Chapter 67: Chapter 67

"Internally, it seems I no longer need to involve myself too much; extending my reach too far would have the opposite effect. The collective strength will ultimately be much stronger than just mine alone."

Andrew realized, "The next step is to focus on expanding the ’firefighting business’ externally."

He couldn’t help but turn his head, his gaze passing over the layer upon layer of tents in the temporary camp, looking out towards the vast expanse of desert beyond the camp.

On the surface, it was just an endless desert.

Yet, at that moment, Andrew seemed able to see the scattered towns of various sizes throughout the desert, along with the various fire-related issues in each town.

"Speaking of which, the Inner Sea Desert itself is a big problem."

Andrew recalled some of the materials he had read while studying at Hubert’s Magic Laboratory:

It is said that in ancient times, this desert was once a vast freshwater body called the ’Lake of the Ocean’, enormous in scale, akin to an inland sea.

Later, for reasons unknown, the lake dried up, resulting in its current state.

What’s left is only the prefix ’Inner Sea’ in the name ’Inner Sea Desert’.

"Now Wildfire Town is considered my first base and operational hub in this Flame Realm. The next question is, what can I do for the residents of the ’Inner Sea Desert’, or even for the desert itself?" Andrew pondered seriously.

In every town in the desert, there exists a Fire Mage.

Take them down to liberate all the towns?

The problem is, not all Fire Mages are bad people like Hubert, right? In some towns, the Fire Mages belong to the Warm Fire Commerce Association rather than the Magic Guild.

After only a brief moment of thought, Andrew knew this idea was unworkable.

Bear in mind that each town’s heating system relies on Fire Magic for operation. This is why every town in the Inner Sea Desert is equipped with at least one Chief Mage.

"With just Wildfire Town, I still have to wait until Barbara wakes up, then ask her to continue operating the town’s heating system."

Andrew thought, "As for other towns, even if their Chief Mages are villains, I can’t take them down for the time being, because it would cripple the towns’ heating systems. And this year’s ’Desolate Beast Sand Tide’ is fast approaching, making heating and water supply almost equally important."

While considering what other rapidly feasible ideas there might be, a voice suddenly rang out:

"Hey, Andrew—Great Mage..."

He saw a camp resident with faint freckles on his face running over with a cheerful smile on his young, slightly freckled face, "Well, my parents told me to start calling you ’Great Mage Andrew’ from today, but it feels a bit awkward..."

"I find it awkward too, just call me by name," Andrew replied with a smile.

"In that case, I’ll call you Brother Andrew," the young man grinned.

It always felt like Andrew was different from other Fire Mages and Magic Apprentices he had met before, with no airs at all.

Pointing with his thumb towards the camp’s gate, he said, "Sister An Ya from the Living People Cemetery is here, right at the camp gate, saying she wants to see you."

"Sister An Ya?" Andrew was taken aback.

The young man nodded, "But Sister An Ya didn’t come alone; she’s accompanied by a beautiful lady who looks just as stunning as her."

Now Andrew was truly surprised.

An Ya coming to see him was not unexpected.

In fact, last night while treating the wounded, An Ya had been by his side the whole time, seemingly wanting to discuss something with him.

He had planned to hear what An Ya wanted to say after finishing treating the others.

However, An Ya had already left after he finished treating everyone.

Also, he was genuinely too tired at the time and went to sleep.

In any case, An Ya coming to see him today was entirely anticipated. She surely had something to discuss with him.

A lady as beautiful as Sister An Ya?

Is there such a person in Wildfire Town?

Andrew thought to himself that since he had come to this Flame Realm, the only one who could rival An Ya in terms of looks, body, and temperament was Barbara, who was still asleep. If just talking about temperament, the ranking might have to be reversed!

He then heard the young man say another sentence: "That beautiful lady doesn’t seem to be from our town.

She seems to be... from outside."

Having said that, the young man quickly left, as he had his own matters to attend to. The "Power of Enlightenment" had also affected him, though it didn’t awaken him towards being a professional, it had subtly but essentially changed his spirit and presence compared to before.

Andrew quickly walked to the entrance of the temporary camp.

Indeed, he saw An Ya standing at the camp gate, accompanied by a beautiful woman who appeared to be over forty but was exceptionally well-preserved for the desert, waiting for him.

At the moment he saw the beautiful woman, Andrew felt a pang in his eyes.

It seemed as if her very presence carried an invisible yet intense sharpness!

Andrew was inwardly startled.

From her, he sensed an aura similar to Ivan’s.

Although not as profound as Ivan’s, it was much sharper!

Almost instantly, he confirmed that this beautiful woman, like Ivan, was a Desert Hunter. Moreover, her strength would most certainly not be weak!

He first greeted An Ya.

Then he looked at the beautiful woman, "And this is—"

He was just about to expand the firefighting business outside Wildfire Town, and if she really was from outside the town, he could ask her about the situation out there.

She politely performed a small courtesy, then said, "I am the person in charge of ’Living People Cemetery in Baal Town’. Very pleased to meet you.

An Ya came to Baal Town overnight last night, saying that Mage Andrew could cure lung burn injuries. Therefore, I have come to disturb you today. I’m truly sorry for the intrusion." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

This beautiful woman, with extreme sharpness within, was outwardly very refined and courteous, speaking softly and gently, giving a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

Andrew immediately caught the focus in her words—

The Living People Cemetery in Baal Town?

Baal Town has a Living People Cemetery too?!

Suddenly, he remembered that he had heard rumors before: the Living People Cemetery was not exclusive to Wildfire Town but was a chain of inns spread across various towns in the Inner Sea Desert!

He hadn’t expected it to be true!

"This could... be my opportunity to expand the firefighting business outside Wildfire Town."

He couldn’t help but glance at An Ya.

Now he could guess what An Ya had intended to say to him last night.

He hadn’t expected her to go straight to Baal Town overnight and bring back the person in charge of the Living People Cemetery there!

"I remember that the time when Desolate Beasts are most active is at night."

Andrew felt that he needed to reassess An Ya. "The trip from Wildfire Town to Baal Town isn’t exactly long, but it’s definitely not short. An Ya actually..."

As if guessing Andrew’s thoughts, An Ya, though looking somewhat haggard and weary, smiled and said, "No need to worry, I asked Uncle Ivan to let his dog, Xiao Ha, take me to Baal Town. The round trip was very smooth, and there was no concern about Desolate Beast attacks at all."

Andrew suddenly understood and then apologized, "I’m sorry, Sister An Ya, I should have listened to you last night. Next time, don’t hesitate to tell me if you have questions or need anything."

An Ya smiled, "Then I won’t be polite."

Andrew nodded and then looked at the beautiful woman, stepping aside saying, "Please come in, please come in! Let’s sit down and talk."

At the same time, he thought to himself, "If every town in this Inner Sea Desert has a Living People Cemetery, then relying solely on the ’Water Spirit Technique’ and ’Seed of the Water Spirit’ might not be enough. After all, lung burns are just a general term, with many different specific conditions, and there’s a high probability of encountering particularly severe cases...

It seems I must unlock the ’Water Priestess Series.’