569: Topping the Charts! A Hundred Boats Racing! The Gold Content of the Yunze Cup!
At that time, inside the grand office of the One-Ring Wizards of the Breeder Academy in the Rose Council, several other First Ring Crystallization Wizards looked over. One wizard even asked the inventor of the "Pink Lover." "Raphael, what is worth getting so angry about?"
"Isn't today the launch day for your 'Pink Lover' magic bouquet? Even the Dean has praised your floral art for making great progress recently."
Raphael picked up his lingzhi magic plant, and suddenly, in the empty space in front of him, he displayed his collaborator backend interface.
It turned out that on the total sales ranking for the True Love Festival on September 1st, the tenth place was not the "Pink Lover," nor was it any magic bouquet, but a defensive magic plant called the Five-Headed Snake.
Inside the office, many One-Ring Wizards were stunned when they saw this scene.
Many One-Ring Wizards of the Rose Council chose to take out their own lingzhi magic plant to observe the leaderboard.
Raphael said with an ugly expression: "See it now? This magic plant released by this Breeder has squeezed my Pink Lover bouquet off the leaderboard during the True Love Festival, which our Rose Council Academy spent a huge amount of capital to establish."
While speaking, the Five-Headed Snake magic plant rose another spot on the total sales chart, reaching eighth place.
Raphael immediately turned his head to look at the leaderboard in disbelief, frowning.
In the office, a First Ring Crystallization Wizard, who was the author of the original ninth-place "Blue Love" magic bouquet, also frowned and stood up in the grand office. "What is the origin of this Five-Headed Snake? To actually top our charts on a day promoted by our Rose Council?"
"Generally speaking, don't Breeders from other academies in the Yunze Wetland try their best to avoid selling magic plant works other than magic bouquets on the September 1st True Love Festival?"
"Even if they want to top our charts, they should at least bring out a magic bouquet on this day to compete with our Rose Council using our florists' skills."
"We are the ones who define the rules for this day, the True Love Festival."
At this moment, the One-Ring Wizards of the Rose Council in the office were discussing it heatedly.
Even some Second Ring Wizard leaders in the office put down their work, frowned, opened their lingzhi magic plant, and started looking at Alsace's leaderboard.
At this time, amidst their discussion, Locke's Five-Headed Snake rose another spot, currently sitting at sixth place on the total sales chart.
Raphael suddenly thought of something, quickly checked the data, and had his friend in the General Studies Academy of the Rose Council investigate the name Locke Augustine. "I remember now, Golden Crown Mountain, Hall of Advanced True Knowledge, Locke Augustine. The publisher of this Five-Headed Snake must be a wizard from outside the Yunze Wetland; he just entered the Yunze Wetland this year!"
"He is the champion of the 10th Yunze Cup!"
Immediately, other One-Ring Wizards in the office also recalled Locke's identity.
After all, many of them had subscribed to the competition videos and live broadcasts of the 10th Yunze Cup.
"That's right, I remember now. Isn't this the champion of the 10th Yunze Cup?"
"As expected of our Yunze Cup champion, this standard is truly impressive. I heard that the gold content of this year's Yunze Cup was extremely high!"
"The Five-Headed Snake magic plant... This Five-Headed Snake magic plant can stack five Eternal Defense Fields on itself. Added to its original one, that means by using this tactical-grade magic plant, one can stack six Eternal Defense Fields on oneself! It's just that the magic power consumption required is truly too much. Even if an individual can barely use it, after a great battle, I'm afraid they won't even have the ability to continue moving."
At this time, a Rose Council wizard in the office looked at the product description, and his mind also wandered. "But such a huge casting cost also means the power of the Five-Headed Snake magic plant. My Eternal Defense Field is the 'Twin-Stalk Shield.' I can summon an Ice Flower Shield and a Fire Flower Shield, and switch between them in any situation to deal with different crises."
"Originally, I could only constantly switch between the two shields, which was very limiting, but with the Five-Headed Snake magic plant, couldn't I use both shields at the same time? If I encounter danger, I can even cooperate with my friends to stack our own Eternal Defense Field shields!"
At this moment, his mind wandered. He coughed, quietly glanced at the people in the office, and then secretly contacted his student to go to Alsace's shop in the Golden Crown Mountain Region to purchase the Five-Headed Snake magic plant.
He was not the only wizard present with such thoughts.
At that time, many One-Ring Wizards within the Rose Council also had wandering thoughts.
