"Let's go!" Wade said to Leilin, who was staring blankly to the side.
"What's wrong? Quite fond of these creatures, are you?"
Wade pointed at the elephant-like beast in front of Leilin. This particular elephant was covered in a layer of white feathers, giving it a rather comical appearance.
"I've always been fascinated by strange and unusual creatures!" Leilin replied with a smile, while secretly resolving to visit this place from time to time. Who knew — he might actually find a few creatures carrying ancient bloodlines.
"Come on!"
Wade led Leilin to two massive Dragon-Crowned Night Eagles.
These great birds, resembling eagles in shape, stood three men tall. Their bodies were covered in steel-like black feathers, while everything above the neck was vivid red. Atop their heads rose elegant bony crests resembling crowns.
Wade undid the copper collar around one of the Night Eagles' necks, then tossed a green iron token to Leilin.
"That's the control key for them. Come! Let's ride!"
Leilin climbed curiously onto the Night Eagle's back, where a leather harness and saddle-like seat had already been fitted — clearly designed for passengers.
He settled into the leather chair and extended a wisp of Spiritual Power to latch onto the green iron token in his hand.
The instant his Spiritual Power made contact with the token, Leilin felt his mind link with the great bird beneath him.
The Dragon-Crowned Night Eagle's intelligence was very simple — it could only receive commands for takeoff, landing, acceleration, and turning. Mentally, it was roughly equivalent to a seven- or eight-year-old child.
"Dragon-Crowned Night Eagle. Strength: 5.2. Agility: 7.6. Constitution: 4.9. Special abilities: None."
The data provided by the Chip was equally straightforward. It seemed these Dragon-Crowned Night Eagles were only suited for use as transportation.
"Let's go!"
The great Night Eagle spread its wings, sweeping up enormous dust tornadoes across the ground. With two thunderous cries, the dragon eagle carrying Leilin and Mard rose into the sky.
Whoosh…
The fierce wind pressure struck Leilin head-on, making him feel as though he were in the middle of a storm.
"Hey! Leilin, how does it feel?"
Wade's voice carried over from the adjacent Night Eagle.
Leilin squinted contentedly, watching the scenery on both sides blur past and the blue sky and white clouds that seemed close enough to touch. For a full Wizard whose physical constitution already exceeded that of ordinary humans, this level of wind pressure was nothing more than a gentle breeze.
"Not bad at all!"
"Haha… I always regretted not recording a flight-type spell, but ever since I got my precious one here, I stopped thinking about it. Maybe someday you should come meet it! I swear, you'll fall in love with it…"
As Leilin chatted idly with Wade, he observed the Night Eagle's flight path. Ever since leaving Nevernight, the dragon eagle had been flying steadily eastward.
As time passed, the air grew increasingly cold.
Finally, a mountain range with snow-capped peaks appeared in Leilin's view. The Night Eagle let out an excited cry and climbed higher and higher.
In a region blanketed in white snow, the dragon eagle carrying Wade and Leilin descended to land.
"Welcome to the headquarters of the Four Seasons Garden!"
Wade led Leilin into a corridor at the side of the elevated platform.
Two apprentice-looking individuals, who had apparently been waiting nearby, stepped forward to guide the Night Eagles to their designated spots and began the process of washing and feeding them.
The corridor was long, and unlike the snow-covered exterior, a warm breeze flowed steadily through it. From various side passages, Leilin occasionally glimpsed Wizards walking past with their apprentices, notebooks and similar items in hand, all looking rather rushed.
Wade led Leilin onward for nearly half an hour, passing through several checkpoints before they finally reached their destination.
"Here we are — this is the workshop of my mentor, Master Leone!"
Wade pulled open a massive black iron door and gestured for Leilin to enter.
The space inside was expansive, with numerous green vines攀爬ing along the walls. Ancient tree roots twisted and intertwined, shaped into the forms of desks and chairs. At several junctions, small white flowers bloomed, releasing a wonderfully pleasant fragrance.
Behind a desk made of dark vines sat a white-haired elderly Wizard wearing gold-rimmed glasses, smiling warmly at Leilin.
"Welcome aboard!"
"Greetings, Master!" The energy fluctuation emanating from the old man far surpassed the level of a First-rank Wizard. Leilin had only felt comparable waves during the blood conflict, from the Head of Black Bone Forest Academy and a few other Wizards.
This old man was clearly a powerful Wizard of at least the Second-rank.
"Don't be so formal. The Four Seasons Garden was originally established by the great Apothecary Aemisande Nisaya as a place for freely exchanging and researching potion formulas. Freedom and equality are our founding principles!"
The white-haired old man's smile was warm and amiable.