572: The Hidden Exhibition Hall of Golden Peach Garden and the Million Series
Locke ignored this so-called investment advice. After all, venture capital was too vague, and he only had a little money. It was better to let the High-Ring Wizards handle such things.
He left the public Breeder laboratory and headed to the Dragon Blood Assembly. First, he arrived at the Golden Peach Garden and negotiated a discount with the merchant, purchasing 105 beech trees at a price of 6,000 magic stones each.
The trader responsible for receiving Locke was the same one who sold him the four elements ring last time. At this moment, he froze for a second, then smiled and said: "Was the four elements ring from last time useful? I didn't expect you to come back so soon and place a large order of 630,000 magic stones."
At this moment, the trader even subconsciously tried to probe Locke's strength.
After all, Locke had just made a transaction of 800,000 magic stones half a month ago, and half a month later, he was back for another 630,000 magic stone transaction.
Among One-Ring Wizards, such big spenders were rare.
Locke nodded slightly. "It's alright. These are just things I need."
With these 105 thirty-year-old beech trees, he would have 200 beech trees in his Forest Sanctuary.
The number of One-Ring tree magic plants in his Forest Sanctuary could reach an exaggerated 221.
His Forest Sanctuary could expand to over three hundred mu.
Previously in the Silver-Clad Plum Garden, they sold him beech trees for 6,600 magic stones each. Here, he saved 600 per tree, which added up to a lot of magic stones saved. It was quite a good deal.
This trader was quite willing to give him a discount.
The trader said: "That's true. My name is Bruce, as you can see, a Gasification Stage wizard of Botany."
Trader Bruce said: "Mr. Augustine can come to me for trades in the future. I can give a straightforward customer like you the best price."
"I must say, your one-time settlement of 800,000 magic stones last time really took me by surprise."
Locke showed a look of confusion.
Trader Bruce smiled and said: "Some wizards need gifts, or simply delay payment for a few days."
"A powerful customer like you naturally deserves the best hospitality from our shop."
Trader Bruce thought for a moment and said: "You seem to particularly like tree-type magic plants. We have some luxury tree-type magic plants inside Golden Peach Garden that are not for sale to ordinary customers. I wonder if you are interested?"
Locke asked: "Not for sale to ordinary customers?"
Trader Bruce looked around, then gestured for Locke to follow him and turned to lead the way.
The two quickly entered through a door and passed through a corridor. On one side of the corridor were golden waves of wheat, and on the other were various peach-type magic plants.
Passing through the Peach-Wheat Corridor unique to Golden Peach Garden, Trader Bruce brought him to an exhibition hall that appeared more exquisite than the storefront outside.
There was another trader here, serving a wizard covered in Magic items.
This wizard also carried a true luxury item of the Yunze Wetland, a wand worth a million magic stones.
Locke recognized it; the wand's name was Million Spell Power.
That was a famous entry-level luxury item among One-Ring Magic items in the Yunze Wetland. A single wand was worth a million magic stones.
One should know that the price of a regular One-Ring wand was only around 50,000 magic stones.
But this thing was twenty times the price of a regular practical wand!
Although the materials used were indeed good and the craftsmanship was the work of a master-level Alchemist, it was unrealistic to say that these alone could increase the price twentyfold.
The real reason was simply that the wand was very, very expensive, plus the Shop Alliance was pushing it behind the scenes, marketing consumerism and high-end luxury, leading to a high premium for the wand.
It could be said that as a One-Ring Wizard with over six million magic stones, Locke had no intention of buying such true luxury items at all.
Of course, these luxury items weren't useless; many special occasions still required these things to maintain appearances.
Seeing this luxury wand, Locke guessed that the wizard before him should be the child of a High-Ring Wizard.
In the circles of the children of High-Ring Wizards, they had to constantly compare status and uphold their fathers' honor, so they needed things to display their wealth and glory.
Locke also saw that the wizard was wearing an entry-level Million Series luxury magic garment, Million Baby!
It was said to be made by a master of the Textile Studies magic category, a famous Alchemist from Bonifacius University, using a special process. Its greatest advantage was not its strong defense, but that it could not be counterfeited!
At a glance, one would know that the Million Baby was genuine.
Therefore, a very large market had emerged within the Textile Studies of the Alchemy School: imitation luxury magic garments.
Locke was stunned to see this wizard who was glittering with gold from head to toe. The Million Series Magic items on this person's body were likely not limited to these two; there were probably more that he might not have the knowledge to recognize.
It seemed the exhibition hall Trader Bruce brought him to was a place only customers who spent a lot in Golden Peach Garden were qualified to enter.
Clearly, his two transactions within half a month made Trader Bruce believe that with his wealth, he could enter this area.
Inside the exhibition hall, the wizard covered in the Million Series froze for a moment upon seeing Locke, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. Clearly, he was confused because he hadn't seen Locke before.