Some One-Ring Wizards who possessed special Eternal Defense Field inheritances now had a need to purchase the Five-Headed Snake magic plant.
The only drawback was that the Five-Headed Snake magic plant's consumption of magic power was still too great. They had read the product introduction and estimated that without magic pressure close to the First Ring Crystallization Stage, that is, around 9000 magic pressure, there was no need to even buy the Five-Headed Snake magic plant, because individual wizards simply could not use this kind of magic plant.
At this time, in a store in the Golden Crown Mountain Region, a wizard wearing a black robe walked stiffly into the store amidst the strange gazes of other wizards.
He had a black cloth tied around his face, completely covering it.
At this moment, he saw a Magic Vine placed on a plane tree wood exhibition stand inside the shop.
He said in an old voice, in a low tone: "Five-Headed Snake?"
"Can it allow one to stack six Eternal Defense Fields on one's own body? Douglas, you can purchase this magic plant. You need it. I didn't expect that wizards of later generations would actually have such ability. It is truly brilliant."
"It seems that no matter which era it is, there will be no lack of geniuses."
This person then said in a young voice, in a low tone: "But Lagemen Witch King, I am just an ordinary One-Ring Wizard; I cannot use that magic plant."
"Moreover, I am not a Botanical Wizard."
The Lagemen Witch King sneered and said in a low tone: "With me here, you can use it. The special Eternal Defense Field 'Five Elements Reversal' that I taught you is a masterpiece from the Shaping School's 'Gate of Lightning.' It is a cross-disciplinary work that combines lightning science, fire science, ice science, and other shaping magic. It is a powerful ancient magic that should have been lost in your era."
"It can use five Eternal Defense Fields at the same time, but originally it required the assistance of Five Elements Wizard Stones to achieve this. But we cannot find Five Elements Wizard Stones for the time being. Originally, I thought it would be difficult for you to fully unleash the power of 'Five Elements Reversal' in a short time."
"But I didn't expect that in this era, a Breeder would actually cultivate a special magic plant that can stack Eternal Defense Fields. That is great. With this kind of magic plant, you don't need to look for world wonders like Five Elements Wizard Stones."
The Lagemen Witch King said in a low tone: "Then our original plan to sneak into Golden Crown Mountain can be cancelled. With this magic plant, going to Golden Crown Mountain or Holy Spring Mountain to search for Five Elements Wizard Stones is an unnecessary thing."
Douglas felt intense interest flash in his eyes when he heard that he could fully unleash the power of 'Five Elements Reversal' through the Five-Headed Snake magic plant.
"100,000 magic stones... But I only have 80,000 magic stones in savings. It seems I can only go for a loan... But my current identity cannot go to the five major banks for a loan."
"I can only go to some small banks for a loan. This will cause trouble."
The Lagemen Witch King let out a low laugh. "That is just a small matter. The most interesting thing about the wizards of this era is that they strictly follow the rules. Perhaps I have slept for too long and have not kept up with the times."
"After the collapse of the Magic Empire, in the Age of Stars formed after the passing of the Imperial Era, money that reached my hands never had a reason to be returned. It is just that, Douglas, as per the contract we signed, I will help you become a Second Ring Wizard, and you must pay a return."
"You must help me avoid the pursuit of the 'Black Sun Tower'!"
Douglas nodded. "Of course. But Lagemen Witch King, why have I searched for information on the Black Sun Tower for a long time, but haven't found any data on them?"
"By logic, I have already become a Formal Wizard. With my intention to investigate, it is impossible that I cannot find any information about the Black Sun Tower at all."
The Lagemen Witch King said in a low tone: "I don't know. In my era, who didn't know the great name of the Black Sun Tower?"
"The Black Sun Tower was the mastermind that once managed the Age of Stars and was the leader that directly caused the complete collapse of the Magic Empire that unified the Wizard World. The sun has set, the dark sun is in the sky; from now on, there is no master in the sky, returning freedom to wizards for ten thousand years. This was the declaration the Black Sun Tower once made to this world."
"The Black Sun Tower was very, very powerful and possessed special ambition. They personally ended the imperial era of wizards. But in your era... I still need to observe more. Those existences I was very familiar with in the past have now disappeared or have become unrecognizable."
"For example, in my era, the so-called Three Ze Lands were still considered a wild frontier in the Wizard World. The so-called Star Domain Sea did not exist at all; it was just a small, uninhabited wasteland. But in your era, the Three Ze Lands and the Star Domain Sea, as well as the Dragonfall Land and the Siming Waters, are the center of this era..."
