Chapter 113: Level Four Vein

A hearty dinner: a large turkey leg and boiled potatoes, served with light honey wine, worth 4 silver and 6 copper.

Ten sets of basic mana potions, exactly enough for a month, 60 gold.

Two sets of linen everyday clothes, 14 silver.

Two bottles of finely packaged sparkling wine, 30 silver.

One bottle of peachwood oil bought from a perfume shop, 10 silver.

Two wooden barrels, each with an 8-gallon capacity, 10 silver.

Total: 63 gold, 8 silver, 6 copper.

After this large expenditure, Gao De, who had just made a small profit from responding to the summons, saw his savings drop again to 222 gold, 10 silver.

It may seem like a lot, but if one continuously drinks the basic mana potions for cultivation, this money will last less than four months.

After enjoying dinner and making a series of purchases, Gao De returned home, drank a bottle of basic mana potion, calmed his mind, and resumed the guiding technique, slipping once more into the smooth rhythm of cultivation.

I’ve become addicted to pills, Gao De muttered to himself, then focused again on his cultivation.

With the aid of the basic mana potions, though the guiding technique had only just achieved a minor breakthrough on Harvest Day 8, the next minor improvement was already within reach.

This visible progress in cultivation gave Gao De extra motivation.

Harvest Day 25.

Though eager, Gao De ultimately waited two days before visiting Ma Qieyi.

He believed Ma Qieyi would surely be interested in news about the Hogan Vein.

But considering Ma Qieyi, like them, had been away for half a month, and unlike Gao De who had no family, he would surely want to reunite with his wife and children upon returning.

He had just returned to the city; he would need time to gather specific information.

One day was left for him to reunite with his family; one day was left for Ma Qieyi to gather information.

Thus, visiting two days later was just right.

He chose the time between afternoon and evening.

This was the usual time for social visits.

Ma Qieyi, as a 1st-Ring mage in the official enforcement squad, lived in the Siren District, the second-most prestigious area in Bremen City, after Shenliujie.

Evening.

The setting sun bathed the tidy streets of the Siren District in golden light, as if draping them in a gilded veil.

Gao De walked along the street and, following Ma Qieyi’s address, arrived before a finely decorated two-story detached house.

He approached the gate and rang the bell.

From a box beside the door, resembling a mailbox, a mechanically grotesque yet endearing bird emerged, chirping “cuckoo, cuckoo” as it flew in and out repeatedly.

No wonder even the doorbells here in the rich district are so advanced.

Gao De remarked.

A few seconds later, the gate swung open from within.

A woman in a linen maid’s dress—clearly a servant—looked at Gao De, subtly sizing up his attire, then asked with cautious reserve: “May I ask what brings you here?”

“I am Gao De, here to visit Mr. Ma Qieyi. Could you please announce me?” Gao De smiled, holding up the two bottles of sparkling wine and the finely packaged oil.

“Please wait a moment; I’ll inform him at once,” the maid replied politely, then dashed inside with light footsteps.

“Please come in; the master is waiting for you inside,” she returned shortly afterward and led Gao De in.

Ma Qieyi’s foyer was enormous—more than twice the size of Gao De’s entire floor—and carpeted.

The maid brought Gao De to the reception area.

“Master, the guest has arrived.”

Ma Qieyi, already waiting in the reception area, rose at once, his face beaming with warmth, devoid of any aristocratic arrogance, and stepped forward quickly to greet Gao De.

“Welcome, my friend.”

Ma Qieyi had always held a favorable impression of Gao De, the youngest but most strikingly combat-capable apprentice in their team. Gao De smiled in return: “I apologize for the sudden visit; I hope I haven’t disturbed you.”

As he spoke, he offered his gifts.

“A small token.”

Ma Qieyi accepted them without refusal, patted Gao De’s shoulder, and said: “Next time, just come as you are—no need to bring gifts.”

“Please, sit down.”

He guided Gao De to a comfortably furnished seat in the elegant reception area.

The same maid had already placed two steaming cups of premium black tea on the table before them, then quietly withdrew.

Even the cups are so refined, Gao De noticed the classical, intricate patterns on the teacups and their pure white glaze.

Is this the standard of living for a 1st-Ring mage? He felt a pang of envy.

Gao De lifted the teacup, took a sip, and found the aroma lingering long—far superior to the tea leaves he bought himself.

“To be honest, I came here primarily to inquire about the Hogan Vein.” He got straight to the point.

Speaking with a mage far older and more experienced than himself, Gao De didn’t believe his intentions could be hidden.

Besides, asking about the Hogan Vein wasn’t anything sensitive—it was better to speak plainly.

“You’ve come at the perfect time—I just received the latest information about the Hogan Vein yesterday,” Ma Qieyi replied, equally straightforward, smiling.

“Level Four Vein,” he held up his right palm, pressed his thumb down, and showed Gao De a “4.”

“Confirmed: the Hogan Vein is a Level Four Vein, equal in rank to our existing spring vein in the Bremen region.”

“From now on, Bremen will be a region with two Level Four Veins.”

“Though the emergence of the Hogan Vein destroyed Hogan City and caused heavy casualties, the next dozen years will bring great activity to Bremen City because of this new vein.”

“Fortune and misfortune are hard to say,” Ma Qieyi mused.

“Have the mana creatures from the Hogan Vein been suppressed?” Gao De asked, seeing Ma Qieyi’s demeanor.

Since Ma Qieyi spoke of the Hogan Vein with a smile, the situation couldn’t be dire.

“Not yet, but soon,” Ma Qieyi said.

“The reinforcements from Shengxi City were led by Master Frey.”

“Master Frey is an exceptionally powerful combat mage—his strength ranks among the top in the royal court’s mages.”

“On the very first day he arrived at the core of the Hogan Vein, Master Frey slew three 4th-Ring mana creatures entrenched in Hogan City.”

“In the following days, he led his team to sweep the area around the core repeatedly until not a single 4th-Ring mana creature remained.”

“That deterrent effect will likely last at least one or two years.”

“Even if a few 4th-Ring creatures reappear after one or two years, they’ll be scattered—just one or two at a time—and Bremen City can handle them alone.”

“Master Frey’s mission was technically complete upon arriving here.”

“But he plans to stay another week to clear out every last mana creature lingering in the core region, easing our burden before returning.”

“After this purge, the Hogan Vein has been temporarily stabilized.”

“Though mana creatures will still emerge continuously, they won’t be as violent or chaotic as during its initial outbreak.”

“Instead, their numbers will stabilize according to the region’s total mana capacity.”

“For Hogan City, the emergence of the Hogan Vein was a catastrophe—but for many others, it’s a rare opportunity.”

At this, Ma Qieyi couldn’t help but sigh again.

Hearing this, Gao De fell silent.

This was the naked truth.

(End of Chapter)