From the way Toyennes dodged the Policing Team and Hunting Team, he had become a frightened bird, and Randall did not appear with Ivan, lest Toyennes be scared off.
Unexpectedly, the opponent was trickier than anticipated and vanished in a blink of an eye.
“Ninety-nine percent of the strange sorcerers who remain here are Toyennes’s accomplices,” said Randall, having searched the entire lake only to find one unfamiliar sorcerer; he decided to inquire, “Let’s go, let’s ask that person about the situation.”
At these words, the big golden beetle got excited, abruptly changed direction, and flew towards the other side with a heightened spirit of battle.
At this moment, the bright moon peeked out from the clouds, illuminating the lake with an exceptional radiance.
The cool breeze blew incessantly, causing the water grass to rustle.
“Oh! To detect my presence, you’ve got some skill,” observed Jeeson as he saw the other approach without fear, “Judging by this rare size, it must be that brat’s teacher, an apprentice contention battle.
Such an interesting affair shouldn’t involve me, yet I am a person who values unity—what a dilemma.”
He had investigated Toyennes’s apprentice and naturally knew who the apprentice’s current mentor was; intelligence suggested an Insect Control Master.
As they neared one another, Randall signaled the big golden beetle to halt: “Sorcerer over there, this area is the periphery managed by Mongna Ant Land Cottage, are you aware of this?”
Jeeson replied, “What if I am, what if I’m not, I advise you not to meddle.”
“Dare you state your name?”
“Jeeson Sawyer.”
Addressing his own purpose, Randall inquired, “Mr. Sawyer, do you know where Sorcerer Toyennes is?”
“I don’t know.”
“It seems you’re not planning to tell.”
Seeing that the sorcerer wouldn’t back down, Jeeson sighed inwardly; telling the truth these days no one believed, it was a headache.
What worried him more was that his opponent was not only an Insect Control Master but also a sorcerer who used poison.
Across from him, a large swarm of green beetles emerged, with small green beetles continually spewing out green smoke, which quickly formed a mass of dark green fog, tightly surrounding the person and expanding continuously.
Affected by the green smoke, the thatch below directly transformed into poisonous, twisted plants, and the water of the lake turned a jade green.
Combat was about to break out.
“Are you sure you won’t reconsider that I genuinely do not know Toyennes’s whereabouts?” Jeeson felt unjustly accused because, due to Toyennes’s caution, he indeed could not answer the other’s question.
“Should I reconsider it?”
Something stirred in Randall’s heart as a message from Ivan arrived—Underwater, do not worry.
“Sorcerer Jeeson, until next time.”
“You’re really leaving?”
Jeeson, who was ready for action with the detoxification potion firmly in hand, realized the other was truly leaving Lake Nichols without trying to trick him.
He did not pursue; now was not the right time to reveal his identity.
…
Ivan did not realize that his message, which arrived delayed due to interference, had defused a fight that was on the verge of erupting.
Inside the underground cavern.
The eerie lullaby still faintly reached the trio’s ears.
Toyennes flapped his wings, causing a gentle breeze to blow and uncover a rune-engraved array dais on the ground, beneath which lay a runes sorcery array.
With the first look, Ivan recognized many familiar things.
For example, his first step in the Meditation Method—”Ode to Spring Trees”—and the curses of spring and summer were all connected. But the runes sorcery array before them was more profound, certainly the result of Toyennes’s in-depth research.
Ivan believed Toyennes’s previous statement a little bit.
Toyennes gave directions, pointing to the ground: “Do you see the three positions I marked? When we go up, we’ll each stand at one of these locations and work together to activate the runes sorcery array; the sorcery array will then start to draw power from the curse mark on its own.
Remember, we need to release any seals first, then hurry to drain the power from the curse, including the power that constitutes the curse mark itself. Finally, we’ll transfer all the curse’s power next door. Do you understand?”
Hearing his well-reasoned speech, the two exchanged glances, still somewhat incredulous, almost literally wearing their doubt on their faces.
Toyennes continued: “Don’t worry about being unable to transfer the curse power. A long time ago, I took a risk and entered that place; I’ve long set up a receiving formation. That dangerous thing inside shares the same origin as the curse mark; it certainly has the capacity to endure all the curse’s power. When that comes, we will be freed.”
Pearney, who had come to loathe Toyennes to her very bones, did not believe him at all: “Humph! My curse mark doesn’t need your meddling, just don’t sneakily transfer curse power to me, and the curse mark will be very safe.”
At her words, Toyennes let out a sinister chuckle:
“Heh, don’t be foolish, do you really think curses are so simple as you imagine? Do you think a seal settles everything? Heh, don’t you think I know about seals too? As a sorcerer who’s lived over two hundred years, I know far more sealing methods than you.”
“But they’re useless, all utterly useless.”
“To be honest with you, Ivan probably knows a bit about it; this curse mark is called ‘Curse of Demon’s Resentment,’ its origin is a mighty alien creature. As for how strong it is, maybe it’s a Level 3 creature, or perhaps Level 4, or even Level 5; anyhow, it’s beyond your imagination and mine as well.”
