Published at 22nd of March 2026 4:44 pm

Chapter 2663: The Visitor

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On the other side, in front of the entrance to the Hanging Jail Stairway. Everyone was gathered around the statue in the fountain.

"This little kid peeing looks much eerier than the one you simulated with illusions earlier," said Dox.

The statue that Angel previously simulated with Illusion Technique was a cute, bare-bottomed child, mischievously holding his little brother, with a stream of water arcing from it into the crystal-clear fountain.

Though the design seemed a bit odd, since it was just a little kid, even if naked, it didn’t stir any ulterior thoughts.

The statue, carved with masterful skill, clearly displayed the child’s playful, innocent, and harmless nature, evoking a knowing smile.

But the statue of the peeing child before them was different. The face that was originally smooth with a skin-like Colored Glaze now had its coating almost entirely peeled away, leaving only patches of white and black.

It looked like bruises.

The child’s mischievous smile had become somewhat sinister due to these bruises. Originally playful and innocent, it now seemed filled with malice—a creepy grin.

Along with the murky black water spewing from the child’s little brother, it was entirely unrelated to Angel’s illusionary statue.

"Time passes, and changes are natural." said Vay. "Moreover, wasn’t it previously suspected that the woman’s statue might be the Goddess of Prison Codex, representing judgment; while the child’s statue represents the Slayer."

"Now, with this eerie look, doesn’t it resemble the Slayer more?"

Dox hugged Vay and whispered through gritted teeth at his ear, "The bit about the passage of time made sense, but what’s this nonsense you spewed at the end? You’re being influenced by Angel, aren’t you?"

His last words were barely audible, seemingly a whisper.

But none were ordinary people here; everyone heard it.

An unexpectedly called out Angel looked bewildered: When did I influence Vay? Why say "again?"

What did Dox’s statement mean? Did he realize I had Vay work over the Black Earl’s Crystal Ball?

But that doesn’t add up; Dox has no involvement in that matter.

Vay: "I said it ’looks more like the Punisher,’ not that it should be this way!"

Dox: "Anyway, you’re just backing them up."

As Vay was about to say more, the Black Earl impatiently interrupted, "This topic is pointless; there’s no need to argue further."

Dox patted Vay’s shoulder, "See, even your master criticizes you; your words are pointless."

The Black Earl turned the slab towards Dox, snorting, "Your question is also pointless. The transformation of the statue isn’t the focus; the focus is the door beneath the statue."

The base of the peeing child’s statue was high; on one side of the base, there was an obvious door handle.

The door handle was slightly ajar, previously opened by the Black Earl’s Avatar to investigate.

"There’s nothing to investigate outside; I’ve searched it through before. Let’s go inside and see..." The Black Earl paused, turned to Angel: "I’ve informed you about the general situation inside; are you prepared?"

The others didn’t understand the Black Earl’s meaning, confusedly looking back and forth between Angel and the Black Earl. But Angel, being the principal person involved, understood the Black Earl’s meaning clearly.

The Black Earl was inquiring whether Angel had a contingency plan if the Wood Spirit wasn’t inside.

Angel: "I’ve got some ideas. But there’s no need to spell them out now; it’s not too late to discuss if the Wood Spirit can’t be found."

"Alright." The Black Earl ended the conversation without any delay.

Dox: "Hey hey, I’m also a key member of this group; keeping secrets from those two fools is fine, but don’t keep them from me. Tell me what’s up with this riddle?"

Dox released Vay and swiftly came beside Angel, attempting to hug Angel as he did Vay earlier.

However, Angel was quicker, dodging to stand next to the Black Earl.

"Hey, you guys could at least tell me in private." Dox didn’t want to approach the Black Earl, so he shouted from a few meters away.

Angel considered for a moment and thought it was fine to tell everyone, casually saying, "Nothing much, just that during our exchange with Cicia and Dong La previously, we overlooked an important issue."

At this moment, Kaier suddenly said, "Is the overlooked issue about time?"

Angel gave Kaier a deep look and nodded gently, "Yes, it’s indeed time."

Kaier noticing this wasn’t surprising; his inspiration might not be as strong as Dox’s, but his observation skills and mental acuity were quite sharp. These are essential qualities for a Wizard from the Academy Faction.

Throughout the journey, Kaier had been mostly silent, but that didn’t mean he lacked engagement. He frequently revisited Photostones, indicating he paid close attention to every detail.

