The chaos at the Star Pond Ruins has lasted for two days and nights.
As time passes, the chaos at the Star Pond Ruins not only doesn’t abate, but the barrier maintaining the Star Pond Ruins grows increasingly weaker.
Of the three Observation Pavilions within the Star Pond Ruins, two have already lost their luster.
If the lights of the last Observation Pavilion are also covered by the Mist, it means the barrier of the Wall of Condensed Light will be completely broken.
"How much longer can it hold?" It was Lord Rhein who spoke, as he stood outside the barrier, the flickering light arcs of the Wall of Condensed Light reflecting on his face, clearly revealing the heaviness in the alternating light and shadow.
"News from Granny’s side has arrived, Minavaro’s size has increased again, and the surrounding chaotic Mist is eroding the barrier faster than the energy Granny is inputting. Based on calculations..." Wallace listened to the data coming through his earpiece, his complexion turning slightly pale: "The Wall of Condensed Light can only be maintained for... two more hours at most."
The other wizards around, upon hearing that the barrier had only two hours left, looked somewhat troubled. Once the Wall of Condensed Light shatters, it means that those terrifying creatures inside will be completely unleashed.
Previously, they didn’t know what kind of monsters were suppressed within the ruins, but after these two days of battle, they deeply understood just how terrifying those monsters were.
Especially the tentacle monster named Minavaro, it continuously spread a madness disease like a plague, and the speed of this contagion was extremely alarming. Even hearing its murmurs would drive apprentices insane. If one were tainted by the Mist within the ruins, even Official Wizards couldn’t be immune to this madness.
To date, six wizards have already succumbed to the madness disease.
Although Lord Tree Spirit managed to suppress it in time, preventing further spread of the madness disease, they have yet to find the cause of the madness disease, and it’s still unknown whether these six wizards can be saved.
In such a situation, knowing that the Wall of Condensed Light can only be maintained for two more hours left everyone a bit helpless.
They’re not afraid of fighting; it’s just that if the Mist inside spreads, it will inevitably cause a terrifying disaster. Even if the Barbarian Cave could avoid the Mist through the Mirror World, what about the tribes on the plateau? What about the humans of the Underworld Kingdom?
When everyone was feeling downcast, Rhein said, "Two hours is enough."
"Enough? Do you mean... is he coming?" Wallace looked at Rhein, seemingly guessing something.
Rhein nodded gently at him: "Yes, the Fire Charm Witch had contacted me before, she’s reached Winsbills and has contacted Esos. Unless something unexpected happens, Esos will arrive soon."
Upon hearing Esos’s name, everyone’s expression relaxed a little.
Though Esos is merely a wandering wizard, there are powerful figures among wandering wizards, and he is one of the outstanding ones. As a True Knowledge Wizard of the Space Series, Esos received Bazel’s legacy. Not only is he powerful, but the barriers he constructs are also renowned throughout the Southern Domain.
The Wall of Condensed Light was constructed by Esos at Rhein’s request.
As long as Esos arrives, even if he can’t immediately repair the Wall of Condensed Light, he can delay its shattering, giving them more time to resolve the monsters or... address the aftermath of the barrier breaking.
Ten minutes later, the Fire Charm Witch and a masked man with twisted patterns appeared near the Star Pond Ruins.
After the man appeared, he nodded gently at Rhein, without much chatter, he directly approached the Wall of Condensed Light and extended his hand to sense it.
The man was "Voidwalker" Esos, a long-standing friend of Rhein.
After a few minutes, Esos, looking grave, approached Rhein.
"How’s the situation?" Rhein asked.
"Three spatial nodes have already broken two, and the only remaining spatial node is still relatively sturdy, with energy flowing in like a torrent. Is it Sanders, or Horus?"
"Neither, it’s Ironclad Granny’s avatar guarding there."
"So it’s her." A knowing glint flashed in Esos’s eyes; Ironclad Granny had been in seclusion for many years, but being a wizard who lived a millennium, she knew well the events of the past and naturally understood just how formidable Ironclad Granny was.
After his musings, Esos continued: "However, although the last spatial node can barely support the barrier’s operation, I see the consumption rate of the barrier has already exceeded its limit, the situation isn’t very promising."
"Can you repair the Wall of Condensed Light?"
Esos shook his head: "Repairing it is certainly out of the question. But I can try to reinforce it, which could extend the time before the Wall of Condensed Light shatters."
"How long can you delay it?"
"Based on the current rate of consumption, it might last up to two days. But if the consumption rate increases, it’s hard to say."
Rhein was silent for a moment, then nodded to Esos: "Then reinforce it first."
After a pause, Rhein added: "After reinforcing, is it possible to construct a new barrier outside the Wall of Condensed Light?"
"The spatial nature around here has become unstable, and constructing a new barrier would require expanding the area. You’d need to encompass several miles around; are you sure you want to construct it?"
Large barriers consume an astonishing amount of materials, moreover, the surrounding space is unstable, which might prevent the barrier from achieving the same effect as the original Wall of Condensed Light. At most, it could only serve to buy more time.
"Absolutely."
Esos nodded: "I understand."
Thereafter, Esos said no more, beginning directly to reinforce the Wall of Condensed Light.
As he reinforced it, Rhein directed the Fire Charm Witch to take some wizards to the Black Demon Country for personnel evacuation.
Although the Barbarian Cave alone wouldn’t fear the consequences if the Wall of Condensed Light shattered, there was an entire nation of humans nearby, compelling Rhein to take action.
Esos, worthy of being a master of barriers, took only half an hour to finish reinforcing the Wall of Condensed Light.
Esos was quite satisfied as he looked at the newly radiant Wall of Condensed Light. Perhaps due to higher quality materials, this time performed even better than he had imagined.
"As long as the internal consumption rate remains at the current level, it can hold for at least three days," Esos said.
Hearing Esos’s proud tone, Rhein finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Three days meant more operable space. Even if constructing a new barrier, there would be more ample time.
"Do the barrier’s permissions remain the same as before? Will it trap those inside?"
Esos was puzzled: "Besides Ironclad Granny, is there someone else inside?"
Ironclad Granny would undoubtedly hold on until the last moment, so Rhein clearly wasn’t referring to her.