Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3142: Chapter 3143: Gossip Sharing

"Is Dong Liz currently in the Sky Mechanical City?"

Portia nodded: "Ever since the New Star Tournament ended, she hasn’t left."

The opening of the Endless Corridor has made many apprentices reluctant to leave. Not just Dong Liz, even the contestants from the New Star Tournament haven’t left.

Even Lyon, her brother, is still in the Sky Mechanical City. Although he cannot enter the Endless Corridor, he can accumulate combat experience through the Sky Tower, which is still beneficial.

Since Dong Liz is still in the Sky Mechanical City, Angel thought it over and decided to nod and have a chat with her.

Portia smiled and said, "Then I’ll notify her now."

Although Angel hadn’t nodded in agreement yet, his willingness to meet Dong Liz already showed his inclination.

As long as Dong Liz’s "sister" doesn’t make the request too difficult, Angel would most likely agree to the plan.

Portia certainly knew that if Angel chose the first plan, she could earn a favor from him, but at this moment, she’d rather exchange for that material from Witch Sharley.

As long as she could obtain that material, her research would definitely make substantial progress. Even if Angel hadn’t found the Magic Pattern for material transformation into life, her research could continue.

— Yes, Portia still remembered asking Angel to help find the Magic Pattern for material transforming into life.

However, though she remembered, she did not ask Angel about it today.

The reason is simple: she herself was secretly searching for the related Magic Pattern and knew the difficulty involved. She did not think Angel could find it in such a short time.

Moreover, according to the intelligence from Serlan Master of Valley of Breeze, the Magic Pattern for material transforming into life hadn’t appeared in the Southern Domain for nearly a millennium. To find the related Magic Pattern, one must go to its origin: the Abyss.

Portia learned from Regina that Angel hadn’t left the Southern Domain recently at all, and since he was still in the Southern Domain for such a short time, he probably couldn’t find the related Magic Pattern.

Therefore, Portia hadn’t planned to inquire Angel about the Magic Pattern this time at all.

As for Angel’s concern over sending out a "favor", it was basically unfounded.

About half a minute later, Portia looked up at Angel: "I just couldn’t reach Dong Liz, but I learned from Antonio that she went to the Endless Corridor half an hour ago. Based on her usual clearing time, she’ll probably come out in about five to ten minutes. Shall we wait for her?"

Angel nodded.

Five to ten minutes isn’t too long. Besides, the Endless Corridor is right near the Sky Tower, and the Signal Tower isn’t far from there either, so Dong Liz won’t take long to arrive.

During the waiting time for Dong Liz, Angel and Portia chatted casually.

Angel had been worried that Portia might mention the Magic Pattern, and he had already prepared what to say if she did. However, Portia seemed to have forgotten about the Magic Pattern entirely and didn’t mention it at all.

Her conversations with Angel were mostly about recent gossip from the Research and Development Institute and playful banter regarding the small-scale cultural change sparked by the popular poker and theater shadow box projects in the Sky Mechanical City.

However, Portia’s thinking was quite jumpy, so even when chatting about gossip, she often had disjointed conversations.

For example, she was talking about: "A new poker gameplay has emerged recently, supposedly allowing 22 players to play at once. But to gather so many poker friends, you’d have to go to Elysium Pavillion."

Angel: ... A 22-player poker game? He remembered discussing some poker plays with Sharley before, but he hadn’t mentioned a 22-player game, had he? Is it a local original gameplay?

While Angel was pondering about poker, Portia’s topic shifted again:

"Speaking of Elysium Pavillion, have you heard? Due to the leaked prophecy from Stargazing Day saying that the Blissful Pure Land would be overturned by a ’returner’, Elysium Pavillion has been frantically shrinking recently. That sharp-tongued Witch Honey芽 is now as cautious as a rat in the Underground Path, frightened at the slightest gust of wind, and has often been pestering Lord Rosen, attempting to involve the Sky Mechanical City in dealing with the so-called returner. I think she’s not thinking clearly; how could Lord Rosen casually provoke a top-tier wizard?"

"Attempting to use beauty to seduce Lord Rosen, without even considering Lord Rosen’s bodily structure, I reckon anything other than his skull has been turned into machinery. He can’t even get hard, let alone be attracted by beauty, it’s laughable."

