Another World’s Versatile Crafting Master c1-1074

by Zhuang Bifan

  Chapter 535 - Escort

  How could Sienna be unsure of something even Charles knew? Though Sienna led the so-called biggest mercenary corps in Roland City, it was nothing compared to the Gale Bandits. He had the chance of succeeding only if he used all his men and the Gale Bandits didn't send in a big force on this path.

  However, Sienna didn't want to risk his everything betting on a possibility. If he bet wrong, he would lose everything he had. Therefore, he would definitely not walk this path despite agreeing to Charles' commission. Mercenaries weren't fools. They would only risk their lives if there was a chance of winning. Against the Gale Bandits, the chance of winning was close to zero.

  Meanwhile, Lin Li didn't seem to be listening. He gently rubbed his chin, and said, "How about this? You see if you can get some other herbs I need. If you can get them, I can transport them back together." Then, he told Charles the names of a few other precious herbs.

  Didn't Mage Felic hear Sienna talking about the Gale Bandits? Charles was confused, but he didn't dare to ask. What he had planned was to sell those herbs cheaply at the City of Late Winter. Since the Gale Bandits were the ones blocking the way, he didn't have high hopes of transporting his herbs safely back to Roland City. Though he might lose some money this way, it was better than losing everything to the Gale Bandits…

  Though this Mage Felic and his two attendants seemed to be very powerful according to Sienna, Charles didn't think he could get Mage Felic to help with escorting his merchant caravan. Even if Mage Felic was willing to let his attendants follow his caravan, it was still hard for one or two level-17 or 18 powerhouses to protect them.

  Though Lin Li's attendant could defeat an Ice Howler single-handedly, how many could they kill by themselves when faced with thousands of bandits? When they were occupied by some of the bandits, others could easily ransack the entire merchant caravan and escape. Moreover, it was said that the Gale Bandits had at least one Legendary powerhouse as their leader. Even if that wasn't true, there had to be a few level-17 or 18 powerhouses. If not, the Gale Bandits wouldn't be placed second on the rankings.

  Charles looked at Sienna, signaling him to explain to Mage Felic that he couldn't do such a thing. After all, Sienna was closer to Mage Felic.

  Sienna knew what Charles meant. He cleared his throat and prepared to explain to Lin Li about the capabilities of the Gale Bandits despite his fear.

  "Will 10 Archmages be enough?" Lin Li asked Sienna in a low voice after a moment of contemplation.

  "…" Sienna swallowed his words before he could even start upon hearing what Lin Li had said.

  What did he mean by asking if 10 Archmages were enough? Although Sienna wasn't a mage, he still knew quite a bit about mages as an occupation. It was hard to be a mage, and even harder to level up in the study of magic. Every stage and its obstacles blocked the footsteps of a batch after batch of mages. Therefore, Archmages could be considered the top of this occupation. Any Archmage would be deemed an important existence in any faction. What did Mage Felic say just now? 10 Archmages!

  Levels existed in any occupation, but similar levels didn't mean similar combat prowess. Mages above level-15 were Archmages, but a level-15 Warrior was incomparable to a level-15 Archmage in fighting ability. So, one couldn't necessarily be able to recruit an Archmage even if he could recruit a level-15 Warrior. The presence of an Archmage could drastically change the power of a faction.

  Sienna's d.e.s.i.r.e to get an Archmage was as strong as any other faction's. However, with his current abilities, it was very hard for him to recruit any. That Mage Felic could recruit 10 Archmages at once? If that was true, he didn't have to worry about this escort even with the presence of the Gale Bandits.

  "10…" Charles swallowed. He was really grateful that Sienna had scolded him just in time. If not, he wouldn't have known what a big shot he had offended. What kind of ability was needed to recruit 10 Archmages at once? The Malfa Family's? The Dark Blade's? Even these two powerful groups in the Breezy Plains couldn't send 10 Archmages to escort a merchant caravan so easily.

  Charles was exhilarated after recovering from his shock. He wasn't close to Lin Li yet, but he was already starting to get some benefits. No wonder getting to know big shots meant an opportunity to develop. Charles couldn't imagine how powerful 10 Archmages would be. Although he wasn't sure of the power of the Gale Bandits, he firmly believed in the ability of 10 Archmages to escort his goods back to safety.

