by Zhuang Bifan
It was not unusual for Brahere to have an incubation room with his status among the High Elves. What was weird was the reason why an incubation room would appear in a mausoleum. To say that the Prince Brahere's mausoleum would still want to do research after his death would be totally absurd.
But, after seeing the items in the incubation room, no one ever pondered this question anymore. Everybody's breath was taken away, including the wealthy Hoffman, Joseph, and Claus whose organizations had over 1,000 years of heritage.
They had no experience in the building of an incubation room, and had not seen a real incubation room, but this did not mean that they had no knowledge of it. Although this incubation room seemed to have been abandoned a really long time ago, most of the facilities had lost their functionality, and many key parts had been lost or damaged, they could feel that the most important Time Domain within the incubation room was still functioning.
Apart from the Time Domain, the other facilities within the incubation room were the most sophisticated technology in all sorts of domains. Even if they had lost their original use, if they could transport them back as artifacts, they would really gain huge fortune.
Why did these people take on such a great risk in the exploration of this relic? Seeking the historical truth would merely be a superficial reason. The fundamental goal was still benefits. They wanted to tremendously enhance the ability of themselves and their organizations. And now, this advantage was placed right before their eyes. As long as they could bring some of these back, this trip wouldn't be wasted. No one could remain calm at this thought.
Of course, there was an exception. Lin Li already had an incubation room in the Tower of Dusk. Although it was not a large-scale incubation room, the facilities within it were extremely complete. He naturally had no interest in the equipment in this deserted incubation room that had stopped functioning.
Because of that, Lin Li could naturally put his attention on places that the others missed. Apart from the reason why the incubation room was constructed in a mausoleum, Lin Li had also noticed another unusual thing in the incubation room. It was the eerie air.
Normally, ruins that had not been ventured into would have a pungent smell of decay, yet Lin Li only felt fresh air when he stepped through the door of the incubation room. He could even smell a faint pleasant scent of flowers and grasses. This made the situation extremely dubious. Lin Li was extremely clear that they were a dozen meters underground in a mausoleum left deserted for over 1,000 years. He could even see the skeletons of a dozen High Elves not far away.
Although the High Elves were born from the Tree of Eternity, they were made of flesh and bones just like humans and any other races with intelligence. Lin Li had not heard that the decaying bodies of the High Elves would have a pleasant smell.
Where did that smell of flowers and grasses come from!? Lin Li really could not comprehend it.
Just when Lin Li was deep in thought, Hoffman came to him.
"Felic, what are you thinking about?" he asked while patting on his shoulders.
"Oh, Master Hoffman, what is it?" Lin Li asked patronizingly. Hoffman's voice brought him back to the present.Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click #%E2%80%99s-versatile-crafting-master_11275087605321405/incubation-room_48009118228727446 for visiting.
"Have you seen anything? Claus suggested that we split these treasures and bring them out of the mausoleum. What do you think about that?" Hoffman asked, not knowing what was on Lin Li's mind. He just thought that Lin Li had something that caught his eye.
"Is that so. How should we split that?" Lin Li turned to ask the rest.
"The Caesar Family hopes to acquire the Time Domain Mageweath array. I know some of you may have similar thoughts as well, but I believe that you will be interested in my offerings," spoke Claus. As the first speaker, he mentioned the most valuable thing in the incubation room. Although he spoke with much confidence, his eyes continued to glance towards Lin Li subconsciously.
When they were previously discussing the partnership, Lin Li was the one who demanded a one-time priority to be the first person to choose whatever he wanted. If Lin Li mentioned that he also wanted the Time Domain Mageweath array at this time, Claus would not have a reason to deny his request, unless he was willing to offend Lin Li.
Claus' motive in wanting the Time Domain Mageweath array was not to build an incubation room when he returned. After all, the Time Domain was not the only thing they needed to build an incubation room. However, there was more than one function to the Time Domain. Its ability to control the passage of time could similarly be of great use in other aspects.
It was just like how a mage would spend a day meditating by himself, but if he were to meditate in the Time Domain for a year, it might only take a day outside the domain. This meant that a day of meditation would help one to boost his acc.u.mulation of mana by a year. It would be especially helpful if one were to be below the Legendary-level as they would not need to enhance their powers through enlightenment. A mage who wanted to proceed to level-16 from level-15 would require a year's time to acc.u.mulate his mana, but with the Time Domain, he would only need a day.
Apart from mages, the Time Domain was beneficial to other occupations too. This would include Warriors and Assassins who needed to boost their combat energy and practice their skills.
Lin Li naturally knew how to read Claus' expression, but he did not see the same value in the Time Domain. Lin Li's incubation room naturally had a Time Domain. As a Guru of Inscription, Lin Li would be able to form a Time Domain Mageweath array as long as he had the resources. Why else could the team have such a good sense of camaraderie?
Furthermore, the Time Domain would not be a free lunch, for one had to pay other costs. The passage of time would entail aging. If one were to stay in the domain for 100 years, he might lose his life. While Lin Li could create high-level potions that would reduce the side effects for mages, it would not be the same for the Caesar Family.
