Mage Legend

"That's better now," Lynch said. "No matter what those Snake-men want to excavate, it's impossible for them to enter the legendary Gem River again. Morgan, when you go back, you'd better persuade the Dwarf King, but don't tell him directly about our discovery. I think, as long as the dwarves stop working, these Snake-men will slowly withdraw."

"I understand, that's the safest way!" Morgan replied. "If treasures are to be discovered, it's the business of the dwarves themselves, we don't need snake-heads to help."

Zilvra suddenly nudged Lynch and whispered, "Let's leave quickly, I've heard a lot of hissing sounds. There must be quite a few Snake-men coming this way."

The three of them hurried away, though the dwarf was being dragged along. Morgan's big red beard bobbed up and down. Although he said nothing, Lynch could sense his excitement, eager for action.

Climbing those racks again was not difficult, at least not with the Mage's flight spell making it effortless for them. Lynch estimated that it had been at least three days since they left the dwarf city, and he wasn't sure how things would have changed there.

Before returning to the dwarf city, the three already sensed a noticeable change in the atmosphere. It was livelier than when they left, the number of dwarf residents on the streets had visibly increased, and everyone's face was brimming with smiles. The guards greeted them from a distance, clearly more enthusiastic.

"Is there some kind of festival going on with the dwarves recently?" Lynch asked. "I seem to detect a festive atmosphere."

"I'm not sure about that either. Lynch, you know, it's been a long time since I last returned, maybe it's an elder's birthday?" Morgan quickened his pace to reach the guard. "Tell me, what happened recently to make everyone so happy?"

"Haha, you all left at the wrong time and just missed a major discovery." The guard whispered to Morgan, "The miners have returned, saying that the Snake-men have found traces of the Gem River, and soon both sides will collaborate to complete this magnificent discovery. Our king is now negotiating with the Snake-man Leader about how to allocate the potential findings!"

"How can this be? Those gemstones clearly..." Morgan had just started to speak when Lynch covered his mouth. The mage quickly pretended to scold the dwarf, saying, "You don't want to monopolize it, do you, Morgan? You should at least respect the work of others!" Zilvra came up and pulled the dwarf's beard, dragging him into the city.

"How can this be!" As soon as the dwarf's mouth was freed, he shouted, "Where did they discover the Gem River? Are there other Rock Spirits guiding them? I don't believe it!"

Lynch thought for a moment, then said, "Morgan, you go to see the Dwarf King now and find out the specifics, but absolutely cannot mention anything about the All-Knowing Tower, absolutely not! I'd love to go with you, but here, I'm afraid I wouldn't be of much help and might instead arouse the Snake-men's suspicions."

"Got it! I'll make those guys tell the truth!" Morgan said. Lynch gave him another stern look, which slowly calmed the dwarf: "I understand, I won't speak carelessly!"

"If there is really a Gem River, then we don't have to worry, right?" Zilvra said to the mage after Morgan walked away. "It could be a huge treasure. We've already seen a floating city, is it so incredible to have a treasure trove beneath the Ridge Mountains?"

"How can you not see the trickery here?" Lynch asked Zilvra. "The shortcut caves were discovered by the Snake-men, and the Dark Elf's head was taken by them. And this time, the discovery of the Gem River's traces evidently has nothing to do with the dwarves. Didn't you hear the guards say that it's the Snake-men telling the dwarves about their achievements?"

"Of course, I know the possibility that the Snake-men are deceiving the dwarves, I've used such methods countless times." Zilvra's cool hand touched Lynch's cheek, and she smiled, "Last time, for the elf, you almost died in the Residual Star Swamp, and I almost lost my life too. I don't know how the situation in the Dwarf Country will evolve this time. But before you've provided me with enough service, I should at least be concerned about the servant's safety. Right now, it's very hard to find an obedient mage."

Lynch sighed but rather enjoyed this unusual concern from Zilvra. He didn't argue further, only saying, "Let's go check on Soka first."

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Recommended fantasy novel M28's "Dragon and Dungeon: Martial Monk," http://www.qidian.com/book/showbook.aspx?bookid=60207. Although the name isn't great, the content is becoming more and more exciting.