33 Picking Up Leftovers 35: Chapter 33 Picking Up Leftovers The Bison Mountain Range, at the edge of the Yongji and Pengpai Oceans, stretched nearly a thousand kilometers from the northwest to the south, with a treacherous depression in its midpoint—a canyon torn from the earth's movements during the Calamity of Heavenly Fall, and also the source of the Ivoke River.
Clouds often shrouded the towering peaks of the coastal mountain range, and towering Redwood trees blanketed the opening of the canyon below, blocking out the sunlight much like wooden mountains.
There lay a somewhat dilapidated port city, surrounded by numerous natural defenses.
Located at the foot of the mountains, beside the sea, the river, and the canyon, Harrison Port was the southernmost human settlement in the civilized world.
It was afternoon, but the dense clouds dimmed the light as if it were early evening.
On the gray stone-paved roads of the port, dockworkers hurried along, and fishermen had already set out to sea before the sun rose and the tide had receded, now still toiling in the distant waters.
The rain had been falling for half a day.
Harrison Port's rain came in many forms—some like waterfall torrents, others sparse and scattered; some fell like pounding water hammers, while others were light and silky; some oppressively dense, and others refreshing and uplifting.
Today's rain was rather ordinary, just a swift downpour that the residents of the Southern Sea were accustomed to in July, a view as if countless silver threads were dropping from the gray clouds, connecting with the blue sea.
Elder Prude stood on one side of the street, his brows slightly furrowed.
For the old man, the pale mist kicked up by the drizzling rain did not impair his vision, and he easily locked onto a boy who was slowly strolling through the fish market, looking around curiously.
Then, he was full of doubts.
The elder muttered to himself in confusion, "Why is he here?"
Ian walked through the rain.
This kind of rain meant nothing to the Terra People; unless they were soaked for a long time in ice water around zero degrees, they wouldn't even get hypothermia.
Even an eight-year-old boy, if indifferent to the feeling of wet clothes, could freely venture out in rainy weather.
In the fish market, the boy glanced curiously at the half-dead variety of sea fish in the buckets and basins of the fish stalls.
After Teacher Hiliad returned home, he brought back a few fish, a bag of potatoes, and half a bag of flour.
He then apologetically informed Ian that he had found information related to his mission on the street and that he must go and investigate it, meaning he would disappear for a while in the afternoon and evening and would not return until late at night.
Ian didn't need to wait for him to have dinner in the evening; he could stew some potatoes, roast the fish, and boil porridge with the wheat left at home for Alan to eat.
Considering that Ian needed to store a large number of nutrients for embarking on the Path of Sublimation, potatoes and roasted fish might not be enough for his appetite, nor were they nutritionally balanced, so Hiliad also left a bag of local silver coins—a total of thirty-five Talle silver coins.
This was originally meant to be used for negotiations with the locals, for bribes, and purchasing items when necessary.
But now that they had the 'Ossenna' identity, acquiring supplies and conducting investigations were much more convenient, and this money was no longer needed, so it was better to use it to boost his student's health.
Teacher Hiliad's exact words were, "Buy whatever you want to eat, don't be stingy, only by enjoying the joys of life can you endure the suffering of cultivation."
He was not worried about Ian spending money recklessly.
In the old knight's eyes, his student was intelligent, sharp, patient, and quite self-disciplined, and was therefore trustworthy.
So, after instructing him to be cautious in his training, the old knight left the house once more.
Ian understood this well.
Hiliard had come to Harrison Port because of a "mission" and was lying low there.
The other party certainly had their own matters to attend to, and this kind of sudden disappearance would occur time and again in the future.
He had to learn to adapt, live independently, and train, without expecting someone to always take care of him.
From Hiliard's expression, it seemed that the old knight was quite pleased.
It appeared that the identity of Osenna was indeed useful, and he had found the clues he wanted in Harrison Port.
Since he had money, there was no need to shortchange himself.
It had to be said that the thirty-five Taller left by Hiliard was truly a fortune.
The Talle silver coin itself was a special silver alloy, extremely durable, and almost impossible to counterfeit or to be destroyed by civilian methods.
Whether as an additive for inscriptions or for normal smelting and forging, it had its value, which is why Talle was unlikely to depreciate.
