6kv Chapter 106 Simulation
Chapter 106 Simulation
Chapter 106 Simulation
The next day, the team continued their journey into the Scorched Rift. The environment became increasingly harsh; the ground temperature was high enough to burn the skin, toxic ash and metallic particles floated in the air, and visibility decreased.
The group had to keep the small energy shields running to filter the air and insulate against the high temperatures, which further increased their energy consumption.
"The outer edge of the Scorched Rift is just ahead."
"The underground energy channels are extremely chaotic, and—there are numerous traces of human reinforcement and manipulation. The people of the Ash Ring are definitely inside."
Yan Xin stopped and pointed to a clearly sunken area ahead, emitting billowing heat and thick sulfurous smoke.
Ella signaled the team to stop and hid behind a huge black lava rock.
"Shadow, Vena, you two sneak in first and check the situation. Be careful and try not to alert them."
Shadow and Vena nodded, their figures quickly disappearing into the rising heat and the shadows of the rocks.
The others stayed put, trying to recover their physical and magical strength.
About an hour later, Shadow and Vena returned one after the other, both looking rather unwell.
"The situation is more complicated than expected."
"A temporary camp has been set up inside the Rift by the people of the Ash Ring. It is quite large, with at least thirty or forty people. Among them, there are no fewer than eight formal wizards, two of whom have very strong auras. They are estimated to be at the peak of the second ring or even touching the threshold of the third ring."
"They appear to be excavating and preparing for some kind of ritual around a collapsed ancient stone structure deep within the rift valley."
The shadow's voice was deep and low.
Vena added, "The architectural style is very strange, unlike any known ancient civilization on the continent."
"The stone is dark red and covered with twisted, burning runes."
"There is a downward-facing opening in the center of the building, emanating a strong energy fluctuation with chaotic flame properties. This should be the entrance to the ruins."
"The surrounding area is protected by strong defensive and warning arrays, making it very difficult to break through by force."
With eight official wizards, powerful figures in command, and the advantage of terrain and magic arrays, a direct frontal assault would have no chance of success.
"How far along is their ceremony?"
"Ella asked."
"We can't see the specific progress, but judging from the frequency with which they are moving supplies and energy crystals, they should have entered a critical stage."
The shadow answered.
"Our mission is to ascertain the situation and, if possible, carry out sabotage."
"The situation has been largely clarified now; the key is this possibility."
"A direct confrontation won't work; we need to outsmart them, or find a weakness in their defenses, create chaos, and seize the opportunity to disrupt the ritual's core or obtain crucial intelligence before retreating. What are your thoughts?"
Ella looked around at everyone.
Heinz frowned: "Their protective array is mainly fire-based. My frost spells might create some interference, but it will be difficult to break through the core area."
Yan Xin stroked his chin: "I can sense that besides that ruin, there are several unstable fire veins beneath the rift."
"If we can manage to trigger the eruption of the earth's fire veins and create widespread chaos, we might be able to create an opportunity."
"Triggering the earth's fire veins is too risky; it could endanger us as well," Rex shook his head.
Luo Lin had been listening silently, and then spoke up: "I have an idea that might be worth a try."
"My magical pet Baha has a special ability in its eyes, which can see through some illusions and weak points in energy."
"We can try to send it from high altitude, away from the main guard, to carefully observe the protective array structure and personnel deployment around the ruins, and look for possible loopholes or patterns in their troop rotations and supply transport."
"In addition, my adaptive field spell."
"Although it's not suitable for the high temperatures here, if it's just a short-term, small-scale simulation of a specific energy fluctuation—"
It could perhaps be used to camouflage an approach, or to interfere with their energy sensing devices.
"Of course, this requires very precise energy simulation, and it cannot be sustained for too long."
Ella looked at Bahamut on Roland's shoulder, then at Roland himself, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"Your ability to scout with your magical pets is worth a try."
"As for energy simulation—how confident are we in being able to replicate the chaotic flame fluctuations emanating from the ruins?"
