"Someone else is coming!"
"Please! Take me with you! I'm willing to do anything! Even be a guinea pig, I'll cooperate obediently!"
"My lord, please save me!"
The cacophony of pleas rose and fell, almost exploding in the metallic echo.
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard's figure swept through the air, flying swiftly along the trajectory of the circular prison.
Below, rows of cages spread out densely, resembling the cross-section of some giant structure. Each cage is surprisingly small, even cramped.
The types of life forms that were stuffed inside were so chaotic as to be unbelievable:
There were criminals who were once imprisoned in the Mechanical City, as well as prisoners thrown in after the Meteor Council captured the city.
There were humans, elves, goblins... and even a few alien life forms of unknown origin and bizarre appearance, as if they had been casually thrown in simply because they "did something wrong".
"The number of cages here is outrageous..."
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard hovered in mid-air, his mental energy sweeping across like a spread-out mental net, and Lynn immediately felt a headache coming on.
With a single glance, he scanned hundreds of cages. And this was only one layer.
The entire structure is a huge ring, extending from top to bottom in countless layers, each layer containing hundreds or thousands of cages.
Roughly estimated, the total number is likely to be in the tens of thousands, or even more.
"This is troublesome... How long will it take to find them all if we keep searching like this?"
Lynn frowned. He had no intention of checking them one by one.
If he could obtain the complete list from the mechanical capital back then, he would only need to make a comparison to immediately lock onto his target.
The problem is that the moment the Meteor Council invaded the city, the higher-ups of the Mechanical City had already destroyed or moved and hidden the core database.
Subsequently, the Meteor Council began a frenzied process of kidnapping, filling, and experimenting in the prisons, completely disrupting the previously orderly organization.
Even if the cage originally had some rules... it's now in complete chaos.
"Right now, in the entire prison, there is probably only one place where the pattern is still intact... the area where the high-ranking officials of the Mechanical City are imprisoned."
Lynn was certain of his decision.
After the Meteor Council occupied this place, they did not execute the high-ranking wizards of the Mechanical City. It wasn't that they didn't want to, but that they dared not.
Because the leader, Sel, did not give the order.
Without Sel's death order, no one dared to act rashly. They could only lock these people in the deepest cell and assign special forces to guard them closely.
Therefore, that area was the only one that was not "randomly stuffed with people".
"Looking back... I don't think I have more than two and a half of my old friends in the mechanical city."
Lynn murmured softly.
"Martha and Davin... those two can be considered true friends. As for other than that, the 'Otherworld Purification' experimental group I joined back then..."
Thoughts surged like a tide, carrying the scent of bygone years.
Those were the most miserable and difficult days of his life. In order to escape enormous trouble, he had to hide in the mechanical city and eke out a living in secret for countless days and nights.
It was precisely because of his talent for "hard work pays off" that he was able to accumulate research results in mechanics in a very short period of time, which qualified him to join that experimental group.
Lynn thought of his former colleagues and team leader Vidal... but could only let out a soft sigh.
Those people were just casual acquaintances to him, far from being worthy of his active rescue efforts.
What truly reminded him of this group was Vidal's daughter, Lori.
The witch, dressed in an embroidered long dress and possessing a quiet and elegant demeanor, seemed like the gentlest girl next door in everyone's heart.
Looking back now, he can be almost certain:
Vidal initially wanted to set him up with Lori. Not because he valued their relationship, but because he saw Lori's future potential and wanted to make a bet in advance.
However, with Lynn being forcibly transferred to the expeditionary force overseas, his future was uncertain and his fate was unpredictable.
Vidal immediately turned hostile and cut ties cleanly.
Her once gentle smile instantly turned into a cold, unfamiliar expression, as if she didn't recognize him at all, showing no mercy.
"Old man..." Lynn scoffed inwardly.
However, while Vidal is hateful, Lori is kind.
Lynn still remembers that when he was ordered by the Mechanical City to rush to the front line immediately, only three people came to see him: Davin, Martha, and Lori, who seemed to have feelings for him.
"If possible... I must take these three people out with me."
A complex, tender feeling rose in Lynn's heart. "I hope they are still alive... and didn't die in those previous fierce battles."
Lynn narrowed his eyes slightly, and another figure appeared in his mind: a witch with long, flowing red hair like flames, a graceful figure, and a cold and beautiful temperament.
High Priestess Chris. Daven's senior sister.
The witch was not related to him, but she was willing to risk helping him simply because Darwin pleaded for her.
Although her assistance was limited and she couldn't completely protect him, she did offer help during those perilous days.
Lynn has always been clear about his gratitude and resentment, always repaying kindness and avenging wrongs. Since Chris helped him back then, if he can find her this time, he will naturally be willing to lend a helping hand.
"Upon closer reflection, among the four people I know... Davin, Martha, and Chris are all, in a broad sense, high-ranking figures."
Lynn analyzed to himself, "Their own strength may be average, but they are all connected with the Morning Star Wizard... so they are most likely locked up in the high-level prison."
"As for Lori... well, I can only hope she's still alive."
