Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 133 Abyss Secret Treasure
Ron stood in front of the door of Blake Exchange, looking at the sign that was still shaky and the wood was cracked.

The humid air unique to the Black Fog Jungle caused green moss to grow around the edge of the sign, adding a touch of eerie atmosphere to this dark place.

"Welcome! Welcome! Honorable Lord Ron!"

The short and fat slave trader rushed out of the store at an astonishing speed, his round face flushed red, sweat running down his fat cheeks and soaking his collar.

The small eyes sunken in the folds of flesh sparkled with a shrewd light, and it was obvious that she had anticipated the visit of the potion master.

"Your visit to my humble abode today has truly made this shabby place shine brightly!"

The businessman spoke flatteringly and bowed humbly, his movements so exaggerated that they were almost comical.

Ron keenly noticed that the businessman's attitude was significantly more respectful than last time.

Perhaps it was because his professional identity as a potion master had spread within the school, coupled with the change in his status as a candidate wizard, which greatly increased the attention paid to him by this snobbish and shrewd businessman.

"I'm here to see the new shipment you mentioned."

Ron said straight to the point, his voice calm but full of unquestionable authority.

"You came at the perfect time! It's simply providence!"

The short and fat businessman rubbed his hands together, a flattering smile on his face, his eyes almost narrowed into a line:

"A batch of rare treasures just arrived yesterday, and we haven't even had time to unpack them yet. I guarantee you'll be amazed! They're definitely the best on the market!"

Passing through the ornate but obviously cheaply decorated lobby, Ron noticed that there were several more fully armed guards inside the exchange compared to his last visit.

They stood vigilantly in the corner, their hands on the hilts of their swords, their cold eyes scanning every guest who came in and out.

Obviously, as the business has expanded, security measures have also been strengthened.

The merchant led Ron into a dim corridor, with rows of cages surrounded by iron bars on both sides, containing various extraordinary creatures.

The difference from last time was that the creatures in the cage this time were obviously more ferocious, and almost every one of them exuded a dangerous aura.

The air was filled with a strange smell that was a mixture of blood, animal stench and some pungent medicine, which made people frown involuntarily.

"This way, please, sir. This is our latest flagship, a group of carefully selected combat slaves."

The businessman said proudly, waving his hand to signal two strong men to open a heavy iron door and lead Ron to a specially reinforced area.

The cages here were obviously much stronger than those in the previous area. Each one was made of several inches thick fine steel and engraved with suppressing runes.

The cages are also spaced further apart, apparently to prevent the "goods" inside from touching each other.

The temperature in the entire area was several degrees lower than outside, and there was an unsettling dullness in the air.

In the first cage stood a burly creature nearly two meters tall. Its upper body remained basically humanoid, but was covered with thick dark blue scales that gleamed with a cold metallic light.

Its head is completely in the shape of a giant fish, with a big mouth full of serrated fangs. When it grins, you can see three rows of teeth as sharp as knives, and a deep red tongue that keeps sticking out and retracting.

His hands had turned into fin-like claws, with sharp bone spurs on each fingertip. When he saw Ron, he let out a low roar, and all the scales on his body stood up in an instant, forming tiny spikes.

"A deep-sea hybrid, sir," the merchant introduced, his voice full of boasting.
"This creature is a combination of humans and abyssal murlocs, capable of fighting both on land and in water. Its skin is as hard as steel, and it possesses astonishing regenerative abilities. I've personally witnessed it lose half its body, and it recovered in less than a day!"

The businessman paused and lowered his voice:

"Most astonishingly, it possesses the unique talent of 'Blood Boiling'. At the climax of battle, it can cause the enemy's blood to boil within their veins, causing unbearable pain. This makes it simply invincible in the arena!"

Ron observed the creature carefully, and with his "super-discernment" ability, he could see that it was indeed a highly modulated hybrid.

The genes of the merfolk and humans were combined quite perfectly, and the degree of distortion in appearance was much smaller than expected.

