Chapter 283: Whispers of the Wind

Chapter 283: Whispers of the Wind

The massive Airship soared like a silver-plated bird, its streamlined frame and mana gleaming at its wingtips proclaiming its extraordinary craftsmanship.

Every detail exuded the Crown Clan’s opulence, from the plush seating to the high-efficiency mana engine—each a pinnacle of artisanal mastery.

“This Silver Feather Airship is one of Prince’s personal vessels,” Franca explained beside him, her voice tinged with quiet pride.

“It’s rarely deployed except for special occasions. The Prince sending it to fetch you speaks volumes about his regard for you.”

Luo En nodded slightly, understanding the unspoken weight behind this gesture.

Appearing in a Crown Clan-owned Airship at such a public event would undoubtedly draw attention, elevating his own prestige.

This was both Eve’s kindness and a subtle binding of alliances.

Compared to forced contracts, however, this method felt surprisingly agreeable.

“Mentor’s attending the Lance Festival for the first time, right?”

Eve approached, her amethyst eyes sparkling with excitement.

“I’ve only ever seen it through crystal projections before. Now I’ll finally witness it firsthand!”

Luo En gave a slight nod. “Such grandeur is unimaginable even within the Black Mist Jungle.”

“It’s more than just size,” Eve said, her voice filled with longing.

“The Lance Festival lineage traces back to the late Third Era, over five millennia. It’s not merely a celebration—it’s a homage to mage civilization’s reverence for knowledge and lineage.”

Luo En gazed at the rainbow-hued light ribbons symbolizing Lance achievements.

The seven-colored radiance wove and danced above the plaza like living things, bathing the entire area in an ethereal glow.

Even his seasoned eyes paused briefly, captivated by the spectacle.

Daire leaned against the Airship’s crystal window, silver hair shimmering in the sunlight as she stared at the dazzling vistas below.

“Master, look over there!”

The Little Siren pointed at the edge of a floating island in the distance.

There, a forest of crystals in varying sizes refracted sunlight into a prismatic spectrum.

“Stunning! What is that?”

Ai Lan drifted beside Daire, her emerald vines gently brushing the girl’s shoulder.

“That’s the Seven-colored Crystal Grove, a special area fully accessible only during the Lance Festival.

Legend says those crystal trees were personally planted by Lance himself, each containing unique mana Resonances.”

“The grove itself functions as a massive mana filtration system,” Eve added.

“It purifies impure mana in the environment, creating the purest mana field in all Dawnport. During the Festival, every mentor and apprentice benefits from this purified mana.”

Luo En withdrew his gaze from the mana-rich crystal forest, his mind already deep in contemplation.

Though the Rainbow Ring was merely a triannual event, far smaller than inter-school mage competitions, it represented a rare opportunity for bloodline modifiers.

True formulation masters rarely participated in such lower-tier contests, but many of today’s renowned masters had launched their careers here.

The competition rules were deceptively simple—no convoluted systems, just a single decisive round.

Luo En mentally reviewed the data he’d gathered:

All profession modifiers had to perform bloodline formulations on a designated subject—the Crystal Lizard this year—within the same time frame.

The evaluation criteria had two parts:

First, the subject’s post-formulation condition and performance;

Second, the autophagic slime mold’s color transformation objectively measuring success.

“Incidentally, the Lance alchemist himself was the only one able to make the autophagic slime mold display a complete rainbow color—the origin of the Rainbow Ring’s name,” Eve explained to Ai Lan and Daire, reverence in her tone.

“Even today’s top bloodline masters can only approach that rainbow hue, always missing some critical wavelength.”

Luo En murmured an agreement, already strategizing his formulation approach.

While Crystal Lizard bloodline formulation wasn’t overly complex, achieving exceptional quality within a limited time required precise control and deep theoretical mastery.

“Mentor Luo En,” Eve’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“I’ve gathered intelligence on today’s other competitors. You might find it useful.”

She handed him an intricately designed card—its mana-encoded text visible only to the holder.

