6: Tianhai City

After several days of continuous teleporting and traveling, Linn's group finally arrived at the coastal port of Amos Province in the eastern part of the kingdom, Tianhai City, on the last day of the deadline.

Not all provinces in the Aolai Kingdom were equipped with teleportation arrays. After all, constructing a stable spatial channel required the joint efforts of several Legendary powerhouses. The Aolai Kingdom was situated on the easternmost edge of the Western Continent and was relatively weak compared to other human kingdoms, with only two Legendary powerhouses known to the public.

After presenting their family documents and kingdom appointment letters, Linn and his party successfully entered Tianhai City. Walking on the wide stone-paved road, a slightly humid and hot sea breeze blew against their faces. This city, thriving due to its natural deep-water port, possessed unique trading conditions and an extremely important strategic position. Its prosperity was among the best in the Aolai Kingdom.

Today, Linn had specially changed into a set of exquisite noble robes, with the family's unique crest embroidered on the chest.

"Old Mo, take everyone to the designated gathering point to settle in and reorganize. Clay, follow me to the Kingdom's Administration Hall," Linn quickly issued his orders. The entire Amos Province was under the direct jurisdiction of the kingdom and was not the hereditary fief of any noble.

"Yes, Lord!"

Under the guidance of passersby, Linn and Clay arrived at the magnificent Tianhai City Administration Hall.

"Halt! Who are you?" Guards dressed in polished armor at the entrance stopped them.

Clay immediately stepped forward, eager to perform in front of his new master: "We are from the House of Earl Alistair! This is Young Master Lynn Ellis, the third son of the Earl, and a Pioneer Knight appointed by the Kingdom!"

Linn timely and calmly handed over his appointment letter. He knew full well that in front of outsiders, the brand of the Iris Family was still useful. He was quite satisfied with Clay's well-timed introduction.

The guard inspected the appointment letter, and his attitude immediately became much more respectful: "Lord Linn, please wait a moment, I will go report your arrival immediately."

Before long, the guard returned and stepped aside to lead the way: "Lord Linn, please follow me. City Lord Aldrich is in charge of this pioneering matter, and he is waiting for you inside."

Linn nodded and turned to instruct Clay: "Clay, wait here."

"Yes, Lord!"

Following the guard through the corridor, Linn met this powerful kingdom official, Aldrich, in a spacious office. He was a lean-faced middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a typical bureaucratic aura.

"Lord Aldrich," Linn greeted him neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Linn of the Iris Family, reporting as ordered to receive the pioneering supplies."

Aldrich raised his eyelids and sized Linn up, a flash of imperceptible understanding passing through his eyes. He clearly knew Lynn Ellis's status in the House of Earl Alistair. This so-called 'pioneering' was merely performing a dangerous task on behalf of the Earl's other legitimate sons.

His tone was flat and businesslike: "I have verified the appointment letter. According to kingdom law, the initial supplies granted to Pioneer Knight Linn are as follows: three small cargo ships, two hundred slaves, one year's worth of grain, various crop seeds and farm tools, twenty sets of basic medicine, five sailors, and two blacksmiths. This is the list; you may go to the port to receive them after confirming."

He pushed a document to the other side of the desk in a professional manner, his tone devoid of any emotion, and he made no mention of any potential 'customary' deductions.

"Since your party from Earl Alistair arrived late, the kingdom's allocation of known islands is basically complete. You will be responsible for pioneering the more remote, temporarily named Iron Sand Island. This is the map of the known areas in the Storm Sea Region."

Linn did not immediately take the list and the map. Instead, he took a step forward, a well-timed, respectful smile appearing on his face: "I have just arrived and will have to rely heavily on your lordship's care." As he spoke, a heavy, inconspicuous small leather pouch quietly slid next to Aldrich's hand as he pushed the document back. The drawstring of the pouch was slightly loose, revealing the golden glow inside! A full fifty gold coins.

The moment Aldrich's fingers touched the money bag, its weight and contents were clear to him. A flash of genuine surprise crossed his eyes, and then his professional expression softened like melting snow. He had originally thought this young man, marginalized by his family, was either a hothead or a degenerate, but he hadn't expected him to be so 'sensible'.

Fifty gold coins was not a huge sum for a powerful official, but it was enough to show an attitude—respect, tact, and the sincerity of not wanting to be made things difficult for at this moment. This was far smarter than a noble descendant who had a title but didn't know the rules.

With a flick of his wrist, the money bag disappeared into Aldrich's sleeve. When he looked at Linn again, there was a bit more scrutiny and a trace of imperceptible appreciation in his gaze. "Sir Linn is young and promising, and understands that pioneering is not easy. Very good." His tone was much gentler, and he even reached out to lightly pat the supply list. "I will personally oversee the supplies on this list to ensure they are delivered to you in full and with quality. Your ships are at berths three through five at the port, and the personnel are already assembled in the nearby camp. You can go and inspect them at any time. I'll give you one day to reorganize and make purchases; set out with your people the morning after tomorrow."

"Thank you, Lord!" Linn bowed again, and this time, Aldrich gave a slight nod in return.

Leaving the Administration Hall, Linn understood. Although these fifty gold coins were one-sixth of his entire net worth, what they bought was not just the full amount of supplies, but a beginning of goodwill from a key figure in this strange land, as well as the temporary fading of the 'Iris Family outcast' label. Aldrich might not become his backer, but at least he wouldn't become an obstacle in the short term.

"Clay, this is the supply list approved by the kingdom. Take men to the port to check and verify them one by one. You must be careful; there must be no mistakes." Linn handed the list with the official seal to Clay, his tone serious.

