[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-above-the-mage":3,"chapter-above-the-mage-above-the-mage-chapter-483":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Above the Mage!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2257487,4404,"Chapter 483: Ingesting Spirit Marrow","above-the-mage-chapter-483",483,"\u003Cp>Gao De had previously ordered the Zhenbing Tribe’s hunters to venture out and capture geopulse creatures to bring back to Phoenix for him to kill and rapidly harvest essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to this, he quickly amassed a large quantity of first-ring essence, squandering it until now, when he once again found himself short on resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, he stopped sending hunters out again because the common first-ring geopulse creatures near Zhenbing Tribe’s territory had already been thoroughly collected by their hunters; continuing would yield diminishing returns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another reason was that Gao De now shuttled between the Jin Quehua Dynasty and the Northern Frontier, often returning only once every several months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To preserve the captured geopulse creatures until Gao De returned to harvest their essence, they needed to be fed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Jin Hui Farm was still under intense expansion, and food supplies had not yet become abundant; after some thought, Gao De decided not to burden Phoenix with extra demands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nearly a year of development, Phoenix now had ample manpower and food, and could easily bear this additional responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, one complication was that most of these geopulse creatures were carnivores and could not be fed barley—they required extra effort to secure their food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These geopulse creatures were kept alive for Gao De to “slaughter,” so they didn’t need to be fed well, but letting them starve to death was unacceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While pondering the food issue, Gao De suddenly remembered the [Divine Berry Art] he had just acquired from the Sea Sentinels using a second-class merit reward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up to ten berries appear in your hand; during the spell’s duration, each berry is infused with magic and provides the nutritional equivalent of a full meal for a medium-sized creature. If uneaten within twenty-four hours after casting, the berries lose their effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additional: Berries created by this spell possess strong attraction toward animals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One berry provides the nutritional equivalent of a full meal for a medium-sized creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after Fuling’s point allocation, it also exerts strong attraction toward animals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even carnivores, under the spell’s effect, would be unable to resist eating a Divine Berry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this perspective, the berries from the [Divine Berry Art] are essentially animal feed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just any feed—purely natural, healthy, non-toxic, and ultra-concentrated perfect animal feed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the berries’ effect lasts only twenty-four hours, so they cannot be deployed on a large scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logic held—but the moment he thought of the [Divine Berry Art], Gao De also thought of Fula.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Botanically, a berry is defined as a fleshy, soft fruit typically containing multiple seeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Gao De’s previous life, common berries included grapes, tomatoes, blueberries, and kiwifruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they contain seeds, and Fula was here—could she grow the corresponding Divine Berry trees?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, yes—under Fula’s care, no plant had ever failed to grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if such Divine Berry trees were grown, would the berries they produced possess the same magical effects as the [Divine Berry Art]?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De did not know the answer, because he could not determine whether the berries’ peculiar effects resulted from the spell directly altering their essence temporarily, or merely applying a temporary magical enhancement upon them, with the berries themselves unchanged and merely serving as vessels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the former, then theoretically, planting seeds from berries still under the spell’s effect would yield trees producing berries with identical properties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the latter, then only ordinary berries with decent taste would result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it worked or not—he’d try first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De did not hesitate; he found Fula and explained his idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave it to Fula the Great,” the little one replied promptly, her enthusiasm surging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their own field, everyone behaves this way—Fula was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll trouble Fula the Great to journey with me once more,” Gao De said gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fula the Great is accustomed to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Fula’s tone was normal, carrying no hidden meaning, Gao De still felt a pang of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Phoenix’s current development owed far too much to Fula’s contributions and labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In comparison, he, the “King of Zhenbing,” felt like a lazy capitalist who shirked responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After packing all items destined for the Jin Quehua Dynasty, Gao De mounted Grant’s pet snow wolf and, escorted by Deputy Director Lan Wen, headed straight for Varal Bay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Fula, he would simply summon her again upon arrival at Varal Bay by dismissing and recasting [Summon Pet].