Chapter 1831 Schemes
The Ancient Celestial Ruins expedition was an event of paramount significance, and its outcome had far-reaching implications for the new generation of magus within the universe. It was a high-stakes endeavor, marked by the potential for the rise or fall of those who embarked on this journey.
The challenge of not being able to assign senior or influential elders from different factions to accompany the younger magus frequently compelled these factions to enlist mercenaries. These hired individuals served various purposes, such as reinforcing their ranks, safeguarding faction interests, or conducting discreet investigations into the activities of rival factions.?This environment made it ripe for secret plots, hidden agendas, and intricate schemes to unfold among the participants.
However, the situation they had just witnessed was particularly unusual. To witness two young half-moon magus, individuals of notable talent within the magus universe, resorting to the drastic measure of burning their own spirit soul was a conspicuous anomaly.
"How did you find those two?" Emery inquired
The Nephilim princess, gave her insight, "Simply because we have no data about them. They are too powerfull to be considered nobodies and their records were too clean to be bandits. I can understand the occasional anomaly, but the presence of two such individuals in the same group is definitely amiss."
Jinkan's concern was not unfounded, and it raised the specter of hidden motivations and concealed identities. The quest for information was now at the forefront, with Uria taking on the role of interrogator, he began using this spirit reading to question the three captive bandit leaders.
They confessed that they had indeed been paid and tasked with the mission to shadow, eliminate, or spy on the participants from grade 4 and 5 factions. However, they professed complete ignorance regarding the identity of their employer, except for the two individuals who had tragically chosen to take their own lives.
The revelation raised questions about the identity and motives of the puppeteers pulling the strings. "What should we do with these three?" Neo inquired, seeking guidance on their fate. In response, Jinkan issued a decisive command. With a simple gesture, she terminated the lives of all three bandit leaders instantly, capturing their spirit souls to be delivered to the relevant authorities. The swift and decisive judgment was a fitting end for individuals who had engaged in criminal activities.
Emery, his curiosity unabated, inquired further, "So, who do you think is behind them? Could it be the elves?"
Jinkan contemplated the question thoughtfully, her response casual but reflective. "It could be," she acknowledged. "Or it could be someone within my own faction, or anyone powerful and formidable enough to coerce a talented half-moon magus into willingly participating in this scheme." The possibilities were as complex and layered as the enigma surrounding the mysterious duo whose actions had set this chain of events into motion.
Upon Emery's inquiry, Jinkan proceeded to produce a unique item, a scroll crafted from a distinctive type of skin. She proceeded to write a message using ink, the words coming to life on the surface of the scroll. Once the message was complete, she ignited the scroll, reducing it to ashes. A piercing, screeching sound emanated from the burning scroll before gradually fading into silence.
The item she had used was a "Phantom Whisper Scroll." It represented one of the few covert methods for sending a message out of the ruins, designed for the utmost secrecy and discretion.
"I have dispatched the message," Jinkan confirmed, her tone resolute. "The family will launch an investigation into this matter. In the meantime, we shall proceed as planned."
With three celestial temples still remaining within the vault, Jinkan decided to divide their group to clear them separately. Emery opened a portal to the closest temple for the Albatross faction to enter, and the Proxima magus were assigned to the temple directly in front of them.
"Alright, we are heading to the one furthest," Jinkan declared. The journey took them two jumps to reach the final celestial temple within the vault.
With only ten members in their group, they proceeded with a more cautious approach. They first contended with the four construct guardians outside the temple's entrance. Once inside, they positioned themselves at the gateway to fend off the incoming ten constructs and drones. It was only after successfully repelling this initial wave that they proceeded to the temple's centerpiece, where a formidable juggernaut awaited.
Jinkan exhibited confidence in her team's abilities, refraining from sending her five bodyguards into the fray. She observed with assurance as Neo adeptly blocked the mirror beam on the ceiling, while Eesho engaged the giant construct from a distance using his [Soaring Shuttle]. Emery and Mahinder executed precise close-quarters explosive attacks.
Given the substantial number of drones they had to contend with, it took them nearly 40 minutes to clear the temple, twice as long as it would have taken with their full group. Nonetheless, their efforts were rewarded with the long-awaited notification:
[You have cleared the Temple Trial].
Clearing the celestial temple in this manner was the default procedure, and it was the same approach that the other teams were employing.
Emery reopened his portals to reunite with the rest of their group, only to discover that the Albatross faction had already completed their task and patiently waited for them. The Proxima magus joined them just a few minutes later. It was evident that these teams were more than capable of clearing the temple independently.
With the required 30 pieces of gold medals in hand, they now faced a decision: they could either return to the golden arches from which they initially entered or seek another set at the opposite end of the vault.
The choice before them was seemingly straightforward, as both options led to different vaults to explore. However, when channeling their spirit energy to activate the golden medals they had acquired, the intricate runes on the teleportation arch began to shift and transform, a complex dance of symbols and lines. This transformation give them acess into another destination.
[Celestial Crossings]
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