"My ecosystem circulation theory actually existed long before — for example, many Wizards have discovered that raising Walking Grass and Shellback Goats together can increase the yield of both by over thirty percent!"
Raylin settled into the sofa and began to lay out his theory.
"All I've done is amplify that mutually beneficial loop, adding many more links to the chain, spreading the gains from two species to a dozen, even hundreds of species, thereby constructing an enormous ecosystem that boosts the output of various resources within the secret realm..."
Thomas's eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight. "What a novel theory! And to select suitable species from millions of resources in nature to build an ecosystem — your knowledge and depth of understanding are truly admirable!"
Raylin smiled faintly. There was no way he could have completed such a massive data analysis on his own — a great deal of it was thanks to the Chip.
Moreover, the research he had released so far was merely the most peripheral material.
Many of his core experiments and configurations were things he planned to implement and develop only within his own secret realm in the future. After all, Raylin would never work for free to boost
"I'm rather curious about your Lava Goldfish farming techniques, Thomas," Raylin said, his gaze carrying a hint of anticipation as he looked toward Thomas.
The Lava Goldfish was a remarkable creature of the
However, its scales were an essential ingredient for many alchemical products, and its oil and flesh served as excellent nutritional supplements. They could rapidly replenish a Wizard's stamina and help them recover from the fatigue of meditation. As a result, the species had always been highly sought after and commanded a steep price.
"It's nothing, really. The habits of Lava Goldfish are quite straightforward — once you understand them, you can make targeted arrangements within the secret realm..."
Thomas then gave a brief explanation.
"Finally, I'd like to use these Lava Goldfish farming documents to trade for your ecosystem circulation research, Raylin. And since your materials are worth more than mine, I can throw in an additional five thousand Magic Stones!"
Thomas made his final, earnest proposal.
"Absolutely!" Raylin nodded with a smile. The whole reason he had released this material was to exchange resources and knowledge with other Wizards.
Over the past year or so of effort, he had essentially figured out the general operation of a secret realm and the habits of many high-value Wizard World flora and fauna. Even if someone handed him a secret realm to run independently right now, he would absolutely not lose money — in fact, he would turn a profit.
Although Raylin was a Dark Wizard who frequently followed his organization on resource raids, he had no qualms about using Light Wizard methods to earn Magic Stones.
"By the way, Raylin, your tasks for this month are already done — any plans? A friend of mine has a laboratory that's looking for a master brewer. If it were you..."
Thomas extended an invitation to Raylin.
Many of the wizards at the Four Seasons Garden, besides holding a nominal position here, would often take on another job at various friendly organizations to earn some extra Magic Stones and resources.
Of course, some did it purely out of interest or hobby. Or simply to help out a friend.
"Sorry! The missions in the secret realm alone have been incredibly demanding this month. I rarely get the chance, so I'd like to head back to the City of Nightless and get some proper rest!"
Raylin politely declined Thomas's invitation.
The resources and favors of those small organizations — he could hardly be bothered with them anymore. Moreover, he was currently at a critical stage of power advancement and simply didn't have the time to deal with other matters.
"What a pity..." Wizard Thomas's face showed undisguised disappointment. After chatting a few more sentences with Raylin and exchanging some of their specialized knowledge, the two parted ways.
"Lord Raylin!"
After bidding farewell to Thomas, Raylin made his way to the large landing platform at the entrance of the Four Seasons Garden. All the apprentices here recognized Raylin and bowed respectfully in greeting.
"How has Hulk been doing lately?"
Raylin approached a massive beast cage. Immediately, a pair of enormous red eyes appeared from within the darkness. The giant beast inside the shadows opened its great maw, revealing rows of snow-white teeth as sharp as swords and a vivid red tongue lined with barbs.
"Reporting, my lord, your mount has had an excellent appetite recently. Yesterday, it consumed an entire Red Bread Pig. However, it has been rather irritable — perhaps from being caged for too long..."
The apprentice in charge of tending this mount clearly had extensive experience and was very diligent, reporting from behind Raylin.
*Squeak!* A scarlet symbol shot from Raylin's finger, sliding into a recess on the front of the iron cage like a key.
*ROAR!* With a thunderous roar, a creature resembling a green pterosaur burst directly out of the cage.
The creature possessed sharp claws and fangs, its entire body covered in dense, dark-green scales. A pair of enormous green wings grew from its back, the membrane of its leathery wings shimmering with a pale green luminescence under the light.
"Venom Wyvern — Strength: 13.5, Agility: 19.8, Constitution: 11.2, Spirit: 9.8. Special Abilities: 1. Acid Spit — Expels highly corrosive, venomous acid from its mouth, covering a range of twenty meters, average power: 16 degrees. 2. Toxic Bite — The Venom Wyvern's sharp teeth and claws carry a potent toxin with a powerful paralytic effect on the mind."
