Myriad Devils-Chapter 127: A confrontation of knowledge and experience

"Clear heart crystals!"

Within the Hall of Treasures, an elder of the military academy inspected the items that Anon and Seth took out of their wrist accessories.

He could not help but blurt this out when he saw the crystals that they casually pulled out.

Students bringing back high-level treasures wasn’t all that surprising. Lucking out was something that was quite common as a stellar fighter.

Only, the consistent quality of treasures that these two had shown was rather unusual. To add to that, they were year ones that had just completed October’s assessment.

The elder was a man in his forties, with a few grey hairs on the side of his head. He had mostly black hair that reached his neck. His brows were curved, and there were a few wrinkles on his face, whilst his eyes were cold and sharp.

As a third world stellar fighter, even if he did not intentionally do it, his presence was still overwhelming and his eyes carried a faint oppressiveness.

He had a strong jaw, and coupled with his darker complexion and trained body, visible through his tight fitted wear, he appeared even more imposing than he already was.

’These two.’ There were a multitude of thoughts flashing through his mind. Anon and Seth had taken out tens of azure plums, seven clear heart crystals, and Anon had even disarmed himself, causing his earring to transform into the magic pillar’s original appearance.

"This Sky-Bending Fire Spitting Magic Pillar is incredibly powerful. I reckon that even a third world stellar fighter with the fire element would find it useful. Even myself, who does not walk the path of fire, was capable of using fire to combat beasts that mainly utilize the principles of fire." Anon said this and continued to sing praise.

He was more than just slightly knowledgeable on the price ranges of treasures now. The name of this magic pillar was casually thought of, but importantly, it was lengthy, and sounded a little overbearing.

Though one may have doubts, even the name would have an effect on the final price of a treasure.

Obviously, treasures like the azure plums and clear heart crystals which were formed in batches and were unlike Divine weapons which were one of a kind, already had names and fixed prices.

’Although I can take out the Longevity Healing Gourd, my earnings from selling this magic pillar, the azure plums and clear heart crystals should be enough to acquire more suitable treasures. The Longevity Healing Gourd is also a life-saving treasure.’ Anon thought inwardly.

Though such a life-saving treasure would be heavily valued, and might earn him even more than what he’d get from selling these three treasures, it was because of its value that he didn’t want to sell it.

Not just the Longevity Healing Gourd, he also kept four clear heart crystals, two for him and two for Seth, along with over a dozen azure plums.

Seth remained silent on the side, and obediently listened to Anon’s requests, taking out treasures from his wrist accessory, and, or, placing them back into it whenever Anon ordered.

Though such obedience made Anon wary, he ignored it for the most part.

At the same time, the elder observed this and looked at Anon strangely, his gaze carried a much deeper thoughtfulness than before.

Seth perceived this, causing his blood colored orbs to palpate with a dark light.

...

After nearly fighting with the elder, Anon had earned a little over 100,000 merit points for the magic pillar alone, and the duo earned 5,000 merit points for every three azure plums, totaling to 120,000 merit points for the entire batch that he chose to sell.

"There’s no way I can give you 300,000 merit points for a single clear heart crystal." The elder looked at Anon as if the latter was a madman.

"Each clear heart crystal has an effect on third world stellar fighters. How many treasures can truly be comparable?" Anon retorted.

"Even so, the effect is limited. And to add to that, the moment a third world stellar fighter begins summoning power from their principle, that limited effect dries up almost instantaneously." The elder did not budge.

"Hmph! The clear heart crystal is used for exploration and observation, not assassination. Why does it matter if its effects disappear after someone draws power from their principle." Anon also refused to budge.

Sigh...

To Anon’s side, Seth suddenly shook his head and sighed.

Anon heard this, but failed to understand until he heard the elder’s words.

"Heh, young man, if the clear heart crystal isn’t used for assassination, but exploration instead, doesn’t this mean that the value plummets. Since you’re so knowledgeable about treasures, surely you know that the category of its uses matters just as much as the level of a stellar fighter it has an effect on?" There was a gloating expression on the elder’s face.

His words caused Anon’s expression to turn dark.

He had no reply.

