Chapter 2690: Chapter 2691: Curtain Call Ceremony

Angel pondered for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. Finally, when Angel lifted his head again and the Wise Sovereign thought he was about to explain, Angel said, "How about we talk about it after we get out? Isn’t finding the Wood Spirit more important right now?"

The Wise Sovereign: "..."

When Angel previously said to the Wise Sovereign, "How can I trade with you?" he actually wasn’t thinking about exchanging any conditions at all. It was purely a way to pass on a message to the Black Earl.

The Black Earl did not respond, indicating he had received Angel’s hint.

So, Angel saw no need to continue this topic.

Another key reason was that Angel found the Wise Sovereign’s inquiries structured in a very peculiar logic. First, he asked Angel how he discovered this place, and only later did he ask how Angel found the Wood Spirit.

The Wise Sovereign seemed to imply that there was some secret about the fork in the road.

But what this secret was, Angel had no clue.

However, the Wise Sovereign seemed more convinced that Angel had discovered the secret first and then the Wood Spirit.

Although Angel could correct this now, he thought it might be more advantageous to let the Wise Sovereign misunderstand for a while longer.

Sometimes correcting someone’s mistake too quickly, only allows them to preset more premises when speaking, providing a safety net for explanations. In other words, if they have a pre-established number in mind, they won’t state it directly during conversation but will circle around it, testing until nearly satisfied, with the number as a conversational bottom line.

On the contrary, when they are making an error in judgment, even if they have a pre-established number, it is still wrong. Information disclosed may far exceed what would be shared with corrected understanding.

Just as before, the Wise Sovereign and the Black Earl misjudged Angel’s desire for the relic site.

Because of this, the Wise Sovereign disclosed unexpected information: that only descendants of Noah could possibly gain benefits from the relic.

This information made the Black Earl worry that Angel might withdraw and prompted him to suggest there were benefits offered.

This was the benefit brought to Angel by their misjudgment of the situation.

Imagine, if from the beginning Angel had declared that he absolutely wanted to go to the relic site, wouldn’t accept anything else, would the current benefits from both sides still exist?

Clearly not.

Therefore, even for this reason alone, Angel decided not to reveal all the information right now. This would only lower the other party’s psychological expectations and increase the difficulty of obtaining information.

The Wise Sovereign wasn’t aware of Angel’s thoughts and merely thought Angel was playing hard to get. The fact lay before him that Angel had indeed found the fork and brought out the Wood Spirit, so he did not know Angel was also in the dark.

As for Angel’s "playing hard to get," the Wise Sovereign didn’t mind, estimating it was just a means to gain more benefits.

If Angel could indeed reveal the truth, he wouldn’t mind giving Angel some benefits. — After all, the secret of the fork was the doing of the Goddess. Even if he let Angel and others go to the relic site, it was really to probe the Goddess’s secret.

So, if Angel truly divulged the "Goddess’s secret," he would grant Angel his desires, whether treasures or knowledge.

...

Angel saying he wanted to find the Wood Spirit first was also genuine.

Angel walked to the spot where the Wood Spirit had disappeared, observed carefully for a moment, and muttered to himself, "Hidden again, huh?"

At this moment, Kaier also approached cautiously and asked, "Sir, will the Wood Spirit come out again?"

Angel spread his hands and said, "You ask me, who do I ask?"

"It won’t come out again." Suddenly, the Wise Sovereign spoke up from the side, "With its temperament, once frightened, it will immediately distance itself from here and won’t return."

"I see." Angel pondered for a moment, showing a look of regret.

After sighing, he said, "Since even the Wise Sovereign says it won’t return, it probably really won’t. Let’s leave then."

Hearing Angel’s words, Kaier felt a bit regretful, thinking they seemed to have been full of hope.

"Sir, are we really not looking?"

Angel: "Of course. I said before that I would respect its choice. Whatever it chooses, it’s free to do so."

When Angel spoke of "respecting its choice, respecting freedom," he was back in character.

He certainly wasn’t going to look anymore. Since the Wise Sovereign was under a misjudgment, searching would just reveal his own ignorance of the situation here.

Besides, Angel truly couldn’t find it. Up until now, he hadn’t figured out how the Wood Spirit had tracked them or escaped his sight.

