Chapter 252: Observation Post (Extra Update Day 2)

Chapter 252: Observation Post (Extra Update Day 2)

"Sir just scored a massive win!"

No sooner had they stepped out of the store than Yisen burst into loud, excited chatter:

"Old fox Colin finally met his match! That scoundrel used to trick so many people by hiding precious gems in the most unremarkable corners, then hiring shills to cut them open and lure customers..."

Luo En ignored Yisen's gossip, his thoughts focused on potential applications for the Void Gem.

Such a rare spatial attribute material could serve not only as the core component for constructing the Pocket House Technique, but might also integrate with his Simulation Combat Device.

Over the following hours, he purchased several auxiliary materials needed to build the Simulation Combat Device:

Special conductors for mana stabilization, light particle crystals to enhance hallucination realism, and several rare alchemy solvents.

While individually inexpensive, these materials typically required additional channels to obtain outside this market.

Yet here at Abyssmarket, they traded openly at reasonable prices.

As they continued navigating the market, Luo En's gaze caught on a large bulletin board ahead.

A crowd clustered around it, some recording information, others engaged in heated discussion.

"What's on that bulletin board?" Luo En gestured toward the wooden plank surrounded by people.

"That's the market's information hub", Yisen explained. "Recruitment notices, trade requests, exploration warnings—all the latest updates get posted there."

Nodding, Luo En made his way toward the board.

The crowd seemed to sense his presence, instinctively parting to let the young mage approach unimpeded.

Skimming the notices—Abyss expedition recruitment, rare material purchase ads, bounty missions, safety warnings—his attention suddenly snagged on a slightly weathered parchment:

"Crystal Spire Abyss Observatory Recruitment Notice"

——Crystal Spire is expanding its Abyss observation network and planning multiple new outposts at the frontier. Experienced Abyss explorers, particularly Bloodlinemodifiers and Potion Masters, are urgently needed.

Two gray-robed youths stood beside the notice, whispering intently.

Luo En noticed their hands clutching application documents, their expressions a mix of longing and apprehension.

"You two, come here."

His voice carried quiet authority, instantly halting their conversation as they turned cautiously.

Spotting Luo En's Mage Insignia, the apprentices bowed respectfully. "Magesir."

"Details about this recruitment", Luo En commanded, voice edged with no-nonsense clarity.

"Application procedures, selection criteria, hidden conditions."

The apprentices exchanged glances. The older one spoke cautiously:

"The project's been active for years, Magesir. It began under Professor Uther's leadership, establishing six observation stations along the Abyss Edge to study long-term Abyss mana effects on living organisms. Four stations already operate."

"Specific requirements?" Luo En pressed, sharp gaze slicing.

"Professional qualifications first", the younger female apprentice fidgeted with her fingers. "Bloodlinemodifiers and Potion Masters get priority. Second—proof of at least one completed Abyss exploration mission, demonstrating the applicant's stability within Abyss environments."

She hesitated before continuing under Luo En's stare:

"The most critical requirement is recommendation letters. Preferably from Crystal Spire members. Independent mages without connections rarely qualify unless they possess exceptional innate talents."

Luo En retrieved two Mana Shard Fragments from his Storage Bag, tossing them casually.

"This is information payment."

The apprentices gratefully accepted the fragments, their faces alight with excitement and confusion.

They'd answered simple questions yet received enough for several days' expenses.

Already turning away, Luo En mentally mapped his next moves.

Crystal Spire's Abyss observation stations—studying Abyssal creatures and mutation ecosystems—presented perfect opportunities.

He could secure primary research data while establishing official affiliations for future deep explorations.

Professional qualifications posed no problem—both Potion Master and Bloodlinemodifier certifications were his.

Abyss exploration experience required preparation.

As for recommendations, his primordial mage status and Boon ability should open doors—no mage would refuse a blessing capable of purifying spiritual contamination.

As the sun dipped westward, Luo En felt today's gains exceeded expectations.

Three precious Abyss materials, including the rare Void Gem, plus this potential career advancement.

"I'll return to prepare now", he told Yisen, satisfaction carefully veiled.

"If time permits tomorrow, I'll explore the town further."

He tossed another Mana Shard Fragment.

"Keep it. Your guiding impressed me. Maintain this standard tomorrow."

