https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-73-Plot-Teasers-and-Launch-Announcement/13536276/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-75-Xin-Xi-Ya-Star-Chart-Manuscript/13536282/
Chapter 74: Nightmare Beast Water Serpent Person Tree Spirit
Chapter 74 (Please Subscribe!) Nightmare Beast Water Serpent Person Tree Spirit
Luo En gave a slight nod and began surveying his surroundings.
The interior of the trading post was far more expansive than its exterior suggested. The space had been partitioned by iron bars into dozens of enclosures of varying sizes, each containing different species of exotic race beings.
"Are you seeking a standard servant, a combat slave, or perhaps an experimental subject?" the short, fat merchant asked slyly, his eyes darting about. "We have everything you could possibly need here."
"I require a potion assistant", Luo En stated directly. "Though I'd also like to learn more about other available slave types."
"I believe I understand your needs, noble sir", the merchant said eagerly, scurrying forward to lead the way. "Allow me to first show you our latest arrivals."
Guiding Luo En through rows of enclosures, the merchant enthusiastically detailed the characteristics and uses of various exotic races, clearly relishing the opportunity to display his wares.
The first creature to catch Luo En's attention had four arms. It possessed a near-human face with pale blue skin and two pairs of translucent wings, now listlessly curled in the corner of its cage.
"Ah, noble sir has an excellent eye!" the rotund merchant rubbed his hands together. "That's a rare elemental fairy hybrid from the mountain depths – likely a wind fairy's half-blood descendant. These beings possess unparalleled dexterity for fine craftsmanship, especially handling fragile materials."
Continuing forward, Luo En's gaze swept across other enclosures. A dwarf with rhinoceros-thick skin huddled nearby, its muscular body covered in grayish-brown stone-like scales. A crystal stone embedded in its forehead marked it as special.
"This dwarf hybrid", the merchant explained, "carries deep mountain rock spirit blood. The crystal on its forehead is a control sigil – any rebellion attempts trigger intense spiritual pain. Its hide is practically impervious to blades, and natural magic resistance makes apprentice-level spells useless."
The merchant gestured to an iron plaque on the cage. "This one was once a mountain tribe chief. Killed two Slave Hunting Team members before capture. Now..." He rapped the bars, causing the former leader to recoil like a frightened animal, terror flashing in its eyes. "Completely broken – memories erased, instincts preserved. Standard procedure for adult slaves – self-erasure, retaining only value."
Luo En nodded expressionlessly while mentally noting this. Spirit memory manipulation required advanced techniques – this exchange's backing forces were clearly formidable.
Further ahead, the merchant proudly gestured toward a massive cage containing a four-legged beast with bat-like wings twice a horse's size, its skin an unhealthy gray-purple with startlingly bright eyes. A custom saddle on its back indicated riding purposes.
"A nightmare beast hybrid from the Southwestern Swamp Area", the merchant whispered. "Flies nonstop for kilometers even in the worst weather. Catch? Only active at night, becomes half-dormant during day. For mages needing nocturnal transport, this becomes an advantage."
The drowsy beast lifted its eyelids with a low rumble. The merchant added that these creatures naturally sensed mana fluctuations, navigating darkness by seeking mana-rich paths.
"Originally swamp predators attacking travelers, now domesticated. Aggression reduced but flight capability and perception remain. Price – three hundred Mana Shard Fragments, includes basic training and control sigil engraving."
A large glass aquarium soon drew Luo En's attention, housing two water serpent sisters – human upper bodies with shimmering blue-green scaled tails. Their pale blue skin bore gills while they elegantly coiled through water.
"Pure-blood coastal coral reef water serpent persons", the merchant said reverently. "Rare specimens. Can stay submerged hours without breathing, intelligence near humans. Perfect for harvesting deepwater vegetation."
He winked conspiratorially. "They also sing special Siren Songs said to soothe aquatic beasts. Though some male buyers find... alternate entertainment value." The sisters' eyes flashed with clear revulsion.
"Where were they captured?" Luo En asked.
"Most come from School-sanctioned Slave Hunting Teams", the merchant chuckled. "They venture annually into remote regions for materials and specimens. Suitable finds get sold through licensed merchants like myself."
He led Luo En to a private backroom. "Regarding your potion assistant needs, I have a special item that might interest you."
The contained being differed drastically from others – human-sized with pale green skin covered in tiny scales, hair resembling soft vines swaying gently. Lacking clothing yet displaying no gender traits, it clearly belonged to an asexual species.
"An ancient forest tree spirit", the merchant lowered his voice. "Their kind communicates with plants, sensing medicinal herb activity."
Up close, Luo En observed how the chained entity maintained serene calmness in its gaze, utterly distinct from other slaves' despair and numbness.
"Not bad", he mentally assessed. "A plant-specialist assistant could significantly improve potion-brewing efficiency."
(End of Chapter)
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