Angel’s words left everyone both heartbroken and relieved.
Heartbroken because every additional external array plate prepared is a waste.
And although a single plate might not be expensive, the total cost adds up significantly...
Of course, the most heartbroken among them was probably Dox. As a Wandering Wizard, he’s experienced firsthand how terrifying poverty can be. While Kaier can also be considered a Wandering Wizard, he hasn’t yet advanced to Official Wizard status, and with his adept spatial technique, he has more than enough resources.
However, alongside the heartbreak, the relief was even greater.
Angel had prepared thoroughly. It was better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. This way, at least they had a bit of confidence regarding the journey ahead.
As they resumed their journey, everyone tacitly agreed to remain silent. If they needed to communicate, they did so discreetly using the Mind Ribbon for private exchanges.
Because the fork in the road was nearby, Angel was constantly observing the surrounding flow of Magical Energy Array Power. Their chatter could potentially distract him.
Maintaining silence, they continued for about two more minutes.
Suddenly, Angel furrowed his brows, quickly drawing out an Array Plate and tossing it like a frisbee to a predetermined position. Simultaneously, he shouted through the Mind Ribbon: "Here it comes, prepare to break through."
Angel’s words were momentarily mystifying, but everyone soon understood and prepared to use the Acceleration Spell, while Speedy boosted them with the Wind’s Force.
"How could they come so quickly? We haven’t even seen the fork yet?" Naturally, it was Dox who had spared the time to speak. Despite his surprise, Dox’s Bloodline had already begun to activate, with faint blood-red light emanating.
"Perhaps it’s a combination of lovelorn heart and maternal heart coming together," Angel replied.
If You Nu’s two Temporal Bodies arrived simultaneously, one could be at the fork while the other lies in wait elsewhere.
Precisely because of this possibility, Angel remained cautious along the way, continuously calculating the surrounding energy nodes, even before reaching the fork.
The decision proved correct... well, incorrect.
"There’s no need to be so on edge, it’s me." A dark creature, equipped with ears and limbs, emerged from underground.
Without a doubt, it was the Genggui with whom they’d previously forged a pact.
Due to the contractual bond, Genggui’s identity was indisputable. However, even though they faced Genggui, the group didn’t lower their guard.
No one could be certain that Angel’s warning of two Temporal Bodies ambushing them one after the other was false. If indeed two Temporal Bodies were mobilized, their vigilance needed to stay high, ready to break through at any moment.
"Why are you here?" Angel asked, not retracting the Array Plate and looking puzzled at Genggui.
Genggui: "I received intelligence to inform you."
Genggui paused, glancing at the Array Plates arranged around them, and said with slight admiration, "It seems you held back against me and my brother earlier. You’re handling the Magical Energy Array with great speed and its suppression is much stronger than before; I couldn’t even conjure a portal... I had to manifest spiritually."
Despite the lament, Genggui was still pleased, as it implied that when Angel faced the maternal figure, no unexpected incidents were likely to occur.
"What kind of intelligence? What information?" Angel asked curiously.
"Earlier, the maternal figure contacted us." A slightly cold voice rang out from nearby. Everyone turned to see the Cyclops Family’s second sibling appearing now. The one speaking was the second sibling.
Angel quietly looked at the sibling, waiting for its follow-up.
The sibling spoke calmly: "The maternal figure instructed me and Genggui to intercept you."
Genggui: "Why are you calling me Genggui as well?"
The sibling shot its elder brother a glance: "You seem to like that name, considering you never change your form."
Genggui: "Isn’t this form better-looking than our original one?"
Most importantly, Genggui felt this form was especially reminiscent of an elder brother in the Cyclops Family, majestic and heroic. So, it preferred maintaining this appearance.
The sibling scoffed, muttering under breath: "Being brainwashed without realizing it."
Ignoring Genggui, the sibling turned to Angel: "Just for this intelligence, it’s not worth for us to come and inform you. But in this intelligence, there are doubts I wish to resolve."
Dox frowned: "What doubts does this intelligence hold?"
Wasn’t it merely You Nu instructing her two children to intercept them, something the Wise Sovereign hinted at previously?
The sibling: "First, I’ll offer you additional intel; the maternal figure will dispatch the maternal heart, and the other Temporal Bodies are occupied elsewhere, and won’t appear."
This piece of intel was indeed useful. If only the maternal heart was coming, it would only ambush them at the fork. At least it meant they didn’t need to tighten their nerves before reaching the fork.
After sharing this intel, the sibling paused before directly facing Angel: "What have you done?"
Angel was taken aback: "What? What have I done?"
The others also turned their curious gaze to Angel, having been together all along, what could he have done?
The sibling: "Genggui and I used to be tasked with intercepting those heading toward the relic site. But the maternal figure never ordered us to be ruthless, only instructed us to send newcomers into the Sea of Void Mirror, wash away their memories, and start anew."
"But you are different; the maternal figure wants us to intercept you with utmost effort and cast you into the Sea of Void Mirror."
Dox: "Isn’t that the same thing?"
The sibling gave Dox a quick dismissive glance, scoffing: "But this time, the maternal figure added two more clauses. The first clause, if capturing alive fails, act with lethal force."
This wasn’t interception—this was assault, a hunt!
"As for the second clause," the sibling once again focused on Angel, "if anyone else isn’t killed, that’s fine, but you must die."
Although the sibling recounted lightly, the atmosphere revealed an overwhelming aura of murder.
Genggui interjected appropriately: "Sibling, since we’re bound to them by contract, we cannot act against them."
Sibling: "I won’t act; I just need him to answer... what did he really do?"