Chapter 437: Unknown Plane

The issue lay within the tiny magical array inside the teleportation rings.

Upon Alannis’s death, the array activated, altering the teleportation coordinates.

The Wizard Alliance quickly deciphered the rings, uncovering the hidden trick.

The problem now was the unknown coordinates set by the array.

The array activated only once, becoming inert afterward.

No one knew the destination Alannis set, leaving the fate of the wizards in World X-617 a mystery.

Without specific coordinates, rescue efforts were stalled.

The missing wizards were promising talents from various factions, and their retrieval was imperative.

The sole positive aspect was that the coordinates likely led to a plane with an established spatial passage by the expedition team.

Only such coordinates allowed the rings to function.

Random coordinates in chaotic spatial currents would be invalid, rendering the rings useless and preventing teleportation.

Thus, Alannis’s set coordinates must lead to a plane previously explored by the Land of Dawn.

With a general area identified, the expedition team sprang into action.

They alerted members across various planes, informing them of the situation and urging vigilance for any signs of the wizards.

If found, immediate rescue was ordered.

The directive was issued, but no immediate feedback was received.

The expedition team had established passages in numerous planes, including low and mid-tier worlds.

The danger varied by the degree of exploration, not the world’s tier.

Fully explored and conquered planes posed less risk, being populated by expedition members.

However, some planes had only recently established passages, with limited knowledge even among the expedition.

In such cases, even low-tier worlds harbored unknown dangers.

Participants in Operation Cradle were crystallized wizards, for whom the distinction between low and mid-tier worlds was minor.

***

A strong wind whipped up, carrying yellow sand.

Before him stretched an endless desert, the ground cracked and dry.

Upon arrival, Helag immediately knew he wasn’t on the wizard plane.

Beyond the desolate landscape, the atmosphere felt different.

It wasn’t the Abyss, wizard, or elven plane.

Since briefly becoming a world master, Helag’s sensitivity to plane auras had sharpened.

Examining his teleportation ring, Helag realized it was faulty.

He wasn’t sure if his ring alone malfunctioned or if all rings shared the issue.

He suspected Medel’s interference, causing the current predicament.

If so, Helag worried for Reese, David, and the Terchy family.

His priority was finding a way back to the wizard plane.

Despite the urgency, Helag remained calm and collected.

He activated Deep Blue’s environmental detection, surveying his surroundings.

Identifying his location and plane was crucial.

Only then could he plan his next steps.

Glancing at the sky, Helag noted large celestial bodies, likely moons, hanging above.

Using astral meditation, he sensed the stars’ arrangement, confirming an unfamiliar plane.

The desert was barren, with hidden animals but no signs of people.

Following vegetation patterns, Helag moved toward a possible desert exit.

With no certainty, he could only attempt to find a way out.

After hours of walking, vegetation increased, affirming his direction.

Continuing backward would likely lead to a desert.

Despite being a different plane, some basic rules seemed consistent.

During his time as a world master, Helag gained insights into rules.

He noticed that the basic rules in the wizard, elven, World X-617, and this plane were similar.

This was Helag’s impression, not definitive.

Only the Abyss felt distinctly different.

The specifics were unclear, sensed only vaguely.

The Abyss differed markedly from the other planes, a clear sensation.

From his spatial ring, Helag retrieved the World Scepter, now inactive, only usable in World X-617.

He pondered whether, after a long time, the scepter could still control that world’s will.

If not, would his mission be considered complete?

Helag shook his head, deciding to address these questions upon returning to the wizard plane, as he hadn’t yet grasped his current situation.

He glanced at his left hand, sensing the plane coordinates, confirming activation was possible.

This meant Helag could temporarily access the Abyss from this plane.

Continuing through the desert, night fell after hours.

Preparing to rest, Helag detected movement over a kilometer away.

Five dog-headed beings, each about 2.3 meters tall, wielding weapons like maces and swords, pursued a human.

A robed woman with blonde hair fled desperately.

Her robe was torn, her left arm limp, seemingly broken.

Upon closer inspection, Helag recognized her as Tessa, who had accompanied Medel.

Having followed Medel for a time, Helag was familiar with her, recognizing her immediately.