Chapter 380: The Price of Dragon Scales

High above, as the two conversed, the tense atmosphere eased, and Beiluola formally made his request—dragon scales.

At the same time, he also gave a promise.

As long as Luoning was willing to provide the dragon scales, he could satisfy the other party's demands.

Although Beiluola only said he would do what was within his power, for such a Great Archmage, what was beyond his ability?

This promise could be considered quite weighty!

Luoning could make many requests, such as obtaining high-level Magic, Battle Techniques, or asking for some Magic Crystals, having the other party save him a few times in moments of danger, and so on.

Even if there were major changes in the future, he could still have the other party support him.

Thinking of this, Luoning patted the dragon's body, "Kaierluosi, what do you think?"

The dragon snorted in extreme displeasure, and white mist sprayed from its two massive nostrils.

In Beiluola's eyes, it was clear that the dragon was very unwilling and angry.

But in Luoning's mind, Kaierluosi said somewhat timidly, "Master, can I refuse?"

Last time, to let Aierlong try making a Rage Potion, it had painfully shed some blood.

Although it was only a small cut, and Aierlong had even used a Healing Spell to stop the bleeding in time, it still felt heartbroken for Along while.

Luoning laughed and sent a soul transmission: "Don't worry, I won't agree easily. Even if I really have to give them, I must make him compensate you."

That still meant he was going to give them.

Kaierluosi let out a low growl and glared fiercely at Beiluola.

The killing intent revealed in its cold eyes made even this Great Archmage feel a trace of chill.

"Mr. Dragon seems unwilling?"

Beiluola had done some sporadic research on dragons and knew that this species was very arrogant.

If it weren't for Luoning restraining it, he feared that upon hearing someone wanted its Dragon Scales, it would have rewarded the other party with a mouthful of dragon fire.

"It is indeed unwilling."

Luoning said with a smile, "After all, forcibly tearing off its scales is a very painful thing that also harms its spirit."

Beiluola frowned.

Ever since he accidentally obtained this secret potion formula, he had tried using many materials to replace Dragon Scales.

For example, Griffins and Dragon Hawks that were rumored to have dragon bloodlines, or high-level crocodiles, giant pythons, and sea fish with hard scales, but the effects were greatly diminished.

Dragon Scales were very necessary for him.

Before, he had no way to find a dragon, but now that there was a dragon in front of him, he had to find a way to get a few pieces no matter what.

However, he did not want to use force.

The young man in front of him was, after all, the descendant of an acquaintance, and he could not bring himself to resort to robbery.

As for killing to seize treasure, that was not Beiluola's style.

"It is said that dragons all like shiny things, and you also know about my territory; I don't have much else, but there are plenty of Magic Crystals."

Beiluola said, "You help me persuade Mr. Kaierluosi; as long as it is willing, I am willing to purchase them at the price of 300 fully-charged Magic Crystals per scale."

Fully-charged Magic Crystals, even calculated at 100 gold coins each, meant 30,000 gold coins per Dragon Scale.

This price was not low, but it was not high either; who could blame the rarity of dragons?

"Three hundred seems a bit low, doesn't it?"

Hearing this, Beiluola knew there was a chance, and he thought to himself that the young man before him was a money-grubber.

"You may not know this, but although my territory has Magic Crystal veins, this stuff cannot be mined by ordinary people. Not only is the annual output limited, but the total output of fully-charged Magic Crystals is only about three thousand."

He explained, "Some of these Magic Crystals are consumed by me, some are sold externally, and there isn't much left."

Luoning suddenly realized; he had thought that Magic Crystals were fully charged as soon as they were mined.

Looking at it this way, it seemed somewhat difficult to get the other party to cough up more Magic Crystals.

However, if there were no Magic Crystals, he could be compensated in other ways.

"It is difficult to forcibly tear scales from a dragon, but you might not know that a dragon's scales will fall off naturally."

Luoning said, "As it happens, I have some on hand."

Kaierluosi was a bit confused; when had it shed Dragon Scales?

But thinking carefully, it had indeed shed over a hundred Dragon Scales when it leveled up, and Luoning had picked them up at the time, intending to forge a set of Dragon Scale Armor.

Beiluola's eyes lit up, "Do dragons also shed hair?"

He coughed, seemingly feeling that saying this was a bit impolite, and immediately changed the subject: "How many pieces do you have?"

Luoning had 136 pieces on hand.

He needed to keep 108 of these Dragon Scales to forge the Dragon Scale Armor, and the remaining 28 could be sold.

