The bandits could see Ivan’s presence, and naturally, the sorcerer on the ship saw it too.
“Chief Steward Tim, shall we try seeking help from that person, offering rewards for assistance to get us out of this predicament?”
“That’s inappropriate. His origins are unclear, and he might even be part of the bandits outside. If we are deceived, our troubles will only increase.”
Someone made a suggestion, which was immediately rejected by the leading Sorcerer Tim. The cargo they were escorting was of great importance and could not afford the slightest error.
However, with sixty to seventy bandits, numerous and cunning, they continuously avoided a direct confrontation, only targeting the ship’s defensive array, which was quite worrying.
“If this continues, the defensive array will eventually break. Should we charge out and leave none of them alive?” another sorcerer suggested, frowning.
“No need to say more, I have my methods to handle this.” Tim looked around at the swaggering bandits and finally made a decision, deciding to teach these people a profound lesson.
He wanted to show the world that, though Ancient Tree Spine Academy had not made an appearance for a long time, it was not so easily bullied.
Hidden within the Slit of Sky at Lightning Cliff, there were certainly more bandits than the ones before them. If he didn’t show some real capabilities, he feared the airship would not make it out.
With that said, Tim solemnly took out a box containing two glass bottles, one of which held a fiery red seed, the other filled with a special nutrient solution.
He poured the nutrient solution into the glass bottle containing the seed.
“Foolish beasts, of all to provoke, you chose Ancient Tree Spine? You will regret this,” Tim called out to the bandits outside the ship while casting a spell on the glass bottle.
His words elicited louder jeers and insults, along with more intense attacks.
To this, Tim turned a deaf ear.
Seconds later, the level of the nutrient solution in the glass bottle rapidly decreased, the fiery red seed burst forth with sprouts growing at an extraordinary pace, spreading along the airship’s bulwarks.
Soon, lush vines wrapped around the bulwarks, bloomed, and bore bright red fruits within moments.
“Go now!” Tim flung his long sleeves, and the red fruits fell from the vines, floating towards the surroundings of the airship.
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“Stop playing tricks, just obliterate these little things.” The Berserk Lightning Python, aware of the myriad strange spells and fruits that could ensnare one unexpectedly, was cautious.
He took the initiative, shattering two of the red fruits that flew out of the defensive array, grinding them to powder and then to ash.
However, before he could completely eradicate the red fruits, their enticing fragrance suddenly spread, igniting the deep-seated desires of many.
“Oho, good fruit, it should be mine.”
“So fragrant, mine, mine.”
The Berserk Lightning Python also sensed the intoxicating scent which stirred uncontrollable urges deep within him.
The other members of the Lightning Python Exploration Group were even less able to resist, driven by the desires within their hearts, they swooped towards the airship, trying to snatch the other red fruits.
“Stop!” The face of the Berserk Lightning Python changed drastically, and he hastily called his people to retreat, “Quickly pull back, there’s something tricky about this thing.”
“Hahaha, who besides me? With these fruits, I shall soon become a Level 2 Sorcerer.”
“How dare you, who allowed you to touch my belongings!”
As the scent of the red fruits spread further, the words of the Berserk Lightning Python managed to awaken only a few; the rest had their eyes filled with the madness of beasts, and after a brief squabble, they began to fight one another.
The fight soon escalated into lethal combat, involving more and more of the bandits.
A remarkably distinct carnage began.
“If you carry the bloodline of a beast, you must be prepared to be driven by the desires of a beast,” remarked Tim coldly, watching the melee outside the airship, his tone indifferent.
In the blink of an eye, the situation had reversed.
The sorcerer beside him couldn’t help but show joy, looking at him with admiration, and nodded at his words.
This scene also caught the eye of those watching from a distance, surprising many spectators.
“People often say that Ancient Tree Spine Academy excels in researching plant life and plant magic; seeing it today proves the reputation is indeed well-deserved,” Ivan commented appreciatively.
He had heard Solomon say that of all the academies on Moon Pincer Peninsula, only Ancient Tree Spine still had some ambition, while the others were mainly controlled by mediocre individuals.
Considering these words had some basis, he did not know what exactly lay behind Ancient Tree Spine that made Solomon regard it differently.
“Ivan, what is this strange technique?” asked the Silkworm Queen fearfully, watching around the airship as the red fruits floated out, having itself been tempted at that moment.
“Bloodline alteration comes with hidden dangers; the deeper the alteration, the greater the internal risks, which are often referred to as ‘bloodline drawbacks’ or ’emotional disease’.
“Emotional disease primarily manifests as the alterers being unable to suppress their inner beastly emotions. Those red fruits can instantly magnify that frenzy, completely suppressing human rationality, undoubtedly making them the bane of bloodline alterers; these bandits have kicked an iron plate.”
Ivan did not know much about bloodline alteration, but his answer was more than sufficient to allay the Silkworm Queen’s concerns.
In fact, according to his understanding, the Insect Control Master’s insectification could also be considered a type of bloodline drawback, albeit a superficial one, involving more factors.
“So it seems, it won’t have much effect on us.”
“That’s right,” Ivan agreed.
While a person and an insect spoke, fighting raged fiercely around the airship, and the surviving thieves were cleansed by the sorcerers of the Ancient Tree Spine.
The Berserk Lightning Python, seeing the situation turning sour, retreated with his handful of remaining subordinates.
