"Just a small hobby to pass the time during my journey, not my main business."

Duke walked behind the counter, speaking casually,

"I went east a while ago, looking for some rare moonlight moss and flameheart grass. I just returned yesterday, and made the Deacon laugh."

"Oh? East?" Hector sat down on the single guest wooden chair in the shop, with two warriors standing by the door. "I heard there’s been quite a commotion around the Ashen Mountain Range in the east recently. Have you heard anything about it or gained anything there?"

Duke appeared slightly regretful and helpless: "I heard about the bustle; apparently some ancient ruins have surfaced, attracting countless people to flock there.

Unfortunately, when I arrived in the area, it was already chaotic with energy rampaging dangerously.

I searched the edges for a few days and found nothing, almost getting caught in some inexplicable conflicts, so I had to retreat early.

The fighting and killing aren’t my wishes, studying magic potions quietly suits me better."

Hector stared into Duke’s eyes, seemingly trying to detect any flickers or concealment.

But Duke’s gaze was as calm as an ancient well, showing only the weariness of a traveler and a focus on herbs. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The Four Gods Sect might learn through player channels that Duke had been to the Ashen Mountains, but players had not witnessed Duke in action.

Duke merely seemed to have been there, thus being included in the Four Gods Sect’s investigation list.

"You are wise," Hector smiled, changing the topic, and began to ask questions about magic potion refining, especially regarding the handling of fire attribute materials.

These were quite professional, even tricky questions, clearly testing whether Duke truly had the magic potion mastery matching his reputation.

Yet, these potion-related questions were like child’s play to Duke, who could easily answer them in two or three sentences.

Duke’s magic potion knowledge was incredibly solid, far surpassing the Oracle Plane’s level, responding with depth and occasionally offering unique insights, gradually replacing Hector’s scrutinizing with genuine surprise.

No matter if the questions involved flame control, energy extraction, or material neutralization, Duke handled them with ease, fully embodying a dedicated master with profound expertise.

And the energy control he exhibited was more inclined towards gentle and stable spiritual power and elemental affinity, with mixed attributes, unlike the pure sect mages.

This was typical of a non-sect mage, mastering diverse types of magic power.

The conversation extended about fifteen minutes, with Hector seemingly casual, yet carefully observing Duke’s performance.

Finally, he took a sip of the simple herbal tea Duke offered and asked, seemingly unintentionally, "It seems you are just stopping briefly? Where do you plan to go next?"

Duke sighed lightly, showing a bit of a wanderer’s fatigue: "I’ve gathered almost all the herbs here, and the east isn’t peaceful.

I plan to rest a bit and then continue south. I’ve heard the Emerald Woodlands in the south have some unique ferns and fungi, perhaps worth visiting.

Although I may not go there, sometimes I’m not sure where I’ll be tomorrow myself.

I can’t stay idle, always wanting to walk around and see more."

Hector set down his teacup and stood up, his smile seeming a bit more genuine: "I see. You are truly carefree, enviable. Today’s conversation has been very enlightening. I look forward to your future creations; perhaps my Temple of the Fire God can trade with you."

"If I’m ever back in Azure Vault City, I will certainly visit." Duke got up and politely showed his guest out.

At the door, Hector suddenly paused and turned his head, smiling with a hint of mockery: "Lately, things both inside and outside the city aren’t very peaceful, take care during your travels."

Duke’s expression remained unchanged, responding calmly: "Thank you for the reminder, Deacon. I am just a traveling mage, besides some bottles and jars and herbal seeds, I have nothing more."

Hector gave him a deep look, said no more, and left with two warriors, quickly disappearing around the street corner.

Closing the door, Duke’s calm demeanor immediately turned icy.

He returned to the backyard, his spiritual power spreading quietly, confirming that they had indeed left without leaving any covert surveillance means.

"A Level 2 Magic Master from the Fire God Sect... personally came to probe." Duke pondered.

This indicates the Four Gods Sect’s emphasis on the ruins event, also reflecting their limited progress in investigation, resorting to this broad approach.

His response should be fine, temporarily clearing suspicion, but probably making it onto a list for occasional attention.

However, this is irrelevant.

He was already planning to leave and wouldn’t return to the Oracle Plane soon.

Once Robert’s forces grow, perhaps next time he visits, the situation will have changed.

And next time, he is likely to have advanced to a Level 2 Mage.

Now facing Hector, a Level 2 Magic Master, he is still cautious, but once he advances, he won’t need to be afraid.

Duke had an intuition that even now, if he and Hector faced off one-on-one, he would be the last one standing, just requiring some effort.

He wasted no time, quickly removing any personal traces, ensuring the magic potion shop held nothing that might reveal his mage identity or relate to the ruins.