22: Return to Tianhai City

On the morning of the eleventh day, Linn's eyes were bloodshot. During this period, he had been working almost without sleep or rest in the breath of life space to concoct potions. Added to the results he had continuously refined and accumulated previously, he finally gathered 150 bottles of high-quality level two potion.

He took Elise aboard the ship, leaving Clay, Morton, and the others at Iron Sand Island to hold the fort. Ocean and Hogan led twenty soldiers from the second squad, piloting two medium-sized cargo ships to accompany them. The fleet sailed against the morning sun, breaking through the waves toward Tianhai City on the distant continent.

Beside him, Elise carried her new bow, which had been crafted from the Materials of a sea monster's corpse. Her form-fitting armor revealed her curvaceous figure. With her long golden hair flying in the wind, she looked exceptionally valiant and heroic, as if she were a different person from when he had first met her.

Thanks to the surveying Ocean had done during this time, the return trip to Tianhai City was quite safe.

A few days later, the fleet arrived safely at the busy port of Tianhai City. Stepping onto the continental land again, Linn greedily breathed in the air of the continent, feeling deeply moved. He ordered Ocean and the others to stay behind with the ships, while he took Elise and headed straight for the Blue Silver Merchant Guild.

In the familiar trading room, when Lilith saw Linn again, she could hardly hide her surprise. She had seen too many pioneering nobles who, after purchasing supplies there, never returned. The return of this young knight truly surprised her.

"Respected Lord Linn, it is truly delightful to see you again." Lilith bowed respectfully. "I wonder what trading needs you have for visiting the Blue Silver Merchant Guild this time?"

Linn waved his long sleeve, and a large wooden box appeared on the table. When the one hundred and fifty bottles of level two potion, neatly arranged in the box, were revealed before her eyes, Lilith's expression immediately became focused. She remembered that when they last met, Linn was only a level one Apothecary. She had not expected that in just two short months, he had already advanced to level two and could even produce such a quantity of finished products.

"I intend to sell this batch of level two potion." Linn said concisely.

Lilith was shaken inside. From their first meeting until now, the scale of the trade Linn brought had exceeded expectations. Her tone became even more respectful: "Please wait a moment; I will go and invite the guild's appraiser to come and evaluate them."

A moment later, an elderly appraiser walked into the room with Lilith. After careful appraisal, the old appraiser gave the evaluation result:

"Mr. Linn, this batch of potion has all reached high-level quality for level two, with the efficacy consistently above seventy-five percent. We are willing to purchase them at the price of seven gold coins per bottle, totaling 1050 gold coins. What do you think?"

This price matched Linn's expectations, so he nodded in agreement.

Just as Lilith was preparing to settle the payment, Linn took out another exquisite wooden box: "I have another transaction here. I wonder if the Blue Silver Merchant Guild can handle it?"

Lilith's eyes lit up; her intuition told her that the item in the box was far more precious than those potions. If she could facilitate this transaction, it would become the biggest achievement of her career, and her status in the guild would rise accordingly.

"Respected Lord Linn, as the largest potion trader in Tianhai City, the Blue Silver Merchant Guild has strong financial strength, so you can rest assured." Lilith said with pride in her tone.

The moment Linn opened the wooden box, a lustrous brilliance flowed out. Three transparent star-shine orchid hearts lay quietly inside. The pure life energy made Lilith's breath hitch.

"This, this is a level seven magic plant!" The elderly appraiser exclaimed out loud.

"This was obtained by chance in the Storm Sea Region." Linn said calmly, stating the excuse he had prepared long ago.

The Storm Sea Region had not been developed on a large scale for nearly a thousand years, so it was not strange to have such an opportunity. Previously, others had found even more precious things from the Storm Sea Region.

Elise, who was beside him, was shocked in her heart but could only suppress this surprise. She knew this was just a story Linn had made up; Linn was becoming increasingly mysterious in her eyes.

These three magic plants were actually taken by Linn from the original collection in the breath of life. After being carefully selected by Dolia, they were the most common and lowest-grade varieties. If he were not in urgent need of funds to develop his territory, he would never have risked selling such precious Materials. As for even more precious Materials, the current Linn absolutely dared not take them out. In case an accident occurred, the loss would outweigh the gain.

After the old appraiser used the guild's secret techniques to repeatedly appraise them, he solemnly offered a price:

"My Lord, these three magic plants are the main Materials for formulating level seven potion. We are willing to purchase them at a price of 4000 gold coins each. What do you think?" One must know that level seven magic plant were extremely precious even to Sky Knights. The higher the Rank of the potion and Materials, the more the price increased exponentially.

Linn pretended to ponder, then nodded: "That is acceptable. But I also need to purchase a batch of level three magic plant Materials, as well as level three to five magic plant seeds, as I plan to try planting them in my territory. For this batch of supplies, you must give me the most favorable price."

"That is natural." Lilith immediately agreed, "Please hand the list to me, and we will certainly prepare it for you at the most favorable price."

Linn handed over the list he had prepared: two hundred portions of level three potion Materials, as well as various magic plant seeds.

After careful calculation, Lilith reported the result: "The Materials and seeds total 1300 gold coins. Deducting this part, we still need to pay you 12750 gold coins. These are the supplies and funds you requested; please count them. This magic Storage Pouch is a gift from the guild to you."

Elise respectfully handed over the magic Storage Pouch. Trading a magic Storage Pouch for the friendship of a young and promising Apothecary who was about to advance to level three was an investment worth making.

Linn took the Storage Pouch, probed into it with his Mental Energy to check and confirm, then nodded with satisfaction.

The transaction was completed, and Lilith respectfully saw Linn out of the main gate of the Blue Silver Merchant Guild.

"By the way, Lilith, do you know where one can purchase weapons in Tianhai City?" Linn asked before leaving.

Lilith understood immediately. Purchasing weapons and equipment for pioneering a territory was common. She lowered her voice and replied:

"If you only need a small amount of weapons, there are quite a few workshops to choose from in Tianhai City. But if you need to purchase in large quantities..." Her gaze turned to the most magnificent building in the center of the city—the City Lord's castle.

Linn understood immediately. The kingdom explicitly forbade weapon trading on the surface, but private transactions were commonplace. It seemed that the largest arms dealer in Tianhai City was likely the City Lord, Aldrich, himself.

After bidding farewell to Lilith, Linn instructed Elise:

"The supplies to be purchased on this trip are extremely important. You go find Ocean and work with him to find a reliable mercenary group to escort the fleet back safely. It would be best if they have a Gold Rank powerhouse sitting in charge. It does not matter if the price is a bit high."

"As you command, My Lord."

This time, Linn was determined to convert all the gold coins in his hands into development resources. The Flamingo Pirate Group and Baron Nocturne were like two mountains pressing on his chest; he had to seize every second to strengthen his power.

It was still early, so Linn walked toward the City Lord's mansion alone. Time waits for no one, and the safety of Iron Sand Island always lingered in his heart. He was about to conduct an important transaction with City Lord Aldrich regarding the future of his territory.