Versatile mage c1 2021, p.779
Versatile Mage c1-2021, page 779
"Ward Rock?" Mu Ningxue had obviously heard about the material before.
"HAHA, I bet Fanxue Mountain is in need of the Ward Rock too! It's something that can't be bought for a thousand gold. The Steel Rock is more or less the impure version of the Ward Rock. It doesn't matter if Jiang Xia sells them or not," Zhu Meng said.
"So why is Ward Rock so important?" Mo Fan asked.
"Ward Rock is just like an Earth Pistil, and contains an abundant supply of energy. You saw how Pudong is now drowned in seawater? The government has built a long dam on the Huangpu River to stop the seawater from rising and spreading any further. It doesn't just take builders to construct a long dam, since normal stone is as fragile as bubbles to Warrior-level and Commander-level creatures. Ward Rock is used to inject the dams with Earth Magic to strengthen their walls. It also makes the dams flexible. We can fix the dams quickly if they are destroyed, they are not just lifeless walls," Lingling explained.
Most demon creatures had outstanding physical abilities. A Warrior-level creature could jump a dozen meters into the air. Walls over ten or twenty meters tall were barely like little fences to the demon creatures.
Ward Rock was magical; not only were they able to alter the shape of walls to stop demon creatures from crossing them; it was a lot sturdier than normal stone!
"Do you remember the tall dam in Tokyo's East Maritime Fortress? There was a short dam and a tall dam. The demon creatures struggle to cross the tall dam despite their overwhelming numbers. The main reason is because the tall dam is made of Ward Rock. It's like a powerful magic formation, and the main reason why Tokyo is unharmed while the battles along the coast never end. A complete piece of Ward Rock is as sturdy as a city!" Mu Ningxue said.
In simpler words, Ward Rock was a kind of Earth Pistil. An Earth Pistil was used to protect a piece of land with a barrier, also marking the demon creatures within its range. If a city inland had an Earth Pistil, its safety was more or less guaranteed.
Ward Rock was slightly weaker. It could only be used to build walls and stop enemies from crossing it, but that was extremely useful for many cities along the coastline!
"For some reason, a species we have never seen before appeared at the Thousand Islands Lake, called the Salamander Demons. Steel Rock and Ward Rock are the products of a complicated natural reaction. The soft ripples of the lake slowly acc.u.mulate substances around the edges of the islands. It takes time for the substances to acc.u.mulate, meaning their supply is limited.
"We need Earth Mages to collect the substances before dawn every day, but the Salamander Demons are proving fond of these substances, too. They take away the acc.u.mulated substances from the islands. These Salamander Demons were not hard to kill in the past, but for some reason, their skin has suddenly turned sturdy as steel lately, making it difficult to kill them!" Zhu Meng said.
"These Salamander Demons are using the substances and the energy they contained to strengthen their shells?" Mo Fan asked.
"Mm, that's most likely the reason! Jiang Xia didn't think the Salamander Demons were a serious threat before, but it's extremely difficult to deal with them now! You know that if a species doesn't have any natural foe in an ecosystem, it will destroy the resources and environment once they mass reproduce, like a plague of locusts. Jiang Xia has already smashed a lot of things because of this. If you can help him deal with the problem, he will bring you to the Tree of Vows and even find the Deer God for you!" Zhu Meng said.
"No wonder he added that insane ecology disaster tax to the Steel Rocks!" Dongfang Lie said.
"Mm, he can't produce the Ward Rock if he doesn't secure the islands. He probably has enough Steel Rock in storage to build a whole town. He's clearly going to increase the price. Otherwise, where would he get the money to deal with the demon creatures from?" Zhu Meng pointed out.
"Fine! I thought Jiang Xia was purposely messing with our clan," Dongfang Lie admitted.
"I already said that he's the kind that puts his benefits first. The Salamander Demons aren't high-level creatures, yet even a Super Mage would struggle to take them out. Jiang Xia once used his Super Spell on them out of anger, but he went crazy when he realized that even if the Salamander Demons stacked up into a mountain in front of him, he would kill less than a tenth of them, even if he used up all his energy!" Zhu Meng said.
