Chinese professors at the Wizarding Academy

"I saw it; it's indeed very well hidden."

Following Ken's guidance, Gu Chen turned his gaze over and used a bit of his mental energy to investigate.

"His magical flow is strange."

Ken's telepathic message reached his mind, and he seemed quite puzzled.

"Most of the time it is as still as a stone, but every now and then there will be a little fluctuation, not very obvious, and the time is very short, just a few seconds."

Ken paused for a moment. While listening to Ken's telepathic message, Gu Chen also completed his mental investigation and noticed the strange, irregular fluctuations in magical power.

Every two minutes, a very faint and hidden magical connection would extend from the black-robed man's body, flowing towards the distant sea of ​​mist before immediately returning to silence.

"What...remote Bluetooth connection?"

Gu Chen thought to himself.

He's been dealing with so many things lately that, under pressure, he's developed a habit of complaining.

The meaning of such magical fluctuations is quite obvious.

While magical connections can certainly be made more discreet, stability must still be considered to some extent.

The fluctuations are so shallow, it's practically a puppet control line...

"It looks like this is most likely the puppet control line."

"Ken, what do you think? Can you determine the approximate distance of the connection and the situation at the other end?"

Ken's reply came immediately from the other end:

"I agree, this should be the puppet control line, but there's a problem right now. The fluctuations of this line are too weak. Once it's activated, it immediately disappears in the various complex interferences and chaotic magical environment of Misty Valley."

"Or rather, it didn't disappear, but I was simply too weak to catch up."

For some reason, Gu Chen felt that Ken's last sentence sounded somewhat resentful.

"It's alright, Ken. The distance here is quite far, so you don't need to trace the route anymore. What's the nature of this person's magic?"

Since we can't trace back in the opposite direction, let's try to confirm the puppet's identity first.

Ken paused for a moment, then replied:

"This person's magic itself doesn't have much of a life force; it has a hollow feel to it, as if it's being filled."

"He doesn't seem like a living wizard, he's more like... a dead person."

"But it was forcibly controlled by some kind of magic, and at the same time, some magical power was stuffed into it for the controller's use."

The last sentence was spoken by Gu Chen, which essentially confirmed the identity of the black-robed wizard.

"Can you see her face clearly?"

Gu Chen asked,

"I can't see clearly and can't confirm its identity, but I don't think it's a puppet disguised as Jobeck. The magical fluctuations are too weak."

"So it might be something like a lookout post?"

That's what I think.

The two discussed the matter, unable to determine the identity of the man in black robes in front of them for the time being.

"Are you sure you can't track them down?"

"It's too difficult to track them down."

The plan is meticulously crafted, and any mishap could lead to total failure.

Often, planning is like putting a refrigerator inside an elephant: first, find an elephant; second, stuff the refrigerator inside; third, the plan is complete.

So here's the question: how do you fit a refrigerator inside an elephant's body?

Gu Chen realized that this was the problem he was currently facing.

The biggest problem now is how to successfully track them...

"It seems we'll have to take a more risky approach."

Gu Chen certainly didn't want to take too much risk... but it was indeed impossible to successfully track them down at the moment, which was to be expected...

Of course, there are other methods!

That would be riskier, using Jim as bait.

Just as this thought popped into his head, Jim's voice came through.

His voice also timidly rang out in the link:

"T-Teacher...the pendant felt slightly warm just now, very slightly, when I was looking in the direction of that black stone...but now it's gone."

The pendant is reacting!

Although slight and brief, this coincides with Ken's findings.

Gu Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Jim was being targeted... the pendant Ysera gave him was capable of intercepting mental probes.

The other side did indeed conduct a mental probe on Jim, but it was stopped...

Therefore, the person controlling the other party is most likely Calkosa, or Joebeck himself.

"Keep an eye on him, but don't alert him."

Gu Chen calmly issued the order.

"Ken, try to expand the scan area slightly without attracting his attention, and see if there are any similar sentries or hidden guards nearby."

"Jim, keep an eye on the pendant and report any changes immediately."

"clear."

