The sound in the ear is still there, but what appeared in front of him has already turned into a void.
The previous experience seemed like a dream, but the moment he met eyes with the Thief of Time, it felt as if it truly happened in the twisted spacetime.
Angel didn’t know what happened, nor did he know whether the Thief of Time truly saw him across time and space, but that moment deeply imprinted in his heart as if he witnessed a miracle of spacetime.
Putting aside these ethereal illusions, returning to reality.
No matter whether the whispers of the Thief of Time are true or false, Angel can be sure that the sound of the Dalmatian’s barking is definitely true.
However, Angel looked around, and the Clock Forest was gone. It turned into a void with neither sky above nor ground below, just an empty space without path marks. Looking around, besides darkness, there was only darkness. He couldn’t see the Dalmatian’s shape at all.
But Angel was incredibly certain that he definitely heard the barking before, and precisely because of the barking, the Clock Forest turned into foam and dispersed.
But now, why has the Dalmatian vanished again? Is it unwilling to come out to meet him, or is it playing hide and seek with him?
"Good dog, I heard your barking... Don’t hide anymore." Angel spoke to the surrounding void in a tone used to soothe children.
However, there was silence around, with no response.
"You’re a grown-up dog now; you should come out and see me. Playing hide and seek is childish." Angel changed his tone to one commonly used by adults, saying, "You’ve grown up, we can have an equal conversation," trying to coax the Dalmatian out.
Unfortunately, the Dalmatian still didn’t fall for it.
It seems the Dalmatian is determined not to meet him for the time being.
However, from the previous barking, it can be inferred that the Dalmatian is probably observing him from some corner in secret. Also, Angel has a vague guess about what just happened.
The Dalmatian letting him see the Clock Forest may have some significance. It’s unexpected that the Thief of Time could affect him now across past spacetime, so the Dalmatian had to bark loudly to dissipate the illusion.
If this guess is correct, at least the Dalmatian’s heart is still with him. Then, his safety here should be somewhat assured.
As for why the Dalmatian doesn’t come out to see him, perhaps it’s busy with something? Perhaps it’s confronting the Thief of Time? Angel speculated casually.
Since safety isn’t worrying for now.
Angel decided to settle down and wait to see if the Dalmatian would come out to see him after "finishing" its business.
As for exploring the surroundings? If there were visible light points or distinctive landmarks—for instance, a floating platform, drifting ruins, a dream forest, or a twisted passage—he could explore. But now the surroundings are completely dark void without any distinctive things, what would he explore?
Of course, staying still is only a temporary strategy. If a long time passes and the Dalmatian still doesn’t come, and there are no changes around, Angel will naturally go explore the surroundings.
Besides that, Angel chose to stay put for another reason.
Angel believes the Dalmatian’s actions surely have significance. Like when he saw light on the platform, reached the light, was then sucked into another void by the clocks, and saw the Clock Forest...
This seems like a "guiding" process, and surely behind it is the handiwork of the Dalmatian.
Now it’s not guiding further, perhaps because the guidance is complete, and all that’s needed is waiting.
Combining the two thoughts, Angel decided to hold steady.
Time slowly passed, and in this pure dark void, Angel didn’t bother calculating how long had passed. Maybe a few minutes, or maybe a few hours.
During this time, Angel didn’t move a muscle from start to finish, freeing up some attention to the surroundings while the rest of his thoughts reflected on the harvest from witnessing the Beginning of the Mysteries.
The quiet contemplation, along with occasionally materializing several concrete objects filled with a mysterious aura in his hands.
All indicated that Angel’s understanding of mysterious power was becoming deeper and deeper.
Angel himself even felt that as long as he had an appropriate spacetime environment and corresponding materials, he was confident in refining mysterious objects... or at least half-step mystic ones.
Of course, this was only Angel’s "self-assessment"; the actual situation might be different.
But at least Angel already had ideas and steps for designing the refinement of mysterious objects... Many Alchemists set their goals at the mysterious level, yet they can’t even figure out how to touch that level, let alone refine.
Like this, Angel had surpassed ninety-nine percent of Alchemists.
During the waiting process, besides deepening knowledge, Angel occasionally thought about other things. For instance, the situation of Gluz Deward, Polo Ye, the Observer, and Wang Wang.
Wang Wang shouldn’t have any issues; it has a bit of a master-servant relationship with the Dalmatian. This time Wang Wang asked the Dalmatian’s help, indicating their relationship is good.
As for Gluz Deward and Polo Ye, their situation probably isn’t good. After all, Wang Wang’s target was these two, perhaps by now Wang Wang has already begun negotiations with them using the Dalmatian’s power.
However, it’s the Observer that Angel worried about.
The Observer was swallowed this time mostly because he was impacted. Angel personally thought the Observer was a very good Wizard, but his standards are hard to become the Dalmatian’s standards.
Perhaps the Observer is suffering along with Gluz Deward right now.
When seeing the Dalmatian, it’s necessary to mention the matter to it. It doesn’t matter how Polo Ye and Gluz Deward are treated, but for the Observer, it’s better to release him.
But all depends on meeting the Dalmatian first.
Dalmatian, where are you?
...
The Observer, who Angel was concerned about, was currently at the edge of a pure white chamber wall, warding a not-so-strong pull while moving.
Since the Dalmatian can enter, there must be an exit from this pure white chamber.
The Observer was now looking for the exit.
However, two hours had passed, and the Observer walked a circle around the edges of the pure white chamber without finding anything. It was seamlessly complete as if made in one piece by an Alchemist.
Could it be that the exit isn’t at the edge, but in the center?
The Observer looked towards the center... Gluz Deward and Polo Ye were still trying hard to ward the pull, unable to move.