Published at 20th of April 2026 6:40 am

Chapter 2750: The Traveler’s Hymn

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"Have the fungal spores on you been cleared?" Kaier hesitated for a moment but eventually walked over to Vay. In a setting filled with Official Wizards, he instinctively preferred staying close to fellow apprentice Vay.

Vay didn’t say anything, simply nodding silently.

Although Kaier found Vay’s reaction a bit odd, he didn’t think much of it and casually asked, "Wasn’t it difficult to remove them before? How were they suddenly cleared?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kaier noticed something was off because he inadvertently glimpsed Dox standing across from him.

Dox was clutching his fist to his mouth, his face turned away, his shoulders shaking as if he was... secretly laughing?

Perplexed, Kaier looked to the other side, where Angel showed no expression but gazed at him with a meaningful look.

The atmosphere was so peculiar that Kaier suddenly felt at a loss. He turned to ask Vay, only to find that the previously silent Vay was looking up at a forty-five-degree angle at the dark void. Through the light above the dueling platform, one could vaguely see his eyes were slightly moist as if there were tears swirling within.

Was Vay... crying?

As Kaier doubted his own eyes, the voice of the Black Earl suddenly came through.

"You’ll be up next, but for the match after that, there will be a substitution."

The Black Earl’s tone left no room for negotiation, and Kaier naturally didn’t dare to refuse. As for who would go next, there was no need to think much; only Vay could.

Could it be that Vay’s tears stemmed from reluctance to duel?

If that’s the case, then there’s really no need to worry. Previously, Lord Chaowei had already discussed each battle’s strategy with him. For instance, the previous match with Fenmo was entirely planned by Angel.

So, simply relaying the battle strategy to Vay should eliminate his reluctance, right?

Kaier tentatively expressed his speculation in a roundabout way.

In response, the Black Earl merely scoffed, while Vay seemed not to hear at all, looking soul-lost, gazing into the distance.

It was then that Angel provided an answer through the Mind Ribbon: "No need to communicate strategy; just like before, Vay will have his own setup."

Kaier: "No need to communicate strategy? But..."

Kaier wanted to say that Vay seemed very reluctant, but the words stuck in his throat, and instead, he said, "But the remaining two apprentices opposite look quite tough..."

Both the massive Magic Elephant whose features were hard to discern and the Shepherd leaning on the dark-faced sheep appeared much stronger than Fenmo. Especially the Magic Elephant, whose thick blood aura Kaier could feel threatening from afar. As for the Shepherd, it wasn’t clear how strong he was, but the Black Earl had already clearly stated he was a "Rhythm Apprentice."

As long as one is a Rhythm Apprentice, they can’t be underestimated, even if it’s not the strongest Rhythm of Water.

Angel reassured him: "Don’t worry, the ghostly ability previously did restrain Vay quite a bit, and didn’t Vay still manage to turn the tables on his own? Trust Vay, he will have his own strategies. Besides, compared to the duel with the ghost, in the next duel, Vay will at least know who his opponent is, giving him more time to devise a plan."

Since there were only two apprentices left on the opposite side, whichever one Kaier faced in the next duel meant Vay’s opponent would be the other.

Of course, this relies on Kaier winning the next duel; otherwise, Vay would have to face a two-person relay of opponents.

However, Angel seemed quite certain that Kaier would secure a victory. After all, he had revealed only one of the cards he gave Kaier, the Nightmare Illusion Mark. If the remaining cards couldn’t even handle one person, how could Angel have the audacity to call them trump cards?

On second thought, Kaier found reason in that. If he could handle the Magic Elephant, then Vay only needed to figure out how to handle the Shepherd, and vice versa.

In this way, Vay would know his opponent in advance, giving him ample time to prepare. As Lord Chaowei said, trust Vay, he will definitely have his own strategies.

Thinking of this, Kaier nodded: "I understand."

Angel smiled brightly: "Glad you understand."

After a pause, Angel suddenly added, "Anyway, even if Vay loses then, can’t you still step up?"

This duel was different from the Sky Tower’s competition rules. The victor could always choose to let a teammate take over and rest, and after resting, they could return if they wished. The loser, however, would be directly eliminated and have no chance to return.

Therefore, as long as Kaier won the next match, even if Vay lost the match after that, Kaier would still have the opportunity to step back in and reclaim victory.

