Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3030: Chapter 3031: The God of the Reed Garden

Amit is a magical creature with a very odd appearance, even the learned Black Earl has never seen a similar creature.

Its head is an ink-green crocodile head, with the nodules and scales of crocodile skin clearly visible; its scales are like polished jade, reflecting a faint glow in places where light shines.

Its body resembles that of a lioness or a solid-colored leopard, overall emitting a faint golden glow, with a very distinct streamlined contour.

From the subtly bulging muscles, one can tell it possesses extremely strong balance ability and superior agility.

The fearsome and fierce crocodile head, coupled with the elegant and nimble leopard body, are two different extremes, yet they perfectly fuse together on Amit. It appears harmonious and natural, with no hint of disharmony.

Not only is its appearance harmonious, but its strength also combines the advantages of both crocodile and leopard.

The power, explosiveness, and strong bite of a crocodile, along with the reaction speed, agility, and keen intuition of a leopard, are all possessed by Amit, and even in a strengthened, transcendent version. It can land and cause cracks in the earth, easily break through energy barriers during an outburst, and it seems to be able to predict all attacks, dodging them with ease. Even if its perception is fooled, it’s still very difficult to attack; its reaction speed can leave an afterimage in place.

Simply based on physical bloodline capabilities alone, Amit is already at a Wizard Level magical creature’s standard. Not to mention, it possesses an energy attack that even the Black Earl cannot fathom—the black death ray.

This energy attack resembles a beam, but it’s a black beam, moving quickly with its attack range concentrated to a single point. Further, its energy is peculiar; the damage it inflicts on Gailuo isn’t strong, he can even ignore it with his strength.

But for the Black Earl, the damage from this energy attack is exponentially increased.

An attack that merely tickles Gailuo can cause the Earthstone Giant created by the Black Earl to show signs of disintegration.

Initially, the Black Earl thought this attack targeted energy nodes, capable of disrupting the energy circulation within the Earthstone Giant. But after personally testing it, he discovered the attack does not target energy nodes but specifically targets him.

Others, including Elder Shu, when facing this energy attack, encounter no issues. Only the Black Earl has problems, be it his Earthstone Giant creation or his Avatar, both struggle to resist the black death ray emitted from Amit’s mouth.

Even the rock shield he creates using energy can be easily penetrated by the direct shot of the black death ray.

Whereas the rock shield exhibited by Elder Shu can block the black death ray.

Most notably, the black death ray is the same for everyone; Amit hasn’t done any tricks with it, whether against the Black Earl or others, it’s always the same black death ray. Yet, the harm suffered by the Black Earl is significantly greater—it’s as if... as if this black death ray was specifically designed to target him.

This strange phenomenon left everyone present bewildered.

Moreover, the existence of the black death ray led many to start making connections.

Members of the Birlos Family began speculating that the real target of the man in the Western suit may actually be the Black Earl.

Just as the Black Earl entered the fray, the man in the Western suit immediately deployed Amit against him.

It’s hard for them not to think that the man in the Western suit orchestrated this series of attacks at Bilun Tree Court to pull the Black Earl into this quagmire.

If that’s indeed the case... Elder Shu feels wronged, as the Birlos Family has unjustly endured such fierce assault. Yet aside from feeling wronged, he’s more fearful deep down. The Black Earl’s Avatar being targeted in Bilun Tree Court is a grave matter.

Very likely, Bilun Tree Court could inadvertently suffer from the Black Earl’s wrath.

At this moment, Elder Shu suddenly feels a sense of regret: perhaps he shouldn’t have left a message for Shayina, then the Black Earl wouldn’t have been implicated.

However, Elder Shu overlooks one point: if the man in the Western suit’s target really is the Black Earl, then he’d be merely a pawn in the plot. Even without him, someone else would lure the Black Earl into the fray.

The Black Earl himself initially considered similar thoughts to Elder Shu.

Yet, upon further contemplation, he finds it implausible.

His presence here is unknown to anyone; even his main body remains uninformed.

Moreover, if the man in the Western suit truly plotted his involvement, it must have started from the moment Vay encountered Angel at the Sandworm Market and decided to participate in the Underground Aqueduct exploration.

That’s quite a project, and during the journey to the Underground Aqueduct, connections with Naraku City’s past, the Wise Sovereign’s legacy, and even Noah ancestor Augustine’s appearance are involved... none of these elements can be easily calculated with prophecy alone, particularly considering the Baiyuanians are involved, directly maxing out anti-prophecy effects.

