#825 - Isn't this Lao Fu?

Chapter 823: Yo, isn't this old Voldy?

“Let's not dwell on these things for now, let’s continue testing.” Anduin shook his head, banishing those unrealistic thoughts from his mind.

In his opinion, while the Ethereal state seemed incredibly powerful, the weak magical attack characteristics it displayed during previous experiments suggested that the Ethereal state was by no means a panacea.

“Yes, sir!” Hogg responded softly. “Then, let’s proceed with the magical defense test. For safety, the first attack will prioritize ordinary lightning spells, consuming 1 mark of energy, with a standard intensity of 20 points of power.”

With that, Hogg began operating at the experiment table. Soon, a slit opened in the head of the humanoid target in front of Anduin, revealing a wand tip.

Immediately afterward, the wand tip fired a very thin stream of electricity, striking the completely unprepared Anduin directly.

Although this electric current was very weak, with extremely low power, Anduin still shuddered all over when he was hit.

“How is it, sir? Does the Ethereal Armor itself provide any protection?” Seeing Anduin's reaction, Hogg didn't dare to increase the attack.

Anduin shook his head faintly. “The impact is very clear, it hurts a lot, and once Etherealized, the armor is useless, providing no help at all for defense.”

“Should we test further? It feels like you become very vulnerable after Etherealizing.” Hogg asked somewhat nervously.

“No need.” Anduin shook his head again. “These types of tests have already been done extensively on other test subjects. I just wanted to experience it myself.”

“After entering the Ethereal form, one does indeed enter a completely undefended state against magic. No matter how strong the armor you're wearing, when attacked, it's no different than being completely naked.”

“It seems the drawbacks of the Ethereal form are more fatal than its advantages.” Hogg stroked his chin. “Sir, besides the enhancement of magic and vulnerability to magical attacks, are there any other special sensations after entering the Ethereal form?”

“This experience is quite unique…” Anduin raised both hands, looking at his translucent body. “After entering the Ethereal form, one can clearly feel that the distance between oneself and magic is shrinking, even to the point of zero distance.”

“Zero distance from magic?” Hogg tilted his head in confusion. “What does that mean? Aren't we always in close contact with magic?”

“It's different…” Anduin slowly shook his head. “Although magic is stored within a wizard's body, the wizard's physical body still creates a certain separation between magic and the mind. That's why magical sensitivity is so important to wizards.”

“The stronger the magical sensitivity, the better a wizard can control the magic within their body. Entering the Ethereal state is like allowing a wizard to discard the barrier of the physical body, allowing them to directly communicate with magic.”

“I see.” Hogg nodded in understanding. “So the Ethereal form is actually equivalent to maximizing a wizard’s magical sensitivity. No wonder the magic conversion rate is so high.”

“You can understand it that way.” Anduin nodded. “And it's not just spellcasting. Because the separation from magic disappears, magic recovery is also boosted to a high level. The recovery rate even exceeds my level when entering Overload form.”

“Isn't that similar to infinite magic?” Hogg was very clear about how powerful Anduin's Overload form was. If it weren't for the excessive strain on the body, he could completely sustain himself for a long time in that state by absorbing magic from the surroundings.

“Unfortunately, the weaknesses of the Ethereal form are too obvious. Entering this state in battle is equivalent to being completely defenseless against magical attacks. If you're accidentally hit by a few spells, you might just kick the bucket on the spot.”

After weighing it for a long time, Hogg still felt that the Ethereal form should be used cautiously in battle.

“Although its advantages and disadvantages are very obvious, the disadvantages might be avoided by other means, and even utilized. For example, like this…”

Anduin smiled coldly, then suddenly closed his eyes, abruptly mobilizing his magic, causing his entire body in the Ethereal state to flicker with crystalline magical light.

After a while, Anduin suddenly opened his eyes, then pointed remotely at the humanoid target in front of him.

Soon, a ghostly magic bullet shot out from his fingertip, quickly transforming the humanoid target into an Ethereal form after penetrating it.

