679: Discovering a Unique Cultivation Method!
Before leaving, Locke made a specific mark on the Dune People's dwelling and then departed, using Full Moon Growth to search for other sand dunes in different regions.
Over the course of about three days, Locke found two more smaller-scale underground settlements of Dune People amidst the vast desert.
These Dune People also survived temporarily by relying on the underground glaciers in the area. However, unlike the first group Locke encountered, no such peculiar phenomenon occurred during their rituals.
Locke returned to the Group 2 Research Institute base. "In other words, the phenomenon only happened in the first Dune People tribe I encountered. While other Dune People also worshiped things—one a stone, another a piece of silicified wood (petrified wood)..."
"...none of their ritual worship showed any abnormalities." Locke pondered, "It seems that a stone capable of absorbing a worshiper's spirituality and existing in such a state is not a common, repeatable occurrence."
"Should I retrieve it? Or wait a bit... If I recklessly disturb that environment, I might miss an important discovery."
"I still have many points of confusion regarding what I found in that tribe; I need to further decipher it."
Locke looked at the ordinary sea gold sand in his hand. "Hmm... I can't say there's much of a change. Aside from some of the sea gold sand's fronds becoming serrated, nothing major has happened."
"This is different from directly injecting tyrant element no. 2 or abyss devourer organs."
The combination of that Special Spirituality and his Magic Plant could accelerate the plant's evolution, but ultimately, that Special Spirituality was too scarce and its quality insufficient.
It simply couldn't provide enough of an evolutionary boost to the One-Ring Magic Plant in his hand.
He could try using an Apprentice-level Magic Plant to combine with the spirituality on that stone again.
However, there wasn't much of that stone's Special Spirituality left.
Locke fell into a dilemma. He clearly had a potential major discovery, yet for some reason, he felt a sense of having nowhere to start.
With the Silent Grail Competition approaching, he needed to quickly extract key knowledge from this chance encounter with an unknown phenomenon to help him seize the championship.
Locke entered the public office. Upon seeing him, Witch Mason's eyes lit up slightly. "Group Leader, you're back. Lord Zalan Bailey said you should go see him once you return."
Locke nodded slightly, then sat at his workstation with a heavy expression, deep in thought.
Witch Mason, Witch Freya, and Wizard Barrett looked at each other, feeling completely baffled.
Witch Freya asked, "What's wrong with the Little Boss? He looks like he has a lot on his mind."
"About Zalan Bailey's side..."
Witch Mason muttered, "Then just don't go."
Wizard Barrett whispered, "Let's get to work and help the Boss finalize the specific structure of the glandular root sac organs as soon as possible."
"Speaking of which, where did the Group Leader get this special Magic Plant energy-locking structure? We checked all known structures in Group 2 and Golden Crown Mountain, and none of them matched this."
"This energy-locking structure can provide Magic Plants with specialized short-term energy storage organs, briefly enhancing their traits."
"It's truly amazing. By helping the Boss analyze the specific mechanism of this energy-locking structure, I've made a lot of progress myself and gained a deeper understanding of Botanical magic."
Meanwhile, Locke couldn't be bothered with Wizard Zalan Bailey; he was busy flipping through materials at his workstation.
Then, Locke hurriedly left the Dune Plane and Little Peach Mountain, riding a Rainbow Sparrow back to the Golden Crown Mountain library.
Upon entering, he immediately found a First Ring General Studies Wizard to help him retrieve research materials related to Totem Gods and Totem Spirits.
Unlike the Southeast Corner Region, Yunze Wetland had a large number of Colonial Worlds, and thus possessed detailed information on Totem Gods.
In the Southeast Corner Region, the only one who might have such information would likely be the Blood Lord of the Blood Curse Court.
Locke asked the ordinary human First Ring General Studies Wizard, "Are there any articles in the free or paid sections about Totem Gods accelerating plant evolution?"
The First Ring General Studies scholar, Wizard Portsmouth, gave him a strange look and shook his head slightly.
He recognized Locke's identity and remained respectful. "Mr. Augustine, I'm sorry, but I believe the Golden Crown Mountain library has none. I have read a vast amount of literature on Totem Gods, and not a single paper mentions accelerating plant evolution."
"Oh, there are a few papers mentioning that some Totem Spirits have the ability to cause Rapid Growth in plants. If they can make plants grow quickly, it might increase the generational iterations? Of course, that is vastly different from true evolution."