  What Lin Li was the most concerned with was how to get the herbs he needed without accidents. He didn't really care about what Charles or Sienna thought. The Gale Bandits, despite being second to the Dark Blade in power, were definitely a force to be reckoned with. Thus, Lin Li said to Sienna, "How about I let Ujfalusi go with you?"

  Sienna suddenly had the urge to vomit blood. How could he be unsure of Ujfalusi's abilities? He could still vividly remember what had happened back at the ruins of Syer Town. Humerus Wyrm and Legendary Lich… their power was sufficient to destroy an entire city. Add in the 10 Archmages, and this was totally bullying! A caravan escorted by such a team wouldn't have to fear even if everyone belonging to the Gale Bandits attacked them.

  Seeing the weird expression on Sienna's face, Charles was rather puzzled. Who was Ujfalusi? How could he make Sienna so shocked? Sienna didn't have such an expression even when Mage Felic mentioned the 10 Archmages.

  Seeing Charles' confusion, Sienna's mouth twitched, and he softly said, "When rescuing the castellan's daughter… and he became Mage Felic's attendant. He was the one…"

  Although Sienna didn't tell him the whole story, Charles associated this with what Sienna had scolded him for earlier. An immense fear flowed through his veins. A Lich! Legendary Lich! Being Mage Felic's other attendant! Charles yelled uncontrollably in his heart but didn't even dare to look Lich Ujfalusi in the eyes. Undead creatures were terrifying to anyone.

  "How is this? If not, how about increasing—" Lin Li wanted to propose activating the four Alchemy Colossus. One should know that a Titan-level Alchemy Colossus needed not fear even a Legendary powerhouse.

  However, Sienna couldn't withstand any more shocks. Before Lin Li could finish his sentence, Sienna said, "That's enough, Mage Felic, that's more than enough!"

  The owner of the Seven Leaf Grass Charles was already stunned beyond his wits. Shock, surprise, joy, fear… All kinds of emotions gushed from his heart.

  "Sigh, are you stunned again?"

  Sienna's voice rang beside his ear. Charles felt someone nudging him, and suddenly came back to his senses. Only then did he realize everyone had already stood up. "Ah! Dear Mr Mage, I am terribly sorry! I…" Charles immediately started apologizing to Lin Li, and looked at Sienna for help, hoping that Sienna could remind him what he had missed out on just now.

  "Mr Wilkinson here needs some herbs. Your manager had spoiled the deal just now. How about you go take them yourself?" remarked Sienna mockingly.

  Charles didn't dare to hesitate, and immediately asked Wilkinson what herbs he wanted. Though he really wanted to butter up to Wilkinson, he didn't dare to suggest giving him any discount or free gifts. However, after knowing the names of the herbs he wanted, Charles hated that bastard Larry even more. Being the boss of Seven Leaf Grass, Charles was very clear of the prices of each herb. He calculated in his mind and realized those herbs only cost 2000-plus gold coins. However, that bastard Larry had asked for 20,000 gold coins just now!

  Damn it! How Charles wished that bastard Larry wasn't dead from Sienna's kick. How could Charles vent his anger now?

  After going downstairs, Charles personally packaged all the ingredients needed while cursing that bastard Larry who had almost put his life at stake secretly in his heart.

  Although Lin Li didn't get all the herbs he needed, he had secured a portion of them. With Ujfalusi and 10 Archmages' presence, he believed that the Gale Bandits wouldn't be a problem. Lin Li was pretty satisfied with this trip, and didn't want to waste any more time here.

>   "Right, inform me at the Tower of Dusk when you've decided on the date to go. I will send Ujfalusi and the Archmages over then," Lin Li said to Sienna and Charles when he reached the doorstep.

  However, Sienna and Charles, who had sent Lin Li and his companions off to the doorstep, were dumbfounded. They could only turn their abnormally stiff necks and stare at each other with fear long after Lin Li had disappeared from their sight.

