What's wrong with me, a mage, loving to farm?

Chapter 160. The Truly Greedy… “Man”

Estner hurriedly arrived at his mentor's mage tower—the tower where the Mage Guild trained archmages of level six and above.

As he entered, the tower spirit spoke a warning:

"Apprentice Estner, Lady Celeste is waiting for you at the water elemental plane fragment at the top of the tower. Please take a step forward."

Having already become familiar with his mentor's ways, Estner quickly followed suit, adding, "How is the mentor's mood today?"

The tower spirit's voice was a pure and clear boyish voice: "Lady Celeste is in a very good mood today."

"Oh, that's good."

As it made its sound, a magic circle formed by magic runes immediately rose beneath Estner's feet; this was a short-range teleportation circle.

Generally speaking, mage towers do not have obvious passageways; each floor is an independent space, and one can only enter or exit through a magic circle controlled by the tower spirit.

This ensures the safety and secrecy of the mage tower to the greatest extent possible.

After the magic circle flashed, Estner arrived in a strange world filled with various water cubes floating in the air.

The sky and the land here are all clear water, and countless strange pale blue daffodils grow in the water in front of him.

Emerald-green, slender leaves set off layers of pale blue petals, which in turn surround the central stamen, resembling a beautiful woman.

It's like a stunningly beautiful woman wearing a gorgeous but extremely heavy and cumbersome princess dress.

Almost the entire world is covered with these blue daffodils, blooming freely and exceptionally beautifully in this small world.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the flower stamens seemed to be dancing.

The place where Estner is standing now is probably the only place in the entire fragment plane where one can stand.

He stood silently and waited.

A short while later, a stream of water suddenly formed a human shape, which was an exceptionally tall woman.

The mage's robe she wore looked like a soft veil woven from the lingering morning mist, perfectly concealing the woman's tall and athletic figure, partially obscuring her form. It was also engraved with some magical starry patterns, adding a touch of mystery to its allure.

"My dear apprentice."

She reached out and stroked Estner's face. "Why aren't you resting over there? What are you doing in my mage tower?"

Are you really planning to go out when you're injured?

Although her actions were intimate, even excessively so, her voice was like the freezing wind and snow of the Arctic, instantly making one feel as if their blood vessels were frozen.

Having grown accustomed to his mentor's voice, Estner could only let the other pinch his cheeks for a while before bowing and saying:

"tutor."

He then shook the crystal bottle in his hand: "There's something I'd like you to take a look at."

"Hmm? This must be the potion."

Celeste patted Estner's face again.

"It's alright. Remember to apply the Celestial Orchid Oil I gave you."

"..."

Even though she was used to her mentor's behavior, Estner still felt a little powerless. That Celestial Orchid Oil was something elven nobles used specifically to maintain their skin.

While it is indeed effective, it's for female elves!

He was speechless, but had no choice but to nod.

"Yes."

After disciplining her disciple, Celeste beckoned, and the potion immediately fell into her hand.

However, she didn't open the potion immediately, but stared at the seven-colored sun on it.

"A very special method of controlling magic is needed to create such a crest... Looks like another good alchemist."

She gave a compliment and opened the bottle.

After taking a gentle sniff, he frowned slightly: "The medicinal effects of sea lingzhi are very good, and it has been cultivated well."

There's a very special kind of magic here; even I could feel my mental energy being affected, and my mind became very clear.

"That's good. If I were to sell it, I would probably offer one level-one magic crystal."

After a brief evaluation, she unceremoniously tilted her head back and drank the potion in one gulp.

In fact, at her level, the so-called Sea Spirit Mushroom Elixir is not entirely useless; it's more like water.

If it still works at level six, even if it's just a tiny bit of effectiveness, the value of the Sea Spirit Mushroom Potion will increase several times over.

I drank this mainly to experience how it felt.

After all, no matter how sophisticated your perception is, it's not as accurate as tasting it yourself.

The tall female mage closed her eyes slightly, and after a moment smacked her lips. "It works, but for me it only lasts a second, so it's pretty good."

For a mage of her level, refreshing one's mind and gathering spiritual energy is as simple as breathing, but precisely because of her proficiency, she is able to improve upon this foundation, which is quite remarkable.

"Which alchemist crafted this potion? They must have their own unique methods for cultivating sea lingzhi. We can look forward to seeing them in the future."

Upon hearing this, Estner respectfully replied, "Master, this was made by my friend Chloe, who is now the lord of the Northern Reef Island."

"Oh?" Celeste was slightly taken aback, then thought for a moment: "You mean Chloe? I once heard his grandfather recite poetry, it was quite good."

Her tone remained normal as always, and because Estner had her head down, she didn't see the complex emotions that flashed across her mentor's eyes.

Then, the monk asked curiously, "When did he go out to become a lord? Is it because he's running out of resources and needs to go looking for more?"

In fact, this level six mage has been living here for over a hundred years and has no knowledge of what's happening outside, which is why he asked this question.

"Uh..." Estner hesitated for a moment before recounting how Kroya went from making a bet to leaving the Mage Association.

