pertwk Chapter 143 Understanding the Ring, Arriving at the Wasteland Outpost
Chapter 143 Understanding the Ring, Arriving at the Wasteland Outpost
Chapter 143 Understanding the Ring, Arriving at the Wasteland Outpost
A very faint, almost invisible halo rippled from the ring.
In an instant, the world around him became clearer in Rolin's perception.
The faint pulsations of energy lines within the walls, the elemental fluctuations faintly leaking from the distant laboratory, and even the various sparse energy particles floating in the air are all presented in a more orderly and detailed way in the auxiliary field of vision of the echo unit.
He could even "see" the peaceful and stable aura of spiritual power that belonged to an old wizard on the old wizard's body.
With another thought, he focused his attention on a nearby lamp with runic lighting.
A faint light shone from inside the ring's crystal, and a series of data about the energy fluctuation frequency, intensity, and spectral composition of the rune lamp were clearly recorded and fed back into consciousness.
At the same time, a more subtle and skin-friendly energy shield is generated from the base of the ring, slowly covering the palm and forearm, bringing a sense of security and protection.
"good!"
Luo Lin sincerely praised the association's craftsmanship and expressed his satisfaction.
"It perfectly meets my needs."
"That's for sure. The chief surgeon is Master Colin, who is a renowned micro-sculptor in the association."
The old wizard said with a smile.
"The total cost is 2,150 battle merits. We'll round it down to 2,110 for you."
"7
"Give me the receipt."
Luo Lin readily transferred his war merits.
Although expensive, this piece of equipment, which he himself named the Ring of Insight, is absolutely worth the price.
Back in the lab with the new equipment, Luo Lin spent some time familiarizing himself with its functions and coordinating it with the sensing module of the echo unit to enable more efficient integration of their information flows.
Then he began packing his belongings.
Essential clothing, food, and drinking water can be stored in a portable insulated box.
Commonly used research tools:
Magnifying glass, rune ruler, energy-sensing powder, specially made high-temperature resistant parchment and ink, and several blank recording crystals.
I carefully wrapped up the several bottles of high-quality calming potions and quick-recovery potions I had exchanged at the exchange point.
Soria's notes, rubbings of metal fragments, rubbings of gray stone slabs, and other important materials were kept separately in a leather wallet with an inner layer protected and guarded by spells.
Finally, I checked my standard equipment:
A spare grey robe, the metal spear he was comfortable using, a few emergency explosive crystals and smoke grenades, and Bahamut 0
The little guy seemed excited about going to the Scorching Hell again, bouncing restlessly on Rolin's shoulder, his six eyes flashing with a dark red light.
Once everything was ready, Rowling went to the Seventh Laboratory to say goodbye to Researcher Murphy and explain the situation.
Murphy was somewhat disappointed that the experiment had to be paused, but he understood. He just told Rowling to be careful and to bring back some "novel samples" if possible.
The next morning, as agreed, Roland arrived at the small teleportation plaza on the west side of the Holy Tower headquarters.
Duden, the researcher, and another wizard were already waiting there.
Researcher Duden appeared to be around fifty years old, tall and thin, wearing a dark brown, slightly worn but clean research robe. His hair was neatly combed, and his face bore the pallor and a few wrinkles left by years of desk work, but his eyes were unusually bright and piercing. At that moment, he was writing and drawing in a notebook.
The other wizard was quite different.
He was a burly man, half a head taller than Flame Shield, wearing a dark gray battle robe in the style of Shadow Raven, covered by light chainmail, with a sheathless, broad-bladed two-handed sword hanging at his waist, its blade covered with dark runes.
His face was resolute, with a short beard on his chin and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. He stood with his arms crossed, silently sizing up Rolin as he approached.
Judging from the restrained yet powerful magical energy emanating from him, he is an experienced combat-oriented second-ring wizard.
"The Wizard of Rowling? I am Duden."
Duden, the researcher, stopped writing, closed his notebook, and spoke in a gentle tone, yet with the directness of a researcher.
"This is Ironwall Gorsen, in charge of our security for this trip."
Iron Wall?
Rowling recalled that there was a strong man named Ironwall in the Horn Wizard's team before. It seems that this is a common nickname or title in the Shadow Raven Tower.
This Gorson has a similar temperament to the previous Iron Wall, but is more composed and reserved.
"Duden Researcher, Gorson Wizard."
Luo Lin nodded slightly in greeting.
Gorson nodded, his voice deep and powerful: "Rolling, Horn mentioned you, saying you're quick-witted and quite daring in the Fragment World."
"This mission is primarily research-oriented, but the situation may change. Stay close to the team and follow instructions in case of any issues."
"Understood," Rowling replied simply.
"Alright, we don't have much time. We'll talk in detail on the way." Researcher Duden gestured to the teleportation array next to him.
"This time we've been teleported to the Wasteland Outpost, a secret outpost we set up on the edge of the Iron Wasteland, not far from the entrance to the Scorching Hell Fragment."
"From there, we need to hike across a short stretch of wasteland to reach the rendezvous point agreed upon with the Empire."
The three of them stood on a teleportation platform inscribed with complex runes.
The light came on, and the familiar feeling of weightlessness and dizziness followed.
After a brief teleportation, I found myself on solid but rough ground.
The air was scorching and dry, carrying the dust and faint smell of sulfur unique to the wasteland.
The Wasteland Outpost is a simple outpost partially buried underground, constructed of rocks and metal plates, and currently only a few wizard apprentices remain there.
Without lingering, after Researcher Duden presented the order, an apprentice guide familiar with the terrain led them out through a hidden back door of the outpost and into the vast Iron Wasteland.
They trekked for about three hours.
The scenery along the way was exactly the same as the wasteland in Rolin's memory: scorched earth, scattered moss, and the sweltering heat in the distance distorted his vision.
Occasionally, one can see the skeletons of some wasteland creatures, and the unsettling, frenzied energy emanating from the fragments of the scorching hell in the air gradually intensifies as one approaches the entrance.
Finally, after crossing a low slope covered with wind-eroded rocks, a sign for the rendezvous point appeared ahead.
A metal pole is stuck in the scorched earth, with a dark red banner bearing the flame emblem of the Molten Empire hanging from its top.
Beneath the banner stood five Imperial soldiers clad in dark red armor trimmed with black, and a native civil official in a leather robe with orange soul fire in his eye sockets.
The leading Imperial officer was exceptionally tall, with a blazing white soul flame and a powerful aura, in no way inferior to the elite Forge Guards that Rolin had seen before, and perhaps even stronger.
He held a halberd burning with dark red flames, his eyes scanning the three approaching figures warily.
Researcher Duden stepped forward and negotiated in the Imperial language, which was slightly broken but pronounced accurately, presenting a permission document jointly issued by the Royal Court and the Shadow Raven Tower.
The Imperial officer carefully examined the documents, then swept his scrutinizing gaze over Duden, Gorson, and Rolin one by one. He lingered a little longer on Rolin, the much younger-looking first-ring wizard, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he ultimately nodded and stepped aside.
"Follow me! Maintain formation, do not leave without permission, do not cast spells at will, and do not spy on military facilities."
The officer gave the order concisely, using the common language of the material world, clearly indicating that he had also been trained.
Five soldiers immediately lined up in front and behind, subtly surrounding the three men in the middle.
The civil servants silently followed beside the military officers.