The kingdom’s military pharmacologists and alchemists surrounded Bao Ligen, conducting a detailed body examination on him.
Equipping magic constructs places a significant burden on the user.
Bao Ligen’s physical condition requires constant care and monitoring.
"In the next battle, I want to challenge Long Fu!" Bao Ligen said viciously.
The project leader shook his head repeatedly: "The timing is not mature yet."
"We have collected very little data, making it impossible to determine the stability of the construct in actual combat."
"You violated the combat strategy!"
"Now, we can’t even determine whether the injuries on your body were caused by your previous fight with the Devil or by wearing the magic construct."
Bao Ligen snorted coldly, turned his head, and remained silent.
He was a Holy Fighter chosen by the Duel Godhood, and when facing other Holy Fighters, he inherently wanted to rely on his own strength to fight rather than external forces.
In Bao Ligen’s heart, he regarded the Devil as his nemesis.
For a nemesis, the best way to show respect is to go all out under the premise of using equal external power.
Such a battle result, whether win or lose, would satisfy him.
Unfortunately, he was not only a duelist but also a soldier of the kingdom. At the last moment, amidst the shouting transmission from the responsible person, he still used the magic construct.
After all, to fight head-to-head with the Devil to the end, he would surely be seriously injured, unable to recover completely in a short period, affecting his combat readiness. It would also affect his plan for revenge against the Dragon-man youth and the military’s grand plan to showcase [Cold Pudding].
The responsible person also knew that Bao Ligen was a habitual violator of military protocol, so he endured his headache and tried to ease his tone: "Next, we have already arranged your duel opponent for you."
"You have to follow orders!"
"You need to use the magic construct right from the start so that we can collect enough data."
"You want to deal with Long Fu?"
"He is indeed strong, but as long as the data is good, we can completely set him as the third target."
"Before this, you need to cooperate with us well."
Bao Ligen’s face was gloomy, and he nodded fiercely.
...
Ice Sculpture Royal Capital.
Long Meng’s training room.
The Dragon-man youth consulted Long Meng directly: "You know the relationship between Bao Ligen and me, Long Meng. After this battle, he will likely come to challenge me."
"What way should I use to respond?"
Long Meng chuckled: "It’s quite simple. His strength comes from the magic construct [Cold Pudding]. So why don’t you buy a set and equip it too?"
The Dragon-man youth was silent.
This is certainly one method. Previously, when he discussed with Zi Di and Cang Xu, Zi Di had already suggested it.
But this method has obvious drawbacks.
The first is, what if the military refuses to sell it to the Dragon-man youth?
Zi Di considered: "If it were me, considering Bao Ligen’s emotions, I might not sell it to the opponent."
Cang Xu pointed out the second drawback: "If it is really purchased, using magic construct [Cold Pudding] against magic construct [Cold Pudding] successfully, even if victorious, it would be an invisible harm to Long Fu’s reputation."
"Think about Bao Ligen’s duel with the Devil. Why did he only use the magic construct at the very end?"
"If the squad leader equips the magic construct [Cold Pudding] for the duel, in the public’s mind, it seems to be an act of avoidance."
The Dragon-man youth felt troubled: "In Fishman Form, Bao Ligen is not a problem. But in Dragon-man form, I can only use extraordinary power in terms of fighting energy..."
Zi Di frowned: "If equipped to enhance, unless purchasing equipment of Holy Domain Level to counterbalance the magic construct [Cold Pudding]. But this way, the Holy Domain Level equipment consumes too much fighting energy, making long-term combat unsustainable, and likely becoming a huge flaw."
Feng Lian, when using the Holy Domain Level Bronze Mask, consumed energy from the mana pool of the alchemy components.
Bao Ligen possessed the inherent energy core of the magic construct [Cold Pudding].
While the Blast Fighting Spirit in Dragon-man form did not have the advantage of recovery or reserve.
The Dragon-man youth pondered: "Then, we can only rely heavily on spell scrolls and alchemy crossbows to compete."
This tactical choice is also at a disadvantage against a set like the magic construct [Cold Pudding].
But it’s an inevitable choice.
"Squad leader, perhaps you can consult Long Meng?" Cang Xu suddenly proposed.
After a pause, he continued: "It’s an opportunity."
"Not only Long Meng, but we can also use it to probe our friendly forces and interest alliances."
"Let’s see what good methods they have."
The Dragon-man youth first contacted Mifang, asking him to seek help from the Jingxiang family.
Speaking of which, he still had a bottle of Holy Domain Level Devil Transformation Potion in his hand, which he obtained from the Jingxiang family. But this potion couldn’t be used publicly—it would let the Jingxiang family fully realize the true relationship between the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps and Mifang.
Perhaps the Jingxiang family could provide a second bottle of Holy Domain Level Magic Potion?
However, the Jingxiang family only offered a Golden Level Magic Potion and proposed a condition, asking the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps to increase their profits in the mount Magic Potion business.