Angel blinked at Kaier with a demeanor that said, "I have faith in you."

Kaier was momentarily dazed. Though what Lord Chaowei said was logical, the sudden shift from ’trust Vay’ to discussing the possibility of stepping in if Vay loses left Kaier unsure how to respond, and made him wonder whether Lord Chaowei actually had faith in Vay or not.

Kaier didn’t voice his question, but Angel understood from his gaze.

Does he have faith in Vay or not? This was a complex question even for Angel, as he didn’t know whether the Black Earl had prepared any cards for Vay or if Vay’s plan could ensure victory.

In terms of winning odds, he had more faith in Kaier, because Kaier had the cards Angel gave him. So, rather than expressing faith in Vay or Kaier, Angel seemed to place more faith in himself.

Without further explanation, Angel chuckled and said: "You performed well in the last duel, keep it up."

After these words, Angel intended to end the brief exchange.

However, Kaier quickly seized the moment to voice his greatest curiosity: "My lord, Vay seemed to be crying earlier...it’s odd, is he alright?"

Angel paused for a second before responding, "Ah, that. I think it’s best if you don’t inquire now. Once we leave here and return to the Sandworm Market, you can ask Dox privately...if you’re still interested in the matter by then."

With a tone full of implications, Angel offered a vague answer.

Kaier, still somewhat perplexed, didn’t quite grasp it. Generally, outside of relic intelligence, he didn’t concern himself much with other matters. Given Lord Chaowei’s suggestion, perhaps there was something delicately complex about this situation? If so, Kaier felt it best not to seek an in-depth explanation.

After the conversation, Kaier’s excitement and thrill from his previous victory gradually calmed down. Moreover, knowing he only had one more opponent to deal with reduced his mental burden once more.

Soon after, the voice of the Wise Sovereign resounded, announcing the recommencement of the duel.

Kaier was still the first to step onto the stage, and shortly after he did, a melodious pastoral tune reached his ears.

Kaier looked up at his opponent, and in the backlight, a man with green hair wearing a Sheep Demon mask was leisurely walking onto the arena, whistling softly as he went.

His steps were relaxed and leisurely, reminiscent of a stroll through his own backyard, matching his loose robe and casually tied green hair, adding to his carefree demeanor.

If not for the mask, he might have appeared even more languid.

As Kaier was pondering this, his opponent stopped several meters away, ceased humming, and removed the Sheep Demon mask from his face.

Previously, the Phantom had also removed the mask, but it was more like creating a spectacle—only taking off half of it, leaving room for imagination, and then putting it back on. The atmosphere was maximized, but it had no real effect.

But as for this one, the removal of the mask was genuinely thorough, revealing the true face. Beneath the mask was a young man who wasn’t particularly handsome but exuded a gentle and elegant demeanor that matched his overall aura.

After he removed the Sheep Demon mask, it automatically shrank and was pinned to his waist.

Only then did he raise his eyes to look at Kaier. With a slight twist of the short flute in his hand, he elegantly bowed: "Shepherd, pleased to make your acquaintance."

Kaier pondered for a moment and softly responded, "Traveler."

The Shepherd was slightly taken aback, then smiled warmly: "You call yourself Traveler? We share quite a connection with our names."

Kaier furrowed his brow, wondering how the names Traveler and Shepherd could possibly be related. Though he was frustrated internally, he maintained his silence outwardly.

Seeing Kaier not responding, the Shepherd wasn’t annoyed, and still warmly said, "Our hearts are not in place."

Kaier hadn’t yet grasped the Shepherd’s meaning when the Shepherd went on to explain: "The heart of the Traveler is in distant lands. And the heart of the Shepherd is also far away, in the forest where the wind caresses, on the coast with white sands and lapping waves, in the fertile lands where water plants flourish, and... upon the stars that flicker with endless brilliance."

Kaier was momentarily stunned by this series of parallels and exclamations, taking a while to regain his senses: "You don’t seem like a Shepherd; you’re more like a bard."

The Shepherd laughed: "Actually, they’re the same. A Shepherd tends to the sheep he holds; a Poet tends to the sheep racing within his heart."

