"A familiar voice reaches your ears; you see ripples in the Void, and a blurred figure flickers faintly before your eyes, their face slightly wavering as if faintly arching an eyebrow."
"It is none other than Itas, the ’Hidden Wizard King.’"
"After your encounter at the ’Hidden Wizard Tower’ within the ’Polluted Mountain and Sea,’ you meet again."
Yang Qizhou’s gaze tightened slightly. Even though he had predicted it in his heart, the sudden appearance of Itas, the ’Hidden Wizard King,’ before the game character still caused a significant ripple within him.
"As I suspected, when I was in the underground space, the Hidden Forces were divided precisely because this Wizard King, who wields authority, was secretly interfering."
"How did It escape from the hands of the ’Lord of Filth’?"
"If It can meddle in the real world and even project an avatar, does that mean Its power has further revived?"
As he analyzed this, Yang Qizhou grew more vigilant. It was undeniable that in the earlier stages, the ’Hidden Wizard King’ Itas had provided substantial help to the game character and even knew secrets about the destiny they bore. Though seemingly friendly, caution toward such ’Pillar Level’ figures was an absolute necessity—after all, no one could truly know their real intentions.
The Gift of Fate always comes with its price secretly marked.
Of course, Yang Qizhou also understood that the game character did owe Itas, the ’Hidden Wizard King,’ a significant favor. If compensation could be given without harming oneself, there wouldn’t be an issue with that.
Yang Qizhou directed his focus back to the game.
"Your mind works swiftly, and soon you understand the reason."
"Due to the reset of the Fate Threads, the ’Hidden Wizard King’ Itas is unaware that you’ve already been to the underground space of the ’Tree Temple,’ hence the strange reactions."
"After a brief moment of surprise, you quickly regain your composure, smiling as if greeting an old friend you hadn’t seen in years. You say... Itas, long time no see. Well, not that long, but it’s still good to see you."
"The faintly flickering figure ripples slightly, the corners of their mouth lifting faintly as they respond... I thought you would’ve been much more surprised."
"Wouldn’t it be obvious? Without your covert interference, how could that terrifying Hidden Force have suddenly split apart, allowing me to obtain the parchment so smoothly?"
"This thought stays in your mind, but you do not intend to speak it out loud, as doing so would inevitably reveal that you’ve already been to the underground space. Drawing on this, it would be easy to deduce that the Fate Threads had been reset."
"You calmly change the topic... Lady Itas, you look much better than I imagined."
"The illusory reflection rippled softly, a trace of a smile lingering as It responded... The ’Lord of Filth’ is indeed terrifying, but we are not of the same Sequence. I had already long perished. As long as I offer the right price, He doesn’t mind letting go a little."
Yang Qizhou curled his lips slightly.
When the ’Lord of Filth’s’ power descended upon the Hidden Wizard Tower, at the critical moment, Itas had transferred the game character out. Combined with the fact that he hadn’t seen Its shadow in the River of Death after several deaths, Yang Qizhou had assumed that this ’Hidden Wizard King’ had suffered a grievous injury, perhaps even perished.
Yet, it turned out the two had reached an accord,
A question loomed large in Yang Qizhou’s mind: with the animosity between the ’Defiling Wizards’ and the ’Old Gods,’ could the Lord of Filth really let go so easily?
Frowning slightly, Yang Qizhou shifted his attention to his phone.
"Countless thoughts flickered through your mind but quickly settled."
"You spoke with deliberate intent... Lady Itas, back in the early stages of the Fourth Epoch, you collaborated with the ’King of Nature,’ a partnership that lasted even until now. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder, did you really perish?"
"Waves gently rippled, and the ’Hidden Wizard King’ did not directly answer this question, saying... As the Defiling Wizard carrying ’Fate,’ you still haven’t told me how you acquired this ’notebook.’ I can sense it quite clearly—the notebook left for the ’King of Nature’ is still in its original place."
"You responded with a meaningful tone... As you said, I carry ’Fate.’"
"The wind brushed against your cheeks as a brief silence fell between you."
"It was the truth. You genuinely relied on ’Fate’ to obtain the ’Old Roots of Profanation’ and the ’Notebook of the Hidden Wizard King.’ However, there were parts that you deliberately hid. You didn’t know how the other party would respond—Would they press further? Probe subtly? Or change the subject? If they pressed on, your only response might be silence."
"Many thoughts arose in your mind, but outwardly, you remained calm and composed."
"Just then, a voice resonated amidst the flickering ripples... What you truly want to know is why the ’King of Nature’ went through such lengths, starting as early as the Fourth Epoch, to lay out such plans. What are They plotting?"
"You quietly exhaled a breath of relief. Itas did not press further but instead shifted the topic, indicating that, at least for now, They didn’t wish for outright conflict."
"You nodded faintly in reluctant agreement."
"Soon, the familiar voice came once more..."
"Between me and the ’King of Nature,’ there’s a contract signed under the witness of the ’Oath King.’ The specifics cannot be revealed in any form, but I can give you a hint... The Day of Shining Stars approaches, and They dread the Fate that is to come."