Chapter 354: Settling Accounts After the Harvest

Luo En walked along the familiar path toward his laboratory.

Today's conversation with Yuter gave him a clearer understanding of his own path of development.

Since he couldn't avoid going deep into the abyss if he wanted to advance upward in the future, establishing a good relationship with Nari was even more significant...

The laboratory door sensed his approach and slid open automatically.

The warm magic crystal light fell on his slightly tired face.

"Master!"

Ailan's voice was full of relief and joy, and the emerald figure floated from the depths of the workshop.

But when she approached Luo En, her keen natural perception made her freeze slightly.

"The aura on you..."

The tree spirit's voice carried obvious unease:

"There is a very strange feeling... like a mark left by some very ancient and powerful existence..."

In the crystal pool, Dail also felt this abnormality.

The siren girl floated up from the water, her silver long hair flowing like moonlight under the magic crystal light.

Her eyes were full of worry:

"Master, that aura reminds me of the terrifying existences in the ancient legends of the deep sea... what did you encounter?"

Facing the concerned inquiries of the two "people," warmth surged in Luo En's heart.

"I did encounter some... special existences."

He soothed the two:

"But they have all been resolved now, and, this encounter was actually a good thing for me."

Luo En sat in the chair in the center of the laboratory and began to briefly introduce the results of this exploration to the two.

Of course, he did not reveal the specific details about Nari.

He only said that he met a relatively friendly ancient abyss dweller and established some kind of mutually beneficial relationship.

Seeing the master's slightly tired expression, Ailan immediately began to prepare dinner.

The emerald branches flexibly manipulated various tableware and ingredients, and soon a table of exquisite food was prepared.

Fresh vegetable salad, fragrant magic beast meat soup, and special pastries made from abyss plants.

"Master, you haven't eaten properly for a long time."

The tree spirit said concernedly:

"Although a wizard's body can withstand long-term non-food energy supplementation, appropriate nutritional intake is very helpful for the recovery of mental state."

Luo En looked at these carefully prepared foods, and warmth surged in his heart.

In the complex struggles and dangerous explorations outside, this place was always the harbor where he could completely relax.

"Thank you." He nodded to Ailan and began to enjoy this sumptuous dinner.

During the meal, Luo En told the two about the upcoming itinerary:

"The day after tomorrow I am returning to the Central Land to handle some important affairs, this time I might stay for a week or two."

Hearing this news, both Ailan and Dail showed obvious concern.

"Master, can we go with you?"

Dail's voice carried anticipation: "Staying here waiting for you to come back, we will be a bit worried..."

"Of course."

Luo En's answer made both of them obviously relax:

"I was planning to take you and some important research equipment in the mobile workshop with me to the Central Land."

He looked at Ailan:

"You pack up in advance, pack those precious materials and precision instruments properly.

And some ongoing experiments, also need to be protected from interruption."

"Understood, Master."

Ailan nodded, already planning the specific packing work in her heart.

As Luo En's most capable assistant, she clearly knew what things must be taken away and what could be temporarily left at the observation station.

After dinner, Luo En remembered a matter he had ignored for a long time.

"By the way, I haven't written home for a long time."

He took out paper and pen from his storage bag and began to think about how to report his recent situation to his family.

During the Lance Festival last time, he actually wrote a family letter to introduce his recent situation.

This was the second one, and the time since the last one was not short.

After thinking for a while, he began to write on the paper:

"Dear Father and Eldest Brother:

Time passes quickly, and more than half a year has passed since I last wrote home.

I am currently working at the Abyss Observation Station, and everything is going very smoothly.

Recently I have obtained some important academic achievements, and my status within the school has also significantly improved.

Although work is very busy, my physical condition is good, please don't worry.

Abyss exploration sounds dangerous, but with my current ability, the risks are all within a controllable range.

Recently I am going back to the Central Land to handle some important affairs.

If there is a chance, I will try to buy some rare items not available in the Kingdom of Farouk and send them back.

How is the situation in the family territory?

Is Eldest Brother's health okay? Is Father's work heavy?

I will send some magic stone fragments back with the letter.

These can be exchanged for a large amount of gold coins in the kingdom, enough to maintain the family's expenses for several years.

Don't be frugal, spend money where it should be spent, my income is very stable now.

If there is any urgent matter that needs to contact me, you can go through the postal system of the Central Land.

Address: Abyss Main Observation Station, Senior Researcher Luo En Ralph.

Missing everyone at home, Luo En"

After writing this letter, Luo En carefully checked the wording.

He deliberately avoided mentioning specific dangerous experiences and those complex relationships, just reporting his recent situation in a relaxed tone.

For ordinary people, knowing too much is not a good thing.

"Master's expression always becomes very gentle when writing family letters."

Dail observed from the side, her voice carrying a bit of envy.

Luo En looked up at the siren girl, noticing the emotion in her eyes.

Dail was trafficked by slave traders, and for blood kinship, she had a complex feeling of both longing and unfamiliarity.

"You have a home now too." Luo En said gently: "The three of us are a family."

This sentence made light shine in Dail's eyes instantly, and that kind of innocent joy bloomed like a flower.

"Really?" Her voice trembled: "Can I... can I also be considered Master's family?"

"Of course." Luo En nodded affirmatively:

"Family is not just blood relationship, more importantly, it is mutual care and support.

In this regard, you and Ailan are both my important family members."

Hearing these words, Ailan was also deeply moved.

The emerald branches swayed gently, and crystal clear water droplets condensed on several leaves.

That was a special liquid secreted by the tree spirit when moved, like tears.

"Alright, let's all rest early."

He stood up and packed the written letters: "There is still a lot of preparation work to do tomorrow."

………………

In the academic review room of the Crystal Spire, the ancient clock emitted a dull ticking sound.

Associate Professor Chester Black sat in front of the oak desk.

His fingers unconsciously stroked a dark silver ring on the ring finger of his left hand.

That was the "Memory Ring" inherited by the Black family, capable of perfectly preserving all academic materials experienced by the wearer.

At this moment, the ring was slightly hot, which meant that his emotional fluctuation had reached a dangerous critical point.

Chester's face looked tired and anxious.

As the seventh-generation head of the Black family, Chester was taught from childhood to insist on the purity of academics and resist any speculative behavior.

The Black family had been the most traditional conservative scholars of the Crystal Spire for generations.

They believed that true knowledge should be obtained through rigorous research and decades of accumulation.

Instead of relying on political speculation or adventure activities.

"One hundred and fifty-seven years..."

Counting from the apprentice stage, he had been trekking on the wizard's path for one hundred and fifty-seven years.

For so many years, he had strictly followed the traditions of the Black family—cautious, conservative, and accumulating knowledge and reputation step by step.

But now, this tradition was becoming the biggest obstacle on his path forward.

"Damn conquest policy..."

Chester cursed softly, while flipping through the reports on the table that made his mood complex.

Those colleagues who participated in the Cassandra different world expedition plan were obtaining various rare resources and research opportunities at a staggering speed.