Locke frowned and said, "Exchange the relevant articles for me."
Wizard Portsmouth was a middle-aged-looking wizard with graying temples. He raised his right hand, and several articles immediately flew from the shelves into his grasp.
"No need for an exchange; these are all from the free section. Research into Totem Gods isn't popular in Yunze Wetland."
"In this regard, the Hui Ming Borderland places more importance on it."
Locke nodded and quickly flipped through some materials. As expected, he found no related research.
Locke spoke again, "Wizard Portsmouth, I also want to retrieve articles related to the formation of Totem Gods or primitive deities."
Wizard Portsmouth nodded and raised his right hand again. A stack of articles flew into his hands. "These are also in the free section. Please take your time. Recently, the library has an unused sponsorship fund, so we are providing some precious wizard tea for free, such as 'Eagle Beak Red Mist Tea'."
"Mr. Augustine, just let the library servants know."
Locke nodded.
He then took the pile of materials to a reading area. As he leafed through them, he gradually confirmed one thing.
That is, the special stone he discovered on the Dune Plane was likely not a Totem Spirit, a Totem God, or any primitive form of deity.
It should be an even more unique state.
"No wonder no wizard has discovered this special method of accelerating evolution before. For one, the effect of this special acceleration seems extremely weak and hasn't caused any significant impact."
"Secondly, the stone that can absorb human spirituality was likely just an ordinary stone originally. But it is indeed a very rare phenomenon."
An idea flashed through Locke's mind. 'But accelerated evolution did occur. Perhaps it's because the quantity and quality of the Special Spirituality are insufficient. I haven't yet figured out the production or specific action mechanisms of this Special Spirituality, nor its internal structure.'
'But I actually have a way to rapidly enhance the quality and quantity of this Special Spirituality in a short time.'
Locke took a glass tube out of his astral ring. Inside the tube was a wisp of transparent spirituality.
It was the zero potion.
zero potion is blank spirituality. This means that adding blank spirituality to that Special Spirituality would increase its quality and quantity out of thin air without changing its inherent characteristics at all.
If he used the zero potion to enhance that Special Spirituality—whose true nature was still unknown—he might actually be able to cause a certain degree of accelerated evolution in a First Ring Magic Plant!
Perhaps it wouldn't even be just evolution.
Locke thought, 'This is a major matter involving the most important part of my Great Magic. I can't just invite other wizards to cooperate with me. But can I ask my teacher?'
'I'll try to study it on my own first. Although Witch Catherine is my mentor, she is also a mentor to others.'
'While I trust her character, unless it's absolutely necessary, I shouldn't test human nature.'
Besides, since this was his discovery, he should certainly put his all into completing it.
And he believed he did have the ability to do so.
Taking a break from his busy schedule, Locke opened his dashboard on the Alsace Platform. He found that thirty pairs of the same model used in the Demonic Realm War had been sold during this period, bringing him an income of 660,000.
Combined with the scattered income from the previous three models of wizard shoes, he had earned a total of 700,000 in just these few days.
Of course, the number of Magic Weavers leaving messages to curse him was even higher. Some even demanded a public apology and that he stop his "dangerous research" into things like pure magic plant wizard shoes.
Locke simply ignored these foolish comments.
At the same time, Locke noticed that the top-ranked message was a forwarded video clip.
Locke clicked on the video. It showed Wizard Stuarth George, a well-known First Ring wizard from the major leagues of the Spell Fighting Competition invited by Solas Lightfoot, talking confidently in front of a host.
"I have personally worn the wizard shoes from the Solas Lightfoot Shop Alliance. I believe Solas Lightfoot's wizard shoes are likely the best in Yunze Wetland."
The host asked, "Mr. George, is that why you insist on wearing Solas Lightfoot's wizard shoes in the major leagues?"
Stuarth George thought for a moment, sitting in his chair, and said, "Of course. Solas Lightfoot isn't just one of the major league sponsors—that's not important, the Spell Fighting Competition doesn't lack sponsors—what's more important is that they truly have the best wizard shoes."
"When I wear Solas Lightfoot's wizard shoes, it really gives me the illusion of becoming like light itself. It has greatly improved my mobility."
Locke was speechless.
In the video, the host took the opportunity to ask again, "Have you heard, Mr. George? Golden Crown Mountain recently purchased a batch of pure magic plant wizard shoes."
