Chinese professors at the Wizarding Academy

As Isera listened to Gu Chen's well-organized plan, her eyes showed even greater approval.

After hearing this, he felt that this young blood wizard was not only resilient and quick-witted, but also demonstrated a clear mind and calm judgment in tactical planning that far surpassed that of a low-level first-ring wizard.

"It seems we can not only entrust the matter of the source crystal to him... we can also consider it an investment."

"There's another task we can entrust to him, but we'll have to see if he can survive this hunt and the theft of the Source Crystal."

A glint of light flashed in Ysera's eyes as she considered Gu Chen's plan...

Although the plan still carries considerable risks, it is an excellent and feasible solution given the short timeframe and limited conditions.

"The core idea of ​​the plan is very clear, and I can't find any fault with it."

"Gu Chen, you mentioned using the resonance of the Soul-Eating Death Qi to locate Qiao Beike, which is a great idea. You can try it now and see if you can sense the portion of death qi that was left in his body through the Soul-Eating Death Qi in your arm?"

After hearing Isela's words, Gu Chen closed his eyes and focused all his attention on his right arm.

He carefully mobilized the portion of the Soul-Eating Death Qi that shared the same origin as the one within Joebeck's body, using it to emit an extremely subtle fluctuation in order to try and sense the wisp of death qi within Joebeck's body.

This kind of perception is a great test of the user's mental perception ability. However, for Gu Chen, the Blood Wizard who walks on the line between life and death every day and is a low-level stress-resistance king, a person who enjoys the tenacity of will, a ballerina on the line between life and death, and an observer of the explosion of the galaxy in his mind, many operations that are difficult for other wizards of the same level are as simple as breathing.

however,

A moment later, Gu Chen opened his eyes, feeling a sharp pain in his head and his vision becoming blurry.

He felt a little short of breath, probably because he had exerted too much energy.

The scene I just saw was completely shrouded in fog, so thick that I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, and I couldn't pinpoint the exact location at all.

"The senses are very vague, like looking through a thick fog... I can only roughly determine a very broad direction."

"Moreover, this feeling is intermittent, which may be due to the distance or because Joe Baker used some means to isolate the sensation."

Gu Chen had no good solution and could only report the facts to Isera.

"Hmm... Compared to what's in your body, the amount remaining in his body is much less. The Antinoya family definitely has a lot of defensive measures, so it's perfectly normal that your detection was suppressed."

"It's normal for the sensor to be blurry."

Isera nodded and crossed her arms.

"However, in an environment like Misty Valley, the fog in that wretched place can significantly interfere with the flow of all kinds of magical energy, and mental energy will feel like it's stuck in a quagmire."

Fog interference?

Upon hearing this, Ken and Gu Chen both looked up, their eyes filled with worry.

This matter was already difficult to handle, and now there's interference?

However, Gu Chen quickly realized what was happening.

"Does this mean the other side will also be affected?"

"Hmm, you're very smart. The interference effect of this fog is very strong, and as long as you're not on the Third Ring Road, it's fair to say that everyone is treated the same."

"The good news is that the other person can't see you; the bad news is that you can't see the other person either..."

"However, your mental strength is rather unique; perhaps that's actually an advantage for you?"

Isera's idea coincided with Gu Chen's... This was quite good news for him.

Gu Chen nodded and continued:

"So... if the object can get close to within a certain range of Joebeck, this sensing might become much clearer, and at that point, the other side might not even be able to detect that I've arrived."

"The idea is somewhat dangerous and reckless, since it hasn't been put into practice yet, but I think the possibility is very high."

Isera affirmed, while Gu Chen looked at the silent, bald wizard Ken.

"Ken... I need you to tell me the current limits of distance and precision you can observe the magical connection."

This is a rather private question, and in principle, it shouldn't be disclosed, because the magical link is an absolute secret for every wizard. It represents the other party's maximum casting range, and if this range is known, it means that if the other party wants to attack you or defend against your attack, they can simply find a way to get to a position that the magical link cannot reach.

