High Above

When Ian and Isengard returned home, they were keenly aware that there were people in the house and it was very lively.

In addition to Ian, there are also two fairies, Frost Butterfly and Miss Hua An, who live in Isengard Residence. Mo Feng occasionally comes over as a guest.

But with the movement of the three of them, it is absolutely impossible to make it so big that the whole room is brightly lit.

However, after the two came to the door, the movement in the house suddenly became quieter, and even the lights dimmed.

Ian and Ethan looked at each other, and Ethan whispered: "I don't know...I haven't been home much recently, so I don't know."

"It can't be a group of goblins planning to assassinate us, right?"

Ian complained, he shook his head and walked forward, opening the door: "Let's see what's going on... Ouch?!"

As soon as the white-haired boy opened the door, he was hit in the chest by a small, cold object. He was not injured. If he was really injured, he might not be able to breathe.

But considering this, he still let out an 'ouch', then took a few steps back and hugged the little thing in his arms: "Frost Butterfly?"

"Father--"

Frost Butterfly's voice sounded. She obviously had no idea that Ian was injured, so she flew over like this... But it wasn't a big problem. Goblins were like this anyway, and no one would think it was a big deal.

Ian raised his head and looked indoors, and found that behind the frost butterflies there were all kinds of fairies with dozens of colorful wings, curiously poking their heads out of the hall and looking at Ian and Isengard.

"This..." Ethan was obviously confused. He didn't know that he hadn't been home for a few days, so why did his house become a fairy town and a branch of the emperor's capital?

"Ian——"

Naturally, Hua An and Mo Feng were also among this group of goblins. The two goblin ladies flew out and circled around Ian several times, observing the boy's condition from all angles. After confirming that Ian's aura was normal, they couldn't help but cheer. Get up: "Okay! You're fine!"

"Okay!" The goblins behind cheered in harmony.

After Ian, Hua An and Mo Feng finished chatting, he and Yisen figured out that it turned out to be because of the fairy souls in Avak's laboratory.

If Ian had not found part of the fairy soul in the Azure City Laboratory and told the Huaiguang Rescue Team the corresponding fairy aura, the Huaiguang Rescue Team would not have been able to obtain the other part of the fairy soul from the central laboratory— -This is part of the truth announced by Huijian.

He did not lie. If it weren't for the information provided by Ian, they would not have been able to find the Soul Binding Pillar.

There are many goblins who have been victimized, and naturally there are also many relatives and friends. Recently, Falling Star City has been putting pressure on Feiyandi and the Empire, demanding that the murderer and mastermind of Avak Laboratory be handed over.

Although the real masterminds are basically all dead, and Archduke Thorin has disappeared recently, don't expect to pay no price at all.

A goblin mentor came to the imperial capital to negotiate with the imperial capital in person, and the upper echelons of the empire had to face up to the problem - even the Lingzhiyuan could not keep people, a chief director resigned, many leaders resigned, and compensation was being negotiated.

It is also during this recent period that the density of goblins in the Imperial Capital has increased by an astonishing ten times, and these goblins regard Ian as one of the benefactors who rescued their friends.

A benefactor, of course, I have to thank you.

The door to Isengard's house was closed, the lights were turned on again, and fairies with names ranging from high art to easy to understand flew up one by one, introducing themselves to Ian and the owner of the house, Isengard - from mirage to Rime, from baked stone to mudstone, was a lesson in fairy name appreciation for Ian.

The goblins have prepared all kinds of goblin-specific delicacies here, from the fire dragon soup that Ian has tasted to the ice light wine that he has never tasted, as well as a variety of dessert cakes, just waiting for Ian to wake up. A banquet.

As for why they know...

Hua An asked Master Gesai.

Ian rarely attends such celebratory banquets. He has attended Harvest Festival in Harrison Port a few times, but that is where everyone gets together to eat and drink. Some ale, fish, meat and roasted chicken are quite sumptuous.

There are indeed some things in the banquet prepared by the goblins that are difficult for humans to understand, such as a white roasted salt stone... It is said that this is a very, very high purity rock salt, which is also rich in wrathful iron, a kind of Sublimated minerals that heat up and cool down depending on your mood can be used as alchemy materials, but they are a delicacy that earth-type fairies particularly like.