"Everything is just too different. So I don't know what the Black Sun Tower has become now. I also don't know who is in charge of this era now! The Highest True Knowledge Institute? What is that..."
Douglas thought cautiously. The Lagemen Witch King was a powerful wizard from the past, and he didn't even know how many rings this Witch King was in the past.
AI Model: gemini-3.0-flash
It is said that he was the Witch King of a magical kingdom in the Age of Stars—a world composed of many magical kingdoms formed by numerous wizard lords.
However, Douglas knew that this Witch King's soul was currently parasitic on his own, merged as one with him.
And if this Witch King could help him grow from a mediocre Wizard Apprentice to a Formal Wizard in the Three Ze Lands, he could definitely help him go further.
This Witch King was the key to him becoming a Second Ring Wizard.
Douglas whispered, "Of course, Witch King. I will protect you from the pursuit of the Black Sun Tower. I have always remembered our agreement."
Lagemen Witch King whispered back, "However, you'd better be prepared to purchase more of this wizard's magic plant works. The energy of the Five Elements Reversal is very powerful, and since you aren't a Botanical Wizard, I can only use special methods to force you to use this kind of magic plant..."
"Therefore, I estimate the wear-and-tear rate of this magic plant will be extremely high. To obtain resources—especially those special magical treasures I sealed away in my memory before my death—you must venture into countless dangers."
"So, for a long time to come, you won't be able to do without this magic plant. Moreover, if you can become friends with this wizard, that would be good. If he produces better magic plants, you'll be able to purchase them immediately."
"Douglas, perhaps you could try to become friends with him."
Douglas gave a low, bitter laugh. "Lord, I am just an ordinary First Ring Wizard without any teaching position. To want to be friends with a genius from the Hall of Advanced True Knowledge... am I worthy?"
Lagemen Witch King chuckled. "Don't belittle yourself. Let me tell you something to boost your confidence. Based on my observations since reviving within you, I judge that I am equivalent to a Third Ring Wizard of this era—and not just an ordinary one."
"The Kingdom Domain of the magical kingdom I possess is likely comparable to the Crown Magic held by the Third Ring Wizards of this era."
"However, I need to adapt to the magic tide of this era, and since I am dead and have no physical body, I can only temporarily allow you to exert the combat power of an ordinary Second Ring through your body."
"But with my help... your future prospects will be immense! As long as you can help me evade the pursuit of the Black Sun Tower..."
Douglas's pupils constricted slightly.
He knew that the reputation of a Third Ring Wizard on this land was that of a true High-Ring Wizard.
Did a Witch King of a magical kingdom from the Age of Stars actually possess power equivalent to a Third Ring Wizard of this era?!
And with the full assistance of a Third Ring Wizard, his achievements would be...
Meanwhile, in front of various shops in Golden Crown Mountain, different wizards were placing orders to purchase Hydras and Five-Headed Snakes.
In the peripheral area of the Golden Crown Mountain Region, a First Ring Crystallization Stage wizard wearing the special golden wizard robe of Quinn Joel University walked into a shop. He said to the owner of Alsace's franchise shop, "Shopkeeper, give me one Five-Headed Snake and one Hydra."
The shop owner was a First Ring Gasification Stage wizard. He smiled and said, "Certainly. These two products were released for the first time today and have achieved great success. The wizard who released them is an excellent Breeder. He is the champion of the Yunze Cup, from Golden Crown Mountain..."
A confident smile appeared on the face of the young wizard wearing the Quinn Joel University wizard robe. "I know."
"Boss, I know everything about that Breeder, Locke Augustine."
"The strong stay strong. We will meet again, Locke," Edgar said confidently. "Your Hydra Magic Plant is very interesting. I wanted it before, so I'll buy it today to try it out."
"Perhaps it will play a huge role when I am in the Colonial Plane."
The shopkeeper was stunned. "You know each other?"
Wizard Edgar said with full confidence, "You should try your best to stock more of that Breeder's works. You won't be able to get them later, or at least not at such a low price. Because he will become a legend."
"And the main reason he will become a legend is that I will definitely become a legendary Breeder. As the Breeder who once beat me in the Yunze Cup, his name will spread along with mine."
The shopkeeper's head throbbed a bit. This wizard's confidence was like the sun, so dazzling that he could hardly bear to listen.
At that moment, the shopkeeper seemed to remember something. "You are Edgar David!"
"The First Ring Breeder who cultivated the Ancient Tree of Life and the War Ancient Tree!"
