Chapter 259: 35. Ears on the Other Side of the Wall
[Cangniao Tribe Biological Research Progress: 33%]
[Cangniao Tribe Social Research Progress: 48%]
[Additional reward bonus from researching the Snow Mountain Blessed Tribe: 20%]
[The biological research progress of the Cangniao Tribe reached 20%, unlocking the first phase reward:]
[Constitution +3.6, Spirit Realm Pollution Resistance +1.2, Highlight Six Races Sigil: Location of Cangniao Tribe Sigil]
Fisher, who had completed Aoxi’s biological research, leaned by the window in his room, intending to check the progress of his biological research. As soon as he opened the Supplement Handbook for Sub-Humans, the virtual golden text that rushed out dazzled his eyes. Subsequently, his gaze inevitably fell on the 48% Cangniao Tribe social research progress, as if that number seemed particularly obtrusive.
It’s no wonder; just 2% more progress could unlock the second phase reward. However, no matter how much he asked Emhart and Aoxi, he couldn’t make any further progress, as if the Supplement Handbook for Sub-Humans was deliberately stalling his progress, which made him a bit irritated.
However, the rewards aside from this were quite generous. Last time, when researching Aoxi’s Cangniao composition, the Supplement Handbook for Sub-Humans had given hints that rewards would be obtained when researching the Snow Mountain Blessed Tribe, which made him even more eager to see what would happen once all the races of the Snow Mountain Blessed Tribe were collected.
At the same time, this time the handbook contained two pieces of information worth Fisher’s attention.
The first is that, for some unknown reason, researching the Cangniao Tribe grants a seemingly abrupt [Spirit Realm Pollution Resistance] bonus. As Fisher’s consciousness touched that virtual term, a new page similar to the explanation entry popped up, just like last time when he obtained the Fallen Resistance. It read,
[Spirit Realm Pollution: In the soul-pit-like spirit realm, unknown existences have brought severe soul pollution, even powerful Chaos Races may choose to flee the Spirit Realm because they cannot endure such painful torment.]
[Note: To trace the source of Spirit Realm pollution, you need a higher life rank. Any currently known spirit realm pollutants pose a fatal danger to you; please be extremely cautious.]
Looking at the highlighted hints in the Supplement Handbook for Sub-Humans, Fisher’s alertness instantly heightened, as he suddenly recalled the pristine ice scroll he saw on that small island; it seemed to carry a curse on a spirit realm level. He wondered if it was the Spirit Realm pollution mentioned by the handbook.
If it is, could the disappearing Phoenix King be the so-called unknown entity from the handbook? If not, could the disappearance of the Phoenix Race be related to that unknown entity?
Moreover, the Supplement Handbook for Sub-Humans presented a completely opposite argument to what Emhart had previously stated. In Emhart’s discourse, the Chaos Races actively left the Spirit Realm to invade the real world, whereas, in reality, they were forced to leave due to the “mysterious existence” mentioned in the handbook.
However, the currently known clues are far too few, akin to receiving just a single piece of a jigsaw puzzle out of an entire set, making it impossible to draw any correct conclusions. Past research experiences told Fisher that speculating without solid evidence is entirely detrimental to uncovering the truth of events.
He could only temporarily set this matter aside and shifted his focus to another reward from this time, [Highlight Six Races Sigil].
As his consciousness lingered on that term, the world slowed down like it did last time. In the gradually fading to black-and-white perspective, Fisher suddenly saw a small golden sigil flashing in the center of Pat Sulshen Island in the distance.
The Cangniao Tribe sigil among the Six Races sigils was right on that island!
Fisher abruptly exited that highlighted perspective and combined the information he received from Captain Jesse with the current situation. He speculated that the Cangniao Tribe sigil must be among the treasures excavated by the intermediaries commissioned by the Nali Exploration Company from the northern graves of the Seima Snow Mountain.
However, apart from himself and Valentina, who obtained information about the entrance to the Parasol Tree on that island, others should be unaware of the sigil’s significance. Thus, whatever either party ultimately sought was primarily the other items among the treasures; the Cangniao Tribe sigil could only be considered a bonus reward.
What could that item be that would lure the Nali people across thousands of miles for its retrieval?
Now, in addition to the temptation posed by the Cloud Cat Breed from the Northern Region, there was another option before Fisher; that Six Races Sigil was something Valentina needed. If he could obtain it, he would definitely gain the support of the Turan Family, and considering their powerful influence in the Northern Region, this would greatly facilitate his future endeavors.
