Chapter 216: Willpower Protection Spell
When the survivors spoke about needing an alchemy master, Zong Ge felt curious, “Is Magician Qing Xin not good at alchemy?”
Zi Di shook her head, “She is best at the wind path magic called Wind Booster, it can allow a caravan to travel quicker.”
Zong Ge immediately understood.
Zi Di sighed, “Even though she is a talented magician our merchant alliance cultivated, her talent isn’t that high. How many at the lowest rungs of society have powerful bloodlines?”
Cang Xu consoled, “If Magician Qing Xin was really gifted, she might not have remained alive till today.”
Then the necromancer changed the topic, “Speaking of Qing Xin, I learned something important from her.”
“There is a secret gathering of necromancers being held on Weeping Pine Island.”
“It is a very rare gathering. They not only exchange information, but also necromancy spells and necromancy cultivation resources.”
“I strongly propose I participate in it.”
“We need many necromancy path cultivation resources; it will be difficult to replenish in other places. Especially soul crystals, they play an irreplaceable role for my and Zi Di’s cultivation, as well as healing our ghosts.”
The dragonman youngster was silent for a bit, then asked, “Where is Weeping Pine Island?”
Zi Di opened an ocean chart and cast it onto the wall, “Weeping Pine Island is located…in that direction, in the complete opposite direction from Ice Sculpture Island.”
Cang Xu nodded, “But it isn’t far, right?”
He had readied his wording for a long time.
The necromancer continued, “My proposal is this, let me leave for Weeping Pine Island alone, so I can join the necromancer meeting and exchange some resources.”
“When the gathering finishes and the necromancers dispel, we can still stage a battle there.”
After the fight finishes, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps will have successfully beheaded necromancers and seize the Iron Lump, rescuing the many human and dwarf hostages.”
“Won’t this be to everyone’s delight and satisfaction?”
The dragonman youngster’s heart was immediately moved, “If that happens, we can actually use the Iron Lump, and perhaps on the basis of this, we can recruit Men Shi?”
Zong Ge’s voice transmitted, “I approve of leaving for Weeping Pine Island.”
“It’s because its location is completely opposite to Ice Sculpture Island.”
“We can fool people with this and make a feint.”
“Additionally, being able to use the Iron Lump normally will also be helpful. We really lack magic ships.”
The Deep Sea Monster Fish was a trump card and couldn’t be easily exposed.
“But if Qing Xin is on our ship, then the implication would expose our identities!”
“She knows about Zi Di and the necromancers. Even if she doesn’t know about Zi Di and Zhen Jin being shipwrecked, it will be easy for her to make discreet inquiries into it in the future.”
“If she joins the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, and learns of the truth of it, then she won’t be far from accessing our core secrets.”
Zong Ge continued to speak bluntly, “Therefore, I oppose doing this!”
“Regardless of how much you trust this woman, mine doesn’t come so easily.”
“This is too risky for us!”
Zi Di’s brows wrinkled, and she retorted, “I can vouch for her. Older sister Qing Xin has been trained by my father, and when the Wisteria Merchant Alliance was divided up, she was living incognito and used all of her strength to resist. This proves her loyalty.”
“To take care of the blond mother and child, and the others, she would rather fight and do her best to save these weak people, this sufficiently illustrates her kindheartedness.”
Zong Ge coldly snorted, “Zi Di, your trust cannot supersede my opinion.”
“How can you know her innermost and truest sentiments?”
“Even if she is loyal, can she be controlled?”
“Think about your betrayal during the battle. You cannot even guarantee yourself; how can you guarantee others?”
“You!” Zi Di angrily glared.
She unconsciously looked at the dragonman youngster.
The dragonman youngster smiled back and softly patted her shoulder, silently comforting her.
But the dragonman youngster didn’t instantly declare his position, rather he asked Cang Xu, “What is your opinion?”
The old necromancer had prudently kept silent, but now that his commander called him out, he was forced to say, “I agree with Zong Ge.”
This answer made Zi Di’s brows crease deeper.
However, the dragonman youngster was actually serene from beginning to end, as if he had anticipated it.
Although he had a closer relationship with Cang Xu and Zi Di compared to Zong Ge, at every strategic decision, Cang Xu maintained his reason and consideration, he would independently reflect on it, unlikely to be hindered by external factors like emotions and status.
Cang Xun continued, “Qing Xin is indeed someone we cannot entrust ourselves to.”
