Chapter 2628: Chapter 2629: Unbearably Foul Stench

Angel hesitated for a moment before replying, "According to the information I’ve received, it should, it should not be in the sewer."

Earlier when Angel said this, he was quite confident, with an air of impossibility; however, now that he stood at the entrance of this path, his tone became somewhat unsure.

Because the smell here was just too strong.

If the Hanging Jail Stairway was really inside, then even standing in front of it, one should be able to smell the stench.

Yet in the Underground Labyrinth of the Nightmare Realm, from start to finish, he hadn’t smelled any stench, instead he smelled aroma—the scent of the Maneater Flower.

Precisely because of his experience in the Nightmare Realm, he was previously very certain that the Hanging Jail Stairway was definitely not in the sewer.

But now when thinking carefully, it seemed he had been a bit overconfident earlier. The projection of Naraku City in the Nightmare Realm was from when it hadn’t completely fallen into ruin; maybe at that time the management of the sewer was not as bad as it is now, so even if Angel was in the sewer, he might not have smelled any stench.

Or perhaps, surrounded by the faint fragrance of Demon Food Flower King Saliva at that time, he could not smell any stench at all?

If these were indeed the reasons, then the conclusion he previously drew could potentially be biased.

Because of this, Angel was no longer as assertive in his speech as before.

Vay also noticed the hesitation in Angel’s tone, which was entirely different from before.

As Angel’s newly devoted admirer, Vay naturally wouldn’t blame his idol, and he even mentally prepared an excuse for Angel.

—After all, the master got the information from other channels. He has never actually been here. The gap between ideal and reality is normal, so how can one blame the master?

Although Vay conjured up this excuse and held no grudge against Angel, it did not stop him from worrying about the real situation.

He repeatedly murmured, "If it really is in the sewer, what do we do... what do we do..."

At this time, everyone’s ears echoed with Vay’s "what do we do?"

On the other side, the Black Earl also remained silent because he had now jumped directly onto Angel, as Angel was the center of the Purifying Field, and thus the cleanest place.

If it really was in the sewer, the Black Earl believed Angel wouldn’t make himself look so disheveled, so being on him was the best choice.

However, after all, he is a renowned wizard in the Southern Domain, just hiding from the stench by sitting on Angel is really quite embarrassing, so he said nothing, just nonchalantly rested on Angel, looking a bit fatigued, treating Angel like a ride.

The Black Earl’s little schemes were calculated well, but Angel wasn’t a fool, how could he not know what the Black Earl was thinking.

However, pretending to be clueless is a talent typically inherent in mature humans. After all, it’s rare to pretend to be clueless in order to make life smoother.

The unusual behavior of the Black Earl could be seen by Angel, and as Vay had been a long-time "ride", he could naturally guess too.

But the Black Earl was just a small slate, it didn’t seem awkward lying on Angel; whereas Vay, being a full-grown person, what should he do? Hug Angel’s leg all the way? —Although the idea was exciting for Vay, he knew if he really did it, he would be in trouble.

"Crying and whimpering, what does that look like? If it’s in the sewer, it’s in the sewer. An official wizard should adapt to any harsh environment. Look at Kaier, he hasn’t uttered a word. That’s the difference in mindset."

"And do you know why? Kaier has explored many ruins and faced countless crises, life and death is a norm for him. A little stench wouldn’t kill you, and you’re in Angel’s Purifying Field, what are you afraid of?"

These words were indeed reasonable, Kaier indeed showed no discomfort, probably for reasons similar to what was said... but the tone of this speaker, why does it sound like a certain someone?

Thinking of this, everyone quickly turned their heads towards "a certain someone."

Sure enough, a silent and dazed Dox, had his eyes glowing again, and undoubtedly, it was he who spoke just now.

"You’re back to your senses? So, are you about to start the final battle with your inspiration?" At this moment, Angel spoke without hiding anything, as Dox had already come to his realization.

Dox shook his head: "Start what? It’s already over, how do you start something that’s ended?"