Even though Angel had kept the Nightmare Illusion active the whole time, both for maintaining the broadcast and for detecting any anomalies as soon as possible, the Wood Spirit had followed Angel for a long stretch without raising any suspicion, demonstrating its incredible concealment skills.

Given the Wood Spirit’s concealment power, Angel didn’t believe he could certainly find it.

However, being sure he wouldn’t search didn’t mean he had given up looking.

Since the Wood Spirit had already appeared once, it indicated that it was motivated, potentially wanting to leave here.

Many times, people who hesitate just before a crucial moment due to personal traits aren’t unwilling to change but simply need a catalyst. For instance, a pusher.

The Wood Spirit showing interest indicated it had considered changing, considered leaving. Thus, Angel was willing to act as that pusher.

Though the Wise Sovereign stated the Wood Spirit had fled, Angel thought the Wood Spirit, even if it had retreated, surely had other means of monitoring the situation here.

As long as the Wood Spirit was observing him from the shadows, he could continue to try and persuade it.

And he would utilize the same strategy: the art of persuasion through retreat.

It had been proven effective on the Wood Spirit before. Why not try once more? Besides, there were no other tricks at his disposal.

As for deeply moving speeches, sincere invitations, or heartfelt revelations, Angel had no intention, even fakely, of performing such melancholy drama. After all, the Wood Spirit was a student of the Wise Sovereign, who had been watching Angel through the Mana Array. If Angel truly started his persuasion, even if the Wood Spirit was swayed, the Wise Sovereign would likely intervene; moreover, Angel doubted the Wood Spirit even understood empathy.

So, he would use the old tactic and see if he could take away a new Wood Spirit.

If it failed, Angel would just accept it.

Thinking this, Angel continued his performance, verbally advocating for respecting choice and freedom while signaling Kaier, "Let’s go."

Kaier understood that Angel had made his decision, realizing he couldn’t change Angel’s mind, and so followed him away.

However, Kaier didn’t notice that although Angel had turned to leave, his pace was much slower than before, each step heavy and resolute, devoid of hesitation; but in reality, every step was meticulously planned by Angel, balancing outward appearance while stirring emotional surges around with the rhythm of his pace and the landing of his cane.

It seemed that Angel had done nothing, but in fact, through the Nightmare Illusion, he was constantly spreading his emotions... helplessness, loss, resolve, and a bit of hope.

The surge of these emotions, even the Wise Sovereign couldn’t perceive through the Magical Energy Array. Because this was an idealistic concept. Coupled with the Illusionary Realm live broadcast also using the Nightmare Illusion, it completely concealed Angel’s little tricks.

The only one that could be influenced was the Wood Spirit secretly watching.

Angel had done everything he could. Now, it depended on whether the Wood Spirit was willing to take this step.

No matter how Angel purposely slowed down his pace, the second floor was not big, and he soon reached the end of the Void Road. Here, he could already see the shattered Hanging Jail Stairway in the distance.

Until Angel stepped onto the platform where the Hanging Jail Stairway was, the Wood Spirit did not appear.

By this time, everyone also accepted the Wise Sovereign’s words, that the Wood Spirit was scared and probably wouldn’t appear again.

Even Angel thought so. Although he felt a bit regretful, he wasn’t surprised. Whether he could deceive it out was uncertain to begin with.

Since the Wood Spirit was unwilling to leave, he could only accept it. After all, he had shown what he could do to the limit, and this time, the Wood Spirit did appear, preventing others from thinking he was lying.

"Sir, should we check the third floor?" Kaier couldn’t help but ask when they stepped onto the Hanging Jail Stairway.

Angel: "Do you think the Wood Spirit went to the third floor?"

Kaier nodded. Just now, the Wood Spirit definitely heard their conversation, and Angel clearly stated not going to the third floor. Thus, if the Wood Spirit was really scared and wanted to hide, the probability of it going to the third floor was very high.

"Even if it really went to the third floor, what can we do? Coerce or forcibly take it?"

Angel smiled faintly, starting to speak nonsense: "Finding it is easy, but making it leave with us is difficult."

