Chapter 1091: Mithril Substitute, Preparing to Visit the Master

"No need to waste any more time calculating; I'll take these miscellaneous crystals and that 25 pounds of Mithril. Everything else can go to Luodite!"

If he kept calculating, there was no telling how much more time would be wasted. In truth, aside from the Mithril, Xia Duo didn't really care about the other items.

As for why he wanted to take the miscellaneous crystals, which appeared numerous but were relatively low in value, it was simply to save trouble.

Xia Duo was originally attracted to this ruin not because of any semi-plane experimental ruins, but because of that transparent frame with a metallic texture that he and Niya had bought on Pulan Street in the Old City District of Seventon.

And now, after reading the surviving books from the Innocent Tower, he knew that such transparent frames were not a type of metal, but were made from miscellaneous crystals.

Miscellaneous crystals did not mean they were opaque; it just meant they had not been permeated or infused by relevant elements and could not become an energy buffering core for a Magic Item.

Usually, their only use was to be melted down to make crystal utensils, such as potion bottles, cups, or dishes. More high-end ones could be purified and made into transparent handicrafts.

Therefore, while they looked like Gemstones, they were actually just a mineral, similar to quartz on Earth, and their market price was very low.

Anything that could be called a Gemstone could serve as an energy buffering core for a Magic Item, and it was very difficult to melt and reshape them because their interiors were filled with various energies and elements. The process of melting would break the balance, leading to either a change in their element affinity or an explosion.

The processing of Gemstones generally uses carving to perform subtraction, so their price is often directly proportional to their volume. From a practical perspective, large ones can be cut smaller, but small ones cannot be made larger.

Although the surviving books in the Innocent Tower did not record that type of transparent frame, they did record a new use for miscellaneous crystals that could make their value comparable to Gemstones.

Of course, this new technology was not mature; not only was the cost high, but it was also very unstable. Whether it could be improved upon later remained an unknown.

Xia Duo knew that when Luodite was inventorying the relevant books and notes, he must have seen that book, "Mithril Substitute Research," or at least seen its title!

Using low-priced miscellaneous crystals to replace high-priced Mithril would make any normal Mage curious, let alone an Advanced Rank Mage from the Seven Towers.

But the drawbacks of this technology were also very obvious, as clearly stated in "Mithril Substitute Research." It was unlikely that Luodite had read the entire book, but it was entirely possible he had only looked at the conclusion.

Therefore, Xia Duo only wanting the miscellaneous crystals and Mithril wasn't really taking advantage of him; it was truly just to save trouble—not only saving trouble while distributing the spoils here, but also omitting the process of collecting miscellaneous crystals later.

One must know that although miscellaneous crystals are not true Gemstones, they also come from Gemstone veins, and the labor required to extract them is not necessarily much less than that for true Gemstones.

It is only because of their high yield and the fact that they cannot be used as energy buffering cores for Magic Items that their price is very low.

Now that word was out that he was buying them, even if news spread of the possibility of replacing Mithril, it wouldn't necessarily raise their price much.

After all, to replace Mithril, the truly critical factor is not the raw material—which is not hard to obtain—but the technology.

Upon hearing Xia Duo's request for only the miscellaneous crystals and Mithril, Luodite was almost shocked, hurriedly saying: "Lord Xia Duo, you did almost all the work during this exploration. This distribution is not fair; you deserve to receive more."

This returned to the previous line of reasoning. It was impossible for Xia Duo to fully accept these supplies; this concerned the fulfillment of the existing agreement. He would not put himself in a potentially disadvantageous position and had to eliminate variables as much as possible.

Occupying the moral high ground first had already become an instinct for him.

"I intend to research how miscellaneous crystals can replace Mithril. These miscellaneous crystals can save me quite a bit of collection time. You don't need to dwell too much on the specific value of the supplies. Time is more precious to me. Let's decide it this way!"

"But—"

"No need for 'buts'!" Xia Duo directly interrupted Luodite, questioning him almost sternly: "Are you not prepared to honor our agreement?"

Upon hearing this, Luodite's expression changed drastically, and he explained repeatedly: "No, no, no, of course I will honor the agreement, but these were things I was voluntarily giving you out of gratitude."

"No need!"

Xia Duo waved his hand, pointed to the west, and said: "The sky is getting dark now. Pack up and head back. I will be at the Watchtower for the next period of time. You can send someone or come yourself at any time to transcribe those books. That's it, I'm leaving!"

Xia Duo did not give Luodite another chance to speak, gathered the miscellaneous crystals and Mithril from the ground, and teleported away directly.

From the forest south of Zhenisi to Shouwang Dao, such a long distance, Xia Duo naturally didn't feel comfortable using Fuzzy Teleportation to return directly.

He first teleported to the vicinity of Zhenisi, then readjusted the spell details, input the Access Key for the Watchtower's Teleportation Array, and then teleported directly onto the Teleportation Array at the Watchtower.

After returning to the Watchtower, Xia Duo immediately went to the Library, cleared off a few bookshelves, and while placing his gains from this trip onto them one by one, he contacted Councilor Bulundesi of the Arcane Union.

"Lord Xia Duo, is there anything you need my help with?"

Bulundesi's tone was quite polite, but after all, he was the direct agent of Jilan Tower in the Arcane Union, so Xia Duo naturally wouldn't treat the other party as someone he could order around at will.

"Councilor Bulundesi, sorry to bother you, but I would like to ask you: is Master Kangjienio free recently?"

"He is free!"

Bulundesi's answer was so decisive and rapid that it completely exceeded Xia Duo's expectations. Almost the instant he stated his request, he received the other party's reply.

It was as if the other party had been waiting for him to ask, which couldn't help but make Xia Duo mutter to himself.

Immediately after, Bulundesi added: "The President welcomes any talented Spellcaster to visit at any time! Lord Xia Duo, when will you come to the Union Headquarters? I will take you to see the President!"

Is that so!

As expected of the elder rumored to be happy to promote juniors. Of course, if Xia Duo weren't a Senior Arcanist, it might not have been so easy to see him.

If he really saw just anyone, then Kangjienio would have nothing to do all day!

Xia Duo considered it for a moment. Asking about Innocent-related matters was secondary; he really should formally pay a visit to that highly respected elder. As for the time—

"Councilor Bulundesi, is the fifth day of next month okay?"

"That is fine. The President has already handed over the relevant affairs of the Union to Lord Yiaole, though it has not been announced publicly yet. Lord Xia Duo can come at any time. The President has seen quite a few young people these days; the President should be even happier that Lord Xia Duo can come!"

After communicating with Bulundesi, Xia Duo could be considered to have set aside a worry. After organizing the books from this trip, he did not immediately begin research on using miscellaneous crystals to replace Mithril, but continued to analyze the Blazing Sun Array.

There were not many days left in this month. If possible, it would be best to complete the maintenance of the Blazing Sun Array this month; there would be other things to do next month!