Bab 29: Chapter 29: Spiritual Gold
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Recently, for the past month, Duke had heard more than once about the whispers regarding the Expansion War.
Among the neighbors and acquaintances, discussions were happening in private.
However, the Black Serpent Family hadn't released much information about the Expansion War. The entire Snakehead Town continued to operate as usual, and not many outsiders were seen entering.
If there really was an Expansion War, there would undoubtedly be a large influx of outsiders looking to gain recognition and wealth.
"I'm not quite sure about this. I've asked several familiar faces from the Black Serpent Family, and they're also unaware. But..." Mr. Winster paused and leaned closer, speaking in a hushed voice, "I think, Mr. Duke, it wouldn't be wrong to stock up on materials. We might not know about the Expansion War, but there's definitely an abundance of mid-sized Spiritual Springs!"
"Is that so?"
"This is my assessment. First, the Emerald Sea Valley is teeming with spiritual beasts, and there are many mercenary groups heading there. Second, the fact that the Black Serpent Family hasn't denied the rumors is the strongest evidence. The higher-ups must still be in the planning stages, hence allowing the rumors to spread!"
After listening to Winster's analysis, Duke nodded in agreement, "I have the same assessment."
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
Casually chatting along the way, they arrived in Chenjiao City.
Duke, accompanied by Leven, visited several supply stores, purchasing a much larger quantity than before.
Previously, he followed Old Sam's standard of purchasing half a month's worth of supplies at a time. But now that the shop was making good money, Duke decided to buy a month's worth in a single go, ensuring that if the higher-ups initiated the Expansion War, Little Sam's card repair shop would have enough resources to sustain itself. After all, most materials had a long shelf life.
"Leven, can you carry these?"
"I can handle it." Leven hoisted a sack with a goofy grin.
"Then let's head to the next stop." Duke carried two large bags himself, which used to be a burden, but after practicing Blood Refining Technique, it was easy for him, "We have a lot to do today."
"Alright."
On the tram, Leven wiped the sweat from his forehead. It was the height of summer, and the slightest movement caused him to break into a sweat.
"By the way, Leven, have you ever tried the Blood Boiling Potion?" Duke engaged in casual conversation.
"No."
"Why not?"
"I didn't have money." Leven grinned foolishly.
Duke asked further, "The Blood Boiling Potion is only 11 silver dragons. Your parents weren't willing to pay for that?"
Leven thought for a moment and replied, "My older brothers tried it, but it didn't work. My dad said I'm too dull, even if I drink it, it won't make a difference."
"I see."
11 silver dragons had a purchasing power equivalent to just over a thousand units of currency.
However, even such a small amount was an unbearable burden for many poor families. And even if they drank the Blood Boiling Potion, it wasn't a guarantee to unlock the Sea of Blood, and there was a chance of death. Moreover, even if the Sea of Blood was unlocked, becoming a knight wasn't certain, as there were still subsequent costs such as contracting a spiritual beast and the expenses related to nourishing it.
"It's like how kids in the mountain regions can't afford education..." Duke made an inappropriate analogy in his mind.
After some twists and turns, all the supplies for the card repair shop were finally acquired. Duke also purchased the products for the card shop and spiritual artifact store, and he returned to the small inn with Leven.
"Stay in the room and guard the goods. Don't wander around."
"Alright."
"Eat when you're hungry, drink when you're thirsty. Don't worry about saving." Duke pointed to the pile of food he bought, "In short, never leave the room no matter who calls for you, got it?"
"I understand." Leven nodded earnestly.
The value of this batch of goods was considerable. After multiple reminders from Duke, he left the inn alone.
Evening had fallen upon Chenjiao City, and neon signs illuminated the streets, creating a bustling yet chaotic atmosphere.
Duke headed straight to a Spiritual Gold shop.
Spiritual Gold, a type of spiritual metal, was a special material used to craft spiritual and arcane artifacts. A small portion of ordinary ores would be imbued with spiritual energy, and after refinement, they became Spiritual Gold, worth many times more than ordinary metals.
There was a Black Serpent Spiritual Gold Refining Factory in Snakehead Town, its billowing black smoke never ceasing.
"Boss, 500 grams of Amber Gold, 55 grams of Grey Tin, 28 grams of Refining Silver, 10 grams of Purple Copper, 5 grams of Sky Stone, and 5 grams of Lead White..." Duke took out a list.
He haggled over each item.
Ultimately, the total cost for this batch of Spiritual Gold was 3 gold dragons and 21 silver dragons.
After swiping his Spirit Dragon Card, Duke looked at the remaining balance, which was now less than a gold dragon, and felt a pang of regret.
Despite Little Sam's card repair shop flourishing, it still couldn't keep up with his recent extravagant spending. Especially since unlocking the Sea of Blood, both he and Xiao Dou needed to consume more, further burdening their finances.
Now he had to buy this batch of Spiritual Gold.
"Go ahead, spend. Increasing our strength won't come without spending!" Suppressing his feeling of financial pain, Duke picked up the valuable package of Spiritual Gold and quietly left the shop.
...
"Boss." Leven opened the door.
Duke glanced around, everything was in place, nothing lost.
"It's getting late. Take a shower and get some rest." Duke sent Leven to shower and began to carefully stash the Spiritual Gold at the bottom of his bag.
Then, he crossed his legs and began practicing Blood Refining Technique.
Xiaoyi continued her continuous meditation technique.
In essence, Duke was cultivating two different techniques simultaneously without interfering with each other.
"While this inn is located in Chenjiao City, the spiritual energy seeping from the Spiritual Spring here is still less than what's in Snakehead Town..." Duke assessed the speed of spiritual absorption and shook his head.
Relying on Spiritual Springs, humans built cities and towns.
However, the spiritual energy seeping from these springs was mostly monopolized by the elites. Very little of it truly permeated the surroundings, and when averaged across the city, it was barely sufficient.
"When I gather enough money, I really should buy a Spiritual Plant. Otherwise, it will delay my cultivation of the Sea of Blood!" Duke thought to himself.
"Additionally, I've learned quite a bit about the Sea of Qi, I need to have Xiaoyi start arranging the opening of the Sea of Qi soon. Otherwise, the older I get, the more the Sea of Qi will wither."
The three seas of the human body were usually developed before the age of fifteen.
Beyond that age, spiritual energy gradually diminishes, causing the three seas to continue wilting until they can no longer be opened.
A quiet night passed.
Early the next morning, they smoothly returned to Snakehead Town on the black beetle car. Duke entrusted the task of unloading the goods to Leven and quickly returned to his modified room within the warehouse.
"Squeak, squeak!"
Xiao Dou, who now had a full coat of fur, resembled a fluffy squirrel, chubby and round.
With a wave of his hand, it leaped from the table and traced a graceful arc before landing accurately on Duke's shoulder. It picked up the jerky Duke had provided and hungrily gnawed on it.
In just half a month, Xiao Dou had already begun to exhibit some characteristics of a spiritual beast.
"Go play on your own. I have something big to do!" Duke patted Xiao Dou's head and took out a small package, laying it out on the desk. Inside were several small paper packets.
Each packet contained a type of Spiritual Gold.
In addition, he pulled a large box from under the bed, which contained another type of Spiritual Gold - Steel Essence.
Steel Essence was somewhat similar to aluminum powder and served as a widely used and foundational material for arcane artifacts. The main product of the Black Serpent Spiritual Gold Refining Factory was Steel Essence. Duke purchased it directly from the factory, which was much cheaper than the market price.
" I've gathered all the Spiritual Gold. Next, I'll refine them one by one!"
-- Hadiah diterima