Chapter 1078: Astral Telescope
Ion sauntered and along with his actions, the heavy, sealed door ahead opened on its own gradually. The enchanted fields of offensive magic spells enveloping the tunnel and used to ‘welcome’ uninvited guests were deactivated in the blink of an eye. Their magical radiance gradually dissipated. But to outsiders, this only seemed like an ordinary tunnel. If one wasn’t a spell caster, perhaps one wouldn’t detect the death traps set in this place. Gazing at the opening door, Ion knitted his brows and stole a glance out of the corner of his eye at the young lady behind him and continued advancing. The Dark Dragon was, in fact, deeply unhappy because apart from her greeting when she met him, she didn’t introduce herself and instead, immediately said, “I’m here in response to your invitation to accept the Astral Telescope…” He couldn’t continue the conversation to learn more about this mysterious person!
Ion thought he could use this opportunity to figure out the ins and outs of this young lady. But he didn’t expect her to pay no attention to diplomatic protocols as though she was just a receiver and her only motive was to receive the Astral Telescope. This left Ion deeply discontented, but even so, his expression remained unchanged and he led the young lady to the national treasury located underneath the Darkness Palace as agreed.
Apart from Ion, the three legendary generals were also present. They harbored the same doubt as Ion. According to diplomatic protocols, the visitor should report his or her name and ident.i.ty upon arriving at foreign land. However, this young lady said nothing and apart from the powerful dragon form she showed up in, there was nothing sufficient to prove her ident.i.ty. But for some unknown reason, Ion and the legendary generals didn’t question her. Apart from the undeniable dragon form which definitely belonged to a Creator Dragon, this young lady’s presence had as though announced her arrival by itself. Just like how the moon and stars were surely visible in the night sky, her existence itself was just there. Anyone who doubted the fact that ‘the moon and stars shouldn’t exist in the night sky’ was someone with some real mental issues…
Not only that, but what also astonished the legendary generals was that as of now, the young lady was caught in the middle between the Dark Dragon leading the way and the legendary generals at the back. It was impossible for one to be unaffected by their powerful aura. However, this young lady was simply indifferent. Judging from her relaxed expression, she seemed as though she was strolling in her home garden instead!
It seemed like what Erin warned was true. There were indeed several powerful beings in the Void Territory. Balende was sure that when he arrived at the Void Territory earlier, he didn’t witness this young lady anywhere. But even so, he almost failed to make it back alive. It was imaginable what would happen to him if the Void Territory went all out back then. Perhaps Balende’s name would be carved to a tombstone by now. It was surprising to him that a small Void Territory that was established less than one year ago managed to gather so many formidable beings. Besides, it also didn’t seem like they arrived at the Void Territory after its founding. Instead, they seemed to have already been following Rhode around before the Void Territory was founded.
At this thought, Balende couldn’t help but s.h.i.+ft his gaze to Charlie and Garcia beside him. Charlie didn’t show any expression, but the pair of eyes that turned pitch-black due to his corruption glinted in curiosity like the flashes of a supernova. On the other hand, Garcia puckered his brows with a grim look. Upon realizing Balende’s gaze, Garcia shook his head slightly in response. It was apparent that Garcia thought of the same question in Balende’s head. After losing Ashvril, their status and position were starting to falter. At least in the face of this young lady, none of them were confident to escape unscathed. As for defeating her, they didn’t even dare to think about it.
In an instant, the atmosphere turned tense and bizarre, but the young lady continued to maintain her smile and gazed ahead. In fact, she was actually communicating spiritually with Rhode who drifted beside her.
“Honestly, wouldn’t it be a waste if we don’t grab something else back since we actually have this chance to enter the national treasury?”
Relying on the fact that he wouldn’t be discovered by the Dark Dragon, Rhode boringly pointed two middle fingers at him and said.
“Let’s observe the situation first, Big Brother. I don’t know how much time has pa.s.sed and what is left in the Country of Darkness. But if there is anything worthy, I’ll grab it for sure. After all, this Dark Dragon isn’t the first Dark Dragon anyway. If he were to see his precious treasures covered in dust, perhaps he would also be bewailed.”
This went to show that they were really full siblings.
“This is the place.”
Ion came to a halt, turned around, and spoke to the young lady beside him. At this moment, Rhode also lifted his head and gazed curiously at the ma.s.sive structure.
Astral Telescope.
