Sorcerer’s Handbook
Chapter 681: Breaking the Cage

The Specter Seer knew all too well that he was not the first choice for the black robe sorcerers. The “Specter Handbook” had exposed too much of his methods, leaving no room for trust from any sensible person. Yet, the Specter Seer was compelled by necessity; “spreading knowledge of the Specter Seer through Inheritance” was a crucial step in his resurrection.

Thus, if he wanted to seize the deity, he couldn’t allow these four black robe sorcerers to succeed in their Godsmithing. Once the deity recognized its master post-Godsmithing, it would be impossible for him to snatch it away.

The Specter Seer quietly invoked a Miracle, squeezing out numerous thoughts to fuel a storm of ideas. Suddenly, he recalled something-during his original life, he had failed to notice that the Nightmare Angel had left behind an Inheritance!

Not only him, but the previous twelve owners of the Dreaming Celestium had also failed to discover the Nightmare Inheritance. However, upon looking up, the Specter Seer understood: the Nightmare Inheritance was hidden in the weakest part of the Dreaming Celestium, its final pillar. Unless an owner was insane enough to want to completely destroy the Dreaming Celestium, it was impossible to uncover the handiwork of the Nightmare Angel.

But the question remained, why was the Nightmare Inheritance hidden until now, eluding all Demigods, and meant only for mortal sorcerers to find?

More often than not, Angelic Heritage would be acquired by other Demigods, with only a few leaving their Inheritance in the lower Virtual Realm. After all, when facing death, would you care whether your successor was a mortal or a Demigod?

However, when the Nightmare Angel fell, the Specter Seer had already ascended Ruby Mountain and was unaware of the true circumstances of the Nightmare Angel’s demise. Regardless, the Nightmare Angel’s death must have been sudden and frantic, leaving little time for elaborate plans. Yet, he still made ‘secrecy’ and ‘only passing to mortals’ the core rules of his Inheritance…

This could only mean one thing: the Nightmare Angel did not genuinely intend to leave an Inheritance. If other Demigods acquired the Nightmare Inheritance, it would ruin his plans; only mortals could be deceived by him!

Being an Evil Sorcerer himself, the Specter Seer found the Nightmare Angel’s thought process utterly transparent!

“If you wish to survive, you’d better stop now,” the Specter Seer sneered coldly. “If I’m not mistaken, the deity you intend to create is the Nightmare Deity, isn’t it?”

The black robe sorcerers hesitated slightly.

“You’ve been deceived,” the Specter Seer continued. “Yes, you might indeed create the Nightmare Deity, but the real question is, will it be your Nightmare Deity?”

“The Nightmare Angel spent years devising the Nightmare Deity. Do you think it would be so easily yours? Especially when you’re merely sanctuary sorcerers, that Devil could snatch the Nightmare Deity with ease.”

“Moreover, it could use the Nightmare Deity to invade your souls directly, completing a rebirth within you. If you don’t want to become vessels for the Nightmare Angel, stop now and wait for us to break this Golden Hall. As long as you relinquish the deity, no one will stop you from leaving!”

Though the Specter Seer spoke with conviction, much of it was fabricated. However, he was certain that the Nightmare Angel had no good intentions, and these black robe sorcerers surely harbored doubts. By preventing them from continuing their Godsmithing, he would have a chance to muddy the waters!

Hearing the words of the Specter Seer, the Nightmare, though expressionless, beckoned with a finger, urging, “Quick.”

As it moved its finger, the shadowy chains around the necks of the four black-robed sorcerers began to manifest.

The Specter Seer thought to himself that this was not good-the Nightmare Angel was so despicable, using a curse miracle to control these sorcerers, just like him!

Indeed, the black-robed sorcerers couldn’t resist the Nightmare’s command. One slender black-robed sorcerer stepped forward and gently picked up the small fox from the crystal wall.

“Embrace the concept of Into Dreams and enter the Virtual Divinity,” the Nightmare’s voice seemed to grow urgent. “When all beings enter dreams, the nightmare begins to descend!”

At this moment, not only the two thousand sanctuary sorcerers but even the Specter Seer couldn’t help but hold their breath.

The birth of a deity was a moment even the Specter Seer had never witnessed!

The sanctuary sorcerers were even more excited, barely able to contain themselves-most mortals had never seen a deity, let alone witnessed such a historic moment!

Even beneath the Nightmare’s calm, deadpan face, there was a deep sigh of emotion:

“Finally, the moment has arrived.”

