Magic Farm 65

Chapter 65: Feeling That My Territory Is Now Terrifyingly Strong

If Qi Yu remembered correctly, he’d actually enjoyed a fifty percent discount.

Which meant that the real price of that elemental array had to be doubled.

Qi Yu took a deep breath and set the elemental array aside for now.

He turned his attention first to the magic scrolls.

Both the magic potion and the parchment cost 1 gold coin per sheet.

Qi Yu bought 200 of each, spending 400 gold coins.

A basic magic scroll could inscribe spells of up to third level.

Out of curiosity, Qi Yu searched the association store and found that finished scrolls were also for sale.

But the price was rather low—a basic scroll inscribed with Fireball sold for only 10 gold coins.

At Duoju’s place, it could fetch as much as 20 emerald jades.

Qi Yu guessed this was because the association store was only open to association mage members, and mages could easily learn to make their own scrolls.

Next, he bought magic crystals.

There were now ten energy towers in the territory. Previously, he hadn’t been able to install more, entirely because there weren’t enough magic crystals.

A level-one magic crystal sold for 10 gold coins, and ten level-one magic crystals were enough to fully recharge an energy tower.

Qi Yu spent 400 gold coins to buy forty level-one magic crystals, then used 400 sand crystals to craft four more energy towers.

He opened the territory module and placed them.

Fourteen energy towers now guarded the entire territory, leaving no blind spots for attack.

That felt good.

Next, Qi Yu’s gaze shifted to the real money-burner—the Advanced Magic Energy Tower.

Currently, the advanced magic energy tower had 80 out of 1000 energy. Each level-two magic crystal could replenish 2 points of energy.

Qi Yu silently did the math: the advanced magic energy tower still needed 920 points to be fully charged, which meant a total of 460 level-two magic crystals.

A single level-two magic crystal cost 50 gold coins; to fill the advanced magic energy tower, he’d need 23,000 gold coins.

As a newly minted, country-bumpkin mage, Qi Yu gained a whole new understanding of just how expensive this profession could be.

But since this concerned the safety of the territory, he didn’t hesitate much. Just as he was about to make the purchase, he suddenly remembered he’d just received a hefty salary.

A full 360 level-three magic crystals.

He shot to his feet and strode over to the advanced magic energy tower.

The advanced tower couldn’t use level-one crystals, but it hadn’t said anything about not using higher-level ones, had it?

He took out a level-three magic crystal and tried placing it inside.

It actually worked.

[Advanced Magic Energy Tower: 85/1000.]

A single level-three crystal could replenish 5 points of energy.

According to the association’s prices, a level-three magic crystal cost 100 gold coins, twice as much as a level-two crystal.

But when used in the advanced magic energy tower, it provided 2.5 times the energy of a level-two crystal.

Clearly, the higher the level of the crystal, the more energy it contained.

Qi Yu directly fed in 180 level-three magic crystals.

The advanced magic energy tower now had 985 out of 1000 energy.

He added three more.

1000 out of 1000.

An unprecedented sense of security enveloped him.

Qi Yu let out a breath. Now, not only could he go out as a 24-hour wandering merchant, even if he were gone longer, he could rest easy about the territory’s safety.

After that, he took out 20 dark crystals from his backpack and crafted four alchemical puppets.

For the energy crystal cards, he simply used his money power, spending 200 gold coins to buy four cards.

Four new alchemical puppets were born.

Having done this before, and with his magic level now higher, Qi Yu found using the mental imprint to control them even easier this time.

The first command he gave the alchemical puppets was “Guard the territory,” the second, “Take care of the territory.”

Altogether, there were six alchemical puppets. With their full set of weapons and equipment, they formed a considerable fighting force.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t buy more, but the territory was only so large; any more puppets would just make it crowded.

The puppets weren’t made of flesh and blood, didn’t need to rest, and could patrol the territory day and night without pause.

Once all this was done, Qi Yu actually found himself hoping for a mutated creature attack on his territory.

Perhaps this was the kind of arrogance that came with overwhelming firepower?

At this point, his petty cash had dropped by 1,000, leaving him with a balance of 86,463.

Qi Yu’s gaze hungrily drifted to the top of the shop.

He did grumble about the price, but as a mage, who wouldn’t be tempted by an array that could speed up cultivation?

Spending eighty thousand, with over six thousand gold coins left as backup funds, still felt sufficient.

He still had more than 170 level-three magic crystals left—enough for setting up the array, right?

Qi Yu clicked into the product page, selected the purple-quality elemental array, and hit purchase.

[Your current membership level does not allow you to purchase this item.]

Qi Yu: ?

He tried again, but still couldn’t buy it.

After three attempts, a long explanatory message popped up.

The gist was: elemental arrays artificially gather large quantities of magical elements to aid cultivation, and the effects of arrays of different levels vary greatly. If the concentration of magical elements exceeds one’s absorption limit, it’s a meaningless waste.

Therefore, purchase conditions were restricted.

Beginner mages could only buy green-quality elemental arrays. The green elemental array was sufficient for mages below level four.

Correspondingly, blue quality was for intermediate mages, and purple quality for advanced mages.

So that was it.

Still curious, Qi Yu tried the blue array’s purchase page, but as expected, he couldn’t buy it.