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quick trip through the black room was acceptable to Fula the Great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—It was like loading a transition progress bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Varal Bay, he entered the Sacred Tree Camp and arrived beneath Yujiatexila.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De summoned Fula, then cast [Divine Berry Art+].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the spell model activated, magic surged forth—soft, luminous green light flowed instantly from his fingertips, gentle yet brimming with enhancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the misty green glow, specks of golden light were drawn by invisible force, gradually coalescing into plump berries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were ten berries, each the size of a blackberry, their skins translucent and faintly glowing emerald, resembling diamonds—perfect, flawless ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each berry was plump and round, its surface shimmering with faint magic, its juice abundant and viscous, flowing like tiny vines beneath the skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light breeze carried a sweet, clean fragrance—like a blend of wild berries and honey, not cloying, yet carrying the subtle scent of deep forest flora.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scent was surely the source of the attraction to animals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the berries appeared, Grant’s snow wolf twitched its nose, then instantly tensed its entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its eyes widened, burning with hunger, fixed on the berries in Gao De’s hand, a low, involuntary whine rumbling in its throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it had been tamed; despite being overwhelmed by the Divine Berry’s scent, it did not act out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De smiled slightly and tossed one berry to the wolf. “Thanks for your hard work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he returned to the Northern Frontier, making the round trip between Varal Bay and Phoenix, it carried him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf’s tense body shot forward, snatching the berry mid-air, chewing gently, its tail swaying unconsciously, thumping the snow behind it and kicking up fine crystals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The berry was small; it devoured it in two bites, then let out a soft burp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Gao De finally understood clearly what “strong attraction toward animals” meant for the [Divine Berry Art+].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this scene, his gaze flickered—he thought of other potential uses for the [Divine Berry Art+].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the most urgent task now was planting trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De picked up one Divine Berry, set the rest aside, then pinched the berry gently between his fingers—immediately, a richer, sweeter aroma filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carefully extracted a deep-brown seed—the Divine Berry’s seed—and handed it to Fula: “I leave it to Fula the Great.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fula took the seed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gem Sweet Berry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can grow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Difficult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Requires moon dew irrigation and regular feeding with gem powder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moon dew?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dew collected when the moon is bright at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any gem will do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that’s easy,” Gao De sighed in relief—he’d feared needing a specific gem type; luck might yield one in the Northern Frontier, or it might be impossible to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since any gem would do, it was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have Su Nai prepare gem powder for Fula the Great,” he told her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fula the Great will speak with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having confirmed the growth requirements for the Divine Berry—now named “Gem Sweet Berry”—Gao De relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll leave now—leave this to Fula the Great?” he asked for her approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave it to Fula the Great,” she declared, puffing out her chest like the official Minister of Nongye Force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De nodded, preparing to activate the Star Realm teleportation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned—and found Fula sitting atop a leaf of Yujiatexila, staring at him without blinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...” Gao De, suddenly embarrassed, asked helplessly: “Why are you staring at me, Fula the Great?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sending off the mage~” Fula replied. “What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, Fula sat on Gao De’s shoulder; this time, she sat higher, their eyes level, looking up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting her clear gaze, Gao De surrendered: “Next time I return, I’ll take Fula the Great out to play.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her clear eyes brightened intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even four horses couldn’t catch up!” she said, flapping her wings and finally turning away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multicolored Star Realm energy flowed down from Yujiatexila’s leaves, coalescing into a grand, mysterious Star Realm portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De slung the massive bundle—still heavy even with [Overburden Art]—onto his back, took a deep breath, adjusted his stance, and stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he reappeared, he was back in the second-floor living area of Wolma Magic Materials Shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop did not provide accommodation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After closing each night, Jiao returned to his rented house; the second floor remained Gao De’s alone, and Jiao was forbidden from ascending without permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Gao De had no fear his sudden return