Chapter 99. These snake scales look pretty trash.
Hearing what Dean Xiao said, Mo Fan, who had originally planned to switch to a magic major, instantly gave up the idea. As a high-level mage, he naturally had no interest in bullying a bunch of 'elementary school' level students.
However, Mo Fan did not rush to cultivate in the Three-Step Tower, nor did he forge the armor and magic tools. Instead, he sought out Zhao Manyan.
"What? You mean you want a more advanced magical artifact to control the stars?" Zhao Manyan asked.
"Yes, there are too many systems in my body. Cultivating them all takes a lot of time. I don't know when I will be able to master many of them," Mo Fan nodded and said.
"That's not a problem, but this kind of thing isn't cheap; it's even more expensive than the Star River Vein," Zhao Manyan said.
"Go ahead and do it, then let me know how much it costs," Mo Fan said.
"Okay then." Zhao Manyan agreed and went to contact his connections.
As for Mo Fan, he went to the Azure Sky Hunting Grounds, where he naturally had some bounties to deal with first.
Lingling had told him in Hangzhou that if he didn't clear the bounties, he would face the risk of losing his job.
Although Mo Fan didn't think Old Man Bao would really fire him, he still had to do his job.
Meanwhile, when clearing the bounty, Mo Fan also asked Old Man Bao to introduce him to a blacksmith.
Old Man Bao's status and influence are considerable, not only domestically but also internationally. This is a very important connection.
After discussing the forging of magical tools, Old Man Bao directly gave him a letter of recommendation, and then he went to a place where magical tools could be made.
The other party was Huo Tuo, a very famous armor and magic tool blacksmith in the Pearl Tower.
Huo Tuo clearly held a very high position, possessing his own luxurious reception room within the Magic Association.
When Mo Fan arrived, he wasn't the one who greeted him.
"Hello, I am Teacher Huo's disciple, my name is Li Junnan," a neatly dressed young man said to Mo Fan.
"I'm looking for your teacher, introduced by Old Man Bao," Mo Fan said, handing a letter to the other party.
Upon seeing this, Li Junnan immediately said, "Then wait a moment, I'll go call the teacher."
It's obvious that Mo Fan was recommended by his teacher and friend, so he naturally can't mess around.
However, he was still somewhat curious and expressed his desire to see the materials Mo Fan used to make the magical artifacts.
Mo Fan wasn't stingy, so he took out the scales of the Xuan Snake.
There are actually only two snake scales, but considering the size of the totem black snake, you can imagine that these two snake scales are basically the size of a human garment.
The bluish-black snake scales lay on the table, somewhat resembling a piece of old leather just taken from a coal stove. But in reality, many things aren't impressive just because they're sparkly.
"Your snake print is rubbish."
Li Junnan examined it carefully and then said, "The more noble the snake, the more intricate its markings. Your scales don't have a single marking; they're just a dark, bluish-black mass. They must be material plucked from a servant-level creature."
Mo Fan just smiled and then said, "I'm not here to joke around. You'll understand if you give the envelope to your teacher."
"My teacher has a terrible temper," Li Junnan thought, believing Mo Fan was just asking for a beating.
"It's alright, go ahead and call."
"Hey you!"
"What's all this noise about, Little Li? Don't you want to work here anymore? Don't you know that I hate being disturbed the most?" Just then, an old man with purple eyebrows, beard, and sideburns shouted.
Hearing this sound gave Li Junnan a headache.
This kid, he woke up his master.
"I was introduced by Old Man Bao to forge magical armor. Here is my letter of introduction," Mo Fan replied directly.
Li Junnan felt a chill run down his spine; he hadn't seen such a courageous young man in a long time. At this moment, his master also came out, exuding an air of authority, his face displaying the detached and emotionless demeanor of a reclusive sage, yet his eyes gleamed with a hint of smugness.
This made Li Junnan very curious: what kind of person was this "Old Man Bao" that Mo Fan was talking about?
"Introduced by Old Man Bao? What good materials do you have, kid? Let me see."
Before Mo Fan could speak, Li Junnan suddenly said, "Master, didn't you tell me how to identify the bloodline of the snake clan? Generally speaking, the higher the bloodline, the more delicate its snake patterns. I see that this material is bluish-black, and I can't see any snake patterns at all. So I'm sure it's a very ordinary material."
Huo Tuo walked over and carefully examined the two pieces of material, his expression constantly changing.
"You idiot! Didn't I tell you? Top-grade materials must be placed on the best ice paper. How can you just leave them on the table like that? The table is so dirty! If they get even a little dust on them, how much effort will it take me to smelt them!" Huo Tuo turned around and started berating Li Junnan.
As he spoke, Huo Tuo went to find a piece of ice paper and carefully placed the two scales on it. The light in his eyes gleamed with a hint of greed.
"What a pity, what a pity, this isn't a real exotic scale. Otherwise, it would be a priceless treasure." Huo Tuo examined it for a while, and finally sighed softly.
"That's right, this is a refined snake scale, not a genuine exotic material," Mo Fan replied.
Although they are not true alien scales, the function of these scales is still quite significant.
Mo Fan knew this, and so did Huo Tuo.
He continued, "It's already quite good. With some processing, it can become a top-grade magical tool."
"Master, are you sure you don't want to kick him out?" Li Junnan asked.
"What are you blasting for? You're so stupid, I'm about to kick you out. Who told you there were no snake patterns? The snake patterns are so big they cover the entire piece of material," Huo Tuo said irritably.
Li Junnan was even more confused and muttered, "This is the natural color of snakeskin, right? Snake patterns should be the texture."
Mo Fan didn't explain anything to him, after all, his understanding was obviously shallow.
"I need to expedite this," Mo Fan said again.
"I have a lot of work to do, but considering Old Man Bao's recommendation letter, I can let you work overtime, but the pay will be three times the normal rate," Huo Tuo said.
"Besides money, is there anything else you want me to do?" Mo Fan then asked.
"oh?"
Huo Tuo glanced at Mo Fan with some surprise, then said, "Aren't all the hunters on Old Man Bao's side very strong? I happen to need some materials. If you can get them, I can craft one for you for free."
"Okay, go ahead," Mo Fan replied.
"Have you ever heard of vampires?" Huo Tuo asked in a low voice.
Mo Fan nodded, then looked at the other person with interest and said, "Hmm, I've heard of it. You've taken a liking to vampires?"
"Get out! Get out! Get out!"
The old man was immediately displeased upon hearing this!
What does it mean that he's taken a liking to a vampire?
Huo Tuo continued, "I won't waste any more words with you. I need a tooth, a vampire's tooth. I posted a bounty in the Hunter's Alliance and no one has claimed it yet. Everyone thinks that such a thing is impossible, but I know very well that there are already such special creatures in this magical city that can mix with humans, and they have already made their move on many urban women."
"I'll get it for you. When can I get the magic tool?" Mo Fan asked.
"If you get your hands on those two vampire fangs and give them to me, I guarantee I'll forge them for you within a week," Huo Tuo immediately said.