Sky-Piercing Pillar
"The absorption is complete."
On the Eternal Night Continent, at the Northbank Defense Line, Mr. Na stood on the City Wall and patted his round belly. "The fragments of the Primordial Continent have been completely devoured. Of course, their specific effects will only be realized after the continent advances to level 3."
"Devouring the Primordial Continent Fragment —this is a major undertaking."
"I've already reported this to my superiors."
"Once the Eternal Night Continent advances to the Third-Level Continent, it will possess 'Orthodoxy'."
Chen Fan didn't speak, but looked up at the golden rays of light falling from the sky onto him, while a message slowly surfaced again on the Eternal Night Lord motherboard Depths of the Soul.
"Devouring Primordial Continent Fragment will reward you with 'Dark Technology Source Point' *1".
He looked at the Dark Technology Tree again.
There are no more branches.
Only one icon can be lit up.
That is.
"Dark Technology Name": Accelerated Growth.
"Dark Technology Grade": None.
"Dark Technology Type": Faction Bonus.
"Dark Technology Effect": Allows you to select an area where all plants grow 100 times faster.
"Required Dark Technology Source Point": 1 point.
It was lit up immediately.
The Dark Technology Source Point I had just acquired were already used up before I could even enjoy them.
This is the second icon to be lit up.
The third, dimmed icon.
"Dark Technology Name": Ammunition Consumption.
"Dark Technology Grade": None.
"Dark Technology Type": Faction Bonus.
"Dark Technology Effect": All weapons, buildings, etc. produced within the territory have their Ammunition Consumption reduced by 10%.
"Required Dark Technology Source Point": 1 point.
Not many.
None of them are as good as "Soul-Devouring Sculpture". Soul-Devouring Sculpture can reduce Ammunition Consumption by 40%, but it has the advantage of a wide range. It can take effect even if you are not in the range of "Soul-Devouring Sculpture" and it can stack with "Soul-Devouring Sculpture".
These are the first three icons that can be lit up in the "Dark Technology Tree".
These represent three aspects.
"Economy", "Livelihood", "Military".
Starting with the fourth icon, there are branches, a total of three. Although we don't know what the specific icon content is, we can tell from the icon style that these three branches correspond to the economy, Livelihood, and 'military' respectively.
Chen Fan muttered to himself, "If there are any more 'Dark Technology Source Point,' I'll definitely focus on upgrading the economy Technology Tree, then a little bit on the military, and leave agriculture for last."
Certainly.
This was just his fantasy.
Obtaining Dark Technology Source Point is extremely Rare. This is a buff that can enhance the foundation of a faction. Most continents would be lucky to obtain even one point. They might never be able to unlock one of the three branches in their entire lives, and there is an even greater chance that they will never obtain them at all, or that they will obtain them but be unable to use them.
"Etc!"
Chen Fan was suddenly slightly taken aback.
He realized something.
First!
The Dark Technology Source Point is a physical entity, an extremely small Silver-White sphere resembling a steel ball, which means... this thing is tradable!
Secondly!
Most continents cannot use the "Dark Technology Source Point" after obtaining it. It can only be used after finding Island that contains the "Dark Technology Tree". This means that most continents cannot determine the value of this thing.
Perhaps.
"Besides this Exotic Beast Breeding Pavilion, let me see what else I need."
New Continent.
Inside a house in the City Outpost One, the gaunt Elderly Man was flipping through a "Mortal Domain Commodity Catalogue" in his hands. The catalogue detailed all the goods and services that could be sold in the Mortal Domain.
As a trade representative of the Dark Eerie Continent, he is currently selecting the goods he will bring back this time.
On the other side.
Members of the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion were also looking down at the "Rat Kingdom Commodity Catalog," which contained information on tradable goods from the Dark Eerie Continent. Dark Eerie Rat Kingdom was simply the name of that continent; the power that unified that continent was called the "Rat Kingdom."
"Let me see... Hmm"
The Elderly Man flipped through the product catalog in his hand, lost in thought.
Just then
"Cheer."
The door was suddenly pushed open.
Chen Fan, leaning on his Jadeite Staff and accompanied by the Crippled Monkey, pushed open the door and entered without delay. He immediately placed a Jade Slip in front of the Elderly Man: "Does the product described in this Jade Slip exist on the Dark Eerie Continent?"
He had used up both Dark Technology Source Point; otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to describe them in words recorded in the Jade Slip, but would have simply placed them directly in front of the Elderly Man. That's why he came here specifically for this purpose.