This time, he didn’t hesitate any longer and spent 10,000 gold coins to buy one green-quality elemental array.

[You have obtained Elemental Array (Green) x1. Please choose placement location and size.]

Qi Yu studied it and found that the array’s maximum range could cover his entire territory, and the minimum could be as small as a dining table.

The only difference was the number of magic crystals consumed.

Qi Yu thought it over and set the array to be the size of the shelter, placing it where the two-story building stood.

The elemental array had no “physical” form. Once he chose the location, mysterious magical runes emerged from the ground, connecting and outlining a complex pattern.

Qi Yu instinctively tried to memorize the path of the runes’ operation, but suddenly the world spun before his eyes. He staggered back two steps and grabbed the table to avoid a humiliating fall.

When he tried to recall it, he only felt the array was unfathomably mysterious, but couldn’t remember a single detail.

But after that brief dizziness, when he straightened up again, the array had already formed.

The runes faded, the light dispersed.

Yet the faint magical fluctuations rising from beneath the ground told Qi Yu that the array was right beneath his feet.

As the array’s master, Qi Yu automatically learned how many magic crystals were needed to activate it, as well as the placement.

Thirty magic crystals.

He could choose to use level-one, level-two, or level-three magic crystals.

The effect would differ depending on the crystal’s level.

In short, it was still a money-burning path.

Qi Yu decided to buy thirty level-one magic crystals to test it out.

Thirty wood-element level-one crystals were embedded in their proper places.

He didn’t even need to close his eyes and meditate—Qi Yu instantly felt his mind jolt awake.

It was just like that day in the Forest of the Star, when he’d trained in the rain and his meditation had reached its peak.

He took a deep breath. For a moment, it felt as if he could smell sunlight, flowers, grass, and even delicious food all at once.

He felt so happy he might just faint from bliss.

Almost immediately, he closed his eyes and entered a meditative state.

That night, the 01 Survival Squad chatted about all sorts of things, but the main character of their conversations didn’t show up at all.

The 01 District’s regional channel was even livelier—a group of players were fighting and arguing, while others watched the chaos unfold.

Some were even woken by the Screaming Lily-of-the-Valley, cursing as they got up to brawl.

Qi Yu was awakened by the sudden brightness of dawn.

When he opened his eyes, he realized he’d spent the whole night standing in the living room, cultivating in that very posture.

His body felt no fatigue at all—he was clear-headed, and even after standing all night, his legs weren’t numb or sore.

Stretching his limbs with great satisfaction, Qi Yu walked to the wide-open front door and was surprised to find that the rain had finally stopped.

Though it wasn’t raining anymore, the sky hadn’t cleared. It remained overcast, the air damp and oppressive, as if constantly reminding the players: the rain had only paused for a while, and the rainy season in the Forest of the Star was far from over.

[Current location: Forest of the Star.]

[Today’s weather: Cloudy, 9°C–12°C.]

A gust of damp wind brushed Qi Yu’s face, cold and chilling, making him shiver.

The temperature had dropped again.

His personal panel was filled with new messages.

Everyone he’d sent gifts to yesterday had replied.

[Your friend “Brother Tu Mu” has sent you a gift.]

[Your friend “Afraid to Open My Eyes” has sent you a gift.]

[Your friend “Serenity Brings Distance” has sent you a gift.]

[Received: 50ml Advanced Plant Nutrient Solution; Magic Plant—Seven-Colored Flower Seedling x1.]

[Received: Intermediate Stamina Potion x5, Basic Attribute Potion x2, Basic Nutrient Solution x5, Basic Healing Potion x10.]

[Received: Excellent Equipment “Ring of Strength.”]

【Brother Tu Mu: Game master, I figured you probably don’t lack other good stuff, but this is something you’ll definitely be interested in.】

【Afraid to Open My Eyes: Game boss, these are all brewed in the little alchemy pot you gave me. The first batch of every kind of potion—you have to get them all!】

【Serenity Brings Distance: Maybe I caught some of your luck; it’s the first time I’ve ever crafted excellent equipment.】

Early in the morning, receiving so many gifts made his already good mood even brighter.

[Ring of Strength: Excellent Equipment. Effect when worn: Attack +10.]

[Seven-Colored Flower Seedling: Magic Plant. Legend has it that the Seven-Colored Flower brings good luck—perhaps it’s true?]

The Ring of Strength, unlike the excellent equipment Qi Yu had owned before, had no additional effects. True to its name, it simply increased his attack stat.

The ring was a dark red band, unremarkable in appearance. Qi Yu slipped it onto his left thumb.

He put all the potions into his backpack.

The Seven-Colored Flower seedling was quite unique. Qi Yu had originally thought the name referred to its blossoms being multicolored, like the Screaming Lily-of-the-Valley.

In reality, this seedling had seven leaves, each one a different color.

“Should be called Seven-Colored Leaf,” Qi Yu muttered.

No sooner had he spoken than he sensed a wave of displeasure from the little seedling in front of him.

Qi Yu: ?

Immediately, a flurry of emotions poured over him.

“Thirsty, need water.”

“Pot’s uncomfortable.”

“Hungry, want food.”

“The light’s so bad.”

“My beautiful leaves are all wilting.”

“……”

Such a talkative little flower.