Fantasy Family Simulator (FFS)

Rhett took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and said, "Ice City is a chaotic place, and with your strength, you're at best average there. No matter how cautious you are, you can't predict unforeseen disasters. Besides, it seems like you're tired of that place. If you're considering a change in lifestyle and environment, I think... you should consider staying here."

After Rhett finished speaking, he lightly tapped his fingers on the table, producing a soft, rhythmic sound.

Wodelge's pupils contracted slightly, his fingers stiffening around the teacup's handle. Realizing that Rhett wasn't joking, he fell silent.

As Wodelge pondered, Rhett added, "By the way, it's a coincidence—I have a close friend who also spent quite some time in Ice City. He's now in my territory. You might know him."

Wodelge showed interest. "Oh? Who is it?"

"Macoff, a third-level wind mage."

"A third-level wind mage?" Wodelge thought for a moment, then nodded in realization. "Yes, I have some impression of him. I believe he worked as a temporary mercenary for a few tasks in another group. We've crossed paths before."

Mages were rarer than knights, so Wodelge's memory was relatively clear.

After a brief conversation, it was no surprise that Wodelge also joined Rhett's territory. However, like Macoff, he maintained a friendship with Rhett rather than becoming a subordinate. Rhett himself wasn't keen on changing a friend into a subordinate.

With this decision settled, Wodelge felt more relaxed and said, "From now on, I'll take care of guarding and maintaining the Lone Peak. Rest assured, I won't let anyone cause any trouble!"

Rhett smiled faintly. "No problem!"

At that moment, Wodelge looked directly at Rhett and said, "Since I'm now part of your territory, there's something I should confess."

Rhett raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What is it?"

"Actually, when I brought the Dark-patterned Eagle corpses back, it wasn't just for Master Essad's reward." Wodelge's eyes revealed a flash of sorrow as he spoke.

Rhett became serious, realizing there was more to the story.

Wodelge continued, "The real reason dates back many years. A small orc squad broke through the Coldstream Line and wreaked havoc around Ice City. At that time, I was out on a mercenary mission and ran into several mid-level orcs, finding myself in a desperate situation. Just then, a heroic female knight appeared and saved me. She bore the insignia of the Coldstream Line and was incredibly beautiful."

"You liked her?" Rhett raised an eyebrow. Liking someone wasn't shameful; love should be expressed boldly.

"Uh... maybe a little." Wodelge looked embarrassed, but the sadness quickly overtook him. "But she was a peak Earth Knight, a shining goddess on the battlefield... How could she ever be interested in me?"

"And then?" Rhett rubbed his chin. "Did you confess and get rejected? Or did you come here because you couldn't let her go?"

At this moment, Rhett felt a bit like he was discussing a teenage crush with a close friend from his previous life.

"Neither." Wodelge's expression grew complex as he glanced at Rhett and said sadly, "She sacrificed herself."

"She died at the Coldstream Line?" Rhett asked, trying to piece it together. "Not... at the hands of the Dragonkin, I hope?"

Wodelge didn't respond, as if the painful memories had resurfaced. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

In the silence, Rhett understood everything and couldn't help but sigh.

Just when Rhett thought the story was over, Wodelge revealed a startling detail: "That female knight—I later learned—was Master Essad's daughter! So, when I heard that Master Essad was determined to fight the Dragonkin to the end, I did everything I could to offer my help..."

"So, that Dark-patterned Eagle group is truly important to me. I can't let anything happen to it!"

Rhett stared at Wodelge, seeing the mix of sorrow, determination, and hope on his face.

Taking a deep breath, Rhett stood up, walked around the table, and placed a firm hand on Wodelge's shoulder. "Don't worry. An eye for an eye, blood for blood! We will make the Dragonkin, and even the orcs, pay the price one day!"

"Really, Rhett?" Wodelge's lips trembled, as if seeking rescue from drowning.

"By the name of the Fledgling Eagle, I swear it!" Rhett's voice was resolute as he extended his fist.

Wodelge, moved, with slightly reddened eyes, reached out and bumped fists with him.

