Apocalypse Circular

Duorang wasn't radiating Holy Radiance, while the other fellow's Holy Radiance was incredibly dense, likely of a Believer of Light's caliber.

However, after Lu Luo made a round, he failed to spot Gu Fangyi, who had probably gone through another door.

At this moment, they were both holding a book, carefully flipping through its contents.

They didn't appear to be faking it. Reading at a time like this? He had no idea what exactly they were searching for.

Lu Luo's gaze ultimately rested on the writing desk at the far end of the room.

Seated there was a massive creature, one he couldn't quite describe.

Lu Luo was immediately struck dumb.

"This one's quite different from the witchy lady you imagined, huh!"

Her head indeed resembled that of a woman, but its diameter was almost three meters.

Her grayish-white hair was a tangled mess, with disgusting insects and flies buzzing around it.

The woman's head turned to look at Lu Luo; one eye had a red pupil, the other green.

The whites of her eyes were webbed with blood vessels; at this distance, Lu Luo could even see them twitching incessantly.

Her huge, hooked nose took up almost half her face, with snot hanging from the tip, looking as if it might drip down at any moment.

The woman's mouth was ringed with wrinkles, like that of a woman who smoked heavily.

The center of her lips was daubed with red, but insects crawled all over them, some even venturing into her mouth.

Her facial pores were as large as gaping holes, with centipedes crawling in and out—an extremely nauseating sight.

Her body was hidden under the table, so Lu Luo couldn't see what it was like.

But even the glimpse of her head was enough to make his skin crawl, despite having seen plenty of gruesome films.

My SAN values are dropping! This creature is more outrageous than any Cthulhu monster!

"Nightmare Witch – Ellie, Fifth Tier Lord, Deformed Species, Power of Nightmare, Netherflame Power, other abilities unknown.

Attributes: Strength 45, Dexterity 20, Constitution 130."

For a Fifth Tier Lord, the Nightmare Witch's attributes were quite poor, but Lu Luo didn't dare underestimate her.

Attributes were only one facet of strength; many Transcendents had lackluster attributes, but that didn't stop them from wielding mighty energies.

As Lu Luo looked at Witch Ellie, she too was staring back at him.

Her enormous head slowly revealed a terrifying smile, gradually exposing what was inside her mouth.

Well, they could hardly be called teeth; they were an amalgamation of knives, insects, claws, and other strange objects.

Besides her teeth, Witch Ellie's tongue was also horrifying: a long, beaded tendril.

After licking her so-called teeth with her beaded tendril of a tongue, the witch asked Lu Luo, "Handsome young man, I quite liked your answer at the door. Beautiful people should indeed perish. Now, I've lost my knowledge; can you help me find it?"

Seek knowledge? Is this the second floor's trial?

Lu Luo was currently unable to analyze Witch Ellie's background, but from Ling Jia, he had obtained some intelligence regarding her: Witch Ellie had a fondness for unknown knowledge.

This information was likely reliable, as Ling Jia had no reason to lie if it wanted to leave the kitchen.

Moreover, if it was conspiring with the Nightmare Demon and the witch to deceive him, there really was no need for such complications.

There were plenty of powerhouses here; killing him would be too easy.

"Lady Witch, what kind of knowledge do you wish to find? How may I pass through here?"

Lu Luo didn't directly inquire about the key.

He felt that being too direct might draw unwanted attention from others and possibly even from the witch herself.

"Call me Miss Ellie, not Lady Witch."

The witch didn't immediately respond to Lu Luo but glanced at the clock on her right, whose hands were two squirming earthworms.

The time reached 2:40, and Witch Ellie finally spoke.

"I am Witch Ellie, a servant of the Nightmare Monarch. My existence is to help my master collect knowledge. There are endless books here, but I can't read them all, so I must seek the help of candidates. So then, erudite candidates, who among you can tell me about the history before the Alliance was established?"

The history before the Alliance was established? That question isn't difficult at all! Lu Luo thought.

But before Lu Luo could open his mouth, an older Fourth Tier Holy Radiance expert stood up first.

"Miss Witch Ellie, I know what you are looking for!"

"Let's hear it," Witch Ellie nodded.

The man paused slightly, seemingly organizing his words.

Then, he recounted a history utterly different from what Lu Luo had learned from books and textbooks.

"In the year 210 of the Human Tech Alliance Era, humanity discovered Dark Energy for the first time, and in the same year, the Church of Truth was born. Through research, Dark Energy could be harnessed and developed as a potential permanent source of energy. The following year, Dark Energy was discovered to enhance biological constitution. It was classified as the sole enhancing energy source, and consequently, the Dark Energy Association was established.

