Jeremy and Ritchie stared at the quietly flowing river for several minutes, deep in thought.
Jeremy was the first to break the silence.
"I believe that entering this river directly poses a significant risk. However, aside from that course of action, we find ourselves with no other viable options. Here, we have been unable to uncover any clues."
Ritchie silently nodded in agreent.
Of course, Ritchie was well aware that stepping into this river would entail considerable danger.
Just as Jeremy had articulated, they were unable to find any leads in this place. The only thing they had discovered was that the cyclops had smashed wall sconces into one wall after another.
As for why the cyclops had chosen to do this? What aning did the flas burning within those sconces hold? They had no idea whatsoever!
"Then let us move forward without delay! Just as you stated, the longer we hesitate, the greater the dangers we will face!" Ritchie sighed and said to Jeremy.
With that, Jeremy stepped towards the river. Just then, a voice suddenly erged from behind Jeremy and Ritchie.
"If you wish to avoid death, you would be wise not to step directly into the dark river."
Upon hearing this voice, Jeremy and Ritchie displayed entirely different reactions.
Jeremy was initially taken aback, but a smile quickly spread across his face. He recognized that the voice belonged to the entity known as the "World."
The appearance of the "World" here indicated that he should not encounter any significant danger.
In contrast, Ritchie's expression was marked by surprise, tinged with a hint of fear.
He sensed that the voice resonating in this place was likely detrintal to both himself and Jeremy.
Consequently, Ritchie imdiately prepared himself for a confrontation.
Before Ritchie even had a chance to turn and look in the direction from which the voice emanated, he heard Jeremy speaking.
"So it's you! What brings you here?"
Jeremy directly inquired of the "World."
After the initial thrill of recognition, Jeremy swiftly realized that sothing seed amiss.
Prior to executing this plan, Jeremy had specifically consulted with the class change goddess Janna and the "World."
He had sought their opinions regarding the overall strategy he intended to pursue.
At that ti, the "World" had not uttered anything particularly significant.
At the very least, it implied that the "World" had not yet formulated any plans involving the Tower of Exile.
Realizing this, Jeremy imdiately assud a defensive stance.
The "World" gradually materialized within Jeremy and Ritchie's line of sight.
He glanced at Jeremy, who was wearing a smile, and remarked, "Maintaining vigilance is indeed crucial for you. Therefore, I will not hold it against you."
The "World" had discerned Jeremy's thoughts.
"I was previously unaware that I would manifest here. While you were executing your mission, I was still preoccupied with trouble concerning the Fool. During the course of my endeavors, I was once again defeated by the Fool.
After being bested, I found myself transported to the Tower of Exile. In fact, any deity defeated by the 'Fool' is destined to be cast into the Tower of Exile.
This is not my first visit here, however, each ti I return, the environnt undergoes certain changes. Hence, before your actions comnced, I refrained from sharing too much intelligence regarding the Tower of Exile.
Now, I can disclose this information to you.
The area in which you find yourselves is indeed the Tower of Exile, but it constitutes rely the periphery of it. The flickering lights you observed within the sconces are, in fact, the residual powers of deities who have been utterly vanquished.
Even if the 'Fool' is able to siphon away the powers of the deities he defeats, their divine essence cannot be entirely extinguished. The 'Fool' can only seal this divine essence within the sconces.
So of the flas within the sconces have gradually extinguished, which signifies that those deities can no longer be resurrected.
If we wish to rescue the deities defeated by the Fool.
We must shatter the glass covers of the sconces and release the flas contained within. However, this is an almost impossible task, as the glass covers are entirely interconnected with the main structure of the Tower of Exile.
"In order to destroy the sconces, one must first obliterate the main structure of the Tower of Exile."
The "World" spoke rapidly, delivering a wealth of information all at once.
The insights he provided were indeed imnsely helpful to both Jeremy and Ritchie.
Jeremy nodded, affirming that the entity before him was indeed the true "World."
"What should we do next? Did you not just say that if we step into the dark river, we will et a grave fate?"
"That is correct! Any creature that enters the dark river will beco a Puppet of the White Tower. In truth, the dark river is composed of the soul-depriving powers possessed by the 'Fool' and the High-Dinsional Data belonging to the White Tower.
Once you step into the dark river, you will be detected by both the White Tower and the 'Fool' simultaneously. If you were to do such a thing, I would be utterly unable to rescue you. I would choose to flee without hesitation."
The words spoken by the "World" left both Jeremy and Ritchie feeling profoundly disheartened.
Although Ritchie was not particularly familiar with the being before him, he chose to trust this individual, given Jeremy's confidence in him.
Ritchie directly addressed the "World" with a question.
"So what should we do next? After all the effort we put into reaching the Tower of Exile, are we really going to abandon this mission? Moreover, Jeremy is carrying that special map with him.
If we cannot resolve the issues arising from the special map, we cannot afford to abandon this operation lightly."
The "World" nodded in acknowledgnt.
He was indeed well aware of Jeremy's plans.
His appearance before the two was intended to offer them aid.
"I understand the objective of your mission. I also believe that your endeavor has a significant chance of success. Thus, I have decided to assist you."
As soon as he finished speaking, a large door radiating a blue glow materialized before Jeremy and Ritchie.
"Once you pass through this door, you will enter the true lower levels of the Tower of Exile. There, you will encounter so deities whose self-awareness has not been entirely extinguished.
These deities may be able to provide you with so assistance. However, do not place your complete trust in them, for so deities defeated by the 'Fool' are actually evil gods.
Certain deities will undoubtedly attempt to deceive you. You must discern the truth in their words. During your mission, you will also have the opportunity to seize their powers.
Once you have acquired sufficient strength, you can then proceed to the upper levels of the Tower of Exile. Only then will you be qualified to truly challenge the White Tower."
After delivering this ssage, the "World" turned to leave.
Jeremy quickly called out to him.
"Where are you going now? We encountered you here unexpectedly, don't you want to join us in this endeavor?"
The "World" replied calmly,
"I certainly have my own matters to attend to. Although our paths crossed here, your mission is not related to . I rely offered you a bit of assistance.
Even without my help, you should be able to find a way to reach the lower levels of the Tower of Exile. After all, Jeremy can utilize the King of Ti and Space's talents to escape the mont he steps into the dark river."
"Even if you are briefly observed by the White Tower upon entering the dark river, you can still escape its control through constant teleportation.
Although the overall difficulty of your mission may increase due to mistakes, I have great confidence in you. After I have provided you with assistance, your mission will certainly not fail."
After saying this, the "World" quickly vanished from sight.
Jeremy felt quite helpless.
"It seems he really does not want to provide us with any more help! Let's not waste any more ti, we should hurry and step into the portal!"
As soon as Jeremy finished speaking, he moved toward the door radiating blue light, with Ritchie following closely behind, his expression slightly hesitant.
Just as Jeremy was about to enter the portal, Ritchie asked him,
"Do you really believe what he said? Why do I feel like there are both truths and lies in his words? If he is deceiving us, then following his advice might lead us right into a trap!"
Ritchie's words made Jeremy pause for a mont.
However, Jeremy quickly adjusted his mood.
"Your caution is indeed comndable! But I have spent a long ti with the 'World.' Although he cos off as very cold, he would never abandon soone in need.
His imdiate departure indicates that he believes we have the ability to complete the entire task on our own. You don't need to overthink things, just move forward with ."
After saying this, Jeremy pulled Ritchie into the portal as well.
The two of them then passed through the portal that radiated blue light.
After a burst of intense flashing, they suddenly found themselves in a dilapidated small town. Just a short distance away, they saw a warrior lying on the ground, his body covered in wounds.
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