Chapter 39: Return and Miscellaneous Matters

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Return and Miscellaneous Matters

The white-robed Wizard smiled. "Give me one of your Ben Bo’Erbas, and I’ll add a few small functions for you. How about it?"

Chen Shang was overjoyed. He turned to summon a Ben Bo’Erba, then walked over and stood before the Wizard.

"This one is for you, though I’m afraid it won’t be of much use to you."

The Wizard smiled. "It indeed doesn’t help much in terms of combat power, and the Rune Carving is also quite rough. However, by connecting them into a whole, you seem to have triggered some kind of special function. I’ll study it."

Chen Shang stayed silent. The Wizard’s insight was quite sharp, but that was all thanks to his Golden Finger. He just hoped the other party could gain something from it.

With that, the assessment was completely over. As for the Space Equipment, the white-robed Wizard told Chen Shang it would be mailed to him once its production was complete.

After returning to his laboratory in the Starfall Half-Plane, Chen Shang finally had the time to calculate his gains and losses from this assessment.

First, his losses.

With the last Ben Bo’Erba given away, his biological Mechanical Armors were completely wiped out. Even Number Three had exploded, though the good news was that he could download it back.

Next was the Dragon Blood Crystal. The Energy inside was enough to drive a small Rune Array for ten years, yet he had ruthlessly detonated it.

Then there was Baal’s Protective Shield Device. Another Rune Plate had shattered. The guy had lent him a life-saving gadget; he had to at least repair it before returning it.

He also owed two sets of Gourd Baby Armors. Moving from the initial concept to the finished product required a massive amount of experimentation. Energy cost money, Materials cost money, and Alchemy Carriers cost money...

In short, he was now completely broke and in debt.

Of course, his gains were also substantial.

His biggest harvest was becoming a First Level Apprentice. His authority had increased, allowing him to learn more general knowledge—things that money couldn’t buy.

There was also his monthly quota. His allowances for Energy, Blank Carriers, and basic Potions had significantly increased, which would offset some of his experimental expenses.

Furthermore, he could now take on missions. From now on, he could earn remuneration by completing tasks issued by the Wizard World.

Next was the yet-to-be-received Space Equipment.

Then there was the Tier Two Creature, the Hallucinogenic Mushroom. This was the core material for his upcoming research. The Big Baby Armor, the Huluwa system, and the plant batch-growth Mechanical Armors would all start from this mushroom.

Finally, there was a promise each from Twilight and Ella.

After finishing his inventory, Chen Shang sighed. He felt that after becoming a First Level Apprentice, he only had more things to keep him busy.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. A sudden tapping at the door interrupted him, and Leia’s voice drifted in. "Chen Shang? Are you back?"

Chen Shang opened the door. "Leia, I passed the assessment!"

"I heard. You did well!" Leia congratulated Chen Shang, then turned serious.

"Alright, down to business. Now that you are a First Level Apprentice, I have fulfilled my mission of bringing you into the fold.

"Ah? Leia, what about my future Cultivation?"

Leia said, "Look up the materials yourself. It’s time for independent study.

"As a Second Level Apprentice, you must achieve Spiritual Power Crystallization. This means compressing your Spiritual Power into a Crystal Core, which can support more complex Curse Arts and resist certain Mental Shocks.

"For a Third Level Apprentice, you need to achieve Spiritual Power Specialization. Your Crystal Core will undergo Origin Fusion with your personal Soul Origin, producing a unique trait.

"Everyone’s traits are different. Some manifest as certain Elements, such as ’Flaming Sun,’ ’Cold Abyss,’ or ’Thunderbolt.’ Of course, it could be other things entirely. Your trait dictates your spellcasting style and power.

"As for an Official Wizard, you must at least complete the collapse and fusion of a Rune Array. You can look up the materials for the specifics."

"Leia, have you reached Specialization?"

"Yes, related to emotions." Leia nodded and added, "There is one more thing. You need to find time to visit the ’Spiritual Power Development Project Team.’ "

Chen Shang froze for a moment, then remembered. Haimer Wizard had mentioned before that his file would be merged with those of over thirty-four thousand others with Acquired Spiritual Power enhancements and assigned to this project team. He had an obligation to cooperate.

"When should I go?"

"Whenever you have free time, but it’s best not to delay it for too long."

Chen Shang nodded. "I’ll go as soon as possible."

Leia stood up. "Alright, I’ve sent you the address. Just give them your name when you get there. Don’t be nervous; it’s just a routine checkup."

After Leia left, Chen Shang returned to his desk and took out the Hallucinogenic Mushroom.

The little guy didn’t put up any resistance. Even after Chen Shang lifted its seal, it remained slumped on the table, utterly despondent, its entire cap shriveled up.

He wondered if he had beaten it into a stupor.

Chen Shang scratched his head. "There’s no need to be so desperate. I’m not a cruel person. I just need you to cooperate with my experiments. Besides, I will abide by the rules of the Pan-Wizard Alliance."

The mushroom’s cap opened a tiny crack. Upon hearing "Pan-Wizard Alliance," it suddenly burst into loud wails. "I want to be a Wizard! I want to join the Pan-Wizard Alliance! Now... it’s all ruined!"

Chen Shang was stunned. He never expected a mushroom to possess such rich emotions.

He waited for its crying to subside before speaking again. "Um... as long as you cooperate with my experiments, I’ll recommend you to join the Pan-Wizard Alliance once I become a Wizard. What do you say?"

The crying stopped abruptly.

The Hallucinogenic Mushroom remained silent for a few seconds before asking, "What kind of experiments? How long will it take?"

"I’ll just be researching your traits and summarizing some of your Runes."

Chen Shang thought for a moment and added, "What do you think a Wizard is? Joining the Pan-Wizard Alliance doesn’t automatically mean you can become a Wizard.

"You need to learn. You must break free from instinctive physical evolution and use wisdom and knowledge to leverage Power. In those aspects, you are still far from ready."

The mushroom pondered for a long time. Finally, as if having figured things out, it rapidly underwent Transformation into a humanoid form. "Fine, I’ll cooperate with your experiments. But we have to sign a Contract. You must promise to recommend me once you become a Wizard."

"Of course." Chen Shang agreed without hesitation. After all, recommending it after becoming a Wizard would just be a matter of lifting a finger.

With the Contract signed, Chen Shang immediately went into work mode.

"You need to turn back into a mushroom."

"I won’t! This is the most noble form!" the Hallucinogenic Mushroom replied stubbornly.

Chen Shang sighed, figuring this was just another human-supremacy fanatic.

"But you promised to cooperate with my experiments. And the next time you turn into a human, you must wear clothes. That is basic human etiquette."

The Hallucinogenic Mushroom reluctantly changed back. Chen Shang drew a circle of testing Runes around it. First, he briefly measured its Spiritual Power fluctuations, mycelial growth rate, spore release frequency, and its affinity with various Elemental Energies.

He wondered if he could use its spores and mycelial growth to mass-produce biological Mechanical Armors.

Chen Shang threw himself into his research. In his free time, he attempted to summarize Da Wa’s Runes, reviewed materials for a Second Level Apprentice, and conveniently replenished his stock with a few more Ben Bo’Erbas. His days were extremely fulfilling.

A few days later, a visitor interrupted his research. Chen Shang opened the door to find Baal standing outside.

He was wearing a new robe and looked a full size rounder than he had during the assessment.

"Hey man! Keeping busy?"