Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2211: Chapter 2212: Magic Bean

The Whispering Wind of Uranus hopes allies won’t interfere; could it mean the matter is not serious? But if it’s not serious, why have all the wind element creatures been called back, so hastily that even the Elemental Sprites have no time to attend?

Not telling allies exactly what happened implies that the Whispering Wind of Uranus perhaps does not wish for the matter to spread?

Unable to ascertain the specifics, based on the current compiled information, Angel speculated that this might only be an internal affair within White Cloud Village.

Perhaps there has been infighting?

Angel couldn’t help but associate with the unsavory incidents in royal histories, like throne usurpation, fighting for fame and profit, factional strife, and all sorts of means springing up one after another. Such clandestine matters are often shrouded in secrecy for the sake of face, unknown to ordinary people outside the royal family.

Reflecting on the present situation, Angel guessed that what is happening on Wind Island might just be this kind of internal conflict, what could be termed as family disgrace, which the Whispering Wind of Uranus wouldn’t want to leak out.

Of course, this is just speculation, the exact situation still requires visiting White Cloud Village to understand.

"The Sage heard of your situation and invites you to visit the Lake of Birth." At that moment, Magic Vine spoke again, "The Sage and Prince Prosperity are also paying attention to the situation on Wind Island. Once there is any news, if you go to the Lake of Birth, you can learn of it promptly."

Despite what was said, Angel pondered for a moment and decided to decline politely.

As well as he knew, although the Green Wilds and White Cloud Village are under the same domain, governing the sky and the earth separately, to avoid suspicion, Wind Island and the Lake of Birth are actually quite far apart. First, he did not want to waste time in such to-and-fro; second, since the Sage of the Green Wilds also does not know what happened, a visit would likely be futile. It is better to go to Wind Island as planned.

After all, Angel may or may not visit the Lake of Birth in the Green Wilds, but Wind Island in White Cloud Village, he must go.

Besides, no one knows when the events on Wind Island will conclude, and Angel cannot wait indefinitely.

Even if he arrives on Wind Island and finds the expected "internal strife," Angel believes the Whispering Wind of Uranus may not make things difficult for him, after all, he has the "warrant" of Arnott and the message from the Sage of Baya Desert, Kuplatinum.

He comes with reason, not an aimless trespass.

With this thought, Angel refused Magic Vine’s offer. He may visit the Green Wilds in the future, but for now, going to Wind Island is more pressing.

Magic Vine thought for a moment: "Alright, I will inform the Sage of your decision."

With that, Magic Vine once again invited Angel to visit its temporary residence, which Angel also declined. He inquired about the shortest route to Wind Island and any possible taboos he might encounter, then bid farewell to Magic Vine.

The Gondola set sail again.

After navigating through the cloud paths for about an hour, during which Angel still did not encounter any wind creatures, aligning perfectly with what the Sage of the Green Wilds described, it seems all wind creatures have indeed gathered on Wind Island.

A few more minutes of travel revealed a sudden patch of green amid the pure white cloud ahead.

The striking contrast of colors alerted Angel immediately.

It was a green vine adorned with white fluff, about ten meters in length. Utilizing the strong high-altitude winds, it soared gently and gracefully.

Moreover, this green vine could sway to control its flight direction.

Now, this vine was using its supple form, flying towards the location of the Gondola.

Angel did not evade, as he had noticed earlier that this green vine was initially just riding the wind, and only after spotting them did it actively approach.

He pondered what this vine intended to do?

Soon, the green vine drew near to the Gondola, and as it approached, Angel heard a crisp sound: "One, two, three, two... No, let me count again, one, two, three, what comes next?"

"Fool, it’s four." At that moment, Dangross also hopped onto the ship’s side, curiously observing the green vine, blurting out a remark fragrantly.

"Oh right, it’s four!" The green vine paused its voice, then descended upon the Gondola.

As it approached, Earl Mi’s blue lantern flower began to slowly appear on the bow. At that moment, Angel lightly communicated a thought, leading Earl Mi to withdraw its vigilant stance, allowing the blue lantern flower to merge back into its shadow.

