“Jenny, I will accompany the boss; besides, with Swamp Ant, Silkworm Queen, and Scented Butterfly here, we guarantee no harm will come to a single hair on the boss’s head,” said Locke in a low voice, counseling within the living room on the outside of the three-story tower just before departure.
Jenny responded with an expressionless face, so Locke could only offer an awkward smile in return.
Soon, Ivan came down from upstairs. Jenny, alone, transformed into a streak of light that dove into his sleeve and became a section of Pan Iron Root that resembled jade but wasn’t. It coiled tightly around his wrist.
“Let’s go.”
Ivan had no objections and, with a grand wave of his hand, led Locke, Swamp Ant, and Silkworm Queen out of the sorcerer tower.
Today was the day of the rendezvous with Solomon.
Since they were meeting with Solomon and Doug, everyone agreed it was more appropriate for Locke to accompany him as a body double, given that it was widely believed that a Secret Method Body Double could only be in one place at a time, unlike Jenny.
However, when it came to protecting his safety, Jenny was always meticulous, and today was no exception.
Ivan, well aware of Jenny’s character, did not refuse such close ‘protection.’
On the broad avenues of Enkate City, Swamp Ant and Silkworm Queen, transformed into flying horses, skimmed the ground at a speed that wasn’t too fast nor too slow. Before long, they had carried Ivan and Locke to the city’s thick outer wall.
‘Enclosed Thunder Pass’
Beyond this barrier, it was no longer the territory of the human race. A bit further on was the realm of the Thunder Power clan. Because the Thunder Power clan often came to stir trouble at the pass, it gradually became known as the ‘Enclosed Thunder Pass.’
Sorcerer towers stood tall upon the Enclosed Thunder Pass, their unique atmosphere so heavy that the air around seemed almost to solidify.
Standing below the pass could make one’s skin crawl.
“Ivan, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. How have you been?” called Doug from a distance, beside whom followed a person with two heads, whose skin was particularly pale and whose facial features bore some resemblance to Doug’s.
“I’m doing alright, eating well, sleeping well.”
“I reckon it’s more than just that; your name has been ringing more and more loudly lately, and there are few sorcerers who haven’t heard of you.”
“It’s not worth mentioning, just an empty reputation. This is Locke.”
“Kang Mang, you’ve seen him before.”
In reality, Kang Mang was the Shadow Tigon, Doug’s Secret Method Body Double. Thanks to the ‘One Body Multiple Manifestations’ Secret Technique, he could now take on a human form.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Doug got down to business.
“Ivan, what do you think about this trip to the Nine-Colored Pit?”
“We will do our best to help Solomon harvest that Frostflame Flower, but other matters concerning the Belizi family are none of our concern,” Ivan replied indifferently.
Both owed Solomon a favor, so naturally, they were inclined to fulfill his request.
However, this matter involved internal fighting within the Belizi family and might even attract the involvement of an Alien Race, necessitating extra caution.
Doug’s reason for bringing it up was simply to propose that they form a temporary alliance, to look out for each other in the unclear situation at the Nine-Colored Pit.
Ivan readily agreed to his suggestion.
“Here it comes.”
At that moment, a mid-sized airship, slowly approaching from afar, came near the Enclosed Thunder Pass. The ship bore the heraldic emblem of the Belizi family.
Like in East Capital, flying was forbidden in the skies above Enkate City.
There are exceptions, of course—individuals and groups with special permission everywhere, and it was unsurprising that the Belizi family, with its significant influence in Enkate City, had a few airships granted such freedom.
Solomon appeared at the bow of the ship, waving at the two men on the ground.
After signaling each other, Ivan and Doug soared into the sky with their respective methods, rapidly approaching the airship and deftly landing on the deck.
“This trip will trouble you both.”
“No need for formalities; tell us how many competitors you’ve got,” said Ivan and Doug after coming up close.
From a shorter distance, the uniqueness of the airship was even more apparent.
The deck comprised three levels, each one intricately and elegantly arranged. Instead of a simple hot-air balloon, the airship was propelled by a complex compound runes sorcery array, and derived from it were element creatures, some of which were pulling the airship forward.
Of course, the airship wasn’t short of attendants, nor was it lacking in Level 2 Sorcerers dedicated to guarding it.
Solomon led the two of them into a spacious room on the second floor before answering Doug’s question.
“Three people, and it is hard to say who is the strongest in terms of power.”
“Whom should we watch out for in particular?” Doug asked further.
“Dila, my cousin sister. Not only is her strength unfathomable, but she also has a fiancé with a significant background from Botta Blood Plain,” Solomon said without hesitation.
“Is not the resource richer over at the Botta Blood Plain? Why bother vying for resources here?” Ivan expressed his surprise.
“We all understand the principles by which we sorcerers operate—everything has a price. If they find compatible resources here, which have been verified by the family time and again, why should they go looking far and wide?” Solomon said with a bitter smile.
Large families have their troubles. The descendants of the Belizi family practiced the same Advanced Meditation Method, so naturally, the resources they required were largely similar, especially certain key ones.
However, the resources suitable for advancing to Level 3 were exceedingly limited, and this necessitated competition.
To avoid bad blood and to demonstrate the strength of the family’s young ones in various ways, the Belizi family had strict rules. In disputes like this for resources, people like Solomon were not allowed to seek assistance from sorcerers familiar with the family.
Hence, Solomon had invited Ivan and Doug.
His cousin, Delia, had secured the attendance of sorcerers from the Botta Blood Plain through betrothed invitations, also in a party of two.
In addition to these, there were two competitors: Kedaf and You Lei.