would unsettle Jiao—he didn’t even know when Gao De arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Checking the time: though the Northern Frontier and Jin Quehua Dynasty seemed separated only by the Ewenlaya Mountains, the Northern Frontier’s vastness meant the distance was considerable—and there was a time difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was currently afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden patches on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A starkly different landscape from the northern frontier’s icy grandeur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De first removed the high-grade blood food he’d prepared for Tuanzi, then carried the heavy bundle filled with Northern Frontier-exclusive magic materials downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As usual, the shop had no customers; Jiao sat listlessly lost in thought, then instinctively turned at the sound of Gao De’s heavy footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spotting Gao De, he immediately stepped forward with a smile to lend a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the two of them carried the large package downstairs, Jiao Er let out a shallow breath, beads of sweat already glistening on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was curious about what was inside the package, but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unwrap it and lay the items out,” Gao De gestured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir,” Jiao Er responded instantly and moved with swift efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it’s merchandise?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, he crouched down and skillfully untied the knots on the wrapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the bundle opened, a cascade of dazzling magical materials tumbled out, clinking sharply—a loud sound in the quiet shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing to catch his eye was a mineral emitting a deep blue glow, its surface covered in strange patterns, with what seemed like liquid blue fluid slowly flowing within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Starfall Ore, third-rank mineral, rich in ice-elemental magic, ideal for crafting ice-elemental transcendent gear. This piece weighs nearly three pounds—price it at 350 gold coins. Place it in the most visible spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Jiao Er pick up the ore, Gao De took the chance to explain it to him, helping him later pitch to customers while setting the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was already the highest-rank magical material Gao De had brought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walma Magical Materials Shop was still small, just an unremarkable little shop; bringing too many high-rank materials would be “overstepping one’s station.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a rural gold shop selling the “Heart of the Ocean”—whether anyone could afford it or believed it was real was another matter, but it would surely be robbed the next day or attract bandits outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence, while Gao De brought many types of magical materials, most were first-rank; this Starfall Ore was brought solely as a flagship item to draw customers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick white horn—the horn of a first-rank earth-pulse creature, the Cold-Horned Deer—alongside a blue skull and various crystal shards. Jiao Er placed each magical material onto the counter one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De explained each item as he assigned its price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiao Er’s eyes gleamed as he memorized every word Gao De said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took nearly an hour to finish arranging everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiao Er was exhausted yet exhilarated, his face flushed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the “boss” had finally stocked inventory—and such high-quality goods at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer had to worry that Walma Magical Materials Shop would go under and he’d lose his job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After settling matters at Walma Magical Materials Shop, Gao De took Tuanzi’s blood rations and left the shop, returning to the Sea Sentinels’ barracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the magical materials shop had lodging, its environment and surrounding facilities were still inferior to the “barracks” provided by the Sea Sentinels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Gao De had continued living in the barracks, keeping even important items there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Even if he was away, no thief would dare steal from the Sea Sentinels’ territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning to the Sea Sentinels’ barracks, Gao De prepared to begin something he had planned for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a box beneath his bedroom bed, he retrieved an exquisitely crafted crystal vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside were three drops of thick, blue, gelatinous substance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spirit Marrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the three drops, Gao De hesitated for a moment, his brow slightly furrowed—but he quickly made up his mind, his gaze hardening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De took a deep breath, opened the vial, tilted his head back, and extended his neck slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted the crystal vial slightly, and one drop of Spirit Marrow, guided by gravity, slid smoothly and precisely into his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it touched his tongue, a pungent, unpleasant stench exploded in his mouth—like gasoline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had come this far; there was no turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De swallowed lightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he ingested the Spirit Marrow—poisonous, as Master Lu Ping had solemnly warned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2217,"2026-06-19T14:28:50.414Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cb681bb575dd8f4a7b2e35bc69f22c3c192a04e2b1b0ae80f2117bd662d1f5d1","above-the-mage-chapter-484","above-the-mage-chapter-482",529,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fabove-the-mage-cover.jpg"]