Wizard: Starting With Synthesized Gems - Chapter 897

Chapter 892 The Sea Queen’s Rapid Improvement Class and the Inside Story of the Breach of the Heavenly Cold River

Story of the Breach of the Heavenly Cold River The Sea Queen’s words sparked a heated discussion among the wizards. The apprentices, naturally, had no say and could only watch silently.

However, among the formal wizards, especially the second-ring wizards, it caused quite a stir.

This was particularly true for many ordinary second-ring wizards who were not yet second-ring potion masters, and even a few star-ring wizards.

A white-haired ordinary second-ring wizard stood up. His magic pressure was approximately 19,000. His eyes were filled with determination as he asked the Sea Queen, “Your Majesty, I am already two hundred and fifty years old. I have spent a great deal of time on potion studies. Many of my colleagues and students in the Root Crown Court know me. I have even developed quite a few first-ring potions.”

“What you just said is rather absolute,”

the Sea Queen said, crossing her arms and glancing at him sideways.

“What’s your name?”

The old wizard hesitated for a moment. He had heard the uproar within the Rootcrown Court, and the discussions gave him the confidence to confront the Throne Wizard head-on.

Besides, the wizards… especially the formal wizards, were all highly individual beings.

They weren’t slaves to high-ring wizards, so their individual wills were quite strong. Faced with the Sea Queen’s blatant statement, many wizards felt a sense of rebellion.

The old wizard said, “My name is William Roger. Your Throne, I have dedicated my life to Potions, training many excellent Potions Masters and developing many interesting potions. I will continue to devote all my energy to Potions in the future.”

“Although I have failed the Second Ring Potions Master exam 17 times in a row, I will continue to try.”

The Sea Queen raised an eyebrow.

“Your so-called ‘trying hard’ means using forbidden d*rugs to enhance your psychic abilities and prematurely consume and burn your lifespan, causing you to be old and frail at only three hundred years old?”

Wizard Roger took a half step back, clearly somewhat vulnerable.

“Your Majesty the Throne…”

the Sea Queen said, “I know most people will praise you after seeing your passion and dedication to potions. But I must say something harsh. I want to emphasize my point again, at least in my opinion—only geniuses have the right to strive.”

Wizard Roger’s face was extremely ugly.

“But not everyone is a genius.”

“Your Majesty the Throne, your words are piercing our hearts. You are the pioneer on the path of truth, you are our future selves, our ideal selves. Your attitude hurts us.” The

Sea Queen didn’t seem to care much about his offense. Instead, she shrugged, twirling the pen in her hand, and said, “Roger, try using your magic to spin this pen.”

The Sea Queen threw the magic pencil.

The old wizard William Roger instinctively reached out, chanted a spell, caught it with his magic, and then controlled it with almost flawless magic, making the magic pencil spin within his magic.

The Neptune stepped forward from the podium, clapping her hands. “Not bad, your magical accuracy is impressive. That’s why you thrived in the first-circle potions stage, but you’ve been stuck at the threshold of second-circle potions for over two hundred years. Look at your magical accuracy—it’s so high—yet you can’t complete the assignments I gave you. Your problem is that you’ve completely misunderstood your talent. If you had used those two hundred years to study puppetry, or even a branch of potions—potion ingredient identification—you could have achieved considerable success.”

“Sigh, why do people always have to do things they’re not good at?”

The Neptune walked up to a Star Ring wizard.

“Tell me, Phineas Barkley, what was it like when you first encountered Gnosticism?”

Phineas Barkley stood up, bowed to the Sea Queen, and after some thought, carefully said, “It was like someone who had been away from their homeland for many years suddenly returning. I was insatiable with Gnosticism; I immersed myself in it, and when I came to my senses, five years had passed.”

“Time flies. Everyone says I’m working hard, but I’m not working hard at all. I study twenty-four hours a day, and they all say I’m working myself to the bone, but I’m just attracted. It’s an addiction.”

Someone whispered among themselves, “No way, he only spends 24 hours a day on Potions? I immerse myself in it for 72 hours every day.”

The Sea Queen nodded slightly to him. “Phineas Barkley, you can sit down now.”