"It doesn't have to be exactly the same, as long as it's similar enough to fool the outer automatic warning array or low-level apprentices in a short time."
Luo Lin quickly assessed the situation.
Simulating specific energy fluctuations is one application of the [Myriad Stars] mutation integration characteristics. I haven't practiced it specifically before, but the principle is the same.
Crucially, the chaotic flame fluctuations bore some resemblance to the energy of the Molten Core fragments he possessed, and were also somewhat related to the noise the echo unit had just sensed.
"It will take some time to analyze and experiment. I'm about 60-70% sure I can simulate it, but it won't last more than three minutes. And once I get close to the core area, it's easy for a high-level wizard to detect it."
Rowling gave a conservative estimate.
"Six or seven out of ten chances, it's worth a try! It's better than forcing our way in."
Ella made a decision.
"Rockheart, continue monitoring the volcanic vents as a backup plan for creating chaos."
"Shadow, Vena, you two work with Rolin's magical pets to conduct further reconnaissance and record in detail the nodes of the magic circle and the patterns of personnel activity."
"Heinz, Rex, Marcus, you and I will prepare a plan for a strong attack and support. Once enough chaos is created inside, we will seize the opportunity to break in, aiming straight for the core of the ritual. After destroying or seizing the key items, we will immediately withdraw."
"Rolin, finish your energy simulation practice as soon as possible. Once you're ready, you, Shadow, and Vena will form an infiltration team. Use camouflage to find opportunities to infiltrate, create internal chaos, and attempt to sabotage."
"Remember, safety first. If exposed or if the situation becomes unmanageable, retreat immediately along the predetermined route."
Everyone accepted their orders.
Ella's choice is reasonable; Rolin's special ability may prove surprisingly effective during the infiltration phase.
The team found a more secluded, rock-covered depression on the outskirts of the rift valley to use as a temporary base.
Rolin began to focus on how to simulate that chaotic wave of flames.
First, mobilize the power of the molten heart fragments in the [Myriad Stars] and feel its fiery and explosive nature.
Then, try to incorporate a trace of the properties of mutation into it, as a catalyst and palette, to change the stability and frequency of this flame energy, giving it that unstable, chaotic feel.
At the same time, carefully savor the subtle noise sensed by the echo unit, capturing its more disordered and otherworldly characteristics, which differ from those of the Molten Core.
This process requires extremely precise energy manipulation and keen perception.
Luo Lin tried repeatedly, and a strange flame with unusual color and fluctuations would rise from his palm from time to time. Sometimes it was dark red, and sometimes it was mixed with unstable purplish-black. The energy fluctuations were also sometimes strong and sometimes weak.
It failed many times. Either the simulated fluctuations were too stable, like ordinary fire magic, or it went completely out of control and almost caused a small explosion.
But with each adjustment, the understanding of that chaotic nature gradually deepened.
Meanwhile, under the guidance of Shadow and Vena, Bahamut repeatedly ventured to conduct high-altitude reconnaissance above the Rift Valley, relaying the sights and energy distribution seen through his unique Dark Silver and Dark Gold Eyes to Rolin via mental link.
Then Rowling shared it with Ella.
The images show that the temporary camp in the Ash Ring is arranged in a ring around the entrance to the ruins.
The outer perimeter consists of apprentices' tents and makeshift fortifications, equipped with fire elemental sensing runes for automatic alert and patrol teams.
The inner layer is the residence of the formal wizards and the ritual preparation area, where the magic circles are more dense and the energy reactions are stronger.
The entrance to the ruins was shrouded in a dark red energy barrier, with twisted flame runes flowing across it, clearly the strongest form of protection.
Baha also discovered that every two hours or so, a group of apprentices would carry a batch of sealed metal boxes into the inner area through a passage partially obscured by a rock wall at the back of the camp.
The security around that passage was relatively weaker than in other areas on the outside, possibly due to the natural terrain and the flow of people inside creating a dark area.
Furthermore, when the apprentice teams transporting supplies enter the inner layer, they need to present a specific flame token and pass through a simple energy test.