Angel was taken back, so... it’s already over? Ascending the talent of inspiration so quickly? Not even a little anomaly, not even a bit of energy leaked out?

Seeing Angel’s face with doubt, Dox explained: "There was no final battle, inspiration is me, and I am inspiration. So all I did was reconcile with it, let it sublimate, which benefits both me and the inspiration. Once you understand, it’s over, so simple and easy."

Dox said this with a smiling face.

But was it really as easy and simple as Dox said?

The answer was clear, obviously not. Everyone understood well, what Dox said was just the boastful claim after advancement.

It’s like after a tough magical examination, a top student stands in front of distressed underachievers and claims: "You found it hard? Really? It’s just basic practice?"

Saying this naturally carried a sense of superiority and pride, but the speaker forgets the countless arduous practice and late-night studying it took.

And Dox is that kind of "top student."

If it were really as easy as he said, Dox would not have been unable to advance his inspiration for so many years until he felt a vague sense of breakthrough this time and shamelessly tagged along with the group to the relic.

Moreover, without Angel and Black Earl providing help, not pointing out the anomalies, and not letting others inform Dox about the strange situations. Without such coordination, Dox couldn’t have achieved such success.

So what Dox said was merely showy boast without any reference value.

Of course, there are indeed individuals in this world who, without much practice or cultivation, reach heights other wizards envy. However, as per Jon’s classification of "underachievers and top students," these individuals surpass "top student" status and are truly "geniuses."

Indeed present on site, there was such an acknowledged "genius."

This person, undoubtedly, was the idol admired by Vay—Angel. In just a few years, he stepped from a mortal to the height of an Official Wizard, just one step away from the path of True Knowledge; and in this period, he also mastered strong Alchemy skills, with achievements in Illusion Techniques comparable to Sanders of the same era.

Just hearing this could make one envious, jealous, and hateful.

The most important point is that such individuals, without forced comparisons, generally remain oblivious to their own achievements. Unlike top students who need to "pretend," most of the time, they are truly uninformed.

Numerous examples abound, just take Angel’s reaction upon learning of Vay’s admiration: Angel’s first thought was, "Why would Vay admire me? There’s nothing admirable about me, surely it’s a conspiracy, definitely a plot, Vay plans to use me against the Black Earl..."

The above is the so-called having talent but being unaware of it.

...

At this moment, unlike others, Angel didn’t think about so many complex trivial matters. As the leader, his only thoughts were moving forward... and energizing the low atmosphere.

And now, Dox’s awakening sparked a flash of inspiration in Angel.

"It’s over? Really over? That’s great!" Angel came over to Dox with a look of joy, looking at him with expectant eyes: "Since your inspiration has transcended. Now quickly tell us, is the Hanging Jail Stairway in the sewers?"

At this moment, everyone else also realized, and just like Angel, they too looked at Dox with the same hopeful expression. Even the Black Earl had turned a slate, directing its nostrils toward Dox.

Faced with the gaze of everyone, and the unspoken anticipation that could be felt, Dox’s expression was not happy, but rather froze instantly, stammering: "This...what...you all..."

"What are you saying? How, is it possible that you don’t know?" Angel questioned in confusion, "Your inspiration, come on, release it."

Dox, somewhat embarrassed, said: "My inspiration is not a pet, it can’t be released just at will! Besides, I’ve said it many times, I’m not a Prophet Wizard, don’t use me as if I am one!"

"I’m not asking you, I’m asking your inspiration." Angel said earnestly.

Dox: "My inspiration is also me!"

Angel raised his eyebrow, quietly staring at Dox without saying anything, his gaze gradually becoming deep. This depth made Dox’s back faintly chill.

After a few seconds, Dox finally couldn’t hold on and said: "I really don’t know, my inspiration says it has transcended, but this is just a phase result. It needs a process of phoenix-like rebirth."

"Just like a seed falling into the earth, it also needs spring and summer nourishment before it can finally blossom and bear fruit."

"This needs waiting, understanding?"