Chapter 873 - Whispering God
At the same time, maintaining the operation of the Time Domain would also require support of a gigantic mana source. The power that humans could obtain from it did not appear out of thin air, either. Lin Li ended up using up more than 10 Legendary magical crystals when he used the Time Domain to hone the cooperation and tacit understanding between the mages. If the Caesar Family wanted to use the Time Domain to produce powerhouses in batches, they'd end up using up more than just 10-odd Legendary magical crystals.
Besides, there was another problem. Obtaining power through such a method might not necessarily be a good thing for mages. Due to the huge difference in the passage of time, the mages' abilities and strength would not be improved in the outside world once they left the Time Domain. If they wanted to continue improving their strength, they would have to enter the Time Domain again. That might be considered a form of dependence or addiction.
Hence, when Lin Li used the Time Domain to hone the cooperation and tacit understanding between the mages, he strictly forbade any of them from meditating. Those who wanted to meditate would have to go to the outside world to do so. Anyway, in the Tower of Dusk, there was a control crystal of the Sky Castle that could allow them to increase the effects of meditation. Hence, no one dared to take the risk to try and meditate in the Time Domain.
Of course, Lin Li did not show his indifference towards the Time Domain in front of Claus. He didn't want to give up any of the benefits he deserved. Even if he didn't want the Time Domain, he had to pretend to want it, and then rip Claus off harshly.
In order to obtain the mageweath array of the Time Domain, Claus went all out and did not hesitate no matter the cost. He directly offered generous conditions like mines, territories, and business channels. As long as Lin Li gave up the mageweath array, he would be willing to give him anything he wanted.
As a r
esult, the wealthy Hoffman also chose to accept Claus's terms after carefully considering the gains and losses. They were only on the third floor of the mausoleum, and there might be more valuable items at the bottom. Even if they stopped exploring there, they wouldn't have been there for nothing if they could receive Claus's generous compensation.
Lin Li had been thinking about the doubts he had just now, and thus was not in the mood to bargain with Claus. Besides, the offer Claus made was already attractive enough. Hence, he quickly nodded and agreed.
Joseph and Claus were close allies in the first place, so the former definitely couldn't deliberately make things hard for Claus. After all, they would be continuing to explore further. It was definitely not wise to have fewer allies and multiple enemies.
The four forces quickly negotiated and reached a consensus for everything including the distribution of other important items in the incubation room, and the next step was undoubtedly a major demolition. That was also the usual approach for exploring ruins, especially for such a large team of expediters. Once they encountered a small profit, they would have to put it in their own pocket. Otherwise, who knew what would happen in the future? There might not be another chance to reap such benefits.
Legend had it that there were expedition teams that wanted to save the benefits they encountered along the way in a ruin until they returned. Although they escaped, the ruin was completely buried underground by lava. Suffering a huge loss, the leader of the expedition team went berserk. Hence, there was a tacit rule for expeditions in ruins, and that was to pocket all treasures before anything else.
However, just as everyone was preparing to move into the incubation room, Lin Li frowned and couldn't help but exclaim, "Wait a minute!"
"What's the matter, Master Felic, did you discover any problems?" Hoffman had been standing beside Lin Li because he didn't have to move the items. Hearing Lin Li's sudden call for a stop, he couldn't help but be surprised. After all, Lin Li had broken through the Sky Castle and Osric's mausoleum. Could it be that he had found some hidden danger!?
Joseph and Claus couldn't help but immediately stop their men. Although their relationship with Lin Li was not very friendly, they also valued Lin Li's experience in exploring ruins.
However, after hearing Hoffman's question, Lin Li shook his head, and said, "No, although I don't know why, I feel that something is wrong here. We'd better retreat now."
"President Felic, this joke is not funny at all. You agreed to the conditions I just put forward. Are you going back on your word now!?" Claus's face immediately grew sullen. He treated the mageweath array in the Time Domain as a treasure, and naturally felt that it was just as important to everyone else. Hence, he immediately wondered if Lin Li regretted giving it up.
Joseph originally had a grudge with Lin Li. Seeing that Lin Li could not give a reasonable explanation, his face suddenly grew sullen. He said in a deep voice, "President Felic, if you can tell me the reason, we might be able to consider it, but you're making us stop without telling us why. What are you trying to do?"
Lin Li thought, Explain? What for? I haven't figured it out yet!
He just felt that something was amiss with the place. However, he couldn't figure it out; otherwise, he would have made it clear long ago. Since Joseph and Claus ignored him, Lin Li didn't say anything to them. He glanced at Hoffman who was next to him, and said, "Master Hoffman, what do you think?"
"Well, this mausoleum is extraordinary. Just to be safe, I think we'd better quit and have a look first. Anyway, those things are here, and it doesn't make any difference to pick them up earlier or later." Hoffman resolutely agreed with Lin Li's suggestion. However, there was still some doubt in his eyes. It seemed that he hoped for Lin Li to reveal some more information.
