Translator: SumTLMan
High above, shrouded in clouds, a tall, slender man suddenly looked down. He appeared to be a young man, dressed in an extravagant white and green wizard’s robe adorned with red embroidery and gold trim. His pale yellow hair was tied up with green vines, with a single strand of hair resting on his left eye.
The man’s appearance was not strikingly handsome, but he had a friendly demeanor, much like an elegant scholar or professor. However, upon closer inspection of his eyes, a hint of untamed rebelliousness could be detected, suggesting that what he outwardly portrayed vastly differed from his inner self.
Initially, he was heading toward the Savage Grottoes, but the flying boat below caught his attention. Despite the obscuring clouds, the boat, seemingly bathed in starlight, was unmistakable.
With starlight as a curtain and the night sky as its canvas, the boat hung in the heavens like a vast ocean, waves crashing against the firmament. Although he wasn’t well-versed in alchemy, he recognized the materials used in the construction of the boat. They were not of the highest magical quality, but they harmoniously combined to create a seamless, stunning aesthetic. In particular, the tide shell at the bottom of the boat had been used to invoke its inherent special effect, creating a sky-wide ocean with frothy waves.
The man’s eyes filled with awe. As someone who pursued elegance and beauty in his personal life, the boat’s design was beyond his imagination, and its speed was nothing short of astonishing.
“Has it only been fifty years since I left the Savage Grottoes? Have their standard flying vessels already undergone such a transformation? Weren’t brooms the main mode of transportation before?”
If these were indeed the new flying vessels, he would want to purchase one. Although he harbored some doubts as to whether the boat might be an exception, he could clearly see that its owner was an ordinary third-level apprentice — maybe not too ordinary, perhaps, as they appeared to be quite young, likely not even an adult yet. They might be a promising seedling apprentice nurtured by the wizard organization in recent years.
Perhaps the flying boat was a reward for exceptional seedling apprentices?
Regardless of whether it was a reward or a standard flying vessel, he believed the alchemist who crafted the boat was likely within the Savage Grottoes. And, allowing a mere apprentice to possess such a beautiful boat would probably not be too difficult.
Once there, he could commission the alchemist to create an even more luxurious, high-end flying boat for him.
With that in mind, the man’s eagerness to return only grew stronger.
Not far away was the Abyssal Chasm. Was Mirror Lady now able to transform? Had Tree Spirit managed to track down Nightshade Ivy? Was Flora still as willful as ever? Had Mentor uncovered more secrets of other realms?
Most importantly, what had become of his tea garden in the Flowing Source?
He still had some new tea saplings in his spatial ring that needed to be planted in the tea garden as soon as possible.
As he thought about the changes in the Savage Grottoes, the man continued to fly toward them.
As for the flying boat 10,000 meters below him, he paid it no further attention.
Swiftly, he passed through the Mirror. To his confusion, the Mirror Lady did not appear, nor was Tree Spirit present in the hall… Even the staff of Tree Spirit Hall did not recognize him.
In just fifty years, had he been forgotten?
The man sighed and flew towards Phantom Island.
Upon his return to Savage Grottoes, the first thing he wanted to do was report to his mentor about the situation and what he had discovered.
As he soared over Phantom Island, he was astonished to find that the vegetation had changed, and many phantom beasts had disappeared… If not for the unaltered terrain, he would have thought he was in the wrong place.
As he landed at the central mansion, the ever-vigilant Goode, sensing a visitor, immediately came to greet him.
“May I ask who you are…?” As Goode hesitated, the man removed the hood of his wizard robe.
“Su… Lord Sumesh!” Goode exclaimed in surprise.
“Long time no see, Butler Goode.” Sumesh smiled and greeted him, then glanced around: “The changes in the manor are not significant, but I do not recognize some of the vegetation on the island. Did Mentor change them? By the way, is Mentor in the study?”
Goode shook his head: “The Lord left the Savage Grottoes a week ago, accepting Mengke’s invitation and heading to the Abyss.”
“Mentor went to the Abyss?” Sumesh frowned, “There must be a lot of stories behind this. I wonder if Mentor’s journey will go smoothly. However, it’s not good not to go, after all, it’s Mengke’s invitation.”
As Sumesh pondered, Goode added, “As for the changes in the vegetation on Phantom Island, it’s because of Lady Gloria…”
“Gloria?” Sumesh raised his eyebrow, “The gourmet wizard? What is she doing on Phantom Island?”
Goode explained Gloria’s purpose and the original spell she had created not long ago. However, he only mentioned the facts he had seen, keeping mum about all speculations and rumors. As for the purpose, Goode simply stated it was Sanders’ invitation.
Sumesh’s expression gradually shifted from gentle to solemn, and eventually, he couldn’t help but shake his head.
Gloria was indeed worthy of being the hope of the gourmet wizards.
It took him fifty years to enter the path of true knowledge. He didn’t expect Gloria to make such rapid progress in the difficult “Path of Creation.” Perhaps soon, she would ascend to the ranks of second-level wizards.