Angel: "When Dong La and Cicia received the Wood Spirit information, it was already delayed intel; in this time, who knows if the Wood Spirit had sudden thoughts of leaving."

"So, the discussion between me and the Black Earl was about preparing a contingency plan if the Wood Spirit isn’t inside."

Everyone connected it to Angel’s previous response to the Black Earl, which expressed this meaning indeed.

It meant Angel and the Black Earl were already preparing further steps.

Now they somewhat understood why the Black Earl previously communicated solely with Angel; even informing them about these matters would only add to the confusion, so it was better not said.

Now, at the doorway to the Hanging Jail Stairway, it didn’t matter anymore.

"I see." Dox smiled, "Don’t worry, the Wood Spirit definitely hasn’t escaped!"

Angel looked skeptically, "How can you be sure? Did your inspiration return?"

Dox waved his hand, "It hasn’t returned. I just feel that the Wood Spirit can’t run far; it can’t return to the previous Other-dimensional Space. Even if not at the Hanging Jail Stairway, it’s nearby; it can’t have run far."

Angel calmly said, "The Underground Aqueducts are extensive."

Dox: "But there are Magical Creatures there, and it’s quite cowardly, right?"

Angel: "However, it’s good at concealing its Talent."

Angel didn’t intend to further argue with Dox, as both scenarios they described could likely occur.

The certainty of whether the Wood Spirit remains, and how far it might have fled if not inside the Hanging Jail Stairway, was still unanswered.

To determine whether a cat shut in a box for days without sustenance is dead or not, one ultimately needs to open the box and check.

"Enough talking, let’s go in and have a look."

With that, the Black Earl prepared to use Energy to push open the door beneath the statue.

However, at this moment, something unexpected occurred!

Just as the Black Earl’s Energy touched the base, it suddenly retracted. It wasn’t repelled; the Black Earl voluntarily withdrew it.

Everyone cast curious glances at the Black Earl.

Yet, without saying a word, the Black Earl swiftly hovered above, wielding mighty power to immediately create a dome that covered everyone perfectly.

Facing these series of maneuvers by the Black Earl, everyone was puzzled.

Before they could inquire, the Black Earl quickly spoke: "Someone is coming, and the energy on him is quite strange. It seems thin, yet it’s deep like the ocean, my premonition instantly activated my talent."

What the Black Earl’s premonition exactly was, he did not say. However, the greatest talent of his nose is Death Sense; his premonition activating this talent means the one coming is a presence that even the Black Earl considers enshrouded by the shadow of death.

Of course, this refers to the Black Earl’s nose, not his true body.

"Angel, prepare the materials for the Plane Corridor. If the visitor bears ill intent, we can use the dome for warding and strive for time to open the Plane Corridor." The Black Earl paused: "If it’s still dangerous, I’ll be the rearguard."

The words of the Black Earl left everyone stunned. They had been surprised by the sudden arrival of an unknown powerhouse, and a moment later, were shocked by the Black Earl’s resolute stance.

Especially Dox and Vay, who were most surprised, because they were very aware that what the Black Earl said about being the rearguard actually meant sacrificing himself to buy time.

Vay often thought about the worst-case scenario regarding why the Black Earl sent an avatar to accompany the group, speculating it might be for some ulterior motive. Dox also believed Vay’s theory, as he himself was fond of conspiracy theories.

Yet now, the Black Earl expressed the willingness to sacrifice his life to protect the others, which was completely different from what they had originally suspected.

Could it be that Vay misunderstood the Black Earl before?

The answer to this question, Vay and Dox found hard to decipher. But Angel was very clear, for he had received much information about the Black Earl from Rhein and Ironclad Granny.

The Black Earl’s avatar accompanying his descendants indeed had an agenda; these agendas could be good or bad, but definitely did not entail directly harming the descendants.

And at this moment, the Black Earl’s expression of sacrificing himself for the others, Angel also understood what the Black Earl meant.

From previous conversations, Angel had already realized that the Black Earl believed the Wood Spirit might not be in the Hanging Jail Stairway anymore, as the interior is too heavily fragmented.

Because of this thought, the Black Earl contacted Angel to have him come up with alternative plans earlier.

And there aren’t many alternative plans, it’s either directly visiting the Wise Sovereign, or choosing another route.

The Black Earl was also aware of this; if unexpected incidents hadn’t occurred, he would most likely continue following Angel’s choice.

