The airship’s defensive array was no match for the giant palm, and the spells cast by the sorcerers guarding the rear deck were equally ineffective. With no other options, they could only panic, until Tim, with sword in hand, arrived.
“Chief steward, what do we do?”
“Make way.”
Tim clenched his teeth and slashed down with his sword, his Combat Energy forming a cleave that avoided the giant palm and hit the airship instead.
If the airship were to be dragged back, the consequences would be unimaginable, so he had no choice but to take this unconventional measure.
The others quickly caught on, and working together, the end of the ship’s hull broke off on cue. The airship took the opportunity to accelerate and dashed out, the giant palm only pulling back a pile of nearly crushed timber.
After the narrow escape, Tim and the others became like frightened birds, steering the airship at full speed and leaving the area covered in crimson light far behind.
“We’re safe.”
“Don’t relax, keep moving, we need to find a place to make repairs.”
After their recent ordeal, the airship had obviously malfunctioned and needed to be fixed.
For now, the best course of action was to land at a commercial city, buy materials for repairs, or find someone to help with the repairs. Before long, like most people, they made their way to Sweeping Light City.
Sweeping Light City had well-developed infrastructure, and the airship descended to a designated spot. There were more than one airship docked here, with shops selling airship-related materials nearby.
A few moments later, they checked the airship both inside and out once more.
“How is it?”
“The damage is severe, it needs major repairs.”
Hearing Dorrey’s response, Tim’s brow furrowed slightly, not because of the airship’s problems, but because he faintly sensed that he and his companions seemed to be under surveillance.
He noticed that there were people stalking them, and not just one group.
Could it be that news of their cargo had leaked out?
“Chief steward?”
“Something’s not right.”
Tim shared his observations with Dorrey, causing his complexion to darken as well as he looked around menacingly, indeed noticing something had set its sights on their airship.
“Stay calm.” Tim stopped Dorrey, who was about to act rashly, and continued, “In Sweeping Light City, these people won’t easily make a move. You keep watch for now; I’ll go find out what’s going on.”
“Alright, I’ll get the crew to repair the airship right away.” Knowing the chief steward’s strength was not to be underestimated, Dorrey immediately agreed.
After leaving the airship, Tim stood in a hidden corner on the street for a few seconds, and when he reappeared, he had assumed another guise. He then headed to a nearby busier street and walked into the largest tavern there.
He found a seat and sat down, not in a hurry to purchase information, but like the other patrons, sipped on his drink while listening to the conversations around him.
Not long after he sat down, the volume of conversation in the tavern hall unexpectedly dropped.
Tim instinctively looked in the direction of the disturbance and was surprised to see a familiar figure walking out. His eyes flickered several times.
Seeing the person leave the tavern, he thought it over before getting up and following.
“Lord Marichadon, we meet again.”
“Who are you?”
On the street outside the tavern, Ivan, full from food and drink, heard the voice behind him, stopped in his tracks, turned around, and saw an unfamiliar sorcerer.
“Lord, I am Tim from the Ancient Tree Spine Academy. We’ve met before at Lightning Cliff. Your effortless execution of the bandits was astonishing.” Tim hurriedly returned to his original appearance.
“Ah, it’s you.” Ivan recognized him. “What do you want with me?”
“I need a favor from you,” Tim broached his request.
“Our academies have no connections.” Ivan stated flatly.
“I can offer compensation, a special fantastic item, or anything else you might desire.” Tim naturally understood this and could only bring out the biggest bargaining chip he had.
“It seems you’re in quite some trouble,” Ivan said with a smile, remembering Solomon’s words, “Well, since I’m free anyway, I’ll accompany you.”
“Lord, this way, please. The academy’s airship has docked within the city and is undergoing expedited repairs.” Hearing his affirmative response, Tim couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
According to his principles, he would rather not seek help from others.
However, the crimson glow had taken over the road, preventing their departure, the airship was seriously damaged, its defensive power and agility greatly reduced, and they were being targeted by an unknown enemy. All these factors combined, forcing him to compromise.
As he led Ivan to where the airship was docked, Tim chose to be completely honest, revealing his predicament in detail.
“Notice how many people around here have undergone Bloodline Alteration, including sorcerers.” Ivan gestured to the passersby and started analyzing, “That fruit you had before is a powerful weapon to them.”
“Are you referring to that red fruit—the Heart of Berserk Beast?”
“That’s right. Its worth is not cheap, and the news reached Sweeping Light City from Lightning Cliff long ago. It’s normal you’re being watched.” Ivan continued.
With his guidance, Tim belatedly realized that they were coveted for the ‘Heart of Berserk Beast’, not the transported goods.
Understanding this, he didn’t know what to say.
He regretted ever revealing the Heart of Berserk Beast so easily if he had known it would attract so much attention. Now regret was useless.
A few minutes later, the two arrived beside the airship ‘Ancient Grove’.
Ivan specially stepped forward to inspect the damaged area of the airship, which had been cut short, indicating the urgency of the situation – the folks from Ancient Tree Spine had indeed been unlucky.
“Do you need my help repairing it?” Mongna Ant Land Cottage had never built an airship, and he was quite interested in it, so he casually asked.
