Chapter 331: The Challenge

Normally, given enough time, many array masters could break this array.

The problem is that it might take hundreds of years.

In the polluted zones, no one has that kind of time to spend on breaking a relic’s array.

Seranthiel’s pioneer team is likely working hard on it now.

They sent this image back to pool everyone’s efforts, hoping for a quicker solution than their small team could manage.

If they can’t solve it soon, they might abandon the relic.

The uncertainty in polluted zones means they can’t stay indefinitely.

If they can’t crack it, they’ll record the location and return once they have a solution.

But the unpredictable nature of polluted zones means the relic might disappear in a few days.

After watching the wheel’s rotation, Helag realized breaking it was extremely difficult.

Eight rings meant eight arrays, each with hundreds of runes, and their interactions had to be considered.

The standard method involves observing the rotation pattern and gathering data.

Then, precise calculations are made, which isn’t quickly done.

Helag quickly realized the conventional method wouldn’t work in a short time.

A clever approach was needed, testing mental agility.

No wonder the pioneer team’s array master couldn’t solve it; they must be highly skilled.

But experience alone doesn’t guarantee success; without the right approach, it’s unsolvable.

Either you know the correct solution, or you brute-force the calculations.

Wizards have high mental power, but calculating something this complex quickly is impossible.

Helag observed others, noting most were deep in thought.

The attendees were all skilled array masters, recognizing the array’s difficulty.

Some leaned on tables, sketching with quills on parchment, clearly calculating.

Helag knew calculations on paper wouldn’t yield results quickly.

While others pondered, Helag furrowed his brow, pretending to think.

“Deep Blue, start analyzing the wheel’s solution.”

“Task logged, analysis underway, estimated time: 23 minutes,” Deep Blue responded.

Helag thought, “23 minutes, not bad.”

Deep Blue would try every possibility, so 23 minutes was lengthy.

Helag waited for Deep Blue’s calculations, occasionally glancing at others.

He hoped Deep Blue would finish before anyone else found a solution.

He didn’t underestimate the wizards; any array master could be a genius, potentially finding the answer.

It was entirely possible.

The Avila Restaurant was silent, save for the scratching of quills on parchment.

Some wrote, while others, like Helag, believed calculations wouldn’t suffice and continued observing the wheel.

Ten minutes later, a raspy voice broke the silence.

“I think I know how to solve it,” Muir announced, stepping forward to Goodwin.

Goodwin turned, smiling, “Ah, Mr. Muir, you have a solution?”

Muir, hands behind his back, disdainfully glanced around, “I have an idea. You lack experience. It’s just a chain array with a set solution. Treat each pair of rings as a whole, then reverse-engineer it.”

He handed a rolled parchment to Goodwin, “Here’s my solution. Let them try it.”

Goodwin took it, examining it closely.

Afterward, Israel reviewed it, then passed it to three others.

“What do you think?” Goodwin asked Israel.

Israel frowned, “It’s speculative, lacking data support. It might not work.”

Muir shouted hoarsely, “You know nothing! My method will work!”

Israel shrugged, “I doubt it, but let’s see what others think.”

Five people reviewed it; three needed to agree to test it in the polluted zone.

Goodwin pondered, “Lack of data is an issue, but the idea is worth trying. What do you think?”

The other three agreed with Goodwin, thinking it was worth a shot.

Helag watched silently; Deep Blue was still calculating, with no result yet.

He hoped Muir’s method would fail, so he could still earn the reward.

Goodwin took the parchment to the back, likely sending it to the polluted zone.

As they awaited a response, Muir looked around disdainfully.

Seeing Helag deep in thought, he recalled Helag’s earlier disrespect and mocked, “Can’t figure it out, boy? Go read more. With your brain, no amount of reading will help.”

Muir didn’t know Helag, assuming he was just a young man connected to Israel.

“Whether I can solve it, I don’t know, but your method won’t work,” Helag smiled.

When Muir gave Goodwin the parchment, it was rolled up.

Out of respect, others wouldn’t use magic to inspect it.

But Helag used Deep Blue’s environment detection to see Muir’s notes.

The idea was plausible but didn’t match the wheel’s reality.

Even treating the wheel as a whole, the relationships were too complex, and Muir’s parchment didn’t address this.

Israel dismissed it, and Goodwin’s group knew the issue but thought the idea was worth trying, hoping for a lucky break.