Wizard: Starts with Advanced Meditation

"As far as I know, among the known speakers in the Oren plane, the number of Tree Speakers is the smallest."

After thinking for a moment, Digpaggi held up two fingers.

"In my hundred years of experience, I have been fortunate enough to meet two people, and—it seems that they are the two people who remain."

He waved one of his fingers.

"The first one was named Vilan Chelka, a Tree Whisperer I met fifty years ago in Themora (the City Under the Trees), and I have met him many times since then."

"His mastery of tree language is very high. He can not only resonate with various enchanted ancient trees, but also understand the whispers of the entire enchanted forest."

"Oh, right! He was also one of the guardians of the Verdant Forest, which is the most important enchanted forest in our Chelka family..."

Upon hearing this, Hughes' eyes lit up instantly.

This tree whisperer named Vilan has reached a level where he can communicate with enchanted trees, so it's almost certain that he can also communicate with the Grudge.

Although the Grudge of Green seems to have the function of the Tree of Life, because its origin is different from other Trees of Life, Hughes tentatively judges it only at the level of a demonized tree.

Therefore, meeting this tree whisperer named Vilan seems to be the best way.

Unfortunately, Digpei's next words poured cold water on Hughes's hopes.

"But... that guy is currently out of contact. I suspect he's fallen into some secret realm."

He shrugged helplessly, but his tone was surprisingly calm, showing no concern for the tree whisperer.

"After all, I was referring to the past. Now that guy is no longer a guardian; instead, he's traveling to various places in the Oren plane, supposedly to communicate and interact with more different kinds of trees."

After saying that, Digpegi took out a green communication crystal from his storage bag.

This crystal is very small and obviously custom-made, and the communication markings printed on its surface are also very few.

"This communication crystal is specially made to allow speakers and listeners to communicate with each other."

As he spoke, he pointed to a noticeably dark green mark on it.

"This is Vilan's communication record. As you can see, he has been out of contact for more than three months."

Although the other party has been out of contact for a long time, Digpag is not worried about their current situation.

After all, in the wizarding world, there are often various uncontrolled and powerful magical fluctuations, as well as various secret realms and ruins, so it is normal that the communication crystal cannot be connected.

Moreover, this has happened more than once or twice.

Seeing this, Hughes nodded and then asked:

"And what about the other one?"

Upon hearing this, Digpag raised a second finger, but this time, his face showed a hint of helplessness:

"As for the other one... he does currently reside in Thermora, but I doubt I can help you with that."

"His name is Phidix Chirka. Although I've never seen him use Tree Language, I'm certain that his skill in it is at least as good as, if not better than, Viran's!"

He paused, then continued:

"Because he is the acting patriarch of the Ishrock family, a second-level wizard."

Upon hearing this, Hughes immediately understood.

To be appointed as acting patriarch by Seronil, one must undoubtedly be a top-tier existence among second-level wizards.

Such a powerful being is certainly not something that a mere first-level wizard like Digpegi could summon.

Besides, even if he could persuade him, I doubt I could offer a reward that would impress a level two wizard.

Meanwhile, after his introduction, Digpaggi said sincerely:

"So, Hughes, I'm afraid I really can't ask him for help. I can only try to contact Vilan for you."

Hughes naturally understood the situation, so he nodded and then said softly:

"Thank you for your help, Your Excellency Digpegi."

He was also prepared to give the other party some reward, but Digpegi waved his hand and said:

"No need, consider this my way of repaying the debt of saving your life."

Hughes then did not refuse.

After saying goodbye to Digpegi, he went to check on Lapris again, but the latter was the most seriously injured and was still unconscious.

After that, he left the Healing Tower.

On the way, thinking of the mere two Tree Whisperers in the Oren plane, one of whom was still missing, Hughes couldn't help but sigh:

"Sigh, I should have asked Green's spirit back then. Even though it was only a part of him, it might have retained the abilities of a natural speaker."

With that, he flew to the nearest magic tower.

He has now mastered all the witchcraft spells he purchased before, and he can use them with ease.

So today he plans to purchase some more first-level witchcraft to enrich his repertoire.

This time, he doesn't just plan to buy ice magic and spatial magic; he also intends to buy several of his other high-affinity attributes—dark magic and necromancy.

"..."

After leaving the Wizarding Tower, the sky had already darkened completely, and twilight instantly enveloped the entire academy.

As night fell, Hughes teleported himself back to his dormitory.

"Buzz—"

But the next moment, a flash of silver light appeared again, and he suddenly appeared in a private residence in a small wizarding town outside the academy.

Because his dormitory was constantly being occupied, Hughes recently bought a property in a small wizarding town near the academy.

From then on, apart from meditation, he would mostly live here. Anyway, by anchoring himself in the rift, he could freely travel between the academy and this place.

This wizard town is called Wisholm. Although it is called a small town, its size is actually comparable to Corella, the first city-state in western Maranthur.

As for a truly large city, there is only one in the Maddica region, which is the "City of Glory," Ireneo.

Meanwhile, the Soya Valen family, one of the Five Rings families, is located here, and the city is directly governed by them.

The situation in the other four regions is similar to that in the Maddia region:

They only have one largest city, which is directly governed by their respective Five Rings families.

Like Corrilla, Wisholm is also divided into three districts: Lower, Middle, and Upper.

However, most of the residents here are local wizards who have not established families in the center of Maranthelle, so there is not much distinction between high and low status in the city.

The so-called three-zone division is nothing more than a difference in housing prices.

Hughes, of course, bought his property in the Upper City, where the prices are the highest, but the quality of the houses and the concentration of magic in the environment are correspondingly better.

However, in order to avoid being discovered to have any connection between the property and himself, the transaction was actually completed under the identity of Mr. Poison Demon.