Chapter 93: Alchemical Master

On the vehicle heading to Wu Shi Ta, Lei En suddenly thought that someone was missing.

That day the four of them fought side by side; Kai Nieji was also a main force, blocking the warehouse and the Abyssal Gate for a long time. Without him, Lei En alone could not handle it; at least a few Demons would escape and rampage through the city.

Fei Li'ang smiled and said, "This morning Mr. Kai Nieji sent someone to inform that he voluntarily gave up this reward."

"He gave it up?" Bo Luo Ke found it hard to understand.

Lei En guessed the reason.

Te La Wei Qi is a member of the Mechanical Guild, and also used the Mechanical Guild to obtain the materials for constructing a rune formation.

For several months the Mechanical Guild never detected Te La Wei Qi's problem, so it must bear some responsibility.

Kai Nieji took part in the battle to eliminate the Demon, which counted as making up for his mistake. Moreover, Kai Nieji is already a baron, and he doesn't care for the Gold Shield or equipment; it would be better to simply give up, curry favor with the Silver Star Title: Duke, to prevent the Mechanical Guild from being held accountable.

The car set off toward Wu Shi Ta.

The towering structure grew larger in view, and soon the car entered a gate and passed into the Silver Star Academy.

Longshande's three academies are built around Wu Shi Ta in three directions, some near, some far, but only the Silver Star Academy is Wu Shi Ta's true direct lineage, with the tower's base inside the academy.

One must pass through the Silver Star Academy before entering Wu Shi Ta.

It was Lei En's first time inside the Silver Star Academy; looking out from the vehicle, he had to admit the academy's environment was superb—vast, orderly lawns, forests of green trees, tranquil paths, and uniquely styled buildings scattered artfully, as if entering a meticulously designed grand park.

Occasionally he saw trainees walking on the road, who were unperturbed by the passing car.

They included ordinary people as well as Wizards who had already become transcendents, each with a confident smile on their face.

This reminded Lei En of the world-famous schools of his past life; the atmosphere was so similar.

Besides the beautiful surroundings, Lei En also noticed some extraordinary aspects; magical traces were everywhere.

Under the trees, automatic brooms swept fallen leaves; mechanical puppets stood guard every few dozen meters; rows of crystal streetlights; machines mowing the lawns back and forth; and the entire academy maintained a pleasant temperature unlike the outside—though it was autumn, the flora remained evergreen. All of this was driven by magical power.

Not to mention the radiant energy emitted by those strange buildings, which made the heart flutter.

Lei En felt as if he had entered a dreamlike world; compared with the city outside, the academy's interior was countless years more advanced, even the artistic style was different.

He was still somewhat knowledgeable; Bo Luo Ke had long been staring in amazement.

For someone entering the academy for the first time, the impact was overwhelming.

The car drove through the academy, into its inner depths, and finally stopped not far from the tower's base.

Fei Li'ang explained, "Below Wu Shi Ta is a restricted zone; no vehicle or other mount may approach. We must walk there."

Stepping out of the car, Lei En and the others looked up.

The white giant tower rose into the clouds, its body square-shaped; standing at its foot made one feel extremely tiny. Looking up from below gave an illusion that the tower leaned as if about to topple, causing a sense of oppression.

The magical energy radiating from Wu Shi Ta felt like a spiritual pressure enveloping you, sending shivers down the spine.

"So tall…"

Bo Luo Ke let out a gasp of amazement.

He had only seen Wu Shi Ta from afar countless times before; now, standing at its base, he truly felt that Wu Shi Ta was far taller than imagined—magnificent and spectacular, truly a miracle.

Fu Li Da was also staring in awe.

Lei En, however, was accustomed to it; it was similar to the skyscrapers of his past life.

By eye, Wu Shi Ta seemed about three hundred meters tall; that height wouldn't even rank in the top ten domestically.

Nevertheless, constructing such a tall building in Ai Lun E Si was itself awe‑inspiring.

He looked toward the base, where a vast cleared area centered on the tower's foundation was paved with thick stone slabs, forming a huge circular plaza, obvious at a glance.

"This was probably intentional, clearing all obstacles to prevent anyone from sneaking into the tower,"

Lei En guessed to himself.