Angel: ... Seems like I’ve heard something peculiar. You witches gossip this deeply? Aren’t you afraid of Lord Rosen coming to confront you?

Portia: "Nonetheless, Elysium Pavillion manages to keep sight of profitable opportunities amidst such chaos, opening a poker club and even inviting Sharley to perform a poker magic show at the opening ceremony. One must say some of them have a keen sense."

"In just a few months, they’ve earned quite a bit of Magic Crystals solely from the poker club. Even if others imitate now, they can’t match their scale."

After sighing, Portia switched topics again: "By the way, speaking of making money, recently besides poker, your theater shadow box has become very popular too. Though Elysium Pavillion dares to touch poker, they won’t dare to touch your theater shadow box. Do you know why?"

Angel was about to answer, but Portia spoke first: "Because they simply can’t find a good source."

Words already at the tip of his tongue, Angel silently swallowed them back down. It seems Portia’s current state doesn’t need a conversation partner, just someone to listen.

"Recently, more people have been able to refine theater shadow boxes than before. But I’ve bought a few, and they simply can’t compare to ones you’ve refined, whether in terms of realism or storyline, even with the lens language you talked about during class, they’re far behind yours."

"Given such circumstances, even if Elysium Pavillion intends to open a ’Grand Theater’, they can’t acquire shadow boxes that everyone would recognize."

"Unless they could buy shadow boxes made by you. Just that, your shadow boxes are no longer available in the market; even occasionally released ones are immediately snapped up, and they simply can’t compete."

"From what I know, they even plan to approach you directly, only they can’t find you."

At this point, Portia teasingly smiled at Angel and said, "You’ve made quite a name for yourself now, being pursued by a group of enchanting witches, are you pleased?"

Angel: "..."

"Regarding the theater shadow box, I also have a confidential piece of news." Portia: "Reportedly, Sterling has been researching theater shadow boxes recently, even borrowing your name."

Angel initially decided not to speak and just listen to Portia, but upon hearing news about Sterling, especially related to himself, he couldn’t help but say: "Borrowing my name?"

He clearly hasn’t met Sterling...

Portia nodded: "Exactly, using your name. Though he hasn’t done anything negative, just claiming to be your colleague, and he even possesses a shadow box refined by you, using it to attract numerous talents from the Illusion Series."

"It seems he wants to research methods to mass-produce theater shadow boxes, then... you know, he’s simply obsessed with money, aiming to profit."

Angel: "...That’s very Sterling."

According to Portia’s description, Sterling seems intent on replicating Angel’s shadow boxes, and mass-producing them for hefty profits.

"However, just by using my name, you can recruit talent for the Illusion Series? What kind of logic is this?" Angel was a bit puzzled. Are talents for the Illusion Series that easy to find?

Moreover, this logic is quite flawed. If these Illusion Series talents would really join Sterling because of Angel, why wouldn’t they just join the Illusion Demon Island directly?

Even if Illusion Demon Island has a threshold, they can still join the Barbarian Cave first.

Angel didn’t understand.

Portia didn’t understand either: "Anyway, that’s what the rumors I heard say. I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, so I don’t know the specifics. If you’re really curious, you can go see Sterling yourself. I believe he definitely wouldn’t refuse to meet you."

Hearing Portia say this, Angel actually felt a bit enlightened... So it’s just a rumor, and rumors tend to exaggerate. That’s perfectly normal.

The real situation might not involve recruiting Illusion Series talent under his name but rather Sterling finding them through other means.

However, from a publicity standpoint, saying "under Angel’s name" is more of a gimmick, especially now when Angel is under the spotlight of so many people. This kind of gimmick garners more attention.

After some gossip, Portia also talked about some serious matters.

For instance, just like Midora, after knowing that Angel was located at Bilun Tree Court, she also paid attention to Angel’s current situation.

She also talked about Dong La’s matters.

Her suggestion was similar to Midora’s. Since Dong La didn’t show up in person but just had her assistant make some declarations, Angel really didn’t need to respond.

However, Dong La’s declarations were a landmine as well.

