The internet connection was going to be repaired tomorrow, so the update might be late. That was the trouble with a desktop: it couldn't connect to the internet through a phone's wireless connection. Jiaoshou actually had to finish writing on the computer, save it in Notepad, transfer it to the phone, then use the phone to go online and copy and paste the chapter to upload it. It was such a hassle. In recognition of all Jiaoshou's hard work, please offer some recommendation votes in support!
The third treasure that appeared before Rex was a thick blue book. Like the red Book of Energy he had obtained before, it was an ability-enhancing treasure.
Whenever Rex had time, he visited the Warcraft System. He had thoroughly studied the descriptions of its various buildings and everything else. The treasures that could randomly appear in the Goblin Merchant, for instance, fell into three categories.
Consumable treasures, ability-enhancing treasures, and permanent treasures!
Of these three, the last category, permanent treasures, was the most valuable. Most permanent treasures were those iconic items that had appeared in a game called DOTA. Anyone familiar with that game could easily name them, such as the Belt of Strength, the Circlet of Nobility, and the Claws of Attack.
These items could permanently improve one's abilities, so they were naturally precious. Getting them to appear in the Goblin Merchant was exceedingly difficult. Next came ability-enhancing treasures. These could also improve abilities, but most were single-use items that disappeared after being used once. The Book of Energy Rex had obtained last time and the Lesser Rune of Dispel he had obtained this time were both treasures of that kind.
Consumable treasures were the least valuable. These could not directly improve the user's abilities and grant permanent enhancements. Instead, they included things like mana potions, Healing Salves, and other special treasures such as Hearthstones. Although consumable treasures were the least valuable of the three categories, there were still good items among them, such as the Hearthstone.
The third treasure Rex obtained this time was a Tome of Strength, an ability-enhancing treasure. Tomes of Strength came in two varieties, granting +1 strength and +2 strength respectively. The one before Rex was merely a Lesser Tome of Strength that added 1 strength. Unlike consumable treasures, ability-enhancing treasures always appeared in quantities of one, rather than in larger quantities like the Lesser Clarity Potions.
Like the Lesser Rune of Dispel, this Tome of Strength cost Rex 1,000 gold coins. In the blink of an eye, he had spent 5,100 gold coins, even though he had only just entered the Warcraft System. The Warcraft System certainly lived up to its reputation as a gold-devouring machine.
Although the expenditure was staggering, the Warcraft System gave him the feeling that it was all worthwhile.
Visiting the Goblin Merchant once a month was enough. Its upgrade requirements were also very simple: a level 2 Barracks would allow the Goblin Merchant to be upgraded to level 2. Almost all these buildings worked that way. As long as he followed a certain order and upgraded them one by one, he could eventually upgrade them all. Rex entered the Barracks, where many more Infantry Spirits had now appeared. He approached the orb of light and checked; there were still more than twenty Infantry Spirits left to recruit.
Standing inside the Barracks, Rex began to wait quietly. Recruiting twenty-odd Infantry Spirits did not take long, and soon all three hundred had been recruited. Once no more Infantry Spirits emerged from the Barracks, Rex clicked the upgrade option, and a light enveloped the building. Looking at the Barracks, which now seemed rather sacred, Rex checked how long the upgrade would take. Since it was only going from level 1 to level 2, it would take just one week, or seven days. He therefore chose to leave the Warcraft System and return a week later.
Time slowly passed. Rex spent a fairly fulfilling week. Professionals handled the caravan's affairs; his role was merely to give the final approval and make decisions on important matters.
The caravan's business progressed smoothly. Gilneas's specialties were still very popular. As the saying went, unusual things were always welcome. After selling its goods, the caravan spent this period purchasing merchandise unavailable in Gilneas. Its members were therefore rather busy, visiting Dalaran's shops every day in search of partners. This caravan was not simply moving on after each quick deal. It was conducting long-term business, so naturally it needed partners.
Rex had finished his own business. Once the caravan concluded its affairs, he could set off back to Gilneas. As for Monroe, who had gone to Southshore, Rex had even less reason to worry about him. When Monroe first left Gilneas, he had looked so excited that he seemed like someone who had never seen the world, but once he got to work, he was extremely serious—even stingy.
With no need to manage the caravan's affairs, Rex spent the week wandering around Dalaran. Sometimes he went with Rona and Ulysses, and sometimes with Jaina. He also visited Antonidas and met Kel'Thuzad. He was even lucky enough to meet Rhonin and his wife, who had been traveling from country to country and had returned to Dalaran this time. Rex only met the couple briefly and had little further interaction with them; they were destined for tragedy. One was a High Elf and the other a human, and their lifespans were simply on completely different scales. Even though Rhonin was now very powerful, possessing the strength of an Archmage, what good would that do? It could only extend his life somewhat.
When the two first met, both had been in the prime of their lives, and Rhonin had been full of youthful confidence. Yet the Rhonin Rex saw now already showed clear signs of aging. As for his wife, Rex was certain that her appearance had not changed at all throughout the many years they had known each other.
Who would dare be with a High Elf without a lifespan of several thousand years? Rex could not bear it. Still, in Azeroth, living indefinitely was not impossible. The Night Elves of the present were proof of that, having received the blessing of the leader of the Bronze Dragonflight. Only when the World Tree was destroyed during the Battle for Mount Hyjal would the Night Elves lose their eternal lives and begin to experience birth, aging, sickness, and death.
None of that had happened yet. The Night Elves suffered no illness, did not grow old, and would not die from reaching the end of their lifespans. They were practically a perfect race.
(End of chapter)
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