Chapter 143: The Darkfoot Land Dragon, a Rare Opportunity

Chapter 143: The Darkfoot Land Dragon, a Rare Opportunity

In the White Tower Province, on the outskirts of Ryan City.

A vast estate sprawled out, dotted with dense, vibrant red fruits.

At a glance, it seemed as though one had entered a sea of red.

On the path between the fields, Xie Man gazed at the thriving Dragonblood fruits, a genuine smile of joy spreading across his face.

The apprentices standing behind him also wore expressions of delight.

"The first batch of Dragonblood fruits is about to ripen. This means the magic array in the magic plant garden is functioning correctly. We've succeeded!"

"Looks like we've completed the mission!"

"I told you, with Senior Xie Man, there's nothing to worry about!"

"Right, it's all thanks to Senior Xie Man."

The apprentices chattered excitedly, the atmosphere filled with joy.

Xie Man turned and chuckled, "The establishment of the magic plant garden isn't just my achievement; it's thanks to everyone's hard work. It's been tough, but I'll submit a report to the base based on everyone's contributions. I'm sure the mission rewards will be distributed soon."

The apprentices' faces lit up even more at his words.

The journey to the White Tower Province to establish the magic plant garden had been arduous, but the rewards were substantial.

These four months of effort would be worth more than their usual half-year's worth of missions.

Xie Man was also in high spirits.

As the main force behind the establishment of the magic plant garden, he would receive the most contribution points, enough to exchange for several bottles of Hyper Potion and four or five first-level spells.

"When are we heading to the next location, Senior Xie Man?" an apprentice asked, rubbing his hands in anticipation.

There were two teams tasked with establishing new magic plant gardens, led by Xie Man and Cole.

Each team was responsible for setting up three new gardens, all located near the six Knight Academies.

Ryan City's garden was just the first; they had two more to go.

Xie Man pondered for a moment before replying, "I'll submit a report to the base later. Once the base personnel arrive to take over, we can leave."

"Additionally, we need to harvest and preserve this batch of Dragonblood fruits, then deliver them to the Dragonclaw Knight Academy. We should also plant new magic plant seeds, including the Silver Moon Flower and the Calming Flower."

Hearing that Xie Man had everything planned out, the apprentices all nodded in agreement.

"Everyone has worked hard today. After we return to the city, I'll treat you all to a meal at the Blue Rose Restaurant," Xie Man said with a smile.

"Since Senior Xie Man is treating us, I'll eat my fill."

"Senior Xie Man is generous; the Blue Rose Restaurant isn't cheap, you know."

"Pfft, does Senior Xie Man look like he'd be short on gold coins?"

The apprentices laughed and teased each other.

Except for two apprentices on duty, who stayed behind enviously, the rest left the magic plant garden.

Outside the main gate, four luxurious carriages waited, each adorned with the family crest of the Ryan City Lord.

Seeing Xie Man and the others emerge, the drivers quickly jumped down, placed the steps, and stood respectfully to the side.

The Lord of Ryan City did not dare to neglect this group of wizard apprentices from the capital base. Not only did he arrange for them to stay at the Lord's Manor, but he also provided four carriages at their disposal, with dedicated staff to attend to their every need, from travel to food and drink.

After all, they were students of that great adult.

The group boarded the carriages one by one, and with a chorus of neighs, the convoy set off toward Ryan City.

Inside the carriage, Xie Man took out a book of spell models and began to read intently.

After advancing to the rank of a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, he was now eligible to learn first-level spells.

The first first-level spell he chose was Shield.

"First-level spells are indeed much more challenging than cantrips. I've been studying for almost half a year, and I still haven't fully mastered Shield."

Upon truly engaging with the spell, Xie Man realized just how difficult first-level spells were, which only deepened his admiration and respect for his teacher.

Lord Amy had mentioned that his teacher could master a first-level spell in a month!

This was something Xie Man could hardly even imagine!

Time flew by as he studied.

Before long, Xie Man felt the carriage slow down, and the driver's voice echoed from outside.

"Sir, we have arrived."

Xie Man put away the book, pushed open the carriage door, and stepped down.

The convoy had reached the gates of the Lord's Manor.

Steed Pont, having been informed, stood at the entrance with a broad smile. Seeing Xie Man step out, he approached warmly.

