Chapter 2597: Chapter 2598: The Illusionary Realm of Light and Shadow

After they emerged from the flue, what met their eyes was a ground strewn with corpses and a distinctly divided battlefield.

On the left battlefield, Speedy worked with Dox to fling a large number of magical creatures into the air using Wind’s Force, followed by a flash of red shadow, and the creatures were all decapitated.

On the right battlefield, there was a pitch-black ghostly shadow. Although it wasn’t as “lively” as the left battlefield, the deathly stillness and profound silence made it all the more eerie. Even the magical creatures were somewhat scared, unwilling to fly toward the right side, testifying to the strangeness of the right battlefield.

Judging by the current situation, the battlefields on both sides seemed capable of dealing with these magical creatures of unknown origin. But no one knew how many more creatures were lurking outside. If they had to fight for three days and nights without an end, would they just wait it out here?

Therefore, the best strategy was not to kill them all but to quickly control the creatures and find an opportunity to leave.

After all, they were not here to clear out the magical creatures in the Underground Labyrinth for the Merchant Organization; they were here to find that target location.

“Shall I do it, or will you, sir?” Angel looked at the Black Earl.

To quickly control the battlefield, it would be just the two of them. That’s why Angel asked.

Black Earl: “My method isn’t as easy as your use of illusion.”

What the Black Earl meant was that Angel should do it; he just expressed it a bit more tactfully. Angel understood and nodded: “Alright.”

Angel mentioned it to Dox through the Mind Ribbon to avoid his sword light inadvertently slashing the illusion nodes when they appeared.

Then, Angel slowly walked toward the right battlefield.

The black shadows immediately surrounded him.

In this shadowy realm, despite the ground being full of blood and mutilated bodies, Angel felt inexplicably at ease sensing Earl Mi’s presence.

Angel came to Earl Mi’s shadowy world primarily to set up an illusion.

The reason for coming to Earl Mi was not because of safety concerns, but because the illusion Angel intended to create required Earl Mi’s cooperation.

He planned to set up a “Light and Shadow Illusionary Realm,” a type of illusion inspired by a series of classic “light and shadow” spell techniques he had encountered.

Angel’s illusion nodes could function as both “light” and “shadow.” Once the Light and Shadow Illusionary Realm was set up, the magical creatures outside would be completely trapped in the light and shadow, forming a kind of labyrinth.

However, the effect Angel sought was not just to trap them in mist; he also wanted this “Light and Shadow Illusionary Realm” to be mobile.

Thus, he needed Earl Mi’s cooperation.

He arranged the illusion nodes around himself as “light,” with Earl Mi becoming the “shadow.” This way, wherever they walked, they would be within the light and shadow.

Equivalent to a moving invisible illusionary realm.

Moreover, Angel could transform the illusion nodes of light and shadow at any time. As long as he had enough magic power, he could also instantly set up a fixed Light and Shadow Illusionary Realm to control the creatures.

Earl Mi was responsible only for the “shadow” during movement, while Angel could be the light during movement and could also release light and shadow at any time, forming a cage to trap the enemy.

This Light and Shadow Illusionary Realm could be described as an integration of control and survival.

As for its effectiveness, although Angel had not tested it on creatures yet, he was very confident it could control the creatures outside. After all, those creatures were low-level magical creatures. If his illusion couldn’t even control low-level creatures, Sanders might likely spread his ashes.

Angel’s only concern was whether they could maintain the “light and shadow” while moving.

This depended on his and Earl Mi’s tacit understanding.

If unsuccessful, Angel wouldn’t feel awkward, as the Light and Shadow Illusionary Realm was enough to control the creatures outside, and no one else would know what he was up to.

Light and Shadow Illusionary Realm, both original and seemingly tied to the “light and shadow” spell techniques, sounded impressive. But in reality, according to Sanders’ standards, it was likely only at the level of an apprentice’s pinnacle. It was only by incorporating the Power of Nightmare Illusion that it barely saved face.

Thus, setting up this illusionary realm was actually faster than others imagined.

The others only saw Angel enveloped in shadow, and less than a minute later, Angel emerged from the shadow, surrounded by numerous illusion nodes of unknown attributes.

Some of these illusion nodes were incorporated into Angel’s right eye, while others transformed into a special structure, covering the entire room and extending into the hallway outside.

