Chimera Market - Locke once again stepped into the Kentrey Furnace Workshop.
Having become a regular at this shop, there was no need to switch to other alchemy workshops. The Chimera Market had plenty of stores selling counterfeit or subpar goods, so Locke preferred purchasing his magical resources from familiar establishments.
Tane Kentrey emerged from the Flame Furnace Refining Array covered in soot, his entire body blackened as if he'd just crawled out of furnace slag.
Locke could barely look directly at him - the life of an alchemist seemed far too harsh, completely incomparable to those elegant Potionology Masters.
Upon hearing Locke's request, Tyne became enthusiastic. "Security upgrades? I wanted to recommend this last time you visited, but you left before I could finish explaining."
"I've always thought a breeding genius like you should improve your botanical garden's security measures."
Tyne's shop was just half a street away from Lijin Secret Language, so he occasionally encountered Yuli Burns and would hear about Locke from her. Thus Tyne knew Locke was a prodigy Breeder.
Locke had also learned from Yuli that Tyne was a Wizard Seed of the Ouroboros Circle with considerable status.
Though physically present in the Chimera Market, he mainly used it as a platform to sell his products while enjoying the Ouroboros Circle's resource allocation.
He wasn't as pitiful as he appeared.
It was just the nature of alchemy that made him seem rather disheveled whenever Locke saw him.
Tyne was extremely passionate about promoting his creations. "I recommend purchasing three of my meticulously designed True Sight Orbs, paired with two sets of Protective Barriers, plus two Clay Golem guards. That should suffice."
Tyne pulled over a stool, climbed up, and retrieved a basketball-sized orb from the shelf. "See, these three True Sight Orbs can establish mana connections. You can monitor everything within fifty meters of each orb."
"My True Sight Orbs include some minor enchantments - they can levitate mid-air, allowing you to survey your botanical garden and pharmaceutical room through them."
"Oh, and there's a 0.5-circle Memory Spell that records all activity for three months."
Locke accepted the orb, wisely avoiding any questions about why alchemical items needed enchanter techniques.
In reality, while alchemists and enchanters often clashed, they were forced to collaborate.
Many enchanted items represented masterpieces from their overlapping fields.
After inspection, Locke confirmed he could indeed use one True Sight Orb to observe the scrying range of another, with a maximum surveillance radius of fifty meters.
Combined with the 0.5-circle Levitation Spell enchantment, it could patrol above his botanical garden and pharmaceutical room.
Essentially, it functioned as a remotely controllable, freely movable surveillance system.
Locke nodded and said, "Indeed, but how much do they cost?"
Tyne jumped down from his stool. "Each one costs two hundred and fifty Magic Stones."
Locke frowned slightly. "That's expensive. And I'm buying three at once—can't you give me a discount?"
Tyne spread his hands. "But each one comes with three 0.5-ring Spells: Memory Spell, Scrying Spell, and Levitation Spell. The base itself is an outstanding Alchemy item, equivalent to a mid-to-high-level Enchanted Item. If it weren't for the high demand, making it a necessity, the price could easily be a hundred Magic Stones higher."
"Listen, Locke, a Botanical Garden run by a Breeder as skilled as you absolutely needs something like this," Tyne said in a low voice. "In my Alchemy workshop, thieves often try to sneak in to steal my special Magic Alloy formulas."
"Even some of my own apprentices try to steal my techniques. A True Sight Orb is a must-have. Without it, how can you ever feel secure?"
Seeing Locke still hesitating, Tyne rubbed his hands together and relented. "Alright, alright. Since you're buying three at once, I'll give you a discount."
"How about 220 Magic Stones each? That's as low as I can go. I'm only making this exception because you're a loyal customer."
Locke gave a slight nod. After signing the bulk procurement contract last month, he still had 5,400 Magic Stones left. Combined with this month's income from the Super Mandrake Vine Magical Field and the Wire Tendon Grass Magical Field—totaling 3,500—his Astral Ring now held a staggering 8,900 Magic Stones.
