence, Feng somewhat sheepishly said, "I’m very sorry, I just had some news I was eager to share with you and didn’t realize Lady Rowling was painting. I’ll reimburse my mistake with... a box of Star Colors paint?"

"Two boxes."

Feng was silent for a moment, reluctantly nodding, "Fine, two boxes. But after Lady Rowling finishes painting, I’d like to see your work."

"Of course. After all, you are the most famous painter across the Pan-Dimensional Plane, Milael. Feng."

When the voice fell, the lady in the painting seemed to come to life and stepped out from it.

Once she stood in place, she first surveyed her surroundings – the forest, the lake, and the distant and barely visible ancient city walls.

"I remember a year ago, for that mysterious object, you were in the Heart Kingdom of the Shell World. This isn’t the Heart Kingdom..." the elegant Lady Rowling said as she glanced back at her friend Feng.

"Huh?" Lady Rowling was momentarily stunned when she saw Feng, then burst into laughter.

"I never thought the renowned Magic Painter Wizard would have a penchant for crossdressing," Rowling chuckled softly, covering her mouth.

"I had no choice; the Luthean Holy Church of the Kingdom of Saint Ysha allows only women to enter. I came here also for a mysterious object," Feng sighed helplessly. "I had no alternative."

Rowling raised an eyebrow, "I can sense you’re not really against it, inside. It seems you’ve gained a lot from this guise~"

Feng coughed twice, "No, no."

Rowling did not believe him. As the former Queen of the Central Empire, even though she was now just a mere soul, her ability to see through people hadn’t waned. Feng definitely used his crossdressing for some shady dealings.

Feng, feeling a chill from Rowling’s stare, hurriedly changed the topic: "I called you out this time because my spiritual sense tells me that the Inscription Space I left in Star Lake Castle has been activated."

Rowling’s expression paused, and for a long while, she lowered her head and sighed softly, "Star Lake Castle... such a distant and familiar name."

After her reflection, Rowling looked at Feng, "The activation of the Inscription Space means that one of my descendants entered it?"

Feng nodded, "Correct, the trace of spirituality you left was also triggered."

"So, that person should also possess a body close to the spirit," Rowling’s eyes carried a hint of re-evaluation. "That’s my bloodline descendant, merely thinking about it is inexplicably exciting. I hope I can meet him soon."

Feng: "To meet him, he must at least become a Talented One."

Rowling: "Didn’t you leave Witch’s Soup to increase Mental Power Value? If he can’t tread the path of a Transcendent even after drinking the Witch’s Soup, he’s not worthy to see me either."

After speaking, half of Rowling’s figure returned into the painting: "My bloodline descendant is something you don’t need to concern yourself with anymore, unless one day he comes looking for me, then inform me."

With that, Rowling disappeared into the painting.

Feng just shrugged, softly muttering, "Back then you told me to alert you about any Inscription Space news. Now you act nonchalant."

"I haven’t returned to the painting yet..." Rowling’s voice echoed softly from the female figure in the painting.

Feng quickly shut his mouth.

A good moment passed before Feng confirmed that Rowling had returned to the depths of the painting world, and then he breathed a long sigh of relief.

He no longer discussed the Inscription Space and instead gazed toward the horizon, a faint emotion in his eyes: "Mentioning the Inscription Space reminds me of the Old Earth Continent not far from the Revelation Continent..."

"The things left there, should I retrieve them? Rekton has wanted them for a long time... Forget it, it’s the fate set by the Book of Kael."

"However, the key is in Odeclass’s hands, and that object is placed there, with the entrance being a hidden small door. Can anyone really get the key and find the location?" Feng was somewhat doubtful, but since the Book of Kael is the ultimate mysterious object, it shouldn’t be wrong.

"Never mind, if someone truly gets that thing and can make use of it, they will undoubtedly shine with endless brilliance."

"I will meet you eventually."

After speaking, Feng brushed aside the golden hair hanging by his ear.

"It’s time to go back."

...

On the other side, the Gondola had left Star Lake Castle and set sail once again.

"Why didn’t you stay?" Angel looked at Little Sam across from him: "Star Lake Castle should be a good place for you at the moment."

"Though the castle is nice, I can’t see hope here." Little Sam said this and sneaked a glance at Angel.

Then, sneaked a second glance... a third glance.

In the end, Little Sam was no longer sneaking a look but openly staring at Angel, his entire expression filled with "I have something to say, ask me, ask me!"

Angel was silent for a moment, but he still followed the child’s wishes: "What do you want to say?"

Little Sam’s eyes instantly lit up: "Mr. Pat, I read before in Queen Rowling’s words that at specific points on the Flourish Continent, one can wait for the Transcendents who have taken on the Guiding mission. They will bring me into the Witcher Organization, is that true?"