"Yes, Lord! I will certainly count them carefully to ensure all supplies are exactly as listed!" Clay took the list, solemnly accepted the order, and then turned to hurry toward the designated location.

After sending Clay away, Linn walked alone through the bustling streets of Tianhai City. He calculated in his mind: the funds brought from the family must be spent wisely. Those fifty gold coins needed to be sealed away as emergency military funds and must not be used unless absolutely necessary. The remaining wealth must be converted into tangible resources and power as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"Sitting idle will eventually lead to a dead end. Only by investing in the future can one fight for a chance at life." Linn's gaze swept across the dazzling array of shops on both sides of the street, finally locking onto several shops with signs for herbs, minerals, and magic symbols.

His primary goal gradually became clear: to purchase cultivation potions that could directly improve his own strength, and more importantly, various basic and even advanced potion formulas and corresponding raw materials. The small amount of knowledge he had brought from the academy was far from enough. In this crisis-ridden Storm Sea Region, the ability to be self-sufficient and even develop unique potions was the key to whether the territory could establish itself and even grow. Every copper coin must be spent where it matters most.

Linn's gaze swept over and finally selected a pharmacy named 'Blue Silver Merchant Guild'. Compared to the slightly plain shops around it, the overall scale of this pharmacy was significantly larger, the decoration was more high-end, and the samples displayed in the window shimmered with an enticing luster under the magic lamps.

Just as he approached the door and before he could reach out to push it, a young blonde woman with blue eyes, dressed in well-tailored professional attire, greeted him with a professional smile. Her sharp eyes caught the fine quality of the noble robes on Linn, and her attitude immediately became full of respect.

"Distinguished guest, good day. I am a sales guide for the Blue Silver Merchant Guild, Lilith Batina. You can just call me Lilith." She bowed slightly, her voice crisp and pleasant. "May I ask what your lordship needs to purchase today? Our Mithril Merchant Guild has a complete range of goods and will surely satisfy you."

Linn nodded slightly and cut straight to the point: "Do you have level three magic-type potions here?"

Hearing this, Lilith's beautiful eyes suddenly lit up. level three potions! This was a big business that could easily start at dozens of gold coins. If the deal went through, her commission would be very substantial. Her smile instantly became more sincere, and her enthusiasm rose several notches as she nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes! Lord, you've really come to the right place! level three potions are controlled items and are in short supply, but in our Blue Silver Merchant Guild, we guarantee top quality." Lilith stepped aside and respectfully led the way. "Please follow me to the inner hall for a detailed look; there are more complete categories and a more comfortable environment there."

Linn followed Lilith through the outer hall where ordinary medicinal materials were displayed and entered an inner room that was elegantly decorated and offered better privacy. Soon, several boxes made of exquisite materials and engraved with protective runes were carefully brought out.

Lilith put on silk gloves and, while opening the lids one by one, skillfully introduced them:

"Please look, Lord. This bottle of 'Stellar Meditation Potion' is a classic level three magic potion. It can greatly enhance elemental perception and accelerate mana condensation, especially suitable for use when breaking through a bottleneck. The price is twenty-five gold coins."

"And this bottle of 'Mad Lion's Strength Potion' is a combat qi potion of the same level. Its medicinal properties are overbearing, and it can stimulate and purify combat qi in a short time, suitable for use when a knight is breaking through. The price is twenty-two gold coins."

"In addition, we have the level two magic potion 'Elemental Affinity Potion' and the combat qi potion 'Toughness Elixir,' which have mild but long-lasting and stable effects. Each bottle is priced at five gold coins. Whether for daily cultivation or consolidating your realm, they are excellent choices."

Linn carefully sensed the energy fluctuations contained in the potion bottles. After confirming the quality was correct, he quickly calculated in his mind. He needed to quickly improve his own strength, and he also needed to consider the knight backbone under his command, such as Clay.

"I'll take them," Linn made his decision. "One bottle each of 'Stellar Meditation Potion' and 'Mad Lion's Strength Potion,' three bottles of the level two 'Elemental Affinity Potion,' and two bottles of 'Toughness Elixir.'"

Lilith quickly calculated in her mind, her smile like a blooming flower: "Lord, you really have an eye for quality! The total is twenty-five plus twenty-two, plus twenty-five from the five-five, making it seventy-two gold coins in total. Since you are buying so much at once, I'll take it upon myself to round down the change. You only need to pay seventy gold coins!"

Linn frowned slightly; this price was slightly higher than his psychological expectation. He tapped the tabletop impassively, his tone flat but unquestionable: "Sixty-five gold coins. While these potions are good, the market price is not without fluctuations. If this price is acceptable, we will trade now."

Lilith showed a well-timed look of difficulty. She pondered for a moment, as if having made a great decision: "Lord... your price indeed makes it very hard for us. However, to express the sincerity of our Blue Silver Merchant Guild's cooperation with you, we hope to establish a long-term friendship. Sixty-five gold coins, at the price you said! I hope that if your lordship has any needs in the future, you will consider our Mithril Merchant Guild first."

"Deal." Linn nodded and directly took out his money bag, counting out sixty-five glittering gold coins and pushing them over. Lilith nimbly packed the potion boxes and respectfully handed them to Linn.

After completing this transaction, Linn's funds instantly shrank by nearly half, but looking at these resources that could be directly converted into strength, he felt this investment was immensely worth it. Without staying any longer, he took the potions, turned, and left the Blue Silver Merchant Guild to return to the gathering place.