With a thought, the Spirit-Eyed Wizard's figure transformed into a deep, shadowy shadow, rushing towards the deeper part of the prison.
call out!
call out!
In the darkness, the Spirit-Eyed Wizard's figure flickered like a shadow. Lynn flew swiftly towards the core of the prison, guided by his memories and judgment.
The closer you get to the interior, the more Meteor Council wizards patrol there are.
Upon seeing the aura of the Spirit-Eyed Wizard from afar, the patrolmen immediately became solemn, bowing respectfully and not daring to breathe loudly.
They dared not stop them.
However, not stopping them does not mean that they dare not send messages.
Soon, on the golden platform where the energy core was located, the Flameblade Wizard was floating cross-legged, meditating with his eyes closed.
The enormous golden bead beside him emanated a variety of elemental pulses that were almost tangible.
This object serves as both the energy source for the entire mechanical city and a suitable place for cultivation.
Suddenly, a message talisman flew over.
Yan Feng's brow twitched slightly, and he opened his eyes, a flash of fire element within them.
After a quick glance, his brows furrowed even more deeply.
"As expected... the Spirit Eye Wizard had never been here before, so I knew he was up to no good. He actually went straight to the upper level."
He sighed softly:
"This is really troublesome... After all, the Spirit Eye Wizard is an old member of the council. With Lord Sel still in seclusion, even if he causes some trouble, the other Morning Star Wizards will not easily touch him out of consideration for old friendships."
Even so, as the guardian of this place, he had to go and see for himself.
Yan Feng stood up, and fire elements surged beneath his feet.
"Hopefully... it won't cause too much trouble."
The next instant, golden-red flames flashed, and his figure disappeared above the platform.
………………………………
High-rise prison area.
Although it is called a "high-rise prison," it is no different from the prisons on the outskirts. It is just as cramped, just as cold, and just as oppressive.
The only difference is that the Morning Star Wizard is imprisoned here.
A powerful expert at the Morning Star Realm was now trapped in a narrow cage less than a few feet long.
Each cage is embedded in the circular wall and connected to the main array of the mechanical city by countless spiritual lines. The array is like an invisible giant mouth, constantly drawing in their spiritual power, devouring, extracting, and squeezing it, leaving them no time to breathe.
This is torture for the soul, shackles for the body, and mental torture.
"Hmm? There are quite a few Morning Star Wizards here."
The pale eyes of the Spirit-Eyed Wizard swept forward, and Lynn's field of vision expanded accordingly.
More than ten figures, each exuding a powerful aura yet appearing listless, were trapped in a cage, resembling shattered fragments of a star.
Suddenly, Lynn felt a slight tremor in his heart.
"Huh... the mechanical puppet wizard? He's still alive?"
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard's gaze lingered on one of the cages, and a cold smile crept into Lynn's heart.
He thought that the guy who had almost killed him had died when the Meteor Council broke through the Mechanical City, and that he had already avenged himself.
Unexpectedly... the other party actually survived by sheer luck.
"Lucky dog."
Lynn's lips curled into a cold smile.
But this is even better.
The machine puppet wizard didn't die in that battle, and now he has the opportunity to settle scores with his own hands.
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard continued forward, his gaze sweeping over the dozen or so Morning Star Wizards. Lynn's brows gradually furrowed.
"These people... all seem to be delirious, in a deep coma?"
That's true.
The Morning Star Wizard inside the cage was deathly pale, his spiritual sea seemingly depleted.
Their meditation techniques still operate instinctively, but as soon as their mental energy is formed, it is immediately drawn away by the formation.
The speed at which it was pulled out was so fast that it left almost no room for resistance.
"To prevent them from causing trouble... the Meteor Council has pushed the array to its limit."
Lynn thought to himself.
Even with the Morning Star Wizard's powerful spirit, he could not withstand such a level of devouring.
It is a miracle that they are still alive.
At this moment, only the weakest spiritual flames remaining in the bodies of those Morning Star Wizards were left to sustain their lives. If even a single wisp were removed, they would likely not even be able to maintain their coma and would fall into eternal slumber.
"Davin, Martha...where are you...?"
Lynn controlled the Spirit Eye Wizard to ascend into the air, slowly climbing up the layers of cages, his divine sense sweeping across the narrow iron bars, searching for a few familiar faces.
"These Morning Star wizards... there are quite a few of them, including clansmen, students, and younger generations."
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard's white eyes narrowed.
The dozen or so Morning Star Wizards had connections to hundreds of people.
In addition to the original Level 3 Archmages, researchers, high-ranking deacons of the Mechanical City, as well as their clansmen, assistants, and students...
This entire high-rise prison houses over several thousand detainees!
Clearly, the Meteor Council operates with a ruthless approach, preferring to kill a hundred innocent people rather than let one guilty person go free.
Anyone who has even the slightest connection with high-ranking officials will be thrown into jail.
Lynn's gaze darkened slightly.
“The Warhammer Master… he was Davin’s teacher. Finding him will lead us to Davin.”
"Unfortunately... I can't recognize which one is the Warhammer Master at all."
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard surveyed the weakened figures of the powerful figures and could only identify one of them... his old enemy, the Machine Puppet Wizard.