The next moment, Anduin casually flicked a lightning bolt at the humanoid target, and then Hogg saw the translucent humanoid target in the middle of the experimental field instantly shattered.

“Hiss…”

Hogg gasped when he saw this. “So… so that’s it! By transforming the enemy into an Ethereal form, you can instantly turn your opponent into a lamb to be slaughtered!”

“That's right, the application of the Ethereal form is even more extensive than imagined.” Anduin nodded with a smile.

He only discovered that he could cast spells to transform others or other objects after briefly familiarizing himself with the Ethereal form. He originally thought he would only be able to do it after becoming familiar with the Ethereal runes.

“Hogg, let's test the data for active transformation next.” Anduin called out.

“Yes.” Hogg responded loudly, then raised another humanoid target.

After repeated testing, Anduin finally determined that the actively transformed Ethereal form, depending on the amount of magic used, could allow the target to maintain it for several seconds to several minutes.

Of course, this was only the case when used on inanimate objects. If the target was a living being, the duration would be shortened several times. If the other party was a wizard and struggled with magic, it would be even shorter.

After being transformed into the Ethereal form, the impact on the target was no different from Anduin's current state.

In this way, the application scenarios of the Ethereal form became even more extensive. Not only could it be used on enemies to eliminate their defensive means and enhance damage, but it could also be cast on allies, allowing teammates to gain physical immunity.

“Hmm, the Ethereal form is more valuable than imagined.” Anduin nodded with great satisfaction. “Next, our topic will focus on activating the Ethereal form without using the Deathly Hallows. If we can achieve this, perhaps we can flexibly and actively cast Ethereal energy in the future under normal conditions.”

“Can't we directly get rid of the Deathly Hallows and cast spells through the Ethereal rune array?” Hogg asked in confusion.

“No.” Anduin shook his head regretfully. “The Ethereal rune array is very special. Without the Deathly Hallows as a carrier, it's difficult to cast out of thin air.”

“It seems this Ethereal form is also difficult to promote.” Hogg grinned. “Then let's prioritize deconstructing the ‘Elder Wand.’ We can gradually replace the Deathly Hallows. After all, we have the Resurrection Stone in our hands, so there's no need to be so anxious.”

“That's what I think too.” Anduin highly approved of Hogg's suggestion. “The most core and special of the three Hallows is actually the Resurrection Stone. In comparison, the Elder Wand and the Invisibility Cloak both have the possibility of being replaced.”

“But before that, we have to take this opportunity to do one more thing.” Anduin said, exiting the Ethereal form, then taking out the magic box containing Tom Riddle's diary from his body.

“Voldemort?” Hogg stared at the small box, his expression gradually becoming sinister. “Do you already have a plan?”

“Originally, I wasn't so sure before personally experiencing the Ethereal form, but now…” Anduin smiled coldly, then slowly opened the small box.

Inside the magic box, the old diary parasitized by Voldemort lay quietly at the bottom of the box.

Since being locked in this box by Anduin, which isolated all contact with the outside world, he had fallen into slumber, trying to conserve his energy in this way, and then find an opportunity to make a comeback.

After all, the last impulsive suicide attempt had caused considerable damage to Voldemort. He hadn't fully recovered until now.

However, Voldemort didn't particularly care about this, because he never believed that Anduin could trap him forever. He prided himself on having a lifespan comparable to eternity, and even if he had to spend a long time, he could wear that bastard down.

And other than torturing him with that peculiar form of lightning, the other party had no other way to deal with him. At worst, he would be destroyed along with the Horcrux. After he transferred his soul, he would be a good man again.

So when Anduin opened the magic box, Voldemort was still in a state of semi-sleep, and didn't even realize the change in the surrounding environment.

“Voldemort? Tom?” Anduin gently called out to the diary twice, but received no response.

“Heh, seems to be sleeping soundly.”

Anduin sneered, then picked up the diary with his right hand, which was still wearing the Ethereal Armor, and then transformed into the Ethereal form again.

