Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 673 The Collective Anger of the Wizard Shoe Shop Alliance and the Million Magic Stones Income

Locke said to Daniel, "Daniel, if you achieve anything, could you share it with me? I will pay you the corresponding licensing fee."

Wizard Daniel paused for a moment, then sat on the cloud whale and said, "Of course, we are friends."

"My senior sister Julian has already helped me connect with a medium-sized energy business alliance that is interested in this. As long as someone invests money, I have hope of completing it. If there are any milestones, I will share them with you."

Locke nodded and said, "Then I wish you success soon."

Daniel chuckled, “In the Fission Rift Wizarding Lands, there’s a saying: when you can’t discern the true strength of a wizard of your level, look at their experience and the level of their friends.”

"The quality of a person's friends determines the height of their potential."

Wizard Daniel said, "After entering Golden Crown Mountain, I really felt that this statement made a lot of sense. Having such powerful wizard friends as you and Julian around me has raised my limits."

Locke nodded slightly. "While it's biased, there's some truth to it. It's a matter of opinion. A person's social relationships are like the resources they can access. As long as one person interacts with another, it's possible to mobilize those resources, or at least there's a possibility."

"Of course, it depends on how it's used. Everyone is willing to add flowers to brocade in this world. But when it comes to providing charcoal in the snow, very few people are willing to do it."

Wizard Daniel nodded in agreement, deeply resonating with Locke's words.

Wizard Daniel was in a good mood and snapped his fingers in Locke's direction. "Well then, I'm off to get busy. My roommate, the Cloud Ze Cup champion."

He summoned the cloud whale, commanded it to land, and then headed towards the peach orchard atop Little Peach Mountain, the Peach Gate that led to the [Gray Mist Dimension].

Locke, riding the Rainbow Bird, entered the Dune Plane, where a thin layer of gray mist covered the sky.

Heavy element particles, like the nascent form of a new atmosphere, enveloped the upper part of this plane.

The temperature across the entire plane dropped by at least 2 degrees Celsius.

Furthermore, as the amount of heavy particulate pollutants increases, the temperature may continue to drop.

The sun, as large as a mountain, was surrounded by rings of rainbows, which were formed by the refraction of sunlight by heavy particulate pollutants.

Locke flew directly in the Rainbow Bird high above this plane, across the desert, and saw the location of two research institutes surrounded by conversion plants and natural gas mines.

At this time, some magical fields have already appeared outside the ecological membrane of the two research institutes.

Of course, these magical fields were basically planted, but due to temperature differences and magical tides, they were submerged by the desert again.

Many golems are being planted here.

These agricultural golems are extremely valuable and costly. Without the allocation of two sets of resources, it would be impossible to conduct magical field experiments on this scale.

In the process of the desert repeatedly swallowing the magic field again, the amount of humus and biomass will increase on the surface of the dunes, and thus a new magic field is completed.

Locke let the rainbow jay land on the ground and walked towards the second research institute. "It seems to be quite effective. But he was too hasty. It would have been more prudent to proceed gradually."

"Yes, he's about to leave the station. If we take a conservative approach, he won't get any benefits, so we have to be aggressive. Besides, if Zaran Bailey wants to get resources and a lot of funding, he has to see results in a short time."

“And there’s also the cost paradox,” Locke said. “In ecology, overall transformation is likely to be cheaper than partial transformation. This is because maintaining a local ecosystem requires constant resource input, while if overall transformation is possible, there is no need to expend huge resources to maintain a local small ecosystem.”

"All things considered, the only way for Zaran Bailey to obtain top-tier funding and have a chance to complete a first-class project grant is to act aggressively."

Locke sighed. “He’s different from me. I still have five years. But Mount Golden Crown only allows a researcher to delay their departure a maximum of two times, each time for about a year. That means even if Zaran Bailey uses his connections to delay his departure, he only has two years left.”

“Without connections, it would be difficult for him to stay even after meeting the exit requirements. Essentially, it's a competition for the resources that the White Wizard Association provides to young first-ring wizards.”

“But even if he stays, two years is too short for him. As for me, I have 5+2 years. So, he can’t be as steady and methodical as I am.”

Locke frowned; he had accumulated a great deal of knowledge since he began studying ecology.

Therefore, certain insights have already been formed.

The other party's large-scale transformation is quite extreme, and the ecological transformation of a plane involves dozens of theories, making it essentially a chaotic system.