“Many people believe that talent and hard work are inseparable. But actually, it’s because you have talent that you can work hard.”

The old wizard Roger stood there, dumbfounded, muttering to himself .

“Have I been holding onto the wrong beliefs all this time? What am I then? What is my life?”

Locke glanced at him, his brows furrowing slightly. He hadn’t expected that this Potions Master, whom he was meeting for the first time, would completely break down the defenses of a three-hundred-year-old second-ring wizard on their very first meeting.

Clearly, the other party didn’t hold a high position within the Rootcrown Court. He

was only able to remain in the academy because of his seniority; given the level of competition in the last hundred years, this old wizard might not even be qualified to stay.

Locke couldn’t quite grasp the Sea Queen’s personality, so he remained silent.

But the Sea Queen walked to Locke’s side and patted him on the shoulder. “Young man, you’re not very old this year. Let me ask you, how old were you when you started learning Potions?”

Locke hesitated for a moment, then honestly replied, “About 14 years old.”

At 14, he first learned the most basic method of Potions: mana centrifugal extraction.

The Sea Queen glanced at Locke with surprise, then at her family’s second-circle witch, before looking back at Locke and saying, “Not bad. To reach the level of a second-circle potion master in just ten years. You can go take the certification exam.”

She looked at the badge Locke wore on his chest and noticed he hadn’t yet obtained the second-circle potion master badge.

The Sea Queen asked, “So, how much time do you spend on potions each day?”

Locke, seeing everyone looking at him, especially the old witch, frowned slightly and said, “As much as I can.”

The Sea Queen smiled.

“I like wizards with personality. It seems you’re a genius in potions as well. Everyone, I’ll make this clear today: those who become second-circle potion masters are those who were born to be second-circle potion masters. I don’t have the ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.”

“It’s pathetic for someone to go against their own talent and try to become someone of a certain status solely through hard work.”

“Augustine, come with me. That concludes today’s lecture. I hope that after you all return today, you will all think carefully about your future.”

Locke followed.

Although he somewhat disagreed with the Sea Queen’s ideas, after all, the witch Sophia had told him that as long as one keeps striving in one direction, one will eventually achieve their goals.

And the witch Catherine had also told him what constitutes an excellent person—someone who can do their best, based on their knowledge, to do their job well.

But his second mentor in potions seemed to have held a profound belief in genius from the very beginning.

Without talent, there is no possibility of effort.

Without talent, even effort seems laughable.

Locke glanced at the many wizards present who had broken down, and many of them even looked at him with hostility. But the next moment, Locke’s even colder and more indifferent gaze fell on them.

These people who wanted to bully the weak and fear the strong immediately abandoned their thoughts of venting their anger and quickly gave Locke friendly looks to show that they had no ill intentions towards him.

Leaving the Rootcrown Royal Court, in its magnificent wooden corridors, he followed behind the Sea Queen. The Sea Queen asked Locke, “Augustin, do you seem to disagree with my ideas? Or are you strongly opposed to them?”

Locke nodded to the Sea Queen.

“Teacher Sea Queen, I am merely reserving my own opinion. Wizards may differ, but that doesn’t mean I need to oppose your views. Besides, you are the Sea Queen Wizard, a pioneer on the path of truth; your words and actions must have profound meaning.”

The Sea Queen said, her back to him, “Profound meaning? I have no profound meaning. My meaning is all out in the open.”

The Sea Queen suddenly turned to look at him and asked, “Augustin, do you like to drink?”

Locke was somewhat puzzled and replied, “Um, Teacher Sea Queen, I occasionally drink some peach blossom wine.”

The Sea Queen paused for a moment.

“Peach Blossom Wine? That low-alcohol wizard’s wine can be considered wine? I’m talking about the kind that can get even high-level wizards completely drunk and forget everything—[Dream of a Thousand Autumns].”

“So, want a smoke? Want some?”

The Sea Queen held a pipe, filled it with tobacco, and took a deep drag. “Want some?”

Locke was somewhat taken aback; this was the first time he’d encountered such a quirky high-level wizard. “No, teacher. I don’t smoke.”

