Chapter 2554 Love Poems <TOC> Chapter 2556 Nascent Plane Crystal
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel opened his eyes, stretched languidly, and stood up.
He had just returned from another visit to the Wilderness of Dreams, where he left a message for the yet-to-log-in Sanders, discussing the affairs of the Black Count and the encounter with Augustine amidst the alchemy omen through the Tree Group.
Angel was unsure whether the current Noah family had any connection to the Augustine from Nightfall City, but whether it was a coincidence or a real link, he decided it was best to inform Sanders, who was familiar with the situation in Nightfall City.
As for Iron Armor Granny and others, Angel didn’t divulge much; they were aware of Nightfall City’s existence within the Nightmare Plane, but the specifics remained a closely guarded secret of Phantom Island, which Sanders had never mentioned, so naturally, Angel refrained from elaborating.
Back in reality, Angel was ready to examine the dagger he had crafted.
Dangros was holding the dagger, bouncing around and waving it energetically. The entire cave flickered with star-like golden light because of this.
“Stop playing, let me see the dagger,” Angel called Dangros to a halt.
Dangros obediently stopped its antics, stood at attention with a playful bounce, and handed the dagger to Angel.
Angel inspected the dagger for a moment; it was almost exactly as he had envisioned, a mid to top-rank alchemy weapon, equipped with armor-piercing, sharpness, and tearing effects. The first two effects were common, as most bladed weapons had such runes, but the tearing effect was particularly interesting. Once inflicted, it would cause unstoppable bleeding, and spells below the realm of a formal wizard were unable to heal it.
It was precisely because of this tearing effect that the dagger qualified as a mid to top-rank weapon.
These attack runes were just a few of those included in the mysterious magic formation embedded in the dagger, elevating it to mid-rank. However, the true purpose of the dagger was as a key to open a door, though hidden by the magic formation. Except for Angel, the crafter, probably no one else could discern that hidden part of the magic formation.
Including that concealed magic formation, this dagger was at least of high-rank starting quality.
If it was a high-rank item, that made sense. No wonder alchemy omens were something all alchemists dreaded encountering; if Angel hadn’t visited Nightfall City and seen the original poem, he might have completely lost himself to the omen.
After reflecting briefly, Angel set aside these cumbersome thoughts.
Weighing the dagger in his hand, including the hidden part of the magic formation, this was Angel’s second high-rank creation. The first had been the Rhythm of the Ocean.
This time, Kael had made a significant profit; a bit of material exchanged for a high-rank item was undoubtedly a lucrative deal. It’s worth noting that even among formal wizards, few possessed high-rank items.
High-rank items were challenging to craft, and alchemists capable of doing so were scarce, with terrifying omens accompanying the process, so each high-rank item held substantial value.
The only pity was that this high-rank dagger reached such a level solely because of its key function. Aside from that, as a standard weapon, it was still only mid-rank.
While Angel was pondering, Dangros, standing nearby, was staring at the dagger with shining eyes.
Noticing Dangros’ unusual behavior, Angel asked: “What’s the matter?”
With excitement, Dangros exclaimed: “This weapon has some of my merit too, right?”
Angel paused for a moment and nodded: “Of course, controlling the temperature is crucial. You did well, no, exceptionally well. Without you, the crafting wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”
Dangros, hearing the praise, just giggled stupidly.
“What, bringing up merits suddenly, are you hinting for a reward? How many bottles of quenching fluid do you want? Just say it.” Angel put on a generous facade, seemingly ready to cover any amount of quenching fluid Dangros might ask for, but in reality, Angel had already set a limit in his mind, ten bottles was the maximum. It wasn’t that he was unwilling to give more, but the fluid had a catalyzing effect, and too much might be counterproductive for Dangros.
Dangros, however, simply shook its index finger: “I’m not looking for a reward; I’m just happy to have contributed to the weapon crafting.”
For Dangros, at least, it felt useful, no longer just a freeloader.
Angel probably understood its mindset and gently stroked the back of its hand: “I didn’t expect our cooperation to go this well; you were truly great.”
Angel was generous with his praise for Dangros, and he wasn’t lying.
Angel himself was surprised; although he had collaborated with Dangros a few times before, those were minor projects. This time, it escalated to what seemed like a high-rank item, and they had worked together seamlessly.
Dangros really had a good rapport with him.
Thinking this, a new thought emerged in Angel’s mind: Actually, Kolokcro wasn’t so great, maybe consider Dangros?
Just as Angel was thinking this, Dangros interrupted: “Although I’m not looking for a reward, since you mentioned it, I might reluctantly accept one. I don’t want the common quenching fluid; I want the concentrated quenching fluid, not just ten… I want a hundred bottles!”
Angel silently shelved his previous thoughts; Kolokcro seemed better after all. At least that guy wasn’t as sharp or quick to react.
“I can only give you one bottle of concentrated quenching fluid, but I can give you ten bottles of regular quenching fluid. Choose.”
Despite Dangros’ various ploys and cajoling, Angel remained unmoved, and it finally sighed and chose one bottle of concentrated quenching fluid.
