Chapter 73: Deception

Ambition seemed within reach.

But before that, many veins and branches of the land needed to be gathered, which was also the purpose of Xianyu taking on the task.

"WHOOSH!"

A pair of silver-white wings emerged from the back of his armor, formed of ice elements, serving as the greatest utility of this set of armor at the current stage.

With light steps, Xianyu rose into the air.

Pausing in mid-air, the sensation of overlooking everything below was truly intoxicating for him. Unlike riding an Cryo crystal butterfly, this was the feeling of personally controlling oneself, a different kind of thrill.

"This feeling... is truly wonderful!"

"If in the future I can achieve flying with swordsmanship or cross the sky without relying on any external force, what would that be like? Looking forward to it..."

After savoring the feeling for a moment, Xianyu began to search over the lake.

And his method of searching naturally attracted considerable attention.

Slimes without intelligence had no other thoughts, just hopping around in place, but those treasure-hunting groups and a few adventurers showed a different face.

"Boss! Who is that guy? Have you seen him before?"

The one called "Boss" didn't answer, just stared at Xianyu flying in the sky.

After a while.

"I don't know. He can use Cryo elements and fly, a chosen one with wings. According to our information, there shouldn't be anyone like him, and his face hasn't been revealed, so..."

So what? His subordinates weren't complete idiots either; what the Boss meant was that he didn't know either.

But watching the figure in the sky, the leader rubbed his chin, seemingly deep in thought.

"Could it be that there's really a secret in this lake? Enough to attract such a strong individual to come personally."

"I thought it was just some unconfirmed rumors, but now it seems that the information from Colmar is likely true..."

Not only did the treasure-hunting groups have such thoughts, but the other adventurers also wore expressions of astonishment on their faces, followed by expressions of delight.

A lake that could attract such powerful individuals couldn't be ordinary by any means.

In other words, their investigation was about to be confirmed.

Xianyu, still searching for traces of the Abyss Mage, was unaware that his actions were causing misunderstandings among others.

However, this misunderstanding couldn't be considered entirely wrong because there were indeed remnants at the bottom of the lake, so it was more like an accidental discovery.

After circling around, Xianyu still hadn't found any trace of the Abyss Mage.

"These guys are really elusive. I've circled around and still haven't found them, not even a single hilichurl."

"Could the intelligence be false? Or have they left?"

"No! I haven't even seen the relic mechanism, which means my method of searching is wrong!"

But he had checked the surroundings of the lake thoroughly; with his keen eyesight, he couldn't have missed anything.

Since it wasn't on the shore, then...

Thinking this, Xianyu stopped flying in the high altitude and descended, beginning to move along the water's surface.

This approach was correct, and soon Xianyu noticed something different in the center of the lake.

Firstly, the elemental concentration here was higher than elsewhere, and secondly, he did see a vague pillar underwater, resembling the mechanism in the game.

Although he didn't know why this thing was in the middle of the lake, Xianyu didn't pay much attention to it.

Lastly, Xianyu saw a creature trapped in a bubble underwater.

A creature inside a bubble? If not the Abyssal Mage, then what could it be?

Seeing this, Xianyu, who originally intended to dive straight in, ended up just standing on the frozen water's surface.

Summoning an ice sword effortlessly, he projected it towards the creature underwater.

Empowered by his strength, the ice sword traveled at incredible speed, unaffected by the resistance of water.

If the Abyssal Mage didn't react in time, it would likely be pierced on the spot.

As an Abyssal Mage, it naturally wouldn't be unprepared; even the "bubble" surrounding it had considerable defensive power.

Seeing the figure on the water's surface, it anticipated something. Although people sometimes passed through the center of the lake, no one would linger for long, let alone such a strong individual coming.

Sure enough, its guess was correct. The person on the water's surface could basically be confirmed to be looking for it.

However, initiating an attack upon meeting might indicate hostility.

Gathering elemental power, it dissolved the incoming ice sword, and the Abyssal Mage slowly emerged from the water.

The appearance of the Abyssal Mage surprised those who had been watching Xianyu.

They had been here for quite some time, yet they didn't know there was such a monster in the center of the lake.

"I wonder what brings you to seek me?" Although Xianyu's preemptive attack annoyed it, it didn't immediately retaliate.

Just from the opponent's aura, it could tell that it wasn't a match. While it wasn't afraid of death, it wouldn't willingly court it either.

Seeing the floating Abyssal Mage, Xianyu was very interested in its use of the Ley Line Sprout and branches. However, he also knew that this was almost impossible. This method of utilization involved the fundamental aspects of an Abyssal Mage and wouldn't be shared with others.

"I did come for something trivial, the ice sword just now was merely to summon you out. I hope you don't mind."

"And... if I really intended to attack you, do you think I would only use such a level of attack?"

The Abyssal Mage felt annoyed at the remark, but it had to admit that what the person said was true.

Although it could also use elemental power and float in the air, even teleport with secret techniques, facing someone like Xianyu, it had no chance. Elemental power? Others could use it too. Floating? Others could do the same. And "teleportation"? That kind of skill required a large amount of elemental power, couldn't be sustained for long, and once it was depleted, even its own elemental shield would disappear. By then, even some warriors could deal with it.

It was fine to bully inexperienced chosen ones usually, but when facing stronger opponents, they had no choice but to rely on their elemental shield to harass others and then run away.

However, in this situation, it couldn't run away even if it wanted to.

Fight, couldn't win. Run, couldn't escape. It could only inquire about the other's intentions.

"Well, I'm not entirely here to bother you, and I've heard some rumors about your affiliation. I've come this time just to make a deal with you."

Hearing the other person's intentions, the Abyssal Mage temporarily set aside its annoyance and became somewhat interested.

"A deal? Since you know my identity, what you need must not be simple. And you should also know... for a trade to happen, there needs to be an equivalent bargaining chip."

"I wonder, what is it that you need?"

Xianyu, hidden behind his mask, spoke in the same tone.

"No, what I need isn't anything precious; it's actually quite simple for you, even something you might have on yourself."

"Ley Line Sprout and branches, this thing. I believe you're not unfamiliar with it, right?"

"And the bargaining chip is your life, along with information about the eye of the first Field 'Tiller' you've been seeking."

The Mechanical God Project, according to Xianyu's estimation, wasn't just a sudden whim of the Abyssal Mage. This could be inferred from the ancient statue lost long ago.

Osial was probably just a step in that plan.