"What do you think about that?"
Stuarth George gave a mocking smile. "pure magic plant wizard shoes? I think that's unlikely. First of all, not everyone is a Botanical Wizard. Fine, I know some people think they can use Enchantment to treat Magic Plants as Magic items."
"But everyone must understand that Magic Plants are not good at moving. I think pure magic plant wizard shoes are more like a flash in the pan. Anyway, as a major league champion in the First Ring stage of the Spell Fighting Competition, I only endorse quality."
"I welcome everyone to purchase Solas Lightfoot (30K)."
Locke was somewhat speechless as he closed the video. "Just how much money did Solas Lightfoot pay him? Well, for the sake of money, it's not shameful."
Locke looked at the information at hand. "My main energy right now must still be focused on figuring out what that Special Spirituality actually is and coming up with a way to put it into practical use."
"Also, regarding Daniel's Special Spiritual Mist, I need to find a way to inquire about the research progress."
"Furthermore, the special energy-locking structure of the ancient flower roots and the Pixiu Horn Spiral Constraint Equation—these things might all be helpful for me in constructing Great Magic."
...
A week later, at the technical seminar for Solas Lightfoot (30K), the wizards sat around a long table, staring at each other in blank dismay.
This was because Solas Lightfoot had suddenly been ranked number one on the Hand of the Jungle's list of least progressive shops and was deemed a Life-Unfriendly Product.
Secondly, the wizard shoe brand they had previously discussed and intended to suppress, prevent from growing, and acquire before it could mature, had suddenly been listed as a Life-Friendly Brand by the Hand of the Jungle.
This sudden reversal left the wizards of Solas Lightfoot (30K) completely bewildered.
This meeting was not originally intended to address what they had previously considered a minor matter, but due to the sudden turn of events, the meeting shifted entirely to discussing this issue.
The Moon Ring Supervisor of Solas Lightfoot (30K) said angrily, "What is going on? Why did those lunatics from the Hand of the Jungle suddenly turn on us?"
"The Hand of the Jungle suddenly listed us as an unfriendly brand and is even slandering us on all fronts."
"Everyone, we follow a full-market brand strategy. High-end wizard shoes, mid-range wizard shoes, and low-end wizard shoes—we make them all."
"The Hand of the Jungle's slander has little impact on the apprentice and First Ring stage wizard shoes, but it has a massive impact on the sales of Second Ring and Third Ring stage wizard shoes."
"Those High-Ring Wizards hate buying wizard shoes that are embroiled in controversy."
The Moon Ring Supervisor continued, "And then there's this 'life-unfriendly commodity' label. Once listed, when other Wizard Academies purchase products from our Shop Alliance, a certain amount of their completed environmental quotas will be deducted."
"In other words, if others want to buy Solas Lightfoot, they have to indirectly bear a certain environmental quota. This will put pressure on our high-end wizard shoe brand sales and cause a lasting impact on our brand's reputation."
The crowd looked at each other. Clearly, they hadn't expected that while they were just planning to use money to crush an emerging wizard shoe brand, and had only just made their move, that new brand—which should have been incapable of harming them—had actually hit them with a combo of counterattacks.
This combo was enough to make even Solas Lightfoot feel the pain.
Although such tactics couldn't cause major damage to Solas Lightfoot, they were enough to leave the wizards present somewhat stunned.
A mere First Ring Wizard actually dared to go this far?
Could he really make them feel 'pain'?
The Moon Ring Wizard supervisor snarled, "What on earth is our Crisis Pre-processing Department doing?"
"Why is it that every time, you fail to play your proper role?"
The other wizards immediately found a vent for their frustration and turned to look at the head of the Crisis Pre-processing Department, questioning him one after another.
"Exactly, what is your department even doing?"
"The Hand of the Jungle suddenly targeted us, and we didn't even get a warning!"
The Second Ring Chief Designer of Solas Lightfoot (30K) suddenly spoke up, "Everyone, let's focus our attention and resolve this matter as quickly as possible. This is just a conflict with an emerging small wizard shoe brand; are you all really going to turn this into some major commercial competition?"
"Think of a way to deal with this brand quickly. As for the Hand of the Jungle... I think those are actually two separate issues. We can send someone to the Hand of the Jungle branch in Cloud Marsh to ask if they need financial subsidies from us."
