[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-above-the-mage":3,"chapter-above-the-mage-above-the-mage-chapter-525":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},2257529,4404,"Chapter 525: Spell Enhancement","above-the-mage-chapter-525",525,"\u003Cp>“Surely this won’t stump Lady Flora?” Gao De smiled warmly at the little figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flora immediately felt challenged, her competitive spirit ignited; she shot forward and touched one of the blood-crystal wheat grains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dormancy awakening, rusted iron, barren growth, fertile cessation.” The next moment, Flora released her grip and spoke three terms from her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the long-concealed secret of blood-crystal wheat cultivation, tightly held by the Holy Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After detailed questioning, Gao De finally learned every detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, whether the name “blood-crystal wheat” or its appearance and function, all were highly misleading, instantly leading one to think of blood—such as irrigating with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Gao De had thought so at first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Holy Empire had also, to some extent, spread rumors that blood-crystal wheat must be planted in crimson soil flowing with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This drove countless would-be thieves to desperately try irrigating blood-crystal wheat with all kinds of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or to search for red soils resembling volcanic rock for planting blood-crystal wheat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, all attempts failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the truth was, the cultivation method of blood-crystal wheat had nothing to do with blood, nor with any so-called crimson soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its entire crimson hue came from its ability, upon maturity, to synthesize a substance similar to “hemoglobin,” causing its color to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its actual growth requirement was high concentrations of “iron” elements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood-crystal wheat could only grow and mature normally in soil rich in iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Achieving iron-rich soil was not difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply bury rusted iron tools, iron filings, or even iron ore into the soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The iron released during the rusting process would naturally be absorbed by the wheat seeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivation cost of blood-crystal wheat was far lower than imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Flora spoke, Gao De hadn’t considered this angle—but after she explained, he couldn’t help slapping his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Supplementing blood—aren’t most of those cases just about supplementing iron?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made perfect sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De even suspected that both the name “blood-crystal wheat” and the cultivation secrets leaked by the Holy Empire were likely deliberate disinformation, meant to mislead thieves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for “dormancy awakening,” it referred to the inherent dormancy trait of blood-crystal wheat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This trait allowed it to be stored longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it also meant that before planting, the seeds must be soaked in acidic liquid for at least three hours to break dormancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without this step, planting the seeds directly would make germination impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final term, “barren growth, fertile cessation,” was even more “abstract.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In rough terms, blood-crystal wheat could only grow in barren land—fertile land could not produce it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was merely surface appearance; the real reason was that fertile land had previously grown all kinds of plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During their growth, these plants left traces in the soil—even if you removed all the plants, those traces took a long time to vanish completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood-crystal wheat was like a finicky young master, refusing to accept soil marked by other plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barren land, by contrast, was often devoid of vegetation, meaning no traces of prior plant growth remained; as long as the iron requirement was met and basic nutrients were present, it thrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This peculiar nature gave rise to the phenomenon of “barren growth, fertile cessation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Flora’s utterly dominant innate talent, who could have guessed blood-crystal wheat needed barren land?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every thief would have desperately tried to provide the best conditions possible—yet this was the exact opposite of the correct cultivation method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these three layers of protection, three layers of unexpectedness, no wonder the Holy Empire never banned the trade or circulation of blood-crystal wheat—yet after all these years, no other faction had ever successfully grown it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“None of this is hard to achieve,” Gao De said, his eyes brightening as he listened to Flora.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dormancy awakening requires only acidic liquid—this is simple. Whether animal gastric fluid or whey separated from fermented dairy, both are strongly acidic and act quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of the North were nomadic, with deeply rooted hunting and herding cultures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, Phoenix is right next to a volcano—worst case, there’s acidic water rich in sulfides underground in volcanic zones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first point was easily solved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second point was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron ore existed near Phoenix, and in their primitive lifestyle, every tribe had countless rusted iron tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third point…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The North’s tundra permafrost was famously barren—except for a few mosses and lichens, virtually no green could be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding barren land in the North was like finding water in the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immediately begin hybrid breeding of blood-crystal wheat and cold-resistant wheat, striving to develop the Northwest Wheat No. 2 variety as soon as possible,” Gao De mentally reviewed everything, confirmed no issues, then bowed deeply to Flora: “It all depends on Lady Flora.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Flora, you’ve worked hard. If you succeed in developing the Northwest Wheat No. 2 variety, the entire population of Phoenix will hold you in even greater reverence,” Su Nai, who had remained coldly silent throughout, suddenly chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same solemn expression. Same hands clasped in a bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!” Flora, who had been somewhat indifferent, instantly grew serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The feeling of everyone leaning forward, hanging on every word she spoke, the weight on her shoulders—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It all depends on Lady Flora!” Her tone rose involuntarily, her joy impossible to hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De had absolute faith in her abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she seemed innocent and clueless, in her own field, her reliability was unmatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Flora will oversee the breeding of Northwest Wheat No. 2. You, meanwhile, must begin establishing a new farm, dedicated solely to planting Northwest Wheat No. 2,” Gao De turned to Su Nai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Highly developed agriculture required zoning—a basic but essential element.