Another World’s Versatile Crafting Master c1-1074

by Zhuang Bifan

"But what?"

  "I can make use of the Transcend Spell to disperse the Vengeful Spirits, but both of you should know that the Transcend Spell would require me to stay focused throughout the recitation. Once the recitation gets interrupted, the effects of the spell would vanish. Hence, I am not to be distracted…"

  "Yeah, I understand what you mean…" Hutton replied as he nodded his head knowingly. "If there are going to be other demons or magical beasts in the passageway, Stephen and I will be in charge of getting rid of them. Mage Felic, you just have to do your best in maintaining the effects of the Transcend Spell."

  "That's great," Lin Li said as he fished out the Robe of Light from his Ring of Endless Storm. He passed the robe to Hutton. "You should wear this Robe of Light now. If you were to face too many Vengeful Spirits, transfer some mana into this robe and it will ensure that you won't be hurt by any of them for a period of 10 minutes."

  "Thank you," Hutton said as he received the Robe of Light with trembling hands. As a high-level Archmage, how would Hutton not be aware of the value of the Robe of Light? The "10 minutes" concept would assure the person who donned the robe total safety from Vengeful Spirits when entering and exiting anywhere.

  Lin Li glanced at Stephen after passing the Robe of Light to Hutton.

  "As for Mage Stephen…" Lin Li hesitated exaggeratedly before fishing out the Magic Lamp from his pocket. "Mage Stephen, I will leave this Summoning Lamp in your safekeeping for the time being. You can transfer your mana into the lamp to summon the Humerus Wyrm to deal with Legendary-level enemies when we enter the passageway. However, please be mindful not to activate the lamp if there is no need to, or else…"

  Lin Li did not say what were the consequences. He knew it would be a waste of effort….

  "No… No problem…"

  Stephen's face lit up the moment he came into contact with the Summoning Lamp. This was unbelievable. Stephen was still devising strategies to snatch the Summoning Lamp from Lin Li, and did not expect that fella to hand it over to him automatically.

  Stephen really felt like laughing. He wanted to grin at his awesome luck and snicker over Felic's foolishness.

  How could there be such a stupid mage in this world who would hand a Magic Lamp that could summon a Humerus Wyrm to others?

  What a dumbass! Stephen dissed Felic quietly. The ownership of a Legendary-level creature like the Humerus Wyrm could grant any mage apprentice the right to challenge any Legendary-level figure. No one would think of letting his closest kin or friend handle such a treasure.

  With that, he would not need to crush the crystal to summon that powerful Greater Demon for help. As long as he transferred mana into the Magic Lamp, the Humerus Wyrm would smash Felic into minced meat immediately.

  "Alright, let's set off now. We should pass through this passageway and find that darn throne as quickly as we can…" Lin Li said after passing the two powerful magical equipment to both men. Lin Li tidied his crumpled robe and started to lead them towards the passageway that was filled with countless Vengeful Spirits.

  "Wait a minute…" That was Stephen with an insidious expression. He did not move after he received the Summoning Lamp. The glistening lamp turned brighter. "My apologies, Mage Felic. I fear that you might not get to find the Throne of Darkness anymore…"

  "Stephen, what's on your mind?" Hutton, who became more serious, questioned the teammate cautiously.

  "What's on my mind? Of course it's sending Mage Felic to death! I've seen too many morons, but this is my first time seeing a moronic mage that would hand his most powerful magical equipment to other people. Did you not expect that I could kill you with your own magical equipment?" Stephen ratted out slyly. The thirst for revenge had been suppressed within Stephen's mind for a very long period of time.

  Who cared where Felic came from! Not to mention that Felic had been creating eccentric troubles for Stephen, he was also a more capable mage. Stephen had been feeling oppressed by this darn man ever since he'd met him in the Blackstone Mountains. Felic was the man who had been making Stephen feel powerless despite having a good set of magic skills he had prided himself on.

  To a man that had received education from three Legendary figures since he was young, as well as was the sole heir of the Dark Blade, it was not a matter he could tolerate.

  Stephen gained immense p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e from venting his deep hatred for Lin Li. He raised the Summoning Lamp in one hand and started to transfer mana into the lamp continuously.

