The city-states upon the Ashen Land all fundamentally have their own "Underground Street".
The Underground Street of Ramore Tower City-State isn't particularly large.
However, the complex struggles of various forces within it are no less intense than those of the larger cities.
Underground Street, [Obsidian Material Store].
Within the stone corridor house.
The wall lamps, not very bright on their own, turned the small hut bright after six were stacked up.
"Old Kumu," with some grey in his hair hidden under a brown cowboy hat, held a magnifying glass as he examined the Second-Rank Core Soul Crystal Material within the iron box.
"Quite a fine piece of Second-Rank material," he praised, after a long time, as he repacked the core material into the small iron box.
"20 Magic Gold."
Old Kumu offered a generous price, rarely seen from him.
"Perhaps, you could inspect it a bit more closely."
Tuck remained unmoved by the price as he sat across the long wooden table.
"Heh heh... Tuck, our trading isn't just a one or two-time affair,"Old Kumu responded with a laugh as he leaned back.
"You know the price for Second-Rank core materials."
"If that's the case... I'll take my leave!"
Tuck reached for the iron box, preparing to stand up.
Seeing this, Old Kumu let out an annoyed sound.
"Damn it!"
"Fine, I'll take another look."
Tuck gave no expression as he pushed the small iron box back over.
"25 Magic Gold."
After another examination, Old Kumu gave a new offer.
"30 Magic Gold."
"30 Magic Gold? I would be at a loss if I paid that."
"Then you have the option not to buy it."
"26 Magic Gold, that's my final offer."
"You might as well raise your bottom line a bit, 30 Magic Gold."
"You little demon, is that the only price you know?"
"Mmm... 31 Magic Gold," Tuck considered then replied.
Old Kumu: "..."
Somewhat speechless, Old Kumu didn't say a word for a long while.
"28 Magic Gold."
Eventually, Old Kumu offered the price of his new bottom line.
"Although this Soul Crystal Material carries the potential to transform into an 'Elite Creature', it has not transformed yet."
"I really don't know how you, lad, managed to acquire such a top-notch Second-Rank material."
Old Kumu shook his head.
"Even I wouldn't dare face those dangerous Second-Rank transcendent creatures directly."
"Additionally..."
The eyes of Old Kumu narrowed into fine slits.
"I have something good, are you interested?"
Although Tuck had come to Underground Street this time to exchange materials,
he clearly harbored a hesitant attitude towards Old Kumu's mention of "something good".
"I'll look at it before making a decision."
With the powerful ability of Precision Vision.
Tuck could see far deeper into objects than other transcendent beings.
If not, he wouldn't have recognized the Second-Rank Stone Snake Ghost Crystal as top-tier material on the verge of transforming into an Elite Creature Sequence.
"You're in luck, Tuck. Such good stuff isn't something ordinary folk come across."
Turning around, Old Kumu opened the iron door and vanished into the darkness of the corridor beyond.
Meanwhile, Tuck sat quietly in place, organizing his thoughts.
Souls!
Origin Energy!
Life!
These are the three essential materials needed for an Apprentice Wizard to advance into becoming a "First Rank Wizard".
In his most recent adventure, Tuck had obtained the First-Rank Soul Material he needed, the "Wailing Banshee Soul Crystal".
The Origin Energy Material was relatively cheap, and Tuck had purchased it early for 12 Magic Gold. It was a top-grade "Source Pool Crystal" from a Kobold shaman that could expand Tuck's Source Pool considerably.
For a wizard, the size of the Source Pool largely determines the number of spell castings.
And the number of spell castings decides life or death.
What Tuck currently lacked was a piece of "Life Material".
In the early stages,
when the spells of a wizard aren't that powerful,
the robust physique provided by the Life Material is very important.
Therefore, Tuck had been on the lookout for a long time.
And for Tuck now,
a strong and robust physique was particularly crucial.
A body strong enough, flexible, with full agility,
coupled with perfect foresight,
could help Tuck evade many dangers and injuries.
Soon, Old Kumu returned with a sheepskin scroll in hand.
It was not an ordinary sheepskin scroll but one with certain transcendent characteristics.
Sealing, containing!
After a moment's scrutiny, Tuck discerned the transcendent characteristics of the sheepskin scroll.
[Transcendent Characteristics] are the manifestations of the properties of the original substances of the transcendent world.
At least, from what Tuck had learned from his memories, that's how it's explained.
For instance, if a particular original substance, once absorbed, strengthens defense, then that particular substance has a defensive attribute.
If another original substance exhibits the property of sealing other forces after accumulation, then without a doubt, it has a sealing attribute.
Or, if another original substance makes the soul stronger upon absorption, then that substance possesses a soul attribute.
For the [Knight] Sequence, the combination of [Defense], [Strength], and [Vitality] attributes forms the foundation of their sequence.