Chapter 1668 - Danger Level
Translated by XephiZ
Edited by Aelryinth
Lingling was extremely efficient. She had already gathered the information about the Salamander Demons while Zhu Meng was still explaining.
"The Hunter Union has put up a quest with no limits. They are paying two hundred thousand for a Salamander Demon's heart," Lingling said.
"No limits?" Mo Fan said.
"Mmm, it means they are willing to take as many Salamander Demon's hearts as anyone has," Lingling said.
"Wouldn't that make them a huge loss?" Mo Fan asked.
"Of course not; it's a request Jiang Xia made through the Hunter Union! A Salamander Demon's heart contains rich levels of the particles of the Steel Rock and Ward Rock. The other Mages are clearly going to sell them to the government, since they don't have the technique to refine them. The government is clearly profiting from it. Many Hunters and Mages have gone to the Thousand Islands Lake recently. The numbers of the Salamander Demons are just too overwhelming. The Thousand Islands Lake is like a land of gold for them, but according to my men, it's not that easy to get a Salamander Demon's heart," Zhu Meng said.
"Mo Fan, they are similar to the Sandstorm Demon Locusts," Lingling spoke up while browsing the information. "The Sandstorm Demon Locusts didn't have natural foes either, allowing them to mass reproduce endlessly, and grow into a disaster. Both humans and demon creatures had no choice but to avoid them. These Salamander Demons are actually a mutation of a species called the Spiral Shelled Monsters from the Pacific Ocean. They somehow found their way to the Thousand Islands Lake through an underground waterway. They crossbred with the lizard demons of the Thousand Islands Lake and gave birth to the Salamander Demons."
The rest of the group quickly shifted their attention to Lingling after hearing the important discoveries she had made.
Lingling continued to explain, "The Spiral Shelled Monsters have a very slow growth rate. They have to live in the shallow waters around the islands for five years before reaching the a.d.u.l.t phase. Therefore, despite their outstanding reproductive abilities, they aren't necessarily a threat, and would only occupy a few islands at most. Interestingly, the Lizard Demons have bad reproductive abilities and a low survival rate, but have an insane growth rate. They are found in Dongting Lake and the Thousand Islands Lake. These two species surprisingly gave birth to a mutated species with outstanding reproductive abilities and an insane growth rate. A newly born Salamander Demon will m.a.t.u.r.e in just a single season, with a long lifespan!"
"Just a season?" Mo Fan gasped.
"Yeah, a species like the Blue Moths might have outstanding growth pace and reproductive abilities, but in return, they have an extremely short lifespan and are very vulnerable. But the Salamander Demons… not only are they able to reproduce and m.a.t.u.r.e quickly, they can live almost as long as a tortoise. I believe if we don't get rid of them or find a way to limit their growth, the Thousand Lakes Island will be crawling with these creatures in just five years. They will wipe out every plant and creature that can provide them with energy!" Lingling stated firmly.
Mo Fan and Lingling had witnessed how deadly the Sandstorm Demon Locusts were. The others would not treat the Salamander Demons seriously if they had not heard Lingling's analysis.
"Is it really that serious?" Zhu Meng frowned.
Zhu Meng only knew about the existence of the new species, but was unsure of its origins. He believed he should treat it more seriously after hearing Lingling's analysis. There had been many unpredictable threats lately!
"It's very serious, they are as dangerous as the Sandstorm Demon Locusts. If they haven't gone extinct, it means they don't have a deadly weakness, nor are they going to disappear on their own. They might continue to reproduce too, so it's important to have the Research Union keep an eye on a new species like the Salamander Demons, in case it turns out to be a new disaster species!" Lingling said.
Zhu Meng frowned.
If the Salamander Demons were indeed a disaster species, things were going to be a lot more complicated!
What was Jiang Xia even doing? He definitely knew more about the species, so why did he only put up a request and ask the Hunters and ordinary Mages for help? Why did he not report it to the Magic Association and let them assess the danger of the species?