Ken answered, and he began to further expand his mental perception, like a patient spider, starting to weave a more intricate web of detection centered on the figure in the gray cloak and black robe.

Gu Chen then began to carefully observe the sea of ​​fog to the northeast.

"Sentinel, deep within Misty Valley..."

"This is truly dangerous..."

"It seems they were prepared for our arrival."

"But it's alright, let me see what you're capable of."

Gu Chen gazed into the distance; the sea of ​​mist had penetrated deep into the heart of Misty Valley, beyond the outer area that Ysera had brought them to.

The fog there is much thicker, and the illusions and magical interference must be even stronger. If Jobeck's true form is hiding there, it must be under much tighter protection.

At present, there is nothing particularly Gu Chen can do. He can only wait for news from Ken and decide on the next steps based on the conclusions that come back.

Waiting is agonizing.

The hustle and bustle at the valley entrance seemed far away from them; the three of them were focused on the black boulder and the depths of the distant mist.

About half an hour later, Ken sent another message:

"No other obvious sentries or guards were found. This person... well, the puppet, seems to be independent."

"He would occasionally turn his head very slightly, and his gaze under the mask seemed to be observing the conflicts and movement of people in several fixed directions at the valley entrance, as if he were gathering information."

"He himself hardly moved at all."

A puppet with observation and signal relay capabilities? That's very much in line with the puppeteer's cautious style.

Using such an inconspicuous sentry to gather intelligence at the relatively safe valley entrance can serve as both an information gatherer and a signal receiver, allowing for remote control of puppets deep within the foggy sea for hunting or exploration.

"We've found the fuse."

Gu Chen said in his mind that he had a new idea. Since this gray-cloaked, black-robed wizard was obviously a puppet, then it was actually like a kite.

"Next, we need to confirm the location of the kite and where the person flying it is."

He wanted to get close to that node and try to use the puppet to sense the soul-corroding death energy in order to locate the puppet or even its main body deep in the fog sea.

This is certainly very dangerous. If this person or this point in time notices it, it might alert the enemy and cause all our efforts to be in vain.

"Ken, is there any way I can briefly get within twenty meters of that puppet, while remaining discreet and not triggering its alarm?"

"Or are you creating a realistic illusion of me in the other person's mind, staying in the same place to cover my movement?"

Ken thought for a few seconds:

"Illusory clones? No problem."

"But you need to completely conceal your aura, slow down your movement speed, and not use any active magic."

"That puppet seems to be very sensitive to magical fluctuations... and I suspect it may have our data. The reason Jim's pendant blocked a mental probe just now was because that puppet glanced at Jim."

"As for approaching without triggering an alarm... I'm not sure, it might have some kind of passive alert barrier or something."

Gu Chen frowned... This is troublesome.

But at that moment, an even more intense conflict suddenly broke out on the other side of the valley entrance!

Several blazing fire snakes and frost rays collided in mid-air, the shockwave from the explosion knocking over several unlucky apprentices. Exclamations and curses rang out, attracting the attention of most people, even the gray-cloaked figure near the black boulder turned to look.

opportunity!

Gu Chen was overjoyed!

Has luck finally turned around?

Such chaos means opportunity! He immediately shouted to Ken through the link:

"Now! Ken, prepare to cast the illusion! Jim, stay put, Ken will protect you!"

He made a decisive decision and took immediate action!

Ken's gaze sharpened, and the green magic of his soul silently surged forth.

Beside the rock where Gu Chen had been leaning, a "phantom" that was exactly the same as Gu Chen in appearance and posture quietly took shape.

It is so lifelike that it even simulates the subtle rise and fall of breathing.

Meanwhile, the real Gu Chen was already advancing stealthily along the ground under the cover of the explosions and chaotic flashes of light.

Using the rocks and fog as cover, he moved slowly and steadily toward the black boulder.

"Many stumbling blocks..."

In Gu Chen's stealthy eyes, the other party's mental energy detection was practically omnipresent!

However, thanks to his star-gazing technique, those probes that he couldn't perceive with his ring count were now clear lines in his field of vision, and he just needed to avoid them.

