Published at 24th of March 2026 7:06 am

Chapter 2669: Origins of Personality

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"Heh, indeed, it does have a somewhat unique personality." The Wise Sovereign gazed at the distant Hanging Jail Stairway, the glimmer on his glasses constantly flickering, as if observing the scene inside through the Magical Energy Array.

After a while, the Sage softly said, "However, cherishing one’s own life is not a bad thing in itself."

Angel: "Cherishing life, the Wise Sovereign’s remark is quite tactful."

Do mentors now see students through rose-colored lenses? Although from a certain perspective, this could be considered cherishing life, Angel still could not empathize with the Wood Spirit that played dead for decades without moving.

"Tactful?" The Sage glanced at Angel in confusion.

Angel: "It refers to the wisdom of handling social relationships."

The Sage felt skeptical. Although this word sounded like a compliment, what Angel said made him feel a bit strange. Was it his illusion?

The Sage shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. Even if it was a seemingly backhanded compliment, it was no big deal.

Sage: "It understands the value of life more than many people today. In my view, that’s also a merit."

This time Angel did not respond, because although the Sage’s words sounded reasonable, they seemed not just to praise the Wood Spirit, but carried subtle undertones.

Who is it that doesn’t cherish life? Is it implying them? Is this a warning against their reckless remarks?

Angel kept silent, and the Sage didn’t mind, continuing, "This merit of it also brings convenience for me. If it leaves the Hanging Jail Stairway, I’ll notice right away; but since it hasn’t left yet, it means that at least for now, the Hanging Jail Stairway is safe, with no unexpected changes..."

"You are proficient in Runeology, you should know that this kind of massive Magical Energy Array has embedded too many Other-dimensional Spaces inside, sometimes showing instability. The presence of the Wood Spirit can remind me of the changes in the Magical Energy Array inside the Hanging Jail Stairway at any time."

The Sage paused, lamenting, "Previously, not noticing the changes in the Magical Energy Array led to the fracture at the top layer of the Hanging Jail Stairway, increasing space rift in the middle. If the Wood Spirit had been in the Magical Energy Array then, it might have been able to warn me in time and make a difference."

"A fracture at the top layer has nothing to do with the bottom. Why does the Wise Sovereign think the Wood Spirit would definitely come out to warn you? It could just hide in the lower layer." Speaking in such a way, undoubtedly, was Dox, whose ’spirit of contradiction’ was reignited.

But this time, Dox contradicted in the wrong place.

Before the Sage could reply, Angel explained on his behalf, "The Hanging Jail Stairway itself is attached to the large Magical Energy Array of the Underground Aqueduct, and the operation of the Magical Energy Array inside the Other-dimensional Space is fueled by external energy. Once energy instability occurs, the Magical Energy Array will find its own outlet. This outlet cannot be external, as it would cause problems with the external Magical Energy Array, so the unstable energy can only be discharged inside the Other-dimensional Space."

"The discharge of omnipresent energy is like a torrent surging. In a very short time, it causes a huge impact on the already unstable Other-dimensional Space. After a series of reactions, the final result is: spatial collapse. And spatial collapse leads to the massive creation of space rifts."

"The Hanging Jail Stairway’s structure must have been well-considered, capable of handling most disasters. Spatial rips should have been a minor issue for the Hanging Jail Stairway, even self-reparable. But even if space rifts are repaired, if the fundamental issue of space stability isn’t resolved, they’ll keep reappearing."

"For so many years no one has maintained it, and with space rifts constantly being created and destroyed, as long as a rift location happens to connect to the Void, it may cause the greatest disaster, a Spatial Tempest."

"The only thing I can think of that could sever the Hanging Jail Stairway is probably a Spatial Tempest."

Angel looked at the Sage as he said this.

The Sage returned Angel’s gaze with a somewhat surprised expression, taking a long moment before saying, "Yes, it’s a Spatial Tempest."

Angel: "Imagine, a sealed Other-dimensional Space suddenly being flooded by a Spatial Tempest. What would the result be?"

"The spatial energy flooding in is enough to sweep through the entire Other-dimensional Space."

"It’s not just the upper level being shattered, it’s a crisis affecting the whole structure."

