Published at 22nd of December 2025 7:15 am

Chapter 2394: Barrier

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"The magical energy array in the base laboratory cannot be completely cracked. To enter, the external energy must be weakened, searching for an entry opportunity."

While Angel spoke, he walked to the front of the fortress. In his vision, energy flowed densely over the smooth fortress, a light cyan energy spread throughout it, preventing the outside from probing inside.

This energy originated from a ubiquitous magic pattern horn in the magical energy array—Blockade.

If the ’Blockade’ magic pattern horn is further interpreted, the underlying energy it represents is actually spatial energy.

In other words, the reason why the inside and outside of the fortress are cut off is because it is permeated by spatial isolation power. Under the coverage of spatial energy, no energy can directly probe into the fortress, including spiritual power.

To enter normally, one must find the node controlling the ’Blockade’ magic pattern horn, shutting down part of the spatial energy to open the entry door.

But judging from Angel’s current research progress, the node that can control the ’Blockade’ magic pattern horn is estimated to be inside the laboratory.

This also limits them from entering by normal means.

If there are no wizards proficient in magic patterns at the moment, the only way to enter the laboratory is to conduct a full-scale destruction of it.

When Angel mentioned the method of forced entry, it reminded Kanter of a recent conversation with Number 03.

"Number 03 showed significant interest in our desire to enter the laboratory. As you observed earlier, although Number 03 strived to remain calm, her words indicated she hoped we would enter the laboratory." Kanter: "However, Number 03 did not tell us the correct way to enter, she seems to prefer that we use forceful entry."

What Number 03 hoped for would surely be beneficial to her, but unfavorable to them.

Number 03’s desire for them to force entry likely harbors severe negative consequences.

"There might be backlash, an explosion, or even worse outcomes. Even with Sanders present, Number 03 still seemed to incite us secretly, suggesting the negative consequences could be quite terrifying."

After a pause, Kanter continued, "So, if we can avoid causing destruction to enter inside, it’s best not to."

Everyone agreed with this statement.

Then, Nis looked at Angel, "The entry opportunity you mentioned, does it require destruction?"

Angel shook his head, "It won’t involve destruction, just an induction... And it will be quick."

"Induction?" Everyone wore confused expressions.

Angel didn’t explain, instead, he extended his hand and pressed it against the smooth metallic surface of the fortress.

He seemed to touch it casually, but the spot he touched was the current largest node of spatial energy exposed on the fortress.

Angel’s hand moved slightly, and he took out a crystal magic rune plate inscribed in advance with a ’Blockade’ magic pattern compatible with the fortress’s magical energy array.

When he pressed the magic rune plate on the fortress node, the power from both sides, originating from the same magical energy array, seamlessly merged together.

It was like inserting a plastic flower into a basket full of real flowers and spraying it with dew. From the external appearance, there was no difference at all.

However, upon closer inspection, you would find that the spatial energy on the fortress began to quickly flow into the magic rune plate.

This method of drawing spatial energy into the magic rune plate is induction!

Of course, this induction is not long-lasting because with the magic rune plate connected to the fortress node, at most five or six seconds later, the internal spatial energy would return to the fortress’s magical energy array.

However, suppressing the spatial energy for five or six seconds was enough.

When the magic rune plate was filled with spatial energy, Angel extended his other hand and pointed at the void.

A seemingly ancient space gate opened out of thin air. Through the space gate, a corridor filled with mechanical structures could be clearly seen.

This space gate was precisely The Gate of Void.

When the fortress was saturated with spatial energy, Angel couldn’t open The Gate of Void to enter inside. But when the spatial energy was induced, and the ’Blockade’ effect reached its minimum, The Gate of Void could be opened smoothly.

This was Angel’s entry method.

...

Five seconds later, the spatial energy on the magic rune plate returned to the fortress’s magical energy array, and The Gate of Void closed accordingly.