Now encountering the unexpected, the Black Earl has a new choice.

Rhein emphasized multiple times that the Black Earl’s avatar does not fear death.

Also, sometimes the avatar would even choose death proactively, because upon death, the true body of the Black Earl immediately receives the memory of the avatar.

Although it’s unknown how the Black Earl achieves this, it’s precisely due to this memory retrieval ability that he has a vast source of intelligence. He can rely on the avatar’s death to bring back information from many life-and-death situations.

Therefore, based on this logic, the Black Earl’s nose does not fear death either.

And if it were to die here, it would actually be beneficial to him.

Firstly, he gains Angel’s favor; secondly, the memory returns, and the true body will surely learn what happened here and descend on his own. This bypasses the previous agreement he made with Angel.

Therefore, what Vay and Dox cannot comprehend sometimes is just this simple.

When death can bring profit, choosing death is not necessarily a bad thing.

Though Angel understands the Black Earl’s intent, if the most critical situation indeed arises, he has no choice but to accept the Black Earl’s favor.

Angel’s thoughts were flipping, but his actions were without the slightest delay; he quickly retrieved the materials for the Plane Corridor, and simultaneously constructed the psychic model for the Plane Corridor in the Mind Space.

Just a thought, and the Plane Corridor can be opened instantly.

After making preparations, Angel looked at the Black Earl: "Sir, are you sure the visitor is human? Not a Magic Monster?"

If someone could make even the Black Earl’s Death Sense activate, that person surely must be incredibly formidable. In Angel’s view, only the Wise Sovereign nearby possesses such power.

That’s why he asked the Black Earl this.

Black Earl: "There is a human scent, but it’s not very pure, somewhat similar to the feeling that Dong La gives."

Dong La, one of Angel’s potential enemies, nicknamed "The Grafting Maniac," loves to splice and assemble various limbs and organs, creating some bizarre and terrifying life forms.

Could it be a modified human?

Just as Angel was pondering, the Black Earl’s voice suddenly heightened: "It’s here, be ready."

Everyone showed a serious look and began moving closer to Angel. If it truly was an unbeatable existence, their only choice would be to flee.

Angel’s expression was not as solemn as the others, because he was certain, no matter what, they could escape.

He was more concerned about the identity of the visitor.

...

When the moment of revelation came, Angel’s expression was extraordinarily odd.

The others had expressions similar to Angel’s, mostly shock and surprise.

Because the visitor wasn’t the kind of mighty figure they imagined, but rather a boy filled with a strong Academy Faction aura...

Judging by his physique, he was about thirteen or fourteen years old, wearing a new red-colored newsboy cap with black-pattern accents, and dressed in robes of the same color scheme.

A seemingly harmless appearance.

But when he lifted his head, revealing the face obscured by his cap, everyone’s expression changed instantly.

He had bluish skin and three eyes.

Although the opponent was in human form, merely these two features, plus the previous look of Black Earl facing a formidable enemy, showed that everyone had guessed the visitor’s identity.

"He is, the Wise... Sovereign!"

Everyone knew they would inevitably meet the Wise Sovereign, but didn’t expect it to be this fast, and to arrive so suddenly.

It felt like he came here directly for them.

"Good evening, everyone!" The Wise Sovereign lifted his face, filled with smiles as he faced everyone in front of him.

He seemed not to see the light shield, and his gaze passed over everyone. He paused slightly at the Black Earl’s nose, while others were quickly glanced over.

"Are you the Wise Sovereign?" The Black Earl asked.

"Eh, how do you know who I am?" The Wise Sovereign was slightly taken aback, then waved his hand: "Oh well, it doesn’t matter."

"Don’t look so alert; I’m not going to eat anyone... though I used to eat, but now I don’t eat much." When the Wise Sovereign finished, Vay immediately covered his mouth, his face filled with horror.

The Wise Sovereign looked at Vay, smiling, and said: "I’m just kidding; I’ve never eaten anyone."

After speaking, the Wise Sovereign stretched lazily, leaning against the nearby wall: "Relax, I’m not here to kill, I’m here looking for someone."

Angel: "Looking for someone?"

The Wise Sovereign nodded: "Among you, there should be someone from the Noah Clan, how about coming out to chat?"

Upon hearing these words from the Wise Sovereign, everyone immediately understood that the Wise Sovereign was not "seemingly" coming toward them, but indeed directly aimed at them!

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