Chapter 249

"The Lord made a huge profit this time!"

Just after walking out of the shop, Ethan couldn't suppress his excitement, his voice raised an octave:

"That old fox Colin has cheated quite a few people; today he finally kicked an iron plate! He always liked to disguise extraordinary gemstones, put them in inconspicuous corners, and then invite a shill to cut them out to attract customers..."

Luo En did not respond to Ethan's gossip, just pondering the application direction of the Void Gemstone.

Such a rare space-attribute material, besides being the main structural material for the "Pocket House Technique," could perhaps also be combined with his "Simulated Combat Device."

In the next few hours, he successively purchased some auxiliary materials needed to build the simulated combat device:

special conductors for energy stabilization, light particle crystals that enhance the realism of illusions, and several rare alchemy solvents.

Although the unit price of these materials was not high, they often required extra channels to obtain in the outside world.

Yet in a place like the Abyss Market, they could be traded openly at relatively reasonable prices.

The two continued to walk through the market, and Luo En's gaze was attracted by a large bulletin board not far away.

Quite a few people gathered there, some recording information, others discussing enthusiastically.

"What is the content of the bulletin board over there?" Luo En pointed to the wooden board surrounded by the crowd.

"That is the market's information center."

Ethan explained: "Various recruitment information, trading needs, and exploration warnings are posted there; it is a good place to get the latest news."

Luo En nodded and walked straight toward the bulletin board.

The crowd seemed to feel the aura on him and parted a path unconsciously, allowing this young wizard to view the information more conveniently.

Luo En stood in front of the bulletin board, quickly browsing through various information:

Abyss expedition team recruitment notices, rare material acquisition notices, bounty missions, safety warnings...

Suddenly, a slightly old piece of parchment caught his attention.

"Crystal Spire Abyss Observation Station Recruitment Notice"

——The Crystal Spire is expanding the Abyss observation network, planning to build multiple new outposts in the edge area, and needs to recruit a large number of apprentices and wizards with Abyss exploration experience, especially bloodline modulators and potionists.

Two young men in gray robes stood beside the announcement, discussing something in a low voice.

Luo En noticed that they were holding some documents, their expressions filled with longing mixed with worry, clearly here for this position.

"You two, come here."

He spoke directly, his voice not loud but enough to make the two stop talking immediately and look over vigilantly.

Seeing the wizard badge on Luo En's chest, the two apprentices immediately bowed respectfully: "Wizard Lord."

"Tell me the details of this announcement."

Luo En ordered directly, his tone without the slightest request:

"Application process, screening criteria, and whether there are hidden conditions."

The two apprentices looked at each other, and the older one answered cautiously:

"This project has been running for several years, Wizard Lord. It was originally hosted by Professor Yuteer, planning to build six observation stations on the edge of the Abyss, specifically to study the long-term effects of Abyss energy on organisms. Four stations have been built so far."

"What specific conditions are needed for application?" Luo En pursued, his eyes sharp as a knife.

"First is professional qualification."

The younger female apprentice twisted her fingers uneasily:

"Bloodline modulators and potionists are given priority. Second is at least one proof of Abyss exploration experience, proving that the applicant can work normally in the Abyss environment without going crazy."

She paused, seemingly hesitating whether to say the last point, but continued under Luo En's gaze:

"The most critical and difficult point is the recommendation letter, preferably from a member of the Crystal Spire.

Independent wizards without a background are almost impossible to be recruited, unless they have very special talents."

Luo En took two magic stone fragments from his space bag and threw them to the two apprentices:

"This is the information fee."

The two received the fragments pleasantly surprised, thanking him repeatedly, their expressions filled with excitement and confusion.

They only answered a few simple questions and received enough living expenses for several days.

Luo En had already turned and left, his thoughts flying rapidly.

The Crystal Spire building observation stations in the Abyss to specifically study Abyss creatures and mutant ecology was an excellent opportunity for him.

It could both obtain first-hand Abyss research data and establish a formal power background, laying the foundation for further deep exploration in the future.

Professional qualifications were not a problem—he possessed both potionist and bloodline modulator skills;

Abyss exploration experience was not yet available, but he could start preparing;

As for the recommendation letter, with his identity as a Primal Wizard and the ability of Grace, he should be able to find a suitable entry point.

No wizard would refuse the kind of pure Grace that could offset mental pollution.

As the sun gradually set in the west, Luo En felt that today's harvest had completely exceeded his expectations.

Not only did he obtain three precious Abyss materials, including that Void Gemstone that could be called a miracle, but he also discovered a potential development platform like the Abyss Observation Station.

"I plan to go back first today."

Luo En said to Ethan, his tone carrying a deeply hidden satisfaction:

"If there is time tomorrow, I will continue to walk around the town."

