Chapter 100: Daily life and the Kelai merchant

Red Fox Castle.

Secret room.

Xia Mingyu slowly opened his eyes and immediately felt a burst of coolness all over his body.

He looked down and realized that the clothes he had been wearing had been burned into a pile of pitch-black ashes during the process of absorbing the fire magic crystal and scattered on the ground.

"How am I supposed to go back to the room naked like this..." The corners of his mouth twitched.

"Sun, fire, sphere."

Putting this problem aside for the time being, Xia Mingyu condensed blank magic power on his fingertips and quickly drew three magic patterns in the air, superimposing them.

*Crackle, crackle! *

In an instant, a fireball with a diameter of about half a meter appeared out of thin air, hovering in the center of the secret room.

Fierce flames jumped on its surface, golden yellow and crimson intertwined, and waves of heat were discharged from it, blowing Xia Mingyu's forehead until he broke out in a sweat.

"The temperature is much higher than the fireball released before, and the magic power in the body can release more than a dozen such fireballs. Estimating this way... the magic power in the body should have increased by at least more than double."

After reaching this conclusion, the corners of Xia Mingyu's mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.

Since he learned the Moonlight Meditation Technique, he has meditated for at least more than six hours every day, and sometimes even meditated all day long.

But even so, the magic power refined by meditation was not as much as absorbing a magic crystal...

No, if the magic power brought by that ice magic crystal was removed, it was probably not even one-fifth.

At this moment, Xia Mingyu suddenly realized.

If he wants to become a strong person in a short time, no matter how strong his talent in studying magic is, it is impossible to do it by relying on meditation alone.

Only taking crystals is the royal road. Taking one is worth months of hard meditation, and the more he takes, the stronger he gets.

If there was such a high-quality fire magic crystal to absorb every day, Xia Mingyu estimated that it wouldn't be long before he could break through a city gate more than a meter thick with one magic trick like Lise.

No, Lise couldn't advance to Morning Star. If he had so much magic power, he would definitely have advanced to Morning Star long ago and awakened his own core magic.

"I don't know what my core magic will be..."

Xia Mingyu held his chin and couldn't help but fall into fantasy.

All magic in this world is built under the authority of the Seven Gods: Sun, Moonlight, Storm, Thunder, Earth, Deep Sea, Frozen Earth, Beautiful Dream...

If he awakens his core magic, it will also belong to these elements, but he doesn't know if it is violent thunder, scorching torch fire, or cold frost?

"It's time to go out!"

Xia Mingyu stood up from the ground and subconsciously wanted to push open the door of the secret room.

The door opened a little, and a cool breeze blew in. The coolness all over his body instantly reminded him that he was naked right now!

"Not good... I don't want to streak in someone else's house!"

The muscles on Xia Mingyu's cheeks twitched slightly, and he fell into a dilemma.

"Your Highness, are you awake?"

At this time, a gentle female voice like a clear spring came from outside the door.

It was Anliya. He was saved!

"Anliya, my clothes..."

Xia Mingyu was about to speak, but saw a slender hand handing over a set of clothes through the crack in the door.

"Your Highness, Butler Seris has already told me that your clothes will be burned when you absorb the magic crystal, so I have been waiting for you here." Anliya explained.

Seris... Is that the private butler Rosa prepared for him?

Xia Mingyu thought while quickly taking the clothes and putting them on.

"Your Highness, do you need me to serve you in dressing?"

"No need, I can do it myself."

"Oh..." The girl's tone seemed a bit resentful.

After walking out of the door of the secret room, Xia Mingyu walked side by side with Anliya in the corridor of the castle.

The girl was wearing a light blue dress today, with her fragrant shoulders exposed, her long golden hair tied up casually, and a few strands of hair hanging by her ears, swaying gently with her steps.

"Where is that kid Boge?"

"Your Highness, about two hours ago, he was already practicing with the knights here in the training ground of Red Fox Castle."

Truly diligent... Xia Mingyu couldn't help but feel ashamed of his own laziness.

He was a lazy person who, after lying in the carriage for a month, went to look for a soft bed the first time, and didn't want to meditate after taking the crystal!

He subconsciously looked out the window, but unfortunately, outside were rows of towering city towers, and he couldn't see the scenery of the knights sweating like rain in the training ground.

This Red Fox Castle was at least three times larger than Black Wolf Castle!

As they walked, the two came to the end of the corridor, and at this moment, an old man in a tailcoat was standing there waiting for him quietly.

His hair and beard were already gray, he looked very old, his figure was slightly thin, but his back was still straight.

"Respected Lord Mingyu, I am Seris, the butler who served two generations of masters of Red Fox Castle."

"Although I have resigned now, according to Lady Rosa's instructions, I will serve as your private butler during your stay in Red Fox Castle, offering you all the help I can provide."

Seris placed his right hand, wearing a white glove, on his left shoulder and bowed slightly.

