Chapter 1045: News of Mu Yan, Saide's Invitation

"My Lord, regarding Master Mu Yan, the latest news is that he has just left the Ai Ren Wang Guo of Danzo; it is said his next step is to head to Ilfarlan."

"Mm."

Xia Duo nodded slightly, signaling his acknowledgment.

Mu Yan's reputation in Netheril was not actually prominent; it circulated mostly among Bards, and his most famous experience was a performance at the Cormanthor Palace, which was said to have captivated the Elves.

Xia Duo had inquired about Mu Yan's identity and whereabouts many times before. On the side of the Arcane Union, they basically only knew such a person existed, but the Mages did not care for anything more specific.

Instead, it was in taverns that one could often hear news about Mu Yan; one had to say, the ways of the world are strange.

However, Xia Duo's repeated inquiries about Mu Yan were not because he wanted to find the other party, but simply to confirm the safety of this "kinsman" who had given him immense help in the beginning.

Although they had only spent a very short time together, he could tell that Mu Yan was a free-spirited and romantic person.

For such a person, preparing fine wine and good tea and waiting for them to visit on their own was more sincere than deliberately searching for them.

After learning some of Mu Yan's recent situation, Xia Duo took several Gold Coin Exchange Vouchers issued by the Arcane Union from his Dimensional Bag, spread them out one by one on the counter, and said to the bartender:

"Since you recognize me, I have a task for you; I hope you will not refuse."

"My Lord, please give your orders."

"My Territory needs a few Bards skilled in creation. As for those few you just mentioned, help me invite them. Half of these gold coins are their advance wages, and half are your errand fees."

Immediately following this, Xia Duo left his Magic Mark on the back of the bartender's hand and said, "I see you also have a Magic Aura on you; you know how to trigger this mark, right?"

"I know, my Lord!"

"That's good. Once you've contacted them, notify me!"

After saying this, Xia Duo left the small tavern named "Drunkard's Home."

……

Arriving on the not-so-spacious street outside, Xia Duo continued walking toward the west. He had indeed made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go to that tavern; even if it hadn't been that one, it would have been another.

Or he could have asked someone from the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce for help, but he wasn't so foolish as to earn someone a favor for nothing.

But looking at it now, it was time to send someone to be stationed in Seventon; otherwise, if something came up next time, not having anyone around to run errands would be too miserable, and it didn't befit his current status.

He was a Senior Arcanist, after all; to go to a small tavern in person just for a few Bards—if this got out—

It wouldn't go so far as to have people openly mocking him, but it was very possible they would complain about it in private.

However, even Great Arcanists had people writing smut about them, so what did this count for? Besides, mouths grew on other people; having it spread more might even increase his Cloud Qi!

……

West of Drunkard's Home, passing through a residential area, one reached the true Port District. Aside from a few taverns, there were mostly warehouses.

Continuing further west, one reached the Netheril River.

However, here in Seventon, the Netheril River flowed north into the Narrow Sea; it was already indistinguishable from the Narrow Sea here, and the river channel was very wide.

He didn't know if it had been artificially expanded or if it was naturally like this.

Once here, there were almost no restrictions on Spellcasting, meaning he could teleport back to Nan Jing from here, or teleport here from Nan Jing.

But the Magic Net environment here was interfered with by a large number of Mage Towers, so the probability of a direct teleportation error was much higher than in other places.

A Portal was a good choice.

Of course, a safer approach was to stay a little further away; in any case, this distance was truly not worth mentioning compared to the distance saved by teleporting.

But this time, Xia Duo had no intention of attempting a teleportation here; he just wanted to stroll around casually.

Before today, he had been to Seventon many times, and had even gone on a dedicated sightseeing trip once, but this was his first time since becoming a Senior Arcanist.

This was completely different from his mindset on previous occasions.

Back then, when he came to Seventon, it was with a cautious mindset lacking any sense of security, but now, there was more peace, as well as anticipation.

This city finally had a place for him.

However, his true stage was not here, but in Nan Jing, or perhaps all of Netheril; for this, he was incredibly expectant.

……

On the bank of the Nether River, Xia Duo rose into the air and flew toward the north. Under the Bloodline Ability 【Wind Control】, the biting cold wind coming toward him instantly turned intangible.

The Narrow Sea in winter was relatively calm; although the southern section of the Nether River had long since frozen, it would not be so near the estuary. Instead, because the shipping lanes to the south were frozen, maritime transport became even more frequent.

Having arrived for only a moment, Xia Duo saw more than one ship fully loaded with cargo sailing along the coast toward the west.

The next stop might be Zhenisi, and then through the Di Di Tong Dao to the trade city of Asikeer in the Ai Ren Wang Guo of Danzo.

Or it could be a full maritime journey, straight from Seventon Port to Asikeer Port.

As for how it would go, Xia Duo just guessed randomly in his mind and didn't think much more about it. After flying north for about half an hour, the wind and waves had grown stronger, and the biting gale whistled loudly.

Xia Duo released the portion of the airspace assimilated by 【Wind Control】 and simultaneously turned off the faint elemental balancing ability of his Crimson Shelter Robe, letting the icy northern wind lash against his body.

Even though he had undergone multiple Bloodline Awakenings and his body was robust and not like an ordinary person's, he couldn't help but shiver at this moment.

But this feeling was great; having been constantly surrounded by Magic, he had almost forgotten the feeling of a natural hot or cold environment.

After blowing in the cold wind for a while, Xia Duo did not continue flying north, but instead splashed into the water, then transformed into a flow of water, drifting wantonly.

At this moment, a sense of freedom comparable to flying freely in the sky surged into his heart once again.

Sure enough, with a different mindset, the feelings were also different.

……

After enjoying himself in the sea for a while, Xia Duo returned to Seventon and continued to stroll around the city.

But at this time, he received an invitation from Consultant Saide of the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce, inviting him to be a guest at the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce's Headquarters in the Old City District.

For Xia Duo, who now knew the weight of a Senior Arcanist, it was hard to refuse Saide's invitation, and he was being invited to visit the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce, not some private location.

It was very likely at the behest of President Zhenna of the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce, wanting to discuss some official business.

And being able to have a Senior Arcanist as a subordinate, while also having a good personal friendship with Master Bailun, that President Zhenna was clearly not simple either.

Perhaps she was even a Great Arcanist.

Such an invitation could not be refused.

Thinking of this, the air of leisure and laziness on Xia Duo's body was swept away in an instant, and he then headed straight for the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce Headquarters in the Old City District.