After all, as a member of the Research and Development Institute, her words carry weight no less than Angel’s, and her network is certainly broader than Angel’s. If Angel wants to secure his current position, he still has to find a way to navigate past this landmine.

Portia was quite worried about Angel at first, but after learning that Angel already had a plan and intended to release a new product at the Tea Party, she said no more and didn’t ask what exactly Angel had developed.

Because she was sure to attend the Tea Party, she’ll find out then.

Nevertheless, Portia added, "Choosing the Tea Party to release your new product is good timing, especially since the Barbarian Cave is the host of this Tea Party, controlling public opinion will be relatively easier. But you mustn’t relax, since Dong La might also attend the Tea Party, and your new product, even if it can’t convince Dong La, should at least gain the trust of the other witches."

"Otherwise, if Dong La decides to confront you directly, your arrangements might backfire."

In other words, Angel’s new product shouldn’t be mediocre; it needs to rely on its quality to win others over rather than leveraging the host’s role to sway opinions.

Angel understood this as well, but he wasn’t worried at all.

The Wilderness of Dreams might not immediately win everyone over, but its emergence is bound to become a historical turning point for the Southern Domain.

This statement wasn’t made by Angel but by the Observer.

If even the Observer thought so, there’s no need to mention others.

That being said, Portia’s reminder made Angel aware of something he had overlooked before: Dong La might really attend the Tea Party.

He initially thought Dong La might not attend due to Madeline’s involvement. But thinking it over, it’s very likely Dong La will attend. Moreover, as a guest and an Alchemy Master, the Barbarian Cave, as the host, wouldn’t dare act against Dong La and would even have to ensure her safety at the Tea Party.

If she confirmed that someone tried to kill her in the Abyss at Galina, Dong La might use that to cause a fuss.

If that happens, the Barbarian Cave might actually find itself constrained.

This is something Angel might need to mention to Lianna in advance to avoid trouble if Dong La indeed acts up.

...

About fifteen minutes later, Portia received a message from Antonio that Dong Liz had already arrived outside the Signal Tower.

With the sound of footsteps, Dong Liz walked into the area illuminated by the light screen.

She was wearing an exquisite black princess dress with an elaborately extravagant Sinan hat on her head. The hat was conical, shaped with wires inside, with a golden hoop securing the brim, which was trimmed with deep black velvet and hung with silver translucent veils.

Her attire was already extravagant, but her actions were even more flamboyant.

She moved like a delicate puppet, with jerky, stiff, and sluggish motions as each movement appeared highly discordant.

It seemed as if an unseen string was being manipulated from behind, pulling her forward to stand before them.

However, this puppet-like impression only surfaced while she was moving; once she stood still, her expression was less stiff. Yet, it didn’t resume normal human posture, but instead, she tilted her head and spoke incomprehensible cruel words in a sweet voice.

Judging by the direction of her head, she seemed to be talking to someone behind her.

But there was no one behind her.

If indeed there was someone, it could only be her "non-existent" sister.

Once she stood still, she turned her head languidly and curtseyed gracefully to Portia and Angel with a sweet voice.

"Master, you called me over; could it be you’ve agreed to refine the hat? My sister is already eager to see her new hat~" Dong Liz eagerly looked at Angel.

Angel did not immediately respond to Dong Liz but instead carefully recalled her behaviors after she entered.

Previously he found Dong Liz’s actions peculiar, but if someone was indeed behind her, her odd behaviors could be explained.

Moreover, from the details in her eyes, Angel could feel she genuinely believed there was a "sister" beside her, though only she could see this sister.

Angel contemplated, "To have me refine the hat, you’ll need to answer a few questions for me."

Dong Liz’s expression turned pitiful for a moment, muttering softly: "So the master hasn’t set conditions yet... Despite my sister really wanting the hat refined by the master."

"But oh well. If Master wants me to answer questions, then I’ll answer them~ I love answering questions the most, and so does my sister~" Just a second ago, Dong Liz was feigning grievance, and the next, she was swaying her head and laughing coquettishly with a dazed look in her eyes.

Angel paid no mind to Dong Liz’s ’performance,’ and calmly spoke: "First question, why are you so insistent on having me refine the hat? Why not someone else?"

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