Given that the other party is disregarding the laws of nature and arbitrarily altering things, it's unclear whether they have a foolproof plan.

Locke pondered, "For me, ecological transformation prioritizes long-term benefits over short-term gains."

"We cannot sacrifice future ecological collapse for short-term gains. One of the most perplexing aspects of ecology is that short-term prosperity is not necessarily true prosperity."

Locke recalled numerous ecological examples: 'Many ecological booms are merely the last gasps before a major collapse, or reactions to excessive resource use and depletion.'

Locke recalled reading in the book of Luna's Blessing spells that the most terrifying aspect of ecological experiments was that once the experiment collapsed, the irreversible collapse occurred during the wizard's most prosperous and successful period of ecological experimentation.

Ecological complexity also lies here.

Locke said, "Therefore, for me, whether it's the research of Group 2 or my ultimate magic, we must adhere to the principle of minimal modification. We must follow the original laws of nature and utilize their original laws, rather than arbitrarily adding to or modifying them, making the problem more complicated. But doing things according to this principle will make everything very slow."

Is there a way to have both?

"My principle of minimum modification has a speed bottleneck, lacks flexibility, and is difficult to deal with sudden dangers, which is also a shortcoming."

Locke pondered, vaguely grasping the key. "If I want to further improve my ultimate magic, to make the ultimate magic based on the Moon Mirror even more outstanding, perhaps the breakthrough lies here."

He fell into deep thought, feeling as if he had grasped a key point, but because he lacked sufficient knowledge or was struggling to find a breakthrough, he was racking his brains, but still couldn't think any further.

“I always feel so tired,” Locke sighed. “It’s making my brain a little sluggish. Of course, right now my strength is more than twice my normal magic pressure of 9999.”

"After entering the soul decay period, because of the cracks in my soul, my magical pressure has essentially exceeded the limit of a first-ring creature. It is stuck between the second and first rings."

"If I don't get into this state, I can't participate in the competition."

"This is a gamble. If I fail to achieve the expected results in the Silent Grail War, my losses will be enormous."

Locke was immediately gripped by an inexplicable fear at the thought that the losses would outweigh the gains.

The next moment, a peach-bow thorn arrow appeared in his sea of ​​consciousness. Blessed by the Holy Dragon Star, the peach-bow thorn arrow shot an arrow into his sea of ​​consciousness, completely eliminating the unease and unfounded anxiety.

'Damn it, this weak, anxious mentality of a loser has actually appeared in me.'

Locke's eyes were resolute. 'A move made is a move that cannot be taken back. Since this step has already been taken, why dwell on whether it was worthwhile?'

"The example of Grand Wizard Sura serves as a warning to me. The past, whether right or wrong, is history. If I have even the slightest hesitation or doubt about any of my past choices, they will come after me when I advance to the second ring."

'Without the past, there would be no me today. I have great confidence in myself, so naturally I have no doubt about my past self.'

In the common office of Group 2, Locke overheard Mason Witches and her two companions arguing with the lab administrator.

When Mason Witch saw Locke arrive, her eyes lit up, and she said to Locke, "Team Leader, you've come."

Locke looked at Mason Witch and a regular first-ring wizard staff member from Mount Golden Crown who was also the laboratory administrator.

Some of the employees at Jinmianshan are non-tenured staff who do odd jobs. Their relationship with Jinmianshan is not one of teaching or professional roles, but rather a relationship similar to that between a shop alliance and its own employees.

It was a labor contract.

Naturally, the qualification requirements for these wizards become very low, although even so, the requirements are still very high.

In any case, those who haven't become official wizards before the age of forty have no chance of entering Mount Golden Crown.

The lab administrator at the first-stage liquefaction facility looked embarrassed when he saw Locke approaching.

Freya the witch said to Locke, "Team leader, you've finally arrived. We've already applied to Team Leader Sith for permission to use the metal telescope equipment. But this administrator keeps delaying, saying every day that someone is already using it."

Freya the witch crossed her arms and said fiercely, "What's wrong? Is this discrimination against us?"

Barrett the wizard said in a low voice, "That is indeed going too far. We are all researchers in the same group. There is no need to resort to such underhanded tactics."

The lab administrator, his forehead beaded with sweat, quickly said to Locke, "Boss Augustine, please don't misunderstand. I'm not targeting you. I'm just an ordinary staff member."