His movements and posture were as smooth as flowing water, as if he had practiced countless times and had already been carved into his bones.

"Thank you for the clothes Anliya sent." Xia Mingyu said politely.

"Serving the master is the duty of a butler. You can praise me, but please don't express gratitude, as that is not in line with your noble status."

Seris said gently.

Although this old man was old, there seemed to be a vitality about him that made people feel like a spring breeze.

"Lord Mingyu, Master Rosa invites you to have breakfast together. May I ask if you accept?"

"Take me there."

Dining room.

The morning sun shone through the castle's towering stained-glass windows onto the rectangular oak dining table.

The table was covered with a clean white linen tablecloth, and silver tableware was neatly placed in front of the diners.

In the center of the dining table was a tray piled high with white bread, the crust golden and crispy, emitting an alluring wheat fragrance.

Next to it were jams in three flavors: strawberry, blackberry, and apricot, and then on both sides of the table were honey tea, oatmeal, milk, ham, smoked meat, and other drinks and foods.

Rosa sat in the main seat at the long table, her silver hair neatly tied into a hairpin, looking dignified and elegant.

Although her face was full of wrinkles, her eyes were still bright, carrying a sense of majesty and kindness.

"Your Highness, are you satisfied with the room prepared for you?"

Looking at the black-haired young man in the main seat opposite, the old woman asked with concern.

"Very good, it can be considered the best room I have stayed in since I came here." Xia Mingyu smiled while adding jam to the bread.

"Your maid is really beautiful, even an old woman like me feels pity when I see her!"

After some pleasantries, Rosa looked at the golden-haired girl standing behind Xia Mingyu, pouring honey tea and milk for him, and couldn't help but sigh.

Golden hair as bright as sunshine, blue eyes as clear as the sky, this child... could already compare to her when she was young.

Praised by Rosa, the most powerful person in the Southern Region, Anliya was a little nervous for a moment. Her hand holding the teapot trembled slightly, but fortunately, she didn't spill the tea out of the cup.

This scene made Rosa frown slightly.

No matter how beautiful a maid is, if she can't do her job well, she is not worth boasting about.

"Yes, Anliya is my precious treasure. If possible, I don't want her to leave me for a lifetime."

Xia Mingyu gently held the back of Anliya's hand and said softly.

Rosa was stunned, instantly sensing the unusual feelings between the two from his words, so the frowned brows immediately smoothed out.

"Hehe, what a cute child. Sorry, it seems I scared you just now." Rosa said with a hint of apology.

"Not at all, not at all. Being able to get your praise is my honor."

Anliya waved her hands repeatedly, then quickly put down the teapot and stood behind Xia Mingyu again.

After the meal.

"Your Highness, it seems your absorption rate of magic crystals is quite high!"

Rosa, who was a magician, sensed for a moment and immediately discovered that the magic power in Xia Mingyu's body had increased by nearly double compared to before.

"This is all thanks to the very high quality of the magic crystal you gifted me, so I could have such a breakthrough."

Rosa shook her head with a chuckle.

It was true that the quality of that fire magic crystal was high, but if someone else came to absorb it, they would definitely not achieve such a terrifying effect.

She understood a little why this Highness would use precious high-quality magic crystals for cultivation. At first, she thought it was a habit of previous extravagant behavior, but now it seems she would do the same.

After all, if she had this talent for absorbing magic crystals, she would exhaust her family fortune to offer a high bounty for magic crystals.

It was estimated that in one year she could break through New Moon, in two years Crescent Moon, and in three years she could achieve the Radiant Moon Rank magic master who could release city-destroying magic.

"Your Highness, I have already posted notices throughout Twilight City, offering a high bounty for high-quality magic crystals. I think someone should send them soon." Rosa said.

"Thank you very much." Xia Mingyu's face showed joy.

As long as there were enough magic crystals, his cultivation speed would definitely increase to a level that shocked everyone.

"Your Highness, there are many entertainments in Twilight City. When you are bored with cultivating magic power, you can also let Seris take you out for a walk."

"Haha, I will definitely go see it when I have time."

At the same time, on the other side.

A traveling merchant, after paying the entry fee to the knights guarding the gate, successfully stepped into Twilight City with his several servants.

He was thin and tall, wearing a dark brown wool cloak, and what was most eye-catching was the towering hooked nose on his face, giving a shrewd and sharp feeling.

"Hoo... what happy people. As expected of the Southern Region, the only place that doesn't need to pay grain tax!"

Looking at the endless stream of people coming and going with smiles in the city, Eukus Kelai took a deep breath and sighed with his hoarse voice.

"If I could turn these smiles into cries of unfulfilled desire, that would be wonderful, and make me so happy."

Eukus said this to himself in his heart. On the surface, he just smiled mysteriously.

"It's time to see that Southern Region's Cunning Fox..." Glancing at the notice on the wall, Eukus strode forward.