The Sea Queen glanced at him sideways.

“Sigh, another conventional brat.”

The Sea Queen said, “You can call me Lady Helen. As for teacher… our relationship is solely controlled by the Feathered Serpent Pavilion. I owe them many favors, and in my youth, I also utilized some of their resources.”

Locke nodded; this was better, since he only wanted further inheritance in potions.

With such clear interests, he could better manage the relationship.

Locke bowed to the Sea Queen and said, “Yes, Lady Helen.”

“You little rascal, can’t you be more lively…” Helen was about to continue speaking when a third-circle wizard emerged from the end of the corridor. This third-circle wizard seemed to be in a hurry, having rushed over.

He glanced at Locke, then at the Golden Crown Mountain badge on Locke’s body, paused slightly, but quickly ignored Locke and looked at the Sea Queen, saying, “Lady Helen, I invite you to be a guest lecturer, to open a Potions class for us, to improve the Potions strength of our Rootcrown Court branch school.”

“I was also hoping you would open a small class specifically to help some of our school’s talented wizards break through from first-circle Potions Masters to second-circle Potions Masters. Why, when I went to take a look just now, did many of our school’s Potions Masters seem… emotionally hurt?”

Wizard John followed beside the Sea Queen.

“Is there really no student or formal wizard who catches your eye? Aren’t they worth your training?”

The Sea Queen raised an eyebrow.

“Most of the people you brought to my classes certainly don’t have much talent in potions. Only one or two out of ten can understand my lectures. I’m suggesting they switch careers as soon as possible, and I don’t mean any harm.”

Wizard John was sweating profusely.

“As a high-ring wizard, you can naturally look down on them and see that they’ve gone down the wrong path. But they’re in the maze themselves, and they can’t possibly know that they haven’t found the optimal solution.”

“Besides… um? Wizard, I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

Seeing the Sea Queen’s nonchalant attitude, Wizard John immediately knew he couldn’t change the Sea Queen’s perception. At this moment, he was slightly distracted and immediately noticed Locke’s familiar face.

“I remember now. It was the Cloud Cup.”

Wizard John said, “We met at the Cloud Cup two years ago.”

Locke bowed to him.

John the Wizard chuckled, “Back then, you were in the Six Towers Land, weren’t you? You sent people to buy Dragon Crystal Ecological Domes from us. There were several orders ahead of yours; even if you waited another five years, it wouldn’t have been your turn. I had your order moved up, just to see if you could cultivate that tactical-grade magical plant weapon with its superimposed permanent defensive force field.”

“But you certainly didn’t disappoint me.”

Locke belatedly realized why his trip to the Cloud Marsh Wetlands to purchase equipment back in the Six Towers Land had been so smooth; it turned out a benefactor had indeed given him a push, and that person was none other than John the Wizard before him.

Locke bowed to him, saying, “Lord John, thank you for your past help.”

John the Wizard laughed heartily.

“It’s nothing, nothing. Just a small matter.”

“I also felt back then that we should give ambitious young people a chance.”

Wizard John seized the opportunity to change the subject, looking at the Sea Queen and saying, “At least give young people a chance to try. How will they know they have no talent if they don’t try? You won’t even give them a chance to try.”

“How can this make them give up and realize they have no hope in this path?”

The Sea Queen frowned.

She seemed to have some bad memories.

“No, I just know.”

Wizard John said, “I know you are a very excellent potions wizard. The Xiangshan Islands are a distribution center for potions materials… You are a famous potions master in the area, and you have personally taught many excellent students…”

The Sea Queen said, “I’m just seeking fame. It’s those students who are capable, not me.”

Wizard John was speechless.

“More money, I can pay more.”

“If you can set up an advanced potion-making class of about ten people in our Rootcrown Court to help our second-circle wizards take the second-circle potion master exam, I can double your annual guest fee.”

“In addition, your previous application to enter the Rootcrown Court’s special-grade herb garden will also be approved.”

The Sea Queen gasped.

“You didn’t say that at first. You told me that all the students you gave me were geniuses.”

“Back then, you made it sound so beautiful.”

“But now!”

