"Found it!" Rhein’s eyes flashed with joy as he took large strides toward the golden "birdcage."
Through the metal bars, they could clearly see that the ground inside was engraved with a Teleportation Magical Energy Array.
Because the teleportation array wasn’t activated, it looked somewhat dim.
"Overall, it indeed has the framework of a teleportation array." Tree Spirit gazed at the teleportation array, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "However, compared to other teleportation arrays I’ve seen, though this framework is complete, the ’flesh’ seems... overly full."
Angel also saw the teleportation array. Although he wasn’t skilled at engraving them, compared to the teleportation arrays he had seen, this one appeared somewhat peculiar.
The core of the teleportation array was present, but attached to it outside were numerous strange magic patterns.
These magic patterns were densely packed, consisting of both independent magic patterns and deeply hollowed solid magic patterns. More often, unusual magic patterns were interwoven into the teleportation array patterns. It resembled multiple densely packed circuit boards overlapping, very intricate.
As Tree Spirit remarked, the "flesh" was full to an unprecedented degree.
"Do you have a way to discern the effects of these non-teleportation array magic patterns?" Tree Spirit turned to ask Angel.
Angel gazed at the complex magic patterns, pondering for a moment before shaking his head: "I’m afraid not. Many solid magic patterns penetrate beneath the surface. With my abilities, it’s difficult to discern the specific effects of these solid magic patterns without disturbing the overall structure."
Not to mention Angel, who was only proficient in Alchemy Magic Patterns, even calling in a specialized Magic Rune Mage might struggle to discern them.
"This kind of complexity in a teleportation array has surpassed the current level of Magic Rune Mages in the Southern Domain," Rhein, being the most experienced, pondered and said: "It should be crafted by that Magic Rune Mage recorded in the Culori Chronicles."
Tree Spirit also nodded, sighing: "After all, it’s a Magic Rune Mage who glimpsed into the mysterious realm, making it indeed difficult to interpret."
Angel: "Although interpreting won’t allow us to determine the effects of the magic patterns on the teleportation array; merely activating it should make things clearer."
Rhein nodded: "Generally speaking, activating an unknown Magical Energy Array carries significant risks. However, this is merely a teleportation array, so despite any fancy effects, it shouldn’t be too dangerous."
Because a teleportation array requires a very stable space, any external factor could cause the teleportation to fail, even backfire. Generally, activating a teleportation array isn’t very risky.
However, this risk is limited to merely "activating" the teleportation array. During transit, the risk becomes unpredictable. The farther the teleportation distance, the greater the risk, making it easy to encounter unstable spaces halfway, potentially resulting in a fall into plane’s fissures. This is one of the reasons apprentices need Official Wizards to escort them when using teleportation arrays.
"I’ll handle activating the teleportation array," Rhein said, looking at Angel: "Can you discern any risk in this metal fence?"
Angel’s eyes flashed with a flicker; after a while, the light temporarily faded, and he waved to Rhein: "This metallic fence protecting the teleportation array, although it also bears some magic patterns that can’t be identified, the metal material has a stabilizing space effect. It seems to prevent violent spatial fluctuations. It should be safe."
Rhein nodded, and since Angel asserted as such, he no longer worried, stepping to the door of the metal fence and gently pushed inward.
"Clang clang—"
As the door was pushed open, a crisp metallic collision sound suddenly echoed, resembling... wind chime sounds.
Rhein halted his steps and looked up as the source of the sound came from above.
However, it was veiled by the thick Nightmare Light above, making it impossible to discern the situation without energy probing.
"Let me handle this," said Angel. As his voice fell, his right eye glowed with vibrant green patterns.
The domain, originally wide-ranging, was gradually compressed by him. The horizontal compression, however, increased the vertical height.
As it slowly extended higher, the top of the "birdcage" finally revealed itself.
A line dropping from the top, with three round silver-white metal plates hanging, swaying gently in the air— the previous "clang clang" sound was produced when the silver-white metal plates collided with the door.
"Once the door is opened, it will inevitably hit it, making a sound." Tree Spirit looked at it above, puzzled: "However, generally such a touch-as-you-open mechanism would trigger some sort of dangerous device, yet now it appears not to elicit any response. Not even an energy fluctuation— it seems it’s merely a ’doorbell’?"
"If it’s not a mechanism, perhaps its presence might be some sort of indication," Rhein said, extending his spiritual power to observe the metal plates for a while.
"The line is ordinary, without any triggering device. However, this metal plate can be removed."
As he spoke, Rhein manipulated his spiritual power to remove the metal plate from the hanging line.
Rhein examined the silver-white metal plate in his hand, furrowing his brows: "Hmm, it also bears teleportation array magic patterns."
Besides the teleportation array magic patterns, Rhein saw many unfamiliar magic patterns, their specific effects unknown.
Rhein simply handed the plate to Angel for identification.
Angel took the plate and observed it meticulously. After a while, he said: "There are numerous magic patterns on this that involve specialized engraving methods, making them indistinguishable. However, it bears some similarity to the teleportation array on the ground, likely a sort of linked teleportation formation disk."
Linked teleportation formation disk. Rhein was not unfamiliar with this concept.
It’s a convenient form of teleportation array, portable, but with substantial restrictions. Primarily emphasizing portability at the expense of free teleportation opportunities.
Using such a teleportation formation disk can only transmit to a predetermined linked teleportation array.
Rhein: "You mean activating this teleportation formation disk can teleport to this teleportation array inside the cage?"
Angel nodded: "Yes."
"Are there any distance restrictions? Any other effects?"
"As of now, the distance limitation is unknown. As for other effects, I’m not sure."
Upon receiving Angel’s answer, Rhein pondered for a moment: "When I examined the line above earlier, I noticed the spacing between the hanging teleportation formation disks was consistent. Yet at the bottom, the line had an extra long segment. Based on the corresponding distance, there should be one more disk."
There should be a total of four teleportation formation disks, but only three were hanging above. This implies someone took one of the formation disks.
"It seems that the disk is likely in Culori’s possession," Tree Spirit said, appearing enlightened: "We had previously determined that the owner of this ruin surely had a way to enter without using the main door. Now it seems it was indeed through the teleportation formation disk... Thus, Culori could possibly return at any time?"
"Having not returned for hundreds of years makes it unlikely to be so coincidental that we arrive just as he returns," Rhein said: "We’ll disregard that for now. I’ll first activate the teleportation array to see if we can pinpoint the location of the Star Pond Ruins."
Although Rhein didn’t believe activating the teleportation array would trigger any dangerous mechanisms, to be cautious, he expended valuable casting materials to cast a Third-level Spell: Light Sound Domain for Angel and himself.
This is considered a pseudo-law domain, a spell technique originally created by Rhein.
After being enveloped by the Light Sound Domain, Rhein stepped into the birdcage and began to activate the teleportation array.