Angor understood most of what Sunders said. So something that had the “smell” of Nightmare Realm on it could be used as a seed and guided them to the original spot in the plane where the seed was found.
More importantly, why did Sunders say his wound on his soul was a seed?
When he took his talent test in Padt Manor, he entered the strange place as a soul, not his body? Then how did Sunders spill his blood?
Angor revealed his questions, and Sunders smiled at him as he answered, “It has something to do with your talent as well. Let’s leave the question for later. When we get into the Nightmare Realm, I need to confirm something before telling you that.
“Now, I’ll tell you about our destination for this journey.”
Sunders took out a transparent crystal ball and placed it on the desk. He stroked the surface of the object, and a light shone from it.
Sunders signaled Angor to look inside the ball.
Angor walked in front of the desk and saw images appearing inside the crystal, just like those recorded images shown in the tablet.
They showed a number of abandoned ruins. All the bricks and stairs of the buildings were covered in thick moss. The place must have been prosperous at a time, but that could hardly be seen now. The image moved around, and more ruins appeared. The numerous structures were like frozen in time. Nature and broken buildings had become one.
Beautiful statues lost their limbs, exquisite building blocks lost their colors. The fountain pond had no water in it, only thick moss. Even the pillars in the palace had broken into several pieces.
An adventurer who loved ruins would absolutely love this place because it had locked up civilization and the future of mankind in time. When looked closely, Angor could even imagine what the place looked like before—crowds danced, tall buildings rose, banquets bustling with people… and then everything crashed down.
“This is the ruin of a place structured by ancient wizards. It lay at the hinterland plains in Goman Kingdom. Nobody knows who built it or why. Everything in there was looted clean several tens of thousands of years ago when it was discovered. Now people just call it the ‘Garden of Labyrinth’,” Sunders lamented. He added, “I explored the place before I became a wizard. That’s where I entered the Nightmare Realm for the first time.
“The entrance appeared in the Garden of Labyrinth by chance, and I stepped in there unintentionally. I didn’t see those ruins in the Nightmare Realm. Instead, there was a vast and beautiful city.
“There, I ran into a mighty monster. When my life was in danger, I hid inside the sewers in the city.”
Sunders suddenly changed the topic, “Now, do you know why it is called the Garden of Labyrinth?”
Sunders spoke without waiting for an answer, “Because the sewers of the ruins are a giant and magnificent maze! I ran into the sewer to escape from the monster. I may have survived that one monster, but what I saw inside the sewers were even more terrifying. What’s worse, I found myself in the middle of the maze and couldn’t find the way out.
“There were all kinds of strange things and monsters in the labyrinth. I avoided them as best as I could, combined with a bit of luck, I stayed alive until the tunnel finally appeared again so I could leave the Nightmare Realm.”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “As for the special channeling method book… I saw it inside the sewer maze.”
The story was simple enough. Sunders omitted many details, but Angor still recognized the great fear and danger hidden behind his words.
“We’ll go together this time. The seed won’t help us arrive at the same spot. We’ll be randomly placed, separately. I’ll tell you several coordinates. Find and hide in one of them. I’ll check the coordinates one by one to find you,” said Sunders. His expression became serious as he continued, “After we enter the Nightmare Realm and before I can come to you, you’re on your own, and you’ll be vulnerable. Don’t ever think of taking on anything head-on. You won’t make it. Use your wit to survive, understood?”
Angor took a deep breath and encouraged himself in his mind. I can do this!
“Understood?” Sunders asked again.
“I get it!” Angor gave him a firm answer.
Sunders nodded in satisfaction and pointed at the images shown in the crystal ball as he said, “Good. Remember these coordinates. Once you’re done, we’ll prepare to leave for the Nightmare Realm.”
Angor’s answer was quick, but his mind was still confused. He could not calm down, and his mind was obviously panicking because he was going for something unknown. All sorts of possible bad outcomes entered his brain. He was already thinking about failure.
This could be because he was considerate and careful. However, Angor knew those were only pretty words. He was worried because he was weak!
He must be stronger to survive in this world. Even if his mind was filled with scary scenes, he did not actually reveal them.
To Sunders, Angor remained exceptionally calm. Sunders was satisfied. Fearlessness was also an essential characteristic of wizards.
After Angor clearly memorized every single coordinate as well as all the landmarks around them without making mistakes, he nodded to Sunders to show that he was ready.
From a space capsule, Sunders took out the Twisting Protozoa he received in Barbie’s Restaurant.
He placed the worm inside the vial containing his blood. The worm quickly began to drink the blood. When the last drop was devoured, a strange ripple was unleashed from the creature.
“One last warning before entering the Nightmare Realm. It’s possible for us to gain nothing at all, even lose our lives. Make sure you’re prepared for it,” Sunders spoke.
Angor clenched his teeth. “I am prepared!”
Sunders nodded.
Angor suddenly asked a question, “Teacher, if we go into the Nightmare Realm here, will we come out in the same place? I mean, the airship is flying, but the tunnel remains in one place. Could we appear in midair when we get out?”
Sunders chuckled at the question, “You don’t have to worry about that. There’s one more thing that’s special in the Nightmare Realm: time flows differently. In that world, the flow of time obeys no rules.”
The time had no rules… Everything could come and go in an instant.