Exorcism (Second Update)

Kaspars looked Abner up and down after hearing this, then asked curiously, "How did you know I could contact that organizer?"

Wasn't it obvious? If you weren't close, how would you dare bring people to his gatherings so casually?

Though he grumbled inwardly, Abner answered with apparent certainty, "I trust your professionalism!"

Professionalism as a broker? This brat really doesn't know how to talk! Kaspars cursed inwardly. Then he glanced at Xio behind Abner and quickly recognized the rather famous "Arbiter" of the East Borough.

He lowered his head to assess the situation for a while before nodding at Abner. "I can ask for you, but regardless of the outcome, you'll have to pay 3 pounds as a contact fee!"

"Sure!" Abner agreed without hesitation. After all, Miss Xio would be paying.

"Wait here for a while!" With that, Kaspars turned and entered the lounge on the other side.

From his tone, it seemed he could conveniently contact old Mr. Eye of Wisdom. Was it through a mystical item? A Messenger? Or perhaps a telegraph?

While Abner was speculating, Xio tugged at his sleeve and asked softly, "What Sequence is the organizer you're looking for?"

"He's an old gentleman at Sequence 7, but he possesses a powerful Sealed Artifact. His actual combat strength is at the level of Sequence 6!" Abner gave a simple introduction.

"Sequence 7!" Xio had a clearer idea now. In the present day, that Sequence could already be considered Mid-Sequence.

As they spoke, Kaspars opened the lounge door and limped back over. "That gentleman said for you to go to the residence where the gathering is held at eight tonight. The password is the same as last time."

After saying that, he carefully looked Abner up and down again, sounding rather incredulous. "When did you become that old gentleman's student?"

"What?" Abner was actually more surprised than he was and could not help freezing for a moment.

"That old gentleman referred to you as 'his future student' in his reply," Kaspars added.

What was this? Passing his test made me his future student? Wasn't he forbidden from preaching in Loen? Oh, right, he's only taking in a student... But isn't this far too hasty?!

Abner complained inwardly, but outwardly accepted the relationship. After all, once he became a student, it would be much easier to climb higher by following the connection. Why would he not embrace a thigh someone had offered him?

As for whether that old gentleman had any ulterior motives, Abner was not too worried. Setting aside the fact that the man's character was fairly decent, perhaps the phrase "future student" had merely been a joke, or a simple attempt to support a promising junior... Even if he truly harbored ill intent, as long as Abner delayed for a month or so, given his current rate of Potion digestion, he might not fear him by then.

After Xio paid the "contact fee," the two left the bar. It was only noon, and they could not possibly wait there until nightfall.

"Where are you going?" Xio asked somewhat blankly.

"I'm going to have lunch, then go home to study this afternoon," Abner answered crisply. Although he had previously had Kaspars say that he had completed the study task assigned by Eye of Wisdom, he was actually still quite far behind. Since he had the afternoon free, he needed to use the Pure White Eye to cram.

"Study..." Xio was rendered speechless and did not know what to say for a moment.

"You don't need to follow me. You can go back and rest first. We'll meet at Bravehearts Bar tonight. Hmm, I don't think that attacker will launch another curse anytime soon," Abner said considerately.

After thinking for a moment, Xio shook her head. "I can't go home. That might bring danger to my friends... Besides, your Sequence doesn't specialize in direct combat, does it? I can protect you if I stay by your side. After all, I was the one who dragged you into this."

So we both feel guilty toward each other? I think I brought you unnecessary danger by meddling, while you think your affairs dragged me into danger? Abner stroked his chin and decided it was better not to explain. It would be impossible to explain clearly anyway. Was he supposed to say he knew the plot?

"Then let's go!"

After hastily eating lunch at a restaurant, Abner and Xio returned together to his residence in the East Borough.

Xio watched Abner take out his materials and begin studying, then looked around the shabby one-room apartment. She silently assessed, This is even worse than the house Fors and I rent. Abner is really frugal, but his mannerisms don't seem like those of a poor man. Is he hiding his identity? Though she was curious, she already considered Abner a friend and did not intend to pry. After all, everyone had secrets.

For the rest of the afternoon, Abner alternated between activating the Pure White Eye to study Ancient Feysac for ten seconds and resting while reviewing what he had learned for two hours. Since Miss Xio had already seen his Pure White Eye, he did not deliberately hide it, only claiming that he was using a Beyonder item.

