In a particularly "little woman" manner, the clownfish responded "mm," and then all the tails of the human-faced fish started swaying and slipped into the mirrors on either side of the corridor, disappearing from sight.
Along with the disappearing human-faced fish was the crack on the wall, which was the clownfish’s pattern.
This also indicated that the clownfish had left, returning to the Mirror Domain.
Seeing this scene, everyone breathed a slight sigh of relief. Although the clownfish didn’t appear extremely powerful, its abilities posed an unsolvable problem for them at this moment. So, its departure was a good thing.
But they were puzzled; why did Olao appear and even help them?
Did Olao want them to continue forward?
However, if that was the case, Olao seemed to be speaking from Adanis’s stance earlier, are he and Adanis allies or adversaries?
When everyone was confused, Adanis finally spoke.
"You really did come after all." The first sentence Adanis spoke left everyone somewhat bewildered.
What does "really came" mean? Is this a trap set for Olao, just to make him appear?
"You took it all away. If I didn’t come, they might all be thrown into the Sea of Void Mirror." Olao finally spoke without a clipped tone, returning to his normal voice, which coincidentally Angel was familiar with. Once again confirming that the one who conversed with him on the competitive stage before was undoubtedly Olao.
Olao’s words had two main points. ’You took it all away’ — here "it" undoubtedly refers to the Clownfish. Judging from the context, the Clownfish seems to hold great significance and might be very powerful, so much so that even Olao needs to treat it seriously.
From Olao constantly coaxing the Clownfish earlier with a clipped tone, this much is clear.
And in the latter part of his sentence, Olao said Adanis would throw everyone into the Sea of Void Mirror, clearly indicating Adanis’s hostility toward them. At the same time, Olao subtly expressed his stance: he doesn’t seem to want them to be thrown into the Sea of Void Mirror.
"Olao, tell me the reason. Why are you stopping me this time?" Adanis: "Is it because of him?"
The "him" Adanis spoke of, everyone didn’t know who she was referring to, as they didn’t even know where Adanis was.
Olao: "I can’t be sure right now; I need to wait until they enter the Qingkong Poetry Room before I can make a final confirmation. Once they come in, I’ll tell you the reason."
Adanis snorted coldly: "They won’t come, and you won’t see them. Even if you can stop the Clownfish this time, given your condition, are you sure you can stop the Infant Spirits next time?"
Olao was silent for a moment: "If they can come in, it will become proof of a certain thought I have. If they can’t, then... perhaps the time isn’t ripe yet."
Adanis: "Hmph, just wait and see."
Adanis’s voice grew fainter, and the water walls on both sides were withdrawn, appearing as if she had already left.
The surroundings sank into prolonged silence.
At this moment, Black Earl said in the Mind Ribbon: "I can smell that scent again."
Black Earl’s words indirectly confirmed Adanis had already left. Before, it was precisely because Adanis erected mirror-like water walls blocking the spread of that fragrance. Now that she withdrew the water walls, the scent naturally began wafting back.
But... still, only Black Earl could smell it; the others’ sense of smell was still in standby mode.
Dox: "They should all be gone, right? Huh, I thought we’d need to try our luck and make a forced exit this time; who knew it’d turn around so easily?"
Just as Dox finished saying whether everyone had left, next second, they heard Olao’s voice again.
"Go forth, that flower-bearing Infant Spirit is your test, and also a test of the judgment I’ve made this time. I hope you, especially you, don’t disappoint me."
"I’ve waited far too long, please do come..."
Olao’s voice slowly faded away. Seeing this, Dox immediately shouted: "Hey, hey, clarify this, what’s the flower-bearing Infant Spirit?"
But Dox wasn’t able to call Olao back. The answer he got was a silent void.
Dox couldn’t help but curse: "These two come when they want, and leave when they please?"
Vay: "... What else?"
Dox turned to look at Vay: "You haven’t even gone to the Qingkong Poetry Room yet, and you’re already speaking up for the spirits your ancestors left behind?"
Vay: "No. I hate that woman; that man... I don’t like either."
Dox, initially annoyed due to incomplete information, felt his curiosity rise upon hearing Vay’s words: "I can understand you not liking Adanis. But Olao, he seems quite friendly towards you Noah Clan, why don’t you like him?"
Vay thought for a moment: "I don’t know, it’s just a feeling. Although Olao seems friendly, he gives me a sense of being examined from high above."
Dox muttered softly: "Really? How come I didn’t feel it."
Angel then interjected: "Perhaps it’s because you’re not of the Noah Clan?"
Upon hearing Angel speak, Dox immediately abandoned that topic, approached Angel, and with a suspicious glare, stared at Angel: "The last words Olao said, ’especially you’, wasn’t he referring to you?"
Angel replied earnestly: "It’s me."
"What?! Olao truly meant you? You... What’s your relationship with Olao? Why does he care about you so much?" Dox gaped at Angel, eyes wide, in disbelief.
Angel disregarded Dox, brushing past him, walked to the side, picked up the Array Plate from the ground. After completing all this, Angel stood up and replied: "Do you truly believe it?"
Dox: "Didn’t you admit it yourself?"
Angel drawled: "I admitted it, so you believe it? Think again, I’m not of the Noah Clan, why would Olao care about me?"
Dox still harbored doubt: "It’s really not you?"
Angel: "It’s false."
Dox was stunned, looking up, he found Angel giving him a teasing look. That look made Dox feel like he was seeing those patrons in his bar who used words to tease the female bartender. However, now Dox became the teased female bartender, while Angel was the patron with a wicked grin.
Dox was completely befuddled by Angel, but the nearby Black Earl saw things clearly.
Though Angel jested in his speech, his meaning was unmistakable: It’s unrelated to me.
Black Earl initially thought Olao might be focusing on Angel. After all, "especially you" seemed strikingly pointed.
Moreover, Black Earl himself didn’t think Olao would pay any attention to himself and Vay.
Vay is just an apprentice, even if he comes from the Noah Clan, hasn’t there been a scarcity of Noah Clan members coming here before?
As for Black Earl himself, he was just a nose avatar; even the Wise Sovereign couldn’t immediately discern his origin before. Even if Olao found out about him, he might assume he was a disguise by a Wizard approaching True Knowledge Level.
And such a Wizard, even if from the Noah Clan, shouldn’t capture Olao’s attention.
Thus, discounting Black Earl himself and Vay, he thought Angel was the most likely.
Angel holds too many secrets, and seemingly has inexplicable ties to this place. Olao focusing on Angel makes sense.
But now Angel denied it.
Moreover, Black Earl could tell that Angel wasn’t uneasy when saying this.
It’s likely Angel genuinely thinks Olao’s words have nothing to do with him.
Then who is Olao focusing on?
There must be someone present who caught Olao’s attention; otherwise, how was it possible for this thousand-years recluse to reveal himself so easily and help them out of a predicament?
Who exactly could it be?