The others, in their comas and mental exhaustion, had distorted faces that made them almost unrecognizable.
"Forget it... I'll just have to keep looking."
call out!
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard's figure transformed into a gray shadow, darting through the empty circular prison, like a ghost passing through one cage after another.
However, before he could search for long...
boom!
A burst of fire elemental light erupted from below, and a scorching wave tore through the air.
A figure then emerged from the flames, with flames coiling around his shoulders like a roaring red serpent.
Flameblade Wizard.
The guardians of this hellish prison.
His voice was cold and indifferent: "Spirit-Eyed Wizard... you seem to have overstepped your bounds."
Lynn's heart sank, but she showed no sign of surprise.
He controlled the Spirit Eye Wizard, his voice calm as he spoke:
"I'm sorry, Flamebringer Wizard. I'm just looking for a few old friends."
"I didn't expect that they would be mistaken for high-ranking officials of the Mechanical City and arrested... There must have been a misunderstanding during the chaos."
Upon hearing this, the Flameblade Wizard's gaze narrowed slightly.
He knew, of course, that was an excuse.
The initial arrest operation was extremely chaotic; the parliament's order consisted of only four words: "Take them all away."
Regardless of the reason or identity, anyone with even the slightest connection to the high-ranking officials of the Mechanical City was imprisoned.
After the rules were established, the Morning Star wizards who usually liked to come here to "rescue people," "have fun," or even "conduct an experiment" became very cautious and didn't even bother to make up excuses.
In contrast, the Spirit-Eyed Wizard at least managed to offer a reason to back down.
Moreover, the Flamebringer Wizard had already made preparations before coming here.
He knew that the Spirit-Eyed Wizard had far more seniority in the Meteor Council than he did, and his prestige was far beyond his reach.
If things really get too tense, and word gets out, the other Morning Star wizards probably won't stand on Yan Feng's side.
So he was naturally willing to turn a blind eye if possible.
As long as the Spirit-Eyed Wizard doesn't touch those dozen or so real Morning Star Wizards, he can pretend he didn't see anything else.
So, following the excuse given by the Spirit-Eyed Wizard, he continued down the path, saying:
"Oh? According to the Spirit-Eyed Wizard, those old acquaintances you're looking for are those who were wrongly arrested by the council?"
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard nodded slightly.
The Flameblade Wizard continued, "If that's the case, then they must just be minor figures at the formal wizard level, right? If they are indeed old acquaintances of the Spirit Eye Wizard... then it's not impossible for you to take them out."
The point couldn't be clearer.
Lynn's heart skipped a beat; how could he not understand what the other party meant?
Those dozen or so Morning Star Wizards are absolutely not to be touched.
Even if it included the mechanical puppet wizard, an enemy he would have to deal with sooner or later, he had to endure it.
Since the other party is already imprisoned here, they can't escape and can't cause any trouble. If we want to make a move, there will always be an opportunity.
"Never mind... let's rescue Davin and the others first."
Lynn, controlling the body of the Spirit Eye Wizard, gave the Flame Blade Wizard a knowing smile.
Then, under the personal guidance of the Flameblade Wizard, the Spirit Eye Wizard floated slowly through the high-level prison, beginning his search for his true old friends...
Fortunately, Lynn was lucky and soon found Davin, Martha, and Davin's senior sister, the great wizard Chris.
"A level three witch?"
The Flamebringer Wizard's brow twitched slightly.
“Those two are fine… but this level three witch…”
He thought to himself that the third-level witch's status was obviously not low, and she was very likely a member of the upper echelons of the Mechanical City.
He was about to speak up to stop him when the Spirit-Eyed Wizard said calmly:
"I can only take one more with me at most. Please grant me this favor, Wizard Yanfeng."
His tone was so calm, as if he were stating a trivial matter.
The Flamebringer Wizard sighed inwardly. Since he had chosen to "cooperate" earlier, he could only continue to pretend to be helpless.
They had no choice but to grit their teeth and turn a blind eye, releasing the powerful and beautiful level three witch.
………………
"senior……"
When Davin, Martha, and Chris were taken out of the cage, the witchcraft restrictions on their bodies had not yet been lifted, and their strength had been suppressed to almost nothing.
The three of them stared at the figure before them, clad in a black robe with eyes as pale as still water, and for a moment they were too nervous to breathe.
"Enough with the small talk."
The Spirit-Eyed Wizard's voice was as cold as a blade of wind.
"I have been entrusted by a young wizard named Lynn to rescue you. Besides you, there is also a young witch named Lori... Do you know where she is?"
In one sentence, he directly revealed that he had no connection with these three people.
However, the Flameblade Wizard beside him remained unmoved, his expression indifferent as if he hadn't heard anything at all.
"Brother Lynn!"
Davin's heart skipped a beat. His face first lit up with elation, then turned tense. He hurriedly said:
"Senior! Miss Lori was recently... taken away by a group of elves! Please, you must save her!"
P.S.: The author has started a new Xianxia novel with a focus on ordinary people. Those interested in Xianxia should check it out.
Book Title: A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: I Can Copy Everything (End of Chapter)
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