"Sir Xie Man, I heard you planned to dine at the Blue Rose Restaurant. I've already arranged a feast there. If you don't mind, let me be the host today."

Xie Man readily agreed, "That would be a bother, Lord Steed."

Chapter 143: The Darkfoot Land Dragon, a Rare Opportunity

In the White Tower Province, on the outskirts of Ryan City.

A vast estate sprawled out, dotted with dense, vibrant red Dragonblood fruits.

At a glance, it seemed as though one had entered a sea of red.

On the path between the fields, Xie Man gazed at the thriving Dragonblood fruits, a genuine smile of joy spreading across his face.

The apprentices standing behind him also wore expressions of delight.

"The first batch of Dragonblood fruits is about to ripen. This means the magic array in the magic plant garden is functioning correctly. We've succeeded!"

"Looks like we've completed the mission!"

"I told you, with Senior Xie Man, there's nothing to worry about!"

"Right, it's all thanks to Senior Xie Man."

The apprentices chattered excitedly, the atmosphere filled with joy.

Xie Man turned and chuckled, "The establishment of the magic plant garden isn't just my achievement; it's thanks to everyone's hard work. It's been tough, but I'll submit a report to the base based on everyone's contributions. I'm sure the mission rewards will be distributed soon."

The apprentices' faces lit up even more at his words.

The journey to the White Tower Province to establish the magic plant garden had been arduous, but the rewards were substantial.

These four months of effort would be worth more than their usual half-year's worth of missions.

Xie Man was also in high spirits.

As the main force behind the establishment of the magic plant garden, he would receive the most contribution points, enough to exchange for several bottles of Hyper Potion and four or five first-level spells.

"When are we heading to the next location, Senior Xie Man?" an apprentice asked, rubbing his hands in anticipation.

There were two teams tasked with establishing new magic plant gardens, led by Xie Man and Cole.

Each team was responsible for setting up three new gardens, all located near the six Knight Academies.

Ryan City's garden was just the first; they had two more to go.

Xie Man pondered for a moment before replying, "I'll submit a report to the base later. Once the base personnel arrive to take over, we can leave."

"Additionally, we need to harvest and preserve this batch of Dragonblood fruits, then deliver them to the Dragonclaw Knight Academy. We should also plant new magic plant seeds, including the Silver Moon Flower and the Calming Flower."

Hearing that Xie Man had everything planned out, the apprentices all nodded in agreement.

"Everyone has worked hard today. After we return to the city, I'll treat you all to a meal at the Blue Rose Restaurant," Xie Man said with a smile.

"Since Senior Xie Man is treating us, I'll eat my fill."

"Senior Xie Man is generous; the Blue Rose Restaurant isn't cheap, you know."

"Pfft, does Senior Xie Man look like he'd be short on gold coins?"

The apprentices laughed and teased each other.

Except for two apprentices on duty, who stayed behind enviously, the rest left the magic plant garden.

Outside the main gate, four luxurious carriages waited, each adorned with the family crest of the Ryan City Lord.

Seeing Xie Man and the others emerge, the drivers quickly jumped down, placed the steps, and stood respectfully to the side.

The Lord of Ryan City did not dare to neglect this group of wizard apprentices from the capital base. Not only did he arrange for them to stay at the Lord's Manor, but he also provided four carriages at their disposal, with dedicated staff to attend to their every need, from travel to food and drink.

After all, they were students of that great adult.

The group boarded the carriages one by one, and with a chorus of neighs, the convoy set off toward Ryan City.

Inside the carriage, Xie Man took out a book of spell models and began to read intently.

After advancing to the rank of a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, he was now eligible to learn first-level spells.

The first first-level spell he chose was Shield.

"First-level spells are indeed much more challenging than cantrips. I've been studying for almost half a year, and I still haven't fully mastered Shield."

Upon truly engaging with the spell, Xie Man realized just how difficult first-level spells were, which only deepened his admiration and respect for his teacher.

Lord Amy had mentioned that his teacher could master a first-level spell in a month!

This was something Xie Man could hardly even imagine!

Time flew by as he studied.

Before long, Xie Man felt the carriage slow down, and the driver's voice echoed from outside.

"Sir, we have arrived."

Xie Man put away the book, pushed open the carriage door, and stepped down.

The convoy had reached the gates of the Lord's Manor.