So, if the Wood Spirit was indeed in the Other-dimensional Space back then, it definitely wouldn’t just run downwards, it would surely escape outside.

Dox, listening to Angel’s words, felt full of complaints: Although he got a free lesson, how had he become the one being educated?

The Sage was quite surprised by Angel’s words: "I expected you to understand Runeology, but I didn’t expect you to have also studied Overlapping Space Wheels?"

Angel: "These are just basic knowledge."

The Sage knew these were basic concepts of the Space Series, but if he remembered correctly, these are the foundational concepts that only Official Wizards would encounter. Generally, non-Space Series wizards are exposed to Apprentice Level space fundamentals, so how had they become the most basic knowledge to Angel?

Or, did the foundational knowledge outside now differ from what it was back then?

The Sage thought about it and decided not to ask further. If things have indeed changed outside, wouldn’t his question only make him seem old-fashioned?

However, while the Sage understood, Dox’s expression grew more bitter.

It was one thing to receive a lecture, but if he understood Angel’s implication correctly, it was: isn’t it normal to learn such basic academic knowledge?

——Normal, you sandworm. Only you understand, okay!

At least Dox didn’t know a thing about it, and why did Angel say it after Dox contradicted him? Weren’t they on the same side?!

While Dox was internally lamenting, the atmosphere between the Sage and Angel suddenly shifted, losing the earlier tension.

Angel hadn’t changed, but the Sage had.

For the Sage, Angel, who possessed depth, knowledge, and ability, was someone he could respect.

Just like Margaret in the past, though lacking power, she was quite talented in Enchantment and Runeology. Even communicating with her allowed the Sage to gain something.

A talented and capable individual like Margaret earned the Sage’s recognition.

And Angel, although the Sage was unsure of how profound his background was, the various details showed that he had substantial depth and surely wasn’t mediocre. Even if he hadn’t yet garnered the Sage’s recognition like Margaret had, compared to Dox and the Black Earl, who had shown nothing, the Sage preferred Angel.

Therefore, he took the initiative to soften the atmosphere, making it less tense and even continued chatting about some past events with Angel.

"You’re right, the intrusion of the Spatial Tempest back then not only severed the upper and lower layers but also severely impacted the entire Other-dimensional Space. Even the lower levels weren’t spared; the current extensive damage is also a continuation of that disaster."

"Though it’s been repaired and is stable again, restoring it to its original grandeur is impossible."

As the Sage spoke, his voice slowed, and his tone carried some helplessness and sadness.

The Sage had witnessed the glorious moments of the Hanging Jail Stairway, and now seeing it full of scars, he couldn’t help but lament. It was like an elderly person watching a kingdom rise, flourish, and build towers, only to watch it decline, be consumed by smoke, and collapse.

This was a sentiment granted to the Sage by the ever-passing time.

Angel remained silent for a moment: "Being able to restore stability to the lower levels, this restoration has been quite impressive."

The Sage shook his head, "It’s not me who repaired the Hanging Jail Stairway. My abilities aren’t sufficient for that."

Angel: "Is there another Magic Pattern Master here?"

To Angel’s question, the Sage just smiled mysteriously, "You will see."

We will see?

While everyone was wondering, the Sage changed the subject: "So, the Noah descendant inside, don’t worry, the Wood Spirit is definitely in there. But whether you can find it depends on your skills."

The first part of the sentence was shouted by the Black Earl, but the latter part used "you all," which meant that the Sage didn’t think the Black Earl could find it.

The Black Earl also heard the hidden meaning in the Sage’s words, but he did not respond, nor did he speak.

However, the Wise Sovereign did not let the Black Earl off the hook, continuing to speak sporadically from outside.

"Haven’t you been here before? Do you want to come again?"

"There’s a space rift on the left front, do you think my lovely student would stay nearby?"

"Fly a little further forward and touch that picture frame, there’s a surprise waiting for you."

"How about this for a surprise? It’s a trap that hasn’t been triggered for ten thousand years... I’m also reminding you, there’s a trap in this room, the Wood Spirit probably isn’t here."

"In the room on the right, which is split ten meters away, there’s a trap."