After a few more words, Wodelge mentioned he was tired and needed to calm his emotions. Rhett had other matters to attend to as well.

"Sveeta!" he called out.

The sleepless Sveeta forced himself to stay awake and respectfully responded, "Yes, my lord. What are your orders?"

"My goodness, you look terrible." Rhett sighed as he noticed the dark circles under his butler's eyes. He then said, "Arrange a room in the secondary castle for our new member, and then get some rest."

"Yes, my lord."

After the two left, Rhett finished his tea and stood up. Instead of returning to his room as usual, he left the castle, walked out of the estate, and headed north.

His destination was the Alchemy Lab, also known as the Alchemy Tower.

Both the first and third floors had rooms with lights on.

Rhett glanced at the lights and went straight to the third floor, directly to Henke's room.

"Lord Rhett, so late—what brings you here?" Henke asked, his bald head gleaming under the light.

"Look what I've brought you," Rhett said, sitting beside Henke and handing him a blank-covered notebook.

"A potion formula?" Henke took it without thinking, then dismissed the idea. The lord had just given him several alchemy formulas not long ago, and since he hadn't left the territory recently, it was unlikely he had another formula to share.

So, what could it be? Filled with curiosity, Henke opened the first page.

"On precisely controlling the temperature during the refining of low-grade potions..."

Who would be so bold as to start with low-grade potions? This category encompassed many types with countless details. How many alchemists could claim mastery over them all? Henke felt a bit skeptical, but out of respect for Rhett, he kept reading.

As he continued, he became more engrossed, until finally, he was stunned...

His knees nearly buckled, but with Rhett present, he resisted the urge to kneel...

Rhett smiled quietly, watching without interrupting.

After several minutes, Henke finally looked up in shock, exclaiming, "My goodness, whoever compiled this book must at least be an alchemy master—if not a saint-level alchemist! The insights are astounding, covering almost all the nuances of low-grade potion refining, with unique perspectives that left me in awe and greatly enlightened!"

Rhett remained silent, and this only deepened Henke's awe. How did the lord obtain such a manual? It was beyond belief!

Henke looked through the notebook again, marveling at its contents. "With this, not only I but all the mages in our territory who are dedicated to alchemy will surely achieve great success!"

Rhett rubbed his chin, his smile unchanged, and said, "Since that's the case, we must keep the contents of this notebook confidential. There's no need to say more, is there?"

Henke froze for a moment, then nodded vigorously. "Rest assured, I will keep it strictly confidential! I'll make several handwritten copies, seal them securely, and even break the contents down into separate records."

"Good. Also, mix in some fake notebooks with the real ones to further enhance security."

"No problem, Lord Rhett!"

After providing a few more details on confidentiality, Rhett asked, "So... do you think you can find a breakthrough for Black Raven's Curse now?"

"This time, I think I can!" Henke's face lit up with excitement. "The solutions to my problems with Black Raven's Curse—or at least ideas and inspiration—are all in this alchemy notebook. Give me a little more time, and I'll ensure its successful completion!"

"Excellent. I look forward to that day." Rhett smiled, patted Henke on the shoulder, and left the room.

As he descended the stairs, he saw Taylors, dressed in his pajamas, waiting with a mischievous grin on the second-floor landing.

"Hehe, Father, what about the sequel to Panlong that you promised me?"

"Hmm, I haven't gotten to it yet. But tomorrow, go see Henke—you'll have another surprise!" Rhett chuckled.

"Alright..." Taylors looked disappointed at first, but his eyes brightened again at the mention of a surprise, glancing toward the third floor.

"By the way, how's your training going? Remember, meditation is just as important as alchemy and novels," Rhett said, taking on a fatherly tone.

"Don't worry, Father. I have a feeling I'll break through to a second-level mage within a month!" Taylors said confidently.

I know, actually, it'll probably only take a week... Rhett smiled, patted Taylors on the shoulder, and continued on his way.

Nearly a month passed in the blink of an eye.

The territory's construction progressed steadily, and aside from Taylors' breakthrough and the addition of two of Wodelge's mercenaries, nothing significant occurred.

