Its small head was clearly calculating the gains and losses of this transaction.
A moment later, it seemed to have made a decision, reluctantly raising a front paw and carefully raking it across its fluffy belly.
With a few inaudible clinks, twelve silver scales, each the size of a baby's palm and shimmering with Moonlight-like luster, rolled onto the table like pearls.
After Moonlight finished all this, it immediately looked at Lei Luo eagerly, letting out an urging whine from its throat.
“Little fellow, you’re quite good at math!”
Twelve roasted geese for twelve Dragon Scales, not one more.
Lei Luo carefully put away the scales, placing them into a small leather pouch he had prepared earlier.
He rubbed Moonlight's big head, considering it a reward for its cooperation.
“Alright, dig in.”
Given permission, Moonlight let out a joyful growl, no longer bothering with restraint, and plunged into the mountain of roasted geese.
Satisfied chewing sounds immediately echoed, as it ate with astonishing speed.
Lei Luo watched it feast, smiled, and then turned to leave the terrace.
He had to prepare this “unexpected gain” before Master Barnaby returned.
In the evening, as dusk settled, the familiar cry of a Wyvern came from afar.
Soon, Master Barnaby and Bolin landed in the open space in front of the castle.
Unlike his enthusiasm when he left, Master Barnaby's face was now filled with undisguised disappointment.
He had some dust on him, clearly having conducted a thorough search in that abandoned mine, but the results were probably not as he had hoped.
“Baron.”
Master Barnaby forced a smile of apology when he saw Lei Luo coming to greet him.
“Sorry to have bothered you for so long. That mine... alas, besides some faint residual aura, there were hardly any valuable discoveries.”
He shook his head, his tone full of regret.
“It seems I expected too much. It looks like that young Silver Dragon left here a long time ago.”
Bolin also bowed at the side, saying nothing more.
“As far as I know, a young Black Dragon has established a Dragon Nest in the Black Stone Mountain Range. I once encountered it on my way. If the Silver Dragon cannot be found, perhaps this Black Dragon can also solve the master's problem.”
Lei Luo's face showed just the right amount of understanding and comfort.
Master Barnaby sighed.
“Multiple dragons appearing consecutively in this place, it truly lives up to its name as a frontier land, possessing a wild and untamed charm.”
“I originally planned to select one Dragon Scale from a Metal Dragon and one from a Magic Dragon, then grind and mix them together as a catalyst for making a Tier 5 Magical Beast Breakthrough Potion.”
“To be honest, Baron, I have failed many times, and all the Dragon Scales I had saved before have been used up. That’s why I left Lei Long City and came to the northern border to acquire different types of Dragon Scales.”
“I didn't expect to unexpectedly obtain these mutated Silver Dragon Scales, which perfectly fit my alchemy ideas.”
“Unfortunately, I still found nothing in the end, and I shouldn't bother you any longer. I am preparing to return to Boulder City now.”
With that, he bid Lei Luo farewell and left.
“Master, please wait.”
Lei Luo spoke in time.
Master Barnaby stopped and looked at him.
Lei Luo said unhurriedly, “A few days ago, some of my people were active in the mountains near the mine and seemed to have picked up some strange, shiny little fragments. No one paid attention at the time, but today, when a soldier mentioned it, I suddenly wondered if it might be related to what you are researching, Master? So I specifically had someone collect them and wanted to ask you to take a look.”
With that, Lei Luo took out the small leather pouch from his Pregnant, which contained twelve Dragon Scales and some “intentionally” added useless trinkets, and handed it over.
Master Barnaby's eyes instantly lit up!
Inside was the aura he had been searching for for a long time.
He took the leather pouch and carefully poured out its contents.
Among a small pile of miscellaneous items, twelve Dragon Scales shimmering with a cool, clear glow were particularly striking.
“That's right! This is it! The aura, the texture, the energy fluctuations...”
Master Barnaby held the scales as if they were rare treasures, the disappointment on his face completely gone, replaced by ecstasy and excitement.
He meticulously examined the scales, immersed in his own world.
A moment later, he came back to his senses, realizing he had lost his composure somewhat.
“Baron, these... these scales are too important to me!”
“With these Dragon Scales, I will have the opportunity to create a Tier 5 Magical Beast Breakthrough Potion, which will be a qualitative breakthrough for my alchemy!”
Master Barnaby took a deep breath, calming his excited emotions.
“As agreed, these potions are for the extra materials you provided. Please wait a moment!”
He once again fumbled through his spatial magic pouch.
This time, he pulled out two crystal bottles and a wooden box.
“Baron, here are two bottles of Earth Knight Breakthrough Potion, and ten bottles of Da Knight Breakthrough Potion!”
Master Barnaby solemnly handed the potions to Lei Luo, his eyes burning.
“I hope these potions can express my gratitude!”
Two bottles of Earth Knight Breakthrough Potion! Ten bottles of Da Knight Breakthrough Potion!
Even though Lei Luo was prepared, he was still surprised by Master Barnaby's grand gesture.
As expected of a Potion Master, these precious potions seemed no different from spring water in his hands.
“Master is too kind.”
Lei Luo maintained a calm expression, but his heart was blooming with joy as he unceremoniously accepted the potions.
“It is an honor for Blackstone Territory to be able to assist the master's research.”
“Not at all, it is I who should thank the Baron!”
Master Barnaby was in a great mood now, and he found Lei Luo more and more pleasing to the eye.
“Oh, by the way, Baron, I am still staying at the Golden Griffon Inn in Boulder City for now, focusing on researching these scales. If... I mean, if you or your people have similar discoveries in the future, or any other special magical beast materials, you can always find me there! I am willing to exchange them for the highest price, or the highest quality potions!”
“Certainly.”
Lei Luo nodded in agreement.
“If there is any news, I will inform the master immediately.”
“Excellent! Then I will not disturb you further, farewell!”
Master Barnaby was satisfied, thanked Lei Luo solemnly once more, and then eagerly climbed onto the back of the Wyvern.
“Baron?”
On the Wyvern's back, Master Barnaby spoke again.
“If possible, you can have your knights and people search for the whereabouts of this young Silver Dragon in your territory and the Black Stone Mountain Range. Whether it's clues about it, or leftover Dragon Scales or other materials, I am willing to purchase them at a high price!”
With a low roar, the Wyvern flapped its wings and soared into the sky, quickly disappearing into the night.
Lei Luo stood still, weighing the heavy potion bottles in his hand, looking in the direction Master Barnaby had departed, the curve of his lips becoming more pronounced.
He wondered if Master Barnaby had realized anything, but maintaining a good relationship with him might provide the territory with a long-term supply of high-quality potions.
...
The next day, at dawn.
Lei Luo, in full armor, mounted the Storm Gryphon.
Adel, leading twenty Pegasus Knights, was already fully prepared.
“Depart!”
Lei Luo gave the order and was the first to ascend.
The Pegasus Knights followed closely, their wings spread, creating a gust of air as they took to the sky, forming a neat formation in the air, guarding Lei Luo's sides.
Lei Luo and his party traveled day and night, with almost no stops except for necessary rest.
The Pegasus Knights were extremely fast, greatly shortening the travel time.
There was no conversation along the way.
The afternoon of the next day, a continuous red maple forest appeared on the horizon in the distance, the maple leaves as red as fire, like a burning cloud.
Red Maple Territory, they had arrived.