Later, after the Wise Sovereign deliberately concealed his emotions, Angel gradually found himself unable to detect any emotional changes.
But Angel remembered not to mention the pen name in front of the Wise Sovereign.
This time, when the Wise Sovereign proactively brought up the research topic, Angel was initially puzzled. Eventually, through Xiao Bao’s mischievousness, the Wise Sovereign extended the conversation to the submission incident, explaining the origin of his pen name. Only then did Angel understand that the Wise Sovereign was likely unwilling to be misunderstood and seized the chance to clarify.
Yet even while explaining, the Wise Sovereign still avoided mentioning the pen name, showing how much he cared about it.
At this moment, Dox just happened to touch the tiger’s whiskers, leaving nothing but a silent lament for him.
However, Angel could only lament in his heart, outwardly following the crowd, with a look of "Ah, so the pen name was made by Xiao Bao, truly mischievous," as if watching the antics of a mischievous child.
The Wise Sovereign indeed did not notice that Angel had already seen through his inner drama.
Having secretly noted down Dox, the Wise Sovereign immediately changed the topic: "Xiao Bao’s mischievous antics are numerous; consider these just the tip of the iceberg, not worth mentioning."
Inwardly, Angel mused: Not worth mentioning, yet you mentioned them.
"Back to the point, your earlier guess was correct, but not entirely," the Wise Sovereign said, looking at Angel.
"You stated that the family of One-eyed Xiao Bao is her pawn, and that definition is correct. Because this species indeed originated from the relict site. It is very likely that ’she’ brought them out from another world."
"However, not all members of this family count as her pawns."
Angel: "Xiao Bao is not her pawn?"
The Wise Sovereign: "Xiao Bao listens to her, but also listens to me."
This statement was clear enough: even if Xiao Bao indeed became the test that ’she’ devised for Angel and others, the Wise Sovereign could still have Xiao Bao obey him. Thus, Xiao Bao does not necessarily count as her pawn.
Angel: "Then who is her pawn...?"
The Wise Sovereign’s answer was very cryptic: "No matter whether Da Bao, Er Bao, or Xiao Bao, they are all like little holes; you must have encountered them along the way."
"Your real test is a big hole."
A big hole? Angel frowned, recalling that the Wise Sovereign had previously mentioned an existence: "Their mother?"
The Wise Sovereign neither confirmed nor denied but instead started introducing their mother.
"Their mother is called You Nu. She is a larger hole; if she exerted her full power, she could even swallow half of the Underground Aqueduct," the Wise Sovereign said. "Her engulfment is very peculiar, ignoring all defenses. As long as you are within her range, no matter how strong you are, it won’t help."
"And the things she engulfs can only be released by herself and the ’her’ from the relict site. Even I would be the same if swallowed."
Although the Wise Sovereign did not explicitly say the test was from You Nu, having started to describe You Nu’s capabilities, everyone could basically conclude that You Nu was very likely to become a hurdle that ’she’ set up.
Dox: "Then, as long as we don’t pass through her range, there will be no problem, right?"
The Wise Sovereign: "Xiao Bao, Da Bao, and Er Bao can all close their holes. Do you think their mother can’t close and hide hers? Moreover, I’ve said before that her engulfment range is quite large. If she hides along your inevitable path, can you detect her?"
Dox: "Then doesn’t she have any weaknesses?"
The Wise Sovereign glanced meaningfully at Angel: "This is your test."
Angel, inexplicably stared at, was confused: "My test? Not our test?"
The Wise Sovereign did not answer, instead musing aloud: "You Nu, having accompanied me for much longer than Da Bao and the others, has greatly contributed to the Underground Aqueduct. She actually listens to me, it’s just..."
The Wise Sovereign did not finish his sentence, but everyone inferred the unspoken words.
You Nu listens to the Wise Sovereign, but listens even more to her.
"I can only tell you two things. First, my hall has been modified so that she will not come to my hall, nor will she pass through it. Second, when she is hidden, she cannot open her mouth too wide, but occupying the passage is not a problem. Once she reveals her true body, her open mouth speed is limited and cannot instantly reach maximum."
"Oh, and one more thing: you cannot kill her. Actually, saying this is pointless, you wouldn’t be able to kill her unless... his strength meets the mark, and he has a way to locate her true body."
The "he" in the Wise Sovereign’s statement was none other than the one whom he was looking at... Kaier.
"However, even if he manages it, you still should not kill her, nor even harm her, and must make this effort."
Angel: "Why?"
The Wise Sovereign: "Da Bao, Er Bao, and Xiao Bao listen to me, but they listen to their mother more. Trust me, if it comes to a head-on confrontation, you’d prefer facing You Nu."
When the Wise Sovereign spoke these words, his expression was serious, genuinely warning them.
This indicated that if they harmed You Nu, her three children could turn hostile against them. Even in the Wise Sovereign’s description, You Nu’s children are... dangerous?
As for why they were dangerous, the Wise Sovereign was unwilling to elaborate.
After the Wise Sovereign finished speaking, he paused for a long while, as if giving them time to deliberate.
Everyone analyzed the Wise Sovereign’s words over the Mind Ribbon.
From the known information, You Nu was basically confirmed as the test left by her, though it wasn’t the only one—probably just one of many.
Da Bao, Er Bao, and Xiao Bao might not be tests, but if they were, the Wise Sovereign could persuade them to ease up.
You Nu is a test that they will inevitably face, yet they cannot harm You Nu.
According to the Wise Sovereign’s information, the only way to pass the test is to reach the Hall of Wisdom. You Nu will not enter the hall, and reaching it means the test is over.
But the Wise Sovereign made it clear that even when hidden, You Nu can occupy the entire passage.
Therefore, even if they identify where You Nu is hidden, they cannot pass through the walkway.
So how are they supposed to reach the Hall of Wisdom?