On August 17th, Rhett found himself alone in a forest clearing within the Dark-patterned Eagle range, meditating on the mysteries of the Sand Barrier.

After months of contemplation, aided by his newfound talents, he finally made a breakthrough.

At that moment, Rhett noticed a sudden acceleration in the flow of earth-element particles around him, which enveloped his surroundings like a thin mist.

This constant interpretation of the mysteries of Dissipation...

After months of accumulation, the understanding came naturally.

Today, at this moment, Rhett gained new insights into the mysteries of Dissipation.

"So that's how it is..." Rhett's eyes gleamed with understanding, and a profound sensation welled up within him.

This mysterious power wasn't something that could be conveyed through words. It was a matter of perception—you either understood it, or you didn't.

Filled with excitement, Rhett decided to experiment. He quietly conjured a spell: Earth Spike!

Shing!

A spike of earth, glowing with a pale yellow light, burst from the ground, sharp and menacing.

Then, Rhett focused his mental energy and cast Earth Spear.

Whoosh!

A pointed yellow spear appeared in mid-air, hurtling toward the earth spike with a brilliant streak of light.

The spear, resembling a yellow meteor, was on a collision course with the spike, but Rhett willed it to change!

Swish!

In an instant, the flying spear remained unchanged in shape but turned into a pale, sand-like yellow.

In the next moment, like a stream flowing through a rock, the sandy spear passed right through the spike's tip without any resistance.

Then, as Rhett released the Dissipation Mystery, the spear returned to its original deep yellow hue and continued its forward thrust.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The spear smashed into a series of trees, breaking them at the waist.

The spear's momentum didn't stop until it pierced through more than a dozen trees.

Reflecting on the experiment, Rhett thought, "This new application of the Dissipation Mystery doesn't directly increase the destructive power of magic, but it makes my attacks more flexible and unpredictable."

For example, in a direct confrontation, if an opponent hastily defends against an approaching earth spear with a sword, the sandy spear would slip through the weapon and strike them, making it easier to land a hit. In a sneak attack, it could be even more effective.

"Let's try Rockfall next!"

Rhett's eyes glinted as he cast another spell. Above the earth spike, a massive shadow appeared, a boulder dozens of meters wide falling with immense pressure.

The air hummed with tension.

"Dissipate!" Rhett invoked the Dissipation Mystery just as the boulder was about to hit the spike. Instantly, the deep yellow rock turned sandy and enveloped the spike without resistance.

"Solidify!" Rhett whispered, though he didn't actually know the Solidification Mystery. He merely canceled the Dissipation Mystery.

In a split second, the boulder solidified again, embedding the earth spike within it!

Now, only the lower half of the spike was exposed, the upper half completely engulfed by the rock!

Rhett's eyes brightened with satisfaction. This technique had great potential in combat.

With his rich battle experience, Rhett could already envision numerous scenarios where this trick would be invaluable. In cases where an opponent tried to block or shatter the attack, they would be in for a nasty surprise!

If a knight tried to slash through the boulder with a sword, even using Dou Qi and advanced techniques, the rock—under the influence of the Dissipation Mystery—would become impervious to any damage, absorbing the attack instead.

Then, when Rhett canceled the Dissipation Mystery, the boulder would revert to its original state, trapping the sword and leaving the enemy in a panic.

If someone tried to block it with their body, the consequences would be even more terrifying...

Rhett smiled lightly. After this experiment, he now had a clearer understanding of the Dissipation Mystery.

It wasn't omnipotent, but in certain situations, it could be surprisingly effective!

Next, Rhett gathered his mental energy and cast a high-level earth spell.

The earth element in the air trembled, condensing rapidly. The sky darkened as a dazzling yellow light flickered overhead!

Sharp, arm-thick spikes formed, and as soon as they appeared, they fell like a torrential downpour!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Countless spears of yellow light rained down, stabbing into the ground with great force.

Boom, boom, boom!

The powerful impacts kicked up dust, and when the dust settled, the ground was riddled with holes!

This was Earth Rainfall—a level 8 earth spell!