  "Damn it, Stephen, control yourself. Please do not forget that we are here to find the Throne of Darkness. That is our only way to leave the Abyss of Tharlen!" Hutton urged Stephen anxiously. How would he not know what Stephen wanted to do? Hutton had witnessed the powers of the Humerus Wyrm. It'd turned the two Rainbow Manticore Kings into minced meat with just a leg.

  Although the young President was powerful, he was not yet a Legendary-mage. There would be a possibility for him to be killed by the Humerus Wyrm.

  It would be too humiliating for such an invincible Archmage to be killed by a creature he'd summoned.

  "Throne of Darkness? Hahahaha, stop joking, Hutton. Do you really think that I'm here to find that darn throne with you guys? Hahahaha, let me tell you, Hutton. I knew of its location when we were in that forest just now. However, why should I reveal it and share Geresco's three relics with you? I only have one motive for coming here: to kill both of you!" Stephen's hideous laughter accompanied his act of transferring an endless stream of mana into the Summoning Lamp. Blinding light filled the entire Abyss Arena, and a force that threatened to tear the void started to spread…

  "Oh sh*t…" Darkness rushed up to Hutton. As a high-level Archmage, Hutton knew very well that that was a force used to summon the Humerus Wyrm. When the force reached its maximum amount, the Humerus Wyrm would break out from the void and appear in the Abyss Arena, where it'd tear himself and the young President into pieces with its unbeatable strength!

  "Stephen…" Lin Li spoke. He had been standing at his spot and looking at Stephen with a very strange gaze. It was a gaze filled with not only sympathy, but also mockery. It was as though he was not looking at an enemy that was trying to summon a Humerus Wyrm to kill himself, but a moron that was about to commit an idiotic act.

  "Hahahaha, are you going to ask for mercy? It is too late now. Even if you were to kneel before me, you wouldn't be able to change your fate of being killed by your own summoned creature…"

  "Not that…" Lin Li replied as he shook his head, and his gaze turned more uneasy. "I remember telling you to be careful not to transfer any mana into that Summoning Lamp…"

  "What?" Stephen's expression took a turn, and he realized something was amiss. Unfortunately, it was too late. He had transferred a great amount of mana into the Summoning Lamp, and it activated the mageweath for sealing living creatures. At once, an unbearable force broke the space…

  However, the space did not bring them the Humerus Wyrm that Stephen wanted…

  Strictly speaking, it was not a real summoning process. It created a puff of thick fog that resembled gray clouds before an impending storm. The Abyss Arena became silent. There were neither gasps nor shrieks, just dead silence.

  Immediately after the dark fog emerged from the void, it twirled tightly around Stephen. They saw how the black fog changed into different forms continuously, while the man in the middle stood rooted to the ground. Stephen became like a wooden puppet that lost his human qualities.

  "Hey, I've told you that long ago. You shouldn't add mana in so recklessly…" Lin Li sighed and shook his head. "Or else there would be a lot of trouble…"

  Frankly speaking, Stephen had some really bad luck to have put his trust in a hypocrite…

  Who was Lin Li? He was a b*tch that might plot against anyone that he gave his copper coin to. After all, the Summoning Lamp was a powerful piece of magical equipment. Anyone who knew Lin Li well, such the boss of Gilded Rose, Ysera, would definitely not immediately accept Lin Li's offer to put
his Summoning Lamp with him. His first reaction would be to inspect the lamp with a magnifying glass to see if there might be a bomb hidden in it.

  Unfortunately, Stephen was absolutely unaware of it…

  That caused him to step into Lin Li's trap very easily. He was right, the Summoning Lamp was still a Summoning Lamp. It would definitely be able to summon a powerful creature if one were to transfer mana into it. However, Lin Li did not tell Stephen that the Summoning Lamp did not just seal a Humerus Wyrm. In fact, there was also the former Lord of the Abyss within it.

  Stephen would never have dreamed that the bond Lin Li signed with the Humerus Wyrm would not require the powers of the Magic Lamp. In fact, the Summoning Lamp was just a living space for the Humerus Wyrm.