"The information you found is very important, and your analysis is on point, too. I will head to the Research Union and ask them to assess the danger level of the Salamander Demons," Zhu Meng promised.
"Jiang Xia might be thinking of settling the problem himself. That way, the Ward Rock will still be his. If he reports this to his superiors, the government might end up splitting the profits or classify it as a territory of the demon creatures and not allow people to enter it freely," Mu Ningxue conjectured.
"Mm, that's possible too. I will have to ask Jiang Xia in person!" Zhu Meng was decisive as always.
---
Zhu Meng brought Mo Fan and the others with him. Jiang Xia was already asleep when they arrived, and was woken up by Zhu Meng's sudden visit.
Zhu Meng was not afraid of offending the old Councilman after learning how serious the threat might be. He insisted on waking Jiang Xia up.
Jiang Xia yawned as he brought the guests to his living room with a sullen face. He poured himself some tea and glanced at his unexpected guests coldly.
"Zhu Meng, you have come to my house at this time. I won't forgive you if it's not something important!" Jiang Xia was an arrogant man. He treated Councilman Zhu Meng like he was his junior, and did not even bother greeting him conventionally.
"Councilman Jiang, have you assessed the danger level of the Salamander Demons?" Zhu Meng promptly inquired.
Jiang Xia frowned instantly, and fixed his eyes on him. Zhu Meng had asked a critical question!
"It's the Research Union's job," Jiang Xia replied flatly.
"I believe the Salamander Demons might be a new disaster species. You better let the others know and tell them to send an army to deal with it," Zhu Meng said.
"It's not like the army has nothing better to do. You are well aware of how grim the situation is along the coastline! There's no need to raise a fuss if the local government can deal with the problem!
"Or do you think I'm too old to handle a trivial matter like that myself? Besides, did the Research Union assess the danger? If not, what excuse do you have to send in the army? Who cares what you believe in? Even though you are in charge of the Threat-Elimination Strategy, you have no right to intervene with my business before the Research Union has finished assessing it!" Jiang Xia shouted.
"But it will take the Research Union a long time to assess it. I'm worried that it will be too late to get rid of the Salamander Demons by then," Zhu Meng countered.
"See them out!" Jiang Xia rose to his feet and ordered his men to send his guests out.
Chapter 1669 - Making Up the Numbers
Translated by XephiZ
Edited by Aelryinth
The Thousand Islands Lake was more than a hundred kilometers from Hangzhou, some distance away. The strange thing was, the sea was at least a hundred kilometers away from the Thousand Islands Lake, too. How did the Spiral Shelled Monsters even find their way there?
Nothing was indeed impossible when mating was involved, no matter what living creatures they were!
Mo Fan asked Lingling to accept the quest that Jiang Xia had put up as representatives of the Clearsky Hunter Agency. They were asking for the details of the Tree of Vows in return.
Jiang Xia was reluctant to accept their help at first. He had believed he could handle it himself, but after Zhu Meng's sudden visit, he quickly asked some experts on demon creatures for their opinions.
They told him that the Salamander Demons were quite tricky to deal with. It was impossible to tell how long it would take the local government to eliminate them all without the help of elite Hunters.
Jiang Xia found out that Lingling's group was responsible for taking down the Black Vatican on Chongming Island, solving the mystery of the Drowning Curse, and had even completed the quest of the Tear of Medusa. He eventually agreed to sign the Hunter's Agreement after acknowledging Mo Fan and Lingling's capabilities as Hunters.
Mo Fan was no longer worried that Jiang Xia would go back on his word only after signing the Hunter's Agreement. After all, knowing Jiang Xia was the kind of person to haggle over every detail, he might have been reluctant to fulfill his end of the bargain once he knew they were looking for the Tree of Vows without it!
------
Mo Fan put on a disguise and used the name Fan Mo before heading to the Thousand Islands Lake.
There was a half-military outpost to the east of the Thousand Islands Lake, about the size of a small town. It did not have civilians. It mainly consisted of soldiers patrolling in the area to ensure the safety of Hangzhou and the other cities nearby.
