Wizard: Starting with Dealing with Magical Plants

Chapter 301 Setting Sail

Calvin approached, his face still expressionless. "Wizard Rowling, Ellie's apprentice, welcome aboard. Your cabin is on the lower deck, third from port. Here are the keys."

He handed Rowling a rough brass key.

"The ship has a communal washroom and a simple dining room. Meals are served at set times, and you will be notified when you do so. Please do not leave the ship's cabin area before departure to avoid affecting cargo loading and crew work."

"If you need anything, you can ring the bell rope inside the cabin."

"Understood." Roland took the key. "My magical pet and these two Rainbow Feathered Birds—"

Calvin glanced at Bahamut and the two birds: "Fellowships may follow, but please restrain them from disturbing the crew or damaging the cargo."

"Rainbow Finch — it's best to keep them in the cabin, or have them looked after by your apprentice."

"It's windy on deck, and there's a lot of cargo, so accidents are more likely to happen."

"Okay." Rowling nodded.

Calvin said no more, pointing to the staircase leading to the cabin: "Go down the stairs, turn left, and go to the third room. Good night."

Rowling led Ellie down the stairs.

The cabin was more spacious than I had imagined, but it was dimly lit, with only a few small fluorite stones embedded in the walls providing illumination.

The air was a bit stuffy, carrying the smell of wood and paint.

Locate the third cabin on the port side and use the key to open the door.

Inside was a room of about ten square meters, with a bunk bed, a small table and two chairs fixed to the wall, and a small storage cabinet nailed to the wall.

The furnishings were simple, but the place was clean enough.

"We'll stay here." Rowling put his luggage on the ground and looked around.

The window was a round porthole, which was tightly closed at the moment, and outside was the pitch-black river.

Ellie put her luggage on the lower bunk, then unlocked the porthole and pushed it open a crack.

A damp, cool breeze carrying the scent of the river immediately rushed in, dispelling some of the stuffiness inside the cabin.

Duan Yu and Lan Yu seemed uneasy about the cramped space. They circled low around the room once before finally landing on the edge of the upper bunk.

Baha flew directly to the top of the locker, found a corner to squat down, and squinted his six eyes.

"Finally—we're leaving here," Ellie said softly, leaning against the table.

His tone held a sense of relief, but also a hint of uncertainty about the future.

"Um.

""

Rowling sat down in the chair, closed his eyes, and began his routine meditation.

The star power flowed slowly within his body, and the power of the [Quiet Dust Star] calmed his mind.

The mark on his wrist remained silent, while the protocol interference amulet in his pocket emitted a steady, faint glow.

The road ahead is unknown, but every step is taken more firmly than before.

Late at night.

The hustle and bustle at the dock gradually subsided, leaving only the gentle lapping of the river against the boat and the faint, seemingly ceaseless dripping sound emanating from the depths of a distant cave.

Luo Lin finished meditating and lay down on the top bunk.

Ellie was already fast asleep on the lower bunk, her breathing even. Duan Yu and Lan Yu snuggled together, their eyes closed.

Bach remained motionless on top of the cabinet.

The cabin rocked slightly, like a cradle.

Tomorrow, a new journey will begin.

The Dustwind Plains, the Secret Council, the truth behind the ancient pacts, and the secrets hidden in the dust of history—all await ahead.

Luo Lin closed his eyes and slowly drifted into sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, a deep and long horn sound pierced through the wooden planks of the cabin, waking Rolin.

As dawn broke, the luminous objects on the cave ceiling switched to daytime mode. Faint sunlight streamed through the portholes.

The sound of the bugle is the signal to set sail.

Rowling sat up, and Ellie woke up rubbing her eyes.

Soon, the sounds of hurried footsteps, sailors' shouts, the friction of untying ropes, and the dull thud of the ship rubbing against the dock as it began to move could be heard outside the cabin.

The ship has started moving.

Rowling walked to the porthole and looked out.

The dark, cave entrance to the sunken town, resembling the mouth of a giant beast, was slowly receding. A few scattered figures, some seeing people off or watching the spectacle, stood on the dock, soon disappearing into the darkness.