One Talle silver coin could be exchanged for twelve Small Bison silver coins, and one Small Silver Coin could be exchanged for ten Pennies of copper.
One Penny of copper could buy more than a pound of wheat, a solid piece of brown bread, and two Pennies could get you a not-too-hard baguette.
Before his mother passed away from illness, Ian had also learned about the local prices…
Because local pastures were scarce, cattle, sheep, and pigs were expensive, whereas fish was extremely cheap.
Thus, one Talle silver coin could buy six pounds of fine beef or fifteen pounds of mutton, or more than twenty pounds of pork.
If you had a relationship with a farm or a fisherman, and chatted about daily life, you could buy four lively hens and a crowing rooster, or a whole barrel of salted fish.
An ordinary farmer, after toiling for a whole year without natural disasters or accidents, could only save up one or two Great Silver Coins, enough to add some new farm tools to the house, raise a few more chickens, or every few years add a small sheep, taking half a lifetime to save enough to buy a calf.
At Osenna's house, not counting the value of the Sleep Powder, Ian had found a total of twelve and a half Great Silver Coins—most of which were Small Silver Coins and Pennies of copper.
There were only five valid Taller, one of which was secretly given to the boy by his mother before she passed away, as the last resort for saving his life.
This was already an astonishing amount, for Osenna himself was just an ordinary clerk at the docks.
The job wasn't bad, but it paid at most one Talle and a bit per month, plus some material supplements.
He himself was not frugal, so how could he have saved up an amount that would require almost not eating or drinking for half a year?
It must have been the result of collusion with the Natives.
But Hiliard took out thirty-five Talle!
And all of them were neat, shining Great Silver Coins without a speck of dirt!
This nearly one-pound bag of silver coins could buy a dozen Fine Iron Longswords; seeing it as a wholesale purchase, the blacksmith might even throw in a few wooden shields and daggers.
—This way of using silver coins, it's like something a noble lord would do.
When taking the purse, Ian wanted to make a quip.
He knew that in the local tales of Harrison Port, a marquis in disguise carried only a hundred Taller for show and face-slapping, and although he was just the emperor's golden burden, it was enough to illustrate the level of exaggeration.
He and his brother Alan together, in the eyes of the uncle and the Indigenous Priest, were worth at most thirty Taller.
Their teacher had been wanted for who knows how long, yet still carried a bounty of a third of a Marquis's worth; heaven knows what status he held originally.
"There's definitely no problem with getting enough to eat."
Ian shook his head slightly and sighed softly, "It's just that the teacher's silver coins are too shiny and new, impossible to spend as is.
They need to be aged in the hearth ashes first."
After cooking the porridge and feeding Alan, and putting his little brother to sleep, Ian buried the teacher's silver coins in the still-warm hearth ashes.
Then, with a sense of joy, he took an old Talle and some Small Silver Coins and set out.
He planned to follow the memories in his mind to the fishing market to buy some nutritious seafood.
A single Talle was completely sufficient to buy food ingredients; any more would not suit his current status and identity.
As for the training in the Virtual Primordial Seed that Teacher Hiliad had instructed, Ian was quite confident.
—The most difficult step in condensing the Primordial Seed was creating out of nothing, to mold an organ akin to a second heart that could traverse the life pulse of the entire body.
Ordinary Terra People couldn't even imagine how to control a second heart, just as ordinary people can't imagine how to operate a third hand.
Naturally, they cannot successfully condense it, and the failure rate is incredibly high at first attempt.
But the Virtual Primordial Seed allows one to gradually adapt to having a 'post-natally emerged new organ' in their body, significantly reducing the failure rate.
Even so, those who manage to condense a Primordial Seed within a few months are still a minority.
But Ian was different.
He didn't need to adapt.
Or rather, Humans don't need to adapt.
People from Ian's era on Earth were all genetically modified, with two hearts, two stomachs, and three lungs; not to mention Ian was a Scholar-type modification, with many more specialized modules.
Controlling such 'supposedly non-existent' organs was as simple as breathing for him.
"After all, it's not an actual genetic organ, but a seed of essence from a different system…
It's still somewhat difficult to imitate and analyze."
Muttering to himself, Ian spoke softly, "One week should be more than enough to fully adapt.