He handed over a magic stone fragment: "Take it, this is a tip. I am very satisfied with your guide service today; keep it up tomorrow."

Ethan bowed, accepting the magic stone fragment somewhat excitedly.

His attitude was even more enthusiastic: "Thank you for the reward, Lord; are you going back to the airship to rest?"

"Yes, today's harvest needs to be sorted out well."

Luo En replied, especially that Void Gemstone; he needed to study its energy characteristics in more detail to determine the best application plan.

Ethan immediately led the way, guiding Luo En through the streets that were gradually becoming quiet, and walked toward the city gate.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a golden-red radiance on the gray building complex, making the entire town look less gloomy.

"If the Wizard Lord is interested tomorrow," Ethan suggested on the way to the city gate:

"I can take you to see the 'Shadow Zone'. There are some more... special goods and services that cannot be seen in the ordinary market."

Luo En raised an eyebrow, expressing interest in this proposal: "What kind of place is it specifically?"

Ethan's expression became slightly nervous, but he quickly returned to his professional smile:

"The Shadow Zone is a special area of Town 69, located in an abandoned area in the northeast corner of the town, specifically trading some gray-zone goods. The rules there are different from the market and are freer."

He paused, seemingly weighing his words:

"Just to clarify in advance, the official forces in the town will not interfere with anything that happens there. Everyone can only rely on their own strength to ensure safety."

Luo En nodded to show understanding.

Under the influence of the Abyss Aura, some constraints of conventional society would indeed become blurred.

The existence of this "lawless land" was another side he wanted to explore.

"Sounds interesting." He responded calmly: "We can go see it tomorrow."

When passing through the city gate, the guards saluted the black-robed wizard again.

The twilight outside the city was deep, and a few wisps of thin mist wandered on the stone path leading to the mooring tower, presenting a blood-red color under the setting sun, as if breathing from the Abyss.

Ethan seemed accustomed to this scene and skillfully led Luo En through the thin mist, moving toward the mooring tower.

Returning to the suite, Luo En found Dail lying on the edge of the crystal tank, her small face pressed against the transparent tank wall, focusing on observing the water flow patterns constantly changing in the tank.

Ailan stood aside, her vines stretching gently, presenting a relaxed posture.

"Master is back!" Dail cheered, her fish tail slapping the water surface, stirring up ripples:

"What good things did you buy? Is the city fun? What do those residents on the edge of the Abyss look like? Are they all polluted?"

A series of questions popped out of the little sea siren's mouth, and Luo En raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

When getting along with Dail, he was always able to relax the calm mask he deliberately maintained.

"Bought some interesting materials."

Luo En responded simply, then turned to Ailan:

"You can go out for a walk and move around the airship, but don't go too far. Dail, remember to bring your crystal amulet."

Dail nodded excitedly, quickly leaping out of the crystal tank and transforming into a leg form.

The blue crystal amulet hanging around her neck flickered with a faint light; this was a moisturizing device specially refined by Luo En for her, which could provide her with necessary moisture in a dry environment.

"I will take good care of Dail, Master."

Ailan's voice was like a breeze blowing through leaves:

"There seem to be some interesting vine plants on the observation deck of the airship; I want to observe their growth status up close."

After the two left, Luo En immediately took out today's harvest and carefully arranged them on the workbench.

The three Abyss items emitted their own unique light under the lamp.

The deep blue light of the Void Gemstone, the gloomy green light of the Heart-Eating Stone, and the purple-black electric light jumping on the Abyss Crystal.

Luo En first picked up the Void Gemstone and carefully placed it on a special detection device.

This was a simple device he temporarily assembled on the airship, which could roughly measure the basic data of some extraordinary items, although the accuracy was far inferior to the instruments in the school's formal laboratory.

As the detection progressed, the data of the Void Gemstone gradually appeared—energy density was more than twenty times that of ordinary magic stones;

the fluctuation frequency was unusually stable, presenting a rare mass structure;

most surprisingly, its spatial tendency index almost reached the measurement limit of the instrument.

"This kind of spatial attribute..." A hint of excitement flashed in Luo En's eyes, but quickly returned to calm:

"It can definitely be used as the main structural material for the Pocket House Technique."

The Pocket House Technique was the kind of ancient spatial spell he had seen before, which could create a private space isolated from the outside world, and the interior could be arranged according to the caster's will.

This kind of spell requires extremely rare space-attribute materials as a medium, and the Void Gemstone is one of the most ideal choices.

Luo En recalled Lady Ellen's mobile medicinal herb shop, that seemingly ordinary small cube, but the interior was a different world, capable of accommodating a large number of medicinal herbs and alchemy equipment.