Displayed clearly before Raylin's Chip were all of the Venom Wyvern's stats.
*ROAR!* The massive Venom Wyvern continued to roar, a strikingly human-like gleam of fawning in its eyes as it lowered its head and gently nuzzled against Raylin's body.
"All right, all right! I'll get you extra food when we get back!"
Sensing the affectionate, puppy-like devotion emanating from the creature's mind, Raylin chuckled and patted the Venom Wyvern's head.
"Hulk, now — take me to Evernight City!"
Raylin leaped onto the Venom Wyvern's back.
"*ROAR!*" The Venom Wyvern bellowed, the wings on its back snapping into motion. The bone wings unfurled segment by segment until they were fully extended — more than three times the size of its entire body.
With a tremendous blast of hurricane-force wind, the Venom Wyvern took to the skies.
"Whew… it's finally gone. Just having that Venom Wyvern standing here made my skin crawl…" A female apprentice who had been feeding the Dragon Crown Night Eagles nearby let out a long sigh of relief.
"And because of that beast, the Night Eagles didn't even have an appetite!" She stroked the Dragon Crown Night Eagle in front of her, which now looked visibly relieved and was pecking at its food with renewed enthusiasm.
"That Venom Wyvern was probably close to the strength of a formal Wizard. Just how powerful must Lord Raylin be to have subdued it?"
Unlike the female apprentice, the male apprentice who had been trailing behind Raylin made no effort to hide the envy and longing burning in his eyes.
The Venom Wyvern's flight speed was a full twice that of the Dragon Crown Night Eagles, making Raylin's commutes between Evernight City and Four Seasons Garden far more convenient.
After arriving at the reception point of Four Seasons Garden, Raylin specifically instructed the apprentices there to take good care of the Venom Wyvern and to give Hulk an extra Red-Bread Pig, then returned to his villa.
"My Lord!"
Raylin looked around — the villa was exactly as he had left it. The mortal servants he had purchased later were carefully polishing the staircase railing and the artwork.
Damien stood behind Raylin in a butler's formal attire, impeccable and proper.
"Master! After your last departure, Wizard Creo from next door paid a visit. Also, the subscription at the Public Center has been renewed — here is the list…"
Damien proceeded to report on the work he had handled during Raylin's absence.
"Mm." Raylin nodded absently. This Damien seemed to have received specialized training during his time as a slave — he was highly skilled in household management. Moreover, Raylin had placed a brand on him, making betrayal impossible, so he trusted the man reasonably well.
"Never mind the reports for now. Prepare my dinner first, and a cup of milk tea," Raylin said in a calm, unhurried tone.
"Hulk is decent enough for getting around, and he can basically sweep through any apprentice below the Wizard level, but he's useless in a confrontation against a formal Wizard..."
A moment later, Raylin settled into a plush reclining chair, comfortably enjoying the tender ministrations of the beautiful handmaiden behind him as her soft little hands worked at his shoulders. He thought to himself with some regret.
On the South Coast, some Wizards possessed top-tier magical beasts. These creatures had extraordinary growth potential — after their Wizard master advanced, the beast itself could reach the strength of a formal Wizard.
In battle, having an auxiliary of the same level of power — what an enormous advantage that would be?
Unfortunately, despite Raylin's constant attention and efforts to collect candidates, he had never managed to find such a top-tier magical beast. In the end, he had reluctantly purchased a Venom Wyvern to serve as a mount.
The bond between a Wizard and a magical beast required the signing of a strict soul contract. Some even demanded the sharing of life force!
Raylin naturally would not waste such an opportunity on this Venom Wyvern. Instead, he had used the crudest and most forceful method — a soul brand — to coerce it into submission, planning to use it as a temporary placeholder until a better option came along.
"But what a pity!"
Raylin flipped his palm over, and an amber-like crystal appeared in his hand. At the center of the crystal sat a single drop of green blood, and from it, an exotic aura was steadily radiating outward.
"Venom Wyvern blood essence, carrying a trace of the ancient creature — the Myriad Poison Giant Dragon's bloodline aura!" The Chip's notification chimed.
This was precisely the reason he had acquired this Venom Wyvern.
During his time in the Sleepless City, Raylin had used every connection at his disposal to quietly and continuously collect creatures that might carry ancient bloodlines, attempting to use the Chip to carry out purification procedures.
But alas, the vast majority of the experiments had ended in failure. The bloodline essence he now held in his hand was the best result he had achieved.
"Chip, have you found the reason?"