Chapter 248

Ethan nodded, a look of an insider appearing on his face, and his explanation became more professional:

"Just like the ocean has tides, the energy activity within the Abyss also has periodic changes. Now is the period when Abyss energy is relatively calm, and exploration difficulty is relatively low, so explorers from all over will rush to come at this time."

Luo En was quite interested in this information:

"Then, what is the cycle of the Abyss Tide? What are the specific manifestations?"

"The major cycle is about one year, but there are multiple minor cycles in between, with the shortest lasting only a few days and the longest reaching a quarter."

Ethan's tone carried the confidence of an experienced person:

"During the peak period, the magic density within the Abyss will rise significantly, the entire environment becomes unstable, spatial distortion intensifies, and passages often close or change direction suddenly."

He pointed casually to a stall where various crystals emitting strange light were displayed:

"The most obvious manifestation is the change in the activity of Abyss substances. Look at those blood crystals; the luster collected during the trough period is dim, and the energy purity is ordinary; while those during the peak period are as bright red as blood, and the energy flow inside is clearly visible, with a value at least five times higher."

He pondered for a moment and added:

"Of course, the risk also rises significantly. Abyss creatures during the peak period will become extremely violent, and even some ancient existences that usually sleep will wake up and become active. Every year during the peak period, the death rate of explorers doubles."

Luo En nodded to show understanding.

This so-called "Abyss Tide" was quite similar to the magic peak brought by the previous "Star Ring Convergence."

Coupled with the restraining nature of the Star Babble toward Abyss creatures, there was probably some deep-level connection between the two that he did not understand at present.

"So that's why there are so many people active and shopping in the streets and markets of the city."

Luo En connected this information with some of the content he had learned before:

"Although the gains during the peak period are higher, most explorers still choose to be active during the trough period."

"Yes, the specific situation is just as you see it." Ethan agreed:

"For most people, coming back alive is more important than bringing back precious materials. Only those explorers who are particularly powerful or particularly... crazy will choose to explore deeply during the peak period."

He pointed to a well-equipped expedition team in the distance:

"Look at that team; they are all veteran explorers with at least ten years of experience. But even they choose to act during the trough period, keeping the risk within a bearable range."

"Alright, back to the market itself, let's start from the edge area."

Luo En ordered simply: "I need to understand the local market conditions and material quality."

Ethan immediately led the way, taking Luo En through the bustling crowd to a corner of the market.

This area mainly traded some basic Abyss materials, such as energy crystals, tissue samples of ordinary mutant creatures, and some Abyss ores.

The goods on the stalls were dazzling, from ordinary black stones to crystals flashing with faint light, from strange plant specimens to liquids of various colors, everything was available.

Most of the stall owners were weathered explorers or local residents, some even with obvious Abyss mutation characteristics, such as extra eyes or deformed limbs.

A special shop caught Luo En's attention.

A mottled wooden sign hung at the entrance of the shop, with the words "Stone of Luck" written on it.

Quite a few people gathered in front of the door, some leaving with disappointment, others holding their spoils and ecstatic.

The owner of the shop was a short old man, his left eye having been mutated by the Abyss into a purple crystal, flashing with eerie light along with the rhythm of his breathing.

His right hand had only three fingers, and the remaining two seemed to have been twisted off by some force, leaving twisted scars.

"What kind of shop is this?" Luo En asked Ethan beside him, although he had already guessed the answer somewhat.

"Gambling stone shop, one of the most popular forms of gambling here."

Ethan's voice carried a hint of wariness:

"The owner of this shop, Colin, was once an Abyss explorer who lost two fingers and an eye on the fourth level. It is said that he gained some special ability in the Abyss, which can accurately lock onto those raw stones containing rare substances."

There was another secret he didn't say; many precious Abyss substances were often condensed from the corpses of some explorers.

And the shop owner Colin naturally couldn't risk his life to find stones himself.

As for what means the other party used and how he found such strange gambling stones, that was unknown...

Interest flashed in Luo En's eyes, and he walked directly toward the shop.

Hundreds of black stones of various shapes were displayed in the shop, each looking unremarkable, with rough and uneven surfaces, like ordinary coal lumps.

Luo En, however, could perceive the high-concentration energy contained within them.

And although the appearance was similar, these stones clearly came from different levels of the Abyss, and the types of substances contained within them were therefore different.

"Welcome, Wizard Lord."

Colin saw the silver badge on Luo En's chest and immediately put down his work, bowing and saluting: "Want to try your luck?"

Luo En's gaze swept over the price list on the wall:

"Ordinary gambling stone: 20 magic stone fragments per piece"

"Boutique gambling stone: 80 magic stone fragments per piece"

"Treasure gambling stone: 200 magic stone fragments per piece"

Colin noticed Luo En's attention and immediately explained:

"Ordinary gambling stones come from the edge area, with a finished product rate of 70%, but mostly low-level materials;

Boutique gambling stones are taken from the first and second levels, with a finished product rate of 50%, occasionally containing rare substances;

Treasure gambling stones come from below the fourth level, and although the finished product rate is less than 30%, if you gain something, it is worth a fortune."