This also demonstrates the preciousness of this item.
But this can't be faked.
After all, to obtain this item, the process of acquiring it must have been extraordinary, and such an extraordinary process wouldn't yield some worthless item; it would definitely reward you with something valuable.
"Domain Lord Chen."
The gaunt Elderly Man who came to make the handover stood up and bowed respectfully. After a long while, he picked up the Jade Slip, his pupils flashing with complex light, and looked up at Chen Fan.
"Have."
"But the Dark Eerie Continent has only acquired two over the years, and the acquisition method was extremely demanding. To put it bluntly, their function and name have not yet been identified. Mortal Domain know their function?"
Name your price.
Chen Fan didn't explain, but simply stated his position.
"I'm unsure about this," the Elderly Man paused, then hesitated, "Could you allow me to discuss it with His Majesty the King of our 'Rat Kingdom'?" "Sure."
Chen Fan nodded slightly, glanced at the Message Talisman in the Elderly Man's hand, narrowed his eyes slightly, and casually flicked his fingers behind his back a few times. The Crippled Monkey instantly understood and retreated.
The New Continent is not far from the Dark Eerie Continent.
This means that the communication range of the Message Talisman in the other party's hands can span a very long distance, which means that the Signal Tower in the Dark Eerie Continent are likely to be level 10 or even higher.
Although upgrading the Signal Tower to level 10 is quite costly, requiring 45 Sea Embryo just for that, it shouldn't be a problem for the Dark Eerie Continent. A level 10 Signal Tower has a communication range of 100,000 kilometers.
Immediately afterwards
On a Level-20 Signal Tower on the Back Mountain of Nameless Mountain, three new keywords were quickly set.
"Mortal Domain."
"Eternal Night Continent."
"Trade."
The Signal Tower in the Mortal Domain is level 20. Its Level-20 Max-Level Effect is (Unceasing Sound Transmission): up to 3 keywords can be set, and all voice transmissions within the communication range that use "Message Talisman" to mention the keyword can be intercepted.
These days.
Through this Max-Level Effect, I effectively overheard a lot of discussions about the Mortal Domain on the Feng Qiya Continent.
It's really easy to use.
In special circumstances, a considerable amount of information can be captured.
For example.
Just as the Elderly Man in front of him hung up the Message Talisman, Chen Fan took a slip of paper from the Crippled Monkey's hand. It clearly stated the general content of the communication between the Elderly Man and the Dark Eerie Continent that he had just overheard.
The communication revealed that while the other party didn't know what the "Dark Technology Source Point" was, they knew it was highly valuable. However, the Dark Eerie Continent didn't intend to keep it hidden; even the highest value had to be put to use to be effective.
I'm selling.
But you need to sell it for a high price.
"It can be sold."
After the discussion, the gaunt Elderly Man slowly raised one finger, his expression serious and respectful as he looked at Chen Fan: "Domain Lord Chen, our 'Rat Kingdom's' offer is 10 billion Eerie Stone per grain."
"This price may be a bit high, but compared to the process of acquiring it, I believe it's not expensive."
Chen Fan remained silent.
He would naturally want both "Dark Technology Source Point," as they would unlock the third dim icon and light up a side quest. However, the price would need to be negotiated.
The price is too high.
Unless
What if we trade using "Century Spirit Rice"?
"You"
The Elderly Man's expression suddenly changed drastically. "How do you know? This is a core secret of the 'Rat Kingdom'!"
These days.
He had always disguised himself as a human to deal with the Mortal Domain, but there were actually no humans on the "Dark Eerie Continent," only a group of large Black Elder. Although they had awakened intelligence, they had a major drawback: their Lifespan was still very short.
Their Lifespan is only about three years.
Such a short Lifespan has consistently hampered the development of the mainland.
There is only one way to prolong Lifespan: consuming "Spirit Rice," a type of rice grown in Advanced Spirit Fields. Even more advanced than Spirit Rice is "Ten-Year Spirit Rice."
Starting from the first year, the mature Spirit Rice is not harvested, but allowed to fall and rot freely until the Ten-Year Spirit Rice is born. It will contain spiritual energy, and consuming it will have a greater effect on prolonging Lifespan.
And so on, this is the Century Spirit Rice.
For the "Rat Kingdom," it is an important means of prolonging Lifespan. Even though the Rat Kingdom has long since begun to cultivate "Spirit Rice" on a large scale underground, it is something that takes a long time to do and is difficult to achieve in a short time. Therefore, Spirit Rice, especially aged Spirit Rice, has always been a scarce commodity in the Dark Eerie Continent.