“Besides, you asked me to come here because of a potion-making project in the Starfield Sea, didn’t you?”

Wizard John smiled guiltily, “But these people… are just at this level. I still want you to improve their potion-making skills and level.”

The Sea Queen glanced at Locke, then looked at Wizard John and said, “Alright. Let this wizard from Golden Crown Mountain and ten ordinary second-circle wizards from your Rootcrown Court form a special advanced class.”

“This class will only last until the first wizard passes the potion master exam.”

The Sea Queen directly shut him up.

“This wizard from Mount Golden Crown accepted the Heavenly Ladder quest from the Feathered Serpent Pavilion. Therefore, to pass the Potions Master exam, he must master the crafting of three potions: Archangel Potion, Doppelganger Potion, and Spirit Stabilizer Potion.” Wizard John

looked at Locke with surprise, even a hint of pity in his eyes.

“Archangel Potion. To pass the second-circle Potions Master exam with potions of this level, that’s really…”

Locke didn’t answer.

Although the fifth round of the Heavenly Ladder test only required him to learn the Doppelganger and Archangel Potions within ten years, it essentially meant he had to master these three potions to pass the second-circle Potions Master exam.

If he were to focus on learning the other two potions, he might not be able to complete this round of the Heavenly Ladder, and his path would be interrupted.

Doing the fifth round of the Heavenly Ladder test and the second-circle Potions Master exam simultaneously was a more reasonable allocation of resources.

As long as he wanted to complete the fifth round of the Heavenly Ladder test, he could succeed.

After all, learning a potion takes a long time, especially a second-circle potion. It

’s not just about a single recipe, but also about related hidden essences, especially the Spiritual Awareness and Spiritual Macro aspects.

John the Wizard murmured to himself, “The Archangel Potion is an excellent second-circle potion for healing injuries. However, it’s extremely difficult to concoct. It’s said that a single drop can bring a mortal back to life, and drinking a whole bottle can completely heal a fully-fledged wizard with a severely damaged soul.”

“For second-circle wizards, it’s the best restorative potion.”

“I’ve long heard that the Quetzalcoatl’s ladder test is incredibly difficult, even more so than the second-circle potion master test, but I never imagined it would be this difficult.”

The Sea Queen said, “Now are you satisfied? I will have my student pass the second-circle potion master test with the Archangel Potion. Therefore, the first person in this rapid advancement class I’ve formed may not necessarily be him.” A

satisfied smile appeared on John the Wizard’s face.

In that case, it was indeed acceptable.

Otherwise, he would have gone to great lengths to invite this throne wizard from the wizarding lands of the Xiangshan Islands for the Rootcrown Court, only to have it benefit the young wizard of Golden Crown Mountain.

He had already expended considerable connections to bring him here.

Wizard John said, “Of course.”

The Sea Queen Throne said, “However, the lecture content will depend on the progress of these eleven students. I can only lecture according to the needs of the student who is progressing the fastest.”

Wizard John had no objection to this. As a third-ring wizard, he naturally didn’t know much about the details below.

After all, a third-ring wizard only excels in each sub-discipline within their own discipline, and to maintain this leading position, they have already exerted all their efforts, naturally not knowing much about many other things.

Therefore, it’s impossible for third-ring wizards to be involved in every detail of the lower levels of the hierarchy.

John the Wizard said, “This is your teaching freedom.”

He chuckled, “The agreements I made with the Throne are still valid. The strength of our Potions department at the Rootcrown Court branch depends entirely on Your Highness.” John the Wizard

left happily, feeling quite accomplished.

As he was leaving, the Sea Queen glanced at his retreating figure and said to Locke, “You saw that, didn’t you? John immediately agreed to my proposal after learning you wanted to learn Archangel Potions. It’s because Archangel Potions are quite difficult.”

“He thinks you won’t be able to complete the Archangel Potions in the next few years. However, you’d better complete them as soon as possible. That way, I can get rid of teaching a bunch of people who will never become second-circle potions masters.”

The Sea Queen rubbed her forehead in frustration.

Locke could only say, “Lady Helen, I will do my best.”

The Sea Queen glanced at him.