The cargo ship sailed along the underground river into an even deeper, dark tunnel, where only the magic lamp at the bow illuminated a small patch of water ahead.

The light went completely dark, with only the ship's lights providing limited illumination.

The boat bobbed gently with the current, and the engine, seemingly a hybrid of magic and mechanics, emitted a deep, rhythmic roar.

They left the sunken town and the forgotten swamp, and were sailing towards the Dustwind Plains on the other side of the Sighing Mountains.

The journey has begun.

The rest of the journey was smoother than expected, but also more monotonous.

The underground river's flow is sometimes gentle and sometimes rapid.

The river is winding and deep, with smooth rock walls on both sides. Occasionally, you can see some huge natural caves, which are inhabited by bioluminescent aquatic plants or strange creatures that are afraid of light.

The air was always damp and cold, carrying the distinctive fishy smell of the river.

The cargo ship was moving at a steady speed.

Rowling spent most of his time in the cabin, continuing to meditate to recover and consolidate his realm, while also reviewing the council documents Morpheus had given him.

In addition to practicing the "Azure Wood Spirit Gathering Technique," Ellie also began studying some notes that Rolin had given her about basic rune identification and energy perception.

These might be useful in the Secret Council.

At a fixed time each day, crew members would bring simple food and water.

The food was merely filling, but it provided enough calories. Calvin would occasionally come by to inquire if anyone was feeling unwell, or to relay some simple instructions from Hawke, mostly about things to be aware of after arriving in the Wooden Tower City.

Duan Yu and Lan Yu quickly adapted to the cabin environment, spending most of their time quietly, occasionally peering curiously through the porthole at the dark river outside.

Baha became an invisible sentinel in the cabin, almost motionless, but it could not escape the perception of any unusual movement near the hatch.

On the third day of the voyage, at noon, the cargo ship appeared to have entered a particularly wide section of waterway.

Outside the porthole, there was no longer a rocky wall clinging to the hull, but a vast expanse of water stretching to the horizon, with faint rays of sunlight filtering through from high above.

They appeared to have entered a huge underground lake, or were near the exit of the mountains.

The atmosphere on the ship became noticeably more lively. The sailors' shouts became lighter, and one could faintly hear someone humming an off-key tune.

Rowling went up onto the deck for some fresh air.

Hawke stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the faintly visible exit ahead, which resembled a thin ribbon of light. His imposing figure stood like an iron tower in the dim light.

"At this speed, we should be able to sail out of the Sighing Mountains and into the underground river corridor on the edge of the Dustwind Plains before evening." Hawke didn't turn around, seemingly aware that Rolin was approaching. "After another two days of sailing, we'll reach the inland river dock outside Wood Tower City."

"Dark River Corridor?" Roland walked to his side and also looked into the distance.

"It's part of an underground river network that runs across the southern part of the Dustwind Plains, which our Whisper Council has modified and utilized as an important transportation route connecting our various branches," Hawke explained. "While it's not as open as the surface, it's more concealed and secure, avoiding many unnecessary troubles and dangerous creatures on the plains."

He paused, then turned to look at Rolin: "Once you arrive in Muta City, you will undergo a period of observation and basic training, mainly to familiarize yourself with the operation and rules of the council."

"Afterwards, you will be assigned to different mentors or join specific research groups based on your abilities, expertise, and research interests."

"Regarding the Observer Protocol, you need to give a formal report to the Department of Ancient Relics and Anomalies."

The department is headed by the scholar Evelyn, a fifth-circle wizard, whose personality is—rather meticulous, even demanding.

"You need to be prepared."

"I understand," Rowling nodded. He knew what to do when facing higher-ranking wizards and in more formal settings.

"Furthermore," Hawke's gaze swept over Rowling's calm face, "there may also be some—minor investigations and inquiries—within the council regarding your Santa background."

"As long as you are fine, there is nothing to worry about."

