Angel contemplated for a moment and attempted to activate the green patterns in his right eye.
When the phantom mask appeared around his right eye, a "Domain Field" constructed by countless dancing green patterns heavily enveloped Angel.
This ’Domain Field’ ability, ever since Angel developed it, has established remarkable achievements in areas influenced by the Nightmare Realm.
For instance, when Culori initially stole the Nightmare Light from the Nightmare Realm, he couldn’t handle it after his research, so he used a Magical Energy Array to confine it in a secret room within the ruins. The Nightmare Light, which even Culori found troublesome, could easily be isolated by Angel’s Domain Field.
Furthermore, the Domain Field can isolate the dome of Eternal Night City, blocking all the maddening murmurs.
Therefore, when Angel felt he might be influenced by some will of the Nightmare Realm, his first choice was the Domain Field.
Sure enough, with the appearance of the Domain Field, the anomalous images flashing in Angel’s mind disappeared directly.
Although these images had limited influence on Angel, even limited influence is still influence, so being able to restrict them eased Angel considerably.
And Angel’s relieved expression happened to be seen by the Black Earl.
The Black Earl originally wanted to discuss with Angel whether to withdraw. The deeper they ventured, the more he feared his own nature might change drastically.
But upon seeing Angel’s relaxed expression, the Black Earl felt only absurdity and confusion.
The absurdity was that he and Angel were clearly on the same stage, yet seemed to hold different role scripts—he was the suffering supporting character, while Angel was the leisurely bystander. Isn’t this absurd?
And the confusion was: Is Angel truly unaffected? Or is the relaxed demeanor he shows actually the result of being influenced?
The Black Earl forcibly suppressed the inexplicable images of the bone palace jumping in his mind, trying to use a calm tone to ask: "Has your spiritual power been influenced? How about temporarily retreating?"
Although the Black Earl tried his best to remain composed, in Angel’s eyes, the Earl’s expression was sometimes grim and sometimes tense, remarkably unusual.
Because of the Earl’s strange behavior, Angel couldn’t help but perceive the Earl’s emotions.
At this moment, the Black Earl had no ability to conceal his inner emotions. Therefore, Angel effortlessly perceived the Earl’s fluctuating emotions.
Self-doubt and rebuilding confidence; self-loathing and restoring calm; madness and composure, absurdity and confusion... All sorts of emotions overflowed, and mostly conflicting emotions at that.
The myriad of complex emotions made Angel realize the Black Earl might have an issue.
The Earl asking him whether "spiritual power has been influenced" might suggest that the Earl’s own spiritual power had indeed been influenced?
But what could influence the Earl’s spiritual power? Could it be the images emerging from the red wax area?
Yet those images didn’t seem to contain anything stimulating to the spirit, did they?
While Angel didn’t know the exact cause, it likely related to the influence of the red wax area. Thus, the solution was simple.
Angel directly expanded the Domain Field, enveloping the Black Earl.
As the Domain Field surrounded the Black Earl, a cool aura seemed to rush into his mind, and the eerie images before were washed away by this refreshing aura and vanished instantly.
The madness dissipated, and thoughts returned to stability.
The Black Earl sensed it and confirmed there were no aftereffects before looking at Angel: "How did you do it?"
As soon as he spoke, the Black Earl seemed to recall something and added: "You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to."
Although the Black Earl stated he didn’t need an answer, Angel still explained briefly: "A special field-type illusion technique can intervene in the invasion of external emotions."
Does the Black Earl believe Angel’s explanation?
Of course he believes it. It’s so vague, it’s like saying nothing—who wouldn’t believe it?
Although this was the Earl’s internal retort, at least Angel gave a rough explanation: indeed, the red wax area has issues, and his erected field can serve as a ward.
As for why it can ward, what the principle is, Angel certainly wouldn’t disclose. The Earl, though curious, wouldn’t ask at this moment either.
One was about to confront Infant Spirits, possibly a fierce battle—it’s highly unwise to doubt a teammate now.
Moreover, as they drew nearer to the Qingkong Poetry Room, the Earl’s feelings intensified... Would this goal, left unfulfilled by the Noah Clan, come to an end in his hands?
These thoughts have surpassed the doubts about Angel.
Therefore, he wouldn’t question now; if there’s a chance in the future, it wouldn’t be too late to ask then.
Of course, all these are premised on trusting Angel. Being valued by Rhein and also Sanders’ disciple, these two relationships alone were enough for the Earl to place trust in Angel.
As long as Angel didn’t exhibit overt betrayal or breach, the Black Earl would trust him, even sacrificing this avatar to safeguard his safety.
If it were anyone else, the Black Earl wouldn’t be so accommodating.
The Earl chose not to investigate the specifics of the Domain Field, and temporarily set aside the "dreadful" red wax area. Now, they faced a more pressing problem—the Infant Spirits staring ravenously at them.
’Ravenous staring’ was the Earl’s perception.
To Angel, the ugly Infant Spirits without skin gave him a familiar feeling. Although Angel could confirm he hadn’t seen this Infant Spirit before, the sense of familiarity might not stem from the Infant Spirit itself, but from the swaying red flower embedded into its skull.
Maneater Flower.
Could it be the Maneater Flower from the alley?
Angel speculated while crossing the first Weaving Net.
The net had already been cracked, so they crossed it easily and without any hindrance.
However, while crossing the net, the Black Earl manipulated a thread of the Power of Earth, forming a square box, attempting to take a segment of the net back for research. Yet, as soon as the Power of Earth enveloped the net, the box crumbled into dust, scattering lightly.
Watching the dust fall, the Black Earl’s brow tightly furrowed.
The box formed by the Power of Earth had a complete shape, with its internal energy very stable. Yet contact with the net directly broke this highly stable energy, transforming it into the most primitive form, dissipating into the earth.