“You can’t relax either. There are some wizards with a bit of potential in John’s academy. If your progress in potions is too slow and falls short of my expectations, then the situation will be reversed.”

“Let’s add each other as friends in the Water Hyacinth System. I’ve already added you to a group, and more students will join later. I’m very busy, and the class schedule is very flexible, but I’ll have my assistant notify you of the class time a week in advance. I don’t want you to make excuses and not come.”

“That would make me very unhappy.”

After adding Locke as a friend, the Sea Queen left the corridor.

Locke watched the Sea Queen leave, and he smiled wryly. Now he just had to wait for the Sea Queen’s class time.

Obviously, he was likely to be the fastest progressing potions student among these eleven students, so the first class should be based on his needs.

This was in his best interest.

After all, he did need to receive a very systematic potions training.   A week later, Locke received a congratulatory reply from Yunze. The letter congratulated him on the successful publication of his article about the atavism that yielded the n*ked Fern of the Mountain Dragon, and how the n*ked Fern could be used to fish for the Imaginary Sea and create special spiritual energy. The article was approved and would be published in the Yunze Journal that month.

Locke   also read that the letter mentioned his first submission to Yunze two years ago, and that his level had clearly improved significantly since then, so the Yunze editorial department congratulated him on his great progress in botany.   Locke put away the letters and had Douglas, who helped him with chores in his dormitory, fold them up and put them in a file folder for safekeeping.   Douglas said to Locke with admiration, “Boss Locke, you’ve had another article published in a second-tier journal.”   ”And it’s the highly prestigious Yunze Journal,”   Locke nodded slightly.   It was a pity that this time, his second first-tier journal article didn’t receive the same level of attention as before; even on the Water Hyacinth System, almost no one congratulated him.   The main reason, in fact, had nothing to do with him.   The entire field of plant breeders and botanical wizards in Yunze Wetland is now abuzz with the magical plant crystallization technology announced by Master Patrick Finch at his academic conference a few days ago.   Everyone’s attention is focused on this technology, with rumors circulating almost daily.   Every breeder is inquiring about information related to magical plant crystallization.   This makes his ‘mere’ article published in a second-ring, first-zone journal seem insignificant. It’s like throwing a pebble into a turbulent ocean—it won’t even make a ripple.   Locke saw that someone on the Water Hyacinth System had sent him more information about magical plant crystallization technology.   For ordinary wizards, even obtaining detailed information about this technology is extremely difficult, but for a wizard like himself at the True Knowledge Academy, the top wizarding university in Yunze Wetland, it’s very easy to acquire.   In fact, Master Patrick Finch himself particularly hoped that wizards in the research groups of various True Knowledge Academies and universities would join this research direction.   Locke glanced at the system and noticed that the Brandy Wizard had sent him a bunch of messages, almost all praising the magical plant crystallization technology. They also claimed that traditional magical plant techniques were incredibly outdated compared to it, and that continuing to research traditional techniques would lead to falling behind the times.   Locke could immediately tell that the Brandy Wizard seemed extremely anxious.   He himself appeared somewhat distracted.   The Droma Wizard had also sent him some messages, mostly wanting to discuss the future of magical plant crystallization technology.   Locke replied casually to them, at least to maintain appearances.   Then, he saw even Team Leader Celt asking him, “Locke, have you heard about the recent plant crystallization technology? I heard it’s really popular. At first, I thought it was a scam, but look, three more articles related to it have recently appeared in a second-ring, first-district journal.”   ”As far as I know, the wizards reviewing project grants in the entire Cloudze Wetland are quite inclined to favor wizards researching plant crystallization technology.”   ”What do you think? I’m even thinking of doing research in this area.”   Locke replied, “Team Leader Celt, I’m not familiar with it.”   Team Leader Celt sent Locke a message.   ”I heard you attended Master Patrick Finch’s academic exchange meeting a few days ago, right? You’re considered a breeding genius even by the Throne Lord. You must have gained some insights after hearing it, right?”   Locke replied to Team Leader Celt, “I really want to help you, Team Leader. But I really don’t know much about this plant crystallization technology.”

