Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

Chapter 678 The Hidden Tower

Nurfa Sheen must be the "father" Mumu mentioned; it sounds like a human name. Lyle's doubts were partially answered. The Phantom Clan weren't magical creatures born of the world, but rather magical creations born from a laboratory. The evolution of life is like a tree constantly branching upwards, and some self-important branches always willingly usurp the rights of the roots. At least, the Phantom Clan was far more endearing than the magical creations Lyle had imagined.

Lyle read the passage that completely rejected the idea again, and his gradually warming heart cooled down once more.

Nurfa Sheen is a human being; he may be selfish, arrogant, and stingy, but his achievements are undeniably commendable. Lyle, aside from a slight sense of disappointment, didn't have many other thoughts. More than frustration, he was contemplating less-than-honorable methods. "You say it's not allowed, so what? Are you kidding me?"

The pages at the back of the Book of Omniscience were stuck together for some unknown reason, making it impossible to open and read. Without giving it any further thought, Lyle habitually placed the Book of Rejection back on the podium, preparing to leave the tower and look for other breakthroughs.

"Wait a minute, kid!" A sudden voice rang out from behind. Lyle turned around and saw the omniscient book grow arms and legs, slowly getting up like an old man on his deathbed, but his voice was full of imposing manner.

Lyle stood there, watching the runes on the cover form facial features. The book pointed at Lyle, its expression serious, like a judge delivering the final judgment on a sinner.

It roared, "You've passed, kid!"

“Nurfa Sheen?” The Book of Omniscience is also an illusion, but none of the illusions Lyle has encountered have ever addressed him as “boy”. This particular illusion is clearly a backup plan from the creator.

The upper half of the red book bends and nods, indicating its approval of Lyle's associative abilities.

“Yes and no.” The Book of Omniscience beckoned to Lyle, and when Lyle got close, it climbed onto his shoulder. “The original Nurfa was struck dead by a sudden bolt of lightning, right here in this tower. A brass chain falling from the sky tore him into nothingness. And this body is a phantom that is a complete copy of Nurfa Sheen’s thoughts. You can think of me as that person, roughly speaking.”

What does "qualified" mean?

"A trial, indeed. My original self is dead, and a successor is needed to inherit my paradise and the Phantom Clan. I must set some requirements for my successor and conduct some examinations!"

"What are the requirements? Have I passed?"

“That’s right.” The Book of Omniscience patted Lyle’s cheek lightly, like a tickle. “You open this book and see what I wrote. At that time, I had already connected with your mind through contact. I felt the loss and frustration you felt, as well as your little thoughts. My successor must be calm and composed, not discouraged by setbacks, and recklessness and impulsiveness are unacceptable. Regardless of your emotions, even if you were rejected by those words, you still politely put me back in my original place, in the place you thought you were alone.”

Lyle stroked his chin. "It sounds like I haven't done anything."

The Book of Omniscience shook its head. "These small actions show that you are at least a well-mannered child. A good person—that's my only requirement for my successor."

"Isn't your request too simple, Grandpa Nurfa?"

"Kid, this is Posuwa! A blessed land that can amplify the heart! You think it's easy to find good people here?! There are more bad seeds here than sand on the ground. You can crush an insect and find it's rotten to the core."

Lyle felt he was wrong, but he didn't want to use his own merit as a sacrifice to refute him.

"Grandpa, I want to join the Phantom Clan, become a member of the clan, and advance to the fourth level of the Locked Realm. Is that possible?"

The Book of Omniscience waved its hand dismissively, "Isn't this better? The Phantom Clan becomes your source of power, that's the most steadfast oath of loyalty, each getting what they need. I'll also feel much more at ease."

Lyle examined the red book, naturally recalling its contents, including the parts that had been sealed away.

"Is this book full of Nurfa's provocations against his successors?"

"No, this book was originally Nurfa's experimental notes. It had already rotted and weathered away. That introductory sentence was a reminder; the sealed part contains technical data related to the experiments. Don't look at me like that; I can't open it for you. It was a seal left by Nurfa himself, a power different from that of the Phantom Clan. Those secrets will slowly unlock as you become more familiar with the Phantom Clan." The Book of Omniscience brushed away the remaining dust from its edges. "Don't think so much, you curious brat. Quickly take me away from this gloomy tower. Don't you know I've endured decades of dust alone while waiting for my successor? I'm suffocating here. Let's go, let's go see your clan!"

