Mage Legend-Chapter 401: Travel and Travel Beyond Travel - Eleven Heather_2

"Whenever anyone has a high fever, they feel dizzy." Lynch took out a few strawberries: "You had a serious illness, and why you got sick is something I’m trying to figure out. But since you’ve recovered, don’t think too much about it."

"Hmm!" Soka looked at the strawberries and nodded vigorously.

Lynch gently stirred the river with his Powerful Wand, letting the small boat glide across the water like a leaf. The Erutalon River became narrower, with countless tributaries spreading out like a spider’s web, covering the lands of Moon. Lush trees grew on both banks, their immense canopies even extending over the river, covering Lynch and his companions’ heads. Dappled sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, reflecting a silvery glow on the gently rippling water.

Soka felt that they were not sailing on the river, but softly floating through the forest.

They rounded a bend in the river, only to find their path completely blocked by enormous trees. Fine branches dangled down like tendrils, reaching into the water, arranged tightly like a delicate curtain. The small boat stopped before this natural barrier, unable to move forward.

"Do we need to walk from the shore?" Zilvra asked, "Or should we go over the branches?"

"No," Lynch smiled and said, "These trees will clear a path for us."

He stood up, placed his hand on the drooping branches beside him, and whispered in Elf Language: "A thousand years of time, everlasting friendship, kind guests or urgent messages."

The trees understood this passphrase and neatly withdrew their limbs. The curtain of trees opened to both sides, revealing a winding passage.

The river beneath them began to flow on its own, without the need for the three of them to row. Erutalon led its distant guests into the land where elves have thrived for generations.

The barrier slowly closed behind them, while the view ahead astonished Soka. The gentle riverbanks were lush with green grass, and vibrant flowers dotted the moist leaves. A breeze swept through, as colorful flowers and plants nodded in welcome to the approaching guests. A few ancient trees stood like guardians caring for the little flowers. They stood quietly at the riverside, lowering themselves, and chatted with their younger counterparts in a whispering rustle.

A few enormous swans appeared on the river, leisurely sailing towards the small boat. The shimmering water splashed white near their curved bosoms. Their beaks glinted with golden light, their eyes as dark as smooth coal set in yellow gemstones. Their expansive white wings spread out. They curved their necks, loudly calling to the Angel. Perhaps they thought little Soka, with her wings, was one of their beautiful kin.

If one calms the mind and clears away all distracting thoughts, they can hear the melodious song from afar. This music echoes in your ears whenever you’re relaxed, but if you focus on understanding the song’s origin or its elegant lyrics, the celestial sound grows increasingly faint until it vanishes among the distant green mountains.

Soka turned over happily, lying on the ship’s edge. She reached her little hands into the river, feeling the silky water beneath her fingertips. The coolness washed away her fatigue and carried away the weary dust.

Lynch pointed to the distant mountains, shrouded in mist, with a rainbow hanging across the peaks. A flock of birds soared through the mountains, resembling a school of fish swimming through a sea of clouds.

"That is Isley Heather of Moon, meaning ’Blessing of Moonlight,’ or ’Land of the Resting Moon,’" Lynch said to Zilvra and Soka. "However, outsiders always call it Heather City, the eternally blessed place."

"Why?" Little Soka scooped up some water and drank it refreshingly, "So cool!"

"Drinking the water here is fine, but don’t dive in for a swim. After entering Erutalon’s waters, good people feel extremely comfortable and never want to leave; whereas evil ones feel as if they have fallen into magma, turning to ashes." Lynch explained, "Even during ancient wars, this place was never harmed. The raging fires of war couldn’t ignite these ancient trees, making Heather the only untouched sanctuary of that time."

While they were talking, two beautiful small boats appeared before them. The long white hulls bore floral carvings on their prows. Long paddles gently parted the water, with two elves on each boat: one rowing and the other standing at the prow. For humans, describing the distinct features of each elf is a challenging task; they all possess elegant and handsome appearances, with resilient and proud temperaments. Golden hair flowed over their shoulders, their handsome features showed no fear, always full of joy. Human language seems inadequate at this moment; only the jubilant and praiseful Elf Language can accurately express one’s inner feelings.