As the three climbed higher and higher, the air grew thinner, and Reilo's frail constitution was laid bare.
Even with his formidable willpower keeping him going, he had gradually become a burden to the group without realizing it. In the end, he could only lie across Qiu Hei's back with Lulu's help.
On the Black Demon Wolf's back, Reilo watched Luo Ji and Lulu make their way along in silence, feeling rather conflicted.
I'll have to ask Merlin about self-control properly when we get back. Even if I can't fight on my own, at least I should be able to travel freely.
"Ice Mole!"
Reilo cried out, then immediately regretted it.
The Ice Mole was simply too fast. Reilo had only managed a glimpse of it before the little gray-white creature vanished into a crack in the cliff face. This small creature could pass through snow and stone. Catching one in this icy, rocky terrain without ample preparation was nearly impossible—not to mention Reilo's current condition. Even walking was a struggle. Luo Ji and Lulu hadn't reacted at all, and looked at him in confusion. "What Ice Mole?"
In terms of value, this Ice Mole wasn't far behind an Elemental Bubble. It was worth enough to trade for elite points.
And so,
the three had planned to make the journey in a day and a half, but it took them a full two and a half days to finally cross the mountain range and reach their destination.
Rushing, splashing...
A vast, boundless valley stretched before them.
In the middle of the valley floor lay an immense salt sea, its far shore nowhere in sight. As they descended, the temperature rose noticeably. It was as if they had gone from the depths of winter straight into midsummer. The blazing sun beat down on the endless beach, and a faintly fishy sea breeze blew toward them.
"Wow!"
It was the first time either of them had seen the sea. Even though it was only an inland salt sea, Lulu and Reilo couldn't help exclaiming in wonder.
The warm sea breeze stirred rows of coconut palms. The view was breathtaking.
Reilo no longer felt regret over the few biological specimens he'd missed along the way. He went straight to a coconut palm and leaned against its trunk. With the last of his strength, he called to Luo Ji beside him. "Hey, could you give that coconut tree a good shake?"
Luo Ji had run to the shore and washed his face with salt water, unconcerned by its corrosive effect on the skin. He turned back in surprise. "What for?"
"I, I... I want to find out if coconut trees have spirituality!"
As he spoke, Reilo clamped both hands over his head and shut his eyes.
Five days later.
Lulu lay on the beach in the shade of a coconut palm, with a pile of opened coconut shells beside her.
The coconuts had fallen one by one over the past few days, while Reilo tested the spirituality of the trees by having Lulu and Luo Ji take turns kicking them.
"Wizards are so strange. They come all this way just to test whether a coconut will fall on their head. Honestly..."
Lulu murmured, bored.
Qiu Hei came running over from the shore, a large seashell in his mouth. The shell was yellow and green, with several strange gray-black tentacles sticking out of it. It was a Filth Snail, native to the salt sea, and it gave off a distinctive fishy odor. Reilo had collected just two as ordinary specimens and hadn't paid it any further attention.
"Just put it over there. Hehe, we'll have snail soup tonight!"
With a woof, Qiu Hei tossed the Filth Snail to one side.
Meanwhile,
Reilo had completely shed the mysterious, refined air expected of a scholar. He'd taken off his academic robe and wore only a pair of shorts. With Luo Ji's help, he'd climbed to the top of a coconut palm. Holding a quill and notebook, he intently recorded the changes in the tree's Energy Magnetic Field at the instant each coconut fell. Deep in his eyes shone the delight of a sudden revelation.
The evolution of living things in nature was truly wondrous!
Reilo had never imagined he would conduct such a lengthy and meticulous study of a coconut palm. After several days of minute observation, he had finally begun to understand the key to the tree's "spirituality."
In other words, as soon as Reilo's Energy Magnetic Field reached the required level, he would soon be able to make Spirituality Technique his second foundational academic discipline!
"Phew..."
He let out a breath of relief and slid down from the top of the tree.
Luo Ji split open a coconut and handed it over. Reilo took it and drank deeply.
"Beyond the salt sea lies the territory of the Xilan Duchy."
After Luo Ji said this, he split open a coconut for himself and drank deeply, too.
Reilo tossed the shell aside and looked at his notes on Spirituality Technique with satisfaction. "I've finally finished analyzing the structure of Spirituality Technique. Too bad my Energy Magnetic Field still can't simulate a second foundational academic discipline."
He shook his head, then looked toward Lulu in the shade of the coconut palms. Taking Luo Ji with him, he walked over. He showed no interest in the Xilan Duchy Luo Ji had mentioned.
Under the palm's shade, Lulu got up and grinned at Reilo as he approached. "Done watching your coconuts?"
"All finished!"
Reilo answered cheerfully. "I've accomplished everything I set out to do!"
He paused, then added, "But this is my first time at the salt sea. I've heard that its unusual geological changes have led to the evolution of all kinds of strange mutant creatures. If you're not in a hurry, you can come with me tomorrow to collect some specimens!"
He quickly added, "Of course, I'll keep paying you for your help."
"Sure, sure!"
Lulu readily agreed.
Luo Ji nodded as well. If there was money to be made, he had no objections. He'd treat it as a chance to accompany this young wizard and help him unwind.
Reilo went over to the pile of shells Qiu Hei had collected and rummaged through them. Before long, he shook his head. There was nothing of interest.
The beach was enormous.
By now, the sun was setting, and the view was breathtaking. Lulu and Luo Ji were busy making dinner, while Qiu Hei wagged his tail excitedly beside them. Reilo took out his Crystal Lamp and borrowed books, then leaned against a coconut palm to read. The warm sea breeze on his skin made him feel wonderfully carefree.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
After dinner, Luo Ji held his longsword and watched the moon for a while. His eyes seemed to hold countless stories. Then he leaned against the coconut palm and fell asleep. Lulu played with Qiu Hei for a while before the two of them curled up together and drifted off.
Only Reilo continued reading and studying beneath the light of the crystal lamp, utterly absorbed in his book. Before long, his breathing had grown a little faster, and his eyes swept over the writing without a pause.
Rushing, splashing...
Moonlight spilled across the earth, and the tide surged onto the shore.
All at once, Reilo looked away from his book and raised his head to gaze at the moon. Then he looked toward the waves surging over the distant beach, his face filled with disbelief, as if he had just received a tremendous revelation.
"The tide's surges are caused by the so-called gravitational influence of celestial bodies in the universe? What an astonishingly bold idea! The author of this book... Karelov?"
Reilo slowly shook his head.
"I've never heard of this unknown scholar. If this is true, then could I one day discover the truth behind this immense force, unravel its Laws of Truth, and gain the power to overturn the sea itself?"
Beneath the boundless moonlight, a tiny human figure gazed silently up at the vast starry sky.