Gu Chen suppressed his breathing to the lowest level, slowed his heartbeat, completely suppressed the power in his right arm, and even reduced the operation of the "Star Gazing Technique" to the level of maintaining the minimum life activity. His whole body was like a stone without any life force.

Gu Chen's experience in the Black Forest had honed his skills; his footsteps were as light as feathers, making almost no sound as he trod on the gravel and moss.

Thirty meters... twenty-five meters... twenty meters!

He successfully sneaked to a low stalagmite about twenty meters away from the black boulder, where the view was better and he could clearly see the side of the gray cloak.

As you get closer, your perception becomes clearer.

"It stinks..."

Gu Chen frowned and touched his nose...

The puppet emitted a faint smell of preservatives and old parchment. Upon smelling this, Gu Chen was absolutely certain that it was not a living person, but a genuine corpse.

Beneath its grey cloak, one could vaguely see a highly decomposed body, containing some kind of treated leather or wood structure, with black magical runes engraved at the joints.

It's now!

Gu Chen concentrated all his energy and carefully mobilized the Soul-Eating Death Qi in his right arm, which was of the same origin as Qiao Beike's, to push his senses to the limit!

He listened intently to his surroundings, staring intently at the gray cloak in front of him, trying to see the magical connection or hear the sound of magical fluctuations.

hum...

at last!

An extremely subtle magical fluctuation emanated from the puppet once again, even clearer than the one Ken had detected before!

Gu Chen could even see a thin, almost transparent, blackish-gray magic thread!

The thin line shot out from a hidden rune on the puppet's chest and instantly disappeared into the thick fog to the northeast!

This is the line!

Almost simultaneously, the soul-corroding death energy within his right arm resonated even more clearly!

It was a distant yet clear attraction, coming from the direction where that magical thread disappeared!

That's right, it's the soul-corroding death energy left in Joe Beck's body!

Over there! Although still separated by thick fog and distance, the direction was crystal clear!

"Confirmed!"

Gu Chen suppressed his excitement and quickly spoke through the telepathic connection.

"The control line points northeast, and the Soul-Eating Death Aura is clearly resonating there; the target is over there!"

"receive!"

Ken's voice also carried a hint of excitement. Gu Chen glanced at him and felt that although the bald head was covered in mud, it seemed to have shone a few times...

"Wait, is that bald head some kind of indicator light...?"

Unlike Gu Chen, who was complaining, Ken was focused on giving his report.

"The illusion is working well and hasn't attracted attention. Teacher, what's next? Should we just eliminate this sentinel? But that might alert them over there."

Gu Chen quickly thought about it.

Disposing of the puppet might sever or disrupt control, but it would inevitably alert Jobeck, or even Kalxa or the Dark Eroder. It's like hitting the child and getting the mother, then hitting the mother and getting the father...

However, leaving the node intact could allow it to continue providing intelligence to Chobeck and his team.

"Not to destroy directly."

Gu Chen made a decision.

He intends to make a middle choice.

"Ken, could you try to subtly influence this point?"

"No need for control or disruption, just interference, so that the information it sends back is slightly delayed or contains a few insignificant errors."

Ken paused for a few seconds, seemingly assessing the feasibility:

"It's worth a try, but it will take time, and we must be extremely careful, lest its defenses detect it..."

"We don't need to be completely successful, just try to implant interference, and then immediately withdraw from this close-range location."

Gu Chen said, "At the same time, prepare to execute the second phase."

"It's time to create some chaos."

"We need to draw the guards' attention as much as possible. Since the target area is in the northeast, we'll muddy the waters here to make the accident seem plausible."

"Understood. Give me a minute."

Ken began to concentrate his mind. If he were to directly control the puppet, it would be extremely difficult, practically impossible, because the puppet essentially had no consciousness... and even if it did, it would only be a remnant soul.

Now the requirement is very simple.

Ken's mental magic quietly approached the puppet, then gently burrowed in, and attempted to penetrate its core.

This is an extremely delicate task, like trying to avoid stepping on any poisonous mushrooms in a forest of poisonous mushrooms.