The intelligence that the Black Earl can provide is very limited.
He only told Angel about a few locations he thought might be questionable, along with places where dangers exist and that could be skipped.
"I have searched extensively in many places, touching every item, yet I still cannot sense where the Wood Spirit is located. This is indeed a bit strange."
The Black Earl’s voice carried confusion. He truly couldn’t figure out where this Wood Spirit might be hiding.
"Did the Wise Sovereign detect the Wood Spirit’s location?" The Black Earl turned the slate towards the Wise Sovereign.
The Sage had monitored him closely along the way, witnessing everything the Black Earl experienced, so if he passed by the Wood Spirit’s location, the Sage should have discovered it.
However, the Wise Sovereign showed no intention of answering the Black Earl’s question and casually said, "This is your bonus criterion, not mine."
Angel chimed in from the side, "Even if we find the Wood Spirit, isn’t persuading it to leave the Hanging Jail Stairway without using violent means, but through words and reason, more difficult than finding it?"
The Wise Sovereign did not deny this: "What you say is true, but finding the Wood Spirit itself also tests your ability to observe details. And persuading the Wood Spirit to leave the Hanging Jail Stairway tests your ability to make adaptive decisions."
"These two abilities are ones you will definitely employ on the journey ahead."
The Sage’s words, filled with deeper meaning, revealed that if they successfully passed through the Hall of Wisdom, they would certainly encounter some unexpected changes.
These changes might originate from Augustine’s legacy site.
Perhaps it’s a trial left by Augustine? Or maybe it’s related to the secret hand who sent the Sage to obstruct them? Or perhaps both?
Though everyone understood that what the Sage said was definitely related to their destination, they also knew that asking now would not yield any information from the Wise Sovereign, so neither Angel, Dox, nor the Black Earl reacted. They just glanced at each other and silently kept this information in mind.
"I originally thought seeking the Wood Spirit was a temporary condition proposed by the Wise Sovereign, but didn’t expect it to have such deep meaning," Angel chuckled softly.
"Finding the Wood Spirit was indeed suggested temporarily. However, evaluating your abilities is something I must do, and it happens that you were supposed to search for the Wood Spirit anyway, just happened to coincide."
Angel believed this was a coincidence, yet the Sage’s words about "evaluating their abilities" made Angel feel like he was playing a breakthrough game. — If you don’t meet the criteria, you can’t proceed further. Moreover, the standards are divided into necessary conditions and bonus conditions; hidden beneath these conditions is a test of your abilities.
Is this the decision of the one behind it or the Sage’s personal decision?
Angel had no answers for these questions at the moment. Regardless of who made the decision, the suspicion surrounding the Sage couldn’t be cleared, and his stance was clearly not right.
Wanting to be both a judge and a spy.
His position seemed to cover both sides, or perhaps neither. The only position of the Sage that Angel could confirm is the one told by Cicia—to rebuild Naraku’s glory. For this, the Sage would do anything.
Would this incident coincide with the Sage’s greatest position?
While Angel was contemplating, Dox suddenly asked, "Since the Wise Sovereign wants to test our abilities, then should the result matter?"
The Sage merely gave him a glance and replied, "What do you think?"
"I’m a staunch supporter of the ’result useless theory,’ convinced that results are dead, the process is alive." Dox spoke without flinching, lies flowing effortlessly.
Sage: "In this bonus condition, I agree that the process is more important than the result. However, your teammates have only showcased the process of finding the Wood Spirit, but not the process of persuading the Wood Spirit."
Even the Sage himself didn’t believe they could bring the Wood Spirit out, so he could disregard whether the Wood Spirit eventually came out. But finding the Wood Spirit is necessary; otherwise, how could you showcase the ability to persuade the Wood Spirit and adapt?
But what is Dox? He never follows the ordinary path, always thinking differently, and directly proposed to Angel: "Since you’re going in, why not stand by the Door and shout to persuade the Wood Spirit, showing off your articulacy!"
"Anyway, that Wood Spirit surely can hear you. As for the capability to observe details, Black has already demonstrated that before, combine the two of you, won’t you perfectly meet the conditions?"
Dox’s words left the Wise Sovereign stunned and both Angel and the Black Earl baffled.
"Anyway, the result is not important; what’s important is the process. Once you both have demonstrated your abilities, if the Wise Sovereign is still dissatisfied, then I’ll go in, talking as I walk, showcasing both observation and adaptation abilities."
"Even if my final score is low, the three of us complementing each other might meet the Sage’s requirements, right?"
Watching Dox’s smug face, Angel opened his mouth to say something... but ultimately, said nothing.
Such nonsensical talk, only Dox dared to say so flamboyantly, and also right in front of the Sage.
Seeing the Wise Sovereign’s face gradually darken, Angel coughed twice: "I won’t waste time, just go in first."
Angel spoke while patting Kaier on the shoulder, indicating him to follow. At the same time, leaving Earl Mi outside, melding with the shadow of the Manneken Pis statue.
Kaier didn’t know what was happening, but was dragged by Angel to move towards the Hanging Jail Stairway. However, he was sensible enough not to ask but simply moved forward blindly.
Seeing Angel leave in such a rush, Dox hurriedly shouted: "Don’t forget what I said! It’s time to showcase your talent in persuasion! You protected that Crowned Parrot before, surely you’ve learned a lot from it, I believe you can certainly swindle the Wood Spirit out! If not, then bring that Crowned Parrot next time; maybe it can do it!"
Angel paused, turned to glance at Dox, only to see Dox furrowing his brows and incessantly blinking smugly.
Angel immediately understood that Dox seized the chance for revenge...
And the subject of revenge was undoubtedly the mouth-fighting battle incited by the Crowned Parrot.
Angel thought Dox had forgotten about it over time, unexpectedly, he remembered clearly. Moreover, he chose such an awkward moment to bring it up.
Angel couldn’t refute, could only smile at Dox, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
Dox didn’t care, continuing to babble: "By the way, Angel, didn’t you have a ’live broadcast’ before? How about doing it again?"
Angel initially wanted to refuse flatly, but realized that Black Earl’s mood seemed to change after Dox spoke.
Sure enough, the Black Earl quickly spoke: "Angel, why not give it a try."
Angel understood clearly the Black Earl’s intent—by broadcasting, he could relay the situation inside to everyone. First, it would facilitate Dox and Vay’s exploration, giving them psychological preparation; second, having prior experience, the Black Earl could guide Angel from outside.
From the Black Earl’s perspective, broadcasting certainly outweighed the disadvantages.
While Dox’s thought was to see some profit-related things through the broadcast, preparing in advance to plunder.
Dox: "Right, Black has spoken, so go ahead and broadcast again. Anyway, if you don’t broadcast, whatever you do inside will be brought to others’ eyes, so might as well everyone watch together."