Angel squinted his eyes: "So you’re saying your inspiration is completely ineffective now?"

Dox nodded.

"When can it be restored?" Angel’s voice began to lose emotional fluctuation.

"Uh, maybe... a few days? Or a few weeks? Or... years?"

Angel already didn’t want to listen anymore, turning his head indifferently, ignoring Dox. Previously, he thought Dox’s inspiration was helpful to them, even if they went to the Hanging Jail Stairway, they would need Dox’s inspiration to find the Wood Spirit, so they accommodated him along the narrow path.

Now it seems like it’s no help at all.

With Dox who has lost his value, Angel completely didn’t want to bother with him anymore.

Although they couldn’t get an answer from Dox, they couldn’t just stay at the entrance either; they had to move forward.

Angel: "Since Dox is already awake, let’s go in. According to the Echo Location Technique, and Speedy’s exploration, at least in the short term, there’s no sign of the sewer passage."

Vay said quietly: "This is even scarier, even the Lord’s Echo Location Technique can’t detect the entrance to the sewer, but it’s already so smelly here, it’s hard to imagine what it would smell like deeper inside."

Vay’s words for the first time received strong approval from the Black Earl. However, the Black Earl still remained silent, staying on Angel as if he were an ornament.

Angel looked to Vay: "Regardless of whether the Hanging Jail Stairway is in the sewer or how strong the smell is inside. Believe me, at least I definitely won’t let the stench infiltrate the Illusionary Realm."

Angel spoke sincerely, with a clear guarantee, and Vay, being a fan of Angel, with an idol filter, was already convinced.

As for Dox and Kaier, Angel didn’t need to comfort them; they were not particularly afraid of the stench in the first place.

If they really couldn’t stand it, at worst they’d block their five senses.

As for after they leave, the lingering stench on their bodies might last for days, but that didn’t matter, they could continue to block their senses. After all, the smell would bother others, not themselves.

"Let’s set off then, this is ultimately not a safe place." As Angel spoke, he glanced back at the distant Twins Bell Tower.

He wasn’t worried about the two Wizard-level Ghosteye Witches, but rather... the later comers.

Here, it’s still calm for now, but if later comers unknowingly ignite this dormant powder keg, it’ll end up in chaos.

If that special Ghosteye Witch used an Extraordinary Item, maybe that Dominator would also come.

To avoid an unexpected encounter with the old monster, they had to leave here quickly.

Moreover, if that Dominator really came, they might be able to time it right and cross that hall without meeting the other party.

Thinking of this, Angel hesitated no more and stepped into the darkness first.

...

Re-entering the familiar maze, everyone had different emotions.

Here was no longer filled with mutant Carrion Squirrels, nor Ghosteye Witches, everything appeared cold and quiet, but there was an added odor that Vay and the Black Earl couldn’t stand.

Although they were now in a Purifying Field, unable to smell outside odors, and seemed carefree, this also meant they couldn’t extend their perception, reducing their danger perception to the lowest point.

This was where the benefit of a team came in.

Due to their own reasons, Vay and the Black Earl lost the ability to perceive dangers, but the others weren’t too afraid of the stench, so safety wasn’t a concern.

In fact, for those other than Vay and the Black Earl, the quiet and monster-free maze tunnel made their walk much easier.

With a relaxed mind, coupled with no monster disturbance, and Dox’s inspiration successfully upgraded, his incessant chatter returned.

Like a haunting melody, resonating in everyone’s ears.

The most affected, of course, was Angel. Because Dox’s words were almost all questions, and these questions were all ones Angel needed to answer.

Perhaps because of this reason, though others were also subject to Dox’s verbal assault, no one tried to stop him.

Because not only Dox, they also wanted to know the answers to these questions—

Why did Angel suddenly break the Mind Ribbon before?

How did Angel know that multiple Ghosteye Witches practicing would reduce their perception?

Also, how did he manage to forcibly fuse with Ghosteye Witches’ shadows?

And, can that silver ornament and crown really be embedded together?

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