It was a fortune.
Locke wasn't unable to afford these small items; he was simply haggling out of habit.
After all, True Sight Orbs were, in a way, necessities—everyone bought them to monitor areas that required surveillance.
"Fine, I'll take three True Sight Orbs," Locke said.
The Tyne Dwarf continued enthusiastically promoting his shop's wares. "Two Protective Barriers—just set them up in one location, and they'll automatically deploy a 0.8-ring Semi-Permanent Barrier Array. Each one costs only 500 Magic Stones!"
"And then there's my Clay Golem." Tyne pointed to a model-like Clay Automaton standing deep inside his shop. The automaton resembled an oversized clay figurine, standing over four meters tall, its body covered in glowing Magic Runes, each faintly shimmering with Spell radiance.
Dangerous red light gleamed from the Clay Golem's eyes, and an overwhelming aura emanated from it.
Tyne excitedly introduced his latest creation—the Clay Automaton, another masterpiece from Alchemists, a wizard's invaluable assistant. This magically operated puppet robot was perfect for guarding plantations.
"Just 1,200 Magic Stones each," Tyne said eagerly. "This is the real deal—a high-end product most First Class Wizard Apprentices can't even afford!"
"Think about it, how great it would be to have such a powerful companion when you're out shopping. The Clay Automaton is a magical construct with formidable Magic Resistance Skin and Magic Immunity. Each of its strikes rivals the cantrip models of the Kinetic School, and you can even cast spells remotely through it."
"Aside from being a bit slow in movement, it has no flaws!"
Tyne enthusiastically recommended. "If enemies invade your plantation, you can counterattack by casting spells remotely through the golem. Locke, don't hesitate, buy it now. This isn't something an ordinary First Class Wizard Apprentice can afford!"
"This is premium merchandise!"
Locke glanced at Tyne and his creation, the Clay Automaton, then nodded slightly. Under Tyne's eager gaze, he calmly said, "Hmm, I think you're right. I am just an ordinary First Class Wizard Apprentice."
"I only need these three True Sight Orbs. That's all. Here's 660 Magic Stones."
The Alchemy Cabin was provided by the academy and already had powerful defensive spells, so he didn't need to purchase additional defensive Barriers, let alone something as expensive and narrowly applicable as a Clay Automaton.
He needed to save his money to buy more magical resources that would aid his cultivation, not splurge recklessly here.
He had no need to buy a Clay Automaton just to show off in public.
Moreover, the golem's movement speed was too slow. While it might suffice as a guard, it would fall short in actual combat.
Tyne's expression immediately cracked. "Locke, you... wait, don't leave yet. If you don't want premium items, you can go for something more affordable. I recently finished another creation, a Magic Mirror..."
"Locke, you're so stingy! You're the rising star Breeder from Lilith's Cottage, after all!"
After forcibly parting ways with Tyne, who kept pushing his products, Locke prepared to leave the Chimera Market with the three True Sight Orbs.
Unexpectedly, halfway through, Locke ran into a familiar face on the street—Zach, a First Class Wizard Apprentice from the procurement department.
Zach was clearly in a good mood, walking with a smile. When he spotted Locke, he paused for a moment before approaching to share news about the Crystal Palmfire Lotus.
"Locke? Your Mana... has grown quite quickly. By the way."
"Locke, the batch of Magic Plants you delivered to me recently played a crucial role in the wizard war against the Blood Curse Court a few days ago!"
"Come on, let's go to the Witch's Kitchen. I'll treat you to another meal. Consider it a celebration for both of us."
"Alright, Senior Zach." Locke glanced at the sky—it was almost noon. He considered that the delicacies prepared by the Flavorists weren't cheap.
Besides, he and Zach would likely have deeper collaborations in the future.
So he didn't refuse.
Moreover, Locke was curious about what had made Zach so happy.
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