"If money can solve it, then solve it with money. As for that pure Magic Plant wizard shoe brand, I suggest we immediately initiate the acquisition process and buy it out."
"From what I understand, many Breeders are already thinking about how to enter this large wizard shoe market. If we don't want anyone disrupting our wizard shoe industry, we must prepare in advance and snuff out the source of this trend early."
The Moon Ring Supervisor nodded and looked at a wizard with First Ring peak magic pressure from Solas Lightfoot (30K), who was the head of the Acquisitions Department.
"Has Augustus agreed to be acquired by us yet?"
The wizard from the Acquisitions Department stood up and shook his head. "I'm sorry, supervisor."
"I sent our Solas Lightfoot wizards to Alsace to negotiate with Augustus's Gold-tier Trader. We were willing to generously pay ten million magic stones immediately, but that wizard still refused."
Many wizards at the long table whispered among themselves.
"He's just a First Ring Wizard; he's unwilling to sell even for ten million magic stones?"
"Is he crazy? At the end of the day, he's just a First Ring Wizard. Can he even hold onto that much money?"
"I think he's in for big trouble. That's not money he can handle."
The Moon Ring Supervisor of Solas Lightfoot said, "Then try not to talk to that Gold-tier Trader anymore; talk to the wizard himself directly."
"We can also apply pressure through his academy. We can go directly to his teachers, classmates, friends, and students..."
The head of the Acquisitions Department coughed violently. "Supervisor, have you forgotten? He is a researcher at Golden Crown Mountain."
The Moon Ring Supervisor, with his hands behind his back, had a slight twitch in his expression as he said calmly, "Oh, then forget what I just said."
"By the way, when your people go to see him, remember to be a bit more polite. Don't be too overbearing; we don't want to look like we aren't a proper Shop Alliance."
"Understood?"
The head of the Acquisitions Department whispered, "I understand."
At that moment, the Second Ring Chief Designer sat in his seat and yawned. "This time even Melchior Magic Step was listed on the life-unfriendly commodity list, and they made the Hand of the Jungle's newspaper right alongside us."
"Our Solas is the number one least progressive Shop Alliance, and Melchior Magic Step is the second. We've really lost face this time. I imagine Melchior is having a headache right now as well."
"Augustus is just a small matter, but the Hand of the Jungle is a colossus. If we get targeted, how can we stand it? Which Shop Alliance doesn't have a few wizard factories that discharge waste water and gas without meeting environmental standards?"
"If everything were truly compliant, how would we make any money?"
The group of wizards at the long table were also indignant.
"That is indeed the case. If everything truly met environmental standards and our costs went up, shouldn't prices rise? People usually complain that our wizard shoes are expensive, yet they still demand we be eco-friendly."
"We absolutely cannot let the Hand of the Jungle continue to pick on us."
"Therefore, we still need to think of a way to force a tiny entity like Augustus to sell its assets as soon as possible."
The Moon Ring Supervisor tapped his fingers on the table. "Let's see how he reacts during the second acquisition negotiation. If he doesn't know what's good for him, then he can't blame us."
"With Golden Crown Mountain involved, it's indeed difficult to use force or do anything else. But in this world, there are many ways to solve a problem."
"He is, after all, only a First Ring Wizard; his status is ultimately limited. It's just that his status has been temporarily elevated because of the Silent Grail Competition, making it difficult to move against him for the time being."
Several High-Ring Wizards at the long table exchanged knowing smiles.
The Moon Ring Supervisor said, "Alright, let's leave this matter here for now. The higher-ups have ordered us to double our annual net profit again within three years."
"So, everyone, focus your attention on the real work. From now on, let's discuss methods to increase our sales volume..."
...
Dune Plane, Base No. 2.
After a week of continuous deep research, Locke finally confirmed one thing.
Right now, he was standing in the cave of the Dune People. "The spirituality of a person whose animal characteristics have been removed merges with the spirituality of that stone, and then merges again with plant spirituality."
"As a result, the plant spirituality is enhanced, and a state change occurs in a short period of time. But this isn't true evolution; it's just a state enhancement. It's a direct change after merging spirituality, but evolution does indeed occur within this process."
"This Special Spirituality seems to be able to shorten the original long evolutionary time of hundreds of thousands of years down to a thousand years. Even so, it hasn't been shortened by much. Therefore, both these