Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 854 Encountering a Void Beast and Locke is truly a good person!
In the endless void, the entrance to the Golden Path suddenly opened, and the streamlined, spindle-shaped [Explorer Vanguard] flew out from the Golden Path.

Then, Locke's main body, through the locking of the plane's gravity, observed the location of a world not far in front of him in the void.

The void is incredibly vast. If you don't lock onto a plane with gravity beforehand and instead rely on near-ground search magic to search, it's very easy to lose your sense of direction in the endless void.

Locke's main body recorded the location of the dimensional gravity at the exit of the Golden Route, and then piloted the [Explorer Vanguard] toward the Three Hole World.

At the same time, a massive meteorite collided with the trajectory of the [Explorer Vanguard]. In an instant, the [Explorer Vanguard]'s eighteen-layered enchanted magic array was activated, shattering it instantly.

[Exploration Pioneer] After smashing the meteorite, they discovered that there was actually a cluster of meteorites ahead, with countless more blocking the way.

At the same time, in front of the meteorite cluster was a colossal void beast.

The void behemoth was a giant octopus with incredibly large tentacles. The suckers on each tentacle were as big as the Golden Crown Mountain area.

Locke and the dozen or so wizards on the ship were all stunned by what they saw.

No one expected that they would run into a meteor shower and encounter a void behemoth in the void as soon as they left the Golden Path.

"There are many reactions to the invisible energy vortexes ahead."

Locke glanced at the illusion display screen above the Explorer's wand. Through a special detection array within the eighteen layers of enchanted magic arrays, the Explorer detected that there were not only many meteorite craters ahead, but also many invisible energy vortexes in the void.

The old pirate Henry said, "Based on our experience, Void Beasts rarely destroy a plane directly and then devour its plane's core. It's estimated that it just happened to encounter a plane that was about to self-destruct, and when that plane was about to be destroyed, a plane's core was reborn."

"Then it can enjoy its meal. It is said that the Void Beast will also take the Plane Heart and go to other regions where planes can be grown, and plant the Plane Heart there. But I have never seen it."

"Those formless energies were likely caused by the collapse of a plane. Or perhaps it was simply a vortex of formless energy colliding with a plane, whose elemental barriers were weak and were directly torn apart by the vortex, while the vortex itself was shattered into fragments..."

Locke used the [Explorer Vanguard] to examine the distribution map of the void energy vortexes ahead, and then compared it with normal void energy vortexes. After several comparisons, he said, "Old Henry's second guess is more likely."

"After comparison, I found that the distribution of the void and formless energy here is very similar to the result of a larger, formless energy vortex being shattered by the power of the plane."

Locke manipulated the illusion screen of the [Explorer Vanguard], using its built-in illusion magic to perform virtual deductions. After inputting the parameters, it was indeed very similar to what the old pirate Henry had said.

Locke carefully avoided the invisible energy vortex that had been detected, while the ship occasionally shook due to the impact of large meteorites.

Because the [Explorer Vanguard] is essentially a large-scale integrated magical artifact, its logic differs from that of a normal mechanical and electronic ship.

Mechanical and electronic ships have a lot of wires, pneumatic channels, or hydraulic channels under the sheet metal (hull), but magic devices are not like that.

The main function of the 【Explorer Pioneer】 is eighteen layers of enchantment.

These enchantments are not only applied to the outer layer of the Voidwarship, but also to all the material layers of the Voidwarship, with each layer containing a large number of sorcery enchantments.

Secondly, as a magical artifact, the [Explorer Vanguard] itself possesses magical energy from the initial forging process.

Therefore, Locke realized that the logic of driving and using it was completely different from the logic and feeling of driving a car in his previous life.

【Exploration Pioneer】is like an enlarged version of a multi-functional magic weapon.

It is less fragile, more robust, and more responsive to control.

Locke said to everyone, "Be careful, everyone. Next, we will pass through this meteor shower area, cross the core area of ​​the destroyed plane ruins, and pass by that void behemoth."

Hussein said, "Can't we just cross it? If that void behemoth attacks us, we won't be able to avoid it."

The old pirate Henry said, "I've looked at the route map. If we cross it, it's easy to break the dimensional gravitational lock. Besides, it requires taking a very long detour."

