Chapter 823 – Unread Messages

The moment she opened her Communication Card, several unread messages popped up.

The first to catch her eye was a message from Sylph:

【Sylph: Moira, I’m heading to the Dreamweaver World! Wait for me to bring back hollow tree seeds so we can grow a treehouse!】

Sylph’s chat window had already turned gray, indicating she was out of “service range.”

It seemed she was still adventuring in the Dreamweaver World and hadn’t returned yet.

Mo Lan checked Vasida’s and Lilith’s chat windows next — the situation was similar.

The messages she had sent them when she first returned from the Dreamweaver World, and later before departing for the Three Thousand Mirror Ruins, all showed as unread.

They had probably been on their own otherworldly journeys for the past decade or so, never having returned to the world of Valen.

“Sigh, the different flow of time between worlds is really such a hassle.” Mo Lan let out a soft sigh.

She had spent over seven years in the Three Thousand Mirror Ruins, yet more than ten years had passed in the world of Valen.

When exploring the vast Well of the Sky, unless everyone deliberately arranged to wait for one another, it was truly difficult for them to happen to return home at the same time.

Still, this didn’t dampen her mood in the slightest.

With a light tap of her finger, she sent messages to all three of her Sorceress companions, letting them know she was safe and sharing her joy:

【Mo Lan: I’m back from the Three Thousand Mirror Ruins! Everything’s fine, and the rewards were enormous! I’ll probably stay for a while this time to process everything I’ve gained. Waiting for you all to come back~】

Though her Sorceress companions were all away, she still had plenty of friends in Valen! Mo Lan eagerly reached out to them one by one.

……

【Amisha: Moira, what rank are you now? I remember you were always interested in the Headmistress’s clone ability — how about coming back to the Witch Academy to become Headmistress? If there’s too much magical knowledge from other worlds to learn, you can save it up and use clones to study it once you’re Headmistress. When you’re back, make sure to come chat with me.】

【Mo Lan: Headmistress, I’m back! I have good news — I can now create life-space cards similar to the Witch Academy’s demiplane, and I can even alter the flow of time in localized areas within the space. No more worrying about not having enough time!】

【Mo Lan: As for becoming Headmistress, I’m definitely interested, but I’ll need to wait a bit longer. I feel I still need more experience — I’m not strong enough yet…】

【Mo Lan: Oh, and my Witch’s home is finished! On the full moon night next month, you’re welcome to visit! Address: the lakeside cottage in the oak grove at the end of the lakeside greenway in Witch’s Town. I look forward to your visit!】

……

【Shana: Hahaha! I’ve finally reached Peak level! Next time you come back, I’ll definitely make you see me in a whole new light!】

【Shana: Oh, and I’ve been into muscular men lately, so I moved to the City of Chaos. Address: 77 Lava Boulevard, City of Chaos】

【Mo Lan: My dear mama, congratulations on becoming even stronger! I might be visiting the City of Chaos soon — I’ll have some good news to share with you then.】

……

【Anna: Senior Moira, Annie and I have built our own Witch’s home in the Black Forest. If you have time, you’re welcome to come visit~】

【Mo Lan: Sorry for the late reply — I just saw your message. Would it be convenient sometime soon? I’d also like to establish a base in the Black Forest.】

……

【Iris: Moira, Moira, I just developed a new dish called “Rot Sac Stew” and uploaded it to the Card Shop! It should be suitable for undead consumption — could you have your Clack taste-test it for me?】

【Iris: Huh? Out of service range? Moira, where did you go?】

【Mo Lan: I went to the Well of the Sky and just got back. Clack is with Zhizhi — I’ll go find them in a bit.】

……

【Alba: I was passing through the Holy City and heard the legend of the “Magical Candy House.” I took a photo with it and wanted to send it to you, but the golden bird told me it couldn’t find where you were. Did you go to the Well of the Sky?】

【Mo Lan: Yes, I went to the Well of the Sky. From now on, if I’m away, you can send things to the lakeside cottage in the oak grove at the end of the lakeside greenway in Witch’s Town. By the way, is anyone living in the Magical Candy House now? I’m planning to visit the Holy City soon — if you’re still there, we could meet up.】

……

【Cheryl: The Riftgold Clan’s chieftain, Forgestar, has been searching for the witch who helped him return to his homeland. Based on his description, I suspect it’s very likely you… He wants to invite you to attend his child’s Hammer-Choosing Ceremony. Oh, and his child didn’t inherit his light element disease.】

【Mo Lan: That’s me. When is the Hammer-Choosing Ceremony? Where? I’m planning a trip to Durin Volcano soon, so I can stop by and check it out.】

……

After replying to all the unread messages, Mo Lan also sent messages to her other witch friends who were still in Valen, asking where they currently were and inviting them to attend a gathering at her Witch’s home on the full moon night next month.

“Bang!” The tent flap was flung open!

Zhizhi — wearing a crooked little bowtie around her neck and a dazzling Rainbow Belt around her waist — blew in like a gust of wind.

When she burst in, she was still in the form of that brawny silver-furred ape, a full head taller than Mo Lan, cutting an imposing figure.

But in the next instant, a flash of light rippled across her body and she shrank down in a blink, transforming back into that familiar miniature monkey. With a flying leap, she clung tightly to Mo Lan’s calf, her fuzzy little head nuzzling against it furiously, her voice brimming with boundless joy:

“Zhiii! Master! You’re finally back! Zhizhi missed you so much!”

Behind her, Clack came running in as well.

The little skeleton wore a tiny golden crown atop his skull, and around his neck — of all things — was a miniature bowtie matching Zhizhi’s.

He had a burlap sack slung over his shoulder that was even bigger than he was. The soul fire in his eye sockets danced with excited joy, producing rhythmic “clack~ clack~” sounds.

Though he still couldn’t speak, Mo Lan could tell at a glance that Clack’s bones had become more lustrous and sturdy, his movements far more agile and coordinated than before, and his soul fire had grown considerably stronger and more concentrated.

“Clack! Hurry! Do what I taught you — show Master the good stuff in the bag!” Zhizhi clung to Mo Lan’s leg and twisted her head to bark commands at Clack, looking every bit the smug little steward.

Clack nodded his skull vigorously and let go.

“Thud!” With a heavy crash, the large burlap sack slammed onto the ground. Its mouth fell open, and a cascade of gleaming, translucent ordinary mana crystals tumbled out, flooding across the floor and burying Mo Lan’s calves halfway, refracting an alluring light throughout the tent.

It was actually a spatial bag!

Right after, Zhizhi also pulled a finely crafted little leather pouch from the companion space in front of her belly.

She carefully untied the drawstring and poured out its contents.

It was over a dozen source mana crystals!

Just this small handful was worth far more than that entire heap of ordinary mana crystals.

Having done all this, monkey and skeleton simultaneously planted their hands on their hips, lifted their chins, their faces practically screaming “Praise me! Praise me!” — radiating pride and anticipation.