Luo En nodded slightly, expressionless, but his heart had already activated the "Extraordinary Identification" ability.

In his perception, these ordinary stone blocks began to show different energy fluctuations.

Some were as weak as candles, some as intense as torches, and some presented strange colors and patterns.

【Extraordinary Identification (Proficient) Experience +1】

However, he quickly discovered the limitations of the current proficiency of "Extraordinary Identification":

Although he could perceive the energy intensity and general attributes inside the stone blocks, he could not determine the specific type of substance.

It was like being able to see a blurred outline but unable to recognize its true face.

This limitation, coupled with the high cost of gambling stones themselves, was probably the reason why Colin's gambling stone shop could exist for a long time.

In the extraordinary world, various insight and perception abilities emerge one after another.

If one could really easily crack the secrets inside the raw stones, this kind of gambling would have long lost its existence value.

His gaze fell on the three stones he was most interested in.

They were one treasure stone and two boutique gambling stones, respectively.

In his perception, the energy fluctuations of these three stones were the most intense and complex.

Among them, that treasure gambling stone even exhibited an abnormal spatial distortion, as if the internal space was not completely in the same dimension as the outside world.

"Two boutique gambling stones, one treasure gambling stone, how many magic stone fragments?"

He asked directly, his tone showing no particular interest.

Colin's purple crystal eye flickered:

"Three gambling stones, a total of three hundred and sixty magic stone fragments."

Luo En took out a few complete magic stones expressionlessly and played with them between his fingers:

"Three stones, three complete magic stones."

Colin was stunned, and a hint of hesitation flashed in his crystal eye.

Considering the purity and portability of complete magic stones, although they were slightly higher than one hundred magic stone fragments, the difference would not be that large.

If he really agreed to the price of three magic stones, for Colin, the profit of this transaction would be relatively small.

After all, the cost of "cultivating" such a gambling stone using his special means was not low.

However, the other party's status as a formal wizard was something he dared not offend under any circumstances.

He could clearly feel the pressure from Luo En—not a deliberate deterrent, but the natural aura brought by the person himself.

"Of course... deal." Colin felt the other party's gaze, which carried a faint sense of pressure, and could only agree through gritted teeth.

Luo En suddenly turned to Ethan on the side: "You should have gambled on stones before, right?"

"The Lord has eyes like torches; I have of course tried a few times." Ethan was stunned, smiled bitterly, scratched his head, and told the truth:

"I lost quite a few magic stone fragments, and later I quit."

Luo En nodded and said nothing more, taking the stone-cutting knife handed over by Colin, feeling the special energy attached to it.

This knife had been carefully refined and could cut precisely along the energy patterns of the stone block, protecting the internal substances from damage to the maximum extent.

Quite a few onlookers had already gathered, holding their breath and waiting, wanting to see the gambling stone results of this young wizard.

On the edge of the Abyss, every move of a wizard always attracts the curiosity and attention of ordinary people.

Luo En placed the first stone on the cutting table, closed his eyes, and his mental power slowly penetrated into the interior of the stone block, perceiving the flow direction of the energy.

This ability originated from his alchemist profession, and his sensitivity to substances was far beyond ordinary people.

After finding the best entry point, he cut with his knife, his movements clean and neat, without any extra actions.

The stone block split at the sound, and a crack spread from the center outward.

A wisp of pale green light overflowed from the crack, and as the stone block opened completely, a thumb-sized emerald crystal was revealed.

The surface of the crystal was covered with countless tiny barbs, and a mass of dark green mist was constantly rotating in the center, emitting an unsettling aura.

"Heart-Eating Stone!"

Colin exclaimed, his purple crystal eye flickering violently.

This was a relatively rare gemstone that could be used as an energy storage medium, devouring emotional energy and magic power, with a value of at least five complete magic stones.

Just this one Heart-Eating Stone alone, Luo En had already made a huge profit.

Glancing at it to confirm its specific information, he expressionlessly took out the Heart-Eating Stone and carefully observed its energy flow pattern.

He had already begun to conceive its specific use in his mind:

Using it as a spellcasting medium, combined with the "Sonic Vibration" spell, perhaps he could create a brand-new attack method:

First absorb the target's negative emotions, then amplify them ten or a hundred times through resonance and feed them back.

He had gained something from the first stone, but he knew the real treasure was still to come.

The texture of the second stone was far harder than the first.

Luo En could feel a violent energy inside constantly colliding, seemingly ready to erupt at any time.

He adjusted his breathing, condensed his mental power on the blade, and slid lightly along an almost invisible fine crack.

With a crisp "click," the stone block cracked open.

A thick purple-black mist gushed out, and the pungent smell of sulfur immediately permeated the air.