If the opponent truly orchestrated this, ultimately setting a trap to lure him in, their power would be beyond that of ordinary wizards.

If that’s the case, the Black Earl would have no choice but to accept the loss.

Yet, as of now, the man in the Western suit, though powerful, is still within the Black Earl’s scope of understanding.

Even the Amit specifically targeting him isn’t as formidable as imagined. As long as he avoids the black death ray, the fight can continue; the Black Earl doesn’t perceive himself losing.

Under such circumstances, the Black Earl finds it hard to believe that the opponent’s actions were solely to entrap him.

But if it’s not manipulation, why does Amit’s black death ray have such amplified effects specifically on him?

The Black Earl ponders Amit’s black death ray even while battling.

Despite multitasking, the Black Earl doesn’t fall behind in combat; neither Libiya nor Amit possesses the ability for direct victory.

Amit is slightly troublesome, requiring evasion. But Libiya is completely dominated by the Black Earl.

As the battle intensifies, the scenario of the Black Earl fighting two against one has been fixed, and even Gailuo gradually gets pushed to the periphery.

Gailuo doesn’t wish to not assist, but he simply cannot intervene. Even if he tries to involve himself, it’s likely just a hindrance to the Black Earl rather than aiding him in battle.

Hence, Gailuo retreats to the side.

Nonetheless, Gailuo, though not fighting, doesn’t resolve into solitude and turns his attention to the man in the Western suit.

This time Gailuo wised up, refraining from engaging the man directly, fully aware that any moves made might not affect him and could even backfire.

Thus, Gailuo opts for verbal confrontation.

He begins to question and threaten the man in the Western suit: Why attack Bilun Tree Court? Who instructed you? What is your objective? Ravaging the arena like this, aren’t you afraid of being seen as the enemy of the entire Wizards’ Realm?

Of course, Gailuo’s words are somewhat exaggerated; becoming an enemy is unlikely. However, there are many large-scale witcher organizations stationed in the arena, including the Sky Tower Registration Office, owned by Sky Mechanical City.

If the man in the Western suit keeps causing a ruckus, it’s akin to slapping Sky Mechanical City in the face. Without an explanation acceptable to Sky Mechanical City, they certainly won’t let him off.

However, the man in the suit faced Gailuo’s threat with complete indifference. He didn’t even give Gailuo a glance, as if what Gailuo was saying was just a breeze by his ear.

Gailuo did not give up despite being ignored. He continued his chatter.

But this time, Gailuo placed the target on the "Noah Clan."

"Do you even know who you are attacking now?" Gailuo: "You might escape if you attack us. But if you attack this lord, unless you hide well, you’ll never show up openly again, not even with the Starry District as your backing!"

As for the response from the man in the suit hearing Gailuo’s words, let’s put that aside for now, but the Black Earl was completely baffled upon hearing it.

If it weren’t for knowing that Gailuo was a bit dense, the Black Earl would have thought Gailuo was trying to kill him with praise. Since when did he have such influence? By Gailuo’s account, he could even dominate the Southern Domain single-handedly.

It was so inflated that even the Black Earl felt his head buzzing.

Yet, the Black Earl did not correct Gailuo—first, because the battle here was more important; second, he wanted to understand the man in the suit’s thoughts. Especially, what exactly is this Amit? Was it really cultivated by the man in the suit to target him?

This time, the man in the suit finally broke his silence.

He glanced at Gailuo, saying blandly, "Since he breaks the rules to participate in this game, he must bear the cost of breaking the rules, no matter who he is."

"Cost of breaking the rules?" Gailuo sneered: "This crocodile-headed creature is what you call the cost? Do you think we would believe that? Its ability you cultivated specifically to suppress the Black Earl. Just say it directly, you’re here for him, aren’t you?"

The man in the suit feigned a surprised expression, with a flamboyant tone: "Ah, so he is the renowned Black Earl. How surprising, I didn’t expect even the Black Earl to be participating in my game, which truly is my honor."

After the exaggerated expression, the man in the suit returned to a gentle demeanor: "However, whoever it may be, even if Lord Monty came, upon entering my game, he still needs to abide by the rules."

"As for you claiming that I cultivated Amit to target the Black Earl? That is a slander, but I forgive you. Words of ignorance can only be seen as empty talk."

After these words, the man in the suit fell silent. No matter how much Gailuo provoked, the man in the suit wouldn’t utter a word, at most giving Gailuo a look, seemingly telling him that if he feels unconvinced, he can attack.