Yisen bowed, excitement evident as he accepted the fragment.

His demeanor turned warmer. "Thank you, sir! Returning to the airship for rest?"

"Yes. Today's acquisitions require proper organization", Luo En replied, especially needing detailed Void Gem mana trait analysis for optimal application plans.

Yisen led the way through quieting streets toward the City Gate.

Sunset bathed gray buildings in golden-red hues, softening the town's gloom.

"If Magesir's interested tomorrow", Yisen suggested en route,

"I can show you the Shadow District. Some...special commodities and services unavailable in regular markets."

Luo En's eyebrow lifted, curiosity piqued. "What kind of place?"

Yisen's expression tightened briefly before resuming his professional smile.

"The Shadow District occupies a northeastern abandoned zone—Abyss 69 Town's special sector. Transactions there operate under different rules—freer, less regulated."

He hesitated, choosing words carefully.

"Understand that official authorities won't intervene in district incidents. Personal strength determines safety."

Luo En nodded comprehension.

Under Abyssal Breath's influence, conventional constraints blurred.

Such a "lawless zone" represented another aspect he wished to explore.

"Interesting", he replied evenly. "We'll visit tomorrow."

At the City Gate, guards again saluted the black-robed mage.

Outside, dusk thickened. Wisps of fog drifted along the stone path toward Berthing Tower, tinted blood-red in sunset light—like breath from the Abyss itself.

Yisen navigated the mist with practiced ease, leading Luo En toward the Berthing Tower.

Inside their suite, Daire pressed her small face against the Crystal Tank's transparent wall, intently watching shifting water patterns. Ai Lan's vines relaxed nearby.

"Master's back!" Daire chirped, her fish tail splashing ripples.

"Did you buy amazing things? Was the city fun? What do Abyss Edge residents look like? Are they all contaminated?"

A rapid-fire barrage of questions burst from Little Siren's mouth as Luo En curved his lips into a faint smile.

When with Daire, he could always loosen that carefully maintained mask of calm just a little.

"I've acquired some interesting materials."

Luo En answered succinctly before turning to Ai Lan.

"You two can step out for some fresh air around the airship, but don't wander too far. Daire, remember to wear your crystal amulet."

Daire nodded eagerly, leaping from the crystal tank and transforming her tail into legs. The blue crystal amulet around her neck shimmered faintly - a moisturizing device crafted by Luo En through potion-making techniques to sustain her in arid environments.

"I'll make sure Daire stays safe, Master", Ai Lan said, her voice carrying the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. "The observatory deck's climbing vines seem particularly intriguing. I'd like to examine their growth patterns at close range."

Once the pair departed, Luo En retrieved his day's acquisitions and arranged them carefully on the workbench. The three Abyssal artifacts glowed with distinct auras under the soft lighting.

The Void Gem radiated profound blue luminescence, the Phantom Heart Stone emitted eerie emerald light, and arcs of violet-black lightning danced across the Abyss Crystal's surface.

Luo En first lifted the Void Gem, cautiously placing it into a specially designed detection apparatus. This makeshift device aboard the airship could only crudely measure foundational data of transcendent items, though its precision paled in comparison to the laboratory instruments at the School.

As the analysis progressed, the Void Gem's data materialized gradually - its mana density exceeded twenty times that of ordinary Mana Stones; its fluctuation frequency demonstrated exceptional stability, forming a rare structural pattern; most astonishingly, its spatial inclination index nearly reached the instrument's limit.

"This spatial attribute..." A flicker of excitement crossed Luo En's eyes before his expression smoothed again. "It could absolutely serve as the core material for Pocket House Technique's framework."

The Pocket House Technique referred to an ancient spatial spell he'd previously encountered, capable of creating an isolated personal realm that could be customized according to the practitioner's will. Such spells required extremely rare spatial attribute materials, and the Void Gem stood as one of the most ideal candidates.

He recalled Madame Ellen's mobile herbal shop - a seemingly ordinary cube containing vast space for storing medicinal herbs and alchemy equipment. Back then, he'd developed keen interest in such spatial techniques, but had struggled with finding suitable materials.