But to be safe, let's make it two weeks, after learning more about The Path of Sublimation, then I'll try."
With such thoughts in mind, the white-haired boy walked through the rain-drenched streets toward the fishing market: "Now, I need to do as Teacher Hiliad said."
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"That is, keep a healthy routine, sleep early and rise early, eat and drink plenty, and exercise daily."
The clamor of the fishing market was already audible.
Located next to a fishing pier in the northeast area of Harrison Port, the market was brightly lit.
On the increasingly dim sea, returning fishing boats arrived here, while many carts, porters, and workers bargaining with each other busied about.
Clerks hired by large fishing fleets were tallying the numbers with the fish sorting workers, and nearby, some workers pulled up huge wooden signs showing each fleet's catch for the day, for the steward of the merchant convoy and literate citizens to recognize.
"Live sardines, a penny a pan!"
"Sea eels from Odell Reef, delicate and delicious, free ice included!"
"Two oysters for a penny, a bucket for a Bison!"
"Fluorescent Algae from the near sea of Redwood!
A Sanbisen a bunch, five bunches for a Talle!
Algae oil for two Bison a bottle!"
Although it was dusk, the fishing market was still bustling, filled with the cries of fishermen and traders, as well as the smell of the sea.
As the Empire's largest sea and fishing port in the southern region, Harrison Port's seafood was enough to cover most of the Southern Province.
Merchant convoys from different towns and cities came here to negotiate with fleets for a stable supply of fish.
Occasionally, some Demon Beast Level big fish would be produced here.
Just as the shouts of the sellers mentioned 'Odell Reef,' there once were several giant sea eels, reaching over eight meters long and at max, fifteen meters.
Their spines and muscle tissue met the standards for Magical Medicine Ingredients and were purchased by a wealthy merchant from the Capital Region's Nauman City, priced a hundred and seventy Talle each.
It is said that beyond Odell Reef, in the deeper waters, reside two gargantuan sea eel Magical Beasts revered by the surrounding Redwood Natives as the 'Rising Tide Spirit' and 'Drum Wave Spirit,' and the large eels around there are their descendants.
Thanks to these tales and genuine production, a pound of Odell Eel meat costs three Sanbisen, pricier than beef.
Ian was well acquainted with this place; he had worked as a fish sorter before to help support the family, with some familiar fishermen's aid, and had received quite the positive assessment.
Senan's boat crew even wanted to hire him as their accountant at the pier once he was older, offering three pennies a day plus two fish.
Of course, this time Ian was here purely as a customer.
And…
to look for potential treasures.
"Let me see…"
Among the crowd, Ian barely stood out as he casually wandered to a corner between two stalls, unnoticed by anyone.
Then, he activated his Foresight View.
Suddenly, the hazy world of rain transformed into an even murkier mix of multi-colored mist.
Grey, white, blue colors merged into a three-hued radiance of fog, reshaping the entire fishing market.
"There's actually something."
Raising his eyebrows, Ian tilted his head, looking interestedly toward the place where the blue mists accumulated.
—In the fishing market, there were indeed some 'rare' seafoods!
34 Good Intentions 36: Chapter 34 Good Intentions "A bag of Sleep Powder is worth about a hundred Talle, and after dealing with Ossenna and the Indigenous Priest, I've used up a third, leaving more than half."
"And the Demon Beast Level materials I sold at the fish market were also taken at a price of a hundred or two hundred Talle, it seems that the price for a whole set of blue materials is at this level."
Remembering the direction and approximate shape of the Blue Mist, Ian closed the Foresight View with satisfaction, "Although I don't know if I can pick it up, but if I do, I'll have made at least a hundred Talle."
"If nothing else works, taking a few thick white fish back wouldn't be too bad."
Now, Ian still hadn't planned to show off his Spirit Energy.
Though revealing his talent could catch the attention of the Elders and even the local Nobles, he felt it required a good opportunity to ensure he could benefit from it.
After all, Terra Continent wasn't Earth; it's always right to be cautious and keep a low profile.
Of course, it wouldn't be a bad thing to be discovered either.
There were three Blue Mists in total.