The vine smoothly arrived on the Gondola, draping itself on the horizontal bar of the Veil of the Starry Sky, hanging down like a curtain.

Angel cast a glance at Dangross, who immediately grasped the message, and asked: "Who are you? Getting on someone else’s boat without permission is very impolite. I’ll have you know, it’s against our ship’s rules to come on freely, or you’ll be locked up unless you become my minion..."

"Ahem." Angel coughed to interrupt Dangross’s imaginative speech, whose source of learning was unknown.

Dangross: "Alright, even though there’s no rule about being locked up, what I said before is true, it’s impolite to come aboard without permission, quickly state your business."

The vine: "I’m Jack... Actually, I didn’t want to come; I was originally learning to count, but the Sage sent me."

The Sage Jack referred to, must be the Sage of the Green Wilds.

"The Sage said, it has received messages from Ku’eir, and says it welcomes you all one, two, three, two... to visit the Lake of Birth anytime." Jack counted those aboard the ship but failed to get the correct number; it seemed it could only count up to three.

"Ku’eir is the Magic Vine before?... I see, thank you for the Sage’s invitation." Having said that, Angel continued to gaze at the vine, believing that the Sage of the Green Wilds couldn’t have sent a vine just to deliver this message.

Sure enough, Jack hesitated for a moment before continuing: "And one more thing."

Jack gave a gentle shake, and from its long, thin leaf pouch dropped a glowing green bean.

The bean bounced on the table, rolling to a stop before Angel.

"What is this? A gift from the Sage?" Angel could feel that the bean was filled with pure and harmonious natural energy.

Jack shook its head: "This is from me to you."

Angel looked at Jack, puzzled.

Jack: "The Sage gave me another task, to explore what’s happening on Wind Island. But I thought, if I go alone, I will surely be intercepted. Ku’eir told me you all are strong, so I thought, why not hitch a ride on your ship? I know it can’t be free, so this Magic Bean is my payment."

Angel: "The Sage asked you to go probe the situation on Wind Island?"

Jack waved its vines as if nodding: "The Sage is also very concerned about Wind Island."

"And it’s your own idea to board my ship and accompany us?"

Jack nodded again, somewhat proud: "Yes, the moment I saw your ship, this idea came to mind, isn’t it clever?"

Angel looked at Jack deeply, without speaking.

Dangross, however, laughed and said, "What smartness? Isn’t it just your Sage implying it?"

Jack: "The Sage never implied anything, just instructed me to scout the situation on Wind Island."

Dangross: "Think about it. Would your Sage send you to relay a meaningless message for no reason? It might not have explicitly stated it, but having you come to seek us is in itself a hint, guiding you to think that way?"

Angel gave Dangross a slightly surprised look. Previously, in the realm of fire, he only thought it was a straightforward fool, but after spending time together these days, he found Dangross to be quite clever.

What Dangross said coincidentally matched Angel’s thoughts.

Perhaps the Sage indeed did not explicitly ask Jack to "hitch a ride," but the hint was quite obvious.

"Is it really like that?" Jack still had some doubt, but Dangross’s analysis made some sense. In addition, the previous hint from Dangross, about the numbers after three, made Jack think this peculiar severed hand might be wiser than it, so it had some suspicion.

"It’s definitely like that. Your Sage also knows clearly that in your situation, you definitely can’t get into Wind Island. Only by following our ship, using our mission to return Arnott as an excuse, do you have a chance to enter Wind Island. So, this is definitely a hint."

"Then I won’t hitch a ride on your ship." Jack didn’t know the truth, but it vaguely felt that if it was indeed being hinted at, continuing to hitch the ride wasn’t good. So, it immediately chose to get off the ship.

"Forget it, just come along." Angel said indifferently.

He could see that the Royal Plains’ Sage might have anticipated Jack’s subsequent actions, including the current situation, by sending such a "simple" Jack.

Such a simple calculation Jack couldn’t think of, but the Sage surely understood; they should see through it.