After casting it, Rhett calmly watched the grand display from the sidelines, like a spectator at a show.

The speed and intensity of the spear barrage left Rhett with a satisfied smile.

The spell he had just cast was, of course, inherited from the Saint-Grade bloodline potion. At level 8, it was far more powerful than Earth Armor.

"Earth Rainfall is like an advanced version of Earth Spear, with excellent wide-area damage that can overwhelm even opponents of the same level!" Rhett thought with satisfaction.

In addition to magic, Rhett had discovered that after absorbing the potion, the anti-toxin trait granted by the Earthrock Lizard bloodline potion had faded with the changes in his bloodline.

But after a month of observation, he had identified the new talent granted by the Saint-Grade bloodline potion: rapid healing.

As the name suggests, this talent accelerated the healing of wounds, but it was different from a knight's natural recovery through physical strength.

Rhett's rapid healing ability, inherited from the bloodline potion, allowed him to absorb earth elements to quickly heal injuries. This ability would continue to improve as his mental strength grew.

This effect was astonishing. In all the magical beasts Rhett had encountered, he had never seen such a talent. It was something he had discovered through a month of experimentation and named himself.

Returning to the estate, Rhett saw gardeners trimming the colorful flowerbeds and maids sweeping the fallen leaves from the green lawns.

Autumn was deepening, and the air had grown cooler.

He also spotted Kleina and Mina, walking together through the flower and tree-lined paths of the estate, chatting and laughing.

Further away, he saw Shar, Rio, and Bella moving barrels of wine from the cellar.

There were also many male servants pushing carts of fresh vegetables from the fields to the storage cellars, as it was the harvest season in August.

The scene was harmonious, bringing a smile to Rhett's face.

"Father!"

Suddenly, a loud voice came from the sky.

"I finally found you, Father!" Tuck descended slowly, riding on Mog, catching the attention of many estate servants.

Magical beasts were always a source of fear for ordinary people.

"Tuck, how many times have I told you not to shout? Mind your status!" Rhett sighed, shaking his head.

"Hehe, I'll remember next time." Tuck scratched his head, then said, "Father, when can we have another spar between Fireclaw and Mog? Last month, you supervised a big fight between them, and I noticed significant changes in Mog! If we continue with such life-and-death training, it will undoubtedly speed up their growth!"

Rhett smiled in surprise. "Why not now?"

Tuck's eyes lit up. "I've found a suitable spot in the mountains. Shall I take you there?"

"Sure."

The Dark-patterned Eagle range had been meticulously divided into several areas since Rhett took control.

The western Lone Peak housed the Dark-patterned Eagle's old nest.

The northwestern and southwestern forests, with many small mountains, were less dense than other regions.

The northeastern and southeastern parts of the range were covered in dense forests, where even daylight was dimmer than in other areas.

The central region was known as the Central Spring, as a spring constantly flowed from the ground, producing a clear, melodic sound as it trickled over the rocky slopes. It was also known as the "Spring Melody."

When Rhett had free time, he sometimes enjoyed the natural atmosphere around the spring.

Thus, the Dark-patterned Eagle range was divided into the northeastern and southeastern forests, the southwestern and northwestern forests, and the Central Spring.

Tuck led Rhett to the northwestern forest, about a hundred kilometers west of Cold Crystal Lake.

There, two small mountains, each nearly a hundred meters high, stood about ten meters apart, resembling two seats in an arena.

"Father, this is the place. One mountain for Fireclaw, one for Mog, with a fighting area of a thousand meters. What do you think?" Tuck pointed ahead.

"No problem. Let's begin." Rhett nodded slightly, recalling the recent months of training for Fireclaw and Mog. The two magical beasts sometimes played together, but their predatory nature made them prone to fighting. As magical beasts, this trait was even stronger, so they had frequently sparred over the past few months, growing stronger through combat.

At Rhett and Tuck's command, the two birds shot off their respective mountains like arrows.

Screech!

Screech!

Two long, sharp cries rang out.

One was crisp and bright, like a blazing flame.

The other was eerie and sharp, like the dark of night.