“As the situation stands now, that’s how it is.”
“We trust each other, because Mystifying Monster Island is our solid foundation. With regards to Qing Xin, only Miss Zi Di stands by her.”
“This matter cannot be rushed.”
“We can freely probe and confirm her true intentions and detect if she has suffered any control methods.”
“We can also have her sign a contract.”
“There are many magics and divine spells that can help us, right?”
“In fact, I really hope that we can sign a contract and utilize the contract’s power to protect ourselves from something like the Devil Gold Coins from happening again!”
Cang Xu had been a noble steward for many years and his words were very fluent.
First, he maintained his opinion.
Second, he endorsed Zong Ge, but didn’t completely endorse him. He opposed Zi Di, but didn’t fully do so. He didn’t offend either person.
Once again, his words were very sensible and gave a resolution.
Finally, he also had a very reasonable proposal, he proposed that everyone sign a contract to guard against things like the Devil Gold Coins. This proposal really went deep into the dragonman youngster’s heart!
The dragonman youngster couldn’t help but lightly nod.
He looked at Zi DI, silently asking his beloved’s opinion.
Zi Di’s brows relaxed somewhat, and she muttered to herself, “We really need to guard against things like the Devil Gold Coins, we need to protect our will!”
“In this aspect, divine spells are the popular first choice.”
“In practicality, defensive divine spells are divided into two groups. The first is temporary protection, it only protects for a time and needs to be replenished afterwards. The second is constant divine spells, similar to constant magic spells, a defensive divine spell will be added perpetually to one’s body.”
“The first type needs us to frequently be in contact with a priest or higher level clergy, increasing our exposure risk.”
“The second is less suitable, constant divine spells need high level clergymen and casting facilities, they are often done inside temples. Because the bestowed divine spell’s power is everlasting, the church will strictly audit the receivers to prevent aiding the enemy. During the casting of the divine spell, it is a extremely likely that the gods will be looking down at it.”
“In fact, when any high level or large scale divine spell is used, the higher the chance it will provoke a god’s attention.”
A fighter’s power comes from themselves, a magician draws from external elements, and the source of a clergy’s power come from the god they believe in.
Therefore, if a powerful divine spell is used, the gods will naturally sense it somewhat.
The dragonman youngster nodded, “If divine spells aren’t suitable and too risky, is there another way?”
Zi Di nodded, “There is. Besides divine spells, there are spells, magic formations, medicine, alchemy formations, alchemy items, and so on that can be used.”
“For example, there is the Anti-magic Barrier can increase magic resistance. When willpower is distorted, it will reduce the control time.”
“There is also the classic secret magic, Counterspell. It can counter the vast majority of spells.”
“However, it isn’t good as a preventative measure.”
There are both divine spells and magic spells that can influence willpower, but there are many more of the former than the latter. Counterspell and the Anti-magic Barrier are magic focused.”
“Don’t tell me there isn’t one that can respond to divine spells, like a Counter Divine Spell?” The dragonman youngster curiously asked.
Zi Di forced a smile, “The gods are special, each god’s power belongs to them alone. In other words, the essence of each god’s divine spells are different, even if the results are the same.”
“Therefore, if we wanted to develop a Counter Divine Spell, it would be both extremely hard and costly. Even if developed, it would only be useful against a god and won’t be broadly applicable. Thus, the earnings from it are too low.”
“Even worse, modifying a divine spell is far cheaper than developing a Counter Divine Spell. If it is discovered that a divine spell has a counter, as long as the gods modify it a bit, the corresponding Counter Divine Spell will lose its effectiveness. The main god doesn’t even need to act themselves; holy spirits, angels, red clothed archbishops, and others can also modify them too.”
“I see.” Zong Ge sighed.
The dragonman youngster had lost his memory and Zong Ge had been living in the army and cultivating his battle qi for years on end, thus neither had a deep knowledge of these things.
The two had their horizons broadened greatly by Zi Di’s words.
As Zi Di spoke, Cang Xu remained quiet.
He understood propriety and didn’t pointlessly steal the show.
Zi Di continued, “Magic is in this situation, and there also some magic formations that can protect the user’s original will.”
“In essence, it is actually an enchantment technique.”
“Through a formation, a body can be enchanted, and the magic runes attached will protect them.
“To go a step further, it is human alchemy.”
“Everyone knows about the beastman boxing champion Yi Chao. He decided to use alchemy on his right arm, making it into the Black Gold Rocket Fist, thereby augmenting his strength.”
