Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2792: Chapter 2793: Er Bao Reveals Himself

"I was the one who called Erbao here." At this moment, Genggui, who had been silent, spoke: "Although I can simulate my mother’s ability, this in itself is not my talent. While simulating, I can’t do anything else. If I nullify the energy, I can’t expand the entrance; and when opening or closing the entrance, I can’t achieve energy nullification."

"So, I need Erbao to cooperate with me."

Genggui’s words answered some of Angel’s doubts.

No wonder, initially, when he and Kaier fell into the pit, they didn’t feel the energy nullified. But after they got out, the second time the pit opened, a sensation of energy being swallowed above the pit appeared. It turned out that when Genggui simulated You Nu’s ability, he could only simulate one at a time.

Previously, Genggui was purely opening and closing the pit, no need for energy nullification, so he could handle it alone. Now, to expand the pit and achieve energy nullification above the pit, cooperation with Erbao from the Cyclops Family was needed, which is why Erbao appeared here.

As for why Erbao was hiding in the dark after coming, perhaps it was due to his personality, preferring to observe from the shadows rather than confront directly.

"I see." Angel nodded in understanding.

Genggui: "Although Erbao doesn’t mind how you discovered him, I’m a bit curious, how did you find him?"

It should be noted that Angel was inside Genggui’s body at the moment. While Erbao was outside, including his true form, how did Angel precisely find Erbao through Genggui’s body?

As Genggui’s question fell, Erbao seemed indifferent but was also waiting for Angel’s answer.

Erbao’s previous indifference was just a facade; internally, he was somewhat concerned.

Angel: "Well..."

Angel deliberately paused, heightening everyone’s curiosity before smiling and saying, "... it’s a secret."

Having been led on, Erbao snorted coldly but said nothing more.

Genggui, however, showed a sign of disappointment. He was quite concerned about Erbao being discovered by Angel. If Angel could find him, could others also find him? If the underground aqueduct was breached one day, wouldn’t the Cyclops Family be exposed to everyone?

Perhaps noticing Genggui’s concern, or maybe just to lower the expectations, Angel paused for three or four seconds before suddenly activating his right eye.

The previously obscure green pattern became active under Angel’s intentional provocation.

A peculiar mask outline gradually formed near Angel’s right eye.

Everyone watched in disbelief, especially Genggui. The energy activated by Angel inside Genggui was something he couldn’t comprehend at all, nor did it trigger his talent suppression. The strange green pattern and the glowing right eye seemed independent, unaffected by space or Genggui’s talent.

What exactly was this ability? Genggui wanted to observe closely, but to his slight dismay, Angel only activated his right eye briefly, allowing the strange mask to appear momentarily before retracting the energy.

Only the faintly hovering green pattern in his right eye indicated that the earlier anomaly was not an illusion.

After retracting the green pattern, Angel gave Genggui a meaningful smile.

Genggui seemed to realize something: "Is this your... secret?"

Angel did not answer, maintaining both his silence and his mystery.

Genggui seemed to understand something and did not probe further. In his view, it was almost certain that Angel’s ability to discover Erbao was due to the green pattern in his right eye.

As for what the green pattern in his right eye was, Genggui felt it was unimportant. Everyone has secrets; they do, the Wise Sovereign does, and so do they.

From the astonished looks of Angel’s companions, it was evident that Angel’s ability was unique to him, much like how every member of the Cyclops Family has a special talent—unique and exclusive.

Since it wasn’t a common or general ability, there was no need to worry excessively. Even if the underground aqueduct were breached one day, they wouldn’t worry about being discovered.

"He doesn’t dare speak because he knows he can’t lie inside you," Erbao’s voice came through.

Genggui thought about it and felt there was some truth to it.

Angel looked at Erbao: "If I told you the secret, would it still be a secret?"

Erbao: "Then what were you doing just now, performing?"

Angel: "You can interpret it as a performance if you like, as you wish. I never said it was my secret, nor did I say it wasn’t."

After speaking, seeing that Erbao was still full of suspicion and seemed ready to keep questioning, Angel simply cut him off in advance: "Whether you believe it or not, it doesn’t matter. After all, it’s... my secret."