“No need, no need, such trifles aren’t worth troubling Your Excellency over.” Tim certainly didn’t dare to impose on his stature, fearing his reward would be insufficient and needed for more critical matters.
“You want me to help look after it for a few days while the airship is being repaired, right?”
“Yes, thank you, Your Excellency.” Tim nodded, seizing the opportunity to say, “Please accompany me to the airship for a short while and see if the reward meets your satisfaction.”
“Let’s go.”
The two leaped up and landed lightly on the deck.
Within a hall of the airship, Tim took a crystal box from inside, solemnly placed it on the table beside Ivan, and opened it to reveal something wrapped in spider silk cloth.
A shriveled, blackened tree root.
It looked quite ordinary, even a bit ugly.
Perhaps it was a fantastic item concealing its nature, but at first glance, Ivan could not discern anything special about it.
“Your Excellency, do not be deceived by its unremarkable appearance; in fact, it can be regarded as a fantastic item, a special magicalized item that is also a growth-type,” Tim explained.
To demonstrate the truth of his words, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing a yellowing tree root wrapped around his forearm.
He stretched his hand toward the other side, his thoughts stirring, and the yellowing tree root rapidly extended, accurately hitting the wall lamp hanging on the wall. The tree root passed through the flame, pierced the lamp, and pulled down the burning wall lamp.
As the yellowing tree root retracted, the wall lamp fell into his hand.
“That doesn’t prove anything?” Ivan said, his voice devoid of emotion.
Tim realized he had done something foolish and began to explain somewhat embarrassingly.
“Its only characteristic is an extraordinary hardness; whether it is blades, flames, or frost, it is difficult to damage it in the slightest.”
“Shall I try to burn it?”
“Please test it as you wish; my words contain not a shred of falsehood.”
Ivan made no pretense and proceeded to test it. First, with the Candle Flame Spell, which had no effect, then with Black Magic Fire, which took a while before causing slight changes.
Ivan was moved by this; he had never seen such wooden material before, no wonder the other party dared to call it a fantastic item.
“Are they the same?”
“The one on my arm was cultivated from such a juvenile root. The cultivation method is very simple; any type of energy will do, whether it is Combat Energy, Mana, or spiritual power, or even magic stones, element stones, etc.
However, it is best to choose a specific type of energy as the main energy for cultivation, the higher the quality, the better, as this can yield a Pan Iron Root with greater potential and utility,” Tim added.
A year ago, a sorcerer from Ancient Tree Spine unexpectedly discovered a large number of such tree root juveniles and named them ‘Pan Iron Roots.’ After numerous tests, they found that the Pan Iron Root juveniles would absorb all kinds of energy.
As long as they absorbed energy, the Pan Iron Roots would grow and extend, and after refining, it was possible to make them contract.
The cultivated roots, like the juveniles, possessed only one trait—abnormally high hardness.
However, driving the Pan Iron Roots consumed a significant amount of energy, and their response was somewhat slow.
Tim didn’t conceal anything and laid out both the advantages and disadvantages.
“This isn’t what you’re preparing to sell on the Chanay Continent, is it?” Ivan suddenly thought of a question.
“I dare not deceive Your Excellency; indeed, it is so,” Tim nodded, emphasizing, “There are different qualities of Pan Iron Root juveniles, and the one you have is certainly the best quality among all the goods, without a doubt.”
Ivan slightly tilted his head in acknowledgment, then reached into the crystal box and picked up the shriveled tree root, examining it carefully.
“What say you?” After a pause, Tim finally asked.
“Three Pan Iron Roots; besides this one, give me two of ordinary quality,” said Ivan.
“Agreed, it’s a deal.”
“It’s a deal.”
After a few seconds of reflection, Tim agreed, turned around to fetch two wooden boxes, handed them all to him, and entrusted the safety of the Ancient Grove airship to him as well.
Having received his reward, Ivan would naturally ensure the airship’s safety.
“Consumption and speed are significant drawbacks, not as attractive as the Heart of Berserk Beast you’ve used before. You might consider selling the Heart of Berserk Beast as goods when you’re in the Chanay Continent,” Ivan suggested.
“Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency. I will arrange accommodations for you right now; it’s unfortunate that you must stay on the airship during these days,” Tim responded gratefully. Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire
The Ancient Grove was only a small airship with many rooms. Aside from the storage room, the other areas weren’t large but were fully equipped.
Ivan, who could adapt to circumstances, happily accepted the room arranged for him.
After Tim left the room, Ivan said to the Silkworm Queen, “Silkworm Queen, did you hear his request?”
“Me?”
“I estimate that many are aware of your battle record at Lightning Cliff. You only need to show yourself in your battle form occasionally, taking a few rounds around the airship to deter the riff-raff nearby, and that should solve the problem,” Ivan articulated his plan, passing the two ordinary Pan Iron Root juveniles to the Silkworm Queen, one for her and one for the swamp ant.
Hearing that the request was so simple, the Silkworm Queen agreed to it immediately after receiving the Pan Iron Root, but it also made a demand—that Big Black One provide support if necessary.
Ivan had no reason to refuse.