Fisher walked back into his room from the edge of the window, skipping over the dazed Aoxi sitting on the bed. He placed the magic materials he had just purchased in the Magic Market on the table. He asked Aoxi to get him a new plate because he needed to grind these things into powder with the Fluid Sword for engraving magic.
“Are you going to engrave magic, Fisher?”
“Mm, just keeping it for later.”
Taking advantage of the earlier opportunity, he also bought a magic engraving knife and several copper rings from the market as tools and carriers for engraving magic.
Actually, for Fisher, the only question he needed to consider about whether to wade into these muddy waters was how to avoid exposing his identity to the Nali Overseas Investigation Bureau. Wearing a mask and using disguise was one strategy, but it was also a poor choice.
This was because Elizabeth, who understood him very well, would undoubtedly be eager to document all the details about him in the official internal documents of Nali to capture him. His use of magic, Fluid Sword, and exceptional physique would surely be on the wanted list. Who knows if they might even include more private information, like his interest in subhuman races or ladies.
Thus, Fisher did not intend to solve problems with the Fluid Sword and brute force this time. Magic should be the best method to resolve issues without being exposed, and the less he frequently used it, the better; this way, the probability of detection by intelligence agencies would be lower.
Emhart stood on his shoulder, watching him deftly handle the various materials he had bought. Even though he had previously seen Fisher’s performance in front of Valentina, he still thought this guy’s magical talent was impressive. After all, he had never seen such a young magic engraver in his years; typically, skilled magicians would be as good as dead.
“What kind of magic is this? It seems different from the usual magic you engrave.”
Though Emhart had previously not known much about magic, he noticed the structure of the magic Fisher was currently engraving was different from before, which made Fisher glance at him in surprise.
This book unexpectedly had magical talent; it’s a pity this guy has no hands, no magical circuit, and only one eye.
“I’m engraving ancient magic now; this way, I can avoid being discovered by others.”
“Ancient magic, oh, that’s a legendary era. This term always reminds me of Cardu’s group of fanatic believers. The Sorceress Research Society… Heh, you probably don’t know; their texts are like bread that has been rotting for over ten days, and the recording process is simply torture, all about how to disembowel young girls.”
“Stop, I’m engraving magic, so don’t disturb me.”
Emhart’s previously excited expression was shut down by Fisher’s simple statement, leaving him opening his mouth, glowering at that annoying Fisher. But apart from him, there was only the taciturn Cangniao Tribe subhuman and the foolish bird in the room, dousing the cold water on his enthusiasm to share knowledge.
Ugh, annoying Fisher. If you don’t ask me about these secrets later, I won’t actively talk to you anymore.
The concept of ancient magic had appeared once before in Saint Nali. Simply put, ancient magic is a developmental version of primitive magic. The main difference from modern magic lies in the auxiliary circuits that control the extent of the magic; these auxiliary circuits are very crude and can only be used in conjunction with specific main circuits and tails.
In contrast, modern magic has a unique structure referred to by mages as “linkers,” added between the main and auxiliary circuits for different ring tips. This structure significantly stabilizes the degree of disrupting the resonance of the world, making research on new magic much safer and more controllable. This is why the quantity of magic increased dramatically after entering modern times.
However, this does not mean that modern magic is completely superior to ancient magic. Without the control of linkers, the power of ancient magic can be exaggerated. This characteristic can be seen from the ancient space magic released by the Pink Pavilion during the visit from Saint Nali, and even now, there are still schools attempting to replicate modern magic in the form of ancient magic to enhance its power.
Fisher engraved some ancient magic and some useful modern magic, using ancient magic to deal with visible enemies while employing modern magic for protection and tracking.
The room was quiet as Aoxi behind him rubbed her eyes, observing Fisher, who was engrossed in engraving magic at the desk. His arm, illuminated with a magical circuit, carved continuously on the ring, and the soul strengthened by the Soul Supplement Handbook became particularly excited at this moment, dissecting the world in layers for him and aiding better in engraving magic.
But just then, amid such focused vision, he suddenly felt as though a soul wave very close to him was watching him.
He abruptly stopped the action of engraving magic, looking at Emhart on him. It showed no soul wave and lacked a corresponding magical circuit. The distance of this wave was not from Aoxi behind him but from right in front of his eyes.
Fisher frowned and slowly turned his gaze to the wall of the room right before him.
Behind the wall, there seemed to be a soul pressed against the wall, listening to the sounds from this side.
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(End of Chapter)