Locke waited a while, then received a message from Team Leader Celt: “That’s a pity. I heard rumors that this year’s Rose Council’s top-tier grant has been pre-selected, and the applicant used a proposal focusing on the research direction of magical plant crystallization technology.” “

Besides, I’ve heard that many competitions and projects are starting to favor magical plant breeding in the direction of magical plant crystallization research. This direction is really hot.”

Team Leader Celt seemed eager to jump on the bandwagon immediately.

“At first, I thought it was a bubble, but now it seems to be a very promising direction. It’s just a pity that the breeders around me don’t know much about this area, and I thought you, Locke, knew a bit more.”

“Why don’t you consider working on this direction?”

“In any case, at least in the near future, working on this direction will definitely make it easier to apply for many things and publish papers.”

Team Leader Celt sent him a newspaper article, which showed a message published by a third-ring breeder from the Rose Council who had not attended the Genesis Conference.

The third-circle breeder’s assessment of the magical plant crystallization technology in the newspaper was: ‘A project with immense potential to make Patrick Finch a third-circle wizard, or even a throne wizard.’

‘This technological direction has already been disclosed, meaning Patrick Finch could become a third-circle wizard within the next twenty years.’

The third-circle breeder, [Berber], further commented: ‘However, Patrick Finch becoming a sun-circle wizard still has a serious problem. While disclosing this direction can increase his chances of becoming a third-circle wizard and securing a third-circle project by leveraging the abilities of his colleagues, it also means publicly revealing this technological route that could potentially lead to his throne application being taken by some sun-circle or third-circle wizard.’

Locke’s pupils suddenly contracted.

‘This is actually a technological route with the potential to apply for a throne project,’

the Celtic team leader messaged him.

“Master Berber is a renowned breeder, a master of breeding and improvement methods for parasitic starfish magical plants. His evaluation of this technical approach is certainly high.” “

Regardless, quite a few wizards have already benefited from it. It’s unexpected that this new generation of breeding technology innovation originated from the Rose Council. Truly unexpected.”

“Locke, I suggest you research this. With your abilities, you’ll definitely reap rewards if you pursue this direction.”

Locke thought for a moment and replied to Group Leader Celt: “I’d also like to explore this direction. But I’ve already decided on my development path and won’t change it for now. My special grant application is for research related to atavistic evolution magical plants.”

Group Leader Celt was silent for a moment, then sent Locke a message: “Oh, I just discovered you published a paper in a second-ring, first-district journal, which deals with atavistic evolution. I’m so envious.”

Group Leader Celt sent himself an envious emoji.

Team Leader Celt said, “No wonder you’re so composed; you have your own research direction. But we wizards are different from you; we don’t have that many ideas. I’m going to ask around about this plant crystallization technology to see if I can get a piece of the pie.”

Locke sent Team Leader Celt a cheering emoji.

Then, Locke saw on the Water Hyacinth System that some wizards were actually subtly asking him if he knew the plant crystallization route or had any corresponding resources.

Locke frowned; he hadn’t expected this thing to be so popular.

This might bring some changes to the application for special funding.

Locke looked at Douglas and said, “Don’t go back today, because I’m planning to write another article with you and submit it to the second-tier journal Yunze again.”

Douglas was stunned.

“Boss, you have another article to publish? Okay… okay.”

Locke nodded. “It’s about the Spirit Breath Cultivation Method.”

“However, I need to borrow some equipment.”

“I need the Queen’s Chessboard and the Sunlight Mirror.”

When I used the Spirit Breath Cultivation Method to create the Super Cave Heaven, I had already recorded it using the Archaeological Spell Model [Historical Recreation].

There were originally some issues with accuracy.

But now, because I possess the historical agility of 20,000 magic pressure, the details of my Historical Recreation have reached a new stage. Therefore, I can use the details of the Super Cave Heaven recorded by the Archaeological Spell Model Historical Recreation, and then use the Queen’s Chessboard and the Sunlight Mirror to analyze its structure, spiritual changes, and primal force characteristics.

Because it’s a completely new structure, I only need to analyze its structure once with the equipment, and I can roughly publish an article in the Second Ring, Second District, or even try to publish it in the Second Ring, First District.