As for Tuck's [Wizard] Sequence framework, it is comprised of [Soul], [Origin Energy], and [Vitality].
Of course, the [Vitality] attribute in the Knight Sequence is about the might of life, withstanding blows and enduring fights.
Meanwhile, the [Wizard] Sequence's [Vitality] lies in the essence of life itself, as well as a longer lifespan, living for much longer times.
Where does the origin material come from?
The transcendent materials that Tuck was purchasing now were precisely that.
Utilizing his Wizard Sequence, he absorbed the origin attributes of these materials, allowing his Transcendent Sequence to evolve and accomplish a qualitative leap.
This is the essence of a Transcendent's advancement.
Now, Tuck, through identifying the pattern of presentation, deduced the Transcendent characteristics.
This was one of the directions Tuck developed the potential of his [Precision Vision].
"Be careful, this is a genuine Elite Class Demon Wolf Heart."
Old Kumu warned.
Genuine "Elite Level" materials?
A slight movement stirred in Tuck's heart.
Transcendents needed a variety of "Transcendent Materials" to advance.
The most common materials were "Ordinary Level," produced by various ordinary transcendent creatures.
A grade above ordinary materials was "Elite Level" materials.
The transcendent creatures that could produce elite materials were either the best among their kind, or, by nature, belonged to powerful species, such as Star Spirits, Behemoths, Titans, Dragons — exceedingly rare creatures.
It is said that above "Elite Level" materials, there are "Leader Level" materials and even the legendary "Lord-Level" materials.
But!
That level of material, for ordinary people,
could very likely lead to death upon mere trial.
He took the parchment scroll!
"Thump-thump... Thump-thump..."
The vigorous, powerful heartbeat rang out beside Tuck's ear, and there was a tendency for it to intensify.
Subsequently, a bloodthirsty brutality and a fervent urge to kill surfaced in Tuck's mind.
Without a sound, the elite material was influencing Tuck.
If it were before, Tuck might indeed have been truly affected.
But now...
The heartbeats of the Magic Wolf and Tuck's pulse intersected, perfectly managed by Tuck.
Tuck could fully experience the power of the Magic Wolf Heart, yet not be affected by its negative ramifications.
"Phew..."
Only after a while did Tuck finally put down the parchment scroll.
"Indeed, it's an elite material and a very strong one at that, its Transcendent attribute is extremely powerful."
Tuck praised.
"Of course!" Old Kumu's smile was brimming with confidence.
"So, when making it into a Promotion Potion and consuming it, I would die very cleanly, right?"
Old Kumu's smile froze on his face.
"Heh heh... How could that be possible..."
Soon, Old Kumu's smile masked his embarrassment.
"You're a powerful wizard capable of bringing out quite a few costly materials."
"You need to have confidence in yourself."
Yet Tuck was not swayed by Old Kumu's seduction.
"The will of the Demon Wolf has already infiltrated into the sequence material."
"The reason for the seal is to lock away the will of the Demon Wolf, not the material itself."
"To be precise, this is a contaminated piece of elite material."
Old Kumu, with his little scheme exposed, seemed slightly angry.
"But it is still elite material!"
Tuck smiled and named his price.
"12 Magic Gold."
Tuck had been looking for life materials for quite some time.
This Demon Wolf Heart could be said to be the best material Tuck had encountered.
Even though it was contaminated,
But with Tuck, who could trace trajectories and pulses, there was complete confidence in blocking the Elite Demon Wolf's will.
Ordinary first-rank advancement materials were priced from 8 Magic Gold to 12 Magic Gold.
And the price of elite materials ranged from 15 Magic Gold to 20 Magic Gold.
Tuck directly pressed the price down to the level of ordinary materials.
"12 Magic Gold, are you trying to rob me?"
Old Kumu's voice suddenly raised an octave.
Tuck appeared unconcerned.
"The will of the Demon Wolf and the pulsing heart are in the process of fusion."
"As time passes, this piece of contaminated material will gradually become useless."
"If you insist on not selling, I have no need to take the risk."
After a moment of hesitation, Old Kumu eventually nodded his head.
"12 Magic Gold it is, we have a deal."
Before Tuck, three adventurers had already inspected this piece of elite material, and without a doubt, all had refused.
"Are today's Transcendents all cowards? None dare to risk their lives for a chance."
Every time a sale failed, Old Kumu would slam on the table and roar in anger.
This time Tuck offered a fairly decent price.
Old Kumu was finally rid of this hot potato.
"Hey... Tuck, if you want to promote to the first rank, better be careful."
"A mysterious organization, they are hunting wizards."
"First-rank wizards, they are a prime target for their hunt."
With the transaction complete and feeling much better, Old Kumu freely provided Tuck with a piece of valuable information.
"I already know that, and... have already crossed paths with them."
Tuck replied indifferently.
"That guy... he met a very peaceful end!"