Above The Sky
Chapter 198 - 198 187 The Beginning of the Storm 14

198: Chapter 187 The Beginning of the Storm (1/4) 198: Chapter 187 The Beginning of the Storm (1/4) After confirming that Ian’s perception ability fully met the standard, Yisen Gard completely let go.

According to this blond youth, their goal in coming to Harrison Port was to capture this juvenile ‘Deep Sea Crystal Dragon’ and send it into the labyrinth in the waters surrounding Empire Mist Veil Port for protective breeding.

The Deep Sea Crystal Dragon is not a pure breed of Primordial Water True Dragon, and aside from mutant varieties, generally speaking, it cannot reach the Fifth Energy Level…

But if it becomes the Labyrinth Master, nurtured by the entire labyrinth’s extremely intense Spirit Energy Field, it could indeed breed materials of the Fifth Energy Level.

Even, it might be possible to cultivate a Crystal True Dragon of the Fifth Energy Level!

This is a method used by a major power to stably breed high-level Demonic Beast Materials—using a fully controlled labyrinth to breed and catalyze Magical Beasts!

This information was not meant for Ian to know, but Yisen Gard didn’t mind.

“Although it is said to be confidential, which Noble does not know?

Even ordinary Adventurers are sure to be aware that the great powers spend mountains of gold and silver for them to risk their lives exploring labyrinths, and it’s definitely not just for the labyrinth’s materials and relics from the former ages.”

This was, indeed, a well-known secret piece of information.

The very existence of a labyrinth is the greatest renewable strategic resource for a kingdom or a power.

And at this moment, Ian also noticed that held within Yisen Gard’s embrace was a small inscribed accessory, reacting to their conversation with feedback.

This accessory was deep purple, containing an extremely powerful force capable of generating some kind of shield structure…

needless to say, it was another one of Yisen Gard’s Second Level High Order life-saving inscribed artifacts.

Having experienced monitoring by Weyges, Ian was naturally very familiar with such situations.

“It seems that Master Gossay has begun to doubt everyone…

No, everyone except himself.

I remember this scent of the accessory being from Master Gossay himself, but now it’s on Yisen.”

Lowering his eyes, Ian pondered, “And now, after knowing my sensing ability, the exploration team will soon finalize the plan and set off.”

“This is a race against time, not giving any potential lurking betrayer a chance.”

Ian had no intention of getting deeply involved in the Ellen Family’s internal strife, as long as they didn’t die before his achievements could be cashed in.

However, he was quite professional in ethics.

When Yisen Gard knew that Ian urgently needed a set of professional inscription tools and expressed that he would immediately send a letter to have Platinum Iridium Workshop’s South Ridge Headquarters send a set over as payment, Ian began to diligently elaborate on the maritime situation around Harrison Port for this little…

this kind-spirited young man.

For nearly the entire morning, Ian had been explaining to Yisen Gard the current state of things around Harrison Port and the Southern Sea, including the distribution of Magical Beasts, special areas, signs of abnormal climate, and most crucially, the situation around Odell Reef and its connection with the Natives.

“The Rising Tide Spirit and Drum Wave Spirit are two Second Energy Level Magical Beasts, whose power in the sea is virtually unmatched, especially as Totem Spirits approaching the Third Energy Level, residing in a Natural Spiritual Energy Field, they are significantly larger and stronger than their peers.”

When Ian said this, he put down the paper and pen with which he had been explaining and drawing maps for Yisen Gard.

His tone was very serious, “Although I don’t know why, the aura of the Deep Sea Crystal Dragon indeed has the scent of Odell Reef—theoretically speaking, even a True Dragon couldn’t overcome an enemy across an entire Power Level, and those two Gargantuan Eels would never share their territory either.”

“This is a danger and an anomaly, one of them.

The second is an omen of disaster.”

Pausing his pen, then drawing a large circle on the map, Ian’s tone became solemn, “The South Sea Labyrinth is not yet formed, but within twenty to thirty days, there will definitely be a large-scale anomaly…

At the same time, in about three days, the entire South Ridge will face the first storm of early spring.”

“Yisen Gard, you must realize that you have been marked, and coming to Harrison Port now is the best opportunity to eliminate you.

I believe that even if it’s the Emperor’s mission, it should be put off until after the anomaly has ended and the storm has subsided.

Otherwise, the more urgent you are now, the more danger you’re in.”

“The dead can neither gain merits nor complete tasks,”

Ian’s words were very down-to-earth; his previous hesitation was precisely about this point—why were the members of the Ellen Family rushing as if running against a deadline when no one was urging them?

Why were they so anxious?

And the words that followed from Yisen Gard seemed to answer the youth’s confusion.

“It’s not that we don’t want to, but that we can’t…

We, of course, know how to be safer.”

At that moment, the blonde-haired youth’s face showed helplessness.

He lowered his head, looking at the simplified map of South Ridge that Ian had drawn, as well as the location of the Odell Reef.

He shook his head and said, “The Deep Sea Crystal Dragon becomes active during the storm; the raging waves and tidal forces are when it’s most active…

To capture it, we must act during the storm.”

“That’s exactly why we need someone like you, who, even with the storm’s interference, can still accurately capture the Crystal Dragon’s scent!”

“As for the mutation…”

Yisen Gard extended his hand and pressed on one corner of the map, sighing as he said, “According to the Royal Alchemists’ assessment, this Crystal Dragon is about to reach the Second Energy Level.”

“If it really reaches the Second Energy Level after mutating, then it’s no longer a feat I can achieve…

Not to mention, aside from those Great Knights specialized in naval combat, who else could catch up with a Second Energy Level Sea Dragon among the Magical Beasts in the sea?”

“Even if it were truly possible, and even with Uncle Grant piloting the Aether Armament to intervene, the difficulty would be too high, and waiting for a second storm would be equally dangerous.”

This was the trouble with this task.

To capture the Deep Sea Crystal Dragon, it had to be before the mutation and between the storms—otherwise, they would either not find the dragon or the difficulty would spike.

That was the situation.

After informing Ian of the details of the task and the relevant intelligence, Yisen Gard planned to leave.

“Oh, right.”

Before leaving, the blonde-haired youth, who seemed clever yet somewhat naive, affable but with a hint of regional bias, seemed to remember something.

He turned back and kindly reminded Ian, “Teacher Gossay gave you his card, right?”

He earnestly said, “Be sure to keep it safe!”

“Teacher Gossay’s card can be used to borrow books from the Imperial Capital Grand Library, as well as to attend lectures at the Zhenzhi Academy, Royal Alchemy Academy, and Saint Shehagel Academy, and use the school’s laboratories…

In short, even I had to pass several very difficult exams to get it!”

At this point, Yisen Gard even felt a bit envious—he had fully realized the level of Ian’s talent and ability and felt ashamed of his earlier jealousy, “It’s very rare, even in Harrison Port, you can use it at the Platinum Iridium Workshop to buy discounted potions!”

“Did Master Gossay tell you to say this?”

However, Ian nodded in response, amidst the astonished expression of the blonde-haired youth.

He smiled, not at all surprised by this, “Rest assured, I’m very aware of how much Master Gossay values me.

I indeed love Alchemy and won’t let down my own talent.”

“If the opportunity arises, after I complete my studies, I will visit him in the Imperial Capital.”