*Ouch! *

During this time, a flower girl was accidentally knocked down by him, and the blooming flowers in the flower basket were scattered all over the ground.

Looking at the flowers on the ground dirtied by dust, the young girl was so sad that tears were about to flow out.

She looked at Eukus pitifully, as if hoping to get some comfort or compensation.

However, Eukus just glanced at her coldly and walked forward again.

This woman has a nice face. If I send her to the City of Slaves, I will definitely be able to sell her for a good price. It's a pity I'm in a hurry now. If I meet her next time, I'll find a chance to sell her...

The merchant thought secretly in his heart.

And the girl behind him, who was clasping her hands and mourning for these flowers, had no idea that she had just avoided a major crisis.

Red Fox Castle.

Before the castle gate.

"You mean you want to request an audience with the Count?"

The gatekeeper looked at the traveling merchant with a hooked nose in front of him, his brows slightly wrinkled.

People in this world don't have much affection for merchants.

"Yes, can you report for me?" Eukus said with a face full of smiles.

"The Count is the Lord of the Southern Region. Is that someone an ordinary merchant like you can see? Leave the castle immediately." The gatekeeper refused straightforwardly.

Eukus was silent for a moment, gritted his teeth, took out a Silver Sol from his pocket, and secretly handed it to the gatekeeper with a face full of reluctance.

"Ahem, actually, the Count has always attached importance to the commercial development of Twilight City. It's not that she can't meet merchants. Tell me, what is your purpose?"

The gatekeeper took the silver coin calmly and cleared his throat to ask.

"I admire the Count's prestige, so I specifically came to Twilight City, wanting to open a chamber of commerce here. Before that, I need to get the Count's consent." Eukus explained.

Hearing this, the gatekeeper's expression changed instantly, because if a merchant wants to open a chamber of commerce, it means that his professional rank has probably reached...

It seemed to be to verify his guess, next to Eukus's white commoner protection, another line of text appeared—Deep Purple Wealthy Merchant.

"I will report for you right away."

Seeing this, the gatekeeper no longer blocked him and ran into the castle.

After all, a merchant is a small matter, but a chamber of commerce is different. If the latter is successfully built, it can bring a lot of benefits to the entire city-state.

Not long after, Eukus successfully obtained an audience.

In the reception hall.

Rosa sat in the main seat, looking coldly at the merchant kneeling on one knee in front of her, with quite a bit of majesty.

"Greetings to you, wise Lord of Twilight City, respected Count Masha, great Lord of the Southern Region, I am Eukus Kelai, it is my honor to obtain your audience."

Eukus said with a face full of respect.

Although his attitude was good, when he heard the surname Kelai, Rosa's brows still wrinkled tightly.

After all, the reputation of Kelai merchants in this world is really hard to describe.

"The report says you want to establish a chamber of commerce. What type of goods do you mainly sell?"

Rosa continued to ask. She had already decided that if the goods involved people's livelihood, she would immediately refuse the other party.

If it was luxury goods sold exclusively to nobles, it could be allowed.

Hearing this, Eukus immediately took out a bag of tea leaves from his carry-on bag and carefully presented it to Rosa.

"Countess, the goods I mainly sell are tea leaves I cultivated myself. I named it Rosa Tea..."

"Stop."

Eukus cleared his throat, and before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Rosa.

"I don't like my name being named after tea leaves. You should save your thoughts." Rosa said expressionlessly.

"Ahem, I named it Twilight Tea. I think its taste is by no means weaker than the Twilight Tea unique to the Southern Region." Eukus said confidently.

Saying this, Rosa became interested.

After all, she had grown up drinking the top-tier Twilight Tea since she was a child, and after drinking it for decades, her taste had long been too picky to tolerate other tea leaves.

Since this merchant dared to say so, it seemed that the tea leaves he cultivated should indeed have some advantages.

Rosa clapped her hands, and a maid took the tea leaves handed over by Eukus and soaked them in a silver pot filled with hot water.

After gently swaying and waiting for a while, pouring it into a teacup, and having someone specifically check for poison, this cup of Twilight Tea was sent to Rosa's hand.

Smelling the fragrance emitted by the tea in the cup, Rosa took a light sip with expectation.

The tea soup entered her throat, as if shrouded in the brilliance of the setting sun, and a warm feeling spread from her chest to her whole body, inexplicably making her recall the embrace with her husband in the past.

"Very good tea leaves, indeed not weaker than Twilight Tea." After putting down the teacup, Rosa also praised.

"Such good tea leaves, how much are you planning to price per pack?"

Eukus smiled slightly and silently stretched out a finger.

"One Gold Sol is too expensive." Rosa frowned.

This is much more expensive than top-level Twilight Tea. It's so expensive that I'm afraid even big nobles can't bear to drink it.

"It is one Copper Sol, respected Countess." Eukus said with a face full of smiles.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 101 =====