Desperate Night

“Then what about the Deep Profound Divine Fluid?” Yu Hong still remembered this. Without it, he felt that the current safe house might not be able to break through Feng Yan.

“That’s a strategic resource. It’ll be very difficult to get it,” Harvey shook his head. “We can’t even get close to the Grand Arcanists.”

He tossed over a large book with a silver cover.

“Here.”

“What’s this?”

“The Book of Teleportation Navigation. It contains the coordinates of all teleportation points. Just select where you want to go,” Harvey explained. “Shopping, research, learning, playing, enjoying services, it’s all here. There are no streets here; shops are point-to-point teleportations. Advertisements are also placed in this Teleportation Book. The currency used is Magic Crystals, the most basic crystallized form of mana. This crystal can be condensed using any kind of energy. The higher the energy, the higher the density, the more Magic Crystals that can be condensed, and the stronger they are.”

As he spoke, he tossed out a semi-transparent circular coin.

Yu Hong caught it and examined it.

It was a hard coin with the pattern of the Floating City engraved on both sides.

Opening the book, he roughly glanced through it. It was densely packed with all kinds of names of shops.

Clothing, food, housing, transportation, entertainment, everything was available, even a slave market.

“Because everyone rarely meets, some large gatherings are occasionally held here, such as celebrations, competitions, or mage screenings. If you have time, you can go and take a look.”

Harvey’s words carried a hint of sincerity.

“You’ve stepped into the undying energy level at such a young age, which means your talent is quite good. Many high-level Arcanists welcome talents of this level. After all, among the levels of Arcanists from one to nine, you can only master the power of undying at level three. You’re essentially starting at level three, which is very good!”

“So?” Yu Hong seemed to guess what he wanted to say.

“So, would you like me to introduce you to someone? Instead of being the captain of the Ark of Salvation, wouldn’t becoming a powerful and versatile Arcanist be a more worthwhile goal to pursue?” Harvey tempted.

“What level are you?” Yu Hong suddenly asked.

“Uh… level three,” Harvey honestly replied.

“How long have you been studying?” Yu Hong asked again.

“More than two hundred and thirty years,” Harvey honestly answered again.

“I can only live for another ninety years or so,” Yu Hong said.

“Why?” Harvey was taken aback.

Yu Hong didn’t hide anything and told him about Agrees’ situation.

“Agrees… that very famous and powerful Star God…” He was silent for a moment, seeming to weigh the gains and losses.

After a dozen seconds, he nodded in understanding.

“Then there’s no helping it. I’ll report your situation to my teacher.”

Suddenly, Harvey’s expression underwent a huge change. From the initial enthusiasm, it instantly turned into a cold face.

This undisguised and rapid shift amazed Yu Hong, while also making him feel quite comfortable.

He liked this straightforward way of communication. Compared to those guys who hid their thoughts deep inside, such straightforwardness was actually more reassuring.

Watching Harvey walk to the side and take out a button-like object to speak into.

Yu Hong waited quietly.

Soon, Harvey turned back around.

“Let’s go. My teacher wants to see you, probably to verify if you really have a contract with Agrees.”

“Alright.”

Yu Hong readily nodded.

The two of them stepped onto the teleportation array at the edge of the small island.

As the array lit up with white light patterns, a transparent distortion rose from below, instantly twisting and decomposing Yu Hong and Harvey into countless white light spots, disappearing without a trace.

The next moment.

Yu Hong’s vision blurred, and he found himself in a tall, red and black palace.

The palace was in a European style, with arches and winged human-bird sculptures everywhere.

Large gray-white stone bricks were polished to a shine underfoot. On the large black tapestries on the left and right walls, groups of images constantly depicted scenes from certain legendary myths and stories.

Directly in front of their teleportation location, a five-meter-high heavy black door was slowly pushed open by an invisible force.

Inside, a white, cylindrical, empty hall was revealed.

Inside the hall, a long-haired woman whose entire body was composed of blue water was wearing a white silver-lined mage robe and leaning back in an ice-blue high-backed chair, dozing off.

The woman’s entire body was flowing water. Her facial features weren’t even fixed. With the slight movements of her dozing, subtle deformations would occur.

“This is my teacher, Margaret, a genuine Northern Water Element Lord. She was already a sixth-level Arcanist during the assessment ninety years ago. She’s also one of the twenty-seven Inspectors of the Absolute Balance. You can respectfully address her by her title,” Harvey reminded through mental communication.

“Then there’s no helping it. Let’s follow the rules. You complete the mission for me, and I’ll give you the Stellar Metal you want.”

“Alright. May I ask a presumptuous question? If Agrees’ main body were here in the Floating City, what level of Arcanist’s power would he have?” Yu Hong suddenly had a thought and asked an extra question.

“The level of a ninth-level Grand Arcanist. Agrees also has quite a reputation here, because he once held one of the highest positions in the Floating City, staying in the position of the Arcane Circle for tens of thousands of years,” Margaret coldly replied.

“Thank you for the clarification.” Now Yu Hong understood why the other party’s face immediately turned cold after confirming the contract was real.

So Agrees was once a member here… and a ninth-level Grand Arcanist was this strong?

“Alright, step back,” Margaret waved her hand.

