The commotion in the imperial study did not affect Rem outside the door. She and a group of maids remained diligently on duty outside, though Rem now held a chain in her hand, its end connected to a large, spiked metal ball.
Bai Qi waved his hand, and Bai Qi was dug out from the rubble, returning to his seat.
Looking at Bai Qi, whose face was full of defiance, Bai Qi sighed and said, "See? You can't even resist my attacks now. I also saw your match with Dao Long; it was all brute force and recklessness, completely wasting your strong affinity for magic."
Bai Qi lowered his head in silence upon hearing his father's words. Although he was unwilling to admit it, his father's words were the truth.
"What disappoints me even more is that you can't even control your dragon transformation now, being consumed by wildness. You've truly disappointed me!"
After scolding Bai Qi, Bai Qi continued in a gentle tone, "Bai Qi, you should know that brute force alone cannot solve all problems. Magic is your best weapon, and you lack it. Now, learn diligently from Dao Long. As a teacher, he can teach you much. Don't disappoint me again."
"Yes, Father. I understand."
Bai Qi waved his hand, signaling Dao Long to take Bai Qi back to the academy for studies. After the two left, Bai Qi took out a clay bottle and placed it on the table. He opened the stopper, and a red gas drifted out from the bottle, forming the head of the Wu child in the air.
"What is it?"
The Wu child looked at Bai Qi unhappily and said, "If Wandall wasn't busy, I wouldn't be looking for you. And arrogance is..."
"Alright, alright, I know. You invented it. So, can you tell me what you need now?"
"Hmph, truly annoying."
Despite his annoyance, the Wu child explained the situation.
Originally, Wandall and the Wu child were supposed to go together to snatch the Helm of Fate. However, Wandall had something come up. He said that members of the Justice League had discovered some of Wandall's secrets, and Wandall was currently dealing with the aftermath. Furthermore, the Justice League was keeping a close eye on Wandall at the moment. If Wandall made any further moves, it might attract the entire League.
This was not Bai Qi being alarmist. Wandall the Savage indeed carried significant weight. Having survived from primitive society to modern times, Wandall's experience and knowledge reserve had reached a terrifying level, coupled with his instigation in various dynasties and world wars.
There was even an episode in the Justice League's dedicated anime where Superman was sent to the future by a special ray from the Toyman. Due to Superman's absence, the future world was destroyed. First, the veterans of the Justice League, then superheroes and villains, and finally, the sun mutated, the moon shattered, and Earth's ecosystem suffered unprecedented destruction. Mutant creatures roamed, and all humans and most living beings perished, except for Wandall, who survived. With his own strength, using the fallen Watchtower as a base, he built a comfortable sanctuary for himself and even managed to create spaceships and time machines to escape Earth.
He did not leave only to atone for Earth and humanity.
Of course, the outcome was good. Superman and Wandall cooperated, using the time machine to send Superman back and successfully reverse the future, allowing Earth to continue its positive development.
However, this also indirectly demonstrated the terrifying power of Wandall.
After hearing the Wu child's words, Bai Qi nodded repeatedly and said, "It's no problem for me to help, but you know, I'm quite busy lately. I'll have to pay a considerable price for this matter of yours. Don't you think you should offer something in return?"
"Fine, fine."
This time, it was the Wu child's turn to be impatient.
"One book, take a magic book from my collection for you."
"Five books."
"Hey, that's not fair. We've already captured him, and you just need to go to the Tower of Fate with me. I'll give you two books at most."
"Six books."
"Are you out of your mind? Three books, and that's final."
"Agreed. When do we act?"
"Tonight, to avoid further complications."
"Good."
Two weeks ago, New Orleans, 9:57 PM.
An old man in a black suit and carrying a cane walked along the bustling street.
The old man was not young, his hair completely white, and his face wrinkled, but he still possessed an undeniable gentlemanly demeanor.
By chance, the old man noticed the sign of a shop next to him. It was Madame Zola's Fortune Telling House. The sign at the door clearly stated that one could reunite with deceased loved ones.
The old man took out a pocket watch and opened it. A photograph of a young woman appeared. Looking at the woman in the photo, the old man's face was filled with longing.
He closed the pocket watch and resolutely walked into the shop.
After paying, the old man entered a room inside.
The room's decor was indeed quite impressive. Ancient decorations, candles stuck in skulls.
Only one chandelier was lit in the entire room. Beneath the chandelier was a round table and two chairs. A crystal ball was also placed on the table in a convincing manner.
The old man looked around the room and then stood by the round table.
Soon, the curtain at the opposite entrance was lifted, and a woman emerged.
Her attire and exaggerated accessories clearly marked her as a medium.
"Good evening, sir. How may Madame Zola assist you?"
Madame Zola spoke as she walked, "Ah, you have something to say to someone, don't you? It's your wife, isn't it?"
When Madame Zola uttered the word "wife," the old man's hand holding the pocket watch tightened involuntarily.
"That's right, my Inza."
Seeing that she had guessed correctly, Madame Zola felt a bit smug.
"If fate is kind, Madame Zola can commune with spirits."
The old man sighed helplessly and said, "But she rarely does."
As he spoke, the old man recalled Inza's bad temper.
After they both sat down, neither spoke first, staring at each other. After a long while, Madame Zola, feeling a bit awkward, coughed lightly and gestured.
"Oh, of course."
Seeing her outstretched hand, the old man understood its meaning and took out a wad of cash from his pocket, placing it in her hand.
Tucking the money into her pocket, Madame Zola closed her eyes and began her ritual.
Immediately, the crystal ball in front of them began to glow. Madame Zola tilted her head slightly, her hair floating in the light. Then, the chandelier above them shook violently, and the round table in front of them rose upwards.
At this moment, Madame Zola, with her fingers forming a graceful pose, began to twitch as if possessed.
"Oh, darling, I miss you so much. I am so lonely and cold here."
Madame Zola's voice sounded ethereal, completely different from her initial way of speaking, as if something was speaking through her mouth.
Madame Zola opened her eyes. It was unclear if it was the lighting, but her eyes now emitted a white light.
"Hahaha, is that all you can do?"