It is said that when they taste roasted salt stones, they can rarely feel the same 'taste' and 'deliciousness' as humans. From their description, it seems to be a kind of delicious popping candy.

In this regard, Ian could only admit that he was not very elf. He took a bite under the expectant gaze of the elf who prepared the dish, and felt that it was only 'salty'.

It's not enough, but the sublimation organs in his body don't think so - the pure earth element contained in it can strengthen endurance and physical fitness in a short time. The effect of earth sublimation is even better, which is perfect for patients.

If Ian was really injured, he would probably enjoy this dish.

“Very delicious, very delicious!”

Ian finished the roasted salt stone with tears in his eyes - he acted and he had to act to the end!

Ethan secretly laughed at Ian, but who knew that after hearing Ian's praise, the earth fairy happily took out another portion from the kitchen and placed it in front of the blond boy - this was a tribute to the owner of the house. Gratitude - Isengard's face changed slightly immediately, but the good education and the gazes of Ian and the goblins still made him eat this portion with tears.

“Very delicious, very delicious!”

The goblin's banquet was very happy. Even Ian and Ison, who had been assaulted by a huge amount of salt blocks, felt very happy. This relaxed atmosphere had a great effect on restoring the mood, especially for two people who were worried about each other. For many people, it can be a good way to boost their spirits and improve their sanity.

It was late at night soon, and all the goblins took their leave one after another. Before leaving, they even packed away all the dishes in the house, not only washing the dishes but also cleaning.

"I originally thought that goblins are just messy guys, but I didn't expect that they would help the master clean up... This is too polite!" This is Ian's emotion.

No wonder fairies like to hold banquets. If every guest had this consciousness, Ian would also want to hold banquets every day.

"Mo Feng will return to Fairy Country tomorrow."

There were only two people and two goblins left in the room. Hua An held the frost butterfly floating in the air and said, explaining why Mo Feng did not stay: "Those victim goblins are very important, and they want to make the empire and Feiyan Land For the official to admit an apology, there must be a victim's testimony... Having said that, this matter may have some impact on you, Ian."

"After all, it was you who cooperated with the Huaiguang Rescue Team to rescue them. Will the empire persecute you because of this?"

When he said this, Hua An looked quite worried.

"How is that possible?" Ian laughed and said: "At most, the Lingzhi Academy is dissatisfied with me, but the Lingzhi Academy is just a hill in the empire. Some people think that I have done a good job - don't think that the entire empire is united, or even just... Even those within the Lingzhiyuan may not have this idea.”

"That's good."

Hua An took a long breath, and Shuangdie also took a long breath, and the air suddenly became a little cooler: "By the way, Ian, my senior said she wants to see you! She has something to attend. I didn’t have time to attend the banquet due to the negotiations on the empire’s side, but it should be coming soon.”

"Your senior?" Ian was slightly startled, but he quickly reacted: "That... goblin mentor?"

"Yes." Hua An nodded slightly. Apparently, it was Hua An's teacher who was sent by the Fairy Country to the Imperial Capital to negotiate with the Empire, a fourth-level fairy mentor.

"That one..."

Ian recalled the other party's name: "Gansong Frozen Fish..."

As soon as these words came out, whether it was Ian, Isengard, Hua An, or Shuang Die, they all felt a clear and dry breath.

Just like climbing a high mountain for half a day, a gust of cool breeze suddenly greeted me halfway up the mountain, gently caressing my heart.

——No way, just say the name?

Ian turned his head and looked at the door. He glanced at Ethan. When he saw the other person nodded, the white-haired boy stood up and went to open the door.

Sure enough, there was a fairy floating quietly in the air at the door. She had white hair and green eyes, and was beautiful. She was smiling and dressed very plainly. Apart from a slightly old research robe, she only had a blue star on her neck. gemstone pendant.

"Hello, Mr. Ian, I am Gansong Dongyu. Hua An and the others have been taken care of during this period of time."

When Ian heard the voice of the goblin mentor, he felt it was like spring rain dripping from the sky on the lake, or like the summer breeze blowing through the leaves. It was indescribably smooth and pleasant, as if it was the condensation of many beautiful memories.

At this moment, the boy suddenly understood why the fairies claimed to be a 'beautiful' race.

This is indeed worthy of the name.

