Arcane Hermit Order (III)

As the "Star" took their seats, the gathering began.

The "Seeker of Knowledge" spoke first, "Everyone, I believe you all have a good understanding of how the Weave works..."

"The spellcaster needs to connect to primordial magic through a specific bridge, but these primordial energies..."

Immediately, someone spoke up to refute this.

"No, no, no, that's not it!"

"And what about the Cleric?"

"Didn't your mentor teach you that arcane magic and Divine Magic are different systems?"

"I studied at the Fadlan Court Magic Academy, how could I not understand these things!"

"Hmph, how ridiculous."

The group of mages, none of whom had reached level ten, discussed everything from the operation of spell models to the essence of the Weave, and even talked about gods, until finally it turned into a contest of the forces behind them and their knowledge.

They argued heatedly, each seemingly eager to demonstrate their knowledge and wisdom at the gathering and gain the approval of the attendees.

Miss Tulip, sitting next to Keosius, didn't understand and just snorted:

"A show-off."

However, Lang Pu, standing behind, couldn't help but whisper through Message, "Full of errors!"

"These humans are truly ignorant, like a half-empty bottle rattling around."

He even used a proverb that Keosius had once taught him; if he hadn't had to keep his identity hidden, he probably would have joined the chaotic verbal battle long ago.

"It seems the competition among fellow mages is quite fierce," Keosius thought to himself with amusement, watching the mages' faces turn red.

The "Star" lady also occasionally shared her insights, but she was much calmer, and her views were more profound and rarer.

"That's interesting."

As Sorcerer, Keosius relied more on willpower and intuition to cast spells and didn't know much about complex theoretical knowledge. He could only listen quietly as they talked, trying to extract some useful information from them.

Despite the many pretentious boasts and exaggerated claims contained within, he felt he had gained a great deal.

However, these guys weren't exactly learned individuals. After arguing for a whole morning, they ran out of knowledge and had to give up and move on to the next step—the exchange of goods.

At this point, Keosius's eyes lit up.

He wasn't one of those players who toiled day and night and were still dirt poor; he was a lord who ruled over the entire Storm Highlands.

Every day, Kobold Goblin would continuously transport gold from the underground mines into his spacious cave, and players would willingly hand over their meager Gold Coin to him for the so-called "godly equipment".

A mage codenamed "The Gold Digger" was the first to place a matte black pearl on the table.

"The Mana Regeneration Pearl allows the holder to cast one more spell of the fifth rank or below per day, starting at 200 Gold Coin."

"210 Gold Coin".

The mage codenamed "Gray Eagle" spoke in a calm and indifferent voice.

Keosius glanced at the panel, confirmed that it was a genuine [Rare] quality item, and that all the descriptions were correct, then said directly, "300 Gold Coin."

Gray Eagle glanced at him and then fell silent.

A man who had been silent all along, codenamed "The Mind Speaker," pulled a thick bound book from his black robe and placed it on the table. The book emitted a pungent, spicy aroma, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

"This book was left to me by my father. I am not yet able to use it, so I don't know its effects. I hope to sell it here for a good price."

Keosius looked at the book, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He could even feel that Lang Pu's heartbeat, which was connected to his by blood, was also quickening.

Alchemical Compendium

Quality: Rare

This faded, heavy bound volume, with its pungent, acrid smell, is a treasure passed down through generations of the Telfer Family for over a century.

The book's metallic components are composed of solidified intermediates capable of transforming between metals such as copper, iron, lead, silver, and gold. When found, the book contained the following spells: Haste Spell, Projection Spell, Petrification Spell, Gaseous Form, Magic Weapon, and Fabricate. You can use it as Spellbook or as a magical artifact.

"Great stuff! I'll buy it!"

Keosius was prepared to spend lavishly this time, although the Red Dragon's greedy nature still made him feel a little heartache.

He called out the price, "500 Gold Coin."

This sum of money is a huge amount for minor nobles, but for the heirs of large families, it's just a slight sting, something they can easily afford.

The Seeker of Knowledge also raised the price without hesitation. "700 Gold Coin."

"800 Gold Coin".

The "Gray Eagle" also made his move. "850 Gold Coin."

However, Keosius did not hesitate and continued to raise the price, "1000 Gold Coin."

The "Mind Speaker" hadn't expected that the things he'd unearthed from his family cemetery would be worth so much money—almost equivalent to a Baron's annual income. With that money, he could now indulge in a life of luxury in the prosperous south—which made him instantly excited.

"He is yours, sir."

He quickly replied, afraid that the other party might change their mind.

Keosius calmly handed the book to Lang Pu, who had transformed into Iron Golem behind him.

After his abrupt price increase ended, there was no further movement around, only faint whispers could be heard.

Where did he come from?

"That's a thousand Gold Coin..."

"Is he the son of some duke? He can casually produce a thousand Gold Coin."

"He's probably a descendant of a Sorcerer family, or perhaps a merchant from Victoria Harbor..."

The following items were mostly a variety of bizarre and interesting Magic Equipment, but in Keosius's opinion, they were somewhat "useless".

So he didn't make a move again, but just watched with great interest.

"The Tentacle Scepter, when you hold the scepter, three fleshy tentacles can extend from the end."

"Can these tentacles be controlled?"

"It can control the targets attacked by the tentacles, but... it cannot control their movements and the force of their attacks."

"Forget it, it's pointless."

The seller, "Black Rock," inexplicably wiped away a cold sweat, and apart from the woman with unclear motives from earlier, no one else offered to buy.

Black Rock also glanced at the wealthy and powerful Keosius, but the latter just smiled and remained silent.

He looked at "Star" and wondered if it was just his imagination, but the other person's cheeks seemed to be slightly flushed, though he deliberately remained silent.

He could only dejectedly take his precious wand, lamenting his bad luck.

"The Withering Staff can inflict the Darkening effect on the target."

"Bat Cloak, by gripping the edges of the cloak with both hands, one can transform oneself into a bat."

"Floating Horseshoe, attach four to a horse and it will lift it a foot off the ground."

"Then why don't I use Levitation Spell?"

"The Mind Whip, in the hands of the Mind Flayer, this weapon will strip away a creature's will to live as if tearing off its flesh and blood, and devour its mind."

"What about in the hands of ordinary people?"

Some people have raised questions.

The monk, who had just been praising it so effusively, suddenly fell silent and touched his nose sheepishly. "It's just like an ordinary whip."