Fei Li'ang led the three of them toward Wu Shi Ta; as soon as they stepped onto the plaza, Lei En sensed several subtle streams of energy sweep over his body, their purpose unknown, flashing and then vanishing quickly.

They crossed the plaza and entered the tower.

The tower's lower level had gates in several directions leading to an interior grand hall.

The hall was nearly ten meters tall; stepping inside gave the first impression of spacious grandeur, with massive stone columns dividing it into several zones, each containing a lift, and Wizards occasionally entered, ascending upward.

Lei En was curious; these lifts were clearly not mechanical but powered by magic.

They resembled circular stone slabs etched with runes, only a few centimeters thick, hovering in mid‑air without any mechanical contact or railings, moving up and down within shaft‑like passages at lightning speed yet remarkably smooth.

"It's a magical elevator…"

Lei En also noticed a huge formation in the middle of the hall, but no one approached it.

All Wizards entering and exiting the tower deliberately avoided that formation.

Passing Wizards who saw Lei En and the others cast surprised glances, and occasionally someone who recognized Fei Li'ang greeted him respectfully.

Fei Li'ang, familiar with Wu Shi Ta, led the three onto a lift.

He made no visible operation; the rune formation beneath his feet glowed faintly, and he rose vertically upward instantly, accelerating rapidly as layer after layer of Wu Shi Ta's body swept past, soon reaching the destination.

Fei Li'ang stepped out of the lift and softly introduced, "This is the twenty‑fifth floor inside the tower; from this floor to the thirtieth floor are Title: Duke's alchemy chambers, and the enchanted equipment you seek is on this floor."

A wide corridor appeared before them.

The corridor was long, leading to an unknown place, with doors on both sides opening to various rooms.

Lei En passed by a doorway, peeking inside, and found that each room was an alchemy chamber, filled with many alchemists and apprentice‑like figures busily crafting all sorts of magical gear.

"They call it an alchemy chamber, but it's really the Silver Star Title: Duke's alchemy factory."

Lei En understood roughly.

This is the production base for enchanted gear, providing a place for Wu Shi Ta Wizards to study alchemy and creating value for the Silver Star Title: Duke, who can exchange it outside for great wealth.

Lei En covertly observed the alchemists' complexion and the state of their souls.

Everyone's mental state was good, showing no signs of abuse; amid the sounds of all things, many alchemists could be heard explaining alchemy while crafting and conversing with apprentices.

"This management style is much like a university research lab."

"Only wonder what their compensation is like."

Lei En has heard that the benefits in the Wu Shi Ta are excellent; countless people with sharpened minds want to get in, and it's unclear whether it's true, but having seen the situation here with his own eyes, it shouldn't be far off.

After touring all the way, they reached the end of the corridor and entered a massive alchemy chamber.

This place is more than three times larger than any outside room.

Looking out, more than ten alchemists were busy at their workstations, eyes focused, none turned to look at the incoming Lei En and his companions. Each of them is a full‑fledged Wizard, only in their early twenties; any one placed outside would be a prodigious talent with limitless prospects.

Lei En scanned them in a glance, marveling at the alchemists' prowess; they must all be elite Wizards from the tower.

"Director‑Sir," a voice called out.

The speaker was a male Wizard, appearing very young, seemingly only in his thirties, dressed in a moon‑white magical robe, handsome and refined, eyes full of wisdom, his hair gray‑white, giving the impression that his true age did not match his appearance—perhaps fifty or sixty.

"Krifis, we have arrived."

Ferian greeted the Wizard, a smile on his face, clearly very familiar with him.

He turned back and introduced: "This is Master Krifis, he is the Duke's student, managing the alchemy chamber for the Duke; the enchanted equipment you are to choose all comes from his hand, or is made by his students."

Lei En and his two companions quickly offered their greetings.

Whether as an alchemy Master or as the Duke's student, both are no small matter; in Longshande they are top‑tier figures.

Ferian suddenly said to Lei En: "Lei En, you have the chance; you should learn more from Krifis."

Krifis also smiled while eyeing Lei En up and down.

Lei En was completely confused; it was his first time meeting the person, how could there be any connection? He wasn't even considering studying alchemy at the moment, what could he ask about?

Yet Ferian and Krifis both seemed to be speaking in riddles, offering no immediate explanation.

