Chapter 454 - To be a thief or a bandit?
“We need to leave this place as soon as possible.” That was Lin Li, with his first nervous expression so far. Mephistos was a really terrifying being. It had lifespan longer than any other High Elves’, and ruled the whole of Tharlen for many years. No one knew how much power Mephistos had acquired over those countless years.
Furthermore, Mephistos was well-equipped with the Spiritual Force, and the scariest thing about the Spiritual Force was slavery—if the three men were to be defeated by Mephistos, their souls would become Mephistos’s slaves eternally. It was a consequence more frightening than death.
Oh yes, Spiritual Force…
Lin Li suddenly remembered something.
“Hutton, go and see if Stephen has come yet. We are pressed for time, and only can wait two, three minutes. If not, we can only go and find the palace ourselves.”
“Alright, let me check on him.” Hutton nodded as he made a reverse trip with the Levitation Spell.
Lin Li only opened his Ring of Endless Storm when he saw Hutton disappear into the distance. “Get out, Connoris!”
“That’s because I’ve decided to release you from the Ring of Endless Storm after we return and try to create a new body for you.”
“That was what you said previously!”
“Oh, is that so?” Lin Li replied the lashings without a sense of guilt. “Then, this ascertains my sincerity. Look, I’ve made the same promise twice. Where would you find a person sincerer than me?”
“…” It was fortunate that Connoris did not have a heart. Otherwise, his rage would have given him a heart attack.
“How is it, almighty Soul Trader? Do you want to consider the deal? I’m not always this sincere…”
“Hmph, you have not even reached the Legendary-realm. How would you be able to create a new body for me?”
“I say, Connoris. How could a Soul Trader ask such a dumb question? Couldn’t you tell that I’m only a step away from the Legendary-realm? I could take that step anytime. What if I reach that realm after I find the Palace of Darkness? Connoris, do you not want a new body soon?”
“This…” Lin Li’s words made Connoris hesitate. It was as Lin Li had said. As a Soul Trader, how would Connoris not be aware of Lin Li being dangerously close to the Legendary-realm? Connoris even knew that the Palace of Darkness would be the young mage’s last step to reach the realm.
That was because Connoris was aware of the secret hidden within the Palace of Darkness…
However, Connoris was still very hesitant. He felt that the young mage was still too weak to challenge a terrifying existence like Mephistos.
If it were before, it would not be a concern for Connoris.
However, things became different after Mephistos’ seal broke.
Mephistos had been released from the seal and had found its soul fragments. It would only make sense for it to want to return to the Palace of Darkness. His return would renew its rights as the ruler of the Abyss of Tharlen and it’d become the real Lord of Souls.
It would be more dangerous than treading on a tightrope if the young mage were to enter the Palace of Darkness at such timing. It would only mean death if Lin Li were to meet Mephistos. If that were to happen, Connoris knew he would be implicated as well.
“Aren’t you aware that we might bump into Mephistos…?”
“I have an idea.”
“Pfff, you have an idea? What idea can you have? That is Mephistos, the Lord of Souls that had surpassed level-21 a million years ago!”
“Can’t you believe in me for once? Didn’t you sense a strange Divine Power in the Dimensional Space recently?”
“Divine Power?”
“Yeah…” Lin Li nodded his head grinningly. Lin Li was not boasting. He was aware that he would not have a chance if he were to meet Connoris with his current powers. However, the knew there was still a piece of the debris of stars in his Ring of Endless Storm…
Although the Holy Light would not be able to slaughter Mephistos directly, it would definitely help to buy time for him…
“I hope that you really have an idea, then…” Connoris said reluctantly. He finally agreed to help after a period of hesitation.
“Congrats, you’ve made a very good decision,” Lin Li replied with a smile of satisfaction.
“Alright, alright. Cut the crap…” Connoris said impatiently. “The Palace of Darkness is deep inside the Abyss of Tharlen. This is not really a secret, though. But, I presume few people knew where the depths of the Abyss of Tharlen is located…”
“You have to know it…”
“That’s right, I do.”
Afterward, Connoris told Lin Li everything.
Although Lin Li knew that Connoris had a very mysterious background and a lot of hidden secrets, it was only today that Lin Li realized how surprising were the secrets Connoris knew…
Connoris was not only aware of the exact location of the Palace of Darkness, but also the way to enter the place. He had a clear and distinct memory of each and every alley and secret chamber inside the Palace of Darkness. As he listened to Connoris, Lin Li could not help but suspect Connoris to be like himself—did he also have the intention to loot the palace clean in the past?
It seems that I have to find time to talk to this Soul Trader properly soon… Lin Li was utterly amazed by the information Connoris knew. It was as though there was nothing in the Abyss of Tharlen Connoris was unaware of.
No, no, no. Not just the Abyss of Tharlen…
Lin Li remembered how Connoris told him about the origins of the Lord of Nightmares not long ago…
This fella who claims to be a Soul Trader does not seem like a simple man…
Just when Lin Li was having those suspicions, he saw Hutton flying back.
“Why, you can’t find Stephen?” Lin Li asked Hutton who had flown back alone.
“Yeah, I searched all likely places, but could not find him at all…” Hutton replied as he shook his head worriedly.
Of course, Hutton was definitely not worried for Stephen’s safety. Not to mention the enmity the Malfa Family had with the Dark Blade, the fact that he had to compete with Stephen for Geresco’s inheritance was enough to let Hutton ignore his safety.
Hutton feared that the two of them might not be able to find the Palace of Darkness without Stephen.
Although Stephen was not an affable man, he was still an Archmage. He would be of great help at critical moments.
“Forget it, it can’t be helped. Why don’t we treasure the time we have and leave his horrendous place as soon as possible? I don’t know when that Greater Demon might come out…”
“Alright.”
The two young mages cast the Levitation Spell and flew towards the edge of the forest.
Lin Li kept communicating with Connoris with his mental strength. Even Hutton who was physically close to Lin Li did not realize him conversing with the hammer on his back as they flew.
“Did you see that river in front? You would see a waterfall if you travel two to three kilometers along that river. The Palace of Darkness is located below that waterfall.”
“The water is very strange…” Lin Li said as he glanced at the torrential river from the top. It was crimson, and seemed as glaring as fresh blood.
“Do not belittle that river. It was named the Water of Death for a reason. Every droplet of that river carries lethal toxicity. A droplet would suffice to claim the life of any demon with a strong life force…”
“Didn’t you say the Palace of Darkness is hidden below the waterfall? How will we be able to—”
“How to enter, right? Heh, you wouldn’t be able to enter that waterfall if not for the guidance of the almighty Soul Trader. You don’t need to worry about it now. As long as you follow my instructions, I can assure that you will enter the Palace of Darkness with ease.”
“Alright.” Lin Li nodded, and did not probe further.
Connoris was the only one Lin Li knew he could rely on in the entire Tharlen. Since the fate of this Soul Trader had been tied with himself, Connoris would not dare to create any chances for mishaps. If anything undesirable were to happen to Lin Li, the best outcome for Connoris would be external entrapment in the Ring of Endless Storm. Now that Connoris had the confidence that they could find the palace, Lin Li could only give him his trust.
The two young mages flew along the Water of Death. Two or three hours had passed, but not only did they not see the waterfall Connoris mentioned, they also did not see Stephen catching up with them. Could it be that this unagreeable man had been slain by Mephistos?