But he could also see obvious flaws: there were unstable energy fluctuations in his spiritual core area, like a volcano that could erupt at any time.

In this state, the creature could lose control and run wild at any time, posing a fatal threat to both itself and its owner.

"I have to say that this crude way of mixing blood can lead to serious mental problems."

Ron spoke bluntly, his voice full of professional calmness:
"I can see that its spirit is beginning to collapse. Judging from the frequency of its energy fluctuations, its lifespan will probably not exceed two years. Moreover, once it enters a high-intensity combat state, it may completely lose control at any time."

The businessman's expression changed slightly, with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He obviously didn't expect Ron to point out the problem so accurately.

But he quickly put on a smile, as if he had been prepared:

"Your Excellency has a good eye! You are indeed a genius among potion masters! You are right. These highly modulated battle slaves do have a certain instability, which is why they are so powerful yet relatively 'reasonably' priced."

He took a step closer with his belly protruding, and lowered his voice:

"But don't worry, we have a one-year quality guarantee for all our slaves. If there's a problem, we can replace them with goods of equal value free of charge. Furthermore, we also provide a special 'stabilizing potion' that can effectively extend their service life."

Ron nodded slightly but didn't show much interest, instead moving on to observe the next cage.

As we continued forward, an even stranger creature appeared before our eyes.

It has a werewolf body, muscular, and covered with thick gray-black hair, but it has many black shells on its body, like the exoskeleton of an insect, covering key parts to form natural armor.

The claws were unusually long, gleaming with a cold metallic gleam, and looked like they could tear through steel with ease.

The most amazing thing is that there is a crack on its back, and a tentacle-like object can be vaguely seen wriggling inside, extending and retracting from time to time, as if it has its own consciousness.

When the creature saw Ron, it pounced towards the cage door, making a strange cry between a wolf howl and an insect chirp. At the same time, the tentacles on its back stretched out and slapped the cage door with a dull thud.

"This is our 'composite warrior,'"

The businessman introduced it, his tone full of pride and excitement, as if he was showing off his most proud work:
"A perfect blend of the strength and speed of a werewolf, the defense of a beetle, and the agility of a tentacle monster. Designed by a Crystal Spire mixer, this masterpiece took three years to successfully cultivate!"

He explained non-stop, "It can use multiple attack methods simultaneously, including claw strikes, bites, carapace ramming, and tentacle entanglement. It's a leader in close combat."

Ron used his extraordinary recognition ability to scan the monster and was secretly shocked.

This is no longer a simple blood mixing, but some kind of extremely dangerous multiple grafting experiment.

Three completely different biological characteristics were forcibly merged to form this monster that violates the laws of nature.

Judging from the degree of disorder in the energy flow, this creature may collapse at any time due to internal conflicts.

"What's its mental state?"

Ron asked, noticing a hint of pain and madness in the creature's eyes, its pupils constantly constricting and dilating, as if it were experiencing some unbearable torture.

"Ah, this is our latest control technology."

The merchant explained with a smile, proudly holding out a small crystal cube with complex runes gleaming on it:
"A special crystal has been implanted in its brain, completely suppressing its self-awareness and forcing it to obey its master's orders. Using this controller, one can command it to fight at will, even temporarily enhancing certain abilities. Of course, the cost is a shortened lifespan."

He added proudly, "This technology was imported directly from the Crystal Spire and is extremely reliable. It's said that in the Central Land of Plenty, every wizard has at least three to five of these combat slaves to guard their homes and defend against threats."

Ron remained calm, but felt a wave of disgust in his heart.

This practice has gone beyond the scope of blood modulation. It directly controls the brain through crystals and deprives the organism of self-awareness.

Although the effect is remarkable, it is destined to be used only as a quick product. It has no self-awareness and is ultimately just a living tool with no potential for advancement.

In the next few cages, various even more bizarre combat slaves were displayed one by one before Ron. During the tour, Ron calmly used his "supernatural identification" ability to analyze each creature, obtaining valuable blood modulation information.

