Chapter 2283 Running away
Zet realized that Fang Heng had only pretended to attack the sacred tree sapling to attract their attention.
"What's going on?"
Hearing the commotion outside, the guards under Rudyard, who were guarding the temple, immediately rushed into the hall to inquire.
"It's nothing, everything is fine."
Zet waved his hand dismissively.
As a subordinate of Elder Vannes, it felt a bit embarrassing to have a falling out with Fang Heng. He didn't feel the need to report to Rudyard, to avoid unnecessary complications.
Fang Heng had already fled. Nevertheless, Zet knew that the Alchemy Association's members could still maintain the magic array.
Contrary to Zet's assumption that Fang Heng had fled the Temple of Incantation, Fang Heng returned to the hidden chamber on the third basement level of the temple, next to the magic array for summoning Abe Akaya.
He first collected all the empty sacrificial jars.
Then, he prepared to leave at any moment.
Of course, before leaving, he planned to take another look around to see if he could gain any additional benefits.
...
Outside the Temple of Incantation, Tang De and the others from the Alchemy Association were still waiting.
Two members of the Leaf tribe emerged from the temple and approached them, nodding as they spoke, "Gentlemen, Leader Zet requests your presence. Please follow us."
The group exchanged glances and hurriedly followed.
Inside the main hall, Zet remained, observing the operation of the magic array. With Fang Heng gone, he knew he had to clean up the mess himself. Luckily, Elder Vannes had the foresight to call in the Alchemy Association beforehand.
Zet asked, "Gentlemen, the issue has been resolved. The magic array is currently operational here. You're free to observe it as you wish. I'd like to know, how long do you think it will take for you to take actual control of the magic array?"
Tang De glanced at the functioning magic array and thought, what's so difficult about this? Isn't it just a matter of infusing mental strength into the magic array to operate it?
Although he thought so inwardly, Tang De pretended to carefully observe the array, his expression appearing serious. He nodded and replied, "We'll do it as soon as possible. Before that, we need to inspect the operation of the entire magic array, including the branch magic arrays set up within the temple."
"We're on a tight schedule."
Zet raised his hand, signaling his subordinates to lead Tang De and his team to examine the magic array.
He also had troubles to deal with.
In the dimensional world, they had previously maintained high efficiency in collecting dimensional energy with the help of the Lickers summoned by Fang Heng.
To maintain this efficiency, they needed to dispatch more Leaf tribe members to guard the magic array in the dimensional space. However, doing so would consume more white frost stone energy.
No matter how one calculated it, it seemed like a loss.
Oh well, they would take it one step at a time.
Zet decided to try bringing his subordinates alone into the dimensional world to gather dimensional energy.
They would try to manage it, even if the efficiency was slightly lower.
"Let's go. Teams 3 and 4, accompany me into the dimensional world to continue gathering dimensional energy."
"Yes!"
The teleportation magic array activated, and Zet's group once again entered the teleportation passage.
...
Half an hour later, Zet and his team returned from the dimensional world.
After personally practicing, Zet found that the magic array in the dimensional world could continue to operate even after Fang Heng's departure, but the efficiency was significantly lower.
In just half an hour, they had only extracted about 7% of the dimensional energy.
After completing the test, Zet immediately returned with his team and called Tang De and his group for questioning.
In the half-hour time frame, Tang De and his team quickly surveyed all the magic arrays in the Temple of Incantation.
They found nothing noteworthy. In fact, everything seemed almost identical to them. Even if they spent several more hours, they doubted they'd find any valuable clues.
"How did it go? Are you able to control the magic arrays?"
Tang De and his companions exchanged glances.
Indeed, they were ancient magic arrays. Many of the patterns on the arrays resembled those found in ancient magic array texts.
As for the specific functions of most of the magic patterns and how they contributed to the overall function of the arrays...
Well, the magic arrays were already operational, right? They didn't need to do anything; they just needed to infuse mental strength to activate them.
"As long as the magic arrays themselves are intact, there shouldn't be any problem with their operation," Tang De replied cautiously, nodding. "We're willing to give it a try."
"A try?" Zet's expression turned cold, his voice stern. "No, it's not a try. It's a definite task! Do you understand?"
"Understood, we'll do our best to accomplish it."
Zet didn't have the faintest clue about magic arrays. He figured if Fang Heng, a member of the Alchemy Magic Array Association, said it was fine, then it probably was. So, he immediately instructed his subordinates to prepare for the activation of the second tier of the magic array.
Though they wouldn't collect much dimensional energy this time, it was worth a try. Even if they encountered issues, they'd have time to figure them out.
Soon, members of the Leaf tribe stood in the magic array area. Tang De positioned himself at the main control point of the magic array.
Feeling the gaze of so many people and tasked with operating such a large magic array, Tang De felt a bit nervous for a moment.
"Let's begin," he said.
Following his understanding of the magic array, Tang De slowly infused mental strength into it.
Meanwhile, on the third basement level, Fang Heng sensed the changes in the upper-level magic array and immediately activated his magic array.
"Hum..."
In the main hall, the magic array emitted a faint hum as it accelerated its operation.
Everything seemed no different from when Fang Heng triggered the magic array in the past.
Zet watched as the magic array smoothly entered the second tier, extracting dimensional energy. He nodded inwardly.
It seemed there were no major issues.
Next, they just needed to address the low efficiency of dimensional energy extraction.
...
Outside the Temple of Incantation, the tree spirit tribe, drawn by their perception of the sacred tree's seed, were rapidly approaching the temple. However, halfway there, their perception of the sacred tree's seed had completely vanished.
Unwilling to give up, they continued toward the last location where they felt the perception.
But as they drew closer, Vannes gradually sensed that something was amiss.
That direction...
Could it be...?
Did the eruption they perceived originate from the sapling of their ancient sacred tree?
It didn't make sense!
Why would it be like this?
As the surroundings became familiar, Vannes confirmed it—the location where the perception vanished was indeed the Temple of Incantation!
However, it was already too late to stop the others from heading to the temple.
Soon, the tree spirit tribe halted before the Temple of Incantation.
"The temple of the Leaf tribe?"
The elders of the other three major tribes turned their gaze to Vannes, their eyes betraying a hint of caution.