"They are people we can't afford to offend."

“However, Zaran Bailey’s research group has been borrowing seven large metal telescopes from Group 2 recently. If you don’t mind, I can arrange medium-sized metal telescopes for you immediately.”

Freya the witch frowned, immediately pointing her finger at him and yelling, "We requested a large metal telescope, and you've given us a medium-sized one!" "A medium-sized metal telescope is affordable for anyone!"

The lab administrator spread his hands at Locke, looking troubled, and said, "Boss Augustine, it's really because Wizard Zaran Bailey's team uses metal telescopes far too often. We can't manage it all at once."

“I have tried my best to prioritize the use of the equipment for you and your friends. Right now, the other researchers in Group 2 don’t even get to use the metal telescope.”

Locke raised his left hand, signaling to the angry Freya witch to calm down first.

Locke glanced at the lab administrator and said to Freya the witch, "It seems that the first-class project grant that Zaran Bailey recently worked on was also researching the energy-locking structure of magical plants."

"Large metal telescopes are the best equipment for discovering the specific structure and characteristics of the magic plant energy-locking structure."

"Our group just ran into Zaran Bailey's group."

The lab administrator was about to speak when Locke glanced at him. "It's important that wizard Zaran Bailey's research is important, but our group's research is also important."

"Could you spare a large metal telescope for Mason Witch and the others to use, or perhaps I could use it myself?"

The lab administrator swallowed hard.

Locke is the champion of this year's spell fighting tournament. In the eyes of this administrator, although he is not a second-circle wizard, he is not far off.

If he could, he really didn't want to offend anyone.

After all, in his eyes, Locke was only one step away from becoming a second-circle wizard, and was basically a sure thing for the future second-circle wizard.

For someone like Locke, whether he can become a third-circle wizard is the real unresolved question.

The lab administrator whispered, "I'll discuss it with my colleagues and see if we can spare some for you..."

Freya the witch yelled, "You sycophantic, backstabbing, and cunning person! I knew you had a way with people. Talking to you won't work, will it? Only our boss can do it!"

The lab administrator immediately apologized and then quickly left the public office.

Locke coughed and said, "Freya, there are still many outsiders here."

Freya glanced around at the two groups of researchers who were watching with amusement, and her face immediately turned slightly red.

Of course, she and Locke were already familiar with each other, so she naturally understood that Locke's reminder to her earlier was not for his own sake, but for hers.

After all, Freya the witch has always been quite concerned about her image in the eyes of others.

The four of them returned to their workstations, and Freya the witch whispered, "That administrator is such a sycophant. Before that guy Zaran Bailey returned to Group 2, he was always very polite to me and never dared to offend me."

"I didn't expect him to be so stubborn after Zaran Bailey came back."

Barrett said, "Actually, it's alright. What he said is true. Zhalan Bailey's group has squeezed everyone's resources. We still have some resources left, but the rest of the group is already severely lacking in resources."

Mason Witch said, "Both groups' research resources are being channeled towards Wizard Zaran Bailey. It seems that the water shortage crisis in Group 2 is indeed very serious."

"I never expected that just the lack of water would put so much pressure on Sith Team Leader."

Freya the witch took out her lipstick and applied it to her lips, while simultaneously adjusting her makeup with a small piece of magic lens. "I really messed up just now. Luckily, the team leader reminded me, otherwise it would have been too embarrassing."

Freya the witch said, "According to my inside information, the problem with our Group 2 is not a lack of water at all. It's that we've been blocked from the supply chain by the Rose Council. I heard that the Rose Council has a market plan worth tens of billions, and our Group 2's previous research route touched on their interests."

Mason Witch couldn't help but say, "Freya, rumors are the most unreliable thing. How can you believe this? Research on a colony plane, a half-destroyed plane, involves the Rose Council's multi-billion dollar market?"

Locke asked, "How is the combination of my ancient flower root and pineapple going?"

Mason Witch said, "Oh, the three of us used the finite element cultivation method, plus the grafting cultivation method, and have now successfully made the large pink diamond pineapple develop the [glandular root sac] structure."

"We currently cultivate one acre of large pink pineapples within this research institute."

The witch Freya said, "We just need to use a large metal telescope to observe the internal structure of the [Glandular Roots]."

"It also has a mechanism of action."