Whoosh

Whoosh

The two mid-level magical beasts cut through the air, colliding with each other, their sharp claws clashing with sparks.

Clang, clang, clang

In just a few seconds, their claws and beaks clashed at lightning speed, producing a series of sharp, crisp sounds.

Suddenly, Fireclaw retreated, creating some distance, and opened its beak to conjure a fist-sized fireball!

A wave of scorching heat rushed toward Mog.

"Fireball!" Tuck exclaimed, turning to his father. "Father, when did Fireclaw learn Fireball?"

Last time, the two magical beasts had only relied on physical combat, without using magic.

Rhett smiled faintly. "Just recently, thanks to my training."

"Training? Father, how did you train Fireclaw's magic? Can you teach me? I'd like Mog to master magic as soon as possible too!" Tuck asked eagerly.

"Hehe, I just experimented. It worked, but I can't teach you—you wouldn't be able to learn it."

"Why not?" Tuck scratched his head, puzzled.

Rhett gave him a sidelong glance and explained, "I subjected Fireclaw to a series of harsh trials—submerging it in water, attacking it with ice, confining it in a cold cellar..."

Though Tuck was somewhat oblivious, as a knight, he quickly understood. He realized, "So, Father, you used extreme conditions to push Fireclaw to its limits, forcing it to unlock its potential and master Fireball early!"

"Exactly. Whether human or magical beast, when pushed to the brink, they unleash unimaginable potential." Rhett smiled faintly.

Clang!

Bang!

Thud!

The battle between Fireclaw and Mog grew fiercer. Their claws clashed as they tangled and fought between the two mountains, neither willing to back down.

The mountains bore the brunt of the fight, with their sharp peaks shattering and rolling down as boulders.

Red and black feathers drifted down, like a shower of vivid rain.

Mog made a mistake and was hit by Fireball on its chest, letting out a painful screech.

Tuck's heart tightened with worry, but he knew that for magical beasts to grow, they had to endure hardship.

The intense battle lasted an hour.

The cries of the birds grew tired and weak.

By now, Fireclaw and Mog had separated, each perched on its mountain, their eyes still fierce and unyielding.

"Good thing I recently trained Fireclaw in Fireball. Without it, it would've been hard to gain the upper hand against Mog, with its mid-level bloodline potential." Rhett rubbed his chin, mumbling to himself.

After observing for a while and seeing that Fireclaw was in much better shape than Mog, Rhett was quite satisfied.

After all, his main goal was to train Mog and accelerate its growth.

As for Fireclaw, Rhett wasn't particularly concerned. As long as it could carry him in flight, that was enough.

Fireclaw's low-level bloodline potential meant its future growth was limited. Without taking a bloodline potion, it would likely only reach the third level as a magical beast, with little chance of breaking through its bloodline shackles.

Ten years of hard training might not bring as much improvement as a single bloodline enhancement.

So Rhett focused on training Fireclaw to match Mog or even suppress it!

"Father, let's head back and have Vicky heal our pets!" Tuck said, cradling Mog in his arms, his heart aching at the sight of its blood-stained black feathers.

After the fierce battle, both birds were exhausted. Fireclaw lay panting at Rhett's feet, while Mog rested weakly in Tuck's arms, injured but alive.

At this moment, Vicky was on patrol around Dark Eagle City.

She and Milton had also joined Rhett's territory.

But unlike Wodelge, once Vicky and Milton learned that Wodelge had given up his position as leader of the Flame Lion Mercenary Group and retired from the mercenary world, they too lost the desire for adventure.

They officially joined Rhett's territory, rather than staying as friends. This way, they received a generous salary and stable resources every month—why not?

"Ah... What a leisurely time, not having to risk our lives for missions. This feels great!" Vicky chuckled, her bright red lips curving into a smile. Her mage's robe accentuated her curvaceous figure.

"Vicky!"

"Hmm? Lord Rhett?" She turned in surprise at the familiar voice.

"My magical beast is injured. I need your healing magic." Rhett approached, carrying Fireclaw.

Vicky glanced at the bloodied Firefeather Eagle and Dark-patterned Eagle and smiled. "Leave it to me."

