Adrien was in need of resources to stimulate his bloodline, especially since he noticed how slowly he was progressing and he also had to feed his little pig.
As a pseudo-hibernator, Crunch could live a self-sufficient life, but using its abilities increased consumption. As of right now, he didn't have a single energy crystal.
Low-rank apprentices often fill empty energy crystals. They buy empty energy crystals and fill them. When Adrien tried the same, he rejected the idea after seeing the result.
After eating, all the extra energy was transferred to the crystal and even then, only half of the crystal was filled after a whole day of toiling. It wasn't a practical plan, not something worth doing. No apprentice would do such a thing once they learned a spell or two.
As for his progress, there was an increase in incitation progress every day, but it was very slight. But to increase productivity, a stimulus was needed. Added to his essential spending.
Adrien knew Esmit Valley held many lightning-based elementium resources but what were these resources? Where are they found in the valley? In what state are they located? How they look, their function, the preparation necessary to store them, how they came into existence and who guards them. He didn't know anything nor did he have enough energy crystals to buy that information.
Even if he hadn't bought Crunch, his financial burden wouldn't just disappear. 'Buying Crunch was a strategic move.' Adrien consoled himself.
With a few pebbles in his pocket Adrien left his room and headed down the stairs. Each of these pebbles was marked by Crunch so that it could teleport without marking anything first. He would spread them to all the places he frequented.
During these days when he was experimenting with Crunch's abilities he found it couldn't directly teleport into the tower. Therefore, he left one pebble for internal use, in case Crunch needed to teleport directly into his room when inside the tower.
On the ground floor where there were two merchants previously, only one remained. In the same location sat the merchant with two front teeth missing. Adrien approached him but before he could greet him and ask him something, the merchant asked.
"Hey! How are you? Is the little guy doing well? Of course it would be fine since someone wealthy like you is taking care of it. Now, are you here to ask some questions? I have seen you leave and enter the tower for the past two days, but you didn't even glance at me. You must have questions right? Ask right away!" The merchant didn't even let Adrien say his piece and blasted off without a single break. Adrien wondered if all merchants had such a lung capacity.
"Ok then, what can I find in the Esmet Valley and what should I be careful of? Tell me this and we are in agreement." Adrien said. He knew there must be some communication gap between the two, so he didn't clarify.
"Just this? Very well. You can count on me if it's about information." The merchant patted his chest and continued. "Never stand on large rocks when you're in the valley." You never know when the rocks will turn into giant stone faces and eat you whole. And usually, a whole herd of them will be there, so be careful of large rocks. But there are rewards too for such matters. They always protect small rocks, so grab them when you can. ...If you gave them to me, I'd give you sufficient compensation." He continued to rant, and in between his rants, he would show different products found in the valley and say something with a loud sales pitch.
Adrien almost vomited blood after hearing descriptions of some products. 'What would I do with a rock rod?' Adrien wept in his mind seeing the strange gazes of other apprentices when the merchant introduced the product.
Adrien believed now that this merchant was utterly unreliable.
"Ah right, there are lighting spores too. But they are nothing valuable. Even though they look beautiful, those are just drops of cloud lifeforms. You shouldn't pay attention to them. Even if you get them, there isn't much use for them other than storing plenty of elementium particles. And those cloud lifeforms are pretty strong too..."
This piece of information certainly attracted Adrien's attention as it matched the specifications of one of his needed experimental materials.
Adrian meticulously remembered all the things he needed to be careful of, and such a task came naturally to him. He thanked the merchant and before he walked far away he asked, "Ah! My fault, you told me so much information but I don't even know your name!"
"Don't fret, after living for so long I am used to such things." The merchant smirked and waved his hand. "You can call me the Demi-God Semi-Immortal Mountain Crushing Chaos Lord of the Ninth Heaven!"
Adrien's face twitched as he cried internally. 'Ninth heaven? What is this Wuxia element doing in this world? This is a sword and magic world, for god's sake!'
"Then, oh Supreme Lord of the Ninth Heaven, what are you doing here instead of ruling your vast godly kingdom? Behind losing your front two teeth, there must be another fascinating story, right?" Adrien said seething through his teeth. This man never spoke straight. 'Can't he just tell me his name?'
The merchant gave Adrien a deep stare and asked, "How do you know?" and continued with a toothy grin, "Of course, how else do you think I would lose my front two teeth? That damned hydra! Can you believe that damned snake tried to corrode me with its ocean of corrosion? If I had not broken my teeth and used them as a raft, I would not be sitting today before you!"
At first, Adrien wanted to find out how long this guy could keep bragging. But before he could see this guy's limitations, he knew he had lost. 'This guy has already reached the godly realm of bragging...'
Adrien finally shook his head in defeat but the merchant misunderstood and thought Adrien was sympathizing with him. "You are a smart child. You are the first one to believe in me and not think I am ranting..."
Unfortunately, before Adrien could say anything or even retort, the merchant continued, "Here, take this. You might not believe it but I did cut off one head of that hydra and this token is something I made from one eye of that hydra! The more I look at you the more I feel you will do something remarkable in your life! Now go, and live your life to the fullest!"
The merchant gave Adrien a token with an eye inscribed on it and shooed him away. If one hadn't heard their previous conversation, they would look no different than a proud father sending his son to war. At this moment, Adrien finally felt the difference. Heaven has made everyone unique. Never compare yourself to others. 'What am I thinking? Am I am infected with Wuxia syndrome too?...' Adrien sighed and walked away.
"I will never talk to this guy again."