Chapter 184: The Beautiful Scenery of the Riverbank.

The Itongli River flowed from Silverse Lake. For tens of thousands of years, it had sustained the people along its banks, nurtured numerous civilizations, and witnessed the rise and fall of hundreds of dynasties.

More than two thousand years ago, the Dahlia Empire was founded, with its capital established at Adilan City near the lake.

The people of Dahlia used the river, which ran through their entire country, to transport goods and expand trade. In time, Dahlia became one of the four great empires of the Austin Continent.

Even at night, the broad river was busy with ships.

The Graves family’s cargo ship, however, had been enchanted by the Squad of Light. Glowing brightly, it was now the most eye-catching vessel on the river.

It sped along like a giant ball of light. Other ships gave way in astonishment, while people on the banks pointed at the shining spectacle as it passed.

Shu Li remained on deck to maintain the spells.

He could use seven types of magic and control wind, water, and light elements at the same time. Whenever one of the supporting spells weakened or failed, he could quickly replenish it.

Unlike seagoing ships, this riverboat had no magic stones or magic arrays to keep its enchantments running. A mage had to do the hard work of replenishing them by hand.

The others had all competed to take the first shift, but Shu Li had refused.

He was the captain. He had to set an example.

No one was taking the first day’s work away from him.

When his teammates saw how determined he was, they settled for taking over in the second half of the night. For the days that followed, they would take turns.

Shu Li agreed.

With the shifts arranged, Disio pointed at himself. “What about me?”

He used fire magic, which did not seem much help. Was he supposed to replace the orbs of light with flames? If he lost control and set the ship on fire, what then?

“You?” Shu Li thought for a moment. “You can do a different kind of work.”

He could bring his teammates drinks and make sure they got their meals.

“All right!” Disio nodded. As long as he had a job, he would do whatever was needed.

Shu Li sat cross-legged on the deck and began to meditate, drawing the free-floating natural elements from the air into his body and converting them into magical power.

When casting spells, mages could either summon the elements around them or use the power stored within their bodies.

Ordinarily, they relied on the elements. They used their own reserves only when they had no other choice.

After all, the elements in the air were abundant and constantly replenished, while the power in a mage’s body was limited. Once it was spent, it was gone until they restored it.

Shu Li was absorbing elements now to increase the amount he could store.

A mage’s capacity grew with their level. Through meditation, they could gradually raise that limit and expand their reserves as far as possible.

Since Shu Li did not want to sit around doing nothing, he had found something useful to occupy himself.

Meditation had another benefit: it cleared distracting thoughts and sharpened the will.

He did not know how much time had passed when he finished. He opened his eyes and discovered someone sitting opposite him.

It was Ace.

He was meditating too.

Shu Li tilted his head, puzzled.

When had Ace come out here? Why was he sitting on the deck meditating with him? Shouldn’t he be resting in his cabin? He was due to take over in the second half of the night. How would he stay alert until morning if he did not sleep now?

As Shu Li wondered about this, his blond human classmate ended his meditation and opened his emerald-green eyes.

Their gazes met, and Shu Li went still for a moment.

Ace gave him a gentle smile. “I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

“Ah, no!” Shu Li shook his head.

“That’s good,” Ace murmured.

“Why aren’t you asleep in your cabin?” Shu Li asked.

“I couldn’t sleep, so I came out to look at the night scenery.”

“The scenery?” Shu Li picked up his staff from the deck and stood. He looked around. As they traveled farther from the city, the banks grew deserted. They were so dark that he could hardly see a thing.

Their own cargo ship was the only bright spot on the river.

Ace rose, smoothed his robe, and led Shu Li to the railing. “Look over there.”

Shu Li followed the direction of his finger. After a while, he asked blankly, “What am I looking for?”

It was pitch-black. He could not see anything.

“Be still and look carefully,” Ace said.

Shu Li glanced at his flawless profile. Ace looked serious, so he turned back toward the riverbank and concentrated.

At first he still saw nothing. He stared into the darkness for five or six seconds. Then tiny points of blue light suddenly came into view. Gathered together, they gave off a faint glow. As the ship sped past, the lights became a rippling blue ribbon that stretched on and on, lending the dark riverbank an air of mystery.

“What are those blue lights?” Shu Li tugged curiously at Ace’s sleeve.

“Are they beautiful?” Ace asked, looking down at him.

“Very!” Shu Li nodded repeatedly, unable to take his eyes off them.

“That’s blue iris grass. It grows only along the banks of the Itongli River and covers them every spring. The fine hairs on its leaves absorb sunlight during the day and give off light at night. Together, they form a blue river of stars,” Ace explained.

“So that’s what it is!” Shu Li propped his chin on his hand and gazed at the glow. “If you hadn’t pointed it out, I would never have noticed such a beautiful sight right in front of me.”

Ace leaned comfortably against the railing, a tender smile on his handsome face. “Yes.”

Once Shu Li had looked his fill, he turned to him. “How do you know so much about it?”