She channeled her mental energy, and the light elements in the air quickly gathered into a radiant beam that flowed into Fireclaw's body like a miniature waterfall.

As it was bathed in the light, Fireclaw's eyes brightened, its wounds healing rapidly, and its feathers regained their vibrant color.

It suddenly took off from Rhett's side, joyfully circling in the sky, chirping happily.

"Vicky, please heal my Mog too!" Tuck pleaded, full of hope.

"One moment!"

Healing magic was unique, and after casting it, Vicky clearly felt drained. After a few seconds of rest, she took a deep breath and cast another healing spell on Mog.

"There, they're both healthy now!" Vicky said, slightly fatigued, as if she'd worked all night.

Seeing this, Rhett smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Vicky. Dark Eagle City is lucky to have you."

"Oh, don't say that, Lord Rhett. It's I who feel more relaxed than ever since joining!" Vicky laughed sweetly, pleasantly surprised.

After a brief conversation, Rhett and Tuck returned to Dark Rock Castle.

Ten peaceful days passed.

Rhett temporarily paused his contemplation of the mysteries and shifted his focus back to magic training.

Both his intuition and the simulations indicated that his understanding of the Dissipation Mystery had reached a new level. Going further would require delving into more profound realms, with corresponding challenges that might be insurmountable in the short term. Continuing to meditate on it wouldn't be worth the time.

That day, Rhett was practicing Sand Wolf Howl on a grassy field, controlling three sand wolves as they fought each other.

At the same time, he thought about what he had heard: that the Earth element also had a Solidification Mystery. If he could master it and combine it with Sand Wolf Howl, he might achieve something remarkable:

The bodies of the sand wolves could become incredibly solid, with both defense and attack greatly enhanced. But if pierced or slashed, they could quickly return to their sand-like state...

His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he looked forward to the day he could grasp the Solidification Mystery.

After several minutes.

Rhett stopped practicing Sand Wolf Howl, and the three sand wolves stood motionless.

He gazed at the empty field ahead and suddenly said:

"Blackstar, if you keep watching, I might have to charge you for the show."

Talking to thin air seemed strange.

But the next moment, a voice of amusement came from the shadows ahead:

"Haha, Rhett, I knew I couldn't fool you. I thought becoming a magus would put me on equal footing with you, but who knew you'd become a fifth-level magus so quickly, you monster!"

As the voice faded, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

Short in stature with bright eyes, the figure had a face covered with a scarf—matching the aura Rhett had sensed. It was Blackstar.

Blackstar's tone was full of joy, having heard that Rhett intended to return him to his gang of criminals. Anyone Rhett valued couldn't be a weakling.

Tap, tap, tap

Shortly after Blackstar appeared, a tall woman quickly ran over from the distance, like a black steed unleashed!

Her speed was astonishing, and Rhett couldn't believe his eyes—how could a fourth-level knight move so fast?

"The speed of a fifth-level knight couldn't be much faster, right?" Rhett mused. Of course, this didn't include wind-element knights or those with advanced movement techniques.

"Congratulations, Earl Rhett. You're now the most powerful noble on the Southwest Frontier." The tall woman adjusted her hair and wielded a long whip, her voice tinged with laziness.

"Just luck." Rhett smiled faintly.

He watched as the tall woman joined Blackstar, and casually asked:

"The speed of your advancement has surprised me. You must have taken Saint-Grade bloodline potions, right?"

His words were met with silence.

Blackstar laughed it off without answering and instead asked, "Rhett, where are the criminals you mentioned, and how strong are they?"

Clearly changing the subject, Rhett didn't press the issue and replied, "They're in the White Rat Range. Their strength is unknown, but a friend told me they possess a blood-red orb. After some research, I found it to be a Blood Origin Orb."

"Blood Origin Orb?" Blackstar's eyes widened in shock, his voice urgent. "Could they be part of that organization?"

"Hmm? What organization?" Rhett asked.

"The one that controls Blood Origin Orbs and possibly harbors Blood Spirits. After some investigation, I can tell you this organization is incredibly dangerous, though it's too far away to reach us." Blackstar hesitated, then shared this seemingly insignificant detail.