Although Hoffman supported Lin Li's suggestion, Joseph and Claus did not change their mind. Instead, they became more determined to stay. In the eyes of the two of them, the Glittergold Trade Union was clearly on the same side as the Tower of Dusk. Now that Hoffman had agreed to Lin Li's suggestion without asking for the reason, they were suspecting that there was some conspiracy between them.
"Do you really want to stay here?" Lin Li asked Joseph and Claus again. If it wasn't for the fact that they had Brahere's diary and the fact that the Tower of Dusk and Glittergold Trade Union could not explore the ruins alone, Lin Li wouldn't be bothered to care about their lives.
However, Joseph and Claus were obviously certain that Lin Li and Hoffman were getting up to some scheming tricks. Their faces were full of disdain, and they said, "I'm sorry, we don't find this place dangerous at all."
"You're so timid, yet you're here to explore the ruins. I really don't know how you became the President. If you want to leave, you can go ahead. It is best to take your obedient babies back to your Tower of Dusk and hide," gibed Charles, who had been following Claus. He definitely would not miss this opportunity to mock his enemy. Although he seemed to be talking to himself, his voice was loud enough for almost everyone to hear him.
Charles' taunt immediately angered everyone from the Tower of Dusk, especially the mages. The staff in their hands immediately lit up as if they were about to drown Joseph in a magic storm the next moment. Seeing the situation, the people of the Mithril Alliance and the Caesar Family became nervous, and got ready to fight.
However, Lin Li didn't bother to waste time on Charles. He waved his hand to stop the mages; at the same time, he said, "Retreat, go back along the same route immediately."
Although the people of the Tower of Dusk did not understand why the President gave such an order, they did not hesitate for a moment, and quickly obeyed the order. Even Basel, who had just joined, didn't ask much. He simply turned around and took his student Davos, and retreated to the second floor together with the team. They went back to the same path.
Seeing that Lin Li had already given orders, Hoffman didn't say anything else. Since he had already given his support, he had to support Lin Li all the way. Hence, he also issued an order for everyone on his side to retreat. The team from the Glittergold Trade Union immediately followed suit, and prepared to retreat with the members of the Tower of Dusk.
However, at this moment, a mage who came from nowhere suddenly yelled, "Mana, my mana!"
Upon hearing that scream, all the mages discovered that something terrible was happening to them. The mana in their bodies suddenly began running out uncontrollably, and it was as if there was an invisible monster hidden in the surroundings that was s.u.c.k.i.n.g and draining them of their mana.
The Legendary-mages present did not feel any obvious changes, but those below the Legendary-level all turned pale as their mana weakened. However, within a short period of time, all the mages of the four forces who were below the Legendary-level lost all their mana, and became inferior to ordinary people. Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click #%E2%80%99s-versatile-crafting-master_11275087605321405/whispering-god_48009123329001727 for visiting.
The entire incubation room was immediately engulfed in a horrific tension. The mages panicked because of the shocking changes that were happening in their bodies. Although the Warriors and Assassins did not feel any obvious changes, they could not help but grow fl.u.s.tered as well.
"Don't space out. Hurry, retreat and leave!" Lin Li immediately sensed that the mana in his body was reducing rapidly. Although his huge acc.u.mulation of mana allowed him to stay unaffected for a while, what was going to happen to the mages under him if there were any changes? Even he might not be able to endure it for long.
Hearing Lin Li's urging, everyone immediately sped up, including the people behind the Glittergold Trade Union. At this point, Joseph and Claus stopped asking Lin Li for the reason, and simply yelled at their subordinates to urge them to leave the incubation room.
However, at this moment, another change occurred in the incubation room, an
d countless green tentacles appeared out of nowhere. They were dense like wild grass, and flew towards everyone quickly.
Seeing this scene, Lin Li's heart suddenly tensed up, and a shadow flashed in his mind. Damn it, is this…
The terrible guess in his mind made Lin Li uncontrollably overwhelmed with fear. If it were really that terrifying thing, he would suffer a major loss during the exploration this time.
The owner of those green tentacles obviously didn't want to let the intruders off. They immediately reached the entrance before the team did, and used their tentacles to lock the door of the incubation room.
The Warriors in the team did not need any orders. They waved their weapons at the tentacles that closed the door. However, those tentacles were persistent, and they could not be cut off regardless of how hard the Warriors tried. Instead, the two tentacles that sprang up instantly penetrated the b.r.e.a.s.tplates of the two Warriors in front of them before coming out of their backs. They were dripping with blood like swords.
At this moment, who would dare to rush forward again? The group quickly backed away like tidal waves, and avoided the walls that were covered in tentacles. During this period, the mana depletion of the mages did not stop, and even the Legendary-mages began to find it hard to hang on. They became so weak that those who were weaker almost fell out of the Legendary-realm.
"Damn, what the hell is this! Hoffman, don't you guys have the blueprint of this mausoleum? Weren't these monsters mentioned in it!?" Joseph barked angrily in a moment of panic.
"How much information can there be on a blueprint? Don't you guys have Brahere's diary? Didn't you see that he had added some stuff here!?" Hoffman was equally angry, and he thought, Felic told you guys to leave just now, but you acted like he was out to harm you guys. Do you regret it now?
