"The first path is to kill the Pure Vessel and inherit the seal." Simon stared at the Little Knight, hoping to see some emotional fluctuation, but undoubtedly failed. The Little Knight was like a stone sculpture, not only unresponsive but also somewhat lifeless.
"The second path is to enter the Pure Vessel's body and kill The Radiance. To take this path, you must obtain the void heart."
"The third path is the most straightforward and also the most difficult. The specific steps are to go to the junk pit in the Royal Waterways, find the Godseeker, enter his dream, which is Godhome. As long as you complete the attunement ritual, you can transform into the Void God and end The Radiance. However, this path is likely impassable because I killed the Traitor Lord, so you cannot open the door to a certain temple, and thus cannot continue the ritual."
Simon sighed, "Although the third path is blocked, I still recommend you go to Godhome for some training. There, you can become stronger and have a better chance of completing the first two paths." After speaking, he took out the Soul Energy Fragment obtained from the Stag Beetle's Nest and handed it to the Little Knight, "There's another fierce battle coming up. Take this and prepare well."
The Little Knight took the fragment, then pulled out two similar fragments from a pouch under his cloak, piecing them together into a three-holed sphere. This was a complete Soul Energy, with three circular holes arranged in an inverted triangle, looking like a stunned face.
The complete Vessel transformed into a stream of light and flew into the Little Knight's mask, merging into it without a trace.
The Little Knight finished absorbing the Vessel and turned to look at Quirrel.
Quirrel's voice was urgent, "Friend, let's quickly enter this building. I feel very uneasy, as if something bad is about to happen."
The Little Knight took out the Dream Nail and swung it at Quirrel, stealing his dream whispers, while Quirrel himself seemed unaware of it.
Simon knew what Quirrel was about to face and felt very reluctant, so he suggested, "Quirrel, my friend, you don't have to go the rest of the way. Give me the mask on your head, and then you can go to Dirtmouth."
Quirrel held the mask on his head and said with difficulty, "No, it's impossible to give you this mask, friend. It's very important to me. Although I don't know why, I just don't want to leave this mask."
"Alas, alright, let's go in."
The three entered the tall and solemn gate. Inside was a metal corridor with water tanks on both sides. Fluorescent green light emanated from behind the glass, illuminating the passage. Plants stubbornly drilled through the wall cracks, but they still didn't bring life to the place; instead, they added a sense of decay, like an abandoned biochemical laboratory. Simon walked through, smelling the strange odor of acid, recalling the disinfectant smell of a dentist's office. He couldn't help but slightly lower his head in disgust.
Walking out of the corridor, they arrived at the central rotunda, which was close to the observation tower on the top floor of the Archives. In the vast space, many tall glass columns were arranged, containing water with Insect Language floating within.
Jellyfish larvae, even smaller than Uumuu, floated carefree, numerous as stars, glowing fluorescent green, adding a touch of dreaminess to this strange and cold place, making it seem more approachable.
The glass columns scattered everywhere recorded a large amount of knowledge, but they were all in disarray, interspersed with meaningless gibberish, making them difficult to read. Simon recognized many as methods for producing daily necessities and facilities.
The observation tower was directly above the hall. Jumping up along the stepped platforms led to it. From here, one could overlook the outside world, and there were benches to sit and rest while enjoying the view.
Quirrel's mood had calmed down completely at some point. He was carefully observing every part of the place.
The Core area of the Archives was on the lower level. Jumping down a well into a cloister, they found electric lightflies, Uumuu, and Ooma everywhere. Acid pools appeared every few steps. Fortunately, there were no traps, and of course, a library-like building wasn't suitable for traps. The three traveled downward continuously, arriving at a wide room where the floor was an acid pool, and there were stairs on the walls, with very little standing room.
Soaking in the acid pool was an unusually large jellyfish.
This was Uumuu, the guardian of the Archives.
It sensed the intruders entering the room, floated up from the acid pool, and let out a thunderous roar.
Through its outer shell, one could see the accumulated orange-red Core inside, like a brain. The Core released violent lightning, striking the outer membrane, creating ripples like flowing plasma.
The Little Knight took the lead, striking Uumuu with a Nail, but it was blocked by its thick outer membrane, having no effect.
Uumuu seemed enraged, emitting an even more ear-piercing roar. Its outer membrane rippled like a wind-blown lake, and electric lights brightened throughout the room, then exploded into an overwhelming torrent of lightning.
The three displayed their unique abilities. The Little Knight used the Baldur Shell to defend, Quirrel dodged into a blind spot of the attack—for some reason, there was no electric light where he stood—while Simon transformed into a white soul state, temporarily immune to the attack.
The lightning subsided, and Uumuu drifted aimlessly in the air, accumulating energy.
Simon shouted, "Find the right moment to weaken its outer membrane!"
Quirrel crouched on a stair and yelled, "Kasa!" Then, with a dash, he transformed into a narrow streak of sword light, piercing through Uumuu, deflating it instantly. Its outer membrane thinned, clinging to the inner Core.
The Little Knight seized the opportunity to rush up and hack wildly. The Nail pierced through the outer membrane, causing The Core inside to splatter with thick pulp.
Before long, Uumuu swelled up again, letting out frantic cries, and electric lights chased the three. Any hesitation would result in a hit.
The Little Knight jumped back and forth between the stairs, occasionally leaping into the acid pool. He had already obtained Isma's Tear, allowing him to swim in acid without being burned.
Quirrel seemed to have entered a state, jumping at high speed, with the electric lights unable to keep up with his targeting speed.
Simon moved around, gathering Soul Energy, and the moment the electric lights ceased and the lightning within Uumuu dimmed, he unleashed a brilliant sword light that transformed into a rapidly surging vortex, pinning Uumuu against the wall and savagely cutting it.
The Little Knight released several Shade Soul attacks at Uumuu from a distance, which finally proved to be the last straw, and Uumuu exploded.
Leaving the room, they followed the passage into a data room, where layers of glass columns were arranged and stacked, and in the center was a huge test-tube-shaped water tank.
Something was glowing in the water tank.
The three stood on a platform next to the water tank, at a height that allowed them to look directly at the glowing object.
Quirrel murmured softly, "Is it you who is calling me? Or are we all summoned by you?" He turned to Simon and the other, explaining, "Although most of my memory is a blank, I still remember this place. The Teacher wanted to hide the kingdom's knowledge in these rooms, and she hid herself in the center of knowledge. To save Hallownest, the Teacher voluntarily became a seal, but she also placed an additional protection on herself. Although I can't remember exactly what happened, I also participated in this great feat. Now she calls me here to break the protection."
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T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
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