In fact... finding the Wood Spirit wasn’t easy, it was very difficult. But now, no one knew this, and Angel pretended; no one could expose him.

"Since the Wood Spirit chose to stay, there must be a reason for it to choose so. I will not force it to leave either."

Angel said this, looking at the quiet Void around: "This Void is also a cage. It will eventually leave. I just don’t know what the outside world will look like by then."

Angel laughed at himself: "I have nothing better to do, worrying about it, but it is a Spirit, not a human."

"A hundred years can turn hair white, but ten thousand years is just a fleeting moment for a Spirit. Instead of worrying about it, I think I should care about myself. Who knows if I’ll still be alive then."

Angel sighed, shook his head, and walked down the Hanging Jail Stairway.

Kaier was silent for a moment, then followed suit.

This time, Angel did not linger on the first floor, but directly descended from the second floor to the ground level. Perhaps because of his earlier feelings, Kaier remained silent along the way.

It wasn’t until they were in the narrow room at ground level that Kaier spoke softly: "You will be fine, sir."

Angel: "No one knows when death will come. Just like I don’t know if I’ll be able to leave the Underground Aqueduct alive. Maybe, once I’m out, I’ll be hunted by the Ghosteye Witch and eventually die at its hands."

Kaier was stunned for a moment. Ghosteye Witch? What witch?

If a Transcendental Wizard were killed by a Ghosteye Witch, it would indeed be big news.

Angel blinked: "Just giving a random example, I can’t very well say the Wise Sovereign would attack me."

Pausing for a bit, Angel patted Kaier on the shoulder: "Let’s go, we’re leaving."

Kaier nodded and headed towards the exit first.

After Kaier left the Hanging Jail Stairway, Angel paused slightly and did not immediately leave.

After all, it was his first time doing a holographic live broadcast. As a Streamer, he should have a proper beginning and end. At least, there should be a closure ceremony: a live broadcast farewell.

Although there was no curtain to close... but for the sake of ceremony, Angel still bowed formally.

It looked like he was bowing to the air, but in fact, it was to the Wise Sovereign and others.

The people who hadn’t left the live broadcast were looking at Angel in confusion, not knowing what happened.

Dox: "What are you doing?"

"Live broadcast farewell." Angel replied through the Mind Ribbon.

"Is it necessary?" Dox looked puzzled.

After bowing, Angel said calmly: "Of course, in the principles of live broadcasting, everything a streamer does is to enhance the live experience. If an audience gives gifts, it can also be seen as pleasing the audience."

"Precisely because of that, not all actions made by the streamer during a live stream come from the heart."

"Just like a stage play actor, after the curtain call, they need to detach from the drama of the stage. A streamer is the same; I also need a farewell ceremony to detach from my identity as a streamer."

Angel said so to set the stage for his next sentence: "Thus, whatever I do as a streamer is unrelated to the real me. During the live broadcast, any coincidences or dialogues could just be part of the act, so don’t take them too seriously, nor should you overanalyze them."

"If you must analyze, look to the streamer version of me, not the real me."

Angel spoke so indirectly, with terms they had never heard, but they weren’t fools. They understood what Angel was expressing.

In short, all explanations during the live broadcast are the responsibility of the streamer; they have nothing to do with Angel himself.

"This is unexpectedly...a farewell performance." Dox’s mouth twitched, gaining a new understanding of Angel’s depth of irresponsibility.

Not only Dox, but everyone else also had complex expressions. Of course, this excluded Vay, the little fanboy who always automatically interpreted everything positively.

Angel: "Alright, the farewell ceremony is over. Everyone, see you outside."

With that, Angel snapped his fingers. The Illusionary Realm abruptly ended, and everyone was released from it.

Angel stretched and murmured to himself: "It went well, but live broadcasting takes a lot of computing power, need to improve... or refine a similar tool?"

"What am I thinking, this broadcast was a once-off; I’m not going to broadcast again." Angel shook his head, casting these tedious thoughts aside.

After finishing the farewell ceremony, everything concerning the Hanging Jail Stairway was concluded.

Angel then turned around, ready to leave the Hanging Jail Stairway.

However, just as Angel was about to step out the Door, his staff suddenly halted.

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