After using the concentrated quenching fluid, there was no turning back for it.
Then, Dangros witnessed something that would take a lifetime to heal.
Angel took out three bottles of quenching fluid from his bracelet, and after a long while, a bottle of concentrated quenching fluid was placed in front of Dangros.
Dangros pointed at Angel, speechless for a long time.
“I know you feel shortchanged, but you can’t just look at the quantity; my operation also has to be factored into the cost,” Angel said leisurely.
Dangros stared with wide eyes, a look of discontent on its face.
But discontent as it may be, there was no way to reverse it, and Angel was right, transforming quenching fluid into concentrated quenching fluid required skill… Of course, that was the only reason that could comfort its wounded spirit.
Dangros licked its wounds, silently hugging the bottle of concentrated quenching fluid, and returned to its designated spot.
Angel then placed the dagger on the table, pondered for a moment, and touched a nearby spatial node, calling Daus and Kael who were waiting outside.
As they entered, Daus immediately said: “A beam of golden light just shot straight out from the underground ruins, illuminating the entire black market above. Could that be… an alchemy omen?”
Angel didn’t deny it and pointed at the dagger on the table: “It’s been crafted.”
Daus didn’t look at the dagger, still marveling: “You don’t know, the black market shook, so many people came over. Even the Lawrence family sent someone to inquire.”
After all, alchemists are rare, especially those capable of producing mid-rank and above, and alchemists covered by alchemy omens are even rarer.
In wizard organizations or extraordinary cities, it’s rare to see such omens, especially in places like a wizard market.
That’s why it caused such a sensation. And the people from the Lawrence family who came had a very clear purpose, they wanted to recruit.
However, even without Angel saying, Daus knew it was impossible; this was a bigwig from the Research Institute, beyond what the small Lawrence family could afford. So, they simply said that an alchemist friend passing by helped with some crafting, which quelled the external commotion.
Yet still, outside the ruins where Kael resided, many people gathered. Most of them were looking for an alchemist to perform alchemy, and some wanted to forge connections.
But most likely, all would return empty-handed.
As Daus was reflecting, Angel tossed the dagger to Kael, who was standing there dumbfounded.
After briefly explaining the situation with the dagger, upon learning that it might be a high-rank item, Kael’s hands trembled with fright.
Daus, on the other hand, had his eyes shining brightly, staring intently at the dagger, wishing he could snatch it right away.
Such wandering wizards rarely touch such high-rank items; even if they see them at auctions, they can’t afford them. Yes, Daus was such a poor soul.
He had never even touched a high-rank weapon, and it had appeared so unexpectedly before him.
Daus restrained his urge to snatch it, pretending to be nonchalant: “What do you know about high-rank weapons, an apprentice like you? Let me have a look.”
Kael, afraid his trembling hands might drop the dagger, simply handed it over to Daus.
Daus, while outwardly examining it normally, was inwardly drooling over the dagger like a fanatic.
Kael couldn’t feel Daus’ inner emotions, but Angel, extremely sensitive to emotional fluctuations, noticed something.
Angel glanced at Daus, and to prevent him from going down a “path of no return,” he added: “Though it’s high-rank as a key, if you use it as a weapon, it’s actually only mid-rank.”
“But even so, it’s worth several times what you spent on the materials,” Angel turned to Kael: “So, you’re definitely not at a loss this time.”
Kael nodded vigorously, his compliments unceasing.
Daus’ interest slightly waned after learning that the dagger could only serve as a mid-rank weapon, but he still couldn’t bear to let go of the dagger, continuously twirling it in his hand, seemingly eager to blood it in battle.
Angel said: “The key has been successfully crafted, so next comes further exploration. Before we discuss that, I need to talk to Daus about some things. Kael, you may stay if you wish to listen, but sometimes knowing too many secrets is not a good thing.”
Kael didn’t hesitate to turn and leave.
Once Kael had left, Daus also put down the dagger, looking squarely at Angel. He knew that the matter concerning Vai would depend on what Angel was about to say next.
“I’ve used some special methods to learn some interesting things; do you want to know?” Daus listened, not inquiring about the special methods Angel used, even if it meant Angel directly contacting the higher-ups of the Savage Grottoes. After all, the Research Institute had many items not for sale to the public, but always speculated and coveted by others, including small signal towers. So, it was possible for Angel to have contacted others.
“I do,” Daus replied without hesitation.
Angel said: “I’ve heard some secrets about the Black Count, and according to the person who told me these secrets, it should be safe to explore with Vai.”
Daus breathed a sigh of relief at this. However, Angel’s next words made him frown.
“But I’ve learned another piece of information from elsewhere.”
As he spoke, Angel picked up the dagger again and toyed with it before saying: “The door this key is meant to open might be related to The Noah’s Secret.”
Of course, Angel couldn’t be entirely sure about this.
But the fact that Augustine Noah and the Black Count were part of the Noah family was highly suspicious.
He planted this seed of doubt in Daus to prevent any unforeseen issues that might arise due to the relationship with Vai.
Chapter 2554 Love Poems <TOC> Chapter 2556 Nascent Plane Crystal