"That’s right." Angel briefly explained the significance of the Guiding mission for various Witcher Organizations. Also, he indicated that some Witcher Organizations might not guide the Talented Ones peaceably. If one encounters a Black Wizard, like in a "Nine Chambers Bloodsport," then one can only accept their fate.

Little Sam: "Then, can I join the Witcher Organization Mr. Pat belongs to? Where should I go to find the Guide of Mr. Pat’s organization?"

Looking at Little Sam’s hopeful eyes, Angel pondered: "I don’t know either, I didn’t take on the Guiding mission. However, I can ask around for you."

Little Sam’s eyes could hardly conceal his excitement: "That would be great!"

Angel said nothing more, letting Little Sam be excited beside him. He said he would inquire, but he actually already had the idea of guiding Little Sam into the Barbarian Cave.

The reason he didn’t make an immediate promise was simply because they hadn’t measured his Mental Power Value yet. If, even after drinking Witch’s Soup, it still wasn’t up to the mark, then there’s no need to recommend him.

Soon, the Gondola left the mountains and headed towards Saint Sem City... next to Bolai Town.

This time, he said he was going to Saint Sem City only because it’s the Central Empire’s landmark. In fact, his destination was the orphanage in Bolai Town, to meet Frode there.

In less than two minutes, they arrived at Bolai Town.

Angel cast an Illusion Technique to conceal the Gondola’s trace and descended in a small alley.

Shortly after, Angel and Little Sam emerged from the alley.

Returning to Bolai Town, Angel was once again captivated by the artistic atmosphere here. Even though it’s still early morning, he could already see artists painting the dawn on the riverbank; people practicing their voice on the rooftops, sending out beautiful wake-up calls; and some who had spent the night at a concert, with satisfied smiles, passing by them.

The place is infused with art at every moment.

This is just a small town near Saint Sem City. When you get to Saint Sem City, you’ll feel how flamboyantly art blossoms there.

Standing at the entrance of the alley, Little Sam looked at this scene that was both unfamiliar and familiar, feeling an indescribable sense of homesickness.

"Let’s go." Angel patted Little Sam’s shoulder.

Little Sam nodded, following behind Angel, into the small town bathed in the morning’s Dawnlight.

"Mr. Pat, where are we going now?" Little Sam, following closely behind Angel, asked somewhat puzzled.

"To take you for a meal."

Since Little Sam’s talent needs to be tested, his physical condition must naturally be at its best. Otherwise, testing the Mental Power Value with a frail body may not yield incorrect values, but the physical feedback caused by recklessly using spiritual power would undoubtedly be intolerable for Little Sam.

After having a meal, Angel then brought Little Sam to Tyson Alley.

Tyson Alley was as eerie as ever. Walking here, Little Sam felt as if he’d returned to the eerie winds when he previously encountered the undead.

At the end of Tyson Alley was a dilapidated orphanage, with its prefixing letters fallen off, "Dream Orphanage."

"Here it is. You can call it the Dream Orphanage, or... the Nightmare Orphanage."

...

Angel led Little Sam through the temporarily closed Illusionary Realm "Dawn’s Killing," reaching the interior of the rundown orphanage.

They met Frode, who was already waiting.

In reality, Frode’s figure was very solid, hardly showing any signs of being a Soul. At first, Little Sam even thought he was a person.

Not until Frode effortlessly passed through walls did Little Sam realize something was off.

Frode looked at the curious Little Sam, then looked toward Angel with curiosity: "My lord, who is he?"

"Someone met along the way, with some special talent." Angel, naturally embarrassed to say Little Sam got lost, vaguely said: "He hasn’t slept all night. Please take him to a room to rest first, and I’ll tell you his situation later."

Frode nodded and looked at Little Sam, with a hint of unrecognized kinship in his eyes: "Follow me."

After Frode and Little Sam left, Angel closed his eyes and went to the Wilderness of Dreams.

He entered the top floor of the Treehouse Bar in the Wilderness of Dreams, found a random spot, and took out a transparent glass board to log into the Mother Tree Network.

Soon, he found the information left for him in the tree group.

"My dear brother, though I can’t return to the Old Earth Continent with you, my heart is with you. This is my first time using the tree group, and I don’t know if you can receive my message. If not, Frode will tell you."

"Oh, I saw an article about fragrance meanings on the tree group forum. It was written by Lady Lianna. Is it Lady Witch whom I think it is? If so, does this mean the Wilderness of Dreams has already started to open up in a small range?"

This was a message from his brother Lyon.

Angel thought for a moment and informed Lyon that the Wilderness of Dreams would be opening up in a small scope at the Tea Party.

Lyon wasn’t in the Wilderness of Dreams, and there was no way to get a reply quickly, so Angel stood up and walked to the door.