Judging from its appearance, it was similar to the apparatus used on Earth to observe the moon, stars, and the sun. However, its shape was based entirely on the features of the Dragon Soul Continent. As the foundation, the four elements supported the Seven Fantasy Boundaries and protected the dragon soul powers of the entire continent. On the outside, it looked like it had an empty interior and was also a model of the earth’s celestial body based on the ‘geocentric theory’. But compared to an apparatus made of steel, this Astral Telescope had a mysterious vibe to it, where a variety of magical brilliances flashed in a certain order that formed mystical symbols. Outside this celestial sphere, a galaxy could be seen stretching all the way from one end to the other.
Apart from these features, Rhode’s first impression upon seeing the Astral Telescope was…
It was too huge.
The Astral Telescope was ma.s.sive, standing at 35 meters tall and 20 meters wide. What was worse was that after getting close to it, Rhode realized that it was made of rock instead of steel! This was simply an unimaginable marvel… Rhode couldn’t imagine how something made of rock was able to survive the pa.s.sing of a thousand years and still looked to be in pristine condition and operated perfectly. This wasn’t logical at all. But it was truly magical.
“You can take it away, according to our agreement.”
While Rhode scanned the ma.s.sive structure, Ion turned around and said to the young lady. Even though he didn’t reveal any emotion, Rhode suspected if Ion was pranking him on purpose. Logically speaking, even Rhode would have a hard time transporting this huge structure back to his territory. Of course, it would be another matter if the magic wars.h.i.+ps were here. Although Rhode was also able to use a spatial bag to transport it back, he knew that such an ancient and legendary artifact was protected by a barrier from being moved. If not, wouldn’t things be disastrous during the olden days if some rulers were to send out powerful beings to sneak in and steal its core? But now, this ma.s.sive thing…
You must be making a fool out of me.
“Alright then, thank you very much, Your Majesty Dark Dragon.”
Unlike Rhode, who once again pointed two middle fingers at Ion’s face, the young lady revealed a gentle smile. She lifted her head and looked at the Astral Telescope. Then, she extended her right hand, spread her fingers apart, and chanted a spell under her breath.
“Aim xig yas.”
Along with this ancient and mystical chant, the ma.s.sive rock-made structure flickering in dim magical radiance trembled all of a sudden and started revolving quickly. Shortly after, strings of mysterious runes emerged on the columns constructed on the Astral Telescope. The inside of this artifact also started spinning at a fast speed. The indistinct, yet colorful brilliance coalesced in the middle empty hole, taking on a new shape. Looking at this scene, Ion and the legendary generals were baffled. Of course, they were aware of the history of the Astral Telescope. Ever since the founding of the Country of Darkness, the Astral Telescope was placed here and no one knew exactly what it was for, especially after the first Dark Dragon went missing thereafter. Even though the Country of Darkness had sent out their best spell casters and scholars to research this artifact, they came to no conclusions. The only surprising good news was that they discovered several ancient spells that had lost their heritages. But as for what the Astral Telescope was meant for and how to operate it, no one knew anything. And now, three words from this young lady was enough to activate it?!
At this thought, everyone’s gazes toward her were filled with more doubts.
Who exactly is she?
After a few seconds, the Astral Telescope began to dismantle on its own, transforming into stone columns that twisted and disappeared into thin air. Shortly after, the ma.s.sive Astral Telescope vanished entirely, leaving behind hundreds of mysterious runes floating in midair. At this moment, the young lady heaved a sigh of relief. She extended her right hand, turned her wrist around with her palm facing up. Along with her actions, the runes drifted toward her, coalescing into a tiny ornament in the shape of a cube that emanated faint magical radiance. Looking at this scene, Ion narrowed his eyes. But this wasn’t the end.
Because at this moment, the young lady lifted her chin and gazed ahead. Right there, the fully dismantled Astral Telescope was replaced by a pitch-black, steel coffin embedded with precious magical gems arranged into a… dissonant symbol?
Scanning this high-end, elaborate symbol that seemed as though used by villains in certain European and American war movies, the corners of Rhode’s eyes twitched. Don’t tell me some movie directors have also transmigrated from this world?
But apparently, his younger sister didn’t hear his thoughts. She gestured and the coffin distorted abruptly, before vanis.h.i.+ng into thin air completely. She nodded in satisfaction, turning around to gaze at the Dark Dragon and the three legendary generals with a smile.
“Alright, my job is done. I shall take my leave now.”