This Sage not only wants to explore the situation of Wind Island but probably also wants to probe their bottom line.

Whether he refused Jack’s boarding or allowed it actually revealed a certain attitude. If Angel were to really go to the core area of the Royal Plains in the future — Lake of Birth, his current attitude would become how the Sage would treat him.

Perhaps that Sage guessed he was not an elemental creature, suspected he had some plot, and wanted to test him. Angel couldn’t care less because sending the Illusionary Realm Shadow Box to various places was already his utmost endeavor. The Tidal World would eventually open; this is an irreversible trend. All tests won’t change the outcome of the Tidal World, just the ultimate fate of the elemental creatures here, which has little to do with Angel.

Therefore, Angel was too lazy to analyze the outcome the Sage hoped to see; it didn’t matter to him.

All he wanted to do now was to meet Gentle Breeze Uranos and inquire about Feng.

As for whether to let Jack board, Angel felt it didn’t matter, entirely up to his own preference.

Since Jack provided a fare and seemed quite simple, Angel agreed to let Jack board.

However, he only agreed to let Jack board. Once they reached Wind Island, whether to let Jack explore the specific situation on Wind Island was another matter. At least, Angel first wanted to meet Gentle Breeze Uranos, ask for his opinion, then make a decision.

After all, compared to the Royal Plains Sage’s attitude, Angel cared more about Gentle Breeze Uranos’s attitude.

After agreeing to let Jack board, Angel accepted the fare it offered — the Magic Bean.

He carefully examined it and found this Magic Bean had a very peculiar form. It had a form in the Material Realm, but itself was an elemental aggregation, as if some power connected it with both the Material and Energy Realms, giving it a form in both.

Perhaps this is Jack’s ability?

Angel asked about it, and sure enough, it was indeed Jack’s ability.

Jack can convert natural forces into pods on its body and can replenish energy by eating the Magic Beans in the pods when its energy is depleted.

In short, these are actually the fruits Jack produces.

It can be considered a special demonic material. Although low-level, it’s very pure and can replace many wooden materials.

Of course, it can also "replenish magic" for a Nature Witch or be used as casting material, as its natural power is very pure and a good consumable for a Nature Witch.

Angel also liked these Magic Beans quite a bit. After all, although these Magic Beans were low-level materials, Jack could produce and consume them itself. If abundant, they could even undergo a qualitative change.

Angel inquired about Jack regarding the Magic Bean’s production capacity.

However, Jack’s answer somewhat disappointed Angel. Producing pods consumed a lot of energy, and it took a long time to produce one, with a low magic replenishment ratio, being used only as non-combat material reserves.

Only in the World’s Harmony, the Elemental Tide, does Jack have a chance to produce more pods.

Moreover, Jack loved the crispy taste of Magic Beans. It usually didn’t accumulate them. Whenever there was a surplus, it would crunch it up. This Magic Bean was stored for a long time, prepared to be eaten later, and was offered because it wanted to hitch a ride.

Realizing that Magic Bean production wasn’t easy, Angel had to temporarily shelve his idea of exchanging for some Magic Beans.

However, Angel still planned to maintain a good relationship with Jack. Such pure natural fruits were rare. After the Tidal World opens, he might be able to do business with Jack in the name of himself or Illusion Demon Island to increase revenue.

...

The Gondola continued to fly through the clouds.

Five hours after flying, Angel was already approaching the core area of White Cloud Village.

If the clouds elsewhere were compared to inland lakes, what he saw before him was the real sea.

It was a vast sea of clouds that stretched for countless miles.

The clouds varied between thin and thick, but the middle never broke, extending to the edge of his vision.

This is the true White Cloud Village, a place of wind entirely composed of clouds.

And Wind Island lies deep within this sea of clouds.

Angel marveled at the grandeur of the sea of clouds but did not stop. The Gondola surged forward at full speed, turning into a white arc, and plunged directly into the sea of clouds.

The closer to the core of White Cloud Village, the more Angel felt the density of wind elements around him.

Moreover, these winds blew entirely against the direction of the Gondola’s flight.