Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree-Chapter 558: Sea Race Envoy
But when these resources were invested into the World Tree, not a single bubble was seen, truly not something an ordinary person can afford.
Now, even a Level 1 Heart of the Insect Race on the market costs several million Magic Stones, and it is not necessarily available for purchase, mostly appearing in auction houses.
Duke, being on the frontline, seems to have easy access to the Heart of the Insect Race.
But for Wizards located elsewhere, the Heart of the Insect Race is an extremely rare resource, containing vast and pure Life Energy.
...
As night descended, the bright moonlight scattered over the calm sea like a silver veil, breaking into thousands of dancing light spots.
At the edge of Green Grass Island, gentle waves softly lapped the beach, creating a rustling sound that intertwined with the unknown insects’ chirps from the distant forest, forming a tranquil nocturne. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Duke strolled alone on the beach, enjoying the rare tranquility.
Having just experienced several months of intense combat, he indeed needed some time to relax his tense nerves.
The sea breeze, with a slight salty scent, brushed against his cheeks, blowing his black Wizard Robe.
He looked up at the bright moon hanging in the dark blue sky, pondering about the growth of the World Tree Seed and subsequent resource acquisition methods.
The demand for the Heart of the Insect Race felt like a bottomless pit, making him feel a bit pressured.
But he also understood clearly that nurturing the World Tree cannot be rushed; it is an immense project that cannot be accomplished overnight.
At this moment, not far from him on the sea, in the area where the moonlight shone most brightly, the seawater silently began to swirl, forming a gentle vortex.
There was no intense energy fluctuation, only a natural rhythm that blended with the surrounding ocean.
Subsequently, a slender figure, covered in fine silver scales, slowly rose from the vortex.
It was a member of the Sea Race, not dressed in the usual warrior attire, but wearing an elegant robe woven from some luminous seaweed and pearls, indicating an extraordinary status.
Her features appeared somewhat blurred under the moonlight, but her eyes, as deep as the darkest sea, clearly reflected the moonlight, gazing at Duke.
"Wizard Duke," the Sea Race’s voice was ethereal and pleasant, directly resonating in Duke’s mind, using the common language of the continent fluently.
Duke stopped his steps, not feeling surprised, only nodding slightly, "Emissary of the Sea Race."
The Sea Race member gracefully bowed and presented a box carved from a whole piece of warm sea jade, the lid sliding open automatically, revealing items on soft sea velvet inside:
A deep blue pearl, misty with water vapor as if liquid flowed inside; a branch of coral, resembling ice crystals yet emitting a warm aura; and several exotic gemstones containing pure Water Element fluctuations.
"By the order of the royal family," the Sea Race emissary spoke with a tone of respect, "I bring you a small token of the deep sea to thank you for your previous kindness to the Sea Race. These are our tribe’s unique Tears of the Tide, Warm Sun Coral, and Abyssal Blue Gem, which are somewhat beneficial for Water Attribute spells, Spiritual Power refinement, or refining certain Magic Potions."
Duke’s gaze swept over these treasures, clearly sensing their pure and powerful energy, all being Level 2 materials.
This wasn’t the first time such a thing happened; in the past few months, the Sea Race had sent small gifts three times already, all to thank him for finding Serafina.
Duke felt that this matter must have been pushed by Serafina behind the scenes; otherwise, the Sea Race wouldn’t come delivering gifts every so often since they don’t have such a good impression of Wizards, even Duke.
"The Sea Race royal family is too courteous," Duke did not decline, waving to store the Sea Jade Box into his Space Ring—it’s only right to take advantage of the Sea Race with no reason to be polite. "Please also convey my thanks to the royal family."
"Serafina... is she still doing well?" Duke casually inquired.
Since the Sea Race had specifically communicated with him before not to mention Serafina’s name lightly outside, Duke quickly corrected himself after realizing.
The Sea Race member clearly understood who Duke was referring to and nodded, "The lady is all well, familiarizing herself with the home environment..."
She didn’t say much more, evidently not wanting to disclose too much information.
The Sea Race emissary then added, "Honorable Wizard Duke, the lady once said that if you have any other needs, within our tribe’s capabilities, we will definitely strive to meet them. Do you have any other requests?"
Duke thought, "Other needs? There are so many."
If it were anyone else saying this, he would consider it polite talk, as demanding would be impolite.
But speaking with the Sea Race, there’s no need to be so courteous; their family is massive; most sea areas are their backyard, and the resources they can extract are close to limitless.
In such a case, there’s no need to be polite, not worrying about exhausting the Sea Race, which he, a mere Level 1 Mage, couldn’t achieve.
With Serafina around, Duke could have fewer concerns.
Even though he didn’t know Serafina’s precise status, he could see that she held a very high position in the Sea Race, so directly asking for some resources likely wouldn’t be refused.
Under the moonlight, Duke’s gaze once again settled on the shimmering sea, remaining silent for a moment.
He looked conflicted, pretending to be somewhat embarrassed yet hesitating to speak, contemplating for a while.
"Since the emissary asks," Duke turned back and looked at the Sea Race emissary, his eyes sincere, "I indeed have a request. I am conducting some... special experiments that require a large number of life energy cores. The Heart of the Insect Race is the most suitable material for me currently."
He paused, continuing, "I know the Sea Race must have collected quite a few Hearts of the Insect Race while clearing the sea area of the Insect Race. If possible, I hope to exchange some Hearts of the Insect Race from your tribe with Magic Stones or equivalent other resources. Level 1, Level 2, the more the better."
The Sea Race emissary seemed a bit surprised by Duke’s request; those deep ocean eyes blinked, but soon regained calmness, "The Heart of the Insect Race... We do indeed have reserves of those. This item has relatively limited uses for us, mostly used to cultivate certain special Sea Beasts or as energy storage. Since it is your need, I will report to the royal family immediately."
The emissary’s figure began to slowly descend, merging into the moonlit flowing seawater, the ethereal voice last echoing, "Please wait for a while; the Sea Race never disappoints friends."
As the words fell, the sea returned to calm, only the moonlight and sea waves remained unchanged, as if nothing had happened just now.
Duke stood in place, feeling as if there was still the warm touch of the Sea Jade Box lingering at his fingertips.
