Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree-Chapter 479: Departure

Several days later, the familiar salty sea breeze of Harbor City came rushing in once more.

The Duke waited on a secluded coast, and from afar, he could see that familiar figure.

Vivian was still as charming and beautiful as ever, though there was a hint of worry etched between her brows.

Seeing Duke, she quickened her steps and walked over, her eyes filled with sincere joy and a subtle, barely noticeable reliance.

"Duke!" Vivian’s voice carried a slight cheerfulness, clearly relieved that he could accompany her back.

"Are all the items prepared?" Duke asked with a smile, his gaze sweeping over her, clearly feeling the aura of a Level 1 Gaseous Mage, but her foundation seemed steadier than before. She presumably hadn’t slackened during the Plane Battlefield and her time returning.

Vivian’s spiritual power had evidently become more refined, and her experiences on the Plane Battlefield had led to significant growth.

"Everything on my side is ready, let’s go." Vivian nodded.

With a thought, Duke heard a piercing, majestic, and powerful eagle’s cry from high above.

In the next moment, a massive shadow enveloped the coast where the two stood.

The Storm Dragon Eagle descended from the heavens, landing beside them, instantly occupying a large area of the coast.

This was also why Duke chose to meet Vivian here; there weren’t many people around, and the Storm Dragon Eagle’s size was too conspicuous within Harbor City.

Duke patted the lowered neck of the Storm Dragon Eagle, which affectionately nuzzled his palm with its beak.

"With it here, we’ll reach the Florence Continent in just five or six days. It’s much faster than a sea ship and more convenient and free than renting a Floating Airship."

He agilely leaped onto the broad and solid back of the Storm Dragon Eagle first, extending his hand to Vivian.

Without hesitation, Vivian took Duke’s hand, using her foot lightly to step onto the Storm Dragon Eagle’s back.

"Hold on." Duke reminded.

Vivian smiled and leaned closer to Duke, holding his arm while steadying herself on the top.

The Storm Dragon Eagle then let out an exuberant cry, its giant wings beating fiercely, stirring up a strong airflow, and its massive body shot up into the sky like an arrow, quickly climbing higher.

A strong airflow came rushing in, blowing Vivian’s long hair wildly.

She hadn’t had time to react before a gentle yet resilient Wind Element shield formed around them, isolating the intense airflow, leaving only stability and the magnificent landscape speeding below their feet.

Since his promotion to Crystalized Mage, Duke’s perception and manipulation of the Wind Element had become more powerful.

Vivian, although also specialized in Wind Element as an Elemental Mage, was far inferior to Duke in terms of affinity and control.

Overlooking from high above, the boundless blue ocean resembled a giant gemstone, and distant Harbor City swiftly shrank, turning into a blurry black dot on the coastline.

White clouds swirled beside them, sunlight fell unobstructed, bringing forth a sense of freedom and vastness.

Vivian gazed at the clouds rapidly retreating below and the faint horizon, her worry seemingly eased somewhat by the magnificent journey.

Duke commanded the Storm Dragon Eagle, instructing it on a safe route avoiding the Sea Race’s forbidden zones.

The Storm Dragon Eagle easily understood these instructions, and its mastery of air currents was exquisite, making the flight exceptionally steady, with a speed as swift as lightning.

The journey was long, but with companionship, it seemed less dull.

Occasionally, Duke would talk to Vivian about past events on the Florence Continent, about Earl Hardy, sharing their experiences and insights gained over the years on the West Coast.

Most of the time, they would immerse themselves in their own thoughts or meditation.

During the day, they soared between blue skies and azure seas, watching the sunrise and sunset, the clouds rolling and unrolling.

At night, the Storm Dragon Eagle would seek out deserted islands or large rocks for rest, with Duke responsible for keeping watch.

On the third evening of their journey, the Storm Dragon Eagle landed on a seemingly lush, moderate-sized deserted island near the flight route, intending to take a break.

However, as soon as they approached the island, Duke sharply sensed an unusual energy fluctuation and faint sounds of combat coming from the other side of the island.

"There’s a situation." Duke’s expression tightened, signaling the Storm Dragon Eagle to lower its altitude and silently land on a high ground at the edge of the island, using the dense forest to conceal their presence.

He felt somewhat strange because, normally, this should be relatively safe here, with all the information having been checked beforehand, with data recently updated.

Yet now, they suddenly encountered some situations, making Duke and Vivian both more alert.

Looking through the gaps in the trees towards the source of the sounds, they saw a fierce battle taking place on the beach on the other side of the island.

One of the warring parties was about a dozen Sea Race warriors.

They had humanoid bodies covered in faintly glowing scales, wielding tridents and spears made of coral, shell, or some kind of deep-sea metal, manipulating water currents and ice spikes for attack.

The leading warrior had a formidable aura, at least at the Level 1 Peak Life.

Their opponents, however, were a group of bizarre creatures neither had ever seen before.

These creatures were about dog-sized, with fierce appearances, covered in dark purple chitinous shells, large compound eyes on their heads, and sharp mandibles that opened and closed, emitting a "click" sound.

They moved swiftly, crawling on all fours, occasionally gliding lowly in the air, able to spew highly corrosive acid from their mouths, and some individuals had shells that flashed with eerie glows, deflecting or absorbing the Sea Race’s energy attacks.

"What are these demons? I’ve never seen them." Vivian furrowed her delicate brows, her eyes filled with confusion and vigilance.

The appearance and attack methods of these creatures did not match any known magical beast or Other Plane creature she was aware of.

If it were in the Other Plane and they didn’t recognize them, it would be understandable, given the Endless Plane is vast and incomprehensible, there are always unfamiliar creatures.

But here they were on the Wizard Plane, with Vivian’s usual studies at the Thorn Holy Tower making her quite familiar with the species of the Wizard Plane.

Duke similarly furrowed his brows, his senses even sharper.

He could sense the aura emanating from these demons carried a pure, icy desire for devouring and destruction, starkly distinct from the wild nature of typical magical beasts, resembling more... a weapon.

At that moment, the Sea Race warriors, though individually powerful, had found themselves in a bitter struggle against these bizarre creatures, far outnumbering them and seemingly able to continuously emerge from the depths of the island.