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially with blood-crystal wheat’s “barren growth, fertile cessation” buff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call the new farm Flora’s Bountiful Farm,” Gao De said, smiling at the excited little figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flora’s Bountiful Farm?” Hearing her name, Flora immediately perked up her long, pointed ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To recognize Lady Flora’s monumental contribution to the North’s agriculture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Monumental contribution~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aisha, who had remained silent beside her, spoke up: “Lady Flora’s contribution to the North is unmatched—I truly admire you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half sincere, half playful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unmatched~~” Flora seized the key phrase again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin Hui Farm, used for planting Northwest Wheat No. 1, had already reclaimed sixty thousand mu of land half a month ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During Gao De’s absence, Su Nai halted further expansion of Jin Hui Farm and focused entirely on planting all reclaimed land with Northwest Wheat No. 1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northwest Wheat No. 1 was originally a single harvest per April; thanks to Flora’s efforts, its yield had stabilized at 180 kilograms per mu and was now advancing toward 200 kilograms per mu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all sixty thousand mu were planted with Northwest Wheat No. 1, daily output would reach 900,000 kilograms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This output was sufficient to feed 1.5 million people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Flora’s Bountiful Farm, Gao De’s initial phase target was only ten thousand mu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Phoenix, which already had experience building Jin Hui Farm, this was no daunting task; once decided, the topic was swiftly passed over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I’ve sold large quantities of Northwest Wheat No. 1 to the Frostwolf Clan, as you originally instructed,” Su Nai reported another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did they notice anything suspicious?” Gao De asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the North was backward, that didn’t mean its people were stupid—he dared not underestimate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. Their only reaction was that the price was too high; they’ve been negotiating constantly, demanding discounts for bulk purchases.” Su Nai’s lips curled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although their goal was to use Northwest Wheat No. 1 to control the Frostwolf Clan—hoping it would constitute as high a percentage of their food supply as possible—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To avoid arousing suspicion or vigilance, Su Nai set extremely high conditions for selling Northwest Wheat No. 1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, quantity was limited—they couldn’t buy as much as they wanted. Second, the price was high, and payment was accepted only in “ice marrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, this was painful for the Frostwolf Clan—but it also ensured they never suspected Phoenix’s true intent, focusing all attention on haggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are like that: too good a deal makes them suspicious; with expensive items, they only care about the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De smiled at this. “Keep haggling with them for a while longer, then give them a slight price reduction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under current conditions, within just a few years, they could seize control of the Frostwolf Clan without a single drop of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Frosthammer Clan is also buying Northwest Wheat No. 1 from us, but their dependence on it won’t match the Frostwolf Clan’s. Relying solely on this to control Frosthammer is unlikely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No rush,” Gao De waved his hand casually. “First, take the Frostwolf Clan, then break the current tripartite balance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, with Phoenix’s current development pace, within ten years, the tripartite balance would collapse naturally, becoming a single superpower with many weaker rivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if they could subdue both the Frostwolf Clan and Frosthammer beforehand, Phoenix’s development would accelerate further—but if impossible, no need to force it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Development is the hard truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been gone only half a month, but for Phoenix—changing daily—there were already many issues and directions requiring Gao De’s advice and decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in administration, education, and Phoenix’s infrastructure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since all were new systems Gao De had introduced based on his past-life knowledge, even Su Nai, let alone Aisha—who had some “governing” experience—were baffled in many areas and needed Gao De to clarify.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, their meeting lasted from evening until moonlight soaked the window lattice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exiting the city hall, Gao De turned aside toward the clan’s hunters’ breeding grounds for earth-pulse creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time he left the North, he ordered the resumption of earth-pulse creature capture missions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, half a month later, it was harvest time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the same problem remained: common first-rank earth-pulse creatures around Phoenix had already been harvested once; few remained uncaught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, to obtain a complete origin point, Gao De needed seven individuals of the same species.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after a “Bloodclaw Beast massacre,” his first-rank origin point only rose from 3 to 6.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he didn’t hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the ascension imminent and awakening a specialty at hand, what use is keeping the origin source?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although uncertain whether adding points to spells will affect the strength of the awakened specialty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But better to overdo it than miss out—before ascension, you must do everything within your power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six points of first-circle origin, three newly mastered rare spells—these are the highest priority; assign them all first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Long-Range Shot [Rare]+】 (Transmutation, First Circle):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This spell increases your ranged attack range by twenty feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bonus: Your ranged attacks ignore energy loss within twenty feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy [Rare]+】 (Divination, First Circle):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You recall a creature you encountered within the past day and gain knowledge about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bonus: You gain additional knowledge about the creature, including its species information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Universal Elixir [Rare]+】 (Transmutation, First Circle):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You may select a beneficial effect concerning health, happiness, or joy for a bottle of water, transforming it into an elixir with no side effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bonus: The following two additional beneficial effects may now be selected for your Universal Elixir:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Hypermemory】: For one hour, you gain hypermemory, drastically enhancing your recall ability—you can instantly memorize text, maps, or biological features you see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note: Hypermemory consumes immense physical energy; after consuming the hypermemory elixir, you enter a state of mental exhaustion. Consuming multiple hypermemory elixirs in succession may cause bodily harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Sensory Tuning】: For thirty minutes after drinking, you may actively adjust the acuity of your five senses—for example, enhancing your vision at the cost of dulling hearing and smell; alternatively, you may dull your senses without any cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, when creating a Universal Elixir, you may optionally select the traits “Multifunctional Blend” or “Residual Aftereffect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multifunctional Blend: Consume multiple times the spell energy to imbue the elixir with multiple effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Residual Aftereffect: Consume additional spell energy to extend the duration of the elixir’s primary effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1990,"2026-06-19T14:28:50.414Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","56b652462ed40ff3fe76205bc31a5e0ccdc0a3e4af67f140da6af07072759130","above-the-mage-chapter-526","above-the-mage-chapter-524",529,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fabove-the-mage-cover.jpg"]