Chapter 34: Chapter34-The Crowned Witch Makes Her Move—Time Stop!
Inside the room, the witches all looked toward the Crowned Witch, waiting only for her command before they executed that adventurer.
The Crowned Witch’s gaze was deep and unreadable, but she gave no response.
At that moment, the atmosphere around the witches’ round table had become unbearably oppressive.
Crack!
All of a sudden, the sound of shattering glass rang out in the silent room.
Everyone’s eyes narrowed. They saw that a large number of cracks had actually appeared across the Mirrorrealm Array.
As the mirror fragments shattered, John walked out from the magic array completely unharmed.
A flash of white light flickered in his hand, and the spatial array beneath his feet instantly rippled with twisting distortions.
John had used one-tenth of the Goddess of Space’s authority, forcibly distorting the array and freeing himself from it.
Although that flash of white light vanished in an instant, it was still caught by the Crowned Witch.
Shock finally appeared on her previously calm and unperturbed face, but she did not speak up to expose it.
"Impossible!" the Mirrorrealm Witch said in disbelief. "Without being Level 250, there’s no way you could break free from this array.
"No, wait—you directly removed the isolated space of the Mirrorrealm?
"Who exactly are you?"
Buzz—
John did not answer. A vast amount of fire-element energy particles began gathering in his chest.
After being attacked for no reason, fury had already ignited in his heart.
In any case, he had already obtained the key to enter the Trial of the First Seat. Even if he completely fell out with these witches here, it would not matter!
The Shadow Veil Witch’s figure sank into the shadows as she said in a gloomy voice, "Who cares who he is? Kill him first!"
Just as battle was about to erupt—
Clang!
A heavy bell toll rang out, and an invisible wave instantly froze the entire scene.
The Shadow Veil Witch’s movements, the Ashen Witch’s flames, and even the energy gathered before John’s chest were all fixed in place before gradually dissipating.
Everyone’s eyes moved, their expressions filled with confusion.
What was going on?
At that moment, they saw the Crowned Witch swinging a pocket watch, her expression calm.
"Have you all cooled down?"
She gently moved the watch hand, and another invisible ripple spread from the pocket watch.
Time resumed its flow.
The Crowned Witch swept her gaze over everyone and said, "Is this how you treat a guest?
"Just because one secret was exposed, you all lost your composure to this extent?
"Sit back down. Stop embarrassing yourselves!"
After her reprimand, the witches restrained their auras one after another and returned to their seats in silence.
Then, the Crowned Witch looked at John.
"Adventurer, I do not know how you learned of the All-Class Magus scroll, nor do I wish to know.
"However, for the safety of the Witch Council, and also to give the witches seated here an explanation, I need to verify something about you.
"I must ensure that you bear no hostility toward the Witch Council. Please understand."
John’s gaze flickered, and he slowly nodded.
The Crowned Witch looked toward the Stargazing Witch on the other side.
"Stop watching the show. It’s time for you to work."
The Stargazing Witch hopped down from her chair and walked up to John with a playful smile on her face.
"Look up for a moment..."
John was slightly stunned, then subconsciously raised his head.
In the next instant, he suddenly felt a pain at the back of his head.
He abruptly turned around, only to see that the Stargazing Witch had somehow plucked one of his hairs.
She tossed the strand of hair into the astrolabe in the air and began activating a divination spell.
The astrolabe rotated. As dim light flowed across it, wisps of mist began to emerge in a vague and obscure manner.
At first, the Stargazing Witch still had a smile on her face, but as more and more mist appeared, her expression gradually became solemn.
Her brows furrowed tightly, and she even seemed to be in unbearable pain.
She suddenly gritted her teeth, attempting to forcibly disperse the mist and continue the divination.
But in the next moment, the astrolabe cracked apart, and the mist vanished without a trace.
The Stargazing Witch stared at the fragments scattered across the floor, her expression blank.
This was the first time she had ever encountered such a situation.
Seeing this, the Crowned Witch asked, "How is it? Is there a result?"
The Stargazing Witch frowned slightly.
"There is. If we stop him, it may be even more dangerous than letting him enter the trial."
The witches fell silent.
A moment later, the Stargazing Witch recovered her smile.
"However, I can guarantee that this guy should not bear any hostility toward our Witch Council."
As she spoke, she tilted her head and looked at John with a smiling face.
"Isn’t that right?"
John nodded slightly.
"I came here only because I want to obtain the All-Class Magus scroll. I have no interest in anything else.
"Besides, if I truly bore hostility toward you, why would I tell you the truth about wanting the scroll?"
Hearing this, the Crowned Witch immediately clapped her hands.
"In that case, there is no need to say anything more.
"The contract has already been formed. Anyone who can see through the Thorn Witch’s disguise and withstand the pressure shall obtain the qualification to participate in the trial.
"Our Witch Council will not stop you from entering the trial, but I must remind you.
"After you enter the trial, we will not save you.
"Even if you die inside, no one will collect your corpse."
John’s expression did not change. He said calmly, "I do not need anyone to save me."
The Crowned Witch smiled.
"I hope that is the case. As for what happened just now, I apologize to you on behalf of the Witch Council."
After saying that, she waved her hand toward the Mirrorrealm Witch.
The latter understood and raised her hand, dispelling the Mirrorrealm barrier. The door to the room reappeared.
John did not hesitate. He pushed open the door and left.
...
After he left, the other witches dispersed one after another.
Only the Thorn Witch and the Stargazing Witch were left behind by the Crowned Witch.
The Crowned Witch frowned and said, "The secrets on that adventurer are definitely far more complicated than what you saw just now."
As she spoke, the Crowned Witch recalled that flash of white light she had seen.
She pondered for a moment before saying, "That young man is very strong. As long as nothing unexpected happens in the future, he will definitely appear on the path to godhood.
"Ever since the First Seat left, no one in the Witch Council has possessed the qualification to ascend to godhood. Not even I do.
"Since a candidate with the potential to ascend has appeared this time, we must seize this opportunity properly!"
After saying this, the Crowned Witch looked toward the Thorn Witch and instructed, "Go and secretly follow him. Do not allow anything unexpected to happen to him within Axis City or at the trial grounds."
"Yes."
The Thorn Witch accepted the order, and her figure vanished in a flash.
The Crowned Witch then looked toward the Stargazing Witch.
"As for you, record the contents of the divination just now.
"In addition, while Thorn is away, you will handle the recruitment matters in her place.
"Also, remember to constantly maintain divination over John’s fate trajectory. If there is any unusual movement, notify me immediately!"
"Fine, fine, I know."
The Stargazing Witch made a face at her, and her figure also dissipated on the spot.
After a moment of silence, the Crowned Witch’s figure gradually faded away as well, and the witches’ round table once again sank into silence.
...
On the other side, after John left the Witch Council, he opened the map and began checking the location of the Trial of the First Seat dungeon.
He discovered that the Trial of the First Seat dungeon was located directly north of Axis City.
However, on the map of that region, countless tangled lines crisscrossed like a spiderweb.
At the same time, there was also a huge lock icon, indicating that this area was still undeveloped.
This kind of undeveloped area meant that players could not enter before fulfilling certain specific conditions.
Only after those conditions were completed could passage be unlocked.
When John saw the restrictions placed on that region, he seemed to remember something, and a look of frustration appeared on his face.
"Damn it. Why does the entrance have to be located in that area of all places?"