"Is this what your organization uncovered?" Rhett was surprised but tried to sound nonchalant.

"Yes..." Blackstar responded after a brief silence.

The tall woman interrupted, "Enough talk. We should act now. Earl Rhett, where are these criminals in the White Rat Range?"

"Yes, let's move quickly." Blackstar agreed, eager to avoid discussing his organization further.

"No problem. My friend found their tracks in the northern part of the White Rat Range, near the border with the Thunder Bear Range. If we search the north first, we'll cover more ground faster." Rhett said, then looked at the tall woman and asked:

"By the way, what's your name... or code name, beautiful lady?"

"Goldsand." The tall woman brushed her golden hair aside.

"Blackstar... Goldsand..." Rhett silently repeated their names, thinking they made a good pair.

After a brief discussion, Rhett had them wait while he whistled for Fireclaw and headed to the Alchemy Lab.

In a laboratory on the first floor of the Alchemy Tower.

On the spotless floor, Taylors stood intently before a cauldron, holding red and blue vials of magical plant extracts, ready to mix them.

Rhett entered and said directly, "Come with me, Taylors!"

"Huh? Father, I haven't finished my potion yet." Taylors replied reluctantly.

"When we return, I'll give you the next part of Panlong."

"Really?"

"Haha, let's go now. The novel can wait—I can't wait to enjoy the scenery outside!" Taylors' eyes sparkled with excitement as he spoke with mock seriousness.

With everyone gathered, the four of them and one beast set off for the White Rat Range.

The White Rat Range was north of the Dark-patterned Eagle Range, and the Thunder Bear Range lay further north.

A week later.

Fireclaw, after a long journey, had reached its limit carrying four people.

As its cry echoed through the golden valley, they landed, arriving at the White Rat Range.

"Having a flying beast sure is convenient. I'll have to get one someday," Blackstar said, standing by a stream in the valley and watching Fireclaw wash itself in the water.

"Oh? That shouldn't be too hard for you." Rhett said casually, glancing at him.

"Well, I'm not short on coins, but flying beasts are hard to catch, and finding young ones is even harder." Blackstar shrugged, resigned.

Goldsand nodded in agreement. Magical pets were rare, and finding a newly born one was nearly impossible.

Blackstar crossed the stream and scanned the White Rat Range. The area resembled a long, dark, and quiet ravine, over a hundred meters deep. Gnarled trees clung to the cliffs, growing layer upon layer up the slopes, forming dense forests.

He turned to Rhett and asked, "So, where do we go from here? Do you have any leads?"

Rhett looked around, pretending to think, while actually crafting a plausible excuse. After a moment, he said:

"Since these criminals are evil alchemists, they'll likely hide in a secluded spot. We can rule out open areas.

So they have two options: hidden spaces within the mountains or underground caves. Those environments are ideal for concealment."

Goldsand pondered this. "Hmm... That makes sense. I think they're more likely in the mountain spaces. We flew from the southern part of the White Rat Range to get here, and the mountains are endless, making it hard to find anyone hiding in them."

The White Rat Range was even vaster than the Dark-patterned Eagle Range, and Rhett had noticed the abundance of mountains on the way.

Blackstar, however, disagreed. "No, I think they've set up their base underground. Underground spaces are far more extensive than those in the mountains."

Goldsand frowned and shook her head. "But setting up underground would be inconvenient. Evil alchemists frequently move corpses and dispose of waste materials. If their base is too deep underground, going back and forth would be difficult. If it's too shallow, they'd risk exposure."

Hearing this, Blackstar frowned too. "How about we split up? You search the mountain spaces, and I'll search the underground caves."

"No need for that."

Rhett's sudden interjection drew their attention.

His expression unchanged, Rhett continued, "We'll walk near the surface and conduct a thorough search.

With me here, whether it's a hidden space in the mountains or an underground cave, I'll detect any anomalies!"

Only then did they remember that they had a fifth-level earth mage with them, far more attuned to earth elements than either of them.