114: Chapter 0114 Intending to Acquire

The detailed map of the Whispering Forest, in addition to marking the true location of the sorrow fruit tree, also circled three secret gathering points not disclosed by Kelvin with red ink, as well as the coordinates of the Zero Ring high-tier Demonized Creature 'Shadow Spider Mother's' nest.

He obviously already knew the true danger of the core area, but he had never been confident enough to deal with the Shadow Spider Mother, which was why he wanted to use Li Size and the other person.

The used sorcery powerful crossbow still had three arrows identical to those used in the sneak attack. The arrowheads were tipped with a light green paralyzing toxin, and the arrow shafts were engraved with miniature Wind Element Runes, which could increase firing speed and penetration.

However, this item was basically useless to Li Size, so he temporarily tossed it to Flora, earning her repeated thanks.

The Low-Grade Mental Energy Recovery Gem was a small, pigeon egg-sized light blue magic stone, with faint energy fluctuations remaining on its surface.

This was an emergency item Kelvin used to quickly replenish Mental Energy, but it was clearly not as effective as the Mental Energy recovery Potion refined by Li Size.

These wild High-tier Wizard Apprentices only had their rank but lacked anything decent; no wonder Li Size dealt with them with one shot.

However, the last item, a Gathering Journal, gave Li Size a surprise. It was a yellowed parchment notebook.

It recorded Kelvin's collecting notes in the forest:

Including the growth cycle of the melancholy fruit, observations of Demonized Creature' habits, and a draft plan to 'use outsiders to clear patrolling Demonized Creature,' with calculations evident between the lines.

This Gathering Journal taught Li Size the planting methods and growth habits of the sorrow fruit tree, and also provided several ways to safely transplant this sorrow fruit tree.

Li Size spent 10 gold coins on Pay-to-Win Analysis, firmly imprinting this valuable knowledge into his mind.

Li Size returned to the sorrow fruit tree, his fingertips moving slightly to summon the Zero-Ring Sorcery 'Wizards Hand'.

A transparent arm gently enveloped a ripe purplish-black melancholy fruit, slowly plucking it from the branch.

He individually inspected the skin of the fifteen fruits, ensuring no damage or insect bites, then placed them into a storage box with a 'preservation' rune.

Each fruit placed was infused with a trace of Mental Energy to reinforce the energy field, preventing the mysterious energy from dissipating.

After finishing, Li Size looked at the neatly arranged fruits in the box and chuckled lightly:

These are enough to refine fifteen portions of 'brain in a vat' Potion, enough for myself and my several women.

Moreover, there is a ready-made sorrow fruit tree here, and I already know its location and have a detailed map, and I learned how to transplant it from Kelvin's notes.

Once I am fully prepared, I can transplant it to my own place, and from then on, I will never lack this core Material for 'brain in a vat'.

After Li Size and Flora returned to the academy...

Li Size handed over more than a hundred Great Master-grade inferior Potion automated production sorcery machine tools, which he had crafted while practicing sorcery machine tool manufacturing techniques, to Flora.

He instructed her to take them back to Wojin City and hand them over to Lina, the leader of the Miners Brotherhood.

The arrival of these machine tools greatly boosted the production efficiency and armament capabilities of the Miners Brotherhood.

Not only did it completely dispel the Gang members' doubts, allowing Lina to truly take full control of the entire Gang, but it also accelerated her execution of several orders Li Size had given earlier:

Including stabilizing secret smuggling routes, hoarding minerals, and secretly planning to establish factories.

Flora's departure not only took away these hundred-plus machine tools but also carried Li Size's order to vigorously collect information on their competitor, the De Kela Si Merchant Guild, through the Dark Web.

Meanwhile, Li Size, who remained at the academy, rushed into the Laboratory, planning to fully sprint towards Great Master-grade Potion Refining (Zero Ring) skill.

He was confident that he could advance to proficient grade tonight, and he believed that advancing to Great Master-grade would also be achieved very soon.

However, an uninvited guest arrived at this moment: someone from the De Kela Si Merchant Guild!

Li Size and Felina received the visitor in the factory's reception room. A middle-aged man in an embroidered gold and purple velvet formal suit strode in with his head held high.

Pinned to his chest was the silver eagle emblem of the De Kela Si Merchant Guild; he was none other than Calvin, the regional branch president of the southeastern area.

He scanned the unadorned decorations of the reception room, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth:

"Li Size?...

I am Calvin of the De Kela Si Merchant Guild. I heard you created something called 'little sorcerer donkey'.

1000 gold coins. Sell me the intellectual property rights to its invention. This is the most generous offer you can get."

Li Size felt as if he had swallowed a fly; he looked up coldly at the other party:

"1000 gold coins?

President Calvin, I'm afraid you haven't calculated the pre-orders for the 'Changxing' brand, have you?

My invention's intellectual property rights are not for sale."

Calvin's face darkened, and a malicious glint flashed in his eyes:

"Young man, don't be too arrogant...

Do you think a mere Wizard Apprentice like you can withstand the pressure from the Merchant Guild?

Within a week, you'll be kneeling before me, begging to sell me the intellectual property rights to that worthless thing!"

With that, he flicked his sleeves and left, the reception room door slamming shut heavily.

Seeing this, Felina frowned deeply, her bright eyes filled with worry.

She gently tugged on Li Size's sleeve and whispered:

"These people are simply too much!

Not only do they use schemes to interfere with the normal review of our invention's intellectual property rights by the arbitration council, but now they even want to forcefully seize our invention at such an absurdly low price!"

Her voice carried a hint of unsuppressed anger.

Li Size turned around, gently patted her shoulder, his gaze firm and composed.

"Don't worry, wife,"

he softly comforted her.

"We expected to encounter these people's schemes. Since we prepared in advance, we will never let them succeed easily."

His tone was steady, yet inadvertently revealed a hint of sharpness.

Despite saying this, Li Size still felt extreme disgust for Calvin's arrogant and rude demeanor deep down.

These so-called industry giants, relying on their vast power, do whatever they please.

He secretly clenched his fists, thinking:

Now our strength is still weak, we can only defend and counterattack, but one day, I will uproot them!

And now, the De Kela Si Merchant Guild has already made its move.

Li Size calmly judged that the opponent would certainly make consecutive moves next, and he must proceed cautiously, dismantling each one.

Indeed, as a top predator in the industry, the De Kela Si Merchant Guild gave them no breathing room.

As soon as Kelvin left, the Merchant Guild launched a series of premeditated offensives, swift and fierce, like a fierce beast poised for battle in the commercial arena.

The next morning, Felina burst into the Laboratory in a hurry, her face like ice.

Li Size was concentrating on adjusting Potions and improving his refining proficiency; he looked up and met her anxious gaze.

"How outrageous! Husband, look at this quickly,"

She heavily handed a copy of the 'Monte Province Evening News' to Li Size, her fingers trembling slightly with anger.

"This is outright slander!"

The front page of the newspaper had a striking headline in large characters:

"Gele City's New Favorite little sorcerer donkey Loses Control, Causing Accidental Death; High-tier Wizard Apprentice from Alchemy Department States little sorcerer donkey Has Safety Hazards."