"Hello, Ms. Gan Song..." Faced with this fourth-level person, one of the top leaders of Paradise Township, Ian naturally did not dare to neglect him. He invited this white-haired fairy lady into the house, but the other party was slightly confused. He shook his head and refused: "No, no, there are still many things to be busy with next."

"I came here mainly because I have something to tell you."

Teacher Gan Song narrowed her eyes, her green gem-like eyes flashing with faint fluorescence. She glanced at Hua An and Frost Butterfly who were flying out, as well as Isengard following behind, and smiled at these people. , and continued to look at Ian: "I visited you once when you were injured and unconscious."

When she said this, the surrounding vegetation and wind echoed slightly, bringing with it a fresh breath: "At that time, I felt that your injury was not serious... but there was a strong, but not much malicious smell. The will of death resides in you. That may be the source of your true coma."

"I didn't quite understand it at first, but after learning the full story of the Awak Territory incident, I came up with a guess - you may have been infiltrated by the many souls living there, and their despair and hatred led to the fall of the virtual realm."

"And you, because of your fairy characteristics, can easily empathize with the surrounding environment."

——Did you see some clues about the dead king? No, it should be exactly what she said, it's just that the dead king has aggravated this aura.

Ian's heart tightened slightly, but he wasn't too nervous.

But the young man once again confirmed in his heart that he still had to return to Nanling.

There are too many masters and strong men in the Imperial City, and they can all see the slightest flaw.

"I'm here to help you solve this sequelae."

Instructor Gan Song smiled slightly at Ian, and then, a gentle wave of spiritual energy overflowed, slowly approaching Ian: "If you are willing, I can help you."

Ian was instinctively wary at first, but after he figured it out, he took the initiative to touch Gan Song's spiritual energy.

A breeze blew.

In an instant, he felt as if he was on the top of a mountain, with boundless white clouds spreading beneath his feet.

The young man stood alone in the center of the vast world. There was a howling sky wind blowing from top to bottom, causing the sky to shake. There was also an earthquake that seemed to come from the center of the earth and shook the mountains.

And at the top of this mountain, which is boundless and lonely, but connected with the heaven and earth, there is a small nard root taking root in the crack of the rock and swaying in the wind.

Ian saw this small nard, and he suddenly felt a sense of tranquility from his heart, as if he was the only one left in the world, all the foreign objects that did not belong to him, and everything that was independent of himself. All of them were gone with the wind, never to be seen again.

Ian's spirit and soul kept falling, falling...until he was on the verge of virtual reality, until he was in a hazy hallucination.

He fell into a dream.

This dream only lasts for a moment, like raindrops hanging in the wind, like dust floating in the valley.

Ian dreamed about the heavy rain all day long in Harrison Port, about a mighty storm, and about a tired and weak woman touching her head and then closing her eyes forever. He dreamed that the old knight was chopping firewood in the backyard and teaching him the most precious knowledge in the world. A vast picture scroll slowly unfolded under the knight's narration.

He dreamed of a sword. A black, solid, immovable iron sword. He never loved the sword, never liked fighting, but this world made him have to raise the sword before he could talk about anything else.

If this is the case, then swing your sword and cut off the shackles of this world.

Ian felt that his self was stretching infinitely, and his anxious and sad heart found some peace.

He dreamed of those long-dead moments in the past, the dark moon turmoil that buried the sun of an era, the imperial capital shook, and the lonely mountain collapsed. He dreamed that the sky was falling and the moon was shattering. He dreamed that meteors and fire showered all over the sky, leaving scorching fire marks on the top of the sky. A doll and a hand were buried in the ruins of the city, telling a beautiful story. The passing of an era.

This kind of thing may happen a second time or a third time, until all living beings are completely destroyed, and there is no hope or future left.

Ian's mind gradually became clear and peaceful. He finally understood that those were the traces given to his soul by others, mother and teacher, battles and anxiety, whether it was the Dark Moon turmoil or the disaster of falling from the sky.

He dreamed about things that might happen in the future. The swarms of insects screamed in the sky and writhed in the center of the earth. Hot blood flowed through the teeth, but it could not satisfy the deep desire in the heart. The behemoth of the spiritual disaster broke free from the eggshell cast by the planet and rushed to the distance. , but there are still endless regrets in my heart.

These are all dreams. He didn't want them to become reality. He was thinking about a future that would allow him to pursue the distance with peace of mind and look up at the stars above his head.