  "Oh God! Did he just say the Tower of Dusk?" Charles almost fainted. Was he talking about the Tower of Dusk which'd just recruited a large number of high-level pharmacists?

  Chapter 536 - Master-level Ring

  "I… I should have thought of it earlier. At Doland, it isn't surprising to recruit pharmacists with such abilities! Tower of Dusk, Guild of Magic…" Sienna was at a loss for words. Although he had worked with Lin Li once, Lin Li didn't mention anything about the Tower of Dusk, and said little about the Guild of Magic. Sienna didn't take this to heart, since it was common for mages to mention the Guild of Magic. However, how could he not think of the Guild of Magic after knowing Lin Li's abilities?

  "Did we talk about pharmacists just now…" Charles' voice was obviously shaking. He still couldn't believe that the one who stood in front of him was the owner of the Tower of Dusk, President of the Guild of Magic and the mastermind behind recruiting so many pharmacists…

  "Yes!" Sienna nodded stiffly. His tone was rather sympathetic, and he said, "You even said that the Tower of Dusk won't be happy for long, and asked why I didn't join in poaching."

  Charles' face turned pale. He seemed to be inches shorter. He replied, "Yes, you also asked me how to please the pharmacists, saying you were preparing to give it a try."

  "…" Sienna looked afar and forced himself to stay composed. He said, "I know that a big shot like Mage Felic wouldn't mind my words, since he had even forgiven your rudeness."

  Upon leaving the Seven Leaf Grass, Lin Li wasn't interested in walking around Roland City anymore, so he brought Wilkinson and other companions back home. This wasn't because that manager of the Seven Leaf Grass had ruined his mood, but because Roland City was rather dull in the eyes of Lin Li. Though this world was considered bustling, it was nothing compared to the metropolis Lin Li had seen before.

  Back at the luxurious castle, those extremely bored pharmacists crowded around curiously upon seeing Lin Li's return. Of course, they didn't dare to waste Lin Li's time, so they bombarded Wilkinson with questions.

  Lin Li returned to his room and reminded the Undead servants not to let anyone disturb him. He then closed the door and started doing what he had always done at the Tower of Dusk—he retrieved the Book of Eternity that Geresco had left behind from the Ring of Endless Storm and read it attentively.

  The greatest gain from the trip deep into the Abyss of Tharlen in the Blackstone Mountains was not the Throne of Darkness, but rather the three items left behind by the late Geresco Lin Li had gotten from Tutankhamun: a key, a magical crystal, and a book. It was hard to say which of the three items was more valuable, but any one of them was more valuable than the Throne of Darkness.

  The key was for opening the seventh Sky Castle of the High Elves. Nobody knew how Geresco had gotten hold of it, but no doubt the absence of the seventh Sky Castle during the war had played an important role in ending the Dark Age. Maybe the power of the missing seventh Sky Castle was still a mystery for most people, but Lin Li clearly understood how terrifying it was because he possessed a blueprint of a Sky Castle.

  From this Sky Castle blueprint, Lin Li had a clear idea of how powerful a Sky Castle was despite never experiencing the Dark Age and seeing a Sky Castle himself. Compared to the Sky Castle, the Eternal Furnace that Highlord Osric had built was like a child's toy.

  Although Lin Li planned to follow Connoris' suggestion and integrate the Throne of Darkness with the Eternal Furnace, its power was still limited and incomparable to the powerful seventh Sky Castle's. However, Lin Li was quite eager to know what it would be like after the natural Magical Domain from the underground palace had integrated into the Eternal Furnace. Could that create an eighth Sky Castle?

  However, no matter how powerful the Sky Castle was, Lin Li couldn't gain much from it now. Out of the three items, the ones that had constantly benefited Lin Li were the other two—the magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant and the Book of Eternity made from Leaves of Eternity.

  The Evil Eye that was good at Mental Spells possessed extremely strong mental strength. An accessory made from an Evil Eye magical crystal using special processing techniques could increase the mental strength of the wearer, though it couldn't provide mages with powerful magical strength.

  The degree of mental strength was often used to judge the talent and potential of a mage in terms of magic. This was because it was very hard to increase mental strength through any kind of training. Thus, it was almost impossible to change a mage's magical potential. Some people were destined to be mage apprentices for their entire lives, while others could easily reach the Sanctuary-realm. All this was determined by the degree of mental strength.