  It was lucky for Stephen be still of use to Lin Li. Otherwise, he would not be just trapped by the Lord of Nightmares, but turn into minced meat under the feet of the Humerus Wyrm.

  "T-this… What is this…?" Hutton gaped. He could not comprehend the ongoing events.

  "Nothing much, I'm just borrowing Mage Stephen's dream…" Lin Li replied as he retrieved the Summoning Lamp from Stephen.

  Of course, he would never reveal more. It concerned too many secrets.

  However, these words were enough to drown Hutton in his sweat.

  The treachery of the young President was beyond the imagination of common men. Every single word could be one of his traps, and every single action might let his enemies fall beyond redemption. Hutton knew he had made a wise decision to please the man after realizing the danger involved. Otherwise, he would be the other person being trapped in that black fog.

  "But, Mage Felic, what should we do next? Are we going to leave Stephen here?"

  "Leave him here? Hmph, how would there be such an easy way out? I've spent so much time digging this pit, and you want me to give all the space to Stephen? Now that the bastard Lord had been watching the free show for quite a while, it's time to pay for the ticket now…" Lin Li smirked as he found the crimson piece of soul fragment very quickly…

  "Connoris, go and unlock all the cages."

  "Damn it, how do you know…?" Connoris jumped on Lin Li's back. His voice was filled with disbelief.

  "Are you curious about why I knew you can unlock these cages?" Lin Li responded Connoris's shock with a smile. "Because I want to know…"

  "F*ck you…" Connoris cussed, but proceeded to get down from Lin Li's back. He started to open the cages with some unusual recitation.

  Chapter 461 - Ancient Demon Deities

  As Connoris recited the spell, the gates of the cages opened. Immediately, pungent stench of blood filled the air. Hideous demons and ferocious magical beasts rushed out from the cages like tidewater. There were growls, shrills, footsteps, and many other sounds overlapping. The sight of the mess gave Lin Li goosebumps on his scalp.

  "Alright, let's get ready to leave this place!" Lin Li was not joking. They were in the Abyss Arena, a place used to get rid of any of the Abyss Lord's enemies. There were innumerable Minion Demons, and Demons locked in every cage were at least level-18 or level-19. Despite being close to the Legendary-realm, Lin Li could not help but get anxious when the hundred of cages were unlocked at the same time.

  Furthermore…

  Since that was supposed to be a gift for the Lord of Souls, why should he help the Lord receive it? The moment Connoris unlocked the cages, Lin Li cast a Hastening Spell on himself and rubbed the Summoning Lamp to call back the Lord of Nightmares from Stephen's dreamland.

  Afterward, Lin Li grabbed Hutton, as well as Connoris that was on the verge of escaping, and dragged them into the only passageway in the Abyss Arena.

  "Oh yes, where is Stephen?" Hutton asked as he panted heavily. Underlying his tone was a lingering fear.

  Actually, Hutton should have known that President Felic would never forgive Stephen so easily, especially for his undesirable actions. President Felic was a man that could slaughter the entire Syer Bandits with a strength of more than 300 men. How would President Felic deal with a traitor like him?

  However, it might not cost Stephen his life…

  After all, Stephen had the strong backing of the Dark Blade, as well as the support from the three Legendary powerhouses. Even the Malfa Family would never dare to provoke them—especially after their latest battle. Hutton could also sense the obvious fear and dread from his mentor upon mentioning the three Legendary figures…

  To be honest, Hutton could tell that the abilities of President Felic would definitely be beyond what he could imagine. Sometimes, Hutton even thought that the young mage had the ability to outsmart those Legendary figures who had been respected for more than a few decades. That was just Hutton's pure intuition, one that bloomed out of his experience after encountering a multitude of shocking interactions…

  Yet, personal strength was still the most important…

  In the entire Breezy Plains, there was only a handful of people who had the ability to use their personal strength to get what they wanted. These people were Ashen Warlock, Shadowmoon Sword Sage, as well as the Mage from the Tower of Darkness—just to name a few. They were powerful existences who had strength beyond the imagination of humans in the Breezy Plains.

  Before one could get to their level, all was still dependent on the degree of influence one had.