Lyle had no choice but to descend the tower. The irritable old man, the Book of Omniscience, was testing Nia's patience, his tentacles and eyeballs hovering over Lyle's other shoulder, his gaze growing cold as he stared at the seat occupied by the Book of Omniscience.

"What awaits me next, further trials? I always feel that your selection criteria are too simplistic."

The Book of Omniscience coughed in displeasure. "Why are you always so suspicious? Are you often bullied? I've already said that it's difficult to remain kind in Poswa. Besides, the fact that you were able to find the location of Paradise proves that you are a suitable successor."

"Because of keen observation? Or outstanding intelligence?"

"It's about your origins. Paradise is my laboratory, and I only told my organization about its location. The fact that you know where it is means that you are a comrade recognized by us..."

"Nurfa Sheen is not an ordinary spellcaster?"

"...Didn't that person tell you?" The Book of Omniscience rubbed its cover, smoothing out the curled corners. "Bosuwa has only one spellcaster organization. We once served the nation and the king. Absolute power and a tightly organized structure made us the only mystics here. I thought you'd guessed it by associating [Bosuwa] with [Mystics]. Turns out you really didn't know. Ah, it's not a big deal. Nurfa Sheen was once a Mystic, a hidden guardian. Before this kingdom was destroyed, it was an alliance of Mystics, the land ruled by the Hidden Tower. The person who told you the location of Paradise was also a Mystic, wasn't he? How is he doing now?"

Lyle wondered how the reporter was doing, the image of that ghostly tablecloth floating in his mind.

"he died."

"Just as I thought."

Chapter 679 Four Locks, Mental Patient

"Stop looking surprised, kid. I'm not cursing that man, nor... Let me put it this way. I guessed his fate, I guessed the fate of the Mystics, the Hidden Tower, and Posuwa. They all collapsed together. Mystics may have come from a thousand different backgrounds; they may have been farmers, blacksmiths, merchants, slaves, nobles, or even princes. When they came into contact with the mystical and made a pact with it, becoming Mystics, they only had one way to die."

"Hidden mysteries are revealed, and then devoured by them." The voice of the Book of Omniscience gradually lowered, as if accompanying a spiraling downward staircase. "To gain power from the hidden, to enjoy buried knowledge, to become a spokesperson for the mystery—the secret-binder must pay a price. A secret-binder who leaks secrets will die. Every secret possesses power, and to borrow this power requires certain skills. Exchanging secrets will continuously strengthen the power of the mystery; this is how secret-binders grow. But oversights are inevitable during conversations, and most secret leaks occur during this process. The mystery will punish those who weaken it. Erasure is the only punishment."

“A few days before Nurfa Sheen was struck by lightning, he seemed to have a premonition of his doom. He asked me to completely replicate his thoughts, and I read his fear and anxiety, as well as his worries about Posuwa. I lay on the platform, watching him be destroyed by a hidden backlash. Not long after he was erased, Posuwa was destroyed, the country turned to ashes, and cheers turned into wails. I knew that a very powerful and profound secret must have been revealed, a mystery that erased the Arcane Tower, erased all the Mystics, and thus led to the destruction of Posuwa.”

"Without a leader, I was worried that we wouldn't be able to find a suitable candidate. Fortunately, those Mysticists weren't stupid. Even after they died, they managed to bring you here because you were still in contact with them, Lyle."

The old wooden door at the base of the tower was opened, and sunlight shone on Lyle, its warmth creeping onto the book's cover.

"Forget about the past, it's all over. Paradise still exists, Lyle, go see your people."

"My fellow countrymen, Lyle has passed the trial of [Father]!"

