The time being halved also means the distance is halved.
In other words, this staircase, which appears broken but not completely severed, has actually experienced breaks and gaps but was later reintegrated.
Attempting to reintegrate a broken staircase involves the dual reconnection of the Material Realm and the Energy Realm, meaning the reconnection of stone steps and the Magical Energy Array, which is quite difficult.
Previously, the Wise Sovereign hinted that he was not the one who repaired the Magical Energy Array here but someone they would eventually meet.
Could it be that hidden figure in the dark, making the Wise Sovereign intercept them?
As Angel silently pondered, everyone had already arrived in front of the door.
"It’s actually a wooden door, this doesn’t look like a prison at all," Dox muttered.
"Then what do you think a prison should look like?" the Wise Sovereign asked, smiling.
"Well, at least a cell should be able to hold someone, right? This wood doesn’t seem very sturdy, not as hard as the Porodense Stone floor," Dox said as he gestured: "The platform in front of the door is also quite spacious, you could place a few Gargoyles as guards. At the very least, why not employ some Alchemy Golems?"
Seeing Dox grow more excited, Angel finally couldn’t help but interject: "Porodense Stone isn’t viable either. While it can be preserved quite well, it would still shatter under a Spatial Tempest. The best choice would be Void Secret Stone, which lasts longer, withstands the Spatial Tempest, is the main casting material for Plane Corridors, is costly, portable, and recognizable. Red, am I right?"
Dox was nodding along eagerly at the first half of Angel’s comment, but as soon as Angel mentioned "costly and portable," Dox immediately realized: "I was wondering why you would suddenly agree with me, there’s definitely a trick involved. Do you think I’m that superficial?"
"Yes," Angel nodded.
Dox, looking disgruntled, said, "Yes... like a rotten Sandworm! I only have reasonable doubts about the anomalies here, maybe I can even uncover some clues for you."
"Oh, then I misunderstood you," Angel said this expressionlessly, leaving no trace of apology, only a clear veneer of perfunctory.
Dox wanted to retort but restrained himself. Because internally, he felt just as Angel had suspected... He even had a fleeting thought of making the prison door from Void Secret Stone.
How did this guy so accurately guess his thoughts?
Was it that live broadcast Illusionary Realm?
While Dox was lost in thought, the Wise Sovereign’s voice reached his ears again: "What you said earlier was right, the purpose of a prison is to—trap people."
"But to trap people, must it be within solid bars? Also, if someone is trapped in the Material Realm, are they truly trapped?"
"And do you think that if all the doors of the Hanging Jail Stairway were open, the prisoners inside could escape?"
"That’s true, the Hanging Jail Stairway was built in the depths of the Underground Labyrinth ages ago, it would indeed be difficult for prisoners to escape," Dox said. "But according to the Wise Sovereign’s suggestion, the existence of cages seems unnecessary, and so does the Hanging Jail Stairway."
The Wise Sovereign: "The existence of a cage is, of course, necessary. Even if the doors are open, it constantly reminds you that you can’t escape, this is your end."
As the Wise Sovereign said this, he was still smiling with his eyes squinted; his three eyes squinted together, paired with his triangular glasses, looked as comical as a Joker.
However, neither Dox nor the others could bring themselves to laugh.
They weren’t foolish either; though the Wise Sovereign appeared to be smiling, there was a pervasive sense of sadness in his words.
This vast Underground Labyrinth is no different than a prison for the Wise Sovereign. Beyond guarding a place eternally, the loneliness of thousands of years was the punishment dealt to the Wise Sovereign. This punishment is even more terrifying than what the dead prisoners in the Hanging Jail Stairway experienced.
While everyone was sighing at the Wise Sovereign’s plight, Angel’s voice broke the silent atmosphere: "If we speak on a larger scale, isn’t this continent, this world, also a cage?"
Angel turned his head slightly to glance at the Wise Sovereign, then said blandly: "It’s time to go in, or do you think the Wood Spirit is out here?"
After speaking, Angel didn’t wait for anyone and stepped directly through the wooden door on the first level.
The Wise Sovereign watched Angel’s back with a flicker in his eyes.
...
Dox, returning to himself from the emotional atmosphere, felt a bit odd watching the receding Angel.
Angel abruptly breaking the immersive atmosphere was somewhat impolite. But as Dox understood Angel, though often mischievous, he always maintained propriety in terms of etiquette.
This time, something felt off.
Dox couldn’t help but glance at the Black Earl, wanting to see his reaction, only to find the Black Earl’s tablet quietly facing the Wise Sovereign.
And the Wise Sovereign was smiling warmly at the Black Earl.
When Dox’s gaze swept past, the Wise Sovereign returned a smile too.
Seeing this smile, Dox’s heart thudded.
He now understood what felt wrong; for someone like the Wise Sovereign, who had been in the Underground Labyrinth for so long, could he not control his emotions?
The emotional atmosphere and their assumption of understanding his sorrow—how could it be real, for someone venerated as the Wise Sovereign, to be seen through so easily?
That means, the Wise Sovereign had intentionally orchestrated the atmosphere?
Why would he do this? Just to deceive them?
No, deception wasn’t the goal; it was a means to test someone or gather certain information that was the Wise Sovereign’s objective?
While Dox pondered this, the Wise Sovereign amiably remarked: "This live Illusionary Realm is quite interesting, and the person projecting the Illusionary Realm, is even more so."
"What do you mean?" Dox asked, puzzled.
"This Illusionary Realm can vaguely touch on your innermost feelings; isn’t that intriguing?" With that, the Wise Sovereign didn’t elaborate and walked into the wooden door.
This time, Dox seemed to understand: "Was he, was he just testing Gold’s ability?"
Of course, Dox’s question was directed at the Black Earl.
The Black Earl chuckled softly, "You think he’s just testing the gold? Didn’t you give any emotional feedback?"
The Black Earl’s meaning was straightforward. The Wise Sovereign wasn’t just testing Angel; he was also observing everyone’s feedback.