"Are you sure you don’t want to go? Actually, that trap is already disabled."

"Your nose is quite sensitive, to be able to smell the Shadow Ghost remains hidden in the ceiling?"

The Wise Sovereign continued to speak leisurely, causing trouble for the Black Earl several times, but the Black Earl remained silent. However, the Wise Sovereign didn’t mind, seemingly treating this as a game.

Meanwhile, Angel and Dox could only sigh silently in their hearts.

The fact that the Black Earl didn’t speak doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a temper... If the Wise Sovereign continues to provoke him, once the Black Earl’s temper flares and he commits suicide right on the spot, the Black Earl’s true body will soon descend.

Even though in the Underground Labyrinth, the Black Earl’s true body might not be able to do much to the Wise Sovereign, with the Black Earl’s connections, it wouldn’t be difficult to find someone to destroy the Underground Labyrinth’s Magical Energy Array.

Moreover, the Black Earl could easily manipulate the Birlos Family from behind the scenes and gradually sabotage the Underground Labyrinth, dealing with the Wise Sovereign through attrition.

So, at this moment, Angel and Dox were genuinely sweating.

"Are you going to the third floor? There are a few places on the second floor you haven’t been to. Although it’s indeed dangerous over there, maybe the Wood Spirit sensed someone coming to find it and hid there? Are you really not going to check it out?"

Upon hearing the Sage’s words, Angel pretended to be nonchalant: "If the Wood Spirit really could use itself as bait to lure others into danger, it’s not as life-cherishing as the Wise Sovereign mentioned."

"After all, not everyone is capable of seeking life through death."

Sage: "It’s an unknown situation; who can say for sure?"

Angel: "If the Wise Sovereign were seeking the Wood Spirit, would you go to those dangerous places you mentioned before?"

The Sage was silent for a moment, then truthfully replied, "I wouldn’t."

Angel didn’t show any emotional reaction to the Sage’s double standards, instead seizing the opportunity to switch to a related topic, diverting the Sage’s attention to prevent the Black Earl from being genuinely provoked.

"Is the Wood Spirit’s personality innate?"

"It’s hard to say. Its personality is rare even among spirits." The Wise Sovereign couldn’t be certain, speculating, "Perhaps it relates to its true form?"

"What is its true form?" Angel asked in succession.

Wise Sovereign: "It never mentioned it, but in the Southern Domain, the birth of spirits is closely related to humans. So, its true form should also be connected to humans. Judging from some clues, it might be something close to humans, like jewelry, weapons, or crafts. Personally, I lean towards handheld items, possibly a staff or cane."

The words of the Sage involuntarily made everyone think of the staff that Angel had previously simulated.

It seems Angel was right; the probability that it is a staff is quite high.

Angel: "Jewelry, weapons, crafts... these don’t seem to relate to personality, though?"

Sage: "These indeed have no relation to personality, but what about the people who made or used these things?"

Angel pondered for a moment before hesitantly asking, "The Wise Sovereign means that the personality of the person who once made or used the Wood Spirit’s true form affected the Wood Spirit?"

The Sage nodded, "Something like that."

Angel: "..."

If that’s the case, Angel thought he might have guessed wrong... perhaps the Wood Spirit has no connection with Sanders?

After all, Sanders’ renowned reputation in the Southern Domain proves that his personality is definitely unrelated to the Wood Spirit.

"Are you going to start with the Wood Spirit’s true form to find it?" The Sage looked at Angel.

Angel: "That’s the intention."

Sage: "Then I wish you good luck."

After speaking, the Sage didn’t say anything more to Angel but instead spoke directly to the Black Earl through the Mind Ribbon: "Come out, you’ve reached the end. The Wood Spirit absolutely won’t go to the area ahead."

The Sage’s words declared the Black Earl’s failure.

The Black Earl was also straightforward, without saying ’I’ll search again,’ directly returning the way he came.

After the Black Earl emerged from the Hanging Jail Stairway, the stone slab faced Angel and relayed all the intelligence it had discovered.

This information was not withheld from the Wise Sovereign, since Angel would be monitored by him along the way, so it didn’t matter anyway.

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