Having survived the avalanche, Lancelot and his group returned to the Shadow Tower, rested for two days, and then embarked on the journey back to Castle Black.
Along the way, Lancelot studied the giant horn. He reasoned that an animal with such enormous horns must have been the size of a mammoth, or even larger.
As for the giant's rib, Lancelot had fashioned it into a playable flute.
He named it the "Giant's Flute."
When he first played the Giant's Flute in front of everyone, Tyrion and the others realized it was an instrument they had never heard before.
"Sounds like a harmonica!" Tyrion remarked.
"However, this flute is made from the rib of a giant ancestor. I wonder, Lancelot, if you played it to a living giant, would it have any special effect?" he continued.
"Uncle, it's just an ordinary flute, not a magical item." Lancelot rolled his eyes.
"Don't you know alchemy? Can't you refine this bone flute into a magical item unique to you?" Tyrion suggested.
His words struck a chord with Lancelot. Right, why can't I proactively create some magical items?
So, Lancelot began researching how to turn the Giant's Flute into a magical item on the road, with Melisandre offering suggestions.
"It is said that wizards of old had their own wands or staffs. Their cloaks, crystal balls, broomsticks, swords, chalices, circlets, and books were all magical items," Melisandre told Lancelot.
"Then why are they gone now? Is it because the tide of magic receded?" Lancelot asked.
"The tide of magic is like the ocean tide; sometimes it rises, sometimes it falls. And the intervals between are very long," she said.
"We have encountered an opportune moment. The tide of magic is coming; it is about to reach the shoreline."
"I can feel the surging magic in the distant sea, rushing toward the land with the speed of a tsunami or an avalanche." Melisandre closed her eyes tightly, her whole demeanor agitated, seemingly excited.
"Is the magic tide brought by the gods? Which god? The Lord of Light?" Lancelot asked again.
Melisandre shook her head.
"I do not know. But according to the priests of old, the ebb and flow of magic is controlled by the consciousness of the world itself, not governed by the gods. However, once magic revives, the divine power of the gods will surely flourish. That is certain."
Upon returning to Castle Black, Lancelot met Lord Commander Mormont and the others again, showing them the giant horn.
Lord Commander Mormont shook his head.
"Even in the North, there are almost no people left who understand the language and script of the First Men. However, I recall the Vale also retains a large number of descendants of the First Men. Perhaps you can look there," he suggested.
"The Vale, huh?" Lancelot mused.
"Yes. Waymar Royce is dead. We owe his father, Bronze Yohn Royce, an explanation. Aside from House Arryn, he is the most powerful lord in the Vale," the Lord Commander said.
"I will go. But before leaving Castle Black, please allow us to accompany the rangers beyond the Wall once more," Lancelot requested.
"Very well. I will have Benjen lead the best rangers to go with you."
Passing the training grounds, Lancelot saw that the recruits were gone. It seemed they had completed their training, transforming from rookies to veterans.
Lancelot stopped a young brother of the Night's Watch.
"Do you know where Samwell is? The big, fat, but somewhat timid fellow."
The man seemed afraid of Lancelot, though more likely he was afraid of Hrakkar standing behind him.
"He... he became Maester Aemon's steward!"
"I see. Thanks!"
Lancelot returned to his room. Melisandre had gone off somewhere.
Lancelot checked his popularity points. The Night's Watch had provided him with nearly a thousand points in total, plus some loose change from before.
Lancelot was back at the "1000" popularity points level.
"Time for another draw!"
Lancelot closed the door, not wanting to be disturbed. Then he closed his eyes and lay on the bed.
The giant roulette wheel appeared in his mind. "Start the draw, ten consecutive pulls!"
Once the draw was complete, Lancelot inspected his haul.
1. Rag Doll (Snow White version)
2. Beast Evolution Scroll: Can evolve a wild beast into a mutated beast ("Strange Beast").
3. Skill "Lion's Roar": Can be learned by humans and animals.
4. Cold Jade Bed: Cultivating on it doubles speed.
5. Beast Evolution Scroll
6. Luoyang Shovel
7. Pickaxe
8. Sheep's Head Hammer
9. Eight Immortals Table
10. Blackwood Coffin: Can seal evil creatures.
Lancelot felt his luck this time was a real rollercoaster.
Things like the rag doll, Eight Immortals table, sheep's head hammer, and Luoyang shovel were pretty useless.
"The only useful things are the Blackwood Coffin, Cold Jade Bed, Lion's Roar, and the two Beast Evolution Scrolls."
Lancelot thought it would be best to catch a White Walker or a wight beyond the Wall and bring it back alive to show the people in King's Landing. The Blackwood Coffin would be perfect for that.
As for the Cold Jade Bed, although Lancelot didn't cultivate inner energy (neili), he was cultivating magic power. The double speed would apply.
"Lion's Roar" could make Hrakkar roar louder. It could also teach Lancelot a skill to intimidate people.
"As for the two Beast Evolution Scrolls, they're best used on Red Hare and Wuzhui," Lancelot decided.
Even though Red Hare and Wuzhui were superior horses capable of running a thousand miles, they were still ordinary beasts, not yet reaching the level of "Strange Beasts."
If they could evolve once more, they would become Strange Beasts.
Lancelot opened the door, left his room, and went to the stables.
The Night's Watch stablemaster greeted Lancelot immediately.
"Ser Lancelot, your horses are well-fed and watered. They are in excellent condition!"
"Thank you for your care. I'm taking them out for a ride."
Lancelot mounted Red Hare, with Wuzhui following alongside. One person, two horses, they arrived in a patch of woods.
Lancelot stroked their manes.
"You guys are in luck this time! Hahaha! Evolve!"
Lancelot used the two evolution scrolls on them.
Soon, two beams of white light enveloped the horses. They couldn't help but neigh.
When the white light faded, the horses' appearances had changed.
When Red Hare shook its tail and mane, sparks appeared.
Wuzhui's four hooves turned white, and frost appeared where it stepped.
"Looks like you need new names. Red Hare, from now on, you are the Red Charcoal Fire Dragon Steed!"
"As for Wuzhui: you shall be the Snow-Treading Wuzhui!"
Lancelot took them for a few laps to understand their abilities.
When the Red Charcoal Fire Dragon Steed ran, the hair on its body would ignite, though it couldn't breathe fire.
When the Snow-Treading Wuzhui stepped on the ground, it frosted the grass, but it wasn't cold enough to freeze a river solid with a single step.