Angel was just short of saying "rude," but not saying it was better than saying it, because Erbao had a feeling that Angel looked at him like a mischievous, stubborn child, and as an outsider, there was no need to talk about etiquette to such a child.

This look was more insulting to Erbao than direct words, yet he couldn’t get angry because the other party continuously maintained a demeanor of magnanimity, which only made his own actions seem more unreasonable.

The most important thing was that Dabo recognized the other’s words. Even his own brother agreed with him, so continuing to argue about this topic would only make him appear more rude.

So, Erbao fell silent.

Everyone around witnessed this little verbal skirmish, observing Erbao’s changing expressions and eventual silence. They had lived for decades or even centuries; they knew the intricacies involved here.

To put it bluntly, Erbao was overthinking, which led to his dissatisfaction. On the other hand, Genggui, only looking at the literal meaning, found everything very reasonable.

Sometimes overthinking only brings trouble.

...

After experiencing a small wave, Genggui brought the topic back to the right track: "Do you really have any clues?"

Angel nodded: "I have some. If you and Erbao’s collaboration can truly reach the level of your mother, You Nu, I should be confident in going to the Wise Sovereign’s hall without harming You Nu."

Genggui and Erbao exchanged glances, still finding it hard to believe that Angel had found a solution so quickly?

"Are you sure?"

Angel shrugged: "Not sure. Wasn’t I asking if you and Erbao’s collaboration truly reached You Nu’s level?"

Genggui nodded: "Although the entrance size is much smaller than Mother’s, in other abilities, it is the same."

Angel: "Then that’s good enough."

Angel paused: "Now we can sign that somewhat unequal contract."

Although signing the contract was beneficial for Genggui, he still wanted to know how Angel did it, ideally to go over it again.

In response to Genggui’s request, Angel also made a demand: "If you can keep it from You Nu to the extent that you can help cover it up when she asks you, then I can try again."

Angel actually wanted to go over it again to avoid any mistakes. However, doing so would mean that Genggui and Erbao would know how he did it.

If You Nu got wind of it and asked the two brothers, they would be prepared in advance, and the method Angel had in mind could also be countered.

Therefore, if there’s really a demonstration, Angel needs a guarantee from Genggui and Erbao first.

Actually, he doesn’t trust their integrity.

Genggui said confidently, "Mother won’t inquire."

Angel: "Why are you so sure? Do you think your mother lacks curiosity? Perhaps the motherly heart You Nu is lenient with you, but doesn’t the heart of a young girl and child have curiosity?"

"To take a step back, it’s possible You Nu might not inquire, but what if the one behind her knows and instructs her to ask?"

Genggui paused, unsure of what to respond first... after a long while, it finally said, "How do you know mother has the heart of a young girl and child?"

Angel: "The Three Temporal Bodies, a woman who calls herself Laplace... Oh no, the woman referred to as Laplace told us."

"Laplace... is it her?" Genggui and Erbao exchanged glances and fell into contemplation. From their expressions, they seemed to have inexplicable fear towards the name’s associated presence.

Seconds later, Genggui snapped out of it, not continuing to inquire about Laplace, but rather avoided any questions potentially involving her, saying, "If you’re very concerned about this, I can add a clause to the contract, promising not to disclose anything to anyone, not even to mother or the Wise Sovereign."

On the surface, Angel nodded, and began discussing the contract issue with Genggui. But internally, he was quietly pondering, as expected, Laplace is a peculiar presence in the Mirror Domain; otherwise, Genggui and Erbao wouldn’t be so evasive, avoiding her even in conversation.

Unfortunately, Laplace had already left, and who knows when they will meet again.

The process of signing the contract with Genggui was swift, with Erbao constantly eyeing the contract clauses, seemingly worried they might pull tricks within the contract.

Angel had a mistaken impression, perhaps Genggui brought Erbao as oversight more for scrutinizing the contract clauses?

No matter the reason, Erbao wasn’t able to find faults within the contract clauses.

Overall, the terms were somewhat unfair, but within their acceptable range. At least after signing, they had a certain mutual understanding with Genggui and Erbao, without fear of being backstabbed.

After the contract signing, Genggui released everyone.

However, matters weren’t over yet; Genggui planned another stealth attack to test if Angel’s method would actually work.

Once everyone was back to standing on the ground, Dox looked at Angel, "Do you really have a way?"

