Moon-Guided Tide

As the three climbed higher, the air grew thinner, and Reilo's frail physique was fully exposed.

Even with the support of his strong will, he unconsciously became a burden to the group. In the end, with Lulu's help, he could only lie on Qiu Hei.

On the back of the Black Demon Wolf, Reilo silently watched Luo Ji and Lulu travel, feeling a pang of regret.

I must ask Merlin about Self-Control in the future. Even if I can't support myself in combat, at least I should be able to travel freely.

"Ice Mole!"

Suddenly, Reilo exclaimed, then cursed himself in annoyance.

The Ice Mole was too fast. Reilo only caught a glimpse and had no time to react before the small, gray-white creature vanished into a crevice in the cliff face.

This small creature could burrow through snow and stone. Catching it in this icy, mountainous environment without thorough preparation would be nearly impossible, let alone in Reilo's current state where even traveling was a struggle. Luo Ji and Lulu hadn't reacted at all, asking in confusion, "What Ice Mole?"

In terms of value, this Ice Mole was no less significant than an Elemental Bubble, enough to earn elite points.

And so.

What should have been a day and a half journey for the three took a full two and a half days before they finally crossed the mountain range and reached their destination.

Rustle, rustle...

This was a vast, boundless valley.

In the center of the valley floor lay a massive salt sea, stretching as far as the eye could see. As the altitude dropped, the temperature noticeably rose, as if they had gone from deep winter to high summer in an instant. The scorching sun beat down on the endless sandy beach, and a slightly fishy sea breeze washed over them.

"Wow!"

It was their first time seeing the sea. Although it was only an inland salt sea, Lulu and Reilo couldn't help but exclaim in unison.

The warm sea breeze rustled through rows of coconut trees, a beautiful sight.

Reilo no longer regretted missing out on a few biological specimens along the way. He walked directly to a coconut tree and leaned against it, using his last bit of strength to ask Uncle Luo Ji beside him, "Uncle, please shake the coconut tree hard for me."

Uncle Luo Ji ran to the seaside, washed his face with saltwater, and without minding its corrosive effect on his skin, turned back in surprise, "What for?"

"I, I... I want to confirm if coconut trees are truly sentient!"

After saying that, Reilo clutched his head tightly and closed his eyes.

Five days later.

Lulu lay on the beach under the shade of a coconut tree, with a pile of open coconut shells beside her.

These coconuts were all from Reilo's efforts over the past few days to test the sentience of the coconut trees. He had made Lulu and Uncle Luo Ji take turns kicking the trees, causing the ripe coconuts to fall one by one.

"Mages are so strange. Traveling all this way just to test if a coconut will fall on their head. Hmm..."

Lulu mumbled idly.

Qiu Hei ran back from the sea in the distance, a large conch shell in its mouth. The shell was yellow and green, with strange gray-black tentacles protruding from it. This was a Filth Snail, unique to the salt sea, emitting a distinct fishy odor. Reilo had only collected two as regular specimens and hadn't paid it much attention since.

"Just put it over there. Hehe, we'll have conch soup tonight!"

Qiu Hei let out a "woo" and dropped the Filth Snail beside them.

Meanwhile.

Reilo had completely shed his usual scholarly demeanor of mystery and elegance. He had taken off his academic robe and was only wearing shorts. With Uncle Luo Ji's help, he had climbed to the top of the coconut tree. Holding a quill and notebook, he meticulously recorded the changes in the coconut tree's Energy Magnetic Field at the moment the coconuts fell. A look of enlightened surprise shone deep within his eyes.

The evolution of life in nature was truly wondrous!

Reilo had never imagined he would conduct such a long and detailed study on a coconut tree. After days of meticulous observation, Reilo finally began to understand the key to the coconut tree's "sentience."

In other words, as long as Reilo's Energy Magnetic Field reached the required level, he would soon be able to master Spiritualism as his second basic academic subject!

"Phew..."

He let out a sigh of relief and slid down from the top of the coconut tree.

Uncle Luo Ji casually split open a coconut. Reilo took it and drank heartily.

"Beyond the salt sea is the territory of the Xilan Duchy," Uncle Luo Ji murmured, also splitting open a coconut for himself and drinking.

Reilo tossed the coconut shell aside, looking with satisfaction at his Spiritualism notes. He murmured, "I've finally completed the structural analysis of Spiritualism. It's a shame my current Energy Magnetic Field isn't strong enough to simulate a second basic academic subject."

Shaking his head, Reilo looked towards Lulu under the shade of the coconut trees in the distance and walked over with Uncle Luo Ji, showing no interest in the Xilan Duchy that Uncle Luo Ji had mentioned.

Under the shade of the coconut trees, Lulu stood up and looked at Reilo, who was approaching, and said with a grin, "Aren't you going to observe your coconuts anymore?"

"Finished!"

Reilo said cheerfully, "The purpose of this trip has been fully accomplished!"

He paused for a moment, then added, "However, this is my first time at the salt sea. I heard that due to special geological changes, many peculiar mutated creatures have evolved here. If you're not in a hurry, perhaps you could accompany me tomorrow to collect some biological specimens!"

He quickly added, "Of course, I will continue to pay the corresponding remuneration."

"Sure, sure!"

Lulu readily agreed.

The uncle also nodded. Since there was money to be made, he naturally had no objections. He considered it a leisurely outing with this young mage.

Reilo walked over to the pile of shells Qiu Hei had collected and sifted through them, but quickly shook his head, finding nothing.

The beach was vast.

The sun was already setting, painting a breathtaking scene. Lulu and Uncle Luo Ji were busy preparing dinner, Qiu Hei wagged its tail excitedly nearby, while Reilo took out his crystal lamp and borrowed books, leaning against a coconut tree to read. The warm sea breeze on his skin felt wonderfully carefree.

Time slipped by unnoticed.

After dinner, Uncle Luo Ji, holding his long sword, gazed at the moon for a while. His eyes seemed filled with stories before he leaned against the coconut tree and fell asleep. Lulu, after playing with Qiu Hei, also snuggled up and slept.

Only Reilo remained under the crystal lamp, diligently reading and studying. Unknowingly, he seemed utterly captivated by the knowledge in the book, his breathing quickening, his eyes scanning the text with intense focus.

Rustle, rustle...

Moonlight spilled onto the land as the tide surged ashore.

Suddenly, Reilo lifted his gaze from the book to the moon in the sky, then looked at the surging tide on the distant beach. As if struck by a great revelation, he stared in disbelief.

"Tides are formed by the gravitational influence of celestial bodies? Truly unbelievable, a wild fantasy! The author of this book... Karelov?"

Reilo slowly shook his head.

"An unknown scholar I've never heard of. If this is true, could I one day discover the essence of this macroscopic force, unlock its underlying principles, and thus possess the power to overturn the seas?"

Under the boundless moonlight, a tiny human figure quietly gazed up at the vast, star-filled sky.