Accepting it, Luo En gave her a grateful nod.

Eve’s meticulousness never ceased to impress—the discreet manner she employed for intelligence exchanges was perfectly calibrated.

“There are seventeen major competitors this year,” she whispered as he examined the card.

“Three are senior lecturers from the Central Lands, two are bloodline formulation experts from other regions, and the rest are rising new talents.”

“First, Professor Mu Le from the Zhenyin Tower. He specializes in vibrational bloodline formulation.

Rumors say his formulated Crystal Lizard can detect mana fluctuations several kilometers away merely through skin vibrations.”

“Next, Lecturer Sophie from the Element Garden.

She excels in enhancing biological regeneration. She once made a Crystal Lizard regenerate all four limbs without any functional loss after amputation.”

“Finally, an unexpected contender—the scholar Ai Ha Mai De from the Flowing Sands School.

Though specializing in earth-element transformation, he’s recently explored biological elementization.

There are whispers he’s researching how to create micro-elemental cycles within organisms, enabling Crystal Lizards to sustain themselves in extreme environments.”

Luo En’s lips curved slightly.

“Eliot sent me these details and more yesterday.

Still, I appreciate the Prince personally leveraging his privileges to obtain this information.”

Eve’s eyes widened slightly. “Mage Eliot? You’re acquainted with him?”

“We met during a trial back when I was at Black Mist School,” Luo En replied casually.

“We’ve remained in contact since arriving in the Central Lands. His Whispering Wind innate talent gives him unparalleled edge in intelligence gathering.”

“I see,” Eve nodded, comprehension dawning on her face.

“Strictly speaking, Mage Eliot is my distant cousin. His Whispering Wind Clan shares marital ties with the Crown Clan—ties that have endured for generations.”

Her voice carried a trace of envy:

"'Whispering Wind'—this top-tier innate talent has certainly made him famous within our mage clan's small circles, regarded as one of the most outstanding youths of this generation."

"It's very good that you became friends with Mage Eliot."

Eve sincerely said, "In the Central Lands, personal relationships sometimes play unexpected roles."

Luo En smiled slightly, understanding her meaning without further words.

In any relatively peaceful society, the importance of allies was self-evident.

The airship began descending slowly.

Tens of thousands of spectators had already gathered in the stadium-like seating area, forming a vast, colorful sea of people.

Various extraordinary species displayed their unique features under the sunlight:

There were Lizardfolk from the scaled clan, their bodies covered in gleaming scales;

Element spirits with semi-transparent forms drifting inside specially crafted crystal containers;

And even a rare Dragonkin whose vertical pupils glimmered with golden light in daylight, like two miniature suns.

"How magnificent", Daire whispered, her golden eyes widening.

"I've never seen so many different species gathered together."

"That's only natural", Franca explained, her usually stern voice unusually soft.

"The Lance Festival is the Central Lands' most important traditional celebration. It's also a crucial platform for communication among all races in the Abyssal Continent Cluster. Many trade agreements and inter-species marriages are arranged precisely during this festival."

As the airship descended further, people in the square started noticing this special carriage.

At first, only scattered glances were cast upward, but soon more and more spectators raised their heads, curiosity spreading through the crowd like ripples.

"That's Crown Clan's 'Silver Feather'!"

"Look at that emblem—it's Tower Lord Cassandra's mark!"

"Has Prince Eve come to watch the competition? Impossible... she rarely appears in public due to her 'mana corruption' symptoms..."

Murmurs mixed with surprise and curiosity grew louder. When the airship finally landed in the competitor-exclusive zone, nearly every eye in the venue focused in this direction.

"Good luck, Mentor", Eve smiled gently, guiding Luo En toward the cabin door.

"I'll be waiting in the Vip section for your remarkable achievements."

Luo En nodded slightly, confidence evident in his voice: "Thank you. I hope my performance won't disappoint the Prince."

He then walked down the airship steps, completely ignoring the attention of the gathered crowd.

"It's Luo En Lalf!"

