Warlock Apprentice
Chapter 1695: Section 1696: Rely on the Mountain

Chapter 1695: Section 1696: Rely on the Mountain

Angel sat at his desk. On the desk lay something shaped like a capsule.

This was a one-time Spatial Capsule.

Inside, there were 91 Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stones—the entire inventory of Breeze Demonic Material Shop. The majority were of middle quality, while 13 pieces were of high quality. If solely used for the "Destiny’s Boiling Tune" Magical Energy Array, it would enhance Sharley’s talent a hundredfold or more.

In other words, Toby could fully challenge the Extreme Resentment Thoughts in the House of the Heart within the Wilderness of Dreams a hundred times over.

For a Wizard, jumping into the same pit twice is already intolerable. Now, Toby has a hundred opportunities to learn from experience. Angel refused to believe quantitative change wouldn’t eventually lead to qualitative change.

Angel was now full of confidence in Toby’s ability to overcome the trial. However, before letting Toby enter the House of the Heart for the challenge, he had two tasks to accomplish.

First, he needed to refine a platform capable of bearing the "Destiny’s Boiling Tune." After all, this was a Magical Energy Array with four magic patterns. Ordinary parchment wouldn’t suffice as a carrier, so Angel had to temporarily refine a supporting platform.

In truth, Angel could also create an alchemy work and have the "Destiny’s Boiling Tune" exist as an enchantment. However, after careful consideration, he couldn’t think of a suitable item to enable "Destiny’s Boiling Tune" to function effectively. In the end, he decided to keep things simple and directly refine a carrier platform for the Magical Energy Array.

As for the second task...

Angel retrieved a thin, transparent glass shard from his bracelet. This was the communicator assigned to him after joining the Research and Development Institute.

After some adjustments, the glass shard seemed to be coated with a layer of shimmering light.

Soon after, a faint blue spirit emerged slowly from the glass shard, hovering before Angel like a holographic projection.

"Good evening, Mr. Pat." Antonio’s refined tone flowed from the spirit’s mouth. "Is the gentleman looking for me on account of the female apprentice from the House of Lilith?"

Antonio was referring to Qi Li. After Qi Li and Jiebo caused a ruckus in Fragrant Plaza, Angel had asked Antonio to perform some covert operations to minimize the fallout.

Although Angel had already learned the outcome of the incident involving Qi Li and Jiebo, he still wanted to hear Antonio’s account.

"I contacted you for another matter, but before we delve into that, I’d also like to know about Qi Li’s latest situation."

Antonio nodded slightly: "After our last meeting, I sought assistance from Sherry, the Vice Dean of Ashiliye Comprehensive College, to covertly manage public opinion. For the time being, the waves caused by Qi Li and Jiebo in Fragrant Plaza won’t ripple through the entire alchemy community. However, they will still face ostracism from the Scent Circle—consider it as an accountability measure for all the alchemists present at Fragrant Plaza that day."

Angel understood that everyone must bear the consequences of impulsive actions. Still, he couldn’t help but ask, "Is this ostracism permanent?"

Antonio: "Any shocking event inevitably fades into memory, like a veil obscuring its clarity. Even those who personally witnessed it can approach it later with a more rational perspective."

"Therefore, I don’t believe the ostracism will be permanent. Time quells the flames of anger and dilutes the resolve that once seemed unyielding."

"However, even if time wields such great power, the ostracism cannot dissolve without cause. To lift it, there would likely need to be a corresponding catalyst."

"What exactly that catalyst might be is hard to predict. After all, the future teems with uncertainty."

Angel nodded. Since it wasn’t a permanent ostracism, there was always hope for a resolution. Besides, if Qi Li truly needed scents from the Scent Circle, she could always obtain them via alternative channels—for instance, having someone else act as a proxy buyer.

Considering the extent of the damage they caused in Fragrant Plaza, this outcome was already quite favorable.

After finishing his account of Qi Li’s matter, Antonio paused, clearly signaling the time to shift to Angel’s main topic.

Angel wasted no time, directly stating, "The reason I came to you this time is that I need your help with something. You likely recognize the Profound Alchemy Association, correct?"

Antonio paused momentarily before nodding: "Is the gentleman’s matter connected to the Profound Alchemy Association?"

"It is." Angel proceeded to explain the situation with Breeze Demonic Material Shop, including the Profound Alchemy Association’s pursuit of Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stones and the potential repercussions of his purchase of these stones on the shop.

After hearing Angel’s explanation, Antonio fell silent for a moment: "So the gentleman’s intention is...?"

"Since Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stones are urgently required for my purposes, I promised the shopkeepers at Breeze Demonic Material Shop that I would find a way to shield them from the Profound Alchemy Association’s threats."

Angel: "My thought is to leverage the Research and Development Institute’s connections to incorporate Breeze Demonic Material Shop into a network akin to Nail Alchemy House. This way, even if the Profound Alchemy Association seeks to stir up trouble, they would hesitate due to the backing involved."

"Do you think this plan is feasible?" Angel looked at Antonio.

Antonio considered for a moment: "Feasible, yes, but the shops on Manshi Magic Material Street have protection not merely due to their intricate alliances. The key factor is that each shop is strongly connected to alchemists from Ashiliye."

"Having both technical prowess and distribution channels ensures the best possible protection in Sky Mechanical City."

"Specifically, the creator of Nail Alchemy House is a member of the Research and Development Institute. If the gentleman wishes to include Breeze Demonic Material Shop in this network, certain conditions must be met."

Angel: "To be incorporated into this protective circle, must there always be an Ashiliye alchemist backing them?"

Antonio nodded: "Yes. Alternatively, they could directly be backed by the Research and Development Institute—for instance, if the gentleman himself chose to act as the protector of Breeze Demonic Material Shop."

After hearing Antonio’s response, Angel remained uncertain. "How does one determine whether these shops have such backing? Is there any way for outsiders to identify this?"

"Let me give an example. The gentleman is acquainted with Vannerson, isn’t he?"

Angel nodded. Vannerson was an exceptionally talented alchemist who had attended one of Angel’s lectures. Rumor had it he was likely to become the next member of the Research and Development Institute, alongside Jelal.

"Vannerson signed a contract with the Yuli Magic Potion Shop on Manshi Magic Material Street. The shop now provides Vannerson with potion materials, while Vannerson sells his works through the shop," Antonio explained. "The shop’s ability to consistently supply unique middle-high-level potions has become its signature."

"Others naturally understand that Vannerson is backing Yuli Magic Potion Shop."

This is the method outsiders use for judgment. Among them, Nail Alchemy House stands out uniquely; whenever the Research and Development Institute releases new products, within two days, while no other locations have begun sales, Nail Alchemy House is already stocked with the Institute’s products. This recognition has solidified Nail Alchemy House’s position.

Even if outsiders fail to identify Nail Granny’s identity, they instinctively realize Nail Alchemy House is deeply tied to the Research and Development Institute.

Antonio: "If the gentleman is willing to act as a patron for Breeze Demonic Material Shop, in the future it could also serve as a retail point for Research and Development Institute products. Of course, this would first require the gentleman’s endorsement."

After hearing Antonio’s explanation, Angel furrowed his brow slightly.

According to Antonio, Angel’s proposed plan was indeed viable, but it required one of two approaches: either Angel had to find an Ashiliye alchemist willing to support Breeze Demonic Material Shop, or he had to take on the role himself.