...
11:50 PM.
In fact, at this moment, the dust had already settled on the day's rankings.
At that time, in the First Ring Wizard office of the Rose Council, Raphael looked at the total sales rankings and suddenly felt as if the world had gone mad. On the total bestseller list for the True Love Festival, the fifth place was actually the Five-Headed Snake magic plant.
Although the Five-Headed Snake didn't take first place or even enter the top three, being able to sell a magic plant completely unrelated to the theme of true love into the fifth spot on the sales list during the True Love Festival was already heaven-defying.
This was something rarely seen in the Yunze Wetland.
And the sixth place on the sales list wasn't a magic bouquet either, but a type of treant—the Large-Leaf Lazy Treant, scientifically known as the Talmud Treant.
It was a treant that could take care of other treants and possessed powerful Talmud energy, which could slightly buff all nearby magic plants.
For a Breeder, it was a rare treasure.
Its developer's name was Edgar David, hailing from the Hall of Advanced True Knowledge at Quinn Joel University—the Quinn Joel University located at the foot of Holy Spring Mountain and on the Jiuming River!
Meanwhile, the tenth place on the sales list was the Osmanthus Fragrant Leaf, which could buff nature magic.
The developer was Witch Diana, from the Hall of Advanced True Knowledge at Bonifacius University.
There was also an eighth place on the sales list, a First Ring Crystallization Stage Breeder from a medium-to-large-scale Wizard Academy in Little Sleep Mountain, named Witch Timos.
The Regeneration Willow she designed was very interesting; it could absorb highly polluted heavy metal elements and even Huan elements from the soil. If the effect weren't still imperfect, this work might have even climbed directly to first place.
Inside the First Ring Wizard office of the Breeder Academy of the Rose Council, it was dead silent.
Because just today, the monopoly privilege the Rose Council had formed over the years for the September 1st True Love Festival was suddenly broken.
Four Breeders, relying on the solid performance of their products and using the True Love Festival platform built by the Rose Council, had broken tradition and charged directly into the day's total sales rankings, occupying spots in the top ten.
Wizard Raphael stared blankly at the total sales rankings. "On the September 1st sales list, four works that aren't magic bouquets actually appeared."
"This is simply a destruction of the unspoken rules established by our Rose Council."
"This is bad. The leadership will definitely hold a ton of meetings because of this."
"Where did these four freaks come from!"
Someone whispered, "Three of the Breeders seem to be the top three from this year's Yunze Cup. The author of that Regeneration Willow is also from an outside Wizard Land, apparently coming through the Wetland Cup's Constructors competition."
Raphael felt that everything was very chaotic right now.
What did this have to do with the Wetland Cup and that Constructors competition?
So, a dusty Constructor had, on this day of this month of this year, slaughtered the Floramancer home-court rankings of their Rose Council?!
Raphael said, "These wizards from the outside are way too unconventional. They actually treated our Rose Council's True Love Festival as their springboard, without a shred of reverence for our Rose Council."
Another First Ring Wizard whispered, "I feel like this has nothing to do with being from the outside or not. Witch Diana is a local witch from our Yunze Wetland. Didn't she also break the unspoken rules on the True Love Festival and openly slaughter our Floramancer rankings today!"
There was a chorus of wails in the office, because four non-Floramancer Breeders making the list meant that four works by the Rose Council's own Breeders were forced off the list.
Moreover, many Floramancers would feel psychologically unbalanced after seeing this, thinking that in the Floramancers' home court, their own works didn't make the total sales list, while the works of four ordinary Breeders did.
The most troublesome part, however, was the leadership of the various academies of the Rose Council.
How could the Rose Council University, as the ancestral home of many Floramancers, save face after such an event?
At that moment, a Second Ring Virtual Forge Stage Star Ring Wizard hurried into the office. After pushing open the door, he shouted to all the wizards inside, "The Vice Dean told us to call you all for a meeting."
"The Lord of the Throne is very angry about this incident. Fortunately, these four Breeders come from different institutions; otherwise, we might even think this was a malicious attack targeted at our Rose Council."
"As the holy land in the hearts of all Floramancers in the Three Ze Lands, how can our Rose Council allow such a thing to exist!"
"Damn it, could it be that Quinn Joel University, Golden Crown Mountain, Bonifacius University, and Little Sleep Mountain have all teamed up to deliberately target our Rose Council?!"
This Second Ring Star Ring Wizard was also muttering to himself, even conspiratorially thinking that this matter wasn't so simple.