Minutes later, spatial transmission stopped, and without any surprise, they smoothly arrived at Bilun Tree Court.
The couple of apprentice wizards were very grateful for a smooth arrival; whereas Kaier complained, saying the transmission time was too short, not enough to gather the Power of Space to cover the transmission fee.
After respectfully bidding farewell to Angel and others, the couple apprentices also left the teleportation array, officially stepping into this once prosperous, now slightly desolate Wizard Market—Bilun Tree Court.
Although Angel was here for the first time, he had heard of the fame of this market.
Bilun Tree Court was established initially because of the discovery of The Garden Labyrinth ruins here. A large number of Transcendents came to explore, some even stationed here long-term, first forming a small settlement, which slowly expanded and developed into a Wizard Market.
For at least several thousand years, Bilun Tree Court was bustling because of The Garden Labyrinth.
It wasn’t until the exploration of The Garden Labyrinth ruins was nearly complete that it began to decline. However, Bilun Tree Court was well-positioned, surrounded by vast, lush forests rich in natural aura. Eventually, the Birlos family enclosed a piece of thriving woodland, inscribed large Magical Energy Arrays, and began slowly nurturing the fertile land.
In the end, they not only cultivated a large amount of plant-related demonic materials within the forest but also occasionally birthed Natural Sprites because of the rich natural aura.
With such a hallmark, Bilun Tree Court, although no longer as bustling as before, did not fall into complete decline.
At least from Angel’s perspective, compared to Sandworm Market, there are evidently far more people here.
There are also more wandering apprentices than at Sandworm Market.
The reason is simple: a rich natural aura indicates very pure Primordial Magic, making this place evidently more habitable than markets in the desert.
Bilun Tree Court is full of towering green trees; one could say the whole market is built among the trees. Treehouses and tree bridges are seen everywhere.
It has some resemblance to the Fairy Forest in Wunong Duchy. However, Fairy Forest is inhabited by Flower Demons, while here it’s mostly humans.
Since stepping into Bilun Tree Court, they kept hearing mentions of the "Birlos Family" from passers-by, and even many shop signs started with Birlos.
Birlos Tailoring Shop, Birlos Armor Shop, Birlos Alchemy Chamber, Birlos Cake House...
"If all these are run by the Birlos Family, they really do span across many industries," Kaier marveled in front of Birlos Cake House.
"Isn’t this typical of most wizard families?" Vay then spoke up.
"Is your Noah Family like this too?" Kaier asked in surprise.
Vay nodded: "Yes, but we manage businesses scattered in various places. I have opened a ’Noah Divination Shop’ in Mesomyia, and other family members also have their own operations."
Dox confirmed Vay’s statement, saying Vay indeed opened a divination shop, but he only divines death, so more people call it: Death Inquiry Shop.
"It’s rare to see a family like the Birlos Family open so many diverse businesses in one area," Vay remarked.
Dox: "...Actually, the behavior of the Birlos Family is normal; your Noah Clan is what’s rare."
Vay looked shocked: "Really? How come I didn’t know?"
Dox was speechless, and Angel and Kaier understood why Dox ridiculed Vay for being a homebody.
To put it gently, he’s inexperienced; more bluntly, he’s like a frog in a well, thinking the sky is as big as the well’s opening. Though this may be a bit exaggerated, Vay’s experience and his own abilities are indeed somewhat mismatched.
No wonder, despite being old friends with Dox, he still hasn’t advanced. Family conditions are one aspect, and the lack of experience is probably another.
Dox apparently had been to Bilun Tree Court before and led them effortlessly to a tall building.
—Birlos Task Hall.
Though it is named after Birlos and indeed belongs to Birlos, the tasks here can basically be picked up by anyone.
Dox brought them here not to take on tasks, as apart from that, the place also deals in the sale of information.
"You wanted to know the current layout map of The Garden Labyrinth, right? They sell them here, with full floor maps, aerial maps, and even Crystal Balls specifically capturing the scenes of The Garden Labyrinth," Dox said to Angel, "Which type do you plan to buy?"
Before coming, Angel had asked Dox to prepare a layout map of The Garden Labyrinth, not expecting Dox to directly take him here to buy it.
"The ones bought at Sandworm Market are from who knows how many years ago; the latest ones are definitely sold here. You decide what to get," Dox said sincerely.
Angel felt that maybe Dox simply didn’t want to spend his money... After all, The Garden Labyrinth has been the same for years, without any dramatic geological changes; what’s the point of updating maps?
Despite thinking this, Angel still started to select honestly.
Soon, Angel picked a general floor map and a hand-drawn aerial map. It’s worth mentioning that the aerial map has the ancient buildings restored by the artist, not just pure ruins. Although some restorations are incorrect, overall, it closely resembles the real Naraku City.
After selecting, Dox pointed to the side: "If there’s anything else you want to know, you can inquire in the small room over there where information is sold. By the way, the couple hitching a ride on our teleportation array were from the Birlos Family. When you pay with Magic Crystals, you can try mentioning their names and might get a discount."
Angel didn’t bother with Dox, feeling embarrassed calling a couple of apprentices’ names for a discount; it wasn’t worth his dignity as an Official Wizard.
"No need for information, let’s go now," Angel said after paying the Magic Crystals.
Dox: "Why the hurry, won’t you rest a bit? I heard Bilun Tree Court’s forest project offers a complete set of services, especially with beautiful apprentice wizards. Not to mention a chance to catch a Natural Sprite, which would be quite profitable."
Angel initially wanted to refuse out of reflex, as these things seemed boring, better to head straight to the point. But seeing Dox wink at him, Angel recalled Dox had mentioned subtly probing Vay for information...
With this in mind, Angel paused for a moment and said, "Sure, but you guys go, I still need to study this map."
Dox didn’t mind Angel’s lack of sociability, cheered, and then wrapped his arm around Vay’s shoulders: "Come, I’ll show you the forest project here. I assure you, once you reminisce about it later, you won’t want to stay home anymore."
Vay didn’t want to go either, but being dragged by Dox, he had no way to refuse.
However, just as Vay was about to be dragged off, the slate embedded with the Black Earl’s nose flew out from his hand, hovering behind them.
Vay paused for a moment, then immediately closed his eyes to sense the Black Earl’s intentions.
After some time, Vay opened his eyes with a strange expression and said, "My Lord also doesn’t want to go, but I can go with you."