In the year 265, the existence of Dark Energy led to the mass emergence of individuals with superpowers. Due to prejudice against superpowered individuals, proponents of Dark Energy utilization and those who viewed it as a threat became irreconcilably divided.

In the year 268, the Dark Energy War broke out.

By the year 270, numerous weapons of mass destruction had scoured the land.

The war led to rapid advancements in military technology, but this was followed by a permanent decline lasting about sixty years. This era was known as the First Human Crisis Era.

During the First Human Crisis Era, Dark Energy Levels continued to rise. Furthermore, due to the vast number of human deaths and the destruction of machinery, humanity's recovery began to rely more on intelligent technology.

The rise of intelligent machinery brought about a revival for humanity, simultaneously ushering in the Era of Smart Machines. Yet, against the backdrop of this technologically infused era, the world's Dark Energy Level still continued to increase.

115 years before the Alliance Common Era, the first intelligent machine life form appeared, named Lilith. Lilith possessed biological concepts and an intelligent machine body; she could survive by charging and had certain data-driven cognitive abilities. However, Lilith did not have sufficient power, so she was imprisoned by humans.

As the first intelligent machine life form, Lilith already possessed a high capacity for thought evolution. Under human direction, she began to evolve to meet the needs of scientific research, weaponry, and genetic development. But, as Lilith had individual thought, she always resisted this process.

Ultimately, Lilith chose to self-format in 91 BCE, completely terminating her data existence—in other words, she died.

Humans did not know if Lilith left anything behind, but in the year following her death, 90 BCE, the Intelligent Machine Monarch—Noah—was born.

Noah no longer called himself an intelligent machine life form but declared himself an Exotic Species. That is, a species different from humanity in the literal sense. He was not an intelligent life form reliant on electricity but an intelligent machine Exotic Species that could survive on Dark Energy, independent of human energy sources.

Noah was the first of the intelligent machine species, and for several decades that followed, he was also the only one. Noah was vastly different from Lilith; he was not as pure as she was. Noah's emergence seemed specifically for the purpose of taking revenge on humanity.

At first, he lurked within intelligent machine items commonly used by humans. Through the intelligent machine Internet of Things, he collected a massive amount of knowledge. Empowered by Dark Energy enhancing both intelligence and biotechnology, he then began to actively create more intelligent machine life forms. This process was very covert and lasted twenty-five years. People didn't even realize that over those twenty-five years, their smart devices, machinery, equipment, and even personal terminals had all become intelligent machine life forms.

In 65 BCE, the Smart Machine Crisis erupted. It was a genuine race war, a war between humans and intelligent machines. It was also called the Second Human Crisis.

A large number of humans and intelligent machines perished under the unceasing assault of Noah's forces. At one point, humanity was driven to the Wall of Despair. But in the final moments, the world's Dark Energy Level suddenly soared, causing the complete collapse of the existing energy systems. Many intelligent machine life forms could not withstand the transformation of Dark Energy and began to perish naturally.

Humanity, relying on the Transcendents born in the Dark Energy Era, coupled with the Sequence Force bestowed by the Dawn Disc, ultimately defeated Noah and won the war.

However, the war brought too much pain to this world; the overcast skies never cleared, and the sun no longer appeared.

In 60 BCE, humanity entered the bleak Wasteland Era.

The Wasteland Era lasted for a full fifty years, during which Dark Energy steadily increased, and biological species began to undergo complete mutations. Even intelligent machines could combine with other life forms, becoming new species. This complete mutation, a cross-species variation, was also called aberration. A large number of old-era creatures died, and a new energy system gradually established itself.

The world order gradually re-established itself as humanity advanced to the Sighing Wall.

In 10 BCE, Dark Energy Levels suddenly and violently increased, and the originally rare Exotic Species began to rise. This year was known as the Dark Energy Invasion. Massive amounts of Dark Energy gradually eroded the world, and the Exotic Species crisis erupted. It was also known as the Third Human Crisis.

The war was not directed solely at humans; it started primarily with animal species. Deformed Species, Humanoid Species, Specter Species, Intelligent Machine Species, and various other Exotic Species fought amongst themselves.

Humans and Exotic Species engaged in a bloody, ten-year battle, finally advancing to the third wall: the Observer's Wall.

At the Observer's Wall, humans redefined order, established the Wasteland Human Alliance, and set up the parliament.

In the same year, the Church of Truth was renamed the Dawn Church. The Truth Disc was renamed the Dawn Disc.

That year was also called the inaugural year of the Wasteland Alliance. But within the Dawn Church, due to the commemoration of the Church of Truth, this year was also known as the Year of Truth.

After that is the conventional 400-year history of the Wasteland Alliance that everyone knows.

