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As "Starlight" took her seat, the gathering began.

The one called "Seeker" spoke first:

"Everyone, I believe you all have a good understanding of the operation of the Weave..."

"Spellcasters need to connect to primal magic through specific bridges, but these primal energies..."

Immediately, someone retorted.

"No, no, no, that's not it at all!"

"What about clerics then?"

"Didn't your mentor teach you? Arcane magic and divine magic are different systems."

"I studied at the Fadlan Royal Academy of Magic; how could I not understand this!"

"Hmph, how ridiculous."

These mages, none of whom had reached level ten, discussed everything from the operation of spell models to the essence of the Weave, even talking about deities, until finally it turned into a competition of their backing forces and experiences.

They argued heatedly, all seemingly eager to showcase their knowledge and wisdom at this gathering to gain the recognition of their peers.

Miss "Tulip," sitting next to Cassius, didn't understand and just snorted:

"Show-offs."

However, Langpu, standing behind, couldn't help but whisper via Message spell: "Full of mistakes!"

"These humans are really half-baked and boastful."

He even used a proverb that Cassius had taught him; if he weren't unable to reveal his identity, he would have joined this chaotic debate long ago.

"Looks like competition among fellow mages is fierce," Cassius thought happily as he watched the flushed mages.

And that "Starlight" lady also occasionally offered her opinions, but she was much more composed, and her views were deeper though fewer.

"Interesting."

As a sorcerer, Cassius cast spells more through will and intuition and didn't know much about complex theoretical knowledge. He could only quietly listen to them boasting, trying to extract some useful information.

Although their discussions were full of pretentious boasting, he still felt he had gained quite a bit.

However, these fellows weren't truly erudite; after arguing for a whole morning, they had little left to say and had to stop, moving on to the next segment—item exchange.

When it came to this, Cassius's eyes lit up.

He wasn't like those players who worked tirelessly day and night and were still dirt poor; he was the lord of the entire Storm Highlands.

Every day, kobolds and goblins would continuously transport gold from the underground mines into his spacious cave, and players would willingly hand over their few gold coins for so-called "divine gear."

A mage code-named "Gold Digger" first placed a black matte pearl on the table.

"Pearl of Power, allows the bearer to cast one additional 5th-level or lower spell per day, starting at 200 gold coins."

"210 gold coins."

The mage code-named "Gray Eagle" said calmly.

Cassius glanced at his interface, confirming that this was indeed a 【Rare】 quality item, and all descriptions were correct. He then said straightforwardly: "300 gold coins."

"Gray Eagle" looked at him and said nothing more.

A man who had been silent all along, code-named "Mind Whisperer," took out a thick tome from his black robe and placed it on the table. It carried a pungent, spicy odor, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

"This book was left by my ancestors; I don't have the ability to use it yet, so I don't know its effects. I hope to sell it for a good price here."

Cassius looked at the book, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He could even sense that Langpu, connected to him by bloodline, had his heartbeat quicken.

【Alchemy Compendium】

Quality: Rare

This faded, heavy tome carries a pungent, spicy odor. It is a treasure passed down for hundreds of years in the Telfar family.

The metallic fittings of this book are made from a solidified intermediary substance that can transmute between copper, iron, lead, silver, and gold. When found, this book contains the following spells: Haste, Mirror Image, Petrification, Gaseous Form, Magic Weapon, and Fabricate. You can use it as a spellbook or as a magic item.

"Good stuff. I'll buy it!"

Cassius was ready to make a lavish purchase this time, though the greedy nature of red dragons still made him feel a bit of heartache.

He called out a price: "500 gold coins."

For small nobles, this amount was a fortune, but for heirs of major families, it was just a bit of a pinch, still easily affordable.

"Seeker" also unhesitatingly raised the bid: "700 gold coins."

"800 gold coins."

"Gray Eagle" also joined in: "850 gold coins."

However, Cassius didn't hesitate and continued: "1000 gold coins."

"Mind Whisperer" didn't expect that the item he dug out from the family tomb could be worth so much. This was nearly equivalent to a barony's annual income. With this money, he could go to the prosperous south and indulge himself—this made him visibly excited.

"It's yours, sir."

He quickly said, fearing the other party would back out.

Cassius unhurriedly handed the book to Langpu, who was polymorphed into an Iron Golem behind him.

After his rough bidding ended, there was no more movement around, only faint whispers.

"Where is he from?"

"That's a thousand gold coins..."

"Is he the scion of some duke? He can casually produce a thousand gold coins."

"Probably an heir of a sorcerer family, or perhaps a merchant from Victoria Harbor..."

.........

The subsequent items were all sorts of strange and bizarre magical equipment, quite interesting, but to Cassius, somewhat "useless."

Therefore, he didn't make any more bids, just watched with interest.

"Tentacle Staff: When you hold the staff, the tip can extend three fleshy tentacles."

"Can these tentacles be controlled?"

"You can control the target the tentacles attack, but... you can't control their actions and strength."

"Then forget it, not interesting."

The seller, "Black Rock," wiped a cold sweat for some reason, and besides that mysterious lady just now, no one else offered to buy.

"Black Rock" deliberately glanced at the wealthy Cassius, but he just smiled without speaking.

He looked at "Starlight"; perhaps it was an illusion, but her cheeks seemed slightly flushed, yet she deliberately remained silent.

He could only dejectedly take back his precious staff, secretly lamenting his bad luck.

"Staff of Withering, can inflict necrosis effect on the target."

"Cloak of Bats: Grasp the edges of the cloak with both hands to transform yourself into a bat."

"Horseshoes of Levitation: Equip four on a horse, and they can float one foot above the ground."

"Then why don't I just use the Levitation spell?"

"Mind Lash: In the hands of a mind flayer, this weapon will strip a creature's will to survive as if tearing off its flesh, devouring its mind."

"Then what about in the hands of an ordinary person?"

Someone questioned.

The mage who had been praising it just now was suddenly speechless, awkwardly touching his nose:

"It's just an ordinary whip."

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