Not long after the door to Ian’s cabin closed, another knock sounded from outside.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! The rhythm was steady and composed.
Ian turned, his Spiritual Power sweeping over the area outside the door.
It was Derek.
The manager from the Giant Sail Alliance. His aura was calm, and his face held a friendly smile.
Ian mused for a moment before stepping forward to pull open the door.
"Gray Moon Wizard," Derek said with a slight bow, "Lord Herbert requests your presence in the upper cabins."
He paused, then added, "To thank you for your intervention just now."
"Now?"
"If it’s convenient for you."
Derek stepped aside, clearing the way and gesturing for him to proceed.
Ian nodded and walked out of the cabin.
Gaga emerged from the shadows and landed on his shoulder, its mismatched eyes staring warily at Derek.
Derek simply smiled, said nothing more, and turned to lead the way.
One followed the other down the metal corridor, their footsteps echoing in the empty passageway.
The doors of several cabins they passed were slightly ajar.
Gaze after gaze peeked through the cracks, landing on Ian.
Envy, jealousy, scrutiny, apprehension...
A complex mix of emotions, like an invisible net.
Ian’s expression was blank, his steps steady.
His Spiritual Power flowed like liquid mercury, taking in every gaze, every breath, and every subtle movement within his Perception.
Across the hall, a door was half-open, and Aidele stood just inside.
The deep cyan long robe made her face seem paler, but her eyes were bright.
Seeing Ian pass by, she gave a slight nod, the corners of her mouth turning up in the barest of smiles.
It was a smile of goodwill.
Ian’s gaze swept over her, and he nodded in return.
The fifth cabin on the right.
The door was shut tight, but his Spiritual Power’s Perception allowed him to "see" the figures inside.
Collins Hawke Wood stood before the porthole, his back to the door. Elder Grey Vulture sat in a soft chair, resting with his eyes closed.
Neither of them moved, but Ian could feel it.
Collins’s aura was still cold, with the air of a young master.
But the hostility was gone... at least for now.
’Perhaps this is a temporary restraint after weighing the pros and cons,’ Ian guessed inwardly.
Such was the cunning and pragmatism of a scion from a great family.
Ian withdrew his Perception and continued forward.
Other cabins.
Most of the Level One Wizards kept their heads down, not daring to look directly at him. The gazes from the Level Two Wizards, however, were more complex.
There was scrutiny, curiosity, and a hint of apprehension.
After all, a Level Two Wizard who could instantly cast thirteen forced-anchor Witchcrafts was no ordinary character.
Many escape-type Secret Techniques were related to the spatial attribute, and Ian’s Witchcraft was a powerful counter to such trump cards.
After reaching the top floor, Derek stopped.
Before them was a dark silver metal door. It was heavy, its surface inscribed with complex Protective Runes.
The Runes flowed with a pale blue light, emanating the aura of a Level Three Great Wizard.
"We’re here."
Derek stepped aside, indicating that Ian should enter on his own.
"Lord Herbert is waiting for you inside."
Ian nodded his thanks and reached out to push the door.
The door slid open silently, and a warm light washed over him.
The cabin on the top floor was several times more spacious than those on the upper floor, more like an extremely luxurious villa.
The floor was covered with a dark red Magic Beast fur rug, soft and silent to walk on.
The walls were inlaid with glowing Crystals that shone with a soft, moon-like radiance.
In the center stood a large Crystal table, and behind it sat the gray-robed elder, Herbert.
He was looking down at a Scroll, and he raised his head at the sound of the door opening.
"Gray Moon Wizard, please, sit."
Herbert set down the Scroll and pointed to the high-backed chair opposite him.
His voice was gentle, but it carried the unique authority of a Level Three Great Wizard.
Ian walked to the chair and sat down.
Gaga perched on the back of the chair, its small eyes surveying the surroundings.
"Regarding what happened earlier, thank you for intervening."
Herbert got straight to the point, his eyes filled with unconcealed admiration.
’To dare reveal his trump card in front of everyone, without fear of retaliation from the Floating Spirits... that level of confidence is extraordinary.’
"If you hadn’t acted, the threat from the swarm of Floating Spirits would have been much greater."
"It was merely my duty," Ian replied calmly.
Herbert chuckled.
"Your duty? The others certainly didn’t think so."
He picked up a cup of hot tea from the table and pushed it toward Ian.
The tea had a clean, elegant aroma, with the calming scent of herbs and flowers.
"Is this your first time going to the Central Continent?"
"Yes."
"Which power are you thinking of joining? Or... has a family already recruited you?"
Herbert’s tone was casual, as if making small talk, but Ian could detect the intent to recruit him.
The Giant Sail Alliance, one of the top merchant guilds in the Eastern Territory of the Central Continent.
It was said that besides several Level Four Morning Star Wizards, they also had a Level Five Wizard overseeing them.
Their resources were immense, and their influence spread throughout the Seventeen Cities of the Eastern Border.
For a Level Two Wizard, being personally recruited by Herbert was a heaven-sent opportunity.
But Ian remained silent for two seconds before replying, "I haven’t decided yet."
He didn’t refuse outright; if the offer was good, he would consider it.
A flicker of understanding flashed in Herbert’s eyes, and he nodded.
"A wise choice."
He didn’t press the matter, changing the subject instead.
They talked about sights from the Rift Valley, the situation in the Eastern Territory, and rumors of ancient ruins.
Ian listened quietly, occasionally adding a few words, and the conversation gradually shifted to Cultivation.
"Your Witchcraft... is it from the Star Gravitational System?"
Herbert asked suddenly, his gaze fixed on Ian.
This wasn’t an attempt to probe his secrets, just a normal question.
Ian nodded in acknowledgment.
A flicker of something crossed Herbert’s eyes, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop.
"Gravity... no wonder."
He retrieved a small wooden box from under the table and pushed it in front of Ian.
The box was dark purple, its surface inscribed with intricate sealing Runes.
Herbert opened the lid. "This is your reward."
Inside, a fist-sized, silver fragment lay on a bed of black velvet.