Chapter 133: The Seven-Year-Old Rooster

Time passed, though who knew how long. Kael finally awakened from his meditative state, his consciousness slowly returning to the physical world. He stretched comfortably, feeling as if he'd had the most wonderful sleep, his entire spirit becoming remarkably vigorous. What delighted him even more was that he felt his magical power seemed to have grown slightly. He wasn't sure if this was merely an illusion or wishful thinking. But if it was real, then it represented a huge surprise. In the wizarding world, wizards' magical power naturally strengthened with age, especially between eleven to seventeen years old, when magic would enter a rapid growth phase. After reaching adulthood, a wizard's magical power would tend to stabilize and plateau. Only some exceptionally gifted wizards could continue improving their magical power through sustained learning and practice, such as top wizards like Dumbledore and Voldemort. Kael's situation was different. He had only awakened his wizard talent when he crossed over and was already an adult. During these two years, his magical power had been in a phase of rapid explosive growth. By now, it was comparable to elite Aurors in the wizarding world. If he were in the wizarding world, he would be considered a wizard with decent natural talent. But recently, he could feel his magical power growth beginning to stabilize. The magical power growth after meditation now gave him a feeling of returning to when his magic had just awakened. Kael feared this was his imagination, so he meditated for several more days. Only after confirming his magical power had truly grown did he completely relax, filled with wild joy. He hadn't expected meditation could not only cultivate spirit and soul but also increase magical power. Gandalf wasn't surprised by this development at all. In his words, soul, spirit, and magical power formed a complete triangular cycle. Magical power was the external manifestation of spirit, while spirit was the reflection of the soul. Meditation could enhance spirit, and spirit could stimulate the soul to become stronger. Once the soul became stronger, magical power would naturally increase. With such incredible effects, Kael naturally wanted to meditate twenty-four hours a day. But everything had its limits. Excessive meditation was also mentally draining and could actually harm soul cultivation. So at Gandalf's wise persuasion, Kael controlled his daily meditation to a reasonable time frame. Most importantly, they had to set out again. They still needed to go to the Old Forest to see if they could entrust the One Ring to Tom Bombadil. Secondly, Bilbo was homesick. He had been away from the Shire for a year now. For the home-loving Bilbo, being away this long was already incredible. Though the outside world was dazzling, Bilbo still yearned to return to his beloved Bag End. Before leaving, since the eaglet Thorondor on the tower top needed care, Kael specifically brought the youth Edward from Hogsmeade Village to take care of Thorondor. Kael had a good impression of this youth. When rescuing villagers in the Trollshaws, while other villagers had become numb with despair, only he could answer his and Gandalf's questions clearly and logically. Previously in Hogsmeade Village, he had also been the first to receive them and answer their questions. After being chosen, Edward was extremely excited and joyful, looking at Kael with worship and fervor. In Edward's eyes, Kael, who had saved them from the trolls, was no different from a savior god. So after receiving the gold coins Kael distributed, he had chosen without hesitation to cross thousands of miles of wilderness to live in Kael's territory. Even encountering many hardships and dangers along the way, he had never regretted it. He had even continuously encouraged fellow villagers, helping each other move forward together. When they encountered the Dúnedain and other villagers feared they were bandits, it was his courage to step forward and communicate that earned the Dúnedain's escort, allowing them to safely reach the foot of Weathertop. So when Kael chose him to care for the eaglet, Edward excitedly beat his chest and guaranteed he would take good care of Thorondor, ensuring not the slightest chance of hunger or neglect. After handling these affairs, under Edward's watchful gaze, Kael and Gandalf, Bilbo, and Legolas used Floo Powder to teleport directly to the fireplace of the Prancing Pony in Bree. As for Edward remaining in the tower, Kael wasn't worried about accidents. Several important rooms were sealed with his magic and couldn't be opened without his permission. He had also taken the palantír and Eärendil's Light from the tower top. The area where the White Tree and mallorn seeds were planted outside the tower was also magically protected, so no one could approach. Edward's only task was caring for the eaglet Thorondor. For this, Kael had even squeezed a bag of gold coins from the miserly Smaug and given it to Edward. Some was payment, some was for buying Thorondor's food. Bree, The Prancing Pony. In the dim hall, a few scattered customers sat at tables drinking or eating, while the innkeeper stood behind the bar wiping glasses with a cloth. Just then, the flames in the fireplace