This was a typical case of taking advantage of the opportunity!
The Dragon-man youth then contacted Shuanglian and Bu Quan.
Bu Quan was very nervous upon hearing this and begged his mentor to personally help.
Shuanglian suddenly realized this was a great opportunity.
So, he invited the Dragon-man youth to the study for a private chat: "I can sponsor you several powerful Golden Level alchemy tools, but the price is, you must let Bu Quan exit your Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps."
Shuanglian’s gaze turned profound, and his tone became cold: "I can even directly gift you a Holy Domain Level Magic Scroll, which can ensure your victory over Bao Ligen. But the condition is, you must leave Bu Quan’s life completely!"
Shuanglian indeed was a powerful elder of the Alchemy Guild, rich, very rich.
The Dragon-man youth pondered for a moment, then replied: "Lord Shuanglian, I think you might have misunderstood me."
"Bu Quan and I are friends; she can help me, and I can help her as well."
"It’s just like our cooperation; it’s beneficial for everyone, isn’t it?"
"If our friendship could be replaced by money, by material things, is it still friendship?"
"Please retract your test."
Shuanglian sneered inwardly: "Friendship?"
He pressured verbally: "Aren’t you afraid of losing to Bao Ligen? You would disappoint countless people."
The Dragon-man youth shrugged: "A true warrior never fears defeat, only cowardice and fear of battle. Failure indeed would make me uncomfortable and would impact mount Magic Potion sales."
"But I think this negative impact isn’t significant."
"After all, everyone knows the power of the Magic Structure ’Cold Pudding’. Even if I lose, it’s reasonable, isn’t it?"
Shuanglian coldly said: "I’ll give you time to think, consider it well."
Then he dismissed him as a guest.
When the Dragon-man youth found nothing from these two places, the envoy from the Lijian family took the initiative to visit.
The envoy brought forth Mian licang’s cooperation intention: the Lijian family is willing to offer their Holy Domain Level foundation to help the Dragon-man youth defeat Bao Ligen. What Mian licang wanted was for the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps to continue its Magic Potion cooperation with the Lijian family.
The Dragon-man youth was not there at the time, and Cang Xu was adamant in his stance. Zi Di conveyed the rejection of this cooperation proposal once more on their behalf.
Then, they received equipment sent by the City Lord of Snowbird Port through someone: Automatic Blood Bottle, Ice Heart Headband, Sword Reverse Dragon Scale, Wandering Full Body Armor, etc.
They hadn’t even made a request to the City Lord of Snowbird Port yet.
It must be said that ever since the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps cooperated with the City Lord of Snowbird Port, investing a large sum of money, indirectly aiding the latter in establishing a Mage Tower.
The survivors’ superficial relationship with the City Lord of Snowbird Port had rapidly heated and transformed significantly.
This equipment had once brought tremendous help to the Dragon-man youth; without them, he couldn’t have defeated Teng Donglang.
After that duel, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps even proactively raised the offer several times, trying to directly purchase this equipment from the City Lord of Snowbird Port, but the City Lord had no intention to sell, keeping it tightly in his hands.
This time, the City Lord of Snowbird Port lent it out voluntarily.
The Dragon-man youth thought, isn’t this just right?
So, he directly ordered Sanda to visit the City Lord of Snowbird Port and once again express their intention to buy this equipment.
The price offered by the Dragon-man youth remained the previous high price, without taking the opportunity to lower it.
However, the City Lord of Snowbird Port took the initiative to lower the price to a normal range. While showing goodwill, he also made a request.
He valued the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ connections within the Alchemy Guild, hoping the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps could exert their efforts in the matter of inviting Alchemy Mages to expedite the construction of the Mage Tower and lend him a hand.
Although the Mage Tower of Snowbird Port was being rushed during construction, the progress wasn’t fast, making the City Lord of Snowbird Port anxious, hoping for more excellent Alchemy Mages to come and participate in this project.
The Dragon-man youth discussed with Cang Xu and Zi Di, expressing their willingness to help the City Lord of Snowbird Port.
Zi Di had no particular opinion.
But Cang Xu shook his head: "On the surface, helping the City Lord of Snowbird Port seems beneficial, capable of further advancing our relationship."
"But in reality, it’s likely more harmful than beneficial."
"Firstly, our true relationship with the City Lord of Snowbird Port isn’t as harmonious as it seems. The City Lord’s true allegiance is to the empire’s spy, always wanting to expose the arms dealer behind us. So, our considerable assistance will not earn his genuine gratitude."
"Secondly, we need to consider the feelings of the Royal Family and other Nobles. If the City Lord of Snowbird Port’s identity as a spy is exposed in the future, how will others view our substantial support in expediting the Mage Tower construction? In an uncertain future, it’s more beneficial for us to distance ourselves from the City Lord of Snowbird Port."
"In short, it is far from being the time to take sides."
"We are outsiders; we are arms dealers wanting to conduct arms trade. This neutral identity is very useful."