The Book of Omniscience's voice was soft, like a drop of water falling onto a lake. Ripples spread, stirring up waves and creating turbulent currents; Paradise came alive. The earth trembled, the flower field shifted to the sides, and a green root sprouted from the cracks, the flowers adorning its body. A gigantic phantom coiled like a serpent, its tip, five meters above the ground, transforming into a woman's face. She shook her body, and a large group of small phantoms in the form of flower fairies fell to the ground, clinging to the serpent's back and watching Lyle curiously.

The snake caught the little guy that fell from its head with its tail, chuckling, "It's really not easy to keep an eye on them. They like Lyle. If I hadn't stopped them, they would have pounced on him long ago. Luckily, nothing went wrong."

The megalithic structure not far away stood up; it was originally a tall stone giant. It stretched its limbs; in its previous disguise, it had been lying on the ground with its rear end sticking up, its body severely stiff. The stone giant let out a pleasant hum, like a brown bear howling in its nostrils, "I told you, he would definitely pass the trial."

The stream swelled rapidly, the water rising high, swirling and tangling in the air like waving ribbons, converging into a tall water figure. Within her body was a shimmering ice crystal that transformed the sunlight into a rainbow. Schools of fish swam within the moving water figure, leisurely blowing bubbles.

“I’ll take that as a fact, stonemason.”

Three enormous phantoms disguised themselves as unique terrain features, something shapeshifters couldn't do. Numerous treants and countless goblins also poked their heads out, declaring Lyle's initial probing a self-deception.

Surprise, that's probably what it feels like.

“Welcome to Paradise, Lyle, I am the Spring,” the Waterman bent down and handed Lyle a palm-sized sea lion shell, which was a cup filled with water. “A gift, I save the melted snow from the mountaintop at dawn, its purity and taste are the best, dear Lyle.”

"Thank you."

"This is a gift to welcome you to Paradise." Following behind the spring was the snake. As she approached, the fragrance of flowers wafted over her. A vine drooped from its head to Lyle's eyes, with a small piece of amber tied to the end. "The children found this, and they decided to give it to you."

"Thank you."

“And me, I remember humans like this.” The tall stone man named Stonemason squatted down and handed Lyle a boulder the size of a head, pitifully small compared to the stonemason’s palm, but it was golden. “Raw gold ore, a bit heavy, be careful not to get your foot crushed.”

"Thank you."

Nia clutched the glittering gold ore tightly, while Lyle held the cup of snow water and amber. The conch shell was washed clean, and the amber's texture was exceptionally beautiful. This was Phantom's gesture; to them, there was no distinction of rank.

The Book of Omniscience was very pleased with Lyle's expression and patted Lyle on the head triumphantly.

"Alright, this is the entire Phantom Clan. Snake, Spring, and Stonemason are the largest and most powerful, and they are the ones who can represent the clan to accept you."

“I understand,” Lyle said, looking at the gift in his hand. “In fact, the process of acceptance has already begun, as has the process of promotion.”

The gifts bestowed by the phantoms contained their power, which flowed into Lyle's body, transforming into a ladder for power advancement. Long-dormant magic began to surge, and that familiar, intoxicating feeling welled up inside him. Chains emerged from the amber and conch shell, crawling along Lyle's arms, each step provoking a magical resistance. Chains of magic materialized on his body, forming a new storm. The magic clinging to his limbs manifested as translucent chains of magic, tightly enveloping Lyle.

Pain, throbbing, surged in his brain; the chains seemed to transform into chainsaws, cutting through Lyle's body.

"Nia!"

Nia, who had been lying on the golden surface, had turned into a puddle of mud. Chains grew from her body, echoing those binding Lyle. Although the source was unclear, Lyle felt that the chains tearing them apart originated from the same source. An unseen point in the void was pulling Lyle and Nia apart, trying to disintegrate and tear their bodies apart to form new entities. Lyle felt himself melting, his spirit burning. No ascension ritual had ever been as painful as this. His consciousness could not waver; he had to… persevere.

Nia's screams grew louder, the deadly chains threatening to tear her apart completely. This was order, the rejection that the unspeakable should not exist in, the path of the ascendant about to end in annihilation.

A surging shadow crept into his heart. The sunlight was restrained, leaving a tall yet hazy shadow between the two beneath layers of clouds. An ominous sign, the original nascent form of the evil god, the true future, stood at the intersection of the two, bowing down to meet the gaze of the tormented Lyle.

