The airship slowly passed through the eternally lingering blood-red fog above the abyss.
Inside the cabin, the magic power stabilizer emitted a rhythmic humming sound.
Ron sat by the window, looking down through the porthole reinforced with abyss crystal.
The observation station’s tentacle-like writhing buildings shimmered with eerie bioluminescence in the night, as if welcoming his return.
But at this moment, his attention wasn’t on the scenery outside, but focused on the exquisitely bound book resting on his lap.
—— "High Tier Radiation Field Theory and Practice"
This was a precious gift that Eve had secretly slipped him before his departure.
The book’s cover was made of ancient dragon scales, each scale retaining its life-like activity, subtly changing color with the reader’s emotions.
The golden runes etched on the surface were not merely decorative but truly sealed knowledge.
Only those with sufficient spiritual power could unlock the secrets within.
As Ron’s fingers gently caressed the cover, the dragon scales emitted a warmth, as if recognizing his identity.
"Eve, for this book..." he softly sighed, recalling the farewell scene at the Jadeite Pavilion from the previous night.
At that time, the girl’s palms were sweaty.
"Master, this is the highest-tier tome on radiation field control within our clan..."
The black-haired princess stood under the moonlight, her purple crystal-like eyes filled with concealed worries:
"I know... after all, I am not an official wizard and can’t provide guidance on radiation fields. But at least... at least I can find you the best theoretical foundation..."
She bit her lower lip then, the expression of worry that her efforts might not be appreciated etched in Ron’s memory.
"And this..." Eve took out a small crystal bottle from her sleeve:
"Although I couldn’t break the formula—Mother set triple knowledge seal locks on it, this finished potion... I secretly took it out using my authority..."
At that point, her voice was almost inaudible, her cheeks as red as ripe apples:
"If found out, Mother would confine me to the tower for a month... but... but if it helps you..."
The willingness to bear consequences for him lightly touched Ron’s heartstrings.
And this potion was precisely the "Thought Expansion Potion" he had long wanted.
Through the crystal wall, one could see silver-blue liquid inside flowing like liquid stars, with every drop containing compressed essence of wisdom.
Eve was willing to risk Cassandra’s potential wrath to help him.
This kind of wholehearted assistance was so precious in this wizard world that revered reason and self-preservation.
"She sees me as her only lifeline..." Ron lightly stroked the pages of the book and sighed.
Though the girl’s attachment was somewhat unhealthy, her sacrifice was real and pure.
He recalled Cassandra’s advice before leaving: "Do not betray her trust..."
Did she foresee her daughter would find ways to steal secret knowledge and magic potions for him?
The airship began its descent, the roar of engines switching modes filling the outside.
"Master, we’re almost there." Ailan’s voice reached him from the side, filled with long-awaited excitement.
Having witnessed the prosperity of aerial cities many times, the tree spirit felt a growing sense of belonging to the observation station, this peripheral region.
The lush green leaves gently swayed, exuding a pleasant herbal fragrance.
"Dale wants to go home too!" In the aquarium, the sea demon girl excitedly flapped her fin, splashing crystal water:
"Although the sea water at the observation station has some peculiar smell, it still feels more comfortable than the artificial ponds in the Central Lands!"
When the airship’s gangway was lowered, the abyss’s unique chaotic aura rushed forth.
The familiar energy fluctuations, paradoxically, gave Ron a peculiar sense of reassurance.
Here, there was no surveillance omnipresent like in the Central Lands, no hidden eyes observing.
"Lecturer Ralph, welcome back."
The receptionist’s attitude was more respectful than before, eyes filled with envy and awe:
"Your lecture in the Central Lands created a huge stir, the entire academic circle is discussing your ’Abyss Simulation Device’ theory."
"Thank you." Ron replied succinctly while directing Ailan and Dale in handling the large batch of equipment unloaded from the airship’s cargo hold.
"Be careful with those crystal amplifiers," he reminded:
"If shaken during transportation, the internal resonance frequency might shift."
Ailan wrapped each precise piece of equipment carefully with vine, her movements gentle like handling newborn seedlings.
Dale managed the liquid materials requiring special storage environment, her water element talent making the task much easier.
While they were busy loading, gentle footsteps were heard from afar.
"Lecturer Ralph..."
The familiar voice made Ron lift his head, seeing Chloe approaching from the other end of the corridor.
The blind girl still hid her eyes behind black silk but her obscured face unmistakably turned towards him.
"Welcome back..." Her voice light as night breeze yet unignorable:
"While you were away, the observation station lost a lot of... vitality..."
Chloe slightly lowered her head while speaking, fingers unconsciously caressing the "Celestial Sphere" crystal she held.
However, Ron was preoccupied with thoughts of the equipment needing installation and the experiments about to begin, merely nodding politely:
"Thank you for the concern, Miss Chloe. I have important equipment to handle, so I’ll take my leave for now."