The first was located in a shop belonging to the Silver Scale Fleet, a comparatively powerful force within Harrison Port, capable of dealing with weaker Magical Beasts and venturing to the distant seas to catch rare fish.
They were also the main supplier of a Harrison Port specialty, the largest fleet delivering the 'Odell Eel.'
At just a glance, Ian had found his target.
It was a freshly slaughtered eel, its white, tender flesh resembling gelatin, yet in reality, quite firm.
It was frozen within a massive block of ice, waiting for passing buyers to take it away.
The Odell Eel is quite ferocious and large, making it difficult to keep alive onshore unless a customer orders it in advance; otherwise, the eel meat is frozen and sold after slaughtering.
The moment he saw the eel, Ian's body instinctively reacted with hunger, despite the fish market's fishy smell surrounding him, his appetite still surged from deep within.
For a moment, he subconsciously wanted to approach in that direction and started swallowing saliva instinctively.
—In the Foresight View, the midsection of the eel's spine radiated an intensely rich blue light, just by seeing it, Ian knew that if he ate it, his bones would undergo a tremendous enhancement, gaining flexibility beyond a normal person's imagination!
But Ian didn't actually take a step.
He quickly returned to normal, lowered his head, and hid the brief lapse in composure he'd just had.
"That was close…" Letting out a breath, the boy lifted his head, still a little shaken, "I didn't expect such a strong reaction — that eel would definitely be greatly beneficial to the body if eaten."
What Ian lacked now was nutrients.
If he had enough nutrients to properly nourish his body, then with his familiarity with Virtual Organs, he probably wouldn't need a week to accumulate Origin Quality and condense a true Primordial Seed.
For ordinary people, consuming high-energy food leads to nutritional surplus and even gaining weight.
But for a Sublimator with a Primordial Seed or a Virtual Primordial Seed, most of the nutrients would be refined into pure Origin Quality, used to support the transformation of Sublimation Organs later on.
And those foods that already contain a portion of Origin Quality can only be partly absorbed by ordinary people; they might even suffer indigestion.
Only Sublimators can fully absorb the food's Origin Quality.
So, even if ordinary people are lucky enough to obtain Blue-grade Origin Quality food, they might not gain much benefit from it and could even experience diarrhea and stomach pain, thinking it's due to the food being not fresh and causing digestive issues.
The eel in front of him undoubtedly contained some Primordial Essence.
"I'll make a note of it; buying an eel with my current status would be a bit strange."
A pound of eel meat for three Sanbisen, the pay for a fortnight for a crewman on the lower decks, a genuine luxury.
Who would buy such a thing unless they had some savings at home?
Ian memorized the location and then turned to look at the other Blue Mists.
The second Blue Mist was in a shop belonging to the Red Hook Fleet, a Distant Seas Fleet whose strength was no less than Silver Scale's.
It was a tuna that had just been bled and was in the process of freezing.
About two meters long, it was being soaked in a stone trough as big as a small boat.
Next to the trough, a fisherman took out a bottle of pale blue liquid potion from a box.
He cautiously dropped a single drop into the trough—a moment later, accompanied by visible white vapor rising, a blast of hot air hit them, followed by coldness.
Accompanied by quite a bright pale blue flash, all the water in the trough, including the tuna, was completely frozen, turning into a solid block of ice that looked as clear as glass.
On the other side, several crewmen skillfully flipped the trough, excavating this large chunk of ice from it, then placing it in a glass freezer nearby for display.
"What is this…?"
With wide eyes, fixated on this scene, Ian stared straight at the trough and the potion, his mouth slightly agape and even suppressing the urge to activate his Foresight View to see the color of that potion.
It was his first encounter with a genuine 'magic' moment in Terra World!
But looking at the expressions of the fishermen and sailors around him, it seemed quite normal to everyone; nobody thought it was strange.
Ian looked toward the fishermen, who had put back the barely used potion bottle back into the box, faintly hearing him mutter, "Only three Frost Condensing Potions left, if the Platinum Iridium Workshop's caravan doesn't come by before October, what should we do…"
"Is it an Alchemical Potion?
It must be related to Sublimators."
Ian pondered.
He committed 'Frost Condensing Potion' and 'Platinum Iridium Workshop' to memory, then turned his head to look at the tuna.
