Angel wasn’t worried about exposing the effects of the Sunlight Sanctuary.
But if a professional were to obtain and scrutinize the Sunlight Sanctuary scroll, they might uncover something. To avoid revealing the "Mad Hat’s Coronation," Angel naturally took precautions.
The Black Earl and Wise Sovereign both appeared a bit disappointed.
The reason for their disappointment, in truth, differed.
The Wise Sovereign hopes to explore the direction of the Magic Patterns from the Scroll. ——Of course, the Wise Sovereign does not know about the "Coronation of the Mad Hat", the reason he wants to explore the direction of the Magic Patterns is because he has witnessed the Magic Patterns drawn by Angel, and by comparison, he can tell if this Scroll is refined by Angel.
But Angel gives no opportunity for investigation, naturally disappointing the Wise Sovereign.
The disappointment of the Black Earl mainly lies in Angel’s attitude.
Although this Half-Mysterious Scroll only has one use left, it still holds great value, as it can be a lifeline in times of crisis and also an aid to cultivate the Potential of the next generation of Talented Ones.
Therefore, the Black Earl intends to purchase it from Angel.
However, Angel’s attitude has already been expressed. With the Black Earl’s accuracy in reading people, he can basically judge that Angel does not intend to sell the Scroll, which makes him slightly disappointed.
Nevertheless, for that sliver of possibility, the Black Earl still asked.
The answer was not unexpected; Angel refused to sell, and the Black Earl felt it inappropriate to force the sale, so he had to give up.
Meanwhile, Dox, after returning the Scroll to Angel, took up the Spatial Capsule, investigating the "treasures" inside repeatedly.
He has a small treasury, but to manage some relationships and purchase Transcendent knowledge at the Cross Headquarters, it’s often empty.
So many treasures gathered in his hands, this is extremely rare for Dox.
Dox looked deeply mesmerized, but after the intoxication, he held back his heart and handed the Spatial Capsule to Angel.
However, Angel did not take it, instead looked at Dox with a puzzled expression.
Dox: "Although I understand that this might not be enough to repay the price of the Sunlight Sanctuary, but it should cover a quarter, right? For the remainder, I will surely repay with interest, please give me some time."
Dox’s meaning was clear, he wished to repay the debt, instead of letting Angel set the terms.
He knew clearly that once Angel set the terms, they would surely be akin to "joining the Barbarian Cave", "becoming his underling" ... etc., all of which would lead to the loss of freedom, something Dox didn’t want to experience.
Just, Dox did not see, after he finished saying this, the Black Earl turned his head and lightly sighed.
In the sky, the Wise Sovereign also wore a face full of mockery.
Looking at Dox’s earnest expression, Angel replied with a smile: "I think you might have misunderstood."
Dox: "Ah?"
Angel: "The Sunlight Sanctuary Scroll is mine. I lent it to you for one use. The price you need to repay is actually just the price for one use of the Sunlight Scroll. However, you used my Scroll and gathered so many people to use it, and also gained profits. According to the default exchange principle in the Wizards’ Realm, the price you pay must also include these."
Angel paused for a moment and said something that made Dox feel extremely harsh: "So, the price you need to pay is actually more than before."
Dox’s eyes widened as if struck by lightning.
Angel continued: "Of course, you did negotiate, and in negotiation, you have merits. Therefore, in terms of distribution, you can also gain some profits, which I won’t deny you."
Dox still hadn’t come to his senses, his mind was still pondering over Angel’s words.
Although he always felt those words were a bit convoluted, a bit off, but thinking carefully, where else would a debtor use the creditor’s goods to make money and then attempt to return the earned money to the creditor to offset the debt?
Perhaps in secret it might work, but in front of others it’s a bit improper.
Now Dox can finally understand the relationships involved, it’s not a difficult logic, but why did he feel he was doing the right thing earlier?
Dox continually revisits, in the memory’s scene, he saw the Black Earl’s pitying gaze; he also saw and heard the Wise Sovereign’s profound advice; he saw Angel digging a pit with a grin, then pouring oil on the fire... When Dox thought this was the end, the memory review still didn’t stop.
Soon, the memory review halted at the final scene.
Dox looked incredulously at... himself. Yes, the last scene is precisely Dox himself.
Only, Dox felt this self was very unfamiliar.
In the scene—Dox was staring at the descending Holy Temple, feeling the effect of the holy light cleansing the Spirit Sea. His expression was full of expectation and enjoyment, as well as reverence.
But Dox clearly remembers, at that time his body was enjoying, yet his spirit and mind were suffering, tormenting. Thinking that it was the Mysterious Parchment, he was almost frightened to death, how could he display such joyous expression.
Soon, the Dox in the scene turned around, as if looking at himself. But in reality, Dox knows at that time he was actually looking at the Sunlight Sanctuary Scroll floating in mid-air.
Back then Dox’s expression was of despair, and almost begging for relief.
But the Dox in the scene was longing, aspiring, and delighted.
This contradicted Dox’s memory.
Was his memory chaotic, or did he truly show such expression at that time?
When Dox started to feel confused, the Dox in the scene slowly lowered his gaze, and this time, the Dox in the scene genuinely met the gaze with Dox himself.
This feeling is very strange, oneself confronting oneself?
Dox saw that the self in the scene, after meeting the gaze for several seconds, suddenly showed a sly smile.
Immediately, the scene shattered and vanished.
But quickly, the scene reorganized again. The scene still featured those previous scenarios, except this time, the Dox in the scene’s actions matched those in Dox’s memory.
Worry, heartache, torment, despair... these expressions reappeared on the Dox in the scene’s face.
Seeing these distinctly different two memory segments, Dox had a vague understanding.
Actually, they are both himself.
Just, one is externally apparent, the other is internally inherent. And the inherent self is actually the subconscious, or rather... the embodiment of inspiration Talent.
So, the answer he seeks turns out to be himself.
After understanding this point, Dox somewhat realized why he had not responded earlier. Clearly the Black Earl had given a hint, the Wise Sovereign had quietly suggested, Angel had even openly stated, yet he was immersed in his logic.
It’s not that he couldn’t remember, but that the subconscious blinded his thinking.
Why is this so?
Is it the aftereffects of Talent advancement? Or does the subconscious truly believe that Owing is most beneficial to himself?