At that time, he had a strong interest in this kind of spatial spell, but he had always been troubled by the lack of suitable materials.

"The spatial attributes of the Void Gemstone far exceed any material I have seen before, and may even be superior to those used in Lady Ellen's herb shop."

Luo En whispered in his heart, his gaze flashing with expectation:

"If it can be combined with my alchemy technology to build a private laboratory in the true sense, it can directly solve one of my long-standing major problems."

Conducting this kind of experiment in public environments like airships and hotels is clearly not safe enough, and fixed laboratories lack sufficient flexibility.

A private space that can be carried around not only solves this problem but also provides him with an undisturbed research environment.

He carefully put the Void Gemstone back into the crystal box, then picked up the Heart-Eating Stone.

This emerald crystal trembled slightly in his hand, seemingly sensing his emotional fluctuations.

Luo En could feel that whenever his thoughts fluctuated, the dark green mist in the center of the crystal would rotate and accelerate accordingly, as if absorbing these invisible emotional energies.

"The Heart-Eating Stone can absorb and store emotional energy and magic power," Luo En pondered:

"This characteristic might be applied to the construction of the simulated combat device."

The mobile simulated combat device is one of his most important projects.

"When fighting strong enemies or dying in simulated combat, the emotional fluctuations generated are extremely intense."

Luo En recalled his experience in the school's simulated combat device before:

"If the Heart-Eating Stone can be integrated into the device core, these emotional energies will not be wasted in vain, but will become additional energy for the device."

Perhaps when the technology reaches a certain level, he can also integrate soul fragments into the device.

These fragments themselves carry the emotional memories of the original owners, which can produce continuous emotional fluctuations, providing a stable energy source for the Heart-Eating Stone.

"It can also be used during meditation at night." Luo En thought of another usage:

"The magic power brought by the 'Star Projection' meditation characteristic is always endless. Anyway, overflowing in this process is a waste; it is better to input the excess magic power generated into the Heart-Eating Stone as backup energy for the device."

No energy should be wasted, but rather find the most suitable way to transform and utilize it; this is also a manifestation of his frugal virtue in his bones.

Finally, Luo En turned his gaze to that Abyss Crystal.

Unlike the previous two items, this purple-black crystal emitted a dangerous sense of instability.

The frequency of the electric light flickering inside was irregular, and the surface temperature was constantly fluctuating, clearly containing extremely violent Abyss energy.

"This thing should not be processed too much now."

Luo En cautiously put it into a multi-layer protective container: "Rash operation may lead to energy loss of control and trigger an explosion."

He knew the danger of Abyss energy well, especially crystals with such high concentration; once handled improperly, it is likely to cause an irreparable disaster.

A rational researcher will never take risks to satisfy a momentary curiosity.

"Wait until we reach the Crystal Spire and have a stable experimental environment before considering using it for charging the substitute puppet."

Luo En made a decision: "With the affinity of the substitute puppet for Abyss energy, this crystal might be able to rapidly advance its charging progress."

After arranging these precious materials, he stood up and walked to the window.

The sky had completely darkened, and stars began to flicker in the dark blue night sky.

He could feel the energy contained in those starlights flowing into his body continuously through the "Star Projection" characteristic, nourishing his magic core.

Luo En took a deep breath, feeling the growing power within him.

Since becoming a formal wizard, his strength has been steadily improving, but this is far from enough.

The depth of the Great Abyss, the secrets of bloodlines, the truth of the stars...

There are too many unknowns waiting for him to explore.

And every harvest, every new project, is a step toward that ultimate goal.

"Continue to explore Town 69 tomorrow and see what special goods that 'Shadow Zone' has."

Luo En silently planned his goals:

"If I'm lucky, maybe I can find some materials that are currently in urgent shortage."

Outside the window, the figures of Dail and Ailan appeared on the airship deck.

The little sea siren was excitedly showing Ailan a water ball transformation technique she had just learned, shaping the water ball into various animal shapes.

Ailan watched patiently, occasionally clapping her vines gently to express appreciation.

Luo En raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

Power is a tool, not a purpose; knowledge is a road, not an end.

Withdrawing his gaze, he began to prepare for tonight's meditation.

The "Star Projection" characteristic is always in an activated state, and tonight's star power is particularly abundant, which is an excellent time for the improvement of mental power and magic power.

He sat cross-legged on the meditation mat, slowly closed his eyes, and his consciousness began to extend, immerse, and unify toward that sea of stars...

【Star-Eater's Babble (Proficient) Experience +1】

【Advanced characteristic "Star Projection" is continuously in effect...】

His spirit was like a star, emitting a dim but eternal light in the endless darkness.

(End of chapter)