In that case, even if the other party's mental power can detect your location, they still can't establish a magical connection.

Although Gu Chen asked about the other party's observation and discernment of the limit distance and precision of the magic connection, that was a very private matter... a lot of information could be deduced from this data.

Gu Chen knew this too, but he did need to know this information; it was crucial for the plan, and if they refused to tell him…

Ken's reaction, however, exceeded Gu Chen's expectations.

After a moment's thought, Ken readily agreed:

"Under undisturbed conditions, I can clearly distinguish stable magical connections within fifty meters. If the connection is hidden or deliberately concealed, this distance will be reduced to thirty meters or even twenty meters."

"At greater distances... I can only sense the unusual flow of magic, but I can't pinpoint the exact location of the lines themselves."

Gu Chen subconsciously met Ken's gaze, and Ken smiled slightly.

This bald guy's talents are freedom and betrayal... Strictly speaking, he's forcibly dragged himself onto this pirate ship.

Is what he said true? Or is he hiding something, like his maximum distance is actually longer?

Talent, in a sense, is a reflection of a person's essence. Just based on this talent, Gu Chen doesn't dare to completely trust Ken.

From the very beginning until now, Ken has always been "free".

And anything that is free will, in a sense, inevitably involve betrayal.

"That's enough."

After Ken finished speaking, there was a brief silence on the field. Ysera broke the silence with her words:

"Hunting parties are densely populated, and by blending into the crowd, this area can be covered."

"The first thing to do is to scan quickly. You and Gu Chen need to combine your senses. When your mental vision detects a suspicious connection, and Gu Chen's Soul-Eating Death Qi sense also points in the same direction, then that's basically the target."

"Once the target was identified, the task was to create a disturbance and distract Carcosa. This was a very dangerous and highly skillful operation."

Ysera's expression was serious.

"Carcosa is a second-circle necromancer, very experienced, and his mental resistance is not weak either. I've heard of him... He's nothing to me, but to you, he's like stepping on an ant."

"You can't use too direct a psychological attack, otherwise he'll easily detect it and retaliate, which is no different from suicide."

You need some surprises.

"for example?"

Ken bowed his head and asked respectfully.

"For example, you could use mind control to make a few belligerent apprentices 'coincidentally' clash over an item or have a quarrel near Carcosa, and even accidentally 'affect' his area."

"Or guide some small, dangerous magical creatures in that direction; there are definitely quite a few in Misty Valley."

"Or, try disguising yourself as another faction and letting a detection spell accidentally sweep over him, triggering his vigilance and instinct to retaliate."

Isela listed what could be described as earnest instruction.

As she taught, Ysera seemed to have a faint smile on her face.

It feels great to teach others, especially when the two people opposite you are very eager to learn and not stupid.

"I understand... The key is to be indirect and natural, to temporarily shift his attention away from the target he is protecting and to deal with the immediate troubles, but without making him immediately suspect that it is a trap set for him."

Ken nodded thoughtfully. This was indeed more demanding than a simple illusion attack, and it tested his comprehensive abilities as a mind wizard even more.

Ken was still thinking, while Isera had already turned her gaze to Gu Chen beside her.

"Gu Chen, your surprise attack was the most dangerous part of the entire plan."

"A single, decisive blow."

Ysera looked at him sharply.

"You only have one chance, and the time is extremely short... so I suggest you break your attack into two steps."

"The first step is to approach in the most covert and fastest way. Although you can't use your dark power on a large scale right now, you can try to cover and conceal your presence with shadows in a small area."

"I'll teach you a simple natural stealth technique. Combined with your dark powers, it should work quite well... I'll teach you in a bit."

"Thank you, teacher!"

Gu Chen performed another wizard's ritual.

"Step three..."

"Step four..."

The plan was gradually improved through repeated discussions and refinements.

Every step was carefully considered, and every possibility was taken into account as much as possible.