He quietly activated his soul eye, testing with a corner glance, and discovered that this alchemy Master was not a legend but a Level‑9 Wizard.

A Level‑9 Wizard is just one step away from legend, with formidable strength.

Most crucially, Lei En saw in the other's soul a World Tree, from which nine branches sprouted, each covered with countless leaves!

Lei En was entirely familiar with this and blurted out in one sentence:

"Master Krifis, are you also a combat Wizard?"

"Your sight is sharp, you saw it," Krifis said with a hint of approval, "Young man, not bad, having the courage to become a combat Wizard. This time you've achieved such great merit; if you wish to enter the Wu Shi Ta, I can give you a hand."

Hearing this, Polok and Frida both felt very envious.

Clearly, this alchemy Master is considering taking Lei En as a student.

Master Krifis is the Duke's student; entering the Wu Shi Ta to study under him and then taking him as a teacher would make one a direct line of the Duke.

This is a heaven‑sent opportunity that many desire.

Lei En's expression froze for a moment, feeling quite grateful; judging from the soul's hue, this alchemy Master holds only goodwill toward him.

Long before the Soul Transformation ceremony, he had heard from Viola that the whole Longshande had only a handful of combat Wizards, few enough to count on one hand.

In these months, he had never seen any other combat Wizards.

He didn't expect to meet a fellow practitioner in the Wu Shi Ta, and also an alchemy Master, a student of the Silver Star Duke.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master; I will seek your guidance in the future."

Lei En neither accepted immediately nor refused.

He currently does not wish to enter the Wu Shi Ta, not even daring to go into the Silver Star Academy; he will wait until the threat of the Shadow Blade passes.

Krifis was slightly surprised, but did not press the matter.

He did not bring it up again, saying: "Everyone, follow me; the enchanted equipment has already been prepared for you. The teacher instructed that each of you may choose only one of the alchemy chamber's premium pieces, varying in value; it all depends on your own discernment."

Beside this massive alchemy chamber, there was a slightly smaller room.

Lei En and his companions followed Krifis inside, nearly having the magical radiance flash into their eyes.

In front of them was a whole row of shelves displaying various enchanted gear.

Weapons, staves, armor robes, rings and badges—dozens of enchanted items glittered, neatly categorized for anyone to choose.

Polok and Frida's breathing both paused for a moment.

Krifis said lightly: "Every piece of enchanted gear here is a premium item; although not yet at the top‑tier level, its value far exceeds that of ordinary enchanted gear. Choose for yourselves."

Lei En was speechless; this time the Silver Star Duke was truly generous!

All along, the impression he had heard from Viola about the Silver Star Duke was rather poor—selling offices and titles, exploiting descendants, monopolizing almost all lucrative industries in Longshande, greedier than the dragons of legend.

Yet this time, the Duke handed out three baronial titles along with these selectable enchanted items.

Normally, an enchanted piece falls into two grades; common enchanted gear ranges from a few hundred gold to a few thousand, while the top tier—extreme quality gear—values over ten thousand gold.

Between ordinary quality and extreme, gear valued over a thousand gold is called a premium piece.

The concept of a premium piece is vague, judged purely by price.

For example, Lei En's Crushing Ice War Hammer belongs to the premium enchanted weapons category; it doesn't reach extreme quality, yet it is far better than ordinary enchanted weapons.

Premium items produced by the Wu Shi Ta are extremely sought after when sold outside.

The Silver Star Duke handed out three items in one go, total value at least three thousand gold, perhaps more, instantly altering Lei En's impression of him.

"So the Duke isn't a miser after all; when it's time to be generous, he truly is generous."

Lei En muttered a sarcastic remark to himself.

Polok and Frida had already begun selecting; one rushed straight to the shelf holding Soul Guns, the other focused on accessories, carefully examining several exquisite rings and badges.

Lei En's gaze swept over the weapons and found most were longswords, short staves, and mana daggers, plus two or three Soul Guns and bows, with no war hammer.

He currently had little interest in weapons other than war hammers, so he turned to other items.

However, Lei En had little discernment in appraising enchanted gear, being a layperson; after circling back he still didn't know what to choose. Seeing Krifis standing nearby talking with Ferian, he felt a spark and politely asked, "Master, could you recommend some of the gear here for me?"

(End of Chapter)