The sorcerers of the Ancient Tree Spine did not pursue them but instead began to check whether the airship was damaged and needed repairs.
Meanwhile, Ivan signaled the swamp ant to keep moving. They quickly passed by the airship without incident, making no attempt to greet the crew.
“I remember now. He is one of the deans of the Mongna Ant Land Cottage who recently pushed for reforms of the college contracts. That matter shook the Moon Pincer Peninsula for a good half a month.” A steward named Dorrey suddenly spoke up on the ship.
“So it’s him, Ivan Marichardon? This Lord is said to be an exceptionally skilled Enchantment Master.” A series of messages immediately came to Tim’s mind.
The Ancient Tree Spine was often in a semi-closed state, yet it never stopped paying attention to the Moon Pincer Peninsula and would collect and summarize information periodically to keep the sorcerers informed of changes in the outside world.
In recent years’ news, Lord Marichadon’s fame has been second to none.
“Chief Steward Tim, why don’t we invite them to move forward with us? They must also need to pass through the Blood Plains, and their destination is likely the East Capital.”
“What are you talking about? Our transaction with Lank Mercantile Association won’t be a one-time thing. There will be many more times in the future. When the deans can’t leave, we shouldn’t always rely on others.”
Looking at the gradually fading figure ahead, Tim declined the recommendation without a second thought. It’s better to rely on oneself rather than others, especially since there’s not even a slight acquaintance between them. Approaching them rashly might also cause offense.
After a while, having been inspected for any issues, the airship started up again.
After moving a considerable distance, Tim signaled the airship to slow down because there was an incident up ahead.
The sorcerers aboard exchanged glances, silently pitying the thieves blocking their path. They were attempting to rob a genuine Level 2 Sorcerer, essentially searching for death.
Ivan too did not expect that someone would actually dare to rob him.
However, there was only a small team of five, none of whom were sorcerers, all strengthened by bloodline alteration, their power possibly comparable to ordinary Level 1 Sorcerers.
He guessed someone wanted to test his strength.
“Sorcerer Ivan, let me handle them,” volunteered the Silkworm Queen, who hadn’t found an opportunity to act for a long time, especially since becoming a Level 3 creature.
“Fine, but don’t overexert yourself.”
“Mmm, I’ll just play with them a bit.”
Following Ivan’s instruction, the Silkworm Queen couldn’t wait to fly forward, instantly growing to the size of a normal human.
Its manner of flying through the air appeared quite extraordinary, causing the thieves to instinctively be on guard, but they had no choice but to attack first as they were already committed to their course.
Confronted by enemies several times its number, the Silkworm Queen puffed up its cheeks and expelled a gust laden with strong hallucinogenic toxins and numerous thin blades like a cicada’s wings, creating an impressive spectacle.
“Not good, dodge quickly!”
The thieves would never have imagined that this insect creature, which didn’t look particularly fierce, could spew out such a powerful mixed spell from its mouth, causing the entire team to swiftly dodge to the side while raising their defensive shields.
The Silkworm Queen has come a long way, reaching the pinnacle of Level 3 creatures, brimming with power, and it had mastered the spells ‘Gale of Lost Rhymes’ and ‘Green Leaf Cut,’ garnered during the Level 2 upgrades of the Wind Moth and Scented Butterfly, respectively.
The former was a Wind-type magic spell and the latter a Plant-type magic spell. Once combined, they formed a powerful mixed spell.
They had specifically tested it earlier, achieving fifty graduated degrees, comparable to ordinary Level 2 Magic.
The Wind Moth and Scented Butterfly had really made the Silkworm Queen very proud.
“Leader, save us!”
The thieves called for help amidst the mixed spell.
With its abundant power, the Silkworm Queen continued its assault without pause, and with no one coming to the rescue, it eventually tore the entire team to pieces, leaving only scattered blood froth and fabric in the air.
“Hehe, I didn’t even use my full strength.” After slaughtering their enemies, the Silkworm Queen returned to Ivan’s side, looking triumphantly at the swamp ant several times. This time, it had indeed turned the tables on its fortune.
“I know, there’ll be another chance to use it next time,” Ivan said, knowing it referred to the spatial technique that could accelerate the ‘Green Leaf Cut,’ making it unexpectedly effective. “There shouldn’t be any more blind fools blocking our way. Let’s go, the exit isn’t far.”
At his words, the swamp ant continued flying toward the other side of Lightning Cliff.
Nearby, an airship moved slowly forward.
At this moment, the sorcerers on the airship’s deck were somewhat stunned.
The ease with which the opponent dispatched an insect pet to easily handle five full-fledged sorcerers also made the watchers feel powerless.
Then, how unfathomable must Lord Marichardon himself be?
“Indeed, a man whose name resonates across the entire Moon Pincer Peninsula, out of our league,” lamented Tim.
“What a pity, if only this Lord were one of us from Ancient Tree Spine, our exploration journey underground would certainly be much smoother,” sighed steward Dorrey.
He had seen from the records that this lord had only been on the sorcerer’s path for about eleven or twelve years, which was discouraging.
“Cough, cough, be discreet, don’t mention this outside,” Tim cautioned in a low voice, instinctively looking around.
As the airship continued its journey, the sea of clouds on the other side of Lightning Cliff gradually came into view.