Ian slowly opened his eyes.

For a moment, he saw nothing, but it seemed as if everything about him was right in front of him. The throbbing of the battle that took place in the central laboratory of Avak, in the deepest part of the subspace maze, reappeared again.

He saw a star.

A pale blue star.

The light that guides the distance, the star that hangs forever in the sky.

A feeling of enlightenment emerged in his heart, as if the dust in his heart had been wiped away, and the mirror was bright and clear again, just like a glass of water when he was thirsty, making his body finally peaceful.

But Ian suddenly backed away.

He broke free from this illusion.

A gust of cool wind suddenly blew up, stirring up dust and fallen leaves on the street. The clothes of Ian and Teacher Gan Song were fluttering. Ian, with his clear eyes, looked at the calm and indifferent fairy again.

"You have a big, big obsession..."

Gan Song sensed that his spiritual energy was being broken free, but he was not surprised. The goblin mentor flew around Ian and said thoughtfully: "Sure enough."

She said firmly: "You already have a mind-light body - but you are resisting. Unlike what I thought, it is not the resentment of the dead soul that prevents you from understanding your own mind-light body. You understand it better than anyone else, so you Not willing."

"Why is this? You are more talented than everyone thinks, but you are still not satisfied?"

Ian was silent for a while, and then he bowed deeply to Master Gan Song: "Thank you very much for your guidance and help... If I hadn't resisted, my inner light body would have emerged."

"Um."

The white-haired fairy hummed slightly, not surprised or surprised. Obviously, her spiritual power can guide other people's inner light bodies to manifest themselves, and she is truly worthy of the name of fairy mentor.

At this moment, Gan Song looked at Ian with a smile, curiosity in his eyes: "You actually resist your own heart - only the smartest sages and the stupidest fools can do this. The former is greedy and thirsty A better future that is out of reach, the latter is ignorance that cannot even recognize itself.”

"You are obviously not the latter. So I am wondering what kind of dream you are longing for."

"...The blue star that guides the way forward, this is indeed the desire in my heart."

With that said, Ian closed his eyes and opened them again. His eyes were as deep as a deep spring: "But the meaning of the starry sky is countless stars. The galaxy I long for should definitely not have only one star."

"There shouldn't be only one blue star. Everyone should have one."

"That's it. There's just such a big gap between what I have and what I desire."

"It seems that you don't need my help. You want to carry everything on your back, even the beliefs that others left to you. So keep going, it was a pleasant meeting."

Gan Song sighed lightly. This goblin mentor was quite free and easy, with wings spinning like crystals behind his back. She turned around, waved with Hua An behind her back, and prepared to leave: "Hua An, I have already seen the frost butterfly. It seems that there is indeed a large and well-developed goblin gathering place over the South China Sea Labyrinth."

"This is a good opportunity for our department to expand our manpower, so don't fall behind."

At this time, the exchanges between her and Ian could be heard by others.

Before this, all the sounds and the movement of the wind were restrained, and they were not free until this moment.

"tutor--"

Hua An stared blankly at the back of Gan Song, who had disappeared. The black-haired elf lady's eyes gradually widened, and her voice trembled: "But where is the funding?! Didn't you say you would give me new funding after seeing Frost Butterfly? !”

"Teacher, don't leave! We don't have enough money to summon the maze exploration team!"

The calm and carefree fairy has left.

It's obvious that Gan Song is a good mentor.

But as Hua An has complained many times in the past.

She has no funds.

"...What are you going to do next?"

Isengard walked forward slowly at this moment, and he felt that Ian seemed a little different at this moment than before - the white-haired boy had clear goals and clear plans as always, but now, he seemed to have finally let go of something.

Therefore, he had no questions about what the two parties talked about. Ethan just asked what they were going to do next.

"I won't sleep today."

Ian stared calmly at the end of the street at night, the dark road leading to the invisible depths: "I once told a guy whose morals needed to be lowered, saying that he couldn't rest yet... Now it seems that the same is true for me. .”

"The goblin's banquet is over. I'm very happy. It's time to continue working and prepare the armor drawings and tools."

He turned his head, looked at his friend, smiled and invited: "Want to come together?"

Isengard was a little stunned at first, but later he also laughed: "Of course."

Thanks to RenLin’s helmsman for the reward!