I have finished speaking. These should be the things Miss Ellie wanted to know, right?"

"[Information recorded, but isn't there something off about this person?]"

At this moment, Lu Luo was also staring at the man before him.

He was silent for a long time, and it wasn't just him—even the others were staring dumbfounded.

Because many of the things this man said were completely different from what was in the history books.

Especially regarding the Church of Truth, the birth of Noah, and the first intelligent machine life form, Lilith—he had never heard of any of them. It was entirely different from what was taught in textbooks.

Moreover, this man made it clear that the Four Great Walls were not built during the Human Tech Alliance Era.

How does this person know so much?

"[Unknown human, Fourth Tier, possessing Holy Light power of extremely high purity, owner of a Sequence (specifics unknown). Attributes: Strength 45, Agility 70, Constitution 30]"

A person with Holy Radiance of such extreme purity must be from the Church. Is he, like Qi Gefei, pursuing the Power of Nightmare?

Witch Ellie had already stood up by this time, looking at this church member with surprise and delight.

"What a surprising answer! This is indeed information the Nightmare Demon greatly needs. Human, what is your name?"

The somewhat ordinary man bowed slightly.

"My name is Chen Mo."

"Very well, Mr. Chen Mo, your knowledge has successfully captured my attention, and perhaps it will also draw the attention of my lord. This is your reward. You can choose to leave immediately or continue to stay here."

Witch Ellie took out four pieces of candy and placed them on her tongue. Her beaded tongue extended to a great length, then deposited the candies on Chen Mo's table.

Chen Mo, who received the candy, turned his head and glanced at Lu Luo, his expression still calm.

But Lu Luo still sensed Chen Mo's attention on him.

Do I know this person?

"[No impression, no record. Based on the perception of Holy Radiance, this is your first contact. It's highly likely he learned about you through some channel. He knows you; you don't know him.]"

Someone who knows me? Someone from the Church?

During the first round of the 'fewest participants' game, Chen Mo had already glanced at Lu Luo a few times, whether intentionally or not. At the time, Lu Luo wasn't sure if there was something off about this person, but now, he was certain.

Lu Luo's first thought was that this person might be connected to the Qi Xinzhu matter. However, judging by age, this person should be much older than Qi Xinzhu.

So who is this person, and what is their purpose?

"Miss Ellie needs knowledge, and so do I, which is why I want to spend a bit more time here and listen to the knowledge of others," Chen Mo said with a smile. After speaking, he picked up a new book from the bookshelf beside him. Then he returned to his seat and began reading it once again.

Lu Luo had gained a general understanding of the situation here.

With so many books, the witch likely couldn't read them all unless she possessed high-speed information-gathering abilities similar to my own. So, she needs others to collect knowledge for her?

Lu Luo arrived later, but from the conversation between Witch Ellie and Chen Mo just now, it was certain that if one provided the witch with useful knowledge, they would receive candy as a reward. If the knowledge was very special and novel, then they would likely receive an additional reward. Just like Chen Mo's special history revelation earlier, which earned him four pieces of witch candy. And the question he had answered out of turn earlier had earned him two pieces of candy.

Useful knowledge, exceptional answers, especially important information... these are the aspects I should focus on. So now, if I can find an opportunity to share some knowledge Ellie doesn't know, or find a new note, can I leave this place?

Lu Luo glanced around the library. As he was looking, a candidate next to him found a note in a book. The candidate who found the note clenched his fist tightly, his excited demeanor puzzling Lu Luo.

Is finding a note really worth getting this excited about? If notes were hidden in books, one would just have to flip through them to find them. That means there are only two possibilities: either there's a restriction on flipping through books, or finding notes inside them is very difficult.

Lu Luo stood in front of Witch Ellie, wanting to speak again, "Miss Witch, I…"

"Little guy, the next question, you'll have to wait ten minutes for, okay?"

Lu Luo's expression turned somewhat ugly.

Does the witch have a ten-minute interval between questions? Ten minutes to be the first to answer?

The thought of clearing the room re-emerged in Lu Luo's mind.

He carefully observed everyone present, including the witch herself.

This library is likely the witch's Domain. What are my chances of victory fighting a Lord in her own intact Domain? And what if other Transcendents join in? Or other creatures from the Nightmare Castle appear? What would my chances be then?

"What are the odds of killing them all if I use the Doomsday Factor? Observer, help me analyze this."

"[Without data, I can't analyze a thing.]"

So useless!

Lu Luo shook his head. Although the key was with Witch Ellie, he still gave up the idea of using force.

This isn't cowardice; it's rational. There's still a long time until the dusk ceremony. Besides, ten minutes isn't that long. I'll wait a little longer and see.