Moments later, the sounds of fighting in the room had vanished.

This indicated the illusion was starting to take effect.

Speedy returned to his position beside Angel. Dox also retracted his scarlet sword, landing leisurely on the ground, with no sense of urgency but rather feeling more relaxed than before.

Angel often heard that bloodline wizards found joy in battle. Angel had previously considered this notion somewhat biased, and his opinion remained unchanged except that this bias didn’t include Dox.

Without a doubt, Dox found joy in battle, growing more courageous with each fight.

If Angel hadn’t explicitly stated before that they should avoid creatures when possible, Dox would probably have willingly fought here for three days and nights.

After Dox landed, behind him were piles of creature remnants, forming a small mountain, which looked quite disgusting. But Dox didn’t care and struck a few poses in front of the “pile of mountains” because Kaier was opposite, with his Photostone always on…

After Dox returned, the ghostly shadows on the right battlefield slowly faded. However, unlike Dox’s battlefield, the right side was empty, as the ground’s remnants and bloodstains were all swallowed into Earl Mi’s shadow world.

The stark contrast between the silent, clean battlefield and the chaotic gore highlighted Earl Mi’s eerie nature, both in battle’s strange subtlety and in retreat’s chilling fear.

“A controlled Demon People is indeed terrifyingly powerful.” Dox, previously smug, couldn’t help but sigh after seeing Earl Mi return to Angel’s shadow.

Although his sigh contained only that one sentence, his mind was racing with a thousand thoughts.

Dox witnessed the battle situation on Earl Mi’s side with his own eyes. Since the door of departure was on Earl Mi’s side, the pressure he faced was stronger than Dox’s. Yet Earl Mi was completely unafraid; all magical creatures disappeared silently after entering the shadow world.

It seemed like it was a vortex there—silent and capable of devouring everything.

Dox had seen shadow wizards before, but Earl Mi not only transformed into a shadow, his techniques were endless. Various elements were at his fingertips, along with other mysterious methods. Such strange, perfect and powerful transcendent life was unprecedented for Dox.

Previously, not understanding Earl Mi’s specific combat strength, Dox wanted to challenge him. But now, after understanding, he’s lost the desire to fight Earl Mi. He’d rather challenge the Black Earl’s nose than battle such a multifaceted and almost completely immune perfect creature.

“Sometimes a scarcity of resources breeds a source of combat power. Because only through battle can one seize scarce resources,” Black Earl said indifferently. “This is the Panic Realm, and it’s one of the worlds most wizards avoid.”

The demons and demon people of the Panic Realm are terrifyingly powerful and experienced in combat. Each who grows does so through slaughter, utilizing mysterious techniques, with every fight a battle to the death.

Additionally, though the Panic Realm holds a high rank not lower than the Wizard World, wizards rarely wish to go there. Unless one has mental issues, who would go there seeking torment?

Isn’t the Abyss enticing? Isn’t the Demon God enticing?—You must know, many legendary peak wizards from the Origin World can kill an Abyssal Demon God, yet they refrain, for a simple reason: the Demon God is too enticing.

Consider the complex and vast Inscription Studies, the ocean-like Runeology, and the spell techniques and talents developed by wizards—most are derived from the Demon God.

The Abyss is indeed terrifying, but it’s also filled with knowledge coveted by wizards.

Therefore, predecessors spent great efforts to connect the four corners of the Wizards’ Realm with the Abyss. Although this possibly brings great risks, it also has ushered in a bright era for wizards.

After speaking, the Black Earl looked at Angel: “Cherish your demon people; I sense a significant connection between you two. It’s even greater than the bond with your elemental partner… hmm, should far exceed.”

Dangross, who was lazily perched on Angel’s shoulder, suddenly awakened, flipped his fingers and stood up, with the eyes in his palm glaring fiercely at the Black Earl.

Dangross didn’t forget the magnitude of the Black Earl, so it remained silent, just glaring. Meanwhile, it mused: Just one nose and being this arrogant, I have limbs and arms! Truly blind; once my arms are fully grown, I’ll definitely storm the Noah Family—let’s see if you dare talk recklessly then!

“Your arms will grow? Oh, your mature form will gradually develop humanoid shells? That’s quite peculiar,” Black Earl looked at Dangross and said blandly.