This tuna's whole body shimmered with a pale grey metallic luster, and its eyes even faintly glowed eerily, visible even at dusk under the Algae Oil Lamp's illumination, looking quite extraordinary and even more appetizing to Ian than the previous eel.
—In the Foresight View, the blue mist converged on several spots on the skin and the parts of the brain connected to the eyes; if eaten, the skin would become extremely tough, and even a part of the ability to manipulate water flows would be gained.
This was a Sublimation material far more useful than the previous eels and could even be said to barely qualify as "Magical Medicine Ingredients," as described by Teacher Hiliad!
But Ian did not hesitate to turn around and leave—for the tuna was priced directly at "twenty Talle."
Clearly, the fleet had also realized the exceptionality of this tuna; he simply could not afford it.
Although by Ian's estimation, this tuna, being a rare material, was worth more than twenty—even two hundred and twenty—Talle, and would be a steal if one could find it.
But aside from trading caravans, no one would buy it, and for him to fork out twenty Talle for it was even more preposterous.
The last blue mist was located among the spread-out stalls of the White Chamber Fleet.
The White Chamber Fleet belonged to the White Folks and was a coastal fleet, operating three oyster and shellfish farms along the shoreline, with no particular competition from other fleets.
The true form of the blue mist was an ordinary salmon, a migratory fish that could be found everywhere in Harrison Port.
Next to it, the upper reaches of the Ivoke River were the gathering points for the salmon's migration.
It wasn't the season yet, but every few years at the end of autumn, an uncountable number of salmon would follow the turbulent Ivoke River all the way to the 'Snowscape' in the middle of the Bison Mountain Range.
The year-round freezing environment there was precisely to the salmon's liking.
This salmon was of quite decent quality, weighing roughly twelve pounds, plump and rich in fat, it looked exceptionally delicious.
Its scales even faintly revealed a hint of blue shimmer, which would go unnoticed unless looked at closely.
"Let me see…
hmm, no other special effects?"
Ian activated his Foresight View again, confirming that the blue mist on this salmon was slightly inferior to that of the eels and tuna, but it was dispersed throughout the flesh of the entire fish.
"The effect is that it's easy to digest, nourishes the body, and unlike other strengthening effects, this salmon seems to lean more towards healing and recuperation."
"I feel that if I were to eat it, the various minor injuries and accumulated damage in my body would all be alleviated!"
He perked up, "This is exactly the ingredient I need right now!"
Isolated enhancement could not bring much strength, just as Teacher Hiliad said, the real Path of Sublimation required proceeding slowly in accordance with the inheritance of the Bloodline True Form.
Indiscriminate consumption would just lead to a hodgepodge.
In this case, what was most precious was this salmon that had no particular attribute inclination but simply contained Primordial Essence.
Having made up his mind, Ian even began to calculate the price, preparing to make a purchase: "Just two pennies per pound…
such a big piece, roughly two Bison and four pennies, enough for two days.
The effect is probably not inferior to eel meat, what a bargain."
"Ian?"
Just as Ian stepped forward, eagerly planning to buy the salmon, he heard a surprised shout, "What brings you here?"
With a slight change of expression and after adjusting his demeanor, Ian turned around to see a bronze-skinned White Folk fisherman striding towards him.
The person approaching was none other than Senan, the first to come to their aid last night, leading him and Teacher Hiliad to their new home.
The dark-skinned fisherman seemed to have been boasting to friends about the day's catch and came over like the wind upon seeing Ian.
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He waved, with an air of familiarity, "Buying fish?"
"Hello, Uncle Senan."
Ian nodded obediently, then replied, "Yes, my uncle is injured, I want to buy him a fish…"
Senan waved his hand, interrupting with a generous gesture before Ian could finish, "Which one do you want to buy?
Consider it a gift from me!"
Senan was indeed in a very good mood now—he had risked his life last night to be the first to rescue Ian's family from the fire scene, and he also stopped the herb-picker Brin from snatching the Sleep Powder from Ian…
okay, the latter was done by Elder Prude, but he certainly played a significant role.
All day today, fellow fishermen praised his bravery and indicated their willingness to go out to sea with him in the future.
After all, it's not bad to have a reliable and bold team leader.