Steed Pont, having been informed, stood at the entrance with a broad smile. Seeing Xie Man step out, he approached warmly.

"Sir Xie Man, I heard you planned to dine at the Blue Rose Restaurant. I've already arranged a feast there. If you don't mind, let me be the host today."

Xie Man readily agreed, "That would be a bother, Lord Steed."

---

Chapter 144: The Darkfoot Land Dragon, a Grave Threat

"Call me Steed," Steed said with a warm smile.

Steed was the eldest son of the Lord of Ryan City, specifically tasked with hosting their group.

Just then, the sound of urgent hoofbeats echoed from the distance.

Xie Man followed the sound and saw a cavalryman galloping furiously toward them. The horseman pulled up sharply at the gate, leaped off his mount before the horse had even steadied, and rushed inside with a hurried expression.

"Hold on!"

Steed called out to the cavalryman.

The man, clearly impatient, stopped and turned to see Steed. His face immediately shifted to a respectful demeanor.

"Lord Steed."

"What's happening?" Steed asked sternly.

Within a five-hundred-meter radius of the Lord's Manor, riding at a gallop was strictly prohibited. The cavalryman must have had urgent news to report, disregarding the ban.

The cavalryman quickly replied, "Lord Steed, a monster attack has occurred in a village to the west of the city. A hundred-man detachment of the city guard was dispatched to handle it but suffered heavy casualties. I was just about to report this to the Lord!"

A monster attack?

The apprentices exchanged uneasy glances.

The wilds were teeming with dangerous beasts, and it was not uncommon for hungry predators to attack villages and prey on the inhabitants.

In most cases, the village militia could handle such threats, and it was rare for the city guard to need to intervene.

A beast capable of inflicting heavy casualties on a hundred-man detachment was even rarer.

Such a creature could be classified as a monstrous beast.

Steed's expression turned grave, and he turned to Xie Man with an apologetic tone. "I'm sorry, Sir Xie Man, but I can't accompany you to the restaurant. I'll make it up to you later."

"Lord Steed, you're too kind. Handling the attack is more important," Xie Man waved his hand dismissively. After a moment's thought, he added, "We've been warmly hosted by you, Lord Steed, and we are grateful. If you don't mind, I'll accompany you and perhaps offer some assistance."

Steed's eyes lit up, and he immediately agreed.

"That would be very helpful, Sir Xie Man."

With no time to waste, the group set off immediately for the village.

Upon arrival, they found the situation even more dire than the cavalryman had reported.

The ground was littered with blood-soaked bodies, both villagers and city guards.

Xie Man noticed that one of the officer's corpses had tattered armor, the tears indicating that it had been ripped apart by a beast's claws.

A knight-level monstrous beast!

Xie Man's expression grew serious.

Steed, noticing the same, looked grim.

"We must kill this monster and prevent it from escaping. If it attacks other villages, the consequences will be dire!"

A knight-level monstrous beast, if left unchecked, could wreak havoc on human settlements.

Steed felt a sense of relief that Xie Man had come along. Otherwise, he and his men might not have been able to defeat the beast on their own.

"Roar!"

A deep, thunderous roar echoed from a distance.

Xie Man and Steed exchanged a glance and hurried in the direction of the sound.

The other soldiers quickly followed.

Rounding a corner, a fearsome creature came into view.

It was a massive, upright lizard-like being, covered in dark gray scales.

It had a large, powerful jaw, short forelimbs, and long, powerful hind limbs, all equipped with sharp claws. Its gaping maw was filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth.

"A Darkfoot Land Dragon!" Xie Man exclaimed in shock.

"Do you recognize this creature, Sir Xie Man?" Steed asked urgently.

Xie Man nodded, his face a mix of surprise and concern. Seeing Steed's puzzled expression, he quickly explained:

"A Darkfoot Land Dragon, also known as a Cave Dragon, is a sub-dragon species. It has poor vision and hearing but possesses an exceptionally strong sense of smell and echolocation."

"However, these creatures typically live in the underground world and shouldn't be found on the surface!"

At that moment, the Darkfoot Land Dragon also noticed Xie Man's group and let out a ferocious roar, charging toward them.

"Be careful. This Darkfoot Land Dragon is an adult, with combat strength between a high-ranking knight and a peak knight. Pay special attention to its claws, which are extremely sharp. If you're clawed, you'll bleed uncontrollably."