Harvey immediately bowed and took his leave, leading Yu Hong out of the hall.

The door slowly closed, and Yu Hong also came into contact with other traces of Agrees outside of Prison Island for the first time.

“Magician Harvey, if Agrees was once a ninth-level Grand Arcanist here, do the other Grand Arcanists have the ability to break the contract on me?” Yu Hong asked thoughtfully.

“Let me check first…” Harvey quickly contacted Emma to inquire. “Hmm… it should be possible. The ninth-level Grand Arcanists are all connected. However, according to Emma’s database records, Grand Arcanist Agrees has been gone from the Floating City for more than four thousand years. I estimate that resolving it won’t be possible through peaceful means. And you and I, such level three small fries, should stop fantasizing about the ninth-level Grand Arcanists fighting for us.”

Yu Hong fell silent.

The last bit of hope in his heart had been shattered.

Originally, seeing how prosperous this place was, he had actually considered using the power here to break free from Agrees’ restraints.

But Harvey’s words and Margaret’s change in attitude realistically told him that this path was impossible.

‘I still have to rely on myself.’

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Walking out of the hall and returning to the teleportation array, Yu Hong turned his head to look at the hazy starry sky outside the palace. There was no longer a trace of wishful thinking in his heart.

The third day.

Harvey came to the door again and gave Yu Hong something.

It was a hexagonal red box.

“Here, these are the mission requirements. The coordinates are also inside. Explore more than half of the area inside and determine if there is Source Matter. Use this recorder. It will automatically activate when it gets close to Source Matter,” Harvey simply said.

“Once you’ve recorded it, contact me using the Teleportation Book when you return, and I’ll give you the Stellar Metal you want.”

“Alright,” Yu Hong nodded. Taking the small box, he turned his head to look at the Kuhan group not far away who were already packing their things.

They were taking out their personal belongings from the safe house one by one and carrying them on their backs.

Feisina and the White Dragon Garfield were very efficient, and quickly determined their future direction.

They planned to go to the Arcane Qualification Examination separately. The examination was free, and if they passed, there would be plenty of channels to make money. If they didn’t pass, they would change direction and find work.

“Are you leaving today?” Yu Hong saw Kuhan approaching.

“Yes, everything is arranged. I asked Emma. A situation like Yiyi’s mother can be restored here,” Kuhan nodded, his face carrying a hint of heartfelt ease and information. “And my family’s situation can theoretically be restored through the Wish Spell!”

“Congratulations,” Yu Hong nodded and sighed. “So Yiyi will be staying too?”

“Actually, I talked to her. She wants to follow you, but that’s meaningless. On the ship, she can’t do anything other than ordinary work. It’s better to stay here, where she can be much safer and more stable. And, when I become an Arcanist in the future, I might be able to help her solve her problem first,” Kuhan said confidently. “It’s just that she’s unwilling.”

“Have you tested it? So confident?” Yu Hong smiled.

“No, but I inquired about some of the rigid conditions required for an Arcanist and found that I perfectly meet them all. Especially the quality of my mental strength!” Kuhan also smiled.

Yu Hong didn’t speak, looking at Yiyi who was looking over at him.

He smiled at her and turned his head to look at Kuhan.

“Indeed, since it’s safer here, I shouldn’t force her to stay by my side. The ship will become more and more dangerous in the future. If she follows me, something will happen sooner or later…”

Yu Hong actually understood that this day would come sooner or later, but he didn’t expect it to come so quickly.

“Captain, don’t worry. I’ll leave Chixiao with you. You can have someone to talk to on the road,” Kuhan said.

“This old man also wants to stay. I also have hope of recovering my body here! Kuhan kid, don’t talk nonsense!” Chixiao immediately jumped in fright and quickly shouted.

Since boarding the ship, he hadn’t had a single day of peaceful rest.

Now that he finally had a chance to settle down, he wouldn’t go with Yu Hong.

Only a fool would follow along on this path that was known to lead to certain death in the future.

“It’s alright… I’m fine alone,” Yu Hong smiled.

“When I revive my family, I’ll come and help you!” Kuhan said seriously.

“Then you have to work hard,” Yu Hong chuckled.

He looked at Yiyi. Yiyi smiled at him.

“When are we leaving?” Yiyi walked over and asked.

“It’s good if you stay. Kuhan will take care of you. I’ll walk the next road alone,” Yu Hong said seriously. “Your strength is too weak. Following me will only be a waste of life.”

“But, we agreed before…” Yiyi was stunned.

“The words that have been said can also change, can’t they?” Yu Hong reached out and rubbed her head.

“But if I stay, it will bring danger to this place…” Yiyi said worriedly.

“I asked Emma. The Black Disaster can’t invade here. This is the front line of resistance against the Source Disaster. The problem on your body is not difficult to solve,” Kuhan replied softly from the side.

“But Yu Hong…” Yiyi still wanted to say something.

“Yiyi, don’t you want to revive your mother anymore?” Kuhan interrupted.

Silence.

For the first time, a struggle and confusion appeared on Yiyi’s face.

Seeing this, Yu Hong showed a gentle smile.

“Don’t worry, it’s actually more convenient for me to be outside alone. Without you burdens, I can show my skills more freely.”