As night deepened, the three people around the wooden table showed no signs of sleepiness, their minds still highly focused.

Finally, Ysera clapped her hands:

"Alright, the overall framework and key points have been clarified. Tomorrow is the final preparation time."

"I will take you on a quick walk around the safe area outside Misty Valley to familiarize you with the main terrain, possible hiding places, and the planned evacuation routes."

"You all need to memorize the map, and at the same time, you need to practice and train your teamwork."

"Time is tight and the task is heavy."

Ysera looked at the three of them.

"Get a good rest tonight and get your mind and body in top condition."

As Isera spoke, she waved her hand, and the wooden table disappeared, replaced by green vines that grew from the ground, intertwining and eventually forming semicircles that covered the ground.

"You can rest here tonight."

After expressing their gratitude, the three of them went inside to rest.

After all... I've been really tired these past few days.

The night in the golden oak forest remained peaceful, but the atmosphere in the campsite was heavy and tense.

Gu Chen looked up at the sky through the gaps in the vines... The stars hung high in the night sky, but the dark forest blocked his view of them.

Gu Chen had never seen what the stars in this wizarding world actually looked like... The trees in the Black Forest were too dense, and the Gray Tower Academy had magical arrangements and defensive shields, so most of the time the stars were completely invisible. When they were visible, they were most likely simulations...

"I've heard that some powerful wizards can pluck stars from the sky..."

"Can I do it?"

"I would rather my students shine like stars than pluck stars from the sky."

Gu Chen thought to himself, and then fell asleep.

He hadn't rested in a long time and was very tired, but he couldn't stop.

The hunt is not only a trial, but also a gamble with life and death.

The next day, early in the morning.

Before the first ray of light could penetrate the thick canopy of the Black Forest, Gu Chen and the other two had already woken up.

After a simple meal, training and preparation begin immediately.

Ysera led the three away from the Goldleaf Oaks, but they remained within the influence of his natural domain.

They moved quickly along the hidden path towards the outskirts of Misty Valley.

The closer you get to Misty Valley, the more chaotic the magic in the air becomes.

A light, grayish-white mist began to appear in the forest, with faint, multicolored light seeming to flow within it.

"According to the book, these are dissipated magical energy and hallucinogenic miasma formed by long-term exposure to a special force field."

"Light will be distorted in the fog, and sound will also become strange, sometimes clear as if right next to your ear, sometimes blurry and distant."

Ken explained.

"Stay close to me and don't stray more than three meters from me."

At the same time, Issey also reminded him that he was emanating a soft green aura, dispelling the approaching hallucinogenic miasma and stabilizing the spatial perception of a small area around him.

They walked along the high ground at the edge of the canyon, with Isera pointing quickly as they went.

"Look over there, that twisted rocky area. It has many naturally formed crevices and caves, some of which are very deep. They are common hiding places, but they may also be home to dangerous creatures."

"Watch your step. The ground in this area may look solid, but it could be hollow underneath or contain quicksand traps. This was once an ancient arena."

"In that direction, there's an echo forest where sounds are amplified and distorted. It's a good place to create chaos, but it's also an easy place to expose yourself."

"This can be used as an evacuation route. You can avoid the main crowd by heading east along this dry riverbed, but there may be magical mud monsters lurking in the riverbed."

"This place is also good. It's a bit longer but relatively secluded, going up this rocky slope and over the ridge..."

Isera's explanation was quick and precise, and Gu Chen and Ken listened intently, memorizing the terrain features, danger zones, and route choices. Jim also tried his best to memorize; he knew that although he might not act alone, the more he knew about his environment, the safer he would be.

They spent about three hours quickly traversing the key areas on the outskirts of Misty Valley. Although they didn't venture deep into the core ruins of the ancient arena, they gained a clear, three-dimensional understanding of the surrounding terrain.

Finally, after familiarizing themselves with the terrain, the four returned to a relatively open clearing at the edge of the golden oak forest.