“That creature transferred the curse power to me, and it was only a very small part that I transferred to you. Don’t think it’s over, based on my past experience, every five years it will employ its own means to pass down a large amount of cursed power, and no one will be spared by then.”
“Do you know how the apprentices at the Mongna Ant Land Cottage died? They all died in the once-every-five-years transfer of curse power. Guess whether their curse marks were sealed or not?”
“If the curse mark isn’t cleanly stripped away, you have three years left at most; even if you survive that, what about the next five years, and the five years after that?”
Rarely did anyone willingly listen to his grievances, so Sorcerer Toyennes took the opportunity to speak at length, ensuring the two understood the gravity of the situation. It all boiled down to one sentence.
If the curse isn’t completely lifted, there is only one final outcome: death.
Pearney was still half-doubtful and looked at Ivan for confirmation.
Ivan nodded and then shook his head: “All the information I have is what he documented, and that was back on Lahr Island. As for his apprentices, between his Enchantment Group and his Hunting Team, the trouble he stirred up wasn’t small; I’d rather avoid him than inquire.”
After listening, Pearney pursed her lips, making it clear she didn’t believe Toyennes. After all, she was kidnapped, and her companions were killed.
Seeing them both so obstinate, Sorcerer Toyennes was so angry he almost took action. If possible, he would have loved to knock them out and offer them up as sacrifices on the array dais.
“Ha, let me tell you another thing about the curse mark. Under the long-term influence of the Curse of Demon’s Resentment, you will gradually lose the ability to reproduce normally since splitting and propagating will become more suitable for you.”
“If you manage to keep living, the final outcome can only be a step-by-step transformation into hideous monsters, and then becoming fervent followers or puppets of that creature—-“
Sorcerer Toyennes had been afflicted with the Curse of Demon’s Resentment for a long time and had explored the curse mark in various aspects; he spoke candidly about it to both of them.
Both of their expressions changed upon hearing this.
Ivan was somewhat better off; he already had the means to transfer the cursed power.
As soon as Pearney heard about turning into monsters and losing reproductive capacity, her complexion slowly turned ashen, and she cursed Toyennes in her heart. If not for this scoundrel, she would never have fallen into such a plight.
Seeing that the time was right, Sorcerer Toyennes, exuding the aura of a sorcerer, gave a warning, “Pearney, I’ve made myself clear. Don’t make me resort to other methods. I’ve been to Flying Fish Port as well.”
Pearney angrily cursed, “You, despicable and shameless, you disgrace the sorcerers.”
Sorcerer Toyennes coldly said, “Everything is to lift the curse. What’s your decision, Ivan?”
“Let’s try it, and hopefully, your method works.”
After thinking it over, Ivan didn’t refuse. From the mixed auras just now, it was clear that Toyennes’s strength was severely weakened, and he might not even be able to use his Talent Sorcery.
He wanted to see if Toyennes genuinely wanted to lift the curse or if he had other schemes up his sleeve.
If the Curse of Demon’s Resentment could be completely lifted, then it would be good for both sides, and past grievances might not be unresolvable.
If there was deceit in the runes sorcery array, with his own strength and mastery in Enchantment, he surely wouldn’t be helpless, and he would give Toyennes another lesson on what ‘overturned in a gutter’ meant.
Sorcerer Toyennes nodded in satisfaction, “Very well, let’s hurry. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous our situation becomes.” He then instructed them about the sorcery array.
“Ivan, Pearney, let’s begin.”
Sorcerer Toyennes took out a large number of mid-grade and low-grade magic stones and systematically placed them on the array dais.
At his words, Ivan gave Pearney, who was looking at him, a nod, signaling that he was there for her.
All three stepped onto the array dais in succession.
This runes sorcery array was rather peculiar, having three control nodes that needed to be activated and controlled separately, which was why Toyennes forced them onto it.
“Activate!”
As Toyennes issued a low command, all three began to transfer a portion of their power into the control nodes.
The runes on the array sparked to life from three directions, the invisible energy flowing through the lines, spreading outward, and then connecting to the adjacent lines.
Like converging streams, the runes lines experienced collisions of energy, causing ripples and instability.
“Slow down the transmission of spiritual power; let the runes stabilize first.”
“Good, continue.”
Whenever there was an issue with the array, Toyennes would immediately give guidance, and the scene was exceptionally harmonious.
With their combined efforts, in no time, the sorcery array was running smoothly.
“Curse power transfer begins.”
Toyennes’s voice sounded again; Ivan tried it out, and as soon as the cursed power flowed out of the curse mark, it was sucked away by an unknown force and into the runes sorcery array.
Could it be that Toyennes wasn’t deceiving them?
Pearney noticed this as well and was secretly glad. Hesitating for a few seconds, she released the seal on the curse mark, and the dense curse power was drawn out and absorbed by the sorcery array.
She didn’t forget to give Ivan a meaningful look.
Ivan shook his head slightly. He wasn’t unwilling to release the seal; actually, there wasn’t much curse power in the curse mark, only a little that Toyennes had transferred previously.
Toyennes also thought Ivan hadn’t released the seal and gave him a cold glance. He said nothing further; the situation had already developed, and trust or mistrust no longer mattered.