However, he also needed to keep a few; perhaps Aierlong would need Dragon Scales as material in the future.

"About twenty pieces."

Luoning said straightforwardly, "If Mr. Beiluola needs them, you can purchase fifteen of them for 500,000 gold coins, and the rest for 1,500 Magic Crystals."

The reason he mentioned 500,000 gold coins was mainly to consider the requirements for the final tier of the Wealthy achievement.

As long as he could complete this achievement, he could break through to the Silver Moon rank, and even Ruidar could become a Blazing Sun.

Seeing Luoning agree, Beiluola's mood immediately improved greatly.

Twenty Dragon Scales were enough for him to experiment.

Once the Magic Potion was developed, he might be one step closer to Legendary.

But then, he was troubled again.

Whether it was gold coins or Magic Crystals, the Silva Family's inventory did not seem to have that much.

This was like asking a billionaire to suddenly produce 500 million in cash; it was a difficult task.

"I can scrape together 500,000 gold coins within a few months."

Beiluola pondered and said, "But 1,500 Magic Crystals are not easy to come by. On one hand, my inventory is insufficient, and on the other, my Magic research also consumes a lot. See if you can exchange them for something else?"

"Of course I can, but I would like to see what you have on your side first."

Luoning had not forgotten the purpose of his visit to Shuijing City this time.

Magic, Battle Technique, water from the Spring of Magic Spirits, Star Shine Grass, and so on, were all things he wanted to obtain.

"Hahaha, then let's not stay in the sky any longer. Let's go, to Shuijingbao."

To prevent Luoning from feeling anxious, he comforted him:

"I will go ahead and notify everyone of your arrival in Shuijing City, and have Falanzi wait for your arrival, so you don't have to worry about me harming you."

With such a notification, if he were to make a move against Luoning, it would be like slapping his own face.

Although Beiluola took a more detached view of worldly things, the Silva Family was, after all, the master of this land, so face still mattered.

Watching the other party leave with Speed, Luoning relaxed.

His encounter with Beiluola this time was purely accidental, but the outcome of the matter was quite good.

Especially those 500,000 gold coins; he had originally thought he would have to wait for trade to pick up to earn enough at once, but he hadn't expected the Dragon Scale in his storage ring to play a role.

"Let's go, we'll follow."

Kaierluosi let out an 'Aowu' and flapped its wings; since no Dragon Scale was plucked from it this time, its mood was also quite good.

Shuijingbao.

After Beiluola returned, he immediately had someone summon Falanzi.

In truth, at Beiluola's age, the affection for younger generations had faded somewhat.

Falanzi was doing well and had good talent, so he was able to see Beiluola a few times and receive the latter's guidance.

As for other great-granddaughters, or even younger descendants, they probably only got to see Beiluola once a year during the annual celebration or some important festivals.

"Great-grandfather!"

Falanzi bowed respectfully, not daring to be the least bit careless, "Do you have any instructions for me?"

Beiluola was all smiles, looking very amiable, "Do you know Luoning?"

Uh...

Falanzi had not expected such a question.

He was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

"I met Luoning at the Martial Arts Tournament in Wangdu last year; he is the champion of the Martial Arts Tournament."

Beiluola nodded, "How old is this Luoning exactly?"

"About eighteen or nineteen?"

Hearing this, Beiluola couldn't help but gasp, shocked: "Only eighteen or nineteen?"

He had thought Luoning was at least in his twenties.

"What's wrong?"

Falanzi was puzzled; why was his great-grandfather so shocked by Luoning's age?

The next sentence from the other party left him completely baffled.

"An eighteen or nineteen-year-old Meteor Knight and Magus; this Luoning has the makings of an Emperor!"

The Emperor he spoke of referred to the First Emperor of the Orland Empire, who swept across and unified the entire continent.

"Impossible!"

Falanzi widened his eyes, "At the time of the Martial Arts Tournament, he was only a Silver Knight?"

"Oh?"

Beiluola was somewhat surprised, but soon guessed that this must be Luoning hiding his strength.

He pondered slightly and said, "Do not speak to outsiders about Luoning's strength. Furthermore, he will be coming to Shuijingbao shortly; you shall receive him on my behalf first."

Falanzi felt a bit dizzy.

At twenty-three, it was already very difficult for him to be a dual practitioner of Magic and martial arts at the Bronze Knight and Great Mage level, and in the eyes of others, this was already considered gifted.

But was the eighteen or nineteen-year-old Luoning really already a level seven in both professions?

"No, I must ask him properly later!" (End of chapter)