Chapter 100: Savage Bear
Chapter 100: Savage Bear
“How much could this fat man have embezzled?”
Li Yi rubbed his chin with a complicated expression; after a long time, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He had thought wrongly.
In his opinion, the Land of Light and Shadow had only been open a short time. Even if it was making mountains of gold daily, the profit was limited. With such meager profits, the materials used to make the Wheel of Six Paths couldn’t be that precious.
Only after reading the schematic did Li Yi realize just how naive he had been.
Of course, it made sense. The Rule of the Dao was fair. How could the materials for a Super Magic Array—on par with the “Well of Stars” and “Void Lung,” blessed with the Metamagic Specialty “Spell Heightening”—possibly be cheap?
Rereading the material list, each dazzling name gave Li Yi the feeling of an ignorant country woman stepping into a grand mansion, his eyes overwhelmed.
Within the Six Divine Hubs:
“Azure Dragon,” scaled from an Evil Dragon.
“Vermilion Bird,” plumed from a Jingwei Bird.
“Soaring Serpent,” a fang from a Serpent of Cultivation…
Scores of treasures, each priceless beyond measure!
Thinking of Wang Sheng’s position, many things suddenly became clear.
As the array maintenance master, he had likely inflated repair costs, skimmed profits, dipped fingers into the till, and pocketed plenty.
How else could he afford such expensive materials?
“This fatty… his belly isn’t just fat; it’s full of schemes… Never judge a book by its cover. How true.”
Li Yi gained a new understanding of Wang Sheng.
He closed the booklet, banishing those thoughts. Such materials were far beyond his means.
Not to mention, a Taotie also lurked within his soul—the Heavenly Prophecy Ring.
“Perhaps it’s for the best. I can focus entirely on cultivation… The Softshell Turtle Dream Art. I must obtain it soon!”
Li Yi lightly touched his forehead, smoothing the furrows between his eyebrows.
The one-year deadline was fast approaching. By regulation, failing to form a Magic Vortex and reach the Spell Apprentice stage meant expulsion.
However, as Wu Yi’s disciple and with Fan Wen, the Precipice’s top Puppeteer, showing him favor, even if he didn’t advance, those above might turn a blind eye. Still, it would cause gossip, and he disliked the idea of special treatment.
“But how to cover the shortfall of about two thousand White Crystals?”
Dao Transformation Armament!
That phrase flashed in his mind—Dao manifested, Rules consolidated, the pinnacle of spellcraft, the “ultimate” Dao Transformation Armament!
His heart pounded violently, and his blood seemed to boil.
“Is it time?”
He had never crafted a Dao Transformation Armament himself. Though “Five-Tone Viscera” was half an Armament, its difficulty was incomparable to a true one.
“Can I?”
Li Yi suddenly felt a moment of doubt, questioning himself.
But that sliver of hesitation was quickly incinerated by a blazing battle spirit.
“I can!”
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The knocking interrupted his surge of conviction.
“Who is it?” Li Yi paused briefly, eyes wary. Honghu You hadn’t been dead long; he was still jumpy.
“Li Yi, it’s me. Yan He.”
The voice was undoubtedly Yan He.
“Senior Brother Yan He?” Li Yi relaxed slightly, curious. “What brings you so late?”
As he spoke, Li Yi flicked a finger, silently sealing a small hole in the corner of his room connected to the Star-Slaying Knot.
“A Mage’s cultivation knows no day or night… Junior Brother, may I come in?” Yan He’s dry chuckle came from outside.
“Of course!”
Opening the door, Li Yi saw Yan He wasn’t alone. With him were Zhang Baichi’s two senior disciples, Zhang Yu and Zhou Xun, and an unfamiliar, stocky man.
“Please, come in!” Li Yi gestured politely.
“Li Yi, you know these two, so no introductions needed… This is your second senior brother—Luo Liang. Luo Liang was conscripted last year to guard the World-Rending Gorge; he only just returned.”
“Luo Liang, this is Junior Brother Li Yi.”
Yan He introduced them both with a warm smile.
“Greetings, Senior Brother.” Li Yi dared not be negligent, offering a respectful bow.
Wu Yi had three direct disciples: Eldest Disciple Yan He, Third Disciple Qin Yun, and now Second Disciple Luo Liang before him. Su Xuan’er had had a chance too, but becoming Qiushui You’s disciple severed her connection here.
However, since Li Yi could draw Runes, becoming the fourth disciple as originally agreed was surely imminent.
“Junior Brother? What junior brother?” Luo Liang frowned, deliberately looking around in feigned confusion.
Have I offended him? Li Yi thought.
Li Yi offered a faint smile, a cold glint flashing imperceptibly in his eyes.
“Well, the situation is…” Yan He explained concisely in a few sentences.