Of course, to publish it in the Second Ring, First District, I’ll likely need to understand some aspects of how this Super Cave Heaven was constructed.

However, since I completed its construction long ago and analyzed it afterward, analyzing the structure and construction method of the Three-Layer Verdant Nursery Garden Cave Heaven is much simpler than creating something from nothing.

Locke looked at Douglas, not at the man himself, but at the Three-Ring Wizard King behind him.

While the Wizard King wasn’t a breeder, the structure of the Garden Cavern wasn’t entirely based on breeding science; it involved multiple disciplines.

With the Wizard King’s help, he could definitely achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Having a Crystallized Wizard working for him was equivalent to having a Three-Ring Wizard assisting him.

It was a huge windfall.

However, he’d better not reveal the current delicate situation to prevent this fragile balance from being disrupted.

He just didn’t know when the Wizard King planned to invite him to open the treasure vault of the Star Age located on Golden Crown Mountain.

In Douglas’s mind, the Wizard King Lagmamon clicked his tongue in praise, “I told you long ago, Locke Augustine is a breeding genius, one in fifty years.”

“His publication speed in Zone 1 journals should be fast. I just didn’t expect it to be even faster than I thought. I didn’t expect that just one trip out would result in another attempt to publish a third Zone 1 journal in the second ring.”

“From what I understand, his publication speed is extraordinary in this era.”

Douglas, filled with admiration for Locke, said in his mind, “That’s right. Mr. Augustine’s talent is far beyond that shameless brandy wizard’s.”

“Mr. Augustine’s laboratory is like a true wizard’s laboratory.”

Always full of work, always exploring new fields of knowledge.

Locke then spoke to Douglas about the third article, actually using him as a pretext to discuss things with the Wizard King.

Next, Locke left his dormitory and went to his laboratory in the Dune Plane to check on the cultivation of his Golden Dragon Claw Air Plant seeds.

After finishing these tasks, Locke went to the seventh floor of the Hall of Truth to see the witch Catherine and return the testing ring to her.

…

Hall of Truth, seventh floor.

The witch Catherine was sitting at her desk, seemingly talking with the wizard Trajan. When Locke entered, Trajan was reporting to Catherine’s avatar about the breach of the Frost River.

Trajan said, “My third avatar has been lurking in the Frost River recently. Based on my extensive investigation, I believe the Frost River’s breach was definitely not natural.”

Locke stood in the doorway and asked, “Teacher, did I come at the wrong time?”

Trajan also turned to look at Locke.

The witch Catherine nodded.

“Come in. Give me the testing rings.”

Locke took out two testing rings. These rings had absorbed the scattered soul data of the Wind Giants. At this moment, the witch Catherine’s clone also took out an ancient ring.

It was a wooden ring, looking like the most ordinary wooden ring, without any patterns or unusual appearance.

Suddenly, the two rings in her hands were attracted, and the rings seemed to begin to deform abnormally. The two rings deformed as they rushed towards the mother ring in Catherine’s palm.

The mother ring fused with the two testing rings.

In a series of deformations, the three rings quickly merged into one.

Catherine looked at the ring in her palm and said with some surprise, “It seems that the quality of your data collection this time is quite good, making this ring even more complete.”

The ring in her hand floated in mid-air, and as the wooden rings tumbled, one became two, two became four, and four became eight.

Immediately afterward, Catherine the Witch removed four of the rings and handed them to Locke and Trajan the Wizard.

“These are the new round of testing rings. You two can give them to suitable candidates for testing.”

“Then retrieve them.”

“Locke, you did very well this time. Whether it was the wizard shoes, the testing rings, or the article you published in Yunze.”

“I didn’t misjudge you, and I believe you possess even greater potential.”

“I’m prepared to entrust you with more important responsibilities.”

Locke walked over, and then Catherine the Witch looked at Trajan and asked, “What did you just say, Trajan?”

Trajan the Wizard glanced at Locke and continued, “There are no outsiders here. I’ll be direct. Teacher, based on my investigation, I believe the breach of the Tianhan River was man-made, not…a natural disaster.”

(End of Chapter)