In the cities of the Ashen Lands, nearly every settlement has its own "underground market."
The underground market of the Lamor High Tower City is not particularly large.
However, the complex and entangled power struggles within are no less intense than those of the grandest cities.
Underground Market, **Obsidian Materials Shop**.
Inside a stone chamber along the passageway.
The faint glow of wall lamps, only illuminating the room when six of them are stacked together, cast a dim light over the space.
"Old Com," whose graying hair is partially concealed by a brown cowboy hat, is examining a second-tier soul crystal material through a magnifying glass inside a small iron box.
"Not bad for a second-tier material," Old Com remarked after a long moment, nodding approvingly.
"20 magic gold," he offered, his voice unusually generous.
"Perhaps you could inspect it a bit more carefully," came the reply, unmoved, from Tac, seated across from him at the long wooden table.
"Heh, Tac, this isn't our first trade," Old Com replied with a smirk. "You know, second-tier core materials always go for this price."
Without a word, Tac reached for the small iron box and stood to leave.
Old Com clicked his tongue in exasperation. "Damn it!"
"Alright, I'll take another look."
Without showing any emotion, Tac pushed the small iron box back toward Old Com.
"25 magic gold," Old Com said after a thorough inspection.
"30 magic gold," Tac countered immediately.
"30 magic gold? If I took that offer, I'd be at a loss," Old Com scoffed.
"Then you're welcome to decline," Tac replied coolly.
"26 magic gold, that's my final offer."
"Why don't you raise your bottom line a little? 30 magic gold."
"Little devil, is that all you've got?" Old Com teased.
"Hmm... 31 magic gold," Tac said after a brief pause.
Old Com remained silent for a long moment, dumbfounded.
"28 magic gold," he finally muttered, offering his own new bottom line.
"Though the soul crystal bears the potential to evolve into an 'elite creature,' it hasn't done so yet."
"I really don't know how you managed to get your hands on such a top-tier second-tier material," Old Com shook his head.
"Even I wouldn't dare face those dangerous second-tier extraordinary creatures directly."
Old Com's eyes narrowed to slits.
"I've got something special for you, if you're interested."
Although Tac had come to the underground market to trade for materials, he seemed somewhat hesitant at the mention of Old Com's "special item."
"Let me take a look."
Tac's vision, far sharper and more precise than that of most extraordinary beings, allowed him to assess the true nature of objects on a deeper level. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to discern that the second-tier Stone Serpent Soul Crystal was a near-complete material capable of evolving into an elite creature.
"Consider yourself lucky, Tac. Such treasures are rarely found by the average person."
Old Com turned and opened an iron door, disappearing into the dark passage behind it.
Tac, meanwhile, sat quietly, organizing his thoughts.
**Soul!**
**Source Energy!**
**Life!**
These were the three key materials needed for an apprentice wizard to advance to the First-tier Wizard rank.
In his last adventure, Tac had secured the soul material he needed—a "Wailing Banshee Soul Crystal."
Source energy materials, on the other hand, are relatively cheap, and Tac had purchased a top-tier "Source Pool Crystal" from a Goblin Priest for just 12 magic gold, which would help expand his Source Pool significantly.
For wizards, the size of the Source Pool is crucial. It greatly determines how many spells one can cast. And the number of spells, in turn, decides life or death.
Currently, the material Tac was missing was a **"Life Material."**
In the early stages, when a wizard's spells are not that powerful, a strong and resilient physique provided by Life Materials is incredibly important.
So, Tac had been searching for quite some time.
For Tac, physical strength was especially vital now.
A body that was powerful, flexible, and highly mobile, combined with perfect foresight, would allow him to avoid many dangers and injuries.
Soon enough, Old Com returned with a parchment scroll in hand.
This was not just any ordinary scroll, but one with certain extraordinary properties.
**Sealing, Containment!**
Tac could immediately sense the extraordinary properties of the scroll after observing its threads and patterns. This was one of the developments Tac had made in his **Precise Vision** ability.
"Be careful, this is a genuine Elite Magic Wolf Heart."
Old Com cautioned him.
An Elite-level material?
Tac's heart stirred slightly.
Extraordinary beings in the world of magic require various **extraordinary materials** to ascend.
The most common materials are "Ordinary-level" ones, harvested from regular extraordinary creatures.
One level above that are "Elite-level" materials.
The extraordinary beings that produce elite-level materials are either outstanding among their kind or are inherently powerful species, such as **Star Spirits, Behemoths, Titans, Dragons**—the rarest of the rare.
It's said that above "Elite-level" materials, there are "Leader-level" materials, and even the legendary "Lord-level" materials.
However...
Materials of such a caliber are simply lethal to normal people.
Taking the scroll from Old Com, Tac's ears rang with the powerful, rhythmic thumping of a heart.
**Thump, thump… Thump, thump…**
The heartbeats grew louder, reverberating in his mind, filled with a savage bloodlust and a frantic desire for slaughter.
The Elite-level material, quietly influencing Tac's thoughts, was gradually beginning to affect him.
If this were before, Tac might have been at risk of being overwhelmed.
But now...
With the **Magic Wolf's heart** and the material's pulse, Tac could perfectly control the intersection of his own energy and the Magic Wolf's essence. He could appreciate the strength of the material without being affected by its negative influence.
After a long moment, Tac finally placed the parchment back down.
"Indeed, this is an Elite-level material, and a very powerful one at that."
"Of course," Old Com replied, beaming with pride.
"But if I were to turn this into an advancement potion, would I die quite quickly?" Tac asked with a wry smile.
Old Com's smile faltered slightly.
"Heh, how could that happen?" he replied hastily.
"But you're a powerful wizard who can afford expensive materials," he added, trying to reassure Tac. "You should have confidence in yourself."
But Tac was completely immune to Old Com's flattery.
"The Magic Wolf's will has already seeped into the material."
"The reason it's sealed is not to preserve the material, but to seal away the Magic Wolf's will."
"To put it more accurately, this is a **contaminated elite material**."
Old Com's previously jovial expression darkened with a hint of frustration.
"Yet it's still an elite material!" he retorted.
Tac smiled and gave his price.
"12 magic gold."
Tac had been searching for Life Materials for quite some time, and this Magic Wolf Heart was the best material he had encountered so far.
Although it was contaminated, Tac had the perfect ability to shield himself from the Magic Wolf's will.
Normally, First-tier advancement materials range from 8 to 12 magic gold. Elite materials typically cost 15 to 20 magic gold.
Tac had managed to push the price down to the level of ordinary materials.
"12 magic gold? Why don't you go and steal it instead?" Old Com's tone suddenly became harsh.
Tac remained indifferent.
"As the Magic Wolf's will and its beating heart continue to merge, the contaminated material is gradually deteriorating."
"Given time, this material will become useless."
"If you're insistent on not selling, then there's no need for me to take the risk."
After a long pause, Old Com finally nodded.
"12 magic gold it is. Deal."
Three other adventurers had previously investigated the Elite-level material but had all rejected it without hesitation.
"Are all the extraordinary beings nowadays so cowardly? They don't dare gamble their lives?" Old Com raged as he slammed his fist on the table.
This time, Tac had given a reasonable price, and Old Com had finally unloaded the troublesome material.
"Hey... Tac, if you plan to advance to the First-tier, you'd better be cautious."
"A certain mysterious organization is hunting wizards."
"First-tier wizards are their primary targets."
After the transaction, Old Com, in a much better mood, offered Tac a piece of invaluable information for free.
"I already know, and... I've already crossed paths with them," Tac replied coolly.
"That guy... left quite peacefully!"