novel-bin Chapter 774 - 372: Rune Tree Bark (Part 2)
Chapter 774 - 372: Rune Tree Bark (Part 2)
[Secret Technique: Professional Secret Technique—Beast Spirit Sprint][Skills: Mage [Healing Water Wave, Elemental Shield, Communication with Spirits]]
[Combat Power Amplification: 44%]
He was indeed a Mage, and some of the characteristics made Li Ang quite intrigued.
Actually, a Mage is the name of a primitive religion and also an abbreviated or substitute term for the priest or wizard of this religion—this was knowledge that Li Ang knew before traveling to Nebis.
And the various ethnic groups in Nebis also had their primitive periods and must have had similar categories of religions. Now that he knows Nebis has gone through the world’s fragmentation to the rebirth of civilization, it’s only natural to see Mages now.
However, in most places, Mages either began to integrate into the modern world order led by guilds or did not retain much ancient knowledge. Only in one place, and the regions influenced by it, do Mages communicate with all spirits.
That place is, of course, the Land of Ten Thousand Spirits, where Li Ang once visited and where he broke through various shackles on his path as a witch.
However, the people of the Land of Ten Thousand Spirits would never step out of there, so the Mage in front must not be from there, but should be from a tribe that worships the Land of Ten Thousand Spirits as a holy land.
"Hello, I’ll take this."
Li Ang placed the tree bark in front of the shop owner.
The Old Mage’s initially calm gaze grew increasingly unsettled as he approached, eventually even rising to a kind of fear.
He stared at Li Ang’s left arm intently, opened his mouth as if to shout, but was seized by panic and rendered speechless.
Did this person sense the Demon Power?
Li Ang could notice the oddities of the Crimson Demon, so it wasn’t surprising that others with the ability to observe spirituality could also see it.
He hurriedly raised his normal right hand and began drawing a Curse Rune.
This Curse Rune was quite complex, including a vortex-like Water Rune, a slanting Tree Rune, a dotted Air Rune, and a dense Earth Rune, all interweaving to represent the Mage’s understanding of the universe—trees in the ocean penetrating heaven and earth, connecting the mortal and transcendent worlds, nurturing all beings with earth and air.
This Curse Rune itself doesn’t generate any powerful Magic; learning to draw it is the process of inheriting from the Land of Ten Thousand Spirits and practicing the mastery of spirituality.
The Old Mage’s gaze gradually descended from horror to surprise, then to disbelief while scrutinizing Li Ang.
He knew that the shamans of the Land of Ten Thousand Spirits would not leave there, so the Li Ang standing here could only be one of the rare individuals who passed the test and walked out.
Momentarily shocked, the Old Mage’s expression was replaced by respect. He continued to gaze at Li Ang’s left arm, his eyes revealing a form of reverence and sorrow akin to seeing a hero or a martyr.
Li Ang quickly understood that the Land of Ten Thousand Spirits and the ancient tribes it radiated to must have retained some secrets related to demons, and he hadn’t fully gained their recognition before, so he hadn’t acquired all the knowledge.
The shop owner Old Mage immediately bowed, indicating that he would offer the item for free.
He remained silent throughout, but his body language adequately conveyed his entire attitude and intentions.
When leaving the shop, Andasu still couldn’t figure out what had happened.
Li Ang briefly explained that it might be fate passed down from ancient times, giving the young girl a general idea of the situation, though he himself wasn’t aware of all the details.
From this perspective, the reason for going to the Sanctuary of All Spirits in "Zultin Marsh" to resolve the Demon Curse was indeed substantial.
Leaving the Mage Tribe’s shop, there were other peculiar shops in more remote areas, some even involving Black Magic.
Li Ang speculated that their reason for opening shops here wasn’t necessarily business, but possibly as sites for the transmission and collection of information.
"Oh, here we go."
Li Ang stopped in front of another shop with a similarly unique style.
Inside the shop were many Dragon statues, none with price tags, seemingly just for the shop owner’s pleasure. The items for sale were incredibly diverse, appearing as if excavated from underground, making the entire shop resemble a dumping ground for tomb raiders.
The item he sought, which could resonate with the blood of creatures, was displayed beside a lifelike black Dragon statue.
No, something’s wrong.
When Li Ang got closer, he realized that Dragon statue was a real Flying Dragon.