After dinner, the two returned to Bravehearts Bar at around seven-thirty. This time, Kaspars did not need to guide them; Abner found the apartment where the previous gathering had been held on his own. After briefly disguising himself and Xio with cloaks and masks, he knocked out the password.

Soon, he saw the small wooden panel on the door open and an eye looking out. Abner knew that it belonged to old Mr. Eye of Wisdom's servant.

After a process no different from the gathering, they were led into that familiar sitting room. Under the wavering, dim light of a candle, they saw the old man seated upright in a single armchair.

After Eye of Wisdom saw the two enter and examined them, he smiled. "It seems this lady is the one who needs help!"

"Your insight is truly keen!" Abner flattered him. Once again, he thanked Emperor Roselle. He had given so many idioms an origin, even if that origin was always himself.

"No need to flatter me. Once we finish the transaction, I'll personally test whether you really mastered half of those materials in less than a day!" After saying this, Eye of Wisdom turned to Xio. "This young lady should have been cursed by the whispers of a Coldblooded. However, I can see that the curse has already been weakened. There is not much Fallen aura remaining, so a little Purification with the Sun Brooch will solve the problem."

Xio gave him an admiring look and requested, "You're right. Please help me."

Eye of Wisdom nodded. After saying, "Please wait," he stood up, entered the inner room, and returned with a dark golden brooch shaped like a sunbird. There was visible sweat on Eye of Wisdom's face.

Seeing the two looking at him, he smiled and introduced it. "This is the Sun Brooch. It allows you to gain the abilities of Exorcism, Purification, and the use of some spells within the Sun Domain. Its drawback is that as long as you wear it, you will never experience coolness. You will forever remain in the scorching southern summer."

He never forgets to show off, no matter when it is... Abner sighed inwardly just as the Sun Brooch erupted with pure, warm, brilliant light.

It flowed endlessly, becoming a tide that surged toward the two of them and submerged them both.

Several dozen seconds later, everything returned to normal. Xio and Abner only felt warmth spread throughout their bodies, leaving them extremely comfortable and at ease. It was like soaking in a hot spring or sunbathing.

During this process, Abner lowered his gaze and covertly activated the Pure White Eye. He personally saw the black patterns on Xio's forehead vanish completely under the illumination, as though boiling water had been poured onto snow.

"Alright, the help I promised has been delivered. Shouldn't you fulfill your end of the payment as well? I hope those events from the Fourth Epoch will satisfy me." After putting the brooch back in the inner room, old Mr. Eye of Wisdom said with a genial smile.

"Thank you so much for your help!" Xio gave him a sincere bow.

"There's no need for that. This is a transaction, isn't it?" Eye of Wisdom waved his hand and shifted his gaze to Abner.

Abner did not dare delay. He quickly cleared his throat and recounted a piece of history he had read in the novel Lord of Mysteries: after Solomon's First Empire fell, the Trunsoest-Tudor United Empire rose and later perished. He also pointed out that the capital of that united empire had been Backlund. Of course, he did not recklessly involve Gods or Angels in the subject. That would have been courting death.

These stories absorbed not only Xio, but even the well-informed Eye of Wisdom changed his sitting posture, clearly showing great interest.

"So after the Solomon Empire fell, there was also a period known as the Dual-Archon Era? That explains many of my previous doubts... But it doesn't match the War of the Four Emperors? And how did this united empire break apart?" Eye of Wisdom frowned, feeling that several points did not make sense.

After hesitating briefly, Abner gave a subtle hint. "Because the Black Emperor of the Solomon Empire was resurrected!" He said no more, fearing that saying too much might draw the attention of certain existences. This was not Above the Gray Fog, after all.

"The Black Emperor was resurrected..." Eye of Wisdom nodded thoughtfully. His level was insufficient, and he only vaguely felt that "Black Emperor" was probably more than just a title.

Xio was even more confused, but she did not interrupt. She merely committed it to memory as part of her knowledge. What she did not know was that Abner had told this history partly to subtly reveal information to her. After all, the Sequence 0 George III wished to become was also the Black Emperor!

"I am very satisfied with this payment. It has greatly enriched and supplemented my understanding of the Fourth Epoch, allowing me to take another step forward in uncovering the truth of history. Praise the God of Knowledge and Wisdom."

After Eye of Wisdom offered that satisfied praise, he asked Xio to step outside temporarily. Only then did he look at Abner and smile.

"According to our agreement, it's time to check your homework!"

Two updates, please vote with recommendation tickets.

(End of Chapter)