8mi Chapter 104 Otherworldly Relics
Chapter 104 Otherworldly Relics
Chapter 104 Otherworldly Relics
At the same time, he also noticed that after successfully constructing the echo unit, his resistance to the corrupting source energy seemed to have slightly improved. This was likely due to the existence of the interface layer and the encapsulation layer, which allowed his body and soul to adapt to its energy characteristics within a controllable range.
Just as Rowling was engrossed in analyzing the new data and recording his own changes, the War Affairs Office issued another order.
This time, the order was of a higher level, requiring him to report to the high-level council chamber immediately, as an important task had been assigned.
High-level council chamber?
That's usually where announcements involving strategic or particularly important tasks are made.
Roland's heart skipped a beat. Without delay, he quickly tidied his appearance, took Baha with him, and hurried over.
The atmosphere in the council chamber was heavy. In addition to several high-ranking wizards, there were also a few first- or second-ring wizards, each with their own specialties, who had been urgently summoned like Rowling. There were about seven or eight people in total.
Rollin noticed that Heinz and Weina were among them. The three exchanged glances, all seeing the confusion and seriousness in each other's eyes.
The meeting was chaired by an old wizard with an unfathomable aura and white hair and beard. The badge on his chest indicated that he was a third-ring wizard and an important member of the Shadowraven Tower's decision-making body.
"Everyone is here."
"To make a long story short, we have received reliable intelligence that the Ash Ring has discovered and is attempting to activate an ancient ruin deep within the Iron Wasteland."
"Based on the scattered documents deciphered and our divination, the ruins are not native to this world. They are very likely related to some other world with fire attributes or — chaotic and corrosive attributes."
The old wizard's gaze swept over the crowd, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable authority.
Another world?
A thought struck Luo Lin.
"The purpose of the Ash Ring is likely to use the otherworldly power or knowledge that may exist in the ruins to reverse the current stalemate on the border battlefield, or even create a threat that we cannot deal with."
"We cannot stand idly by."
"Your mission is to form an elite infiltration team, infiltrate the Iron Wasteland, find the ruins, and investigate the progress of the Ash Ring."
"If possible, disrupt their activation ritual, or obtain crucial intelligence and bring it back."
The old wizard continued.
"The Iron Wasteland has an extreme environment, with high temperatures, toxic gases, and active fire elemental energy everywhere, making it difficult for ordinary wizards to stay for long periods of time."
"Therefore, everyone here must either have special resistance or adaptability to fire environments, or possess excellent stealth, reconnaissance, or survival skills."
The old wizard's gaze lingered on Rowling for a moment. Clearly, Horn's report on the Shattered Star Bay mission had drawn the attention of the higher-ups to Rowling's performance in adaptive combat and handling anomalous energy.
"This mission is classified as high-risk. We may encounter the elite guards of the Ash Ring directly, or even face the influence of unknown otherworldly forces."
"But the rewards and honors for success will be extremely generous, and they will be crucial to the overall strategic situation."
"Now, I'll give you half an hour to consider and prepare."
"Those willing to accept the mission, please stay and receive detailed intelligence and supplies."
"Those who are unwilling to accept this can leave without any punishment."
The council chamber was silent.
High risk, but also high reward and important strategic significance.
More importantly, the keyword "otherworldly ruins" held a strong attraction for Rowling.
Having just established a weak connection with the corrupted world, are we now likely to come into contact with another relic that may be related to another world?
This is an amazing opportunity to expand your knowledge of different worlds!
Of course, the danger is very real.
But the path of a wizard is inherently fraught with risk.
Without hesitation, Roland stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "I accept the mission."
Heinz and Weina exchanged a glance and stepped forward almost simultaneously.
After a moment's deliberation, five of the other wizards chose to stay, while the other two quietly left the council hall.
Ultimately, a temporary special operations team consisting of eight first- and second-ring wizards was formed.
Besides Rolin, Heinz, and Weina, there is also a second-circle red-haired witch named Ella who is skilled in fire magic and high-temperature environments.
Shadow, a middle-aged second-ring wizard skilled in stealth, disguise, and traps.
Rockheart, a second-ring veteran wizard who possesses unique earth-sensing magic and can detect underground structures.
And two other first-ring wizards who also possess fire resistance and have balanced combat abilities.
The old wizard presented eight sealed scrolls of information, enchanted with a secrecy spell, along with corresponding supplies:
They were given powerful flame protection agents, antidotes, and high-energy compressed food.
"The intelligence includes the approximate location of the ruins, known signs of activity in the Ash Ring, and some information about dangerous creatures and environmental precautions in that wasteland."
"Elect a temporary team leader and formulate an action plan."
"Mission time limit: fifteen days."
"Fifteen days from now, regardless of success or failure, we must meet at the designated rendezvous point."
"Good luck to you."
After leaving the council chamber, the eight found an empty meeting room and began to study the intelligence.
The Iron Wasteland is a vast, uninhabited area located between the Shadow Raven Tower and the Ash Ring controlled zone. It is extremely hot year-round, with cracked ground spewing out subterranean fire and poisonous smoke, making it a paradise for fire elemental creatures and certain heat-resistant monsters.
Intelligence indicates that the Ash Ring's exploration team discovered unusual energy fluctuations and ancient architectural remains in a place known as the Scorched Rift in the northwestern part of the wasteland, and their activity has been frequent since then.
Their mission was to infiltrate the Scorched Rift region, conduct detailed reconnaissance, and act as needed.
"The environment is the greatest enemy."
"We must ensure that everyone can maintain their fighting capacity for a sufficient amount of time in that extreme heat and toxic environment."
The second-ring witch, Ella, spoke first; she was the most familiar with fire environments among the team.
"My frost spells will be less effective in that environment, but they should still work to create localized cooling, purify the air, or create protective condensation."
Heinz said.
"Leave stealth and reconnaissance to me and Shadow."
Vena glanced at the second-circle wizard codenamed "Shadow," who nodded slightly.
"I can try to sense the underground structure and any possible hidden entrances or energy channels."
Yan Xin spoke with an air of maturity.
After a moment's thought, Luo Lin said, "I have mastered an adaptive field spell that can provide a certain degree of environmental adaptation and survival assistance, including high temperature and toxic gas filtration, but it consumes a lot of resources and cannot cover everyone. It can be used as emergency or critical support."
Everyone looked at Luo Lin with some surprise upon hearing this. Adaptation to the entire environment?
This kind of spell is not common.
A hint of curiosity flashed in Ella's eyes.
"Very good, each has its own strengths."
"Who should be the captain? I suggest Ms. Ella. She knows the environment best and is the strongest."
A burly wizard named Rex, who was one ring in the first ring, spoke up.
No one else objected.
Ella did not refuse and readily accepted the temporary command.