146: Triple Path

In the Anvil Base Command Center, a massive tactical sandbox glowed with shifting light and shadow.

It clearly marked the areas of two encounters with Mr. Crystal, as well as the vast region with abnormal energy readings, named the ‘Interference Zone’.

Brian stood silently before the sandbox, his gaze calmly analyzing all known data.

The intense confrontation with the Emerald Core and the subsequent giant cocoon proved that the opponent was not someone to be taken lightly.

To personally confront an unknown entity with unclear intentions, capable of mobilizing the life force of an entire region?

This was definitely not a choice a cautious Mage would make.

“Spirit Eye,” he said, his voice steady and calm.

“Yes, Master!”

Spirit Eye’s Ling Tong Main Avatar immediately responded.

“You will lead this contact,” Brian commanded.

“Pilot the azure thunder there, but maintain a safe distance, hovering at the edge of our controlled zone. Dispatch a specially designed envoy robot, carrying gifts, to the contact point.”

The azure thunder, as one of the three Mage Tower sub-towers, possessed a complete 18-story structure and powerful comprehensive capabilities. Its very existence was a silent deterrence and guarantee.

Having Spirit Eye control it to go would both show importance and minimize risk.

“Understood! Mission accomplished!”

The Ling Tong Main Avatar responded excitedly.

A moment later, the azure thunder steadily docked at the starting point of the safe passage, above the boundary between the controlled zone and the interference zone.

The massive tower cast a huge shadow, and a powerful energy field shimmered, both displaying its strength and defining its boundaries.

At the same time, a specially modified envoy robot silently glided out from within the azure thunder.

Below the robot, the sealed box containing the ‘Star Vortex Candy’ and ‘Ice Flame Cake’ was suspended.

The envoy unit flew silently along the safe passage, quickly arriving at the designated contact point—above the area covered in glowing blue moss.

Through the envoy robot, Spirit Eye released the same mental fluctuation as before, a mix of authorization features and friendly information.

As the fluctuation spread, the purple mossy hollow below once again parted, revealing the emerald cave entrance, and Mr. Crystal’s elegant crystal cluster body slowly rose.

It seemed to immediately sense the difference.

Its multifaceted head lifted slightly, looking at the azure thunder hovering in the distance, radiating immense pressure. Its mental fluctuations carried a clear sense of solemnity:

“Powerful existence… Your will has descended in another form.”

It realized that the one coming into contact was not the main body, but a representative, with powerful support behind it.

Spirit Eye, through the envoy robot, sent a clear and peaceful mental message, simulating Brian’s tone:

“We seek understanding and knowledge. This is our envoy, representing our will and goodwill.”

The suspended platform below the envoy robot, carrying the sealed box, slowly flew towards the crystal cluster creature.

“This is a small gift from a distant plane, as a token of goodwill.”

The crystal cluster creature meticulously scanned the gift, confirmed it was harmless, and then put it away. Its mental message came:

“Unique structure, unknown energy signature. Token of goodwill accepted. Outsiders, your variable nature and understanding of authority have triggered the ‘convergent will’s’ deep assessment.”

Then, it spoke about the ‘Sanctuary’s’ slumber and the ‘Triple Path’ trial.

“Path One, verifying life affinity… Path Two, verifying power control… Path Three, verifying will resonance…”

“Only by passing the Triple Path can one reach the ‘Sanctuary’s’ door and face the final guardian.”

Spirit Eye controlled the envoy robot to respond, its voice amplified through the azure thunder’s sound-enhancing Magic Formation, carrying a grand echo:

“We accept the trial. Please open the path entrances.”

“Choice recorded,” the crystal cluster creature responded, simultaneously transmitting a set of precise spatial coordinates.

“The path entrances will soon open. May you bring new possibilities.”

After completing the information transfer, it slowly sank into the cave entrance and disappeared.

The envoy robot quickly returned.

Inside the azure thunder, Spirit Eye reported to Brian via communication projection:

“Master, contact complete, information received, Triple Path coordinates confirmed. The other party showed high vigilance towards our mode of existence but did not refuse communication.”

Brian, in the Main Tower Command Center, looked at the returned coordinates and data, nodding slightly.

“Well done, Spirit Eye. Remain vigilant and begin path analysis. We don’t need to take risks; we can still solve their mystery.”

His gaze was sharp and profound.

“Prepare the azure thunder. We will participate in this successor’s trial in the safest way possible.”

The path of conquest, under his control, always steadily advanced along a trajectory that balanced caution and strength.

Adventure was not in his dictionary; absolute prudence (gǒu) was his style.

Inside the main Mage Tower of Anvil Base.

Brian stood silently before the huge arched window of the top-floor operations room, overlooking the coordinates and Triple Path information marked on the projection.

His gaze pierced through the void, as if he could directly see the area enveloped by interference energy.

“convergent will!? Triple Path!?”

He murmured, his voice echoing through the tower floor: “Screening successors through trials? How interesting.”

“Master, let me go!” Spirit Eye’s Ling Tong Main Avatar excitedly pointed at the coordinates:

“I’ll take the azure thunder! I’ll make sure to get a clear look at Mr. Crystal and the convergent will behind it!”

Brian nodded slightly; this arrangement was indeed the most prudent.

The power of the azure thunder was sufficient to handle most situations.

And with him and Eric stationed at the base, they could provide remote support and coordinate the overall situation, avoiding putting the core at risk.

“Granted. Be careful!” Brian said concisely.

“Alright! Watch me!” The Ling Tong Main Avatar responded cheerfully.

The coordinates for the Triple Path leading to the ‘Sanctuary’ were located deep within the interference zone, approximately one hundred and fifty kilometers from the controlled zone’s boundary.

For the azure thunder hovering above the boundary, this distance was precisely within the effective range of most of its tactical Magic Formations.

This allowed for timely support while avoiding the unknown risks that might come with going too deep.

When the azure thunder’s Spirit Eye, following the coordinate guidance, focused its high-precision observation Magic Formation on the area,

the ground, which had previously seemed no different from other places, covered in twisted metallic vegetation and writhing fleshy carpets, began to undergo strange changes.

The ground rippled like water, and the structures of metal and flesh dissolved and recombined under an invisible force.

Three colossal portals, side by side, radiating different energy glows, slowly rose from underground, standing steadily there.