Ace was from the Izelafa Empire, yet he seemed remarkably familiar with Dahlia. He had recognized the black panther on the ship as the Graves family crest, and he knew about the beautiful blue iris grass along the Itongli River.

“I traveled around the continent with my elders when I was little,” Ace said. “We went to many places.”

“Wow! How little?” Shu Li asked in surprise.

“Before I turned ten.” Ace looked at the boy’s delicate face and said softly, “There are many beautiful places on the Austin Continent waiting to be discovered. Life can seem both long and short. In the time I have, I hope to travel the continent with friends who know me well and take my time enjoying its beauty.”

Under the gaze of those deep green eyes, Shu Li’s heart nearly skipped a beat. His fingers curled without his realizing it. After a moment, he forced himself to turn back toward the riverbank.

“I... I left home this time because I wanted to travel the continent with my friends too.” He moistened his dry lips, the toe of his shoe pressing absently against the deck. “You’re part of the Squad of Light now. We’re friends and good brothers. When we travel the continent, you’ll be coming with us.”

“Thank you,” Ace said sincerely.

“Haha, you don’t have to thank me.” Shu Li waved a hand. “We’ve admired the scenery. Now you should get some sleep. I’m counting on you to take over later tonight!”

“All right.” Ace nodded. “I’ll go to bed. Good night.”

“Good night.” Shu Li grinned and watched him walk toward the bridge.

Once Ace had gone through the door, Shu Li’s smile gradually faded. His shoulders slumped.

There are many beautiful places on the Austin Continent waiting to be discovered.

Before tonight, Shu Li had never paid much attention to things like that.

As a visitor from another world, he did not feel deeply attached to this continent.

He had lived in the Faerie Forest and the Elven Kingdom for eighteen years and had come to feel that he belonged here. Deep down, though, he still missed his family and hoped to return to his original world one day.

Now someone had told him how much beauty there was on this continent and that, given the chance, he should take his time appreciating it.

Shu Li suddenly felt lost.

If the day came when he truly left, what would happen to his friends here? Could he simply give them up without a second thought?

People formed attachments.

Fairies held on to them even longer.

How could he sever all his ties to this world in an instant?

Torn by conflicting feelings, Shu Li leaned over the railing and stared at the blue iris grass, glowing like a river of stars along the bank.

After some time, the cargo ship began to slow. The protective shield and the orbs of light weakened too. Shu Li came to his senses and slapped his cheeks with both hands to rouse himself.

His father had said that people should not worry about things that had yet to happen. Dwelling on them too much could leave a person trapped in worries of their own making.

There was a saying: when the ship reached the bridge, it would find a way through.

Why was he so certain that returning to his original world would cut him off from this one forever?

He had the God of Time’s soul vessel with him!

Shu Li touched the little flower crown on his head, now transformed into a hair clip.

If he became as powerful as the Elven King, surely he could find a way to cross between worlds.

His knitted brows relaxed. He walked to the middle of the deck, raised his staff, and chanted in the beautiful Elven language to renew the ship’s enchantments.

By the time he finished all four incantations, the cargo ship was speeding along again.

Shu Li lowered his staff and let the wind rustle his robes.

The change of shifts in the second half of the night went smoothly. Shu Li greeted the bright-eyed Ace and the yawning Angel, then trudged back to his cabin. After a quick wash, he collapsed facedown on the bed and fell asleep at once.

Over the next few days, the seven apprentices worked tirelessly. They were so busy that Johnny and Baolf began to feel a little embarrassed.

Johnny had worried his three thousand gold coins would go to waste. He had never imagined he would find such a treasure. These apprentices were every bit as capable as full mages—more capable, in fact.

He had hired mercenary squads before. The mages in those groups had been arrogant, and he had had to speak to them with excessive deference whenever he needed anything done. Some would help if they were in a good mood; others had such difficult tempers that they would not even acknowledge him. None would have spent their energy, strength, and magical power enchanting his cargo ship the way these apprentices did.

Johnny quietly decided to pay the Squad of Light a bonus if they reached the capital safely.

In the meantime, he would look after them well.

He had heard that they were heading to Saint Velia Magic Academy in the Central Court to enroll and had approached him for the job partly to earn travel money.

Johnny could only think that the Light God had guided them to one another.

Anyone admitted to Saint Velia Magic Academy was a genius among geniuses, with a brilliant future ahead. If he built a good relationship with them now, it would be easier to ask for their help someday.

Johnny was a merchant, and merchants liked a sound investment.

What he spent now could come back to him later, with interest.

The apprentices of the Squad of Light were pleased with the journey too.

Johnny was a generous employer. At every meal he provided meat, fresh vegetables, and fruit, never stinting on their food. Whenever they reached a dock, he would stop to let everyone rest, then take them into town for a feast.

After eating, they would walk around and buy souvenirs.

Johnny called it market research. He was learning what each town needed so that he could bring goods to sell there in the future.

A merchant through and through: even his sightseeing came back to business.

Three days later, the cargo ship was finally approaching the stretch of river where the pirates were most active.

Shu Li and his companions stood alert on the deck, staffs in hand, ready for whatever awaited them beneath the blazing midday sun.