Meteor Fire City, the Silver Inn.
After Shi Feng obtained 4.5 million Magic Crystals, he led Yuluo back to the Silver Inn where they had been resting.
As for the small-scale auction that had been planned, Lionheart Boiling Blood had publicly announced that he would cover everything, so the auction that would have set Meteor Fire City abuzz fizzled out without a trace.
None of the major factions in Meteor Fire City dared to voice any complaints, because the Skyflame Adventure Team was the only faction in the entire city that boasted two Tier 4 Class holders. Previously, factions backed by a single Tier 4 expert had still been willing to challenge the Skyflame Adventure Team, since Lionheart Boiling Blood alone couldn't easily kill another Tier 4. But now that the team had Chasing Wind Under Heaven, a Tier 4 Assassin, the two of them working together could dispatch a Tier 4 with almost no effort at all.
The other two major factions in Meteor Fire City had no choice but to swallow their grievances. After all, the Soul Crystal's ability to slightly strengthen one's soul had very limited utility for advancing to Tier 4. Even if they handed over five Soul Crystals to the Skyflame Adventure Team, all it would do was take their Tier 4 count from two to three.
Inside the premium guest suite, Shi Feng produced seventy-five thousand Magic Crystals and distributed them among the five of them — Jing Wuming, Gu Jiuji, Yan Ya, Mu Xiaoxiao, and Yuluo.
"Oh right, take these five drops of Soul Water as well." Shi Feng promptly retrieved five drops of Soul Water from his inventory and handed them to the five of them. "Once you've collected all the Legacy Fragments, drink it immediately. The effect isn't as powerful as a Soul Crystal, but it can still help clear your mind. That should help you learn Legacy magic skills more effectively."
Jing Wuming and the other three nodded and accepted the Soul Water.
Yuluo, however, hesitated, unsure whether she should accept the Soul Water — a single drop of which was worth thirty thousand Magic Crystals.
"Lord Black Flame, the Soul Water is far too valuable. Just being able to undergo the Tier 4 promotion this time already makes me feel incredibly guilty. I really can't accept the Soul Water." After a moment's thought, she refused.
The Skyblade's Edge had only cooperated with Zero Wing once — they could hardly even be called allies. If she accepted the Soul Water, the favor she'd owe would be enormous, and she'd have a hard time explaining it to Violetmist, the commander, when she returned.
Seeing Yuluo refuse outright, Shi Feng shook his head and spoke. "Lady Yuluo, you may have misunderstood something. This drop of Soul Water isn't a gift. I need you to do something for me afterward, and if you successfully promote to Tier 4, the chances of that task succeeding will be considerably higher."
"Do something?" Yuluo was taken aback.
"That's right. I plan to go after that Tier 4 Wyrmling. A Tier 3 is completely useless in a fight against a Wyrmling — only Tier 4 can make a difference. You've already reached the realm of Vacuity and have a very high degree of control over mana. Your mind is probably only a single step away from Tier 4. With the addition of this Soul Water, you stand a very good chance of advancing on your first attempt." Shi Feng nodded and continued directly. "So this Soul Water is an investment in your future, not a free handout. You don't need to overthink it."
Handling a Tier 4 Wyrmling was simply not something a Tier 3 could participate in. Only Tier 4 could be of any help, and a Tier 4 healer was especially critical. With Yan Ya's promotion to Tier 4 still uncertain, having one more candidate was always better. Besides, he had over two thousand drops of Soul Water on hand — this small investment was well within what he could afford.
"I understand. If I fail to advance to Tier 4 this time, I'll find a way to pay you back for the Soul Water." The moment she heard this, Yuluo felt a massive weight lift from her shoulders. She already owed Shi Feng an enormous favor from before — if the debt grew any larger, she'd truly never be able to repay it.
And if she claimed she didn't want the Soul Water, that would be a lie.
Advancing to Tier 4 was extraordinarily difficult — just looking at the top experts in Meteor Fire City made that clear. Not even one in ten managed it. She was already weaker than the top experts here to begin with. Only with Soul Water to sharpen her mind could she hope to stand on equal footing with them.
Yuluo then accepted the Soul Water, a new glint of determination in her eyes.
This drop of Soul Water was not only a source of hope but also a source of pressure. If she succeeded in advancing, then all the favors she owed could be repaid swiftly. After all, a Tier 4 Grand Priest was exceedingly rare in this world, let alone back in the Divine Realm.
"Go on. Whether you succeed or not now is entirely up to yourselves." Shi Feng watched Yuluo accept the Soul Water and nodded, offering the five of them one final piece of advice. "Remember — when learning Tier 4 magic skills, work within your limits. There's no need to chase the strongest. Just learn what you're best at."
He had zero doubt about whether the five of them could collect the Legacy Fragments. The only real challenge would be learning the Tier 4 Legacy magic skills themselves.
The five of them departed under Yuluo's lead, heading straight for the Tier 4 instructors in Meteor Fire City. The vast room was left with only Shi Feng alone.
"I hope at least a few of them can become Tier 4. That'll make dealing with the Wyrmling that much easier." Watching the five leave, Shi Feng quietly marveled at his own luck during his promotion. Then he took stock of his mana body and allowed himself a small smile. "Time to go out and grind some levels. If I don't properly adapt to this mana body, it could end up causing the mission to fail."
Ever since his mana body had reached 110%, he hadn't properly acclimated to this new physical form.
His fight against Lionheart Boiling Blood had been little more than a quick test of the effects — it couldn't even be called a real battle, let alone a proper warm-up.
The mana body's enhancements were comprehensive in every sense. It wasn't something that could be summed up by saying "my power surged forward." In truth, his raw strength hadn't increased at all.
The improvements brought by the mana body were all subtle, operating beneath the surface.
Nothing showed on the surface, because his base stats hadn't improved by even a fraction. What had improved was the circulation and density of his mana, along with the secondary benefits to his constitution and five senses.
His earlier fight against Lionheart Boiling Blood had only demonstrated one aspect — the boost to mana-based combat techniques. Even that single aspect, he still couldn't control well, let alone the rest.
If he wanted to maximize the mana body's combat potential, he needed to re-familiarize himself with the way it circulated and operated.
It was like learning a brand-new magic skill — it required extensive adaptation and practice until it became instinct. Only then could he be considered truly accustomed to it.
Right now, he could only call himself half-finished. How far he could push this mana body from here was something he'd have to figure out through his own efforts.
Shi Feng then drank a single drop of Soul Water to restore some of the mental energy he'd expended using Sacred Devour. Wearing his black cloak, he slipped out of Meteor Fire City without a sound.
After glancing at his map, he took to the sky and flew toward a neutral-zone map called the Mana-Shattering Volcano, over 135 levels and far from Meteor Fire City. From beginning to end, no one had any idea that Shi Feng, a Tier 4 Sword Emperor, had left Meteor Fire City.