The onlookers around retreated one after another, some even covering their mouths and noses, their faces showing terror.

When the mist dissipated, a fist-sized purple-black crystal lay quietly in the center of the stone block.

Electric light flickered on the surface, and a flame that would never go out seemed to be burning inside.

"Congratulations, Lord; this should be an Abyss Crystal, a specialty of the third level 'Black Sand Wasteland'. It contains high-concentration Abyss energy, and integrating it into a weapon can add Abyss characteristics to attacks."

Ethan on the side also identified it this time; clearly, he had seen this kind of energy crystal himself:

"I was fortunate enough to see this kind of crystal in an exploration team; although its value is not as high as the 'Heart-Eating Stone', worth only two magic stones, it is undoubtedly a huge profit."

The crowd of onlookers let out a burst of exclamation, and some began to discuss Luo En's luck and vision in low voices.

Two stones in a row had opened high-value items, which was rare even in the gambling stone world.

Luo En remained calm, but his heart was already satisfied with his harvest.

He turned his attention to the last stone—the mysterious stone block that exhibited spatial distortion characteristics in Extraordinary Identification.

From the outside, this stone was no different from the other two.

But when touched, one could feel an abnormal coldness, as if it could absorb the temperature of the fingers.

Luo En took a deep breath, concentrated all his mental power on the stone, and searched for the energy circuit hidden deep inside.

This time, he did not cut the stone directly, but drew a complex rune on the surface of the stone with the tip of the knife, then inserted it lightly into the center point.

"Click—"

A crisp breaking sound rang out, and the stone block began to crack from the center, the crack extending outward along strange spiral patterns, and finally separating completely.

A dazzling blue light sprayed out from it, illuminating the entire interior of the shop, and the people around had to close their eyes to resist this blinding light.

When the light dimmed, everyone saw the treasure in the center of the stone block.

It was a deep blue gemstone the size of a pigeon egg, which seemed to contain an infinitely deep starry sky inside.

Stars flickered, spiral arms flowed, and tiny spatial ripples constantly rippled on the surface, as if swallowing the surrounding air.

The entire shop fell into dead silence, and everyone was shocked speechless by this gemstone.

This clearly exceeded the scope of ordinary gambling stones and entered the realm of extraordinary treasures.

Colin's expression froze completely, his purple crystal eye flickering wildly.

His face turned from red to green to white, and finally settled into a gray, defeated tone.

His lips trembled slightly, and he couldn't make a sound for a while.

"Void... Void Gemstone."

Colin's voice was so weak it was almost inaudible.

This kind of gemstone is generally only produced on the sixth level of the Abyss, the "Labyrinth Domain."

Void Gemstones can affect the structure of space in a small area, be used to make large-capacity space equipment, and even be used as spellcasting media for short-distance teleportation.

Ethan on the side swallowed hard, complex light flashing in his eyes:

"Wizard Lord... the value of this Void Gemstone... is equivalent to at least four thousand magic stone fragments, or even higher..."

The crowd of onlookers erupted into a burst of suppressed exclamations, and some even retreated a few steps unconsciously, as if that gemstone could trigger a spatial collapse at any time.

Items capable of affecting space are the most precious and dangerous existences in the extraordinary world.

Luo En's expression remained unchanged, and he carefully placed the Void Gemstone into a special crystal box.

Such treasures must be properly preserved, otherwise the energy they emit might have unpredictable effects on the surrounding environment.

"It seems I had good luck today."

His tone remained calm, as if he had just picked up a coin, not a priceless treasure.

Ethan stood on the side, his mouth wide enough to fit an egg, his eyes wide, as if he had completely forgotten the basic physiological need of breathing.

When he came back to his senses, he immediately looked at Colin and found that the boss's face was extremely ugly, and a sense of pleasure welled up in his heart.

He himself had suffered losses in this gambling stone shop several times, and each time he was angered to death by Colin's smiling face.

Now seeing him fall into Luo En's hands, and losing three precious gemstones at once, it was simply gratifying.

"Cong-congratulations to the Wizard Lord for your good luck."

Colin endured the extreme regret in his heart and managed to squeeze out a smile that was uglier than crying:

"The value of these three treasures far exceeds the fee you paid; it is truly a heaven-sent good luck."

Luo En nodded slightly:

"Gambling on stones depends most on vision, but I also thank the boss for providing such an opportunity."

"As expected of a formal wizard, even choosing stones is so insightful."

An onlooker exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

Clearly, everyone present assumed that Luo En possessed some kind of insight ability, and that gaining such a heavy treasure was entirely due to his own ability.

This is the benefit of having enough strength.

If he were still an apprentice, he would only encounter countless people coveting his treasures, and even the boss Colin himself would be the first to attack him.

As for now... Luo En put the three treasures into his space bag and nodded to Colin.

The other party still had to bow and return the salute, thanking him for bringing today's turnover.

(End of chapter)