  Felic's Guild of Magic had just been built in the Breezy Plains not long ago. Without any foundation, it was like an infant who was still trying to learn to walk slowly. Any impulsive or foolish man would have known that offending the Dark Blade was not a wise decision on their part, and that it would be as good as digging their graves.

  If Stephen were to lose his life here, awaiting the Guild of Magic would be the Dark Blade's rage of fury. Then, this force that lacked foundation would be uprooted by the Dark Blade. President Felic is a clever man. He should have thought of this…

  "Stephen still needs to wait for an old acquaintance. He won't be continuing this journey with us," Lin Li replied as he glanced at the center of the Abyss Arena. Stephen had just woken up from his dreams. He was rubbing his groggy eyes and looking at his surroundings with trepidation and confusion…

  It should be enough…

  Lin Li calculated the time. After being sure that those cages had been unlocked, he flung the soul fragment onto the ground and gave it a hard step…

  A crisp sound could be heard, and a strange and unexplainable force was released.

  "Let's go!" Lin Li urged as he pulled the confused Hutton into the passageway.

  He never looked back…

  Being built by the ancient deities, the Abyss Arena itself had a magical force. The moment both men entered the narrow passageway, the entrance behind them was blocked by red glow. This red glow was not a glaring one. It looked like a thin sheet, but acted as a barrier between the passageway and the Abyss Arena which became like two separate worlds. Numerous magical beasts and demons that dashed towards the two humans that trespassed the arena could not get past the red shield no matter how hard they tried…

  "President Felic, isn't this too harsh…?" Hutton asked Lin Li uneasily. Frankly speaking, Hutton really felt that President Felic had just made a reckless decision…

  Stephen was the heir of the Dark Blade, after all. If they were to leave Stephen here, Hutton would turn into President Felic's accomplice. Then, the Dark Blade would be going after both the Malfa Family and the Guild of Magic. It wouldn't matter for the Malfa Family. Since they had been enemies for more than a century, another bit of hatred wouldn't be any different.

  "Chill, Stephen won't die…" Lin Li comforted Hutton. He knew what the latter wanted to say, but unfortunately, he was really busy now…

  Since he entered the passageway, Connoris never stopped nagging. This almighty Soul Trader continued to disturb Lin Li via mental communication.

  "Freak, how did you know that?"

  "Know that you could open those cages?"

  Connoris's voice trembled as he said,
"That's right. That's one of my greatest secrets that even Osric was oblivious to. How… How would you know it?"

  This almighty Soul Trader could not help but feel really petrified. He couldn't do anything about it. Due to his current disadvantage of not having a body, his greatest fear was to be seen through by people. After he got his powers taken away by Osric, knowledge was the only asset he was left with—the secrets he'd acc.u.mulated over countless years. If he failed to protect those precious pieces of information, this former Demon Lord would really turn into a slave to humans…

  "I say, Connoris, as an almighty Soul Trader, do you not know what a fair trade is? You have your secrets, I have my secrets. Imagine how many secrets you have kept from me ever since we met at the Eternal Furnace? Do you really think that I'm oblivious to everything?" Lin Li asked. Although he did not sound angry, his words shot out unapologetically. After taking a pause, he continued, "Alright, Connoris, let's strike a deal. If you want to know why, use your own secrets to trade with mine."

  "What… What do you want from me?"

  "Your background. Oh yes, stop patronizing me with the title 'Almighty Soul Trader'. A fool would have known the Greater Demons that existed before the Dark Age had many shadows of themselves. Do you all have a fetish for role-playing…?"

  "You… What did you know?" Connoris asked in a voice that trembled harder than before. He stopped maintaining his fetish for role-playing. It is no great secret that Greater Demons reincarnated countless times since the Dark Age. Most who are above the Lord-level would have known that. Yet, how did this information get to a human…?

  "Actually, Connoris, I just want to know which of the 99 beings you are…"

  "…" Lin Li's words turned the conversation into a daunting silence.

  If Lin Li's words only made Connoris worry earlier on, his words now really made the almighty Soul Trader fearful.

  The 99 beings Lin Li was referring to had to be the 99 ancient deities…

  "You have to be curious where I got this information, right…?" Lin Li asked smilingly. He did not care what was on Connoris's mind. "Am I right, almighty Soul Trader?"