"The captain probably doesn't have enough magic source batteries this time."

"Besides, it's very likely that we'll waste two more months for no reason. It's okay, we've brushed shoulders with Void Beasts before. Although these behemoths are very dangerous, they are still very safe as long as we don't attack them first. Remember, never attack a Void Beast first. As long as it doesn't provoke us, it won't attack us."

“We are too small. To it, we are not even food. The energy it expends to move is likely to exceed the energy it would gain from eating us. Those void behemoths travel through the endless void; they are masters of energy calculation.”

Locke nodded slightly; this was precisely the point he had taken into account when making this decision.

Of course, in the Wizarding World, I might have chosen to avoid it, because a wise man doesn't venture into dangerous places. But here, in the endless void, resources are limited, so many things have to be made do.

Locke addressed the crowd, saying, "My first great magic was formed through deep meditation while observing a Void Beast. Observing a Void Beast will bring great benefits. If you are interested, you can observe and learn. But remember, do not observe the entire body of the Void Beast, or you will suffer cognitive dissonance."

"Just observe one small detail of their bodies."

"While observing, do not look directly with your naked eyes. Instead, enter a meditative state and use your mental perception to see a small detail of the void behemoth's body."

The old pirate Henry looked at Locke in surprise.

For Void Pirates, there are very few wizards who can directly observe Void Beasts and glean insights from them.

This requires exceptional talent.

Although he hadn't researched this, he discovered that not all wizards could directly observe the Void Beast and obtain things.

This also seems to be related to physical constitution.

The old pirate Henry hesitated, but seeing that everyone was watching after listening to Locke's words, he thought for a moment and decided not to say anything more.

First of all, being a spoilsport is very offensive.

Secondly, what if the white wizarding society has some special method for dealing with this?
Upon hearing Locke's words, Hussein, in his meditation, looked with great interest at the enormous octopus in the void, focusing on a sucker on one of its tentacles.

Seeing that everyone was observing the Void Beast, the old pirate Henry seemed to have long given up on such behavior. Knowing that he didn't have the constitution to resonate with the Void Beast's soul, he found an excuse, took the control wand of the Void Warship, and went to steer the ship in Locke's place.

Locke himself entered a state of "thoughtlessness" through the semi-transparent window of the cockpit, observing the eyes of the void behemoth...

For some reason, the eyes of that void behemoth were the most attractive to me.

Locke entered a state of spiritual emptiness.

Hussein, standing to the side, looked at Locke, who was deep in meditation, with surprise.

what?
Is it really possible to observe anything from this?
Why did he look at the octopus's suckers and gain nothing, as if he were just looking at an ordinary object?

Hussein was restless.

He suddenly thought of something, activated the Blood Ancestor's True Form, and then looked at the Void Beast. He was immediately captivated by the magnificence of a part of the Void Beast's body.

In the endless void, the explorer brushed past the void behemoth. The void behemoth's eyes flickered, fixed on the explorer, a hint of doubt and curiosity in them, before turning its attention to what lay beneath it.

It used its tentacles to retrieve the two remaining dimensional hearts from beneath the destroyed dimensional panel. Standing atop the panel, now floating in the endless void and unprotected by dimensional barriers—on the crumbling dimensional support devoid of soil and rock—it then carefully stored the two dimensional hearts away. This void behemoth seemed to be preparing to leave.

Locke, on the other hand, was in deep meditation, looking at the void behemoth on a spiritual level.

'It took two dimensional hearts with it. Was it planning to eat them along the way, or did it intend to sow them like crops in a field, finding a place where the Force surged and distributing them?'

'Back then, the secrets of creation I saw were indeed only incomplete versions of knowledge; they contained absolutely no depiction of this step involving the Void Behemoth.'

After some time, Locke could see a point of light in the far distance ahead, representing the Three Cave Worlds in the endless void.

Locke said, "Everyone, we didn't expect to encounter a Void Beast this time. Although it was dangerous, it also represented an opportunity. It can be said that we have gained a lot from getting so close to the Void Beast."

The wizards in the cockpit, except for Hussein, looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

What did they gain?
They had just listened to Locke's advice and tried their best to observe the Void Beast in deep meditation, but most of them gained nothing, which was no different from staring at any other scenery.

Only a few wizards had some understanding of it, but not many.