With this, he accomplished what he had been unable to do for the past few years, gathering his crew.
As for the fish…
fish were cheap at the port, and even the most ordinary sand digger could afford a meal of fish every few days.
As a senior fisherman about to have his own fishing boat, he could certainly afford to give it away.
"How could I accept this?"
Ian took a half step back, a bit bashful, hiding his hands behind his back as if clutching the coins.
After half a second, he raised his hand, showing the few pennies and a Bison in his palm: "I brought money!"
"Haha, really, no need to be so polite." After glancing at the coins in Ian's hand and seeing the white-haired boy's sensible and well-behaved manner, Senan naturally wouldn't accept the money.
He eyed the seemingly shy white-haired boy in front of him and couldn't help but reflect, "So well-behaved and obedient, if only my kids could be like this…"
The tall fisherman pushed Ian's hand back, "Don't be shy, your home just burned down, and this is when you need money.
Your uncle seems to have changed for the better too; he even came over to thank us earlier, so it looks like we don't need to worry about him anymore."
Senan concluded, "In the end, we're all from the same people.
Go pick one, I'll also give you a small bucket of seaweed."
Soon, Ian got the salmon, whose innards and scales had been cleaned, and a small bucket of seaweed.
Apart from Senan, the other White Folks fishermen were mostly friendly, each greeting Ian, while he pretended to be nervous and shy in his responses, causing them to laugh heartily, with a few even reaching out to pinch his face.
They all knew Ian's father and still remembered Ian as being quite smart; two years ago, he could easily calculate the numbers these simple men couldn't figure out—
—This lad was sure to make something of himself.
They believed that.
That was the root of their goodwill.
Of course, Ian's appearance also played a part in winning them over.
"This is an unexpected turn."
Walking out of the fish market with the fish and seaweed he received, Ian nodded thoughtfully, "Can only say, being good-looking…
might also count as a kind of Spirit Energy."
5 Ethnicity 37: Chapter 35 Ethnicity "I never expected Teacher Hiliad to actually seek out Senan and the others for information this afternoon…"
Smiling and waving goodbye to Senan and the other fishermen, Ian prepared to leave with his unexpected catch.
By inquiring with the fishermen, it seems the teacher's target is at sea, but what exactly Hiliad intended to do, the boy did not know, nor did he want to ask, as the other party would naturally tell him in due time.
As for now, it was time to prepare dinner.
This salmon, emitting a Blue Mist, was of similar grade to eel meat and slightly inferior to tuna, but it was not frozen.
Preparing it for dinner now would be perfect for salt grilling, sashimi, or steaming, and it was quite fresh – besides, he was indeed hungry.
As for the other Blue Mist…
Ian had realized that Harrison Port had daily catches of some rare-grade fish, but their ability to identify them was underdeveloped, resulting in many valuable catches being sold as normal fish to some unknowingly fortunate souls.
But Ian was different; his Spirit Energy seemed specifically tuned for identifying overlooked treasures.
"Got a fish for nothing; I'll remember this kindness," he said.
Having no qualms about accepting gifts from others, Ian thought Senan was indeed a good person.
"If there's a chance, I'll help them recognize the true value of their catches, how rare they are."
He could take advantage, but he didn't need to do so all the time.
However, just as Ian was about to leave the fish market,
he found that on the already night-filled streets, amidst a faint drizzle, a group of people was standing by the roadside.
In the center of the group, shrouded by attendants, was a stocky, white-haired Elder of short stature gazing at him.
"Elder Prude?"
Raising his head, Ian wore an expression of surprise, which was no pretense; he genuinely hadn't expected to see him.
"What are you doing here…?"
"Just like Ernesto's child," Elder Prude remarked without addressing Ian's confusion, but instead, he made an enigmatic comment: "Truly adept at deceiving."
After that, he stepped forward, handing over a sealed brownish-red box made of lacquered wood to the boy: "Take this.
Inside are medicinal herbs that can alleviate mental influences, the Beria Concentration Herb."
"When you get home, brew it with boiling water, skim off the Floating Foam, and let it settle for a whole day.
Then drink from the very top of the clear water and apply the sediment from the bottom to the temples and the corners of the eyes.