“Ominous sign…” His mind began to twist, and Lyle had no idea what he said after that, only vague babbling.

Lyle, this is how it should be. This time, you can't refuse me.

The sealed shadow, the suppressed essence, and the corrupted divinity once again take over. It coldly observes as its struggling humanity and erroneous power are about to fall into the abyss. At the center of the chains, the fulcrum of everything is held in its own hand.

It should be so: the abandoned return to seek revenge, and the sealed are reborn from the ashes.

From this point on, I will sit atop the heavens, and with my inherent arrogance, look down upon all living beings.

[That's how it should be...? Go to hell.]

The ominous sign shattered the fulcrum, proclaiming a stern voice within the collapsing temple.

I am the mortal enemy of the slumbering, a new god reborn from decay. Fate and reason cannot control me! I am the profound rebel! I will shatter all the destinies that bind me.

The chains of ascension shattered completely, transforming into venomous serpents that coiled around the Omen's body, waging a new battle in the blurred shadows. Lyle and Nia were freed, but Lyle's pain hadn't subsided. He watched his own shadow twist and deform, unable to touch or help; humans couldn't access what lay buried within the shadows. A part of himself, the Omen, was suffering the consequences of its past actions within.

He could only watch helplessly.

"You now have a race, boy." A rough, bold voice jolted Lyle awake. The Book of Omniscience laughed, twisting itself along with the Phantom Clan. "We are Phantoms, your worries are too obvious. Come, feel the power of your race!" Flowers, trees, insects, fish, birds—this paradise was instantly transformed, becoming an indescribable forbidden land for all living things. They grew tentacles, they wriggled and lurked, joining the decadent revelry. The Phantoms became twisted monsters like Nia, merging into Lyle's body.

Lyle, all alone—no, it should be described as [a horde of demons].

Lyle smiled at his own distorted shadow.

"Four Locks, Mental Analysis."

Chapter 680 The Flaws of Illusion

[What is the new ability?]

"Mental analysis. The ability to internally interpret any matter within visual range and understand detailed information is a racial talent of the Phantom Clan, which they use to imitate and learn from those they copy. However, my ability prioritizes interpreting the target's mental level. Short-term contact can only uncover mental state, personality, and habits, but long-term in-depth exploration will reveal more. It's a rather practical research-oriented ability."

[Specific timeframe.]

"Interpreting personality is done in seconds, interpreting material structure in minutes, and interpreting ability in hours. This time also needs to be adjusted according to the target's strength level and personal willingness."

[Hmm...so it means it's impossible to copy Mr. Raymond?]

"Hahaha, I'd be brain-dead from the impact..."

What if we reduce the quantity of quality choices, copy and learn a large number of skills at the same level, and become a jack-of-all-trades?

"Haha, if your brain capacity is insufficient, your brain will explode if you try to memorize too much."

【……waste.】

"Haha, don't say that. Simple psychoanalysis is still very convenient for regulating mood. I think I can be a qualified psychologist now."

[Oh, so this is your reason for using psychoanalysis on yourself?]

"That's right! Weren't you in a critical situation back then? I received the Phantom's blessing and my spirit was greatly enhanced; I was about to help you. But I'm not stupid. Ominous sign—although you seemed to exist in my shadow, I knew you were a twisted part of my spirit. If you had a problem, it meant the problem lay in my spirit, in my mind! So, I had a flash of inspiration and decided to perform a mental analysis on myself! Sure enough, you pulled through!"

Omen crouched in the paradise, its long arms hanging limply to the ground like grim, withered branches. A jumble of fleshy tentacles tangled around the giant's body, filling its slender frame into a bloated ball of flesh. Chains crackling with silvery electricity bound its limbs, piercing the tentacles; each electric shock triggered a retaliatory attack. Omen bore the shackles in Lyle's place, yet it still existed. Omen raised a claw, placing it on its blurred, empty face, and let out a silent sigh.

What kind of psychologist would conduct a self-psychiatric evaluation? You're probably a mental patient, aren't you?