“When the right arm was being created, five exceedingly precious gems were used, one of which could protect willpower greatly.”
“Therefore, the Black Gold Rocket Fist could safeguard his independent will.”
“To us, the most suitable method is medicine.”
“We have great medicinal manufacturing, thanks to the Magic Medicine Bathtub.”
“Of course, we aren’t able to make any high level medicine, but we don’t lack in production capacity for low level medicine, we just lack some of the corresponding materials, that’s all.”
“In future critical moments, we can drink this medicine to temporarily protect our willpower.”
Cang Xu followed with, “I approve of this plan.”
Zong Ge questioned, “This plan cannot guard against sneak attacks, magic, formations, potions…what about an alchemy item?”
Zi Di replied, “The Black Gold Rocket Fist can actually be regarded as an alchemy item.”
“Items that can protect will are rare and the vast majority of them are high level artifacts.”
“The reason is similar to magic.”
“It is difficult to guard against divine spells that can tamper with and distort will.”
“One can say there is a price but no market, one can encounter it, but can’t look for it.”
“Anyways…” Zi Di hesitated for a bit, “I heard that one of Ice Sculpture’s specialties, the Ice Heart, can be used.”
“Ice Hearts have many uses.”
“It can be ingested by someone. After taking it, a person will become extremely rational, and all of their emotions will be frozen, and their spirit power and willpower will be greatly improved.”
“Of course it can be made into medicine. Ice Sculpture City has at least nine types of medicine that uses it as material, the most well-known of them is the Ice Head Flower medicine.”
“It is a medicine for snow elves. After a snow elf takes it, it will increase their ice magic’s effects by at most 30%!”
“The side effect of taking this medicine is that the snow elf will have a lot of dandruff, like a lot of it.”
“Ice Hearts can also be used to make alchemy items.”
“The most successful product is the Ice Heart Headband. When worn, it can keep a magician calm, amplify their spirit power, and increase their casting speed. Of course, it also protects willpower.”
The dragonman youngster laughed, “It seems that we have another objective on Ice Sculpture Island.”
But Zi Di shook her head, “It will be hard to acquire a Ice Heart, its output is very small, don’t expect getting any.”
The four continued to discuss other matters.
Such as providing compensation payments, rewarding and promoting those that performed well, and so on, along with how to negotiate with Hun Tong.
Finally, the four decided to first proceed towards Weeping Pine Island, then travel to Ice Sculpture Island.
As for what to do with Qing Xin, that hinged on whether they could confirm her true condition and whether the survivors could trust her.
To ensure operational security, Zi Di suggested that they equip Cang Xu as much as they could with the things they got from the auction.
This suggestion was approved by the other three.
As dawn approached, the dragonman youngster snuck back onto the port.
When the sun ascended from the flat ocean horizon, Hun Tong opened his eyes.
Much of his pain had been alleviated, thanks to the healing potions he took.
The Wealth Church priest had died in battle, and the clergy on the new island weren’t capable of healing Hun Tong.
Hun Tong felt very cozy.
Although it had only been a few hours of sleep, his energy and stamina had been greatly restored.
He slowly sat up then shook the bell at his bedside.
Soon after, a servant knocked on the door, and after being permitted in, a few of them entered to wait upon Hun Tong, dressing him and washing him up.
The lead servant was Hun Tong’s personal manservant.
The manservant was somewhat stiff, his voice hoarse, “Master, last night you reminded me that I would immediately report everything concerning the salvaged treasures. Is now fine?”
But after a few hours of sleep, Hun Tong was no longer as fretful.
He regained his noble bearing.
Right now, he was looking at a mirror and adjusting his collar, “It isn’t urgent, those spoils of war won’t be running away.”
“Unfortunately…” His personal servant was just about to speak when Hun Tong interrupted.
Hun Tong pointed at the window and ordered, “Open it.”
The personal servant promptly obeyed and opened the window.
The scenery outside the window was very beautiful.
The morning sun sprinkled across the ocean surface, glittering as resplendently as fish scales.
The sea breeze slowly blew in, causing Hun Tong’s mood to become splendid.
The only ugliness was the buildings ruined by war.
It was somewhat dazzling to Hun Tong’s eyes.
He encouraged himself, “It doesn’t matter, I have money!”
“I have a lot of money.”
“Give me time, and I will make this island better and more beautiful.”