Chapter 867 Potions in Short Supply <TOC> Chapter 869 Stone Chrysanthemum Shrimp
Translator: SumTLMan
Blaire’s hesitation seemed somewhat amusing to Piers.
Right beside her, a future master of alchemy was present, yet she seemed oblivious, still contemplating issues related to potion creation. It seemed there was more than met the eye. Perhaps Angel and Lady Silai weren’t as amicable as he’d initially thought. Otherwise, why would she be oblivious to Angel’s identity?
In that case, should he intervene and gain Angel’s favor?
After considering for a moment, Piers decided to remain neutral. After all, his assumptions were based on mere conjecture, and often, unwarranted enthusiasm could engender suspicion instead of goodwill.
Seeing Blaire’s acceptance of the materials, Angel didn’t say much. He started to methodically pack the assortment of items scattered across the room into his spatial bracelet.
Once Angel had finished packing, Piers glanced at the tightly shut stone door and said in a hushed voice, “As for the fellow outside, do you have any plans? If he’s causing you trouble, our merchant group can deal with him.”
Piers was referring to Shark Disciple posing as a servant by the door.
Angel shook his head, “It’s a minor issue, no need to trouble Sir Piers.”
Hearing this, Piers didn’t press further.
Soon, they exited the stone house, chatting as they went.
Shark Disciple by the door immediately averted his gaze, not daring to make direct eye contact with Angel. He waited until they had moved a fair distance away before he resumed his act, following them from a distance.
Upon their return to the ruins, Piers gestured towards the surrounding iron cages, “Our merchant group has brought a batch of premium goods this time. If you’re interested, you might want to purchase one.”
Angel remembered the delicate, onion-white hand he had seen earlier when entering the stone house, and his gaze naturally drifted towards the pale golden cage.
Noticing Angel’s line of sight, Piers hooked his lips into a smile, “The goods in this cage are the most valuable among our merchant group’s offerings this time. If you like it, why not purchase it?”
As Piers spoke these words, the surrounding buyers widened their eyes in disbelief. Previously, Piers hadn’t even allowed them a glimpse at the contents of this cage. Now, he was directly asking this young man if he wanted to buy it?!
Such blatant favoritism!
Even as they mentally complained, the buyers instinctively moved closer to the center. Whether they could afford it was one thing, but getting a look at this premium good was certainly on everyone’s mind.
“I am here only to collect goods and have no intention to purchase anything else.” Angel said, ready to take his leave.
Piers proposed, “Why not take a look first, guest? Who knows, you might find it quite to your liking?”
This suggestion of Piers’s stirred the assent of the surrounding buyers, with some even directly voicing their support, “Why not take a look? Satisfy our curiosity as well?”
Angel pondered for a moment and eventually nodded. After all, there was no harm in just looking.
Seeing this, Piers promptly lifted the black cloth from the golden cage, revealing the true appearance of the “goods” within.
Everyone who laid eyes on the “goods” was utterly stunned. Even the members of the merchant group, who had seen her countless times before, were still moved when they saw her again.
Angel’s expression was also filled with surprise. He had previously seen a hand and, based on first impressions, thought that the cage might contain a human or humanoid, likely a female judging by the skeletal structure.
However, reality proved otherwise.
The cage contained a half-plant Feathered Woman.
The Feathered Woman only had an upper body, her skin was as white as snow, covered densely in feathers. These feathers varied in size and hardness, some grew in circles and others in rows. The only commonality was that they were all as white as freshly fallen snow.
There were no feathers on the face of the Feathered Woman, her visage was stunningly beautiful, but sadly her eyes were a pupil-less haunting white expanse.
The Feathered Woman had no lower body because it was replaced by a yellow-green tree stump that had its roots chopped off. It looked like a woman trying to struggle out of a tree.
However, in reality, it was not the “tree” that confined her, but she herself who had transformed into a tree.
This half-plant Feathered Woman appeared to have movements in her upper body, her fingers could even move. But from a wizard’s perspective, she couldn’t be considered a “person” anymore, but a plant, a magical plant.
In the Wizarding World, there’s a specific term for such half-plant Feathered Women: “Goddesses of Spring,” Demeter.
Legends say that these “Goddesses of Spring” are the protectors of the earth and nurturers of nature, they can make the land fertile, the vegetation lush, change the environment, and ensure a bountiful harvest. Indeed, the Demeter possesses similar abilities. However, the extent of their protection depends on the age of the tree they’ve transformed into; the older, the wider the area they can protect.
Angel had once seen a self-sold Feathered Woman from the Paramjit tribe at the Twilight Auction, so he later researched some information about the Feathered Race. According to the legend, a venerable elder of the Chiff Feathered Tribe chose to fuse with a divine tree at her death. Tens of thousands of years later, the Plant-Fused Feathered Woman was able to protect a region almost as large as the entire Feran Continent.
