Chapter 551 - 376: Lingering Fragrance

"Yes, I still have some things to take care of."

Ian gazed at the eastern night sky, in the direction of the Shadow Moon Tower.

「The next morning.」

Ian bade his family farewell. With a single step, he vanished into the Void, reappearing high above the Shadow Moon Tower.

He made no attempt to conceal his aura.

Consequently, the entire High Tower, the entire Shadow Moon City, felt his immense, oppressive might.

At the top of the High Tower, on the Observatory.

Tower Master Morton’s eyes snapped open, a flicker of shock in their depths.

’This aura...’ His figure flashed, and he appeared at the edge of the Observatory, looking up at the sky.

There, Ian was slowly descending.

Their eyes met. Morton took a deep breath, suppressing the storm raging in his heart.

He remembered this young man—the Level Two Wizard who had left with the Starry Sky Festival several years ago.

Back then, he had thought the young man would be lucky just to survive on the Central Continent.

But now, he had reached a level Morton wouldn’t have even dared to dream of... Level Four Morning Star.

"Welcome back, Your Excellency!" Morton’s expression was solemn, his heart a tangle of emotions.

"Tower Master Morton," Ian said with a slight nod as he landed on the Observatory.

The two looked at each other for a moment.

Morton suddenly smiled, a smile tinged with relief and pride, but also a hint of ineffable bitterness.

"It seems my little investment back then paid off."

"You have a good eye." Ian raised his hand, and a Crystal shimmering with Starlight materialized, floating toward Morton.

"Inside are some of my insights into the Star Rule, as well as some ideas for improving several kinds of Level Three Witchcraft. Consider it my way of repaying your favor."

Morton accepted the Crystal. After a brief scan with his Spiritual Power, a look of utter shock appeared on his face.

To him, still a Level Three, these things were of immeasurable value—enough to raise the Shadow Moon Tower’s power by a whole new level within the next century!

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Excellency." Morton carefully put the Crystal away.

"Also, I need some information," Ian said, getting to the point. "Have there been any movements from the Immortal Heart over the years?"

Morton’s expression turned grim.

"After you left, Your Excellency, they were investigating Gunnar’s death. The clues were already pointing to you, but because you disappeared for these past few years, the case was put on hold."

"However, I’ve received news." He looked at Ian, his expression serious.

"It seems some higher-ups in the Immortal Heart have recently taken an interest in the matter. They will likely reopen the investigation."

"I see." Ian nodded, his expression calm. "As for my family, feel free to visit them often."

"Yes!" Morton nodded at once, inwardly delighted.

The two chatted for a few more moments before Morton left Ian to rest at the top of the tower and took his leave.

Ian saw him to the entrance of the Observatory. Watching Morton disappear at the end of the corridor, he nodded to himself.

’This Tower Master is quite a character. It’s a shame he was born in these barren islands; it’s difficult to achieve anything great here.’

Outside the High Tower, Morton stood in a daze for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.

"The times... are truly changing."

Ian went to a lounge on the top floor. It had once been Morton’s private room, but he had voluntarily given it up.

Not long after he sat down, a soft knock came from the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and a deep blue figure walked in.

It was Malena.

Having not seen her for several years, she had matured a great deal. Her demeanor was calmer, and her deep blue eyes held a depth that only time could bestow.

But at this moment, those eyes were filled with shock and an indescribable complexity.

"Your Excellency!" Malena walked to the center of the room and stopped.

She looked at the young man sitting by the window, his face not much different from her memory.

But his eyes were as vast as the Star Sea, as deep as the cosmos, and she dared not meet their gaze.

"There’s no need for such formalities between us. Have a seat." Ian gestured to the chair opposite him.

Malena hesitated for a moment before sitting down, a distance of three meters between them.

The atmosphere in the room was a bit heavy, with only the sound of the wind from outside.

After a long while, Malena finally spoke softly, "Did you... really become a Morning Star?"

"Yes."

"When did it happen?"