suddenly turned green, drawing everyone's attention immediately. Innkeeper Barliman Butterbur was initially startled but then remembered a similar scene from a year ago and immediately had a guess. Sure enough, the next second, Gandalf's figure emerged from the green flames. He bent over, walking out of the fireplace, coughing a few times from the dust. Then he smiled at the innkeeper. "Good morning, Mr. Butterbur. Honestly, your fireplace could use some cleaning." Then he cheerfully greeted the stunned customers in the inn. "Good morning, everyone. I hope we haven't disturbed you." The customers stared with wide eyes, not knowing how to respond. But the next second, green flames rose again in the fireplace. The tall, upright figure of Legolas appeared in the fireplace. His handsome features and elegant bearing immediately drew everyone's gaze. Sharp-eyed customers quickly noticed his pointed ears and immediately exclaimed. "It's an Elf!" A customer whispered excitedly to his companion about his discovery. But even the lowest whisper couldn't escape Legolas's keen hearing, and he immediately looked over. The discovered customer quickly lowered his head awkwardly. The innkeeper was also very excited. The last time an Elf had come to the Prancing Pony was when his grandfather was young. His grandfather had described how perfect that westward-bound Elf was, more elegant and noble than any aristocratic lord. He never expected that in his lifetime, he would also see a living Elf. This was truly fortunate! Looking at this Elf before him, though dusty, his elegant and noble bearing couldn't be concealed. That perfect countenance, golden hair, glowing with a halo under the lamplight. His entire being seemed to shine. Compared to this Elf, the town mayor's affected mannerisms seemed stilted and like a poor imitation. After Legolas, Bilbo also emerged from the fireplace. Compared to Legolas, Bilbo's appearance didn't provoke much reaction. The Prancing Pony employed two hobbit workers, so everyone's reaction to Bilbo the hobbit was mild. But Bilbo didn't notice this. He quickly exited the fireplace to avoid crowding with Kael, who was coming next. Sure enough, the next second green flames rose again, and Kael arrived last. Kael's appearance didn't provoke much reaction from customers, but the innkeeper immediately recognized him. He immediately left the bar and hurried to Kael, bowing repeatedly with awe and respect. "So it's Lord Kael gracing us with your presence! Our establishment is greatly honored! What are your orders, my lord?" Weathertop wasn't far from Bree. As the best-informed innkeeper, he had naturally heard that the master of Amon Sûl Tower had returned, riding a dragon no less. He had also heard that the villagers settled at the foot of Weathertop had become subjects of the Lord of Amon Sûl, accepting his rule. Being neighbors with such a powerful lord, the innkeeper had to be careful. After all, anyone with eyes could see that though Weathertop now had only a few hundred people, with the powerful Lord Kael there, its future rise was bound to soar. Other customers, hearing the innkeeper's form of address for Kael, quickly realized and immediately focused their attention. The overnight appearance of Amon Sûl Tower standing atop Weathertop was well known. The tower's master, Kael's name, was also remembered by many. Some had even tried to explore Weathertop but ended up as if hitting a ghost wall. Clearly seeing the tower ahead but unable to approach even one step. This had added an air of mystery to Weathertop and Kael's reputation. Kael happened to need the innkeeper to do something, so he gave him a bag of gold coins and handed over a parchment. "Mr. Butterbur, you receive guests from all over every day. You're well-informed with broad channels. Please help me collect the materials on this paper, the more the better!" "Oh right, also please help me find a rooster that's lived seven years." "If you can help me complete this, these gold coins are just a deposit. The final payment will satisfy you." The innkeeper looked at the parchment listing "bat spleen, tree snake skin, crocodile heart, eel eyeballs, frog brain matter, pufferfish eyes," and other bizarre items with a strange expression. Hearing Kael wanted to find a seven-year-old rooster made him even more surprised. Seven-year-old roosters weren't easy to find. Ordinary families wouldn't raise chickens that long. Even roosters kept for breeding would be slaughtered and eaten at three or four years old when they got old, never lasting to seven years. But looking at that bulging bag of gold coins, the innkeeper's eyes glowed as he immediately said this wasn't a problem. "Lord Kael, rest assured, I'll definitely find these things for you!" As long as the payment was sufficient, whether it flew in the sky, ran on land, or swam in water, he could find it all. The innkeeper wasn't being arrogant. His location at a traffic crossroads meant rangers, merchants, dwarves, minstrels, and all sorts of people would stop here. Information was most accessible here. So the Prancing Pony wasn't just a place to rest but a venue for exchanging information and even selling news. After declining the enthusiastic innkeeper's hospitality, Kael's group purchased some food and left Bree.