The title of a genius wizard was not undeserved.
Since Sanders had already left, Sumesh intended to visit Gloria before heading to the Flowing Source, but Goode said, “After sending off young master Pat, Lady Gloria went into seclusion.”
“Gloria is in seclusion? Then there’s nothing we can do. But the young master Pat you mentioned? Is he the new student that Mentor recently accepted?” Sumesh asked curiously, having heard rumors that Sanders had taken on another disciple.
“Yes, young master Pat is the student who the Lord took in three years ago. He happened to leave today to attend to family matters. Had he known that you were coming back today, Lord Sumesh, he would have certainly stayed to meet you,” Goode replied.
Sumesh said with a smile, “You’re speaking highly of him, it seems that Butler Goode likes my little junior brother quite a bit.”
“Young master Pat has a gentle temperament, and everyone likes him.”
“Gentle? That’s interesting,” Sumesh raised an eyebrow, “No matter, he’ll return eventually, and it won’t be too late to meet then.”
After saying this, Sumesh bid farewell to Goode and flew towards the Flowing Source.
He had initially planned to visit the Rogue Flower Society and see Flora, but when he thought about his tea garden, which he hadn’t seen for many years, he became eager to check it first.
On his way to the Flowing Source, Sumesh noticed that the atmosphere of the Savage Grottoes was somewhat strange, and there seemed to be fewer people on the road.
Could something have happened that he wasn’t aware of? It seemed that he would have to pay a visit to Lord Rhine Mute first.
Upon entering the Flowing Source, Sumesh didn’t immediately fly to his tea garden. As soon as he entered, Granny’s Iron Armor Fortress was already in front of him.
“Granny, long time no see,” Sumesh greeted respectfully as he entered the iron house and saw Iron Armor Granny sitting at the table, drinking tea gracefully, “When did Granny dabble in prophecy? You knew I was coming back at this time.”
As he spoke, Sumesh sat down opposite Iron Armor Granny, and the rich fragrance of the flower tea immediately filled his nostrils.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve smelled Granny’s rose tea. It’s really nostalgic, bringing back many memories.”
“Congratulations on reaching True Knowledge,” Iron Armor Granny said with a faint smile, holding the tray in one hand and the teacup handle in the other, gently placing the tea set on the table.
“By mere luck,” Sumesh replied with a grin, although his expression revealed his pride.
“If everyone’s advancement to true knowledge was by mere luck, then there would be no need for everyone to pursue the path of true knowledge,” Iron Armor Granny said, placing the teapot in front of Sumesh, “If you want to drink flower tea, you can pour it yourself. I don’t mind.”
“As for your earlier claim that I dabbled in prophecy, you’re mistaken. I parked Iron Armor Fortress at the entrance because I had just sent off a young friend. I hadn’t finished a pot of tea, and you arrived,” Iron Armor Granny explained, “It’s just a coincidence.”
“Little friend? Judging by your title, could it be a wizard apprentice?” Sumesh poured himself a cup of flower tea, and while savoring the taste with an intoxicated expression, he asked curiously.
“Indeed, a wizard apprentice.” Iron Armor Granny paused, emphasizing, “A very interesting and promising wizard apprentice.”
“Do you think highly of him?”
“Perhaps before long, you’ll be completely surpassed by him.”
Upon hearing this, surprise flashed in Sumesh’s eyes. It was the first time Iron Armor Granny had given such a high evaluation for a wizard apprentice. Although she wasn’t a prophecy wizard, her words were hardly ever wrong.
This piqued his curiosity.
“Could it be that our organization has taken in a genius wizard with some special constitution? Maybe with a Sage Body?”
Iron Armor Granny shook her head: “A special constitution, perhaps. Probably the Nightmare Soul Body. Speaking of which, this apprentice has some connection to you.”
“Nightmare Soul Body, and a connection to me?” Sumesh seemed to have thought of something: “Could it be my never-met younger school brother?”
Iron Armor Granny nodded with a smile.
“His talent is so strong that even Granny praises him.” Sumesh murmured to himself. Initially, when he heard about Angel from Goode, he didn’t have any particular feelings. But now, he was filled with a strong curiosity about this never-met younger school brother.
Sumesh began to inquire about Angel from Iron Armor Granny.
Iron Armor Granny didn’t hide anything and told everything she had heard and seen.
“I thought the rumors of him touching the mysterious realm were just hearsay, but it turns out to be true. Being able to craft an alchemy illusion that stirred Gloria and was recognized by Lord Rhine is indeed admirable.” Sumesh sighed, “The Phantom lineage has produced an alchemist. This is also a blessing for us.”
At this moment, Iron Armor Granny suddenly replaced the teapot and took out a dried leaf with faint energy fluctuations and a subtle fragrance from an oddly patterned wooden box.
“Granny, what is this? New tea leaves?”
Iron Armor Granny revealed a mysterious smile: “You’ll know when you taste it.”