Chapter 827: Chapter 615: Recruiting the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps
In the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, the Alchemy Guild has always been the dominant force in the Alchemy Market, occupying the largest share in areas such as magic potions, alchemy armament, alchemy daily necessities, and alchemy armaments.
Zi Di, with excellent business acumen, discovered a blue ocean in the magic potion market and took advantage of the nationwide fame brought by Long Fu to sell Dragon Power Riding Potions in large quantities. The magic potion business was booming, impacting the entire Kingdom, causing a strong sensation in the industry, and its profits were enviable.
The Alchemy Guild has not intervened all along, which does not mean they haven’t noticed the actions of the survivors.
Presiding over the final construction of the Ice Lake Array indeed involved the guild’s most manpower and resources, but it would never reach the point where they couldn’t spare the hands.
The real reason lies in their numbers.
With many people, come many mindsets. A large team means hearts can easily scatter, making it even harder to reconcile the varying interests.
If an organization is compared to a ship, it has always been easier to turn a small ship.
The booming sales of the Dragon Power Riding Potion made all alchemists aware of the immense interests contained within.
But who will step forward?
There are many capable people in the Alchemy Guild who, if they step forward, can bring challenges and trouble to the survivors.
However, these competent people cannot act at will and freely.
Because the Alchemy Guild has explicit rules, along with numerous hidden rules.
These rules are the reasons for institutional bloating, but their existence also ensures that internal consumption approaches a low level.
According to these rules, the first choice is Hua Ni.
Hua Ni herself has made many achievements in the field of magic potions, being a master-level figure and the face of the Alchemy Guild in the magic potion field. Regarding the Kingdom’s magic potion market, she is also in charge.
If she does not step forward, others would hardly have a reason. Even the chairman is no exception.
In fact, the chairman of this generation’s Alchemy Guild is rather weak.
Elder Jiu Jin was suddenly entrusted with a heavy responsibility, filled with both joy and surprise.
The joy, naturally, was from the huge interests in the Riding Potion Market. Being able to execute this task, the gains must be substantial. The surprise was that Hua Ni was not presiding over this work.
But in an instant, Elder Jiu Jin understood, immediately stating to the present Master Hua Ni that he dared not overstep, and everything would be as per Master Hua Ni’s discretion.
This attitude satisfied Hua Ni, who then spoke: "Elder Jiu Jin, there is no need to have these mental burdens. This time I actively requested it. I want to participate in this year’s Warm Snow Cup tournament."
Elder Jiu Jin was surprised: "Master, you also want to participate in this Warm Snow Cup?"
With Hua Ni already accomplished and renowned, Elder Jiu Jin felt there was really no need for her to take such a risk.
The guild chairman explained: "This year’s Warm Snow Cup is extraordinary, and during the National Ceremony, others may come flaunting their power. So, the guild will dispatch mighty figures to hold the fort."
Elder Jiu Jin showed a look of realization: "I see."
At the same time, he also understood that convincing Hua Ni to relinquish this Riding Potion contention, the other prominent figures of the Alchemy Guild must have gone through difficult communication, sacrificing quite a few interests.
"It was because my alchemy ability is weak that I was chosen to rectify the domestic market."
Elder Jiu Jin quickly expressed that having been entrusted with a great task, he certainly would not disappoint!
The chairman coughed: "You need to be aware that this time your opponent is the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. This group has a special background and may very well be arms dealers from abroad. Their Snowbird Port division was attacked, and Shuanglian got involved because of her Bu Quan, and she is still missing."
"So, this time you have another task, which is to seek clues from the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps in hopes of discovering Elder Shuanglian’s whereabouts."
Elder Jiu Jin was about to accept the order, but Hua Ni said: "This task is secondary; your primary focus should be on rectifying the market."
Elder Jiu Jin immediately showed hesitation.
He was caught between the Alchemy Guild chairman and Master Hua Ni.
Hua Ni then looked at the chairman: "Shuanglian’s life ice sculpture has not shattered, which is the best evidence that she is alive."
"Previously, we also dispatched people to investigate, and traces of spatial fluctuations were detected. It is evident that she and her Mage Tower have suffered from Exile Technique or similar space magic."
"With Mixo Tower’s protection, there is no need to worry about her at all."
"It’s better to wait patiently until she sends a distress message, and then we can set up a teleportation array to bring her directly back. How convenient is that, saving both time and effort!"
The guild chairman’s face darkened slightly.
Master Hua Ni and Mage Shuanglian often had conflicts, being two opposing factions within the guild.
Hua Ni spoke so righteously, clearly wanting to exclude Shuanglian, letting her continue to wander outside, unable to catch up with this Warm Snow Cup.
If she establishes merit in the Warm Snow Cup, Hua Ni will undoubtedly gain more glory and interests. By the time the National Ceremony ends, even if Mage Shuanglian returns, Master Hua Ni will already be one step ahead due to her achievements.
This is Hua Ni’s plan, not what the Alchemy Guild chairman hoped to see.
On one hand, as a weak leader, he needed to balance the powers within the various factions of the guild.