At this moment, while the exploration vanguard was still far from the void behemoth, they were trying their best to peer at it through the semi-transparent window of the cockpit.

……

Golden Crown Mountain, Witch's Kitchen, Room 1.

The wizard Salonerus still wore a stack of gold rings around his neck, as well as many gold rings on his arms. He had wheat-colored skin, and wore eyeliner and lipstick.

He looked at Locke with considerable surprise and said, "I didn't expect Wizard Augustine to be so hospitable. I was going to invite you, but who would have thought you would invite me first."

"This emerald green frog eye soup is my favorite dish in the witch's kitchen, but it's a bit pricey, 10,000 magic stones a plate."

Locke nodded slightly, because the frog eyes he used were the eyes of a magical creature at the level of a first-class wizard apprentice...

Moreover, it wasn't just one bird used, and with the cooking costs and other expenses, Locke even felt that the price of this dish wasn't high.

After all, there are relatively few seasoning chefs who can make this dish.

The wizard Salonelus gracefully wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

“Wizard Locke, you are too hospitable. Your article published in our journal, ‘The Crossroads of All Things,’ is also quite good. As soon as you submitted it, I immediately felt that it had to be approved. Then I found three colleagues to help you review it and told them that you are an excellent young man.”

Locke's smile remained unchanged.

The wizard Salonirus said, "Therefore, I would like to ask you to submit more articles to our journal in the future."

Locke said, "Of course. It is my honor to submit an article to your esteemed journal."

The wizard Salonirus smiled with satisfaction.

"What a polite young man! He doesn't have the cold-heartedness of those geniuses at all."

At this moment, the wizard Salonerus even felt a pang of regret, realizing that he had so ignoring Locke's submission and almost turned him away.

The wizard Salonerus said, "I've heard you have a project related to the atavistic golden wheat. I wonder if you could use that project to enter our Golden Cup?"

Locke's heart skipped a beat; so that was the purpose.

No wonder they traveled all the way from the border between darkness and light to Yunze Wetland.

Locke said, "I'm afraid that won't work. I've already participated in the Xiaoxi Cup, and they were even planning to award me the championship ahead of schedule. The procedures are almost complete."

The wizard Salonirus swallowed hard, his face slightly pale. He hadn't expected the Little Rest Cup to award the championship to Locke ahead of schedule, even though there was still a season left before the submission deadline.

The wizard Salonerus knew in his heart that he was doomed; his year-end bonus was gone.

But at this moment, he had no reason to blame Locke.

In his mind, Locke was not a bad person; the problem was with himself.

The wizard Salonirus gave a wry smile and said, "Oh, is that so?"

"Congratulations then."

Locke glanced at the wizard Salonirus and asked, "Lord Salonirus, is this important to you?"

The wizard Salonirus coughed.

"where."

"It's alright, you're welcome to continue contributing to our 'Border of All Things'."

Locke suddenly spoke up, asking, "I have a project I want to participate in the Golden Cup Flying Magical Plant Competition. The final product will also be a golden magical plant, and it also involves research related to the golden dragon bloodline. This is a simple report I've written."

“Look, Lord Salonirus.”

"We're just a bit short on funds right now."

The wizard Salonirus blinked. He had already given up on the prize money, but now, hearing this, he felt that perhaps things could still turn around.

How much funding do you still need?

Locke smiled; the truth had finally been revealed.

"I need someone to support me with five million magic stones. This project will definitely participate in the Golden Cup. It involves research related to the Golden Dragon bloodline. If you could find the staff of the Golden Cup and get their approval, that would be great."

Locke had previously calculated that he would need at least ten million magic stones to complete the reversion of the Four-Winged Great Blue Leaf Dragon Sparrow to its ancestral form.

Although, thanks to Antoine, he was able to scrape together the money he had given himself, along with his savings and regular income.

But to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Locke decided to secure another five million in sponsorship as a safety net.

The wizard Salonerus blinked. Five million?
This is not a small number.

He thought about it and suddenly felt that this originally delicious meal was now like a fishbone stuck in his throat, a thorn in his back, and like sitting on pins and needles.

However, due to his previous goodwill towards Locke and his current predicament regarding his bonus, he subconsciously took Locke's documents and began to read them.

(End of this chapter)