Although it was just a rough estimate, Celeste, who had been in the Mage Guild for so long and had seen so many things, knew that this was someone deliberately trying to take advantage of her.

Furthermore, Estner took this opportunity to tell his mentor about Kroya's invitation to Stein and his mentor to fulfill their bet.

The reason is simple: if this matter is to be truly finalized, Celeste needs to say a few words. As a dignified level six archmage, a single sentence from her can make this matter a done deal.

"Haha, I see."

Celeste gently patted Estner's head: "You little rascal, you're still hiding something from me, aren't you? Is Kroa strong enough to crush Cotton now?"

She wasn't stupid; a little thought would have made it clear that if Kroya didn't have overwhelming power, how could he so casually invite his enemy to his territory?

"Hehe." Estner just covered his head and chuckled foolishly—he didn't want to break his promise to Kroya, nor could he lie to his mentor, so this was the only way to handle it.

"I won't force you if you don't want to say..." Celeste was silent for a moment, then suddenly said loudly, "Nassos, convey my message to the council. Now that the bet has been made, there is no room for reneging."

"If Cotton dares to publicly tarnish the honor of magicians, I will have no choice but to send him to the lower realms to slaughter ten thousand demons to cleanse his name."

The tower spirit immediately replied, "Your will is absolute."

"Oh, and tell them one more thing... Kroya got a magical artifact that I made."

"As you command."

Only then did the tower spirit fall completely silent.

"Mentor, you..." Estner was a little surprised.

He hadn't expected Celeste to say such a thing. This was blatant protection and favoritism. As a level six mage, the magical artifacts she created could certainly kill Cotton.

This can be considered protecting Kroya from having his secret exposed. Of course, there will also be some negative consequences; if Cotton knew, he would definitely go to great lengths, even at the cost of his entire fortune.

It implies both protection and increased difficulty in the test.

"Let's see what this little guy can do. After all, I've had some dealings with his grandfather."

The mage bent down, pulled a daffodil seedling from the water, and casually handed it to Estner.

"Here, consider this payment for the potion I drank. Give it to Chloe, the boy."

"..."

Can I trade a level 3 magical plant for a bottle of magical potion?

Estner was at a loss for words and could only nod helplessly.

"I will give it to him."

"Let's go, let's go, little one."

Celeste waved for him to leave quickly, and Estner tactfully took his leave.

The mage was the only one left in the vast space.

Looking at the field of daffodils, she murmured to herself, "Sigh, that old man is quite handsome. I wonder what Chloe looks like?"

In fact, the renowned mage Celeste was a famous "appearance-obsessed" person, and was willing to accept Estner because of his good looks.

However, she simply appreciates beauty, like picking a brightly colored flower in a garden; she wouldn't do anything too extreme.

……

Hanjiao Island.

Kroya stared at the image transmitted back by the mushroom man, resting her chin on her hand: "It's almost over."

The scene depicts a fierce battle—led by the priest, followed by his apprentices, and assisted by the tortured, as the three attack Jitter, who is completely entangled by the flower vines.

The apprentices, who had already mastered the Thorn Sword Technique, coordinated flawlessly under the guidance of Ryan, who had swallowed the Flame of Prayer. In addition, the mage apprentices would occasionally throw out some strange scorching pepper bombs from the edge.

The pungent smell was unbearable even for the flower vines on Jite's body, let alone the raging fire magic power stored within them.

It's clearly only a matter of time before they defeat Git and Flower Vine.

Speaking of Git, or rather the Mammon flowers possessing Git, they were also in great pain—it had sensed that someone here had a greedy nature, which was why it had descended with a little demon.

As a result, not only did he fail to completely control Git after arriving, but he was also influenced by him and almost became his summoned creature!

All of this is due to the rules of the prime plane and the incantation that summons demons. Although it is unknown where Gitte obtained the ritual that can summon demons, this ritual really has a strong binding power on demons.

If the Flower of Mammon doesn't want to be humiliated and driven back by the laws of the prime plane, it can only resort to some underhanded tricks.

As it turned out, this guy's will was exceptionally strong, and the influence was completely ineffective.

What left it speechless was that these frail humans possessed a magical power that it desperately craved but could not approach.

It is this magic that renders some of its usual mental magic completely ineffective.

Coupled with Jite's lack of cooperation and greed, it felt that its control over its body was getting weaker and weaker, and it was even about to be devoured by the former!

Am I the demon or are you the demon?

How is that possible?

It simply couldn't understand why humans possessed such powerful greed, even surpassing its own greed.

Could it be that this human wants to devour itself and become the Flower of Mammon?

It didn't know, and it never had the chance to know.

The priest, who had been observing the Flower of Mammon, had already noticed this situation. He pondered for a moment and stroked the treasure he kept in his magic ring—a wedge made of salt.

That was one of his most prized possessions, a replica of the legendary ancient treasure "Salt Stake," bestowed by "Salt."

If he had acted according to his usual attitude towards demons, he would have already inserted this thing directly into Mammon Flower's body, turning her into a salt stump.

But now... he sensed Git's consciousness.