But Gailuo surely dared not attack, so he stopped.

After Gailuo ceased his chatter, it wasn’t long before the Black Earl, suppressing two magical creatures all along, suddenly spoke in a faint voice.

"Previously, I didn’t understand what this Amit magical creature you spoke of was... Now I seem to understand."

The Black Earl’s voice buzzed a bit because it was produced by five Earthstone Giants together. Yes, five of them. At that moment, the Black Earl had already created over ten tall Earthstone Giants, and his avatars were continuously instantaneously moving within these giants.

Although Amit’s black death ray severely countered him, it was useless unless it directly hit the Black Earl’s avatars.

As the Earthstone Giants increased, Amit could no longer accurately capture the Black Earl’s presence, thus the black death ray’s effect on the Black Earl diminished to none.

In such a scenario, the Black Earl also had time to contemplate the man in the suit’s words.

The man in the suit, facing the Black Earl, returned to a cheerful demeanor: "Oh? What might the Black Earl want to convey?"

The Black Earl didn’t immediately speak but watched the man’s shoulders subtly tremble: though shaking, it wasn’t out of fear, more like a restrained excitement.

Excitement comes in many forms, most often positive. But the man in the suit’s excitement was more akin to a pathological thrill, an uncontrollable elation in facing strong opponents.

It wasn’t respect for the powerful but a delusional excitement to topple the powerful.

This intrigued the Black Earl greatly.

What kind of environment could nurture such a deviant?

Though deviant, the Black Earl thought... it’s quite nice.

Either you die from recklessness or survive from it. If one survives, they become a mighty figure standing at the summit.

This person and Vay stand at two extremes; if Vay could balance some characteristics of the man in the suit, be less cautious, perhaps by now he’d already be an Official Wizard.

Black Earl: "I heard a rumor, that in the Wild Realm there is a Wild God, called the God of Yaloo. It means, the God of the Reed Garden, also known as the caretaker god of the fertile land. The so-called Reed Garden and fertile land refer to a Utopia of no hunger, no thirst, no drought, no disaster, no sin, no evil, no punishment."

Upon hearing the Black Earl’s words, the man in the suit’s eyes flickered for a moment but said nothing. He simply stared quietly at the towering Earthstone Giants.

From his gaze, it was apparent that the man in the suit also didn’t know where the Black Earl’s avatars were within the Earthstone Giants.

The Black Earl continued: "The God of Yaloo holds this unsullied eternal Utopia, and the Reed Garden is a dreamland sought by countless people in the Wild Realm."

"However, legends in the Wild Realm state that it is impossible to locate the Reed Garden while alive, only in death can one find its whereabouts."

Elder Shu and others by the side also heard the Black Earl’s words. However, they had never heard of this "God of Yaloo," so they looked puzzled.

Nonetheless, they did not doubt the authenticity of the Black Earl’s story. Given the Black Earl’s status, he likely knew many more secrets than they did, and such tales related to Wild Realm’s Wild Gods were reasonable unknowns.

Although they didn’t believe the Black Earl would lie, Elder Shu and Gailuo couldn’t comprehend the story’s significance.

Or rather, whether this story was relevant to the current situation?

Under the puzzled gaze from Elder Shu and Gailuo, the Black Earl went on: "After death, souls are guided by the mysterious, drifting toward the Reed Garden. But even arriving at the gate of the Reed Garden, not everyone can enter."

"To enter the Reed Garden, one must pass a checkpoint to prove their purity."

"How to prove purity? Simply passing a scale set by the God of Yaloo, known as the Soul Scales, determines whether you’re pure enough to enter the Reed Garden."

"The Soul Scales have two pans at each end, each containing your soul and the reflection of a reed. If the soul is lighter than the reed’s shadow, it means you’re remarkably pure and can enter the Reed Garden. If your soul is heavier than the reed’s shadow, it represents heinous sin, and such judged impure souls are not only barred from the Reed Garden but also fed to a crocodile monster by the God of Yaloo."

"This crocodile monster’s name, I don’t know. But its ability is akin to the Soul Scales, where pure souls remain unscathed even when swallowed. Only the sinful souls are consumed."

"It symbolizes order and fairness."

Hearing this, the suit-clad man who hadn’t spoken quietly laughed: "So, what does the Black Earl aim to convey with this tale?"

The Black Earl softly intoned: "Amit, should be this legendary crocodile monster, right? Or perhaps it possesses the crocodile monster’s ability—Amit’s ability is fairness and order."