Since he was holding the diary in his hand this time, the diary was also brought into the Ethereal form along with him. And because another living thing was brought in, the magic power to maintain the Ethereal form surged by a large margin.

Voldemort, who was in a semi-sleep state, obviously noticed something was wrong. He only felt a sudden chill in his soul, and then woke up in shock from his semi-sleep.

“You, you are? Anduin?”

Voldemort, who had been awakened, hadn't been able to react to what had happened. He only saw this humanoid creature wrapped in steel, but in a ghostly state, and could only tentatively ask a question in an uncertain situation.

Anduin didn't pay any attention to Voldemort. After entering the Ethereal state, he seized the time to use magic to perceive and analyze the Horcrux in front of him.

In this completely abandoned material state, the soul and spirit were as conspicuous as the moon at night. At the same time, only in this state could Anduin break through the protection of the Horcrux and directly contact Voldemort's soul.

“Found you, Legilimency! Activate!”

After a brief exploration, Anduin quickly locked onto Voldemort's soul, and then he cast Legilimency without hesitation.

He wanted to take advantage of this opportunity where both souls were frankly facing each other to dig into Voldemort's memories.

Voldemort's soul, which was hit by Legilimency, trembled violently. As a master of Legilimency himself, he knew exactly what had happened.

But he was extremely puzzled by this. He was clearly under the protection of the Horcrux, so how could the other party launch Legilimency against him?

But he didn't have much time to think blindly now. If he didn't stop Anduin quickly, not only would his memories be lost, but his thoughts might even be tampered with by the other party.

Soon, he and Anduin launched a bloody battle of attack and defense in his soul.

Anduin wanted to completely seize this mental territory, while Voldemort tried to defend his mental defenses. Once the other party broke through, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Fortunately, this was Voldemort's home field, and he himself was a master of Legilimency, so he fought back and forth in the confrontation with Anduin.

But because Voldemort was not in a complete state at this time, and even his soul was incomplete, he was not Anduin's opponent in terms of absolute power.

Therefore, after the two sides were deadlocked for a period of time, Voldemort deeply felt powerless. The difference in mental strength between the two was really not small. His half-crippled soul really couldn't withstand the constant pressure from a young wizard.

Seeing that he was about to be unable to hold on, Voldemort could only grit his teeth in secret hatred in his heart, and then burst out a soul roar with extremely deep resentment.

“Anduin! You wait for me, I will never let you go!”

After cursing like venting his anger, Voldemort took the initiative to tear his soul apart, committing suicide in front of Anduin again.

Although continuous suicide within a year would cause great and indelible damage to his soul, it would at least ensure that his mental world would not be lost.

When Anduin saw this scene, he didn't show any regret, but instead smiled playfully.

Then he exited the Ethereal form again, and at the same time took out a ring that he had treasured for a long time, the Gaunt family ring.

At this time, a faint magical halo suddenly lit up on the originally simple ring. During this period, the ring was still slowly beating, as if it had suddenly gained life.

Before long, Voldemort's consciousness, which had committed suicide again, slowly woke up on the ring.

But at this time, he was even more miserable than when he first committed suicide. Not only were his memories chaotic, but his soul was so weak that it was difficult to operate.

Before Voldemort, who had just woken up, could react, a metal face suddenly appeared in front of him.

“Huh? Who is this?” Voldemort, whose memory was still in a chaotic state, couldn't even recognize Anduin's identity, but subconsciously, this figure in front of him made him feel a sense of inexplicable fear.

Fear? Would I, the dignified Dark Lord, also have something to be afraid of?

Voldemort didn't know why he would have such an absurd idea in his heart, but before he could react, the figure in front of him spoke first.

“Yo, isn't this old Voldy? I didn't expect us to meet again…”

Looking at the ring that had awakened Voldemort's consciousness, a strange smile appeared on Anduin's face.

Then, without waiting for Voldemort to respond, he activated the Ethereal Armor again and entered the Ethereal form.

This time, he was going to completely and thoroughly occupy the other party's mind!