Jiang Chan immediately submerged her consciousness into the deepest layer of disguise.
The enormous dragon eye closed completely, its head drooping limply against the cold rock wall, with only faint, almost imperceptible breathing, indicating that it was still barely a "living thing".
The entire dragon body exuded an aura of death so dense it was almost impenetrable.
Thump... thump... thump...
The footsteps were steady and unhurried. It was the sound of shoes stepping on the stone steps, crisp and with a rhythmic quality that seemed to come from above.
A powerful magical aura then spread down, carrying a scrutinizing tone. This aura swept over her body, lingering particularly on the dragon crystal in her chest cavity.
Jiang Chan's heart was in her throat. Whether she could get away with it depended on this!
The footsteps stopped outside the cage. Jiang Chan could feel two gazes falling on her, cold and indifferent, as if they were looking at a tool about to be scrapped.
"Record it." A slightly aged but unusually steady female voice rang out, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.
"Yes, Mage Eileen," another, younger voice replied respectfully, accompanied by the rustling sound of pen and paper being written down.
Mage Eileen? A member of the court mage order. Jiang Chan had a vague impression of this name from the fragments of the original owner's memories she had merged with—a woman who was almost ruthless in her research on magic and showed no mercy to "experiments" like dragons.
The mage Eileen remained silent.
Jiang Chan could only sense the probing gaze, like a cold probe, tracing across her massive body. It focused on the runes on the chains, the location of the dragon crystal, and her decaying appearance.
After a long while, the cold female voice rang out again, her tone as flat as if she were reading a report:
Target number: Nidhogg.
"Vital signs: Persistent weakness. Respiratory rate is 37% lower than the last recorded rate. Body atrophy has increased by 15%."
"Dragon Crystal energy level..." The voice paused, as if confirming the detection results, "...41%. Energy decay rate... steadily accelerating, consistent with the terminal phase model prediction curve. No abnormal or violent fluctuations."
Jiang Chan felt a little relieved.
Stable acceleration! As expected! This is exactly what she wanted to hear!
"Imprisoned rune status?" Mage Eileen asked.
"The rune circuit is complete, and the energy extraction efficiency... is stable at the peak of 82%, with no risk of overload." The young assistant replied quickly, recording the information continuously.
The mage Eileen seemed to take two steps closer, her footsteps stopping not far in front of Jiang Chan's enormous head. Jiang Chan could feel that cold, scrutinizing gaze, almost piercing her eyelids.
"When is it expected to be completely depleted?" Eileen asked, her voice devoid of emotion, as if asking when an apple will rot.
The assistant flipped through the notebook. "Based on the current rate of decay, extrapolating linearly... it is estimated that around noon on the seventh day, the Dragon Crystal's energy will drop below 5%, entering a period of irreversible depletion. At that time, vital signs will cease."
"Hmm." Mage Eileen made a simple nasal sound to indicate that she understood. Her gaze finally shifted from Jiang Chan to the surrounding slippery rock walls and runes.
"Energy supply is stable, and the decay process is as expected. Record and archive. No further checks are needed before the ceremony; simply ensure the gate control is at its highest level."
“Yes, Mage Eileen,” the assistant replied respectfully.
Thump... thump... thump...
Footsteps sounded again, with that distinctive crisp rhythm, ascending the stairs. Then came the dull thud of gears turning and a heavy gate closing.
The cave returned to its deathly silence.
Only after confirming that the two auras had completely disappeared and there was no further movement above did Jiang Chan let out a long, silent sigh of relief deep within her consciousness. Cold sweat had almost soaked every corner of her soul.
It was a success!
The first step, disguise, fooled that cunning mage!
Dragon Crystal Energy 41%... and it's still rapidly dissipating...
Seven days...noon...
The timetable has been set.
Just then—
Buzz!
An invisible, extremely powerful pressure suddenly descended! It was as if the entire underground cavern had been sealed inside a giant, invisible glass dome!
The air suddenly became thick and heavy! Even breathing felt like it required more effort! The runes on the rock wall seemed to have received some kind of blessing, and the blue-purple light suddenly surged, becoming even more dazzling and ominous. There were even faint new and more complex energy patterns flashing through the void between the runes!
A powerful protective barrier! Much stronger than any I've sensed before!
[WARNING: High-intensity composite magic barrier activated, covering the dungeon entrance and surrounding key areas. Barrier functions: physical isolation, energy blockade, spatial stabilization, elemental annihilation defense...]
The system's cold notification sound confirmed Jiang Chan's perception.
The kingdom began its final preparations for the grand ceremony seven days from now.
This thick "turtle shell" is not only to prevent any possible accidental intrusion, but also to completely lock up this "dying dragon" and ensure absolute safety.
Jiang Chan's golden dragon eyes slowly opened a crack in the darkness. There was no fear inside, only a cold flame burning within.
Accelerate, Death!
Let this last bit of energy accumulate and boil within this sturdy cage!
Until the moment the gates rose, the sunlight shone, and the crowd cheered...
Let the flames of destruction pierce this cage! Devour everything!
...
The air inside the cave was like solidified lead, heavier than before, making each breath exceptionally difficult. The powerful barrier enveloping the cave entrance was like a thick, invisible shell, not only isolating it from outside sounds but also seemingly slowing down and thickening the airflow.
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