On the other hand, he worried that during this National Ceremony, forces from all sides would dispatch strong contenders to overshadow the Ice Sculpture Kingdom during the Warm Snow Cup. If that happens, when the Royal Family and various nobles pursue the matter, he, as the chairman, would surely be in trouble. If worse comes to worst, even the chairman position might be stripped away!
So, from his perspective, he naturally hoped that Mage Shuanglian would return promptly.
But at this moment, Hua Ni stared into his eyes: "Chairman, you may be aware that Mage Shuanglian has already mastered the Ice Split Skill."
"With such a skill, would she fear falling into a spatial trap?"
The Alchemy Guild chairman and Elder Jiu Jin both showed a flash of surprise.
The chairman was somewhat incredulous: "Wasn’t the research on the Ice Split Skill stuck at a bottleneck? The designed Magic Model is extremely large, almost impossible for a mage to cast alone, requiring exceedingly high spiritual power, and the mana consumption has never been optimized."
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Elder Jiu Jin also cast a concerned glance at Hua Ni.
Although the Alchemy Guild is primarily focused on alchemy and not magic, magic and alchemy are fundamentally interconnected and inseparable.
Elder Jiu Jin was well aware of the matters regarding the Ice Split Skill.
The research on this spell began centuries ago. Initially, it was during an alchemical experiment conducted by an elder from the Alchemy Guild that the Great Decomposition Technique was applied. Although the experiment failed, it led to inspiration and direction.
Pursuing this direction, the elder conducted research based on the Great Decomposition Technique, aiming to develop a frost-type Great Decomposition Technique.
The Great Decomposition Technique is an extremely advanced magic with formidable power. Its terrifying potential could even decompose a Divine Artifact!
In simple terms, the Ice Split Skill is essentially a frost-variant of the Great Decomposition Technique.
Mastering this spell would greatly enhance a mage’s combat capabilities. Not only that, but the successful development of a spell of this magnitude would certainly cause a sensation in the entire Magic World across the Main Plane, drawing the attention of numerous powerful entities.
Hua Ni glanced at the two, chuckling lightly, "What are you thinking? Shuanglian’s advantage lies in her resources. She alone cannot refine the Ice Split Skill to a level where it can be cast solo."
"She did make some improvements based on previous research, but it was tailored for her Mage Tower."
"Now, her Mage Tower is equipped with the magic model of the Ice Split Skill, making it entirely feasible to cast this spell."
Hua Ni, being long-time competitors with Shuanglian, had more insight into the situation than either Elder Jiu Jin or the Guild Master.
"So that’s how it is," Elder Jiu Jin sighed in relief.
Such improvement results were quite ordinary.
A mage still can’t cast the Ice Split Skill alone, but with a Mage Tower, which has a larger Mana Pool and assistance from the Tower Spirit, executing the magic model is much easier.
How many mages actually possess a Mage Tower?
Therefore, even with some improvements, Shuanglian’s advances are minor and hardly a groundbreaking development.
The Guild Master tapped his fingers on the table, his expression vacillating.
Learning Shuanglian’s Mage Tower was already equipped with the Ice Split Skill, he felt both shocked and irritated.
"How could I have been oblivious to such vital information!"
"Mage Shuanglian has indeed kept things well-hidden. And to think I was inclined to support her a bit to balance the factions."
"But the truth is, her faction is already at the forefront. No wonder when she went missing, other factions remained indifferent."
With this in mind, the Guild Master’s attitude shifted.
He turned to Elder Jiu Jin, "Mage Shuanglian deserves her place as an elder in our guild, with such remarkable strength; I was overly worried."
"Elder Jiu Jin, this time, focus on securing the market for the Dragon Power Riding Potion."
Elder Jiu Jin immediately expressed his understanding and resolved to go all out.
Meanwhile, Hua Ni had other instructions.
She asked, "How do you plan to proceed?"
Elder Jiu Jin quickly replied, "Master Hua Ni, rest assured. Our forces are unrivaled, the only dominion in the Kingdom."
"With the Guild Master and your assignments, I’ll mobilize personnel, shift product lines in several alchemy factories, and flood the market nationwide."
"How many alchemy facilities does the Lijian family have? How many Alchemists could they possibly muster? They can’t possibly compare to us."
Elder Jiu Jin meant that their side had a significant advantage, making defeat almost impossible.
However, Hua Ni’s face darkened, "Foolish. Why only think of exerting force?"
"First, attempt to recruit."
"I’ve examined the Dragon Power Riding Potion. The formula has clever, unique design subtleties."
"Recruit the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps; they likely possess more than just one magic potion formula."
Elder Jiu Jin showed signs of realization and admiration, "I understand, Master Hua Ni."
"My perspective was too narrow."
"Your strategy is superior! By recruiting them, not only do we secure the riding potion market, but their talents also become ours!"
"But, what kind of offer should we propose for recruitment?"
Hua Ni snorted, "Do I need to teach you such trivial matters? It’s your responsibility, not mine."
"Understood, understood," Elder Jiu Jin hastily nodded, though internally fretting.
Didn’t he consider recruitment?
Of course he did.
But recruitment requires making an offer, which is not an easy task.
It’s fraught with potential mistakes.
But exerting force to secure victory is definitely infallible.
No choice.
Hua Ni’s intentions were clear, and with no opposition from the Guild Master, Elder Jiu Jin had no choice but to comply.