Just as everyone’s hearts were swirling with anticipation, greed, and jealousy, they saw that the black-robed sorcerer holding the small fox didn’t move towards the Divinity but instead took a step back.

“Finally, the moment has arrived.”

Vesser smiled slightly and activated a miracle on the still-sleeping small fox in her arms.

Truth Miracle: Misguided Love!

If Ashe could rely on his innate talent to connect with any Senlo Demi-God for Divine Hosting, then Vesser’s ability to steal so many Senlo Demi-Gods depended on this Misguided Love Miracle!

Under the influence of the Misguided Love Miracle, all Senlo Demi-Gods would see Vesser as a kindred spirit with aligned beliefs!

Upon discovering that the cults of the Senlo wasteland were very similar to the ‘incubation method’ of the Soul Divinity School, and that Demi-Gods and concepts seemed to be the same kind of existence, Vesser speculated whether her Misguided Love Miracle could also affect concepts.

This was the premise of all her plans because normally accepting a concept required a long time. If she couldn’t incorporate the concept into her soul now, their plan would be impossible, and they would have to obediently become tools for the Nightmare!

However-

The small fox slightly opened its eyes, lazily yawned, and then burrowed into Vesser’s arms, directly merging into her soul!

Seeing this, both the Specter Seer and the Nightmare were shocked!

How could this be possible!?

How could the concept be fused so quickly?!

Before they could react, Vesser called out softly, “Observer!”

Ashe immediately grabbed Vesser’s hand and said to the sword Princess and the Witch, “Hold onto us!”

As the four of them held hands, Ashe immediately activated the Specter’s Appendix he had obtained-Miracle: Soul Merge!

In an instant, the souls of the four merged into one, indistinguishable from each other!

The Nightmare was about to use Oneiric Schism to harm others to threaten Vesser, but seeing this, it stopped immediately.

It couldn’t and dared not harm Vesser-the Into Dreams concept was within Vesser, and if Vesser died, the Into Dreams concept would dissipate as well!

Ashe asked nervously, “What do we do next?”

“Fly out!” Vesser said resolutely.

At this moment, Ashe and the others placed their complete trust in Vesser. The four of them unfurled their three wings and soared into the sky, leaving the Golden Hall behind, heading towards the Specter Seer and the Sanctuary coalition forces!

Sonya and Deya each unleashed a Miracle upon the dream phantom enveloping the Golden Hall, attempting to pierce through thirty layers of bubbles.

Although the Specter Seer was unsure of what was transpiring, the situation was undoubtedly advantageous for him. He once again invoked the divine intervention, Soul Pressure Tide, to assault the dream phantom!

Not only the Specter Seer, but other sanctuary sorcerers also received orders to relentlessly attack the dream phantom!

Igor, who understood the situation, quickly convinced Abyssalith, Mirehex, Malgraith, and other sorcerer leaders that the more chaotic the situation, the greater the benefits. If they could capture these four black-robed sorcerers, there was even a chance of obtaining a deity. But first, they needed to let the black-robed sorcerers escape!

Under the assault from both inside and outside, the thirty-plus layers of the dream phantom shattered in an instant. However, the greatest credit did not belong to the Specter Seer and the Sanctuary coalition, but rather to Sonya and Deya!

The dream phantom had extremely high resistance to external damage, but internally, it was vulnerable!

Their Offensive Miracles easily pierced through most of the bubbles!

As Ashe and the others flew out of the Golden Hall, they were greeted by a barrage of malicious Miracles!

“You’ve made a wise decision.”

The Specter Seer spoke kindly, but with a wave of his hand, he unleashed several Vengeful Souls that transformed into shackles, entangling them!

“Don’t be afraid!” Vesser and Ashe shouted simultaneously, their hands tightly clasped, resembling a bird crashing into the Specter Seer’s Miracle!

Just as they were about to become prisoners, a bubble enveloped them, effortlessly blocking the Specter Seer’s assault!

It was the nightmare!

It overturned a treasure chest, continually consuming Source Crystals to cast Defensive Miracles for Ashe and the others!

“Indeed,” Vesser’s voice echoed in their minds, “Into Dreams is our best hostage. The nightmare is merely a rigid execution program. As long as we collectively hold the Into Dreams concept, it must protect us!”

“So, fly without worry!”

With virtual wings spread wide, the four of them charged towards the sky in the bright and dazzling Dreaming Celestium, under the watchful eyes of two thousand sanctuary sorcerers and the Specter Seer!