How much "Century Spirit Rice" do you have?
The gaunt Elderly Man asked the question with a wary look in his eyes.
Normally speaking...
Century Spirit Rice very difficult to form naturally. No continent would specifically cultivate it. It is planned out a hundred years ago, or it happens to be an abandoned continent with an abandoned Advanced Spirit Fields that has been neglected for a Century Spirit Rice years and has grown itself.
It is difficult to obtain Century Spirit Rice at other times.
"Two tons, I guess."
"Two tons of Century Spirit Rice in exchange for these two silver orbs, how about it?"
"Two tons"
The Elderly Man's pupils constricted. This was the first time he had ever seen the word "ton" used as a unit for "Century Spirit Rice." He got up, ran to a corner, and whispered to the Message Talisman for a long time before returning.
"Very well, His Majesty the King agrees. One ton of Century Spirit Rice in exchange for one silver orb."
"Cash on delivery."
"There's no rush."
Chen Fan paused for a moment before continuing, "Based on our trade these past few days, I think 'Mortal Domain' still has some credibility. This batch of 'Century Spirit Rice' is 99 years old; it still has one year left to fully mature."
"Why don't you give me those two silver orbs first? I'll present this batch of Century Spirit Rice to you in its entirety once it matures." "A gift in advance?" The Elderly Man in the long robe was slightly taken aback, then subconsciously went to the corner to contact his superior through Message Talisman. Normally, there would be no gift, but on the one hand, the reputation of the Mortal Domain was indeed quite good, and on the other hand, they really wanted this batch of Century Spirit Rice.
This time, the discussion lasted long enough.
Long time
The extremely thin Elderly Man's body began to collapse, revealing a small mouse sitting in a chair, holding a delicate, miniature cane.
His beard was turning white.
"Domain Lord Chen, I hope my true form hasn't frightened you."
"After this transaction is completed, we will have closer ties and greater Trust in each other. Before that, I hope we can get to know each other better."
The mouse said somewhat apologetically.
The Crippled Monkey and the members of the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion stood there, staring at each other in disbelief. The members of the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion, in particular, never expected that the person they had been talking to for so long was actually a rat.
It was still that kind of large, common rat with a white beard and shiny fur.
"It's alright."
Chen Fan chuckled lightly, showing little surprise. Through intelligence gathering, he already knew that the so-called Rat Kingdom was a country composed of a bunch of rats, a race different from humans. They were like Exotic Beast that had awakened Sentience, but they had a large number of rats and had already become a force to be reckoned with.
"Good."
The little mouse standing on the chair was slightly surprised by Chen Fan's composure, but still said in a serious, hoarse voice, "Domain Lord Chen, the King has agreed to their request and will grant them a year's worth of provisions."
"We will send two silver orbs first."
"The Mortal Domain will be officially delivered in one year, but a total of 3 tons of Century Spirit Rice must be delivered. An extra ton will be delivered as compensation for the delay." "Agreed."
Chen Fan stood up, smiled, and extended his right hand, agreeing very readily.
After all, once the second icon on the "Dark Technology Tree" is lit up, the so-called Century Spirit Rice, which supposedly takes a hundred years to grow, can actually be produced in just one year. And even Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures like the "Snow Lotus," which also take a hundred years to grow, only require one year. This transaction...
Finish.
Both parties were very satisfied.
The "Rat Kingdom" was more carefree than he had imagined. If something had no value in his hands, he would immediately exchange it for something of certain value. Most importantly, this was just empty promises.
It's obvious.
The Rat Kingdom does indeed Trust them to a certain extent.
After confirming this, Chen Fan turned and left the house, while the members of the Mortal Domain Commerce Pavilion continued to study the goods that both sides would purchase in the next trade with the Elderly Man —or rather, the fat rat standing on a chair.
Two weeks later.
Chen Fan looked down at the two "Silver-White orbs" in his hand, which were the "Dark Technology Source Point." They were finally in his hands. Without hesitation, he lit up the third "dim icon."
"Dark Technology Name": Ammunition Consumption.
He finally saw the three branches of the "Dark Technology Tree".
It is precisely the economy, Livelihood, and military.
The fourth icon he had seen earlier was the first icon on the "Military" branch at the top. It had now turned gray from being completely dark, making its appearance and information clearer.
That.
It is a gigantic Sky-Piercing Pillar.
This is a Dark Technology that greatly enhances the Sky-Piercing Pillar.