Every word the Shepherd spoke, if uttered by someone else, would likely feel awkward. Yet, inexplicably, when spoken by the Shepherd, it carried an elegant rhythm, as if these words were meant to be from his mouth, causing no discomfort, only nobility and melodiousness.

If on a moonlit night, cradling a harp, strolling leisurely, the lovestruck girl hears the Shepherd’s eloquence, she would likely fall immediately.

Faced with such an eloquent opponent, Kaier suddenly felt a bit flustered, unsure of what would be appropriate to say.

Remaining silent felt as though he was inferior. But speaking, and possibly saying something inappropriate, might make him seem disadvantaged by comparison.

This sudden mental conundrum made Kaier feel increasingly uneasy.

It seemed the Shepherd could read Kaier’s mind, as he smiled gently and alleviated the situation: "The Traveler’s steps never stop; you’ve surely seen many landscapes, haven’t you?"

Kaier instinctively replied, "I like exploring relics."

The Shepherd: "Indeed, every Traveler has their own hobbies and goals, and continuously presses forward for them. Truly enviable, though my heart is far away, my body remains in place."

Kaier: "Why?"

The Shepherd paused for a second before smiling and saying, "Because I have to tend to the sheep."

As the Shepherd finished speaking, the voice of the Wise Sovereign timely interrupted: "Idle chatter can cease, let the duel commence."

Though the Wise Sovereign had announced the duel’s start, neither the Shepherd nor Kaier moved immediately.

The Shepherd spun his flute, then grasped it firmly: "I don’t really enjoy fighting, I much prefer playing the flute. Do you have any melody you’d like to hear?"

Kaier didn’t respond, but instead extended his hand to lightly draw a spatial fissure beside him.

The fissure gradually enlarged until it could accommodate a person. Then, from the fissure—which should now be called a rift—emerged a towering figure.

The newcomer was bathed in a metallic luster, exuding a mechanical beauty from head to toe.

"Alchemy Golem," the Shepherd raised an eyebrow.

Kaier said nothing, nor did he let the Alchemy Golem advance, keeping a wary eye on the Shepherd.

The Shepherd shrugged: "Since you didn’t answer, I’ll just play whatever comes to mind... Do you like the sound of the wind?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Shepherd lifted the flute to his lips, and a melodious tune began to play.

Accompanying the melody was a gentle wind that enveloped the Shepherd.

Riding the wind, the Shepherd ascended, hovering mid-air.

At this point, the Shepherd lowered the short flute and looked at Kaier: "The Rhythm of Wind is a hymn played for the Traveler."

While Kaier was still puzzled, the Shepherd’s tune resumed, and this time the surrounding wind was no longer gentle, gradually becoming dense.

It seemed as if thin strands of mist and interwoven rain clouds appeared, with thick clouds turning to a somber hue under the dense wind, twisting constantly.

Meanwhile, before Kaier’s eyes appeared a long road filled with thunder, storms, and dark clouds.

Now Kaier seemed to somewhat understand what the Shepherd meant by ’hymn played for the Traveler.’

This was an epic of the Traveler’s journey, a long-song played for the Traveler.

Every traveler encounters ups and downs on their journey—the road is a path of thorns, shrouded by torrential rain and fierce winds.

The Shepherd’s role at this moment was that of the storm and gale hindering the Traveler. Passing through meant reaching the hymn; falling here meant the death knell!

Needless to say, the Shepherd’s "imposition" surpassed that of the Phantom by leaps and bounds.

If "imposition" is divided into inherent and overt, the Phantom had only a superficial overt while the Shepherd had both inherent and overt.

Under such imposition, even Kaier almost "succumbed."

—Being treated with such regard by the Shepherd, Kaier suddenly felt an urge to forsake the Out of Discussion strategies, abandon the Alchemy Golem. He wanted to fight using his own abilities, like Vay, to attain victory.

However, that was but a fleeting thought.

Kaier recognized the reality; if he truly gave up the Out of Discussion strategies, his chances of winning wouldn’t be great. At this critical juncture, if he lost the duel due to impulsiveness, he himself would feel guilt.

Moreover, beyond any "real battle," Kaier looked forward more to exploring the relics after achieving victory.

Relic exploration far surpasses everything else in interest.

With that thought, Kaier refrained from further spiraling thoughts and focused on this crucial battle that must not be lost.

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