The Black Earl is evidently somewhat annoyed; no matter what, Vay is his descendant; to say something so foolish only brings shame to the Noah Clan.
Angel also looked at Vay at this moment, his tone was not as harsh as the Black Earl’s, but calm: "Although this place has been abandoned for countless years, before it was abandoned, it must have been a city of transcendence standing proudly. Moreover, it would not be inferior to Mesomyia."
"Although the Underground Labyrinth has many residential areas on the surface, official institutions are located deeper and are certainly heavily protected. There are definitely still functioning Magical Energy Arrays, and there could be mechanisms, puppets, or even bred magical creatures. So, if you really want to enter the target area, you cannot break open the deep passage; you can only find a way to enter it."
And this way is to find a surface passage that hasn’t collapsed and is still walkable.
This is also a challenge for Angel. When he entered the Nightmare Abyss City before, he appeared directly in the Underground Labyrinth, and turning around, he was in the passage of the Maneater Flower King. At the end of the passage was that wall.
Now, replicating that journey is almost impossible. They can only locate by the Hanging Jail Stairway and search back for that wall.
"If we can’t explore here, where’s the next place?" Dox asked.
Angel closed his eyes, recalling the bird’s-eye view, and Sanders’ description of Naraku City’s general layout. After a while, he hesitantly opened his eyes and slowly pointed north: "Over there in a garden, there’s an entrance to an Underground Aqueduct. It’s just that..."
Dox: "Just what?"
"It’s just that after so many years, the garden must be ruins now. There’s no landmark building nearby, so we’ll likely have to scout to determine the position."
The so-called scouting, Angel meant using spiritual power to search underground, but once implemented, he found that Vay could use earth sense for extensive exploration, which is far superior to using spiritual power.
Not to mention Vay’s abilities, even Dox can send sandworms underground for quick exploration.
This is the benefit of having a team.
Angel previously mostly worked alone, so this time he felt quite relaxed. He didn’t even need to dispatch Earl Mi and just followed Vay’s lead.
Because they were scouting, they didn’t walk quickly. Instead, they strolled leisurely, taking in the sights as they moved forward.
During this process, Angel also observed the surrounding scenery.
Even if words like dilapidated and ruins could describe the head of the Garden Labyrinth, from some details, the former prosperity could still be seen.
Kaier also sighed: "Such a vast city of transcendence, I really wish to see how it looked in its prime."
Angel had a similar thought to Kaier, but while Kaier was merely sighing, Angel could actually see the prosperous appearance of Naraku City by going to the Nightmare Realm.
However, the surface of Nightmare Abyss City is no safer than its underground; it’s equally dangerous.
According to Sanders, there are several places with Legendary-level beings, just like the bell tower they visited earlier, where there was a church nearby that had a Legendary presence. When Sanders went to explore, he didn’t even dare to approach.
Angel also didn’t know if his identity would be useful in facing these Legendary beings in the Nightmare Realm, and besides, during his last visit to Naraku City, he encountered that woman with a face full of stitches.
Angel dared not explore Naraku City again for the time being.
At least, unlike Kaier who could only sigh, he has hope for the future.
...
During the scouting process, Vay had discovered several Underground Aqueduct entrances, but they all had collapsed, leaving no paths to tread.
As for the entrance in the garden that Angel had high hopes for, Angel didn’t know whether Vay had explored it or if it was ahead.
Anyway, they really couldn’t find any entrance now.
The repeated failures to find an entrance made Vay somewhat frustrated. On the other hand, Dox, in a good mood, comforted: "We’ve been at the ruins for less than a day, and you want results already? It can’t be that easy. Every adventure I went on in the past took months, even years."
"Moreover, we’ve explored less than 1% of the Garden Labyrinth. It’s too early in the day to be disheartened."
Vay sighed deeply: "That’s why I hate going out. If I were at home now, I could easily earn money with ’divination’ without doing this hard labor."
Dox: "You, an Earth Apprentice, dare to speak the words of the prophecy system."
Vay retorted coldly: "Then don’t look for me next time."
Dox immediately changed his tone: "To simultaneously control the Power of Earth and have a talent for smelling death—such a person must be a genius, right, Kaier?"
Kaier was reluctant to agree with Dox, but respecting that Dox was an Official Wizard, he awkwardly smiled and nodded: "The lord is right."
"Flattery is useless; I certainly won’t..."
Before Vay could finish speaking, an "X"-shaped energy descended from the sky, sealing his mouth.
"I told you not to waste words, and you still do. Are you ignoring me?" The Black Earl spoke coldly.
Vay dared not speak again. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t, and obediently continued with his work.
Another half day passed without any progress. As nightfall quietly arrived, a furious shout full of intense emotion suddenly echoed from nearby.
Kaier perked his ears: "It sounds like someone is shouting. Is it a magical creature?"
"No, it’s human." Angel, most sensitive to emotions, first discerned the source of the emotions and even identified the direction.
"Is it a Wizard Apprentice?"
"No." Angel shook his head. Although the shout was emotionally charged, it contained no energy, indicating it was a normal person. Judging by the sharp voice, it was either an adolescent boy in his voice-breaking period or a woman with a loud voice.
"Should we go over and take a look?" The idea of going over was actually to see if the person was in danger and needed help. Kaier is an Academy Faction White Wizard, so it was normal for him to say such a thing.
"Whatever, it’s up to Vay." Angel was indifferent, knowing that as long as Vay went, they would follow.
Vay couldn’t speak at that moment, only nod or shake his head. But before he could respond, Dox chimed in: "Let’s go take a look."
Angel looked at him: "Spiritual perception?"
Dox shrugged: "I don’t know, I’m just bored after a whole day and I want to see if there are any ’exciting projects’."
Angel: "..."
Despite Dox’s response, Angel considered for a moment and then nodded, signaling Vay to go check it out.
Vay naturally did not dare to resist and changed direction, heading towards where the sound had originated.