The Darkfoot Land Dragon's claws had a natural effect similar to the "Bleeding" characteristic, causing continuous bleeding upon contact.

Hearing that the creature had at least high-ranking knight-level strength, Steed and his men's faces paled.

Due to the haste of their departure, only three knights, including Steed, were among their group, and they were all low-ranking knights. Against a high-ranking knight-level monstrous beast, they could barely hope to defend themselves.

Fortunately, Xie Man was there.

Facing the charging Darkfoot Land Dragon, Xie Man calmly completed his spell preparation and launched a Daze spell, striking the creature.

Bang!

The Darkfoot Land Dragon stumbled and fell to the ground, its massive body sliding several meters due to its momentum, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Seizing the opportunity, Steed led the two knights in a charge.

However, dragons were naturally resistant to magic, and even as a sub-dragon species, the Darkfoot Land Dragon had inherited some of this resistance, making it far more resilient to spells than other beasts.

Shaking its head, the Darkfoot Land Dragon climbed back to its feet and resumed its attack as if nothing had happened.

"Cantrips don't have much effect on the Darkfoot Land Dragon. Unfortunately, I haven't mastered any offensive first-level spells yet," Xie Man sighed. Seeing Steed and the two knights struggling against the creature’s attacks, he hesitated for a moment before reluctantly pulling out a gemstone.

The gemstone, etched with strange runes, shimmered beautifully in the sunlight.

Xie Man then threw the gemstone and shouted, "Get back!"

Sceed and the two knights quickly retreated. The next moment, the gemstone in mid-air erupted in a brilliant flash of light, transforming into a thunderbolt that struck the Darkfoot Land Dragon.

Boom!

The Darkfoot Land Dragon let out a shrill, agonized scream.

When the lightning dissipated, the Darkfoot Land Dragon lay on the ground, smoking and motionless.

A knight cautiously approached to check, and after a moment, his face lit up with joy.

"It's dead!"

Sceed let out a relieved sigh, then looked at Xie Man with a mix of awe and respect.

This is the power of a wizard! The thunderbolt was terrifying! Even a Grand Knight would hesitate to face such power head-on!

Xie Man was also surprised.

This was his first time using a rune gem in combat, and he hadn't expected it to be so powerful, capable of instantly killing a creature with such high magic resistance.

"Rune gems may be expensive, but they are certainly worth it."

Xie Man silently reflected. Regaining his composure, he approached Steed and said, "Lord Steed, the appearance of the Darkfoot Land Dragon on the surface is highly unusual and could be linked to the underground world. I need to report this to my teacher. Can I take the corpse with me for further examination?"

Sceed nodded solemnly, "Of course, if you need any assistance, just let me know."

Xie Man thanked him and asked Sceed to have the corpse moved to the Lord's Manor for safekeeping.

Back at the Lord's Manor, Xie Man immediately returned to his room to write a letter to his teacher about the day's events.

Sceed, on the other hand, went to his father's study to report what had happened.

"How did a creature from the underground world end up here?"

After hearing Sceed's report, the Lord of Ryan City, Haus, frowned deeply.

Since Su Nan's exploits had spread, the nobles of the Starlight Duchy had started gathering information about wizards, and Haus had heard about the underground world.

The appearance of a creature from the underground world in his territory was not a good sign.

There might be a portal to the underground world somewhere nearby, which would be a significant problem.

"Let's leave this to the wizards to handle," Haus rubbed his temples, then suddenly remembered something else.

"How have you been getting along with Xie Man?"

"Quite well," Sceed smiled, "Sir Xie Man is just as kind and approachable as the rumors suggest, with no airs about him."

"That's good to hear," Haus nodded, his expression deepening.

"Lord Su Nan has many students, but the most outstanding are Xie Man and Cole."

"Cole is from a noble family, and his pride makes him hard to approach. In comparison, Xie Man is much easier to get along with."

"This is a good opportunity for you, as Xie Man is leading the team to establish the magic plant garden in our city. Take this chance to build a strong relationship with him; it will greatly benefit your future."

"Yes, Father!" Sceed responded solemnly.

Anyone with a bit of foresight could see the crucial role the base would play in the Starlight Duchy in the future.

Thus, forming connections with wizards from the base was a wise move for any noble.

Their city had been fortunate to encounter Xie Man, and they must cherish this rare opportunity.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end