This guy is trying to take control of the demonic consciousness of the Flower of Mammon. It's almost unbelievable that a human could control a demon like this.

Very few people can do that.

He also wanted to witness this miracle and see just how far this Gitte was capable. So instead of using the Salt Stake, he took out the Empty Holy Grail he had been holding.

With a solemn and dignified expression, he said in a clear voice:

"You demon... what gave birth to you will also be your death ground!"

Accompanied by his voice, which sounded like chanting a hymn, a fissure appeared directly beneath the enormous Mammon Flower, which occupied the entire upper level as its lair.

Black and red mist and light of the same color gushed out from within, along with sounds like the wailing of ghosts and wolves.

It sprayed the Mammon Flower directly from bottom to top.

This is made up of the power of "salt," the legendary hellish roar magic of the goddess punishing sinners.

It suddenly let out a silent wail, and the flower vines snapped one by one.

But it was also provoked by this power. It went berserk, and the flower vines spread out from the surroundings, baring their fangs and claws like an evil monster, as if they wanted to completely destroy the group of apprentices.

However, anyone with eyes could see that it was clearly all bark and no bite, and had already run out of strength.

The priest's magic was incredibly effective.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ryan shouted:

"help me!"

"good!"

Several apprentices immediately coordinated by extending their thorny swords, which intertwined and entangled, providing Ryan with a foothold.

Meanwhile, the mage apprentices threw out the final bomb.

"Boom!"

Flames shot skyward, blasting the flower vines apart and clearing a clean path.

"You demon, die!!!"

With the help of his companions, Ryan roared and stepped over the intertwined thorns.

His entire body was wreathed in extremely bright flames, the thorns within him throbbed violently, and the eternal light radiated an equally brilliant glow.

It seems that even they were infected by Ryan and were willing to give some of their own strength.

He launched a leaping slash, the blade flaming as if cutting butter with a hot knife.

A loud "sizzle" was heard.

He sliced ​​the massive vine in two with a single sword stroke, from top to bottom, and flames rose and burned within the vine's twisted body.

It was stunned for a moment.

"!!!"

A moment later it began to tremble violently, like an octopus whose tentacles had been suddenly severed, and every vine curled up.

The apprentices, witnessing this, cautiously refrained from attacking and looked at the priest with questioning eyes.

What he received was a shake of his head and a warning.

"Wait patiently, your attack has taken effect, and I feel like he has calmed down."

After saying that, he sat down on the large rock that had been dismantled, panting heavily. It was clear that the magic had taken a heavy toll on him.

"Then let's wait."

Ryan was already somewhat exhausted from delivering that attack. After thinking for a moment, he and his companions retreated to the side.

He was also panting heavily, his body constantly flashing with platinum flames—the power of the Prayer of Light.

Ryan needs to digest this power as soon as possible; digesting it now will ensure that it doesn't affect his internal organs.

He sat down and sensed it for a moment, then was surprised to find that... the Thorns of Justice could even absorb and transform the power of this flame.

Even the power emanating from the flower vines surrounding him can be absorbed and transformed by the Thorns of Justice.

It can even absorb the power of demons?

This discovery made him forget everything else. After a brief exchange with his companions and confirming that only he could absorb and transform the substance, he temporarily put aside his doubts and quickly absorbed and digested it.

During this time.

Time passed second by second, and during this time, the flower vines growing on Jite's body and those sprouting from the ground would break off almost every few seconds.

About ten minutes later.

The few remaining flower vines gradually retracted and re-entered Jitter's body.

The latter's expression was truly unusually greedy, with his arms outstretched as if he wanted to embrace the world within himself.

"I finally..."

"It's finally mine!"

Jitter's wild and excited laughter carried far and wide, and at his feet lay broken flower vines.

The vines weathered away and disappeared in the blink of an eye, and Jitter slowly fell to the ground.

His expression returned to normal instantly.

By this time, Ryan had recovered somewhat. He cautiously stepped forward, preparing for battle, and asked, "Have you recovered?"

“That’s right.” Gitt stared at Ryan for a few moments. “I can feel it… he’s waiting for me.”

On the surface, Jite appeared completely unchanged, still wearing a black robe and looking mysterious.

But he no longer harbored any hostility; in fact, he seemed quite peaceful, and the power emanating from him... had a strange feel to it.

"waiting for you?"

Ryan was slightly taken aback, and then he knew who he was talking about—their Mage Kroya!

"Thankfully, the adults are watching over everything here," he couldn't help but sigh.

When Gitte said this, he was staring at the mushroom man, but it seemed as if he was looking at someone else through the mushroom man.

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings shook.

"Boom!"

The ground on the upper level of the castle suddenly became uneven. It felt as if the earth had been raised, and the apprentices struggled to maintain their footing.

"The castle is moving!" an apprentice who had walked to the window shouted in shock.

If someone were outside, they would notice that there are some flowering vines at the base of the castle, which support the castle as it moves on the ground.

It's as if the castle has grown legs.

Deep furrows were left in the snow, like footprints.

Looking at the direction it's heading... it's clearly heading towards Hanjiao Island.

(End of this chapter)