After speaking, Black Earl turned back to Angel: “You’ve encountered two great partners, but this elemental sprite needs more training. Daring to secretly mock me in my presence, and even dreaming of storming the Noah Family—what a joke. This time I’ll let it pass for your sake, but next time, I’ll break its middle and index fingers, and we’ll see if it can still prance around.”

Black Earl cast a cold glance at Dangross, then turned away and began to observe the surroundings.

Angel side-eyed the somewhat trembling Dangross: “Now you should know how scary the Wizards’ Realm is. Even speaking ill of someone in your heart might be overheard. So stop causing trouble day in and day out. Your fire incident in Saint Sem City, if it weren’t for the Silver Heron Wizard group knowing me, you would probably have been destroyed.”

After a mix of reprimands and coaxing, Angel didn’t forget to sweeten the deal.

He comforted Dangross a few lines, seeing its mood finally return to normal, Angel felt relieved.

Luckily, Dangross was still a forgetful sprite, otherwise, if real psychological shadows had developed, Angel would have a hard time explaining to The Sage Magu.

After comforting Dangross, Angel, like the others, began to survey the surrounding environment. Meanwhile, testing if the moving light and shadow could be achieved.

To avoid embarrassing discovery, Angel moved to a lesser-populated area.

This was a spacious room, comparable to the three-story hall of the previous building in size. But from the leftover arrangement, it resembled a laboratory more than a hall, with many retro mechanical control platforms and fragmented experimental instruments.

Angel first focused not on these experimental devices, but the magical creatures trapped within the light and shadow illusionary realm.

Previously, from the magical creature’s remnants, it was found to be a type of small magical creature capable of low-altitude gliding. Now, upon closer examination, it’s identified as a flying squirrel-like magical creature.

Somewhat like a flying squirrel but much uglier; the flight membranes are hairless and bald, the tails lack the fluffiness of flying squirrels, resembling the fleshy worm-like tails of rats.

Their faces were even fiercer, and each was unique, such as noses featuring pig snouts, hooked noses, blossoming noses… Teeth varied with tusks, lipless teeth, warped corner teeth, etc. As for ears, both fan ears and bat ears existed.

This gave the impression of fish deep in the sea, living in dark and uninhabited places, allowed to grow unchecked, ugly yet uniquely characteristic.

Though their faces differed, their bodies were similarly constructed, and they moved in groups, which can be classified as a type of magical creature.

Yet, Angel really didn’t know what to call this type of magical creature.

Angel hesitated to ask the Black Earl, but amid two apprentices of limited knowledge, someone took the initiative to ask without needing Angel to speak.

“Sir, this magical creature seems bizarre, resembling bats and mice. I haven’t found any records of them in the book ’Where is the Magical Beast.’ What are these magical creatures?”

The one asking was Vay; he could’ve queried privately but seeing Kaier alongside him puzzled, asked through the mind ribbon instead.

“Mutated Carrion Squirrels,” Black Earl very firmly provided the answer, while everyone sensed Black Earl’s apparent dislike for these magical creatures through the mind ribbon.

Angel pondered: “Are they creatures from the sewers?”

Black Earl nodded: “That’s right, these carrion squirrels originally couldn’t fly. Likely due to a lack of energy supplements in the sewer, unable to compete with other creatures, mutations began. In survival of the fittest, original carrion squirrels were eliminated, and mutated carrion squirrels with flight membranes developed and escaped the sewers into the maze.”

“Yet the mutation is only external, their communal nature and attack means basically align with that of carrion squirrels. Just added aerial assault capability due to flight membranes. But they remain not strong.”

The Black Earl evaluated using “not strong” instead of “very weak” to express.

While both mean weak chickens, even weak chickens have rankings. Evidently, these mutated carrion squirrels are among the superior weak chickens.

Meaning, even among low-level monsters, they occupy a place. They probably inherited the carrion squirrel’s fertility; countless mutated squirrels exist outside the illusionary realm.

Without a good control strategy, even official wizards might be chased away. If they fail to escape, falling isn’t impossible.

Thus, don’t be deceived by Dox and Earl Mi’s previous effortless slaughter; in truth, these magical creatures weren’t as weak as imagined. It was merely fewer magical creatures before, along with Earl Mi’s solid defense on the door.

“If mutated carrion squirrels are here, does it imply this path connects to the sewers?” After some contemplation, Kaier posed what was quite a crucial inquiry for Black Earl.

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