After all, in his small circle, everyone knew each other more or less, and it wasn't to the point where they hadn't even met once.
The wizard nodded to Locke. "I am Reid Thomassen. Friend, I don't think I've seen you before."
Trader Bruce suddenly used a Botany magic spell to encrypt his voice and said to Locke: "Mr. Augustine, please do not reveal the specific details of how I brought you here. This is the VIP display area of Golden Peach Garden."
"According to the general procedure, one needs to complete three purchases of over 800,000 within a month before we can bring a guest here. The items here are only sold to those truly qualified to obtain them."
"But for a customer with taste and generosity like you, I believe I can invite you in directly. But please do not mention the details to other guests."
"Otherwise, I might get into some trouble."
Trader Bruce looked at Locke sincerely.
Locke realized this was the One-Ring Botany spell Sound of Plants, which could encrypt one's voice and required the use of some auxiliary One-Ring Magic Plants.
However, Trader Bruce was clearly a qualified trader. From his two transactions, he smelled the scent of money on Locke and actually invited him directly into this exhibition hall.
Clearly, he had a keen sense for money.
Although Locke carried almost no luxury items in the sense of the Yunze Wetland, such as the Million Series produced under the influence of consumerism, except for the four elements ring.
Locke looked at Reid Thomassen and said: "Thomassen?"
"The relationship between Wizard Thomassen and Mr. Reed is... I once attended Wizard Thomassen's class."
This young One-Ring Crystallization stage wizard, Reed, gave a hearty smile and introduced himself with no small amount of pride: "That is my father."
"My grandfather is a Sun Ring stage wizard."
Locke nodded. No wonder this guy was so rich; he was a loaded scion.
A Sun Ring Wizard was still at the Second Ring stage, but there were four major realms within the Second Ring stage. A wizard at the Sun Ring stage was already at the final stage of the Second Ring.
Even in the Yunze area, they enjoyed a certain social status, not something a young Formal Wizard just starting out could compare to.
Both his father and grandfather were Second Ring Wizards, and his grandfather was even at the Sun Ring stage, showing his prominent status.
He was likely also the most talented person in their family, naturally enjoying infinite pampering.
For a Sun Ring Wizard, a million magic stones was merely a trivial sum.
That was a wizard who was only one step away from being a Third Ring Wizard!
In the Yunze Wetland, a Third Ring Wizard was already considered quasi-high-level, while a Throne Wizard was truly high-level.
Reid Thomassen hesitated for a moment before saying, "Then, sir, you must be Locke Augustine? It's not hard to guess; you are a researcher at the True Knowledge Institute, and you've attended my father's lectures."
"Furthermore, you recently earned 6.5 million magic stones during the True Love Festival. Even my father has mentioned you."
Bruce the trader looked at Locke in surprise, feeling immensely grateful that he had made the right choice earlier by inviting Locke into this exhibition hall.
His gaze toward Locke became even more enthusiastic, and his back involuntarily bowed slightly lower.
Reid Thomassen extended his left hand to Locke. "How about we become friends? You and I are both... of the Academic Committee faction."
Locke had originally intended to refuse, but hearing this, he was momentarily stunned.
The other party was clearly hinting that they were both likely Dragon Blood Wizards.
In that case, the Thomassen family of wizards should all be members of that secret society.
Locke reached out and shook his hand.
Reid Thomassen smiled and said, "It's a pleasure to meet a rising celebrity like yourself."
"Next time there's a third-generation gathering for Dragon Blood Wizards on my end, perhaps we can go together."
Locke was taken aback as he withdrew his hand. Had he just been invited to a gathering for the inner circle of the Golden Crown Mountain Academic Committee's third generation?
Clearly, part of the reason was that he possessed an undying dragon scale, but for a long time before this, no one had come to invite him.
Therefore, the undying dragon scale was merely a prerequisite; what truly allowed him to cross this threshold was the massive wealth he had acquired at the True Love Festival and the talent it represented.
These factors made this third-generation member of the Academic Committee believe it was worthwhile to invite him.
Locke and Reed added each other as friends on the water gourd system.
Then, Reid Thomassen left the exhibition hall with his trader.
Bruce the trader became even more respectful toward Locke. "I didn't expect that even Wizard Reid Thomassen had heard of you."
"He is, after all, a descendant of a Sun Ring Wizard."
"Wizard Locke, you seem to have a particular fondness for tree-type magic plants. There are many luxury magic plants here with powerful strength." Bruce the trader keenly captured the difference in needs between Locke and Wizard Reed.
Wizard Reed wanted items that could display his status as a descendant of a Sun Ring Wizard, whereas Locke wanted practicality.
Thus, Bruce quickly explained, fearing Locke might misunderstand: "In the hidden exhibition hall of the Golden Peach Garden, there are two types of luxury magic plants. One type consists of extremely rare luxury items that can showcase a wizard's status—the Million Series magic plants."