Four young sorcerers on the verge of advancing to Level 2 at the same time period reflected the commanding foundation of the Belizi family, not something sorcerers like Ivan and Doug could compare with.
“We each have a Secret Method Body Double, an advantage over the others,” said Doug.
The ‘One Body Multiple Manifestations’ Secret Technique uncovered by the Five Leaves Spear had its unique aspects, and all three present were beneficiaries and understood this deeply.
Hearing this, Ivan nodded continuously.
“You two just do your best. If there really is an insurmountable issue, the Frost Flame Flower is not that critical; the previous favor will still be considered canceled,” Solomon said.
While the three of them conversed, the airship had passed the checkpoint and was slowly making its way outside of Enkate City.
Looking through a window on one side, one could see a peculiar loop of Black Thunder outside the Thunder Seal, like a moat for the city of Enkate, voraciously consuming the thunder power from the surroundings.
Solomon was distinctly familiar with it and gave the other two a concise introduction.
The Black Thunder River was actually set up against the Thunder Race.
After exiting the Thunder Seal, the airship began to accelerate, quickly leaving Enkate City far behind.
In terms of flight speed, Ivan covertly compared it, finding it not as fast as the swamp ant. However, the airship able to fly non-stop day and night, was more suited for carrying heavy loads on long journeys.
The distance to the Nine Colors Chasm from Enkate City was considerable. At the airship’s normal speed, it would take a day and a night to travel.
“The areas we pass over are the true wilderness, far more unpredictable than the Chanay Continent’s interior. The Belizi family’s airship possesses extraordinary protective forces, so you needn’t worry about its safety. Feel free to rest easy at night,” Solomon assured.
Upon hearing Solomon’s words, Ivan and Doug gave a slight nod.
Indeed, the Belizi airship was reassuring, traveling smoothly as though on flat ground, with excellent soundproofing as well.
Subsequently, Solomon arranged separate resting quarters for the two of them.
A night without incident.
The following morning dawned, the early light just beginning to glimmer in the sky.
Ivan was startled awake by the abrupt, piercing cries of birds. Opening the window, he saw the airship surrounded by a large flock of Blazing Smoke Birds trailing black smoke, their forms filling his entire view.
The Blazing Smoke Bird was a semi-elemental creature, with some growing to over ten to twenty meters long, their flight filling the air with flames and black smoke.
Under the siege of the Blazing Smoke Birds, the airship’s protective shield began to waver, allowing the sharp noises to penetrate unfiltered into the room.
“What’s going on, why have these Blazing Smoke Birds targeted our airship?”
“It probably has to do with the previous incident. Our family had gathered a large number of Blazing Smoke Bird eggs, thinking the matter was settled. Unexpectedly, these birds adhere to their grudges and recognize our family’s airship.”
“Find a way to resolve this quickly, there are many guests on board.”
The unexpected situation prompted some to ascend to the third deck to inquire about the cause, and the sorcerer in charge of the airship’s defense did not conceal the truth, providing a candid response to her question.
This statement was perhaps intentionally made for others to hear, making its way clearly to most passengers’ ears.
Like many, Ivan walked out of his room to observe the situation.
“You all don’t need to get involved, leave it to the crew to handle, or at worst, to the few of us,” Solomon and Doug had also emerged, with Solomon being the one who spoke.
The several competitors had apparently exchanged views and did not trouble the invited guests to take action, to maintain the dignity of the entire Belizi family.
Ivan and the others had no objections, content to watch the drama from the sidelines.
Faced with the fierce onslaught of the Blazing Smoke Birds, the airship did not choose to fight head-on. In an instant, a mass of purple mist emerged from the ship, enshrouding the surrounding area and obscuring the view of the Blazing Smoke Bird flock.
Solomon and Delia acted, brandishing powers of frost, flame, and thunder, inflicting agony upon the Blazing Smoke Birds just outside the protective layer.
The blockade of the Blazing Smoke Birds quickly fell apart.
At the birds’ moment of indecision, the airship seized the opportunity, accelerating abruptly and breaking through the encircling flock before soaring away, unknowingly killing countless Blazing Smoke Birds in its wake.
Through the cooperative efforts of the Belizi family’s sorcerers, a crisis was averted.
Ivan witnessed everything, noting that it was not only Solomon; the techniques of these individuals were indeed formidable.
“Hello! You must be Lord Marichadon. I’ve heard from that kid Brown that you were invited by Solomon,” said a spirited young witch as she approached Ivan, who was about to return to his room.
“Hello, Sorceress Delia. I’ve heard about you from Solomon,” Ivan paused.
“What did he say, that I beat him up during my apprenticeship?” Delia laughed.
“He did not,” Ivan looked involuntarily at Solomon not far away and noticed his face was turning a shade darker – apparently, a mortifying memory for him.
“Enough about him. Tell me about yourself. I’ve seen your creation of the Black Magic Wind Fire Array and Pure White Eyes and must admit, you are one of the most outstanding among our batch of Level 2 sorcerers, quite admirable.
It’s rare to share a ship, so I had to come over and make your acquaintance. You don’t mind, do you?” continued Delia.
“Of course not. To meet a genius from the Belizi family is indeed a pleasure,” Ivan responded without betraying his emotions.
He knew all too well, her sudden approach was merely to draw more attention to him, making more people focus on him, perhaps even specifically targeting him.
As for admiration and acquaintance, he didn’t quite believe in that.
This easy favor was undoubtedly something Delia delighted in doing.
There was nothing Ivan could do about it; after all, his fame truly overshadowed the others, including the prized talents of the Belizi family – such an affair was unavoidable.