Hearing nothing but silence, the elder quickly followed, "Giving you 150,000 merit points for a single clear heart crystal is me being generous. I appreciate a junior doing such research before entering the hall of treasures. Take this as my goodwill to two prodigies in year one."

Though he attempted to raise the price once again, he inevitably acquired 155,000 merit points per clear heart crystal, totaling to 1,085,000 merit points.

With all three types of treasures sold, the total earnings reached a whopping 1,310,000 merit points.

As a first world stellar fighter, over a million merit points was an unimaginable sum, but just as he had earned such a high quantity of merit points for these treasures, the treasures that he desired also cost an equally lofty sum.

He was now a second world stellar fighter of the third layer.

In fact, he might either be stuck in the third layer for a while, or very soon, he might enter the third world, and would need treasures of equal quality.

Unlike in the first world, and the first layer of the second world, a weaker treasure would not work very well. The stronger one became, the more noticeable any advantage became, even if small.

After saying some sweet nothings, and suggesting to Seth, in a round-about way, that he did not need any of these merit points, Anon focused on investigating Sector 2’s Hall of Treasures in search of suitable treasures for himself.

Naturally, his main focus was on a divine weapon.

He already had two unique life-saving treasures, one being the Longevity Healing Gourd, and the other being the remaining azure plums, a little over a dozen.

On top of that, there was also the clear heart crystals.

’There are several treasures that I want, but what I need over all others is a Divine weapon capable of increasing my attack potency, an escape-type Magical item, and possibly an investigative type magical item. Although the clear heart crystal can make investigation possible, like with the monkey king, there is a certain risk that it carries.’ Anon thought.

He already had an escape-type Magical item, but the anklets was of the Arcane-grade, and unless he was in the third world, using it would only harm him instead.

Thankfully, a Sky-grade escape-type Magical item and a Divine weapon were both well within his budget. But adding an investigative type magical item on top of that made it a little more tight.

’I’ll focus on finding a suitable Divine weapon first. No matter the cost, I will not show restraint. Then a Sky-grade escape-type Magical item would take precedence. If possible, I’ll use the remaining merit points to acquire an investigative type magical item.’ Anon concluded.

The Hall of Treasures had two floors, and on most occasions, did not have many people within. This was to be expected.

Earning merit points, besides strength, required luck.

Often times, even if one had a single aspect, they did not have the necessary strength to seize the opportunity, or luck to grasp hold of it.

Locating a treasure and finding a beast claiming that area as its territory wasn’t strange.

Even killing the beast was possible.

But amidst this battle, destroying the treasure was a very high possibility.

Anon and Seth working in unison may have very well saved them from encountering this possibility. But at the same time, it was only achieved through their extraordinary strength.

Truthfully, all things in this world was possible, but only through strength.

Strength was authority and power was law.

...

On the second floor, Anon stood before a levitating spear.

The near environment around the spear was plunged in a deep coldness. It wasn’t the principles of ice at work, but instead the ruthless sharpness of the edge of the spear’s head.

There were several aisles on the second floor with levitating weapons lined up in high quantity.

Seth was in another aisle, casually observing the many treasures.

Already getting a good grasp of Seth’s attitude and persona, Anon could perceive the sheer scorn and mockery in Seth’s eyes as he observed these weapons.

’Continuing to venture down the path of the staff isn’t an intelligent path to take. Whether Seth’s words are true or not, and they probably are, no matter how skilled I become as a staff wielder, at most, I’ll be comparable if not inferior to him at endgame. Only by achieving the pinnacle of another weapon can we truly compete, or else I’ll be stuck within his palm.’ Anon surmised.

Although he did not have any particular feelings for the spear, he had already mastered the staff.

And the spear was a similar weapon to the staff, at least in appearance.

Anon stretched his right hand towards the spear, but his hand was met with an invisible barrier. The wrist accessory on his left wrist lit up and a mechanical voice rung out.

[Does the student, Anon -- wish to buy the Cloud Severing Spear]

"Yes!"

[630,000 merit points required... Initiating transfer... Transfer complete... 630,000 merit points deducted]

The invisible barrier disappeared as his hand wrapped around the cold shaft of the spear.