The dark mage stood behind Lin Ming and did not attack—it seemed like what the black-robed man was saying was true.
Lin Ming turned to the black-robed man and asked, “What is it that you said only Dark Mages can do?”
“An Ebony Pool, sir. Only a Dark Mage could enter.”
“Ebony Pool?” Gandulf had never mentioned this before. Perhaps the black-robed man was the right person for the job. “But what does the pool do?”
“There is a key in the pool. All the mages coming in here must be looking for it.”
His words piqued Lin Ming’s interest. “Then no one has been able to obtain this key for such a long time? Or rather, no one has tamed you before?” Lin Ming asked. He thought the man’s bones were soft—it took him only a few punches before the man knelt and begged, revealing so many clues. The Juncture opened once every four years, and he found it hard to believe how his seniors weren’t this man’s match.
“Of course, sir, many had fought me. But I am immune to magical attacks. Even if they used magic to kill me, I could quickly repair my body and regain my consciousness,” the man spoke in pride. In the Juncture, he was indestructible.
“Aren’t you afraid of the pain?” Lin Ming grinned.
“Magic attacks are ineffective against me, sir. All mages I had encountered were either too panicked to react or slaughtered by me. No one ever came into close combat.”
“Hmm. True enough.” Lin Ming nodded. The highest-ranked mage in the Juncture was only Tier 7, and their physical strength was no match facing a horrifying Dark Mage.
“Command a few Dark Mages and lead me to the Ebony Pool.”
“Yes, sir.” As the man cast his spell, another two Dark Mages joined their group. He moved to the front and led Lin Ming forward.
Outside of the Juncture—
All Sage Tier Mages were observing Lin Ming nervously. They hadn’t expected Gandulf’s disciple could discover new clues on his first visit. If there were hints of breakthroughs in the Ebony Pool, they would even bow down to him.
Inside the Juncture—
Lin Ming followed the black-robed man for four hours before arriving—he was amazed by the size of the Juncture.
“Sir, we have finally arrived!”
“Can you bring me the key now?”
The man instructed the three Dark Mages to head into the pool. “Go!”
Even when Lin Ming was so far away, he could feel the corrosive and harmful nature of the Ebony Pool. But the man was right—Dark Mages posed no problem entering and leaving the pool, just like humans diving into hot springs.
The black-robed man lowered his head. “Sir.”
Lin Ming raised a brow. “What’s the matter?”
“I lost contact with my men. I need to go down myself to take a look. I have your Seed of Flame. You could rest assured, sir.”
“All right.”
After receiving Lin Ming’s affirmation, the man marched into the Ebony Pool. He heaved a sigh of relief. He could feel the flame threatening his life extinguished.
“Thank you for trusting me, sir. I will go and find the key for you right now!” The man cracked up and mocked, “You are good, sir. But you are not smart enough.”
Outside of the Juncture—
All Sage Tier Mages shook their heads in disappointment. They thought Lin Ming could find something. It had been so many years, after all. Though Lin Ming was powerful, he would give his trust away without a doubt. How could he have believed in a Dark Mage?
Inside the Juncture—
Lin Ming smiled at the arrogant man. He knew the Dark Magic in the Ebony pool could put out his Seed of Flame. He had other plans in his mind.
Whoosh!
While the man was still laughing uncontrollably, a black object flew into his mouth. He froze. “You!” He knew something was wrong.
“What do you think this is?” Lin Ming pulled out a chain of bells.
“My Soul-absorbing Bells!” The man’s face turned white with fright. Just a moment ago, it was still on his waist. How did it suddenly end up in Lin Ming’s hands?
As Lin Ming walked behind the man, he had guessed the man was controlling other dark mages through the bells. Thus, before the man entered the pool for his devious ideas, Lin Ming snatched the Soul-absorbing Bells over. The man was too absorbed over his victory to have noticed his bells gone.
Lin Ming smirked. “Guess what just entered your mouth.”
“A magical core. You—” The man’s jaw fell open.
“You’re good. But you talk too much. If it weren’t for your talking, you would only have lost the Soul-absorbing Bells. Now, before I use the bells to control you, come back up here at once.” Lin Ming pointed to his side.
Pale-faced, the man returned to Lin Ming. After the core entered his body, it would fuse with his soul. It was only after death that the core would reconsolidate. The man gave up restraining.
“So the key you talked about earlier—is it true?” That was what was on Lin Ming’s mind all along.