"A few months ago."

Silence fell again.

Malena lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

She remembered the boy from years ago, buried in his Alchemy at the Star Leaf Magic Pharmacy. She remembered the calm set of his back as he left.

She remembered the rumors she had recently heard about his hometown. Even then, she’d had her suspicions, but she just hadn’t dared to believe them.

A Level Four Morning Star—a being who stood at the very pinnacle of all Anoraya.

But she... was still just a Level One Wizard.

"Have... have you been well?" Malena raised her head, forcing a smile.

"Not bad," Ian replied in a gentle tone. "And you? Still in the Magic Potion Department?"

"Yes. I’m the vice-dean now. Morton Tower Master gave me a special promotion half a year ago."

Malena paused. "When Teacher Alevia heard the news about your hometown, she finally decided to travel to the Central Continent. She left her position to me."

"She was a good teacher."

"Yes, she was..."

The conversation seemed about to die out again.

Ian rose and walked to the window, gazing out at the night.

"You’ve taken good care of the Alchemy Tree and the Five Fruits."

Malena started, a flash of surprise in her eyes. "You saw them?"

"I’m very familiar with their auras," Ian said without turning around. "They’re safe in your private cultivation room, with plenty of Energy."

Malena stood up as well, walking over to Ian’s side to stand with him and look out the window.

"They miss you a lot. Especially Lucy, who’s always muttering, ’When is the Great Demon King coming back?’"

There was a hint of a smile in her voice. "Gaga snuck over just now and is playing with them."

The corners of Ian’s mouth turned up slightly as he watched Gaga and the Five Fruits making a ruckus in the cultivation room, chattering away.

"Thank you for taking care of them."

"Don’t mention it," Malena said softly. "They’re... very cute."

Time passed slowly. As they talked, the barrier created by the difference in their statuses began to fade.

The two were like old friends reunited after a long separation, talking about the past, their experiences over the years, and their shared memories.

Outside the window, the sky turned from deep blue to pitch black, and then gradually began to lighten.

The first rays of dawn spilled into the room.

Malena opened her eyes, suddenly realizing that this night was probably the closest she would ever be to him in her entire life.

"I should go."

Ian didn’t stop her. Instead, he handed her a Dimension Ring.

"Inside are some Level Two and Three Magic Potions, Refining Insights, and the formulas for several Rare Potions. They should be helpful to you."

Malena took the ring, her heart trembling slightly. She clutched the ring tightly and gave Ian a deep look.

Her gaze was incredibly complex, filled with gratitude, joy, and a trace of inexpressible sorrow.

In the end, she said nothing, merely nodding before turning to leave.

The sound of her footsteps faded into the distance.

Ian stood at the window, watching her figure disappear at the end of the corridor, and remained silent for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, a Dark Silver shadow slipped in through the crack under the door.

Gaga leaped onto the windowsill, its little nose twitching and its eyes darting around.

It sniffed the faint, lingering fragrance in the room and then glanced at Ian’s calm profile.

The little creature blinked, smart enough not to ask any questions. It simply nuzzled against Ian’s hand.

"Ian, where are we going next?"

Ian retracted his gaze and looked toward the eastern horizon, in the direction of the Silver Ring, which was also the direction of the Immortal Heart and the Embrace of Nature.

"To see some old friends."

His voice was calm, filled with an unflinching confidence.

"It’s time to settle some old scores."

He was a Morning Star Wizard, and his family’s bloodline had ascended for over half a year, yet they were still being harassed.

It was very likely that the other Morning Stars had condoned this.

Ian knew full well that the sudden appearance of a family with a Morning Star Bloodline in this sea region was bound to encroach upon the corresponding top-tier resources—something they would not want to see.

’Hmph! Let me see just what’s so different about the Morning Stars of the Wizard World!’

As the thought faded, he took a single step and vanished from the room.

All that remained was the brightening dawn outside the window and the faint, lingering fragrance in the air that had not yet completely dissipated.