The others also looked over curiously.

Without answering, Angel picked up the slate given by Black Earl and started observing the surrounding energy veins. While observing, he cautiously placed several External Array Disks at the locations where the veins converged.

The last surprise attack by Genggui came very quickly, and he wasn’t sure if it would employ the same tactic again this time.

To avoid failure, Angel didn’t have time to respond to the others but instead began setting up the External Array Disks, attempting to swiftly take control of the area’s energy flow.

Angel spent about half a minute arranging the External Array Disks in the area, and not long after he finished, Genggui’s attack finally came.

But this time, everyone noticed ahead of time.

Although everyone was more alert, the reason everyone noticed beforehand wasn’t just due to vigilance; there was another reason—

The pit was much smaller than before. Furthermore, it was significantly smaller.

Before, as soon as the pit appeared, it was about the size of a well, directly capable of swallowing a person. But now, the pit’s entrance was about the size of a dinner plate, although it was slowly enlarging, it did allow time for a reaction.

The pit appeared beneath Kaier’s feet—a testament to Genggui and Erbao’s deep affection for Kaier.

One foot of Kaier was already in the pit, although it was just one foot, it seemed as if he lost all strength, unable to escape on his own.

Nonetheless, Kaier wasn’t alone, Dox pulled Kaier by the wrist, easily rescuing him.

Unlike before, Dox’s hand wasn’t rendered ineffective above the pit, thus he hadn’t lost strength and could effortlessly save Kaier.

Once rescued, Kaier swiftly retreated beyond the pit’s range.

The pit seemed to realize something wasn’t right and began to slowly close, the closing speed visibly slower than before, visible to the naked eye.

After closing, Genggui prepared yet another stealth attack.

This time, the target was Angel.

Yet, Angel was focused on observing the "Ground Vein Record," easily detecting a change in energy flow and backing up several steps just before Genggui could open the pit.

The pit opened, still only at plate size...

After struggling for quite a while, the pit finally expanded to the size of a bowl, taking a whole half a minute. Further expansion proved difficult, as the surrounding energy veins were being compressed.

Ultimately, Genggui and Erbao abandoned their plans to continue the attack.

Genggui and Erbao emerged from the pit, and upon flying out, they didn’t immediately look at everyone, but instead eyed the external array disks scattered around.

"Indeed, it’s achieved through controlling the Magical Energy Array..." Erbao murmured.

Upon finishing, Erbao turned to look at Angel holding the slate, for the first time making a conclusive remark, "Your Magical Energy Array expertise is strong."

Angel smiled faintly, staying silent, while Vay boasted proudly beside him, "Naturally, even the Wise Sovereign mentioned that only great talents can pass the You Nu’s trial unharmed."

Though Vay’s words had a hint of exaggeration, Erbao agreed with them.

Erbao came to see if this team was capable of passing the maternal trial through clever strategies; if through brute force or methods harmful to her, Erbao intended to stop them right here.

But Angel used the energy flow in the Magical Energy Array to limit maternal abilities, which was essentially the best approach. Similarly, it’s also the toughest approach given the Underground Aqueduct’s Magical Energy Array is too vast and magnificent. Most would struggle to merely leverage its strength without being overwhelmed by it.

Angel’s ability to harness the Magical Energy Array suggests his insightful grasp on the subject.

No wonder the Wise Sovereign would recognize him and express confidence their squad wouldn’t harm You Nu.

Erbao glanced at Angel, "I acknowledge this method, though you should know its weakness: it’s difficult to move. However, the Wise Sovereign also remarked that you’ve already deduced the maternal position, allowing you a swift passage through that intersection."

In closing, Erbao and Genggui almost simultaneously said, "You’ve passed."

Here, Angel’s method had successfully passed their trial, and they no longer would hinder Angel and his team’s progress.

Additionally, at this moment, Genggui displayed its sincerity: "Prepare a newly crafted mirror; I can now retrieve the memory of Grey Merchant for you."

Originally, Genggui intended to release Grey Merchant’s memory after they passed the maternal trial, but now, Angel’s ability has been proven. Limiting energy flow through the Magical Energy Array makes passing the maternal trial seem not difficult, convincing it to offer the memory ahead of schedule.