But at the same time, Angel, Nis, Kanter, and Reynaud had already entered the laboratory interior.

Nis was amazed as he observed the smooth section of the fortress interior, marveling, "I can feel that the fortress’s magical energy array hasn’t been destroyed at all, everything is back to normal... But we managed to get in."

Kanter couldn’t help but look at Angel, "I didn’t expect you could really pull it off."

Nis smirked, "The most surprised person must be Number 03. She definitely thought we would forcibly destroy the magical energy array, but what she didn’t know was that Angel was among us this time. Even without destroying the magical energy array, we still managed to get in."

Angel didn’t show much emotion at this point; he was observing the surroundings.

Number 03 wanted them to enter the laboratory, indicating possible dangers inside. But from his current observations, he hadn’t found anything yet.

This was a relatively wide passage, filled with mechanical pipes everywhere. Some transparent pipes contained noticeable energy liquid flowing inside, being distributed to various parts of the fortress.

The passage wasn’t long, only about ten meters, but at the end of the passage was another passage branching into two sides.

Angel didn’t immediately explore the passage but turned to look at Reynaud.

"Do you feel your body?"

Without Angel’s prompting, Reynaud had closed his eyes upon entering the laboratory, using the soul’s fundamental connection to the body, trying to sense the body’s location.

After a while, Reynaud opened his eyes, showing a heavy expression, "I seem to faintly hear a call from deep within my soul, but it’s very vague. I don’t even know if it’s real or an illusion."

Nis: "That should be your body calling you."

Reynaud: "But..."

"Here, try sensing again." Without explanation, Nis casually pinched, infusing a concentrated soul force into Reynaud’s forehead.

This soul force didn’t move but gathered at the forehead, like a signal amplifier aiding Reynaud’s sensing.

Under this condition, Reynaud closed his eyes again.

After a long while, Reynaud opened his eyes, "Although still very vague, I felt it. That call is coming from below."

"Still blurry?" Nis asked in confusion, "How is that possible? I directly lent you my soul perception, and it’s still blurry?"

Nis looked puzzled. As a Soul Witch, he was the strongest in soul-body connection perception. Yet even with his perception, Reynaud’s senses were still blurry? This was a bit unbelievable.

Angel: "Maybe it’s encased in some kind of perception-blocking device."

Kanter also said, "Anyway, we’ve got a general idea of the location, and we’ll know once we go down and take a look."

Although Nis was still puzzled, Reynaud’s matter was a minor issue, and thinking about it again, the laboratory’s interior was extremely complex, filled with magic pattern partitions, so perception suppression was quite normal. At least now it’s confirmed that Reynaud’s body is within the laboratory, so with careful searching, it should be found.

...

"Reynaud is quite familiar with the interior of the laboratory, so he’ll lead the way when the time comes. We will first take a broad look at the laboratory’s situation." Nis didn’t know where the research data was located, so the best way was to let someone familiar lead the way.

Reynaud naturally wouldn’t refuse; he had his own pursuit under the goal of finding his body.

He wanted to remove the soul mark on his face.

The method to remove the soul mark was also in the internal database of the laboratory. So, part of his goals overlapped with Nis’s.

Kanter didn’t offer any opinion; he was just there to protect Nis. How to specifically explore the lab was up to Nis.

After roughly organizing the itinerary, Nis turned to Angel: "Angel, are you going with us?"

Angel had no curiosity about the laboratory research. He came here mainly for Nausicaa, and now that Nausicaa had left, his curiosity was even weaker.

However, although he didn’t have much curiosity about the lab’s research, he was quite interested in the laboratory itself.

The entire laboratory was actually a gigantic alchemy work.

Especially after Angel entered the interior, he saw magical energy arrays everywhere, along with mechanical pipes, and felt the strong alchemical atmosphere, confirming that this was a rather complex alchemy work.

It was composed of mechanical alchemy and enchantment alchemy, creating a unified and non-conflicting structure.