"The parliament will not exclude a valuable talent simply because of their background, but the necessary vetting process will still be followed."

"I have nothing to hide."

"I candidly say," Rowling replied. "My experience in the Holy Tower was aboveboard, and my reasons for leaving are understandable."

"That's good." Hawke withdrew his gaze and looked again at the increasingly clear light trail ahead. "The areas where Dustwind Plains and Shadow Raven Tower are located are not quite the same."

"Power is more dispersed here, and competition is more direct. Although the Secret Language Council holds a certain position, it is not without rivals."

"The Eternal Tower, the Emerald Forest, the Iron Ring—and all those city-states and noble powers, large and small, each have their own interests and demands."

"Be extra careful when you travel on the plains in the future."

"Thanks for reminding me."

The two stopped talking and watched silently as the cargo ship cleaved through the dark water and headed toward the light that symbolized a new beginning.

In the afternoon, the cargo ship finally sailed out of the underground river channel at the very edge of the Sighing Mountains and entered a wider underground river corridor, but still with towering rock walls on both sides.

The light was noticeably brighter.

The ceiling of the corridor is no longer a completely sealed rock layer, but is covered with cracks and holes of all sizes. Sunlight shines through those cracks and casts dappled and swaying shadows on the water.

The air was much fresher, carrying the scent of earth and plants. Although it was still a bit damp, it was much better than the swamp and the completely enclosed underground river.

On both sides of the rock face, some traces of artificial excavation began to appear:

A simple dock, lamp bases embedded in the rock face, and even a few small stone bunkers that were clearly sentry posts.

Occasionally, other types of ships could be seen passing by, with people on board waving to each other or shouting a few words. They were clearly members of the Secret Language Council or transport fleets that had a cooperative relationship with it.

The familiar atmosphere of the civilized world seems to be gradually returning.

Ellie couldn't resist coming up to the deck, holding onto the gunwale, and curiously looking at the rapidly receding rock walls on both sides and the bizarre gaps of light and shadow above her head.

Broken Feather and Blue Feather cooed excitedly on her shoulder, seemingly enjoying the open space and flowing air.

Baha remained perched on Rolin's shoulder, his six eyes calmly observing the new environment.

The pace of the voyage seemed to have quickened.

The ship's magical engines noticeably increased their output, boosting the ship's speed as it sped deeper into the corridor.

Two days later, one morning, when Rowling finished meditating and opened the porthole, the sight before him made him pause slightly.

The towering rock walls on both sides have disappeared at some point.

Instead, there is a vast plain stretching as far as the eye can see, taking on a pale golden hue in the morning light!

The river widens and slows down here, its surface reflecting the azure sky and cotton-like clouds.

In the distance, on the horizon, the outline of a city can be vaguely seen, and in the center of the city, there is a towering, gray-white giant tower that, even from such a great distance, still exudes grandeur and antiquity!

Dustwind Plains, Wooden Tower City, we've arrived.

Excited shouts and bugle calls came from the deck.

The cargo ship adjusted its course and headed towards a busy river port on the outskirts of the city.

The dock was filled with hundreds of ships of all shapes and sizes, their masts forming a forest.

Workers carrying goods, patrolling soldiers, hawking their wares, and travelers coming and going—all these elements combine to create a vibrant and bustling scene.

The air was filled with the complex atmosphere of rivers, goods, food, and people—all belonging to the great city-states of the civilized world.

This contrasts sharply with the oppressive and eerie atmosphere of the sunken town and the desolate and treacherous Sighing Mountains.

Luo Lin stood by the porthole, gazing at the approaching wooden tower city.

The towering wooden tower reflects a cold, hard luster in the sunlight. Its body is covered with traces of time and various reinforcements and additions, giving it an ancient and mysterious appearance.

The city's buildings are mostly constructed of light-colored stone and wood, with neat planning and crisscrossing streets where tiny figures, like ants, can be seen moving about.

This will be the new starting point for his life, studies, battles, and search for the truth for some time to come.

Baha on his shoulder let out a soft call, as if reminding him to get ready.