From the residual breath and energy fluctuations, he roughly recorded the modulation methods and defects of these creatures, which would provide important references for his own research.

Just as he was concentrating on recording, the businessman seemed to remember something and suddenly changed the subject:
"By the way, sir. Have you heard of the 'Bloody Gladiator'?"

"Bloody Gladiator Fight?" Ron raised his eyebrows. This was indeed the first time he heard of this term.

But he sensed from the sudden change in the merchant's tone that this might be some important information.

"Exactly!" the merchant lowered his voice mysteriously, looking around as if afraid of being overheard.
"That's a special event held by the school every quarter. It's usually not publicized, and only a few apprentices of high status are eligible to participate. Each contestant sends out their trained combat slaves to fight a life-and-death duel, and the winner receives a generous reward."

His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his voice trembled slightly:

"It's said that the prizes include rare spell models, various advanced alchemical items, and advanced potion formulas! These are priceless treasures in the market! Even if you win the most ordinary prize, it's enough to significantly improve the strength of an ordinary apprentice!"

Ron's interest was piqued, but he remained calm on the surface:
"What are the rules of this gladiatorial contest? When exactly will it be held?"

"It's simple. Participants need to provide a trained combat slave, which is graded by size and strength, and then engage in a life-and-death duel with other slaves in a designated arena."

The businessman smiled, with a cunning glint in his eyes:
"Slave masters can use special control crystals to assist in command, but they cannot directly interfere in battle. All victories and defeats are determined by the slaves' own strength."

He added, "As far as I know, the next gladiatorial contest will be held in three months, which happens to be the week at the end of the semester. Every gladiatorial contest attracts many senior apprentices and even many instructors to watch. It is a great opportunity for young people who want to make a name for themselves within the school."

Ron nodded thoughtfully, already calculating the risk and reward ratio of this activity in his mind.

Three months was enough for him to complete the preliminary blood modulation experiment, but to cultivate a mature combat creature, special means would probably be needed.

"And," the businessman continued, his tone becoming even more mysterious, his eyes gleaming with excitement:
"I heard that this round's special reward is a 'Secret Treasure of the Abyss' - a scapegoat puppet."

"Secret treasure of the abyss?"

Ron asked, the word aroused his strong curiosity.

Among the many classics he had read, the records about the Great Abyss were extremely limited, and the term "secret treasure of the abyss" was the first time he had heard of it.

The businessman nodded complacently, clearly enjoying sharing this secret information, an expression almost fanatical on his face:

"The Great Abyss is not a place that ordinary people can talk about."

He paused deliberately, lengthening his tone, enjoying the other person's irrepressible thirst for knowledge:

"It's a terrifying place shrouded in a curse, vast, deep, and boundless. It's said that the deeper you go, the stronger the curse becomes, and ordinary people can't even survive the first level."

Ron's expression remained unchanged, but a wave of emotion was already surging in his heart.

This sounds like some kind of alien space, or a special magical gathering area, which is very likely to contain powerful supernatural powers.

"Even though it's so dangerous, there are still people who take the risk to go there?" he asked tentatively.

"Of course!" The businessman seemed to have touched a switch and started to talk non-stop:

"Precisely because of its danger, the Great Abyss hides countless rare 'secret treasures': miraculous items that alchemists rack their brains but cannot replicate, and wondrous effects that enchanters could never recreate in their lifetimes."

He rubbed his hands, an almost obsessive look on his face:

"Each of the secret treasures of the Great Abyss is unique and possesses powers beyond common sense. Some allow the user to teleport hundreds of miles in an instant, some can briefly predict the future, and some can even tamper with cause and effect."

A hint of vigilance flashed in Ron's eyes. These descriptions were quite similar to his understanding of "rare antiques".

Could it be that these secret treasures from the "Great Abyss" are the "rare antiques" native to this world?
This guess made his heart beat faster unconsciously.

"Your Excellency may not know that the entire Abyssal Continental Group is named so precisely because they are all clustered around the Great Abyss."