Continue this for seven days, and it can ease and treat the effects of most nerve toxins such as Sleep Powder and paralyzing venoms…
Elan is still young, so use a lower dose for him, and you should use it once as well, just to be safe from any residual effects."
The Elder was succinct with his advice, then patted Ian on the head, instructing him, "As for now, come with me.
Keep this old man company on his walk."
Saying so, Elder Prude extended his hand, signaling for Ian to take it.
His words were gentle yet left no room for refusal, and Ian did not hesitate.
He nodded obediently, took the Elder's hand, and then followed the old man, slowly walking along the street.
The street where the fish market and dock were located, once followed outwards, led to Central Avenue, which headed directly to the officials' road.
Almost all the guilds had their offices and shops there, and to the west was the location of the stationed Guard Squad and the Security Officer.
Beyond that were the city walls and the Ivoke River.
The pedestrians on the street were mostly walking briskly, and among them, a portion were White Folks.
When they saw Elder Prude, they all paused to greet the old man who had seen nearly everyone grow up.
"Your father, Ernesto, was once the captain of the Port Guard Squad, a Sublimator of the First Power Level."
While nodding and smiling at the White Folks who stopped to greet him, Elder Prude conversed softly with Ian, "You may not remember him, but your mother must have mentioned his name."
The old man's hands were rough and strong, as if covered with a layer of stone skin.
He gently grasped Ian's hand, his voice deep and clear, "He was expected to take over the position of Security Officer after the Aam Knight retired and was also one of the candidates for Elder after my departure, a young man who was upright, resolute and extremely responsible."
Reminiscing about the past, the old man spoke with a hint of nostalgia and regret, "And your mother, Evelyn, was intelligent and strong, capable of raising you and your brother on her own."
Ian remained silent and listened intently to every word Elder Prude said.
The fact that the other party suddenly sought him out to talk about his parents' past clearly wasn't just to reminisce with an eight-year-old child…
Not to mention, his father in this life had already perished in a maritime disaster with many other colleagues from the Port Guard Squad before he was born.
He didn't understand why this was being brought up.
The storm eight years ago turned the whole city into mourning, destroying countless families.
Elder Prude would have been too frazzled to care about a single family's issues.
As expected, Elder Prude continued, "For all these years, the clan indeed owes your family.
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The Native's attack was what shocked me into realization.
It's also thanks to the blessing of the ancestors that you didn't encounter trouble.
Otherwise, when I lie beneath the earth, meeting your parents, I truly wouldn't know how to face them."
After a brief pause, the old man calmly said, "I've already arranged with Ossenna, the house by the coast will be given to your family to live in, no extra money needed.
There is also no need to worry about the herbs, they are generously provided by Viscount Grant and are of high quality, so don't be bashful with him."
——He must have…
no, he definitely noticed something!
Even though all the news he received was good, Ian's vigilance reached its peak.
Yet, he felt no sense of crisis.
Without needing to use Foresight View, Ian was clearly aware that, even if he exposed his Awakened Spiritual Power, he wouldn't encounter any problems.
Look, just with mere suspicion, Elder Prude had already offered so much comfort.
If he were indeed certain of Ian's awakened abilities, as a White Folks Elder, would he oppress an eight-year-old child?
Only someone with a severe paranoid delusion would think of such an outcome.
The Elder would definitely focus on nurturing him and, according to the hints in Elder Prude's words, it could even be said that he would help him onto The Path of Sublimation and even become a future Elder in reserve.
This is the treatment a Spirit Energy User should receive.
If Ian were not…
Elder Prude would not lose out either.
The silent boy with white hair and the old man passed through the busy Central Avenue, walked past the Huai Guang Church with its towering spire and bell tower made of stone, and not far away was the most lavish Viscount's Mansion, situated on higher ground, overlooking most of Harrison Port.
Along the way, they even encountered a caravan from the Capital Region of the Southern Province, Nauman, with high-headed horses adorned with bells to ward off evil, being led to the warehouse district in the eastern sector by the Security Officer—for all goods' transshipment and transportation were conducted there.
But they did not stop; Elder Prude took Ian across half the city until dusk fell, the Algae Oil Lamps on the street corners lit up with a dim, flickering glow, the light waning and waxing indefinitely.
They arrived at the city wall to the west of the city