"The Void Gem's spatial properties surpass anything I've encountered before, possibly even exceeding the quality used in Madame Ellen's herbal shop", Luo En mused, his gaze gleaming. "If I could integrate this with my alchemical expertise to craft a true private laboratory, it would directly resolve my long-standing dilemma."

Conducting experiments aboard airships or in inns posed significant safety risks, while fixed laboratories lacked sufficient Spirit Vitality. A portable personal space could solve both problems, providing an undisturbed research environment.

Carefully returning the Void Gem to its crystal case, he picked up the Phantom Heart Stone. The emerald crystal trembled slightly in his palm, seemingly responding to his emotional fluctuations. He could feel the dark green mists within its core swirling faster with each shift of his thoughts, as if absorbing those intangible emotions as mana.

"The Phantom Heart Stone's ability to absorb and store emotional mana..." Luo En contemplated, "might prove invaluable for developing the Simulation Combat Device."

The mobile simulation combat device remained one of his most crucial ongoing projects.

"During intense simulated battles with powerful opponents or near-death experiences, emotional fluctuations generate extraordinary surges of mana", he recalled his experiences with the School's simulation devices. "If we could channel this energy into the Phantom Heart Stone integrated within the device core, these emotional surges wouldn't go to waste but instead serve as supplementary power."

Perhaps with future advancements, he could even incorporate collected soul fragments into the device. These fragments carried their original owners' emotional memories, generating continuous emotional fluctuations to provide stable mana for the Phantom Heart Stone.

"This could also prove useful during nighttime meditation", another possibility emerged. "The 'Star Projection' technique constantly channels mana into my body, yet much of it dissipates unused. Instead of letting these excess energies spill, they could be directed into the Phantom Heart Stone as reserve power for the device."

No mana should ever be wasted - finding the optimal transformation and utilization pathways reflected his innate frugality.

Finally turning his attention to the Abyss Crystal, he noticed its distinct aura of danger. Unlike the previous two artifacts, this violet-black crystal radiated an unsettling instability. Its internal lightning flickered erratically while surface temperature fluctuated wildly, containing extremely volatile Abyssal mana.

"This one shouldn't be handled extensively for now", Luo En carefully sealed it into a multi-layered containment vessel. "Premature manipulation risks uncontrolled mana release, potentially causing an explosion."

Understanding the Abyssal mana's inherent dangers, especially in such concentrated crystalline form, he knew improper handling could lead to irreversible disasters. Rational researchers never jeopardized themselves for fleeting curiosity.

"I'll wait until reaching Crystal Spire with proper experimental conditions before considering its use for Puppet Substitute's charging process", he decided. "Given the Puppet Substitute's natural affinity for Abyssal mana, this crystal might significantly accelerate its charging progression."

After securing the precious materials, he rose and walked to the window. The sky had darkened completely, stars beginning to shimmer across the deep blue night canvas. He could feel the starlight's mana flowing into his body through the Star Projection trait, nourishing his mana core.

Drawing a deep breath, he savored the growing power within. Since becoming a Full Mage, his strength had steadily increased, though never enough to satisfy his ambitions.

The unfathomable Abyssal Chasm, bloodline mysteries, and the truth behind the stars - so many unknowns still awaited exploration. Each acquisition and new project represented another step toward that ultimate objective.

"Tomorrow we'll continue exploring Town 69", Luo En mentally outlined his plans, "and check what special goods the 'Shadow District' might offer. If fortune favors us, we might find some desperately needed materials."

Outside the window, Daire and Ai Lan appeared on the airship's deck. The Little Siren enthusiastically demonstrated her newfound water sphere transformation technique, sculpting liquid into various animal shapes. Ai Lan watched patiently, occasionally applauding with delicate vine movements.

Luo En's lips curved upward again. Power was merely a tool, not the goal itself; knowledge served as the path, not the destination.

Turning away from the window, he prepared for tonight's meditation. The Star Projection trait remained constantly active, and tonight's star power felt particularly abundant - an ideal opportunity for spiritual energy and mana cultivation.

Settling onto his meditation cushion, he slowly closed his eyes as his consciousness extended toward the Sea of Stars, sinking into profound unity.

【The Murmuring of the Star Devourer (mastery) experience points +1】

【Advanced trait "Star Projection" remains active...】

His spirit shone like a distant star, radiating dim yet everlasting light through the endless void.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end