Suddenly, a drumbeat surrounded them, but its effect was not on them directly, but on the surrounding space! As the drumbeat played, the space began to thicken, even attempting to push Ashe and the others back!

Miracle: Retreat Drum!

At this moment, the Specter Seer caught up with them, unleashing dozens of Vengeful Souls. These souls emitted long snoring sounds, and other sanctuary sorcerers who heard the snores were suddenly trapped in pink cages, and they themselves began to snore, about to fall asleep!

Miracle: Return to Slumber!

In addition, many Miracles and individuals directly blocked their path, trying to keep them-or rather, their concept-behind!

“Don’t be in such a hurry to leave!” Malgraith, transformed into the Shadow Evil Drake, reached out to capture them.

“Stop!” Mirehex led the Cursed Elf Archery Team to shoot at them.

“Why not consider following us, Sovereign…” Abyssalith, accompanied by Blood Saint sorcerers, obstructed their way.

No matter what miracles or obstacles they faced, Ashe and his companions ignored them all, focusing solely on reaching the edge of Celestium. Every attack against them was blocked by the dream phantoms conjured by the nightmare, and anyone who stood in their way was simply bounced away by the same phantoms.

“You won’t escape!” The Stars Sanctuary shouted as they caught up, “Dreaming Celestium is already sealed by the Starlit Miracle! Stop and hand over the concept to me, and the Stars Sovereign’s promise still stands!”

Indeed, even with the nightmare’s full support, one formidable barrier remained before Ashe and his companions-the Starlit Miracle!

The Starlit Miracle had sealed Dreaming Celestium, with vertical star lines forming a cage that trapped everyone inside. As Ashe and his companions approached the edge of Celestium, they naturally saw the tightly closed birdcage embedded in the walls of Celestium!

Knowing this, the Specter Seer, sanctuary sorcerers, and even the nightmare were not anxious, for in their view, no one could escape from here!

“What do we do?” Ashe asked, “Vesser, do you have any cards left to play?”

“No!” Vesser shook her head, “My plan was hastily formed, with too many uncertainties. Getting this far is already a stroke of luck formed by many coincidences. How could I have a card left to counter a divine intervention?”

Sonya, tense yet hopeful, asked, “Does this mean we have no choice but to surrender to the Stars Sovereign?”

“Wait!” Deya exclaimed through mental communication, “Look at the Into Dreams concept!”

Everyone turned their gaze inward to their souls, noticing that the closer they got to the edge of Celestium, the more excited the little fox became, eagerly watching the outside of Dreaming Celestium, as if it too couldn’t wait any longer!

In a flash of insight, Vesser and Ashe’s voices rang out simultaneously, “Bet!”

“We’ve come this far, how can we not try!?” Ashe shouted through gritted teeth, “Charge out!”

As they were about to collide with the starry birdcage, the little fox let out a cheer, painting them with a dreamlike iridescence!

Snap!

Covered in iridescence, the four of them created a massive breach in the starry birdcage that even the Specter Seer was powerless against, and two thousand sanctuary sorcerers could only watch in awe!

The star lines crumbled, the divine intervention shattered!

At that moment, the sanctuary sorcerers observing from outside Dreaming Celestium seemed to see an iridescent phantom bird burst forth. The light from the Distant Sky Domain fell upon the phantom bird, coating its iridescence with shimmering arcs of light, mesmerizing both those inside and outside!

Some birds cannot be caged; every feather on their bodies glows with the light of freedom.

“How is this possible!?”

“The Starlit Miracle was broken just like that?”

“Wait, are they courting death!?”

Under countless astonished gazes, Ashe and his companions followed Vesser’s lead, directly dismantling their own Sanctuary! The nightmare attempted to shield them with miracles, but they had already left Dreaming Celestium, beyond its reach!

It was well-known that without Sanctuary protection in the Distant Sky Domain, souls would succumb to the Ritual of Prohibited Synchronization of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon, leading to death!

And this was precisely Vesser’s aim!

“It’s starting,” Vesser’s voice echoed in the minds of the three, filled with nervous anticipation, “The true Godsmithing Ritual!”

Ashe added, “It’s also our Godsmithing Ritual!”

Indeed, their plan was also Godsmithing, but not targeting a Nightmare deity, nor using the Virtual Divinity School!

They intended to use the Ritual Track of the Soul Divinity School!

They aimed to create a deity that had never been seen before, an unknown god!