  Hence, nothing was more important to a mage than mental strength, and nothing was as attractive to mages as the Evil Eye magical crystal which could increase one's mental strength. If there was any, it had to be this magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant owned by Lin Li now.

  The magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant had far greater effect on increasing mental strength than any ordinary Evil Eye's magical crystal. Even the most ordinary mage apprentice could at least become a level-19 Archmage with the presence of a magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant. Moreover, his mental strength would be far greater than that of other Archmages.

  However, one could not simply put it close to the c.h.e.s.t for the magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant to show its greatest effect. There was a special occupation in Anril for that, just like pharmacists, blacksmiths, and inscribers, who were well respected by powerhouses despite being weak in strength. They were the crystal sculptors, who could make magical accessories.

  One should not think that someone who merely made a ring or embedded a gem could be considered a crystal sculptor. Crystal sculpting required the arrangement of different ingredients and different carving methods for different gems and magical crystals, and even involved the use of the mageweath and potions. It was not wrong to say that the occupation of crystal sculptor was extremely profound, and not as straightforward as pharmaceutics or inscription.

  If this magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant were taken by Hutton or Stephen, they probably wouldn't know how to use it. If the crystal was processed by an ordinary crystal sculptor, it would be a blessing if even half of its power could be unleashed. If they were unlucky, they might even destroy this magical crystal.

  However, it was different in the hands of Lin Li. If the crystal couldn't even be processed by a crystal sculptor master, then nobody could possibly process it in the entire Anril. Yet Lin Li had an advantage that a normal crystal sculptor master didn't—he was also a pharmaceutics Guru, Guru of inscription, and blacksmith Guru!

  The magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant was the size of a palm when he'd obtained it. Only with special master-level potions did Lin Li manage to shrink the crystal until the size of a pea without damaging it in any way. Ordinary crystal sculptors couldn't do this. They could shrink a magical crystal by half at most, but how could a magical crystal half the size of a palm be used to make accessories?

  The metal used to make rings was also better than the others. It was one of the treasures found in the Ring of Endless Storm—a metal brought from the other world. Even though it was said to be a treasure, the Divinity Metal wasn't a super rare commodity to Lin Li. After all, he was only using one of the 20 bars of Divinity Metal to make the ring.

  Lin Li had all kinds of metals stored in the Ring of Endless Storm. However, he had chosen the Divinity Metal as the material for the ring not because it was the most expensive, but because rings made with it wouldn'
t have additional properties.

  The magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant only had one use—to greatly increase mental strength. Not considering this most important property, this magical crystal was even worse than a typical level-15 magical crystal. Therefore, Lin Li was only using this magical crystal to make an accessory that could increase his mental strength when worn. He didn't need any other irrelevant properties like attack or defense buff for something as precious as the magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant. After all, Lin Li wasn't short of level-15 magical crystals.

  The value of the Divinity Metal was its growth property. Equipment made from the Divinity Metal seemed ordinary at first as it didn't have any striking properties. However, as time passed, the growth property of the Divinity Metal was revealed. During the growing process, equipment made from the Divinity Metal would increase the abilities of the user consistently. Thus, all equipment made from the Divinity Metal was likely to become an artifact.

  So, Lin Li chose the Divinity Metal and personally made a ring with fine mageweath. The shrunken magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant was embedded on top of the ring. After this ring was made, Lin Li always wore it. He seemed to clearly feel that his mental strength was increasing rapidly.

  The magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant could make an ordinary mage apprentice quickly grow into a level-19 Archmage due to its help in increasing mental strength. However, it couldn't guarantee that the user would reach the Legendary-realm with ease. This was because one needed not only the increase in mental strength and magic, but also understanding and grasp of world's Rules in order to reach the Legendary-realm.

  The increase in mental strength could only help Lin Li increase his power. It wouldn't help with leveling up his realm. Hence, the magical crystal of the Evil Eye Tyrant still wasn't the most useful item for him out of the three.