"While the three magic mirrors can be helpful, the most suitable equipment is still the metal telescope. Only by combining the three magic mirrors with the metal telescope, along with some other small devices, to assist in analyzing the key natural magical structural components, can we obtain the complete mechanism of action of the [Glandular Root Capsule]."

Locke nodded. "Well done. The first-class project fund has one hundred magic crystal cards; feel free to use them. You'll be in charge of these parts. I'll be doing an analysis of the Queen's Chessboard."

Mason Witch and the others nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

After all, Locke is about to participate in the Silent Grail War, and there are less than three months left.

So everyone can accept it, and they're willing to put in a little more effort now.

Once Locke has some free time, he will naturally be able to help them.

After discussing for a while, the witch Freya mentioned, "By the way, team leader, I didn't expect that there would be native inhabitants in this Dune Plane."

Locke's face showed surprise. "Natives? Are there advanced intelligent life forms in this plane?"

Mason Witch and Barrett also looked at her incredulously.

Freya the witch said, "Well, I overheard it while having lunch with the researchers from Group 2."

"It is said that the Dune Plane was originally a developed life plane with a highly advanced civilization called the Dune Civilization. The intelligent life of the Dune Civilization—the Dune People—naturally possessed powerful psychic abilities, but lacked the magical talents of other schools of thought, so they followed a hybrid development model of psychic energy and technology."

“Every Dune Man has a bulge on the inside of his palm, which contains nerve tissue. They have a highly developed psychic nervous system and are natural lie detectors and psychic exclamation points.”

"I heard that at its peak, the Dune civilization was a civilization with a prevalent prison culture. This is because the Dune people could easily sense the evil in the hearts of others and observe their actions. Furthermore, due to their psychic abilities, the Dune people were easily corrupted by evil through psychic contact, resulting in a large number of criminals."

"The Dune people imprisoned the criminals and appointed the most telepathic Dune people as jailers to guard them."

The witch Freya said, "Of course, that was all in the past. In the past, the Dune Plane was a life-giving plane rich in resources, but later it was captured by the gravity of the Sun Plane and entered the void orbit of the Sun Plane."

"In the midst of the crisis that threatened to engulf the entire plane by the sun, the Dune people's advanced prison civilization was also destroyed in an instant. The telepathic masters did not help them; instead, they conveyed their suffering to the Dune people. Their civilization degenerated into a cave-dwelling form, but they still survived."

Mason Witch exclaimed in surprise, "They can survive? The highest temperature in the desert outside is almost 100 degrees Celsius!"

"How did they do it?"

The witch Freya said, "I don't know about that. The desert is vast, and it won't be easy to find these dune people. But don't doubt the resilience of life."

"Perhaps they were lucky and found some areas in this dimension where they could just survive."

Locke, however, thought further: 'How could the Dune people survive under such circumstances? Did they possess some special technology, or did something extraordinary happen?'

'I'm currently conducting ecological research. Perhaps I should consult with some of the dune people.'

Locke's heart leaped with joy. 'Logically speaking, those lower plants and animals should have gone extinct; the Dune people shouldn't still be alive. What happened to prevent them from being wiped out by the drought and high temperatures?'

Locke sensed someone calling him. He took out the Ganoderma lucidum plant, only to see Scarlett the Witch congratulating him with a message: 'Locke, congratulations! Golden Crown Mountain has announced the winning bidder for the wizard shoes in the first-tier Demon War set this year. This year, the Augustus Wizard Shoes brand won the bulk purchase.'

"They placed an order for over 450 pairs of wizard shoes with us, a huge deal worth 20 million magic stones. Based on our previous profit-sharing arrangement, you'll get... 10 million magic stones!"

"All the leaders of Arthas have inquired about this matter," Scarlett the Witch sent a message. "Locke, from now on you are a wealthy wizard!"

Even some second-ring wizards aren't as rich as you.

"Moreover, you're a breeder who, in the centralized procurement bidding for the Five Great Wars, outcompeted those magic weavers' wizard shoe shops with pure magic plant wizard shoes."

……

At the time, during the technical seminar on the Melochy Magic Steps, a Moon Ring Wizard supervisor slammed the documents on the table and angrily asked, "Where did these Augustus Wizard Shoes come from?"

"Who is this?!"

"Could this be a sub-brand created by some wizard shoe brand?"

(End of this chapter)