Someone in the crowd recognized him, voice full of astonishment:

"That new treasure-grade genius!"

"Why is he riding Crown Clan's airship? Could there be a special relationship with Prince Eve?"

"I heard he's Prince Eve's mentor, teaching alchemy and bloodline formulation..."

Remaining deaf to the murmurs, Luo En strode directly toward the Competitor Gathering Area.

Dozens of competitors had already gathered there, mostly mentors and researchers from various schools.

Each wore expressions of confidence and expectation, but after witnessing Luo En's dramatic arrival, their eyes couldn't help but reveal traces of jealousy.

"It seems our newly emerged treasure-grade genius enjoys special favor from Crown Clan."

A robed middle-aged man muttered with obvious displeasure to his companion.

"Such a ostentatious entrance really matches a person from the edge schools' obsession with power and privilege."

"Don't say that, Mu Le", urged his companion, a petite witch.

"Being able to rise from an edge school apprentice to a full mage within three short years and receiving a treasure-grade evaluation proves his exceptional talent. Besides, Crown Clan has always held itself above others—they wouldn't bestow their favor on an ordinary person without reason."

Mu Le snorted but said nothing more, though his eyes clearly showed something other than mere contempt.

"Welcome, Assistant Professor Lalf."

A formally dressed middle-aged man approached.

"I'm A Nuo De Wei Si, the competition coordinator. Your participating equipment has been prepared at workstation No. 7."

Luo En politely thanked him before heading to his designated area.

Along the way, he noticed many competitors' gazes—some curious, some wary, even a few hostile.

All of this was expected. As a newcomer arriving in such a high-profile manner aboard Crown Clan's airship, some resentment was inevitable.

At his workstation, Luo En began inspecting the prepared materials and tools, ensuring everything met standard requirements.

This was a basic habit for any modifier—understanding every tool and material thoroughly before use, no matter the circumstances.

On the opposite side of the competitor area, several mentors from Crystal Spire had noticed Luo En's arrival, their reactions varying.

"That much-discussed Assistant Professor Lalf seems to have arrived."

A middle-aged man in extravagant robes spoke softly, his tone carrying subtle irony.

"Truly... an attention-grabbing entrance."

Valen maintained his usual silence, merely nodding slightly, his gaze as calm as a deep pond.

This unshakable demeanor itself created pressure in the surrounding atmosphere.

"While Assistant Professor Lalf has indeed shown extraordinary talent in alchemy, we've yet to see any significant achievements in bloodline formulation."

Another gray-haired mentor spoke slowly.

"Simultaneously studying multiple magecraft disciplines often prevents achieving true mastery in any single field."

"I don't agree, Lecturer Nuo Yi Man", Eliot, standing behind Valen, smiled as he countered, his ears twitching slightly.

"Lalf's abilities go far beyond common imagination. His latest paper has already completed the second round of review."

William·Wei Si Te, the alchemy department head, also nodded slightly.

"Yes, I just completed my review of his second-round paper. His understanding and innovation regarding mana circulation structures already far surpasses that expected of an assistant professor.

"I believe he won't disappoint in bloodline formulation either."

After hearing the discussion, Valen finally spoke, his calm voice carrying weight.

"Excessive preconceptions often lead to misjudgment. Rather than guessing, we should wait for the facts themselves to unfold."

This brief statement caused all the surrounding mentors to fall into contemplation.

Though Valen spoke little, his words always struck the core.

Meanwhile, Eliot subtly curled the corner of his mouth—through his Special Innate Talent, he had already "heard" the information carried on the wind.

Nuo Yi Man glanced at the golden-haired youth, his eyes revealing barely perceptible jealousy.

"Whispering Wind Clan's genius, plus his unique Special Innate Talent.

"Despite Eliot's modest words, that innate calmness and confidence always created a subtle sense of unease."

Valen seemed to notice this delicate shift in atmosphere but chose to maintain his habitual silence.

As an experienced veteran of the academic world, he deeply understood that excessive speech often invited trouble.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end