The value of such plant-fused Feathered Women increases with age.
The sapling in front of him was a Demeter, a creature that appeared to be quite young. The rings visible in its stump indicated it was only thirteen years old.
Perhaps due to the absence of roots, it was unable to absorb the nutrients from the earth; or maybe because its trunk had been chopped off, it was deprived of the natural energy it should have received. The Demeter, bearing the semblance of a winged maiden, had tears flowing from the corners of its eyes.
Its pure white eyes, akin to glacial ice, shed a slow stream of tears, which ultimately fell into a glass vial beneath the cage.
—Demeter’s Tears, a necessary ingredient in the concoction to birth magical plants, held a certain value.
“This is a wild Demeter our caravan found in the Malan Heights, are you interested, Angel?” Piers didn’t bother glancing at the astonished customers all around; his gaze was fixed solely on Angel.
Originally, this wild, masterless Demeter was intended for the Sky Auction, but encountering Angel here, if he was willing to purchase, Piers wouldn’t mind selling it to him.
As for the others, even if they had the money, he wasn’t interested in selling.
So, when someone was moved to bid, Piers’ gaze flashed over like a cold blade, immediately silencing them.
Shark Disciple looked at the Demeter in awe. From what he knew, a Demeter not only improved the land but also regulated the density of primal magic within its protection range. For any wizard, this was an invaluable treasure.
Furthermore, because this plant involved the Feathered Race, it was improper to trade it openly. Thus, only the wild ones were permitted to circulate.
This resulted in a situation where it was highly sought after, but scarce.
Swallowing, Shark Disciple considered how having a Demeter would be worth hundreds of years of his plundering at the Tower of Sin. However, as precious as the Demeter was, it wasn’t worth his life. Slowly, he turned his gaze towards Angel. From the start, Piers had only been addressing him. Did that mean… he could afford a Demeter? Did that also imply that his misfortune this time wasn’t just a simple setback, but a potential disaster on the edge of a bottomless abyss?
Angel didn’t pay attention to Shark Disciple’s complex thoughts. All his focus was on the Demeter.
Angel remembered Sanders once mentioned wanting to plant a Demeter on Phantom Island, but due to the harmonious relationship between the Savage Grottoes and the Paramjit Feathered Tribe, it wasn’t proper to purchase one. Therefore, other methods were employed to substitute the Demeter.
The adjustment of primal magic density on Phantom Island relied on magical formations; nourishing the land depended on the droppings of domesticated magical beasts; the abundant plants were due to the diligent cultivation of the Black Shadow Servants…
If they had a Demeter, it would greatly ease the burden.
To be honest, before Piers unveiled the black cloth, Angel hadn’t considered purchasing anything to take back. However, when he saw the Demeter in the cage, his heart stirred.
A Demeter’s role is tremendously convenient for the transcendent, especially in regulating the concentration of primal magic, which is of paramount importance. For Angel, who has progressed at a rapid pace, it currently doesn’t hold much significance, but for his brother Leon, who has just begun to glimpse the world of the transcendent, it is immensely beneficial.
Moreover, the area protected by a Demeter is rich in life essence, which might possibly have a slow but progressive effect on Jon’s body.
This is precisely why Angel is intrigued.
“I wonder if seeing this, would our guest consider changing his mind?” Piers chuckled.
Angel fell silent for a moment before saying, “Captain Piers, you’ve indeed presented me with a difficult choice.”
“Since it’s a predicament, it seems our guest is intrigued? If you are interested, I am willing to offer a fair price, perhaps we can become friends?”
Piers moved his lips slightly, using a spell to convey a price to Angel.
The other onlookers silently protested Piers’ underhanded dealings, but the unfortunate truth was that even without such tactics, Piers had no intention of selling to them.
However, Piers’ serious gesture made them increasingly curious about Angel’s identity.
Ten thousand magic crystals. This was the price Piers conveyed, which was not expensive in itself. If it were up for auction, it would be at least fifty thousand magic crystals.
After taking a look at Demeter, who was still quietly shedding tears, Angel pondered for a moment before nodding at Piers:
“Alright, deal.”
A smile appeared on Piers’ face as he pointed to the stone house: “For the sake of convenience in our transaction, it seems we need to go back inside.”
Only when Piers and Angel disappeared into the stone house did the buyers begin to murmur among themselves. They didn’t know the price, but they knew it wouldn’t be cheap. Could the young man actually afford it? And why did Piers show him such respect? What was his true identity?
As the buyers began to discuss, Rosam, the vice-captain of Ashen Time, noticed several buyers sending their servants away sneakily with a glint in their eyes. It seemed as though they had some nefarious plans in mind.
Rosam smiled coldly, walked over to a member, whispered a few instructions, then vanished.
Chapter 867 Potions in Short Supply <TOC> Chapter 869 Stone Chrysanthemum Shrimp