If not for the vastly different environment, he’d think he’d accidentally entered Farlonio’s Treasury.
The small Flying Dragon turned its neck to look at Li Ang, hissed uneasily, and puffed out some black smoke.
Could it be sensing the aura of the Dragon Ancestor clinging to me? Is this thing... afraid?
Li Ang was pondering this when a shrewd-looking man hurriedly came out from inside the shop.
"Ah, esteemed guest, forgive us for not welcoming you properly. May I ask which item has caught your eye?"
This man’s clothes somewhat resembled simplified noble attire. No, it was simplified noble attire; he just wasn’t a noble, wearing it more to curry favor, which made the creases and stains clash with the style of true nobility.
Li Ang squinted, reached into his pocket, and pulled out an insignia.
It was an Yijie Association insignia composed of Gold Coins and a boot pattern, serving as identification proof from when he previously placed a commission.
The man paused for a moment, quickly replacing his business smile with a genuine one upon meeting a colleague, and shook hands with Li Ang.
"So you are a guest from our Yijie Association, my apologies. I am Marlot, the person in charge here. Are you here to inquire about business or purely interested in the items in the shop?"
"Both. Coincidentally, I was actually looking for your contact point." Li Ang replied.
"Which matter would the esteemed guest like to handle first?"
"Let’s buy this first."
Li Ang walked toward the item confirmed through Spiritual Perception to resonate with blood. It, like most of the shop’s inventory, seemed to have been excavated from the ground.
This was an image of a winged demon, its mouth full of fangs, its eyes crafted from blood-red Rubies, resembling a bloodthirsty demon creature.
"This is the ’Blood Dragon Relic,’ priced at one Transcendent Tier VI piece of equipment," Marlot introduced.
"Blood Dragon? Is this also a Dragon?"
Originally not quite fond of this relic since it didn’t resemble the white giant wolf the Yunxiang Race revered, Andasu asked in surprise.
"I am not knowledgeable enough to explain,"
Marlot smiled, "It was the consignee who informed me."
"Consignee? Isn’t this your shop?"
"Due to certain cooperative relationships, the Yijie Association merely manages the shop, assisting those partners who prefer not to show themselves."
Li Ang briefly pondered, realizing that was why the place felt somewhat familiar yet strongly dissonant upon seeing Yijie Association members.
Looking around at the various Dragon species statues, not only were there numerous types, but their crafting methods varied—some were made of fired ceramics and glass, some carved from stone and ivory, others magically treated from bones and leather, even possibly real specimens of Dragon-type Demons.
Even within the shop, there was a black Flying Dragon, and with his current knowledge of Dragon species, Li Ang could guess it was of the King of Black lineage.
This place should certainly be the territory of the Bailong Sect.
Considering how this ancient cult, having hidden bases in the prosperous City of Trade, is not surprising; they need some things from the mortal world but dislike showing themselves, hence they commissioned Yijie Association here, and Yijie Association also uses it as a connection point.
Since he had guessed, Li Ang didn’t plan to inquire further with Marlot. After purchasing the Blood Dragon Relic, he inquired about his own matters.
"The number on the back of the guest’s insignia, please turn it over, and I’ll verify if delivery has been made."
Li Ang turned the Yijie Association insignia, Marlot noted the number, then returned to the shop’s back for a search.
He soon returned with a notebook, his demeanor toward Li Ang slightly more serious.
"You are a significant customer, possibly even an Equipment Artisan. Hehe, to make up for any previous neglect, may I offer you a piece of information? Ask me anything, as long as it falls within our standards."
In truth, it wasn’t really neglect, but rather the Yijie Association showing goodwill.
"Let’s start with my previous commission," said Li Ang.
"Understood. The first commission was to investigate the force with the strange eye pattern."
Marlot explained, "This force operates in the Ignis Sky Realm and is connected to the recently emerging Holy Speriel Empire internally, seemingly part of their upper echelons and possibly the Empire’s out-of-control members. Our association has limited capabilities, this is all that has been verified. We haven’t had time to place our operatives within this new power."
Li Ang nodded; he hadn’t expected much regarding the "Eye of God," and finding this much already surprised him at the Yijie Association’s prowess.
"Second commission, investigating the couple in the blurred photo. These two have no precise whereabouts. Considering the limited clues you provided, we can only offer a few guesses."