In the Southern Domain, it’s rare to encounter such a special alchemy work.

Rather than exploring the laboratory’s soul arms research, Angel was more inclined to study the laboratory itself.

"I won’t go. I’m quite interested in these magical energy arrays here; the style is somewhat different from the Southern Domain." Angel said.

Nis: "You plan to study the magical energy arrays?"

Angel nodded: "Sort of. The magic patterns inside the laboratory are more complex than those outside; maybe I can find out why 03 was urging us to enter the laboratory through these magic patterns."

Angel planned to stay near the entrance and start his research on the magical energy arrays.

Kanter and Nis had no objections, and they also thought Angel’s idea was good. 03 didn’t know they had a master of enchantment among them, so since she didn’t want to reveal the laboratory’s internal secrets, perhaps Angel could deduce something from the magical energy arrays.

As for safety concerns, there’s no need to worry. Angel wasn’t going into the laboratory’s interior too deeply, and there wouldn’t be too many traps in the vicinity. As an Alchemist, Angel’s ability to dismantle traps was certainly above theirs. Most importantly, Angel himself wasn’t weak, and he also had Earl Mi with him.

Finally, they divided into two groups: Reynaud, Nis, and Kanter went to explore the lab, while Angel stayed in place to study the magical energy arrays.

Although their actions were separate, their mind ribbons remained intact.

Like now, even though Angel didn’t go to the end of the passageway, he could hear Nis’s voice coming through the mind ribbon: "At the end of the passage is a three-way junction; both the left and right paths seem passable. The left passage leads straight through, and on the right passage, I think I saw something glowing..."

Reynaud: "Both the left and right can lead to the experimental center of this level."

"Then why have two pathways?"

Reynaud: "The left path is for the researchers because the corridor has their sequential dormitories, as well as some material storage and reserve rooms. The right is for combat personnel, like us experimental subjects; aside from living and dining rooms, there are no other rooms."

Nis: "So specifically divided? Which way should we go, left or right?"

Reynaud: "It seems the combat personnel have mostly left now, so the right side should be safer..."

Before Reynaud could finish, Nis said, "Then we’ll go left."

Nis was the leader, so Reynaud couldn’t say much and continued to explain, "The glowing thing mentioned by you earlier is the energy conduit, which contains the energy source that maintains most of the laboratory’s mechanical operations."

"What happens if we destroy it?"

"Destroying it means we can’t access the lower levels."

The conversation between Nis and Reynaud came continuously through the mind ribbon. Initially, Angel found it quite interesting, but as he began to enter his research state, these voices turned into incessant noise.

Angel thought for a moment and directly blocked the mind ribbon.

Regarding the concern of missing important information, it was unnecessary... even if he blocked the mind ribbon, Toby and Dangross didn’t.

The two of them were also recipients of the mind ribbon but remained silent because one was shy and the other couldn’t speak human language.

If there was anything important or if Nis needed to contact Angel, they could convey the message for him.

After making all preparations, Angel’s gaze turned to the smooth metallic surface. The external magic patterns were ultimately just a small part, while more were inside.

In his vision, it was no longer a simple passageway but a world filled with magical patterns and countless energy streams.

After roughly investigating the surroundings for danger, Angel immersed himself in the world of magic patterns.

About five minutes later, Angel suddenly snapped back.

It wasn’t that he’d researched something, but a familiar sensation came over him.

A ripple of the Law, or rather, a surge of the Law.

Even though the magical energy array was packed with "partitions," it didn’t completely block the flow of the Law; Angel could clearly feel it surging.

However, Toby always kept the Gravity Meridian covering Angel, so the surge didn’t have much effect.

Even the mind ribbon wasn’t affected. Presumably, Kanter also protected himself with a Meridian force, preventing the mind ribbon from bursting.

"The rumble was isolated, but unexpectedly, this surge managed to get through."

As soon as Angel reactivated the mind ribbon, he could hear Nis’s voice coming through.

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