He gestured with his hands, trying to describe the sheer scale, his eyes gleaming with awe:
"The Great Abyss is a massive rift that runs through the entire world. It's bottomless, and in some places, it's tens of thousands of miles wide. The Abyss isn't just synonymous with darkness and chaos, it's also a source of magical power. Large supernatural gathering places like the Crystal Spire are all built near the Abyss, drawing on its endless supply of magical power."

The businessman's voice became more and more excited:
"It is said that the deepest part of the abyss leads to an unknown dimension. The energy that emanates from there changes the laws of the entire world and creates the possibility of extraordinary abilities. Without the abyss, there would be no extraordinary races, and no magical creatures as we know them today!"

Ron vaguely understood something, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes:

"So the magic concentration near the abyss is higher, making it more suitable for wizards to practice? Is this why the magic concentration in the Crystal Spire is five times that of the Black Mist Jungle, because it is closer to the center of the abyss?"

Of course, he didn't say this out loud.

But the businessman caught the gleam in Ron's eyes and was secretly delighted, knowing that he had found the right entry point. Young apprentices always have the weakest resistance to such mysterious things.

From an oilcloth bundle at his waist he pulled out a neatly folded leaflet containing various curious objects and brief descriptions.

"This is for promotional purposes within the school. I got a sample in advance from a special channel. It should be posted everywhere in the school in two months."

He lowered his voice and unfolded the paper:
"One of the highest prizes at next year's gladiatorial contest will be this 'substitute puppet.'"

Ron's eyes fell on the paper:
A strangely shaped humanoid puppet, its body covered with twisted and complex runes, and the overall color was an unnatural bluish-gray, as if it had changed color after being soaked in some special liquid for too long.

There are two dark red gems in the puppet's eyes, and the picture on the paper exudes a strange sense of mystery.

"It is said that this puppet came from the third layer of the Great Abyss. It contains a soul stone capable of carrying consciousness. However, the wood it is made of has yet to be analyzed."

The businessman's eyes were fixed on Ron's reaction:
"The user can transfer their consciousness into it, creating a one-to-one replica of another 'body', inheriting all magical powers, supernatural abilities, physical qualities, and so on. Most amazingly, this body is unaffected by damage to the user's original body and can even survive the original's death."

Hearing this, Ron felt an inexplicable throbbing.

If the puppet really has such an effect, it would be a treasure tailor-made for him who possesses the gift of [Dual Soul].

He already possesses a dual soul. If he can use external objects to strengthen this characteristic, he might be able to directly achieve double the training effect and combat effectiveness.

"That does sound extraordinary."

Ron made a casual comment on the surface, but he couldn't take his eyes off the puppet pattern.

The businessman noticed that the other person's gaze lingered on him and smiled with satisfaction.

This apprentice was obviously interested in the secret treasure of the abyss, and this was exactly the reaction he expected.

"So you see, this is why the apprentice masters are so keen on training combat slaves..."

He deliberately raised his tone and began to lead the topic to his own purpose:
"A good combat slave is not only your daily protection, but also a stepping stone to higher levels! If you can achieve good results in the 'Bloody Gladiator' and obtain rewards like the 'Substitute Puppet', your status within the school will surely rise."

He rolled his eyes and added casually:

"Of course, the prerequisite is that you have sufficiently outstanding combat slaves. These fine goods in our exchange are all specially selected. Whether it's melee combat, ranged combat, or the assistance of their innate spells, they can be tailored to your needs."

The businessman spoke so eloquently for a long time just to promote his "products".

At this moment, he no longer cared about exposing the other party's little thoughts, as his thoughts had already been deeply attracted by the "stand-in puppet".

"If this secret treasure is indeed some kind of 'rare antique', then obtaining it should be one of my core goals. Judging from the recent trembling in my soul, I estimate that once my mental power breaks through to the level of an advanced apprentice, the effect of 'double casting' will be unlocked. Then, I can use the 'substitute puppet' to form a double body..."

Ron was thinking quickly in his mind, and he had already started to formulate a plan for the gladiatorial contest.

(End of this chapter)