"The other type consists of magic plants with great power that are rare because they are difficult to cultivate, or because their growth environment has disappeared due to the changing times. Currently, there is only existing stock with no new growth."
Bruce the trader pointed at a fire eye watching peach before them. "This is a very rare peach-type magic plant that comes with a special Ocular Technique. Because its growth environment requires the flames of a magic creature that has already gone extinct, there is only stock remaining; no new magic plants should exist anymore."
"Without the flames of that creature called the 'Lex Firebird,' the seeds of this magic plant cannot germinate, and the fruit it bears has no seeds. The specific mechanism is unknown, because no seeds of the fire eye watching peach have been passed down. The existing ones are all mature specimens that were transplanted from elsewhere."
Locke nodded slightly. He had seen this type of magic plant in Witch Yekaterina's castle. It made sense that she would grow it specifically because of its rarity.
Bruce the trader said, "The fire eye watching peach can cause the eyes of anyone observing it to burst into flames; its power is formidable. Unless a guest has spent a large amount in the Golden Peach Garden, the traders of our shop will not trade such a magic plant, which symbolizes both status and power, to them."
"The fire eye watching peach has a hidden evil power within it that enemies find difficult to deal with."
Locke looked at several other peach-type magic plants nearby. After all, the Spell Model for Peach Arc Thorn Arrow would likely conflict with the fire eye watching peach.
The Peach Arc Thorn Arrow Spell Model was a type of magic with extremely high requirements on the spiritual level, connecting with special spiritual entities, whereas the fire eye watching peach carried its own inherent wickedness on the spiritual level.
Locke looked at one of the peach trees, and his eyes suddenly lit up. The magic pressure of this peach tree was so powerful it had almost reached the limit of the First Ring; it was a magic plant born with a First Ring peak-level magic pressure.
Its trunk was gnarled and twisted like the vast earth, its leaves were as emerald green as clear jade, and its branches were a golden-red color, radiating a brilliant light like a palace tower.
Following Locke's gaze, Bruce looked at that peach tree and immediately said, "Mr. Augustine, you truly have a keen eye."
"That is a golden tower branch."
"It is incredibly rare. While it isn't technically extinct, its growth environment is unique. It needs to be in the core of a Fire Element World and requires a Second Ring creature, the Phoenix, as a companion magic beast to grow normally. Furthermore, it needs the elemental core of a Fire Element Emperor to produce a single fruit with a seed."
Locke glanced at Bruce the trader in surprise. As a One-Ring Magic Plant, the golden tower branch was not an environmental plant that assisted the Phoenix; instead, it required a Second Ring creature like the Phoenix to provide it with a growth environment...
The natural order was completely reversed.
Moreover, the harshness of its growth environment left Locke somewhat speechless.
It truly deserved its reputation as a luxury item among magic plants.
But in exchange, it possessed formidable power and the spirituality of both a Fire Element Emperor and a Phoenix.
A Fire Element Emperor was generally at the One-Ring Crystallization stage, perhaps even with a magic pressure of 9999, reaching the limit of the First Ring, while a Phoenix was a Second Ring Level creature.
The fact that the golden tower branch was tainted with their spirituality was proof enough of its own power.
Peach Arc Thorn Arrow was the key prerequisite for him to learn the Advanced Meditation Technique, so he couldn't afford to be careless. It was only natural to use some high-quality magic plants.
Furthermore, Locke had already sensed that if he used the golden tower branch as a supporting magic plant for learning Peach Arc Thorn Arrow, his learning speed would become incredibly fast.
The two types of high-level spirituality within the golden tower branch, especially that of the Phoenix, seemed exceptionally compatible with the Peach Arc Thorn Arrow magic. Moreover, just by standing next to the golden tower branch, his mind actually became incomparably stable.
Locke deliberated for a moment and asked, "How much does this magic plant cost?"
Bruce the trader glanced at him and said, "Five hundred thousand magic stones!"
"This is the price set by the Shop Alliance; it cannot be discounted. The golden tower branch is, after all, a very rare magic plant. Because its growth environment must satisfy three specific factors and its own numbers are scarce—so scarce that it's as if this magic plant itself doesn't wish for its numbers to be too high."
"However..." Bruce the trader said matter-of-factly, "The high price of the golden tower branch isn't just due to its rarity, but also because it can assist in the study of Advanced Meditation Techniques."
"To a wizard, that is the most important thing!"
Locke gave a slight, bitter smile. It seemed his original idea of finding a bargain should be abandoned sooner rather than later.
Every Formal Wizard working as a trader here was as shrewd as they come.
They knew the functions of magic plants all too well.
Locke began to think. The price of the golden tower branch was 2.5 times that of his Hydra Magic Plant, and there was certainly a premium included due to its rarity.
But its ability to accelerate progress in a wizard's Advanced Meditation Technique, along with the hidden function of increasing his learning speed for the Peach Arc Thorn Arrow Spell Model, did indeed make it worth the price.