“That’s not appropriate. Until a formal acceptance ceremony, he isn’t a junior brother,” Luo Liang stated, turning his face aside to glance at Li Yi obliquely. “Li Yi, every disciple under our master possesses innate talent. Alchemy, arrays, wards, Rune Matrices, as well as personal cultivation—all are outstanding. I’ve heard your Rune skills are quite high? However, the path from a Rune Master to a Dao Transformation Armament Master is long and arduous…”
Though it sounded like teaching, his tone was condescending. Between the lines, Luo Liang repeated the same three words: You’re unworthy.
“Brother Luo speaks true.” Li Yi feigned accepting the counsel. He naturally wouldn’t use the respectful “Senior Brother” for such cold treatment. He also wouldn’t argue. With Zhang Baichi’s disciples present, he didn’t want to be laughed at.
“Li Yi, there’s something we wanted to discuss,” Yan He moved to the main point. “We plan to craft a Dao Transformation Armament.”
“Dao Transformation Armament?” Li Yi couldn’t hide his surprise.
Just as I need sleep, a pillow arrives? What a coincidence!
“Through admiration for my uncle’s reputation, someone commissioned an order,” Zhang Yu smiled slightly. “Unfortunately, we’re short-handed. We wish to hire the three of you… Li Yi, your tasks will be ‘solution preparation’ and ‘Rune inscription.’”
“Which Armament is it?” Li Yi inquired directly.
“Savage Bear’s Strength.”
Li Yi’s expression cleared; he nodded.
Among first-tier Dao Transformation Armaments, four were most common:
“Savage Bear’s Strength” for amplifying raw power.
“Cloud Leopard’s Sinew” for enhancing speed.
“Scent of the Spirit Fox” for boosting perception.
And “Daffodil’s Stamen” for accelerating Mana recovery.
“The payment?” Li Yi asked next.
“Total payment is fifty thousand White Crystals!” Satisfaction lifted Zhang Yu’s lips.
“Fifty thousand?” Hearing the figure, Li Yi’s heart lurched. He’d heard of Magic Crystal sand flowing between Armament Masters’ fingers, but witnessing it firsthand was still staggering.
“How split? Ten thousand each?” Li Yi blurted out.
“Hah! Wishful thinking!” Zhang Yu snorted derisively.
Zhou Xun also offered a cold smile. “Your Rune Skills do have some merit,” he said coolly, “but a Dao Transformation Armament is no simple matter…”
“So how then?”
Zhang Yu smirked coldly. “My Senior Brother and I, fifteen thousand each. Luo Liang, ten thousand. Yan He, seven thousand. You, three thousand.”
Three thousand?
“And the materials? Who provides them?” Li Yi’s eyes flickered as he asked again.
“It’s your territory. Naturally, you do,” Zhang Yu shrugged.
Li Yi’s fist tightened slightly, then gradually relaxed.
“Senior Brothers Yan He, Luo Liang… you both agreed to this?” He turned to look at the other disciples.
“A win-win situation. Why not?” Luo Liang stated flatly.
Yan He looked somewhat embarrassed but nodded.
“Alright, I agree too.”
Though he agreed verbally, Li Yi inwardly shook his head. If these two senior disciples wouldn’t fight, what could he, merely an outsider, do?
For him, three thousand White Crystals was sufficient.
Moreover, personally participating in crafting a Dao Transformation Armament promised far greater experience and benefits than merely observing.
“Meet at Butian Pavilion tomorrow morning!”
…
The next day.
The group waited early to receive their client.
“He’s here!”
A handsome, graceful figure emerged from the mist, trailed by several burly attendants.
Li Yi’s gaze sharpened; he recognized this man. It was Zhang Mingshi, whom he’d met once at the Land of Light and Shadow!
“Brother Zhang, you know the two of us,” Zhang Yu stepped forward, his smile somewhat obsequious. “These two are Master Wu Yi’s honorable disciples, Yan He and Luo Liang.”
Utterly forgetting Li Yi, Zhang Yu then ushered everyone inside, leaving him standing to the side.
Zhang Yu clearly remembered the humiliating defeat and had seized the opportunity to trip Li Yi up.
Luo Liang readily played along, commanding imperiously, “Li Yi, don’t just stand there. Go make some tea.” His tone implied Li Yi was merely a servant.
“Yes!” Li Yi’s expression remained unchanged.
When Li Yi returned, Zhang Mingshi was half-undressed. The others circled him, using tools to measure his body up and down—standard procedure to determine his form and Bearing Capacity.
Unsure whether to approach or retreat, Li Yi stood alone, isolated.
“Done!”
After a long while, Zhou Xun clapped his hands, satisfied.
“Finished?” Zhang Mingshi took clothes from his attendant and prepared to dress.
“Wait,” a voice rang out. “I’d like another look!”
It was Li Yi.