There were four squads of soldiers mainly focused on patrolling the area. They were not too impressive in combat.
The rest of the people at the outpost were Hunters. The Thousand Islands Lake was currently a source of treasure. There was a simple Hunter's Lodge providing the latest updates on the quest to the Hunters. Information was often more important than strength to Hunters!
Minghu Outpost was developing steadily. Everything was in order, and defensive measures were being conducted properly. It had been bustling lately, especially after the government put up the quest asking for the Salamander Demons' Hearts, which had attracted many Hunters. The outpost was even a little overcrowded already.
Mo Fan noticed many people shouting at the entrance of the Hunter's Lodge when he walked past.
It was common to see Hunters recruiting members for their parties with the most primitive approach at places like the Hunter's Lodge. The parties that were recruiting new members would raise banners, leave their contact numbers, or simply yell and shout to attract people's attention.
"Water Mage, any Intermediate Water Mage looking to join a party? You must be at least an Intermediate Hunter to join our Foehn Hunter Squad! We are led by an experienced Advanced Hunter. We guarantee you a high efficiency when it comes to completing quests. Any Water Mage looking for a party here!?" a passionate young man yelled at the entrance of the Hunter's Lodge.
The young man immediately grabbed Mo Fan when he walked past him. "Friend, are you interested in joining our Foehn Hunter Squad? We will pay you two hundred thousand!"
"I'm not a Water Mage," Mo Fan said to the passionate young man, who somewhat resembled Zhang Xiaohou.
"It's fine if you're not a Water Mage. The Hunter Union has requested that every party have at least seven members. Our party only has six members, so we are short one Intermediate Mage. We have already devised a plan for the quest. It would be best if we can find a Water Mage, but it's not a must. You can just make up the numbers and cheer for us later!" the young man encouraged him.
"I see. Are you sure you just want me to make up the numbers?" Mo Fan asked.
"Of course, we have strong Mages in our party. You are in safe hands by joining us. Most importantly, we will pay you exactly what we promised!" the young man said.
"Are you familiar with this place?" Mo Fan asked.
"Of course we are! We aren't that popular, but we've been active in the Thousand Islands Lake for around three years. We know the location of the islands, the depth of the water, even the spots where we can find many demon creatures. HAHAHA, what do you say? Are you interested in joining us?" the young man said.
"But… I'm not an Intermediate Mage," Mo Fan said.
"Huh? Your extraordinary bearing caught my eyes. You must be a student of a famous institute. How are you not an Intermediate Mage? What is your Primary Element? Oh, I should ask, what is your Element?" the young man asked.
"My Primary Element is Lightning," Mo Fan informed him.
"Lightning? Wait here, I'll go and ask my captain!" the young man said, and ran into the hall.
Mo Fan had come to inspect the area and familiarize himself with the place. The government had yet to resolve the problem after such a long time. It was unlikely that he could settle the problem in just a few days.
The others were not going to be here any time soon. Mo Fan was planning to follow a party around and learn more about the Thousand Islands Lake. He wanted to take a look at the Salamander Demons first. It was better than roaming about aimlessly like a headless fly.
The young man was quite impatient, so it did not take him long to return.
"Brother, since our party is in a rush as we don't want the others to get a head start, we are willing to let you join us, even though you are only a Basic Lightning Mage. However, you must be extremely careful. The Salamander Demons are not as weak as you think. Besides, they normally stay in packs," the young man said.
"I'm an Advanced Mage, I'm not a Basic Mage," Mo Fan said. He was too lazy to conceal his strength like he usually did.
"Hah, stop bluffing! If you're an Advanced Mage at such a young age, I'd be a Super Mage by now. Let's go, we must hurry! The other Hunter Groups have already moved out. We can't let them take all the profits!" The young man dragged Mo Fan to group up with the rest of the party.
"I'm really an Advanced Mage," Mo Fan said with a wry smile.
"Sure, you're an Advanced Mage. We'll all cheer for you when you take on the demon creatures on your own!" The young man did not treat Mo Fan's words seriously, clearly not believing him.
