Ethan bowed and eagerly accepted the Magic Stone Fragment.
His attitude became even more enthusiastic: "Thank you for your generosity, are you going back to the airship to rest?"
"Yes, today’s harvest needs to be properly sorted."
Ron replied, especially the Void Gem, he needed to study its energy attributes more thoroughly to determine the best application method.
Ethan immediately led the way, guiding Ron through the gradually quieting streets towards the city gate.
The sunset’s afterglow cast a golden-red layer over the gray buildings, making the entire town less gloomy.
"If you’re interested, Wizard, tomorrow," Ethan suggested on their way to the city gate:
"I can take you to the ’Shadow Zone’. There are some more... special goods and services there that you won’t see in ordinary markets."
Ron raised an eyebrow, showing interest in the proposal: "What kind of place is it specifically?"
Ethan’s expression became slightly tense, but he quickly regained his professional smile:
"The Shadow Zone is a special area of Town 69, located in an abandoned section in the northeast corner of town, trading items in the gray area. The rules there are different from the marketplace, more... free."
He paused as if choosing his words:
"I must clarify that any event that occurs there will not be intervened by the town’s official forces. Everyone can only rely on their strength for safety."
Ron nodded in understanding.
Under the influence of the Abyss’s presence, some conventional social constraints indeed become blurred.
The existence of such a "lawless land" is precisely one aspect he wants to explore.
"Sounds intriguing." He calmly replied, "We can take a look tomorrow."
When passing through the gate, the guards once again saluted the black-robed Wizard in respect.
Outside the city, dusk had set in, and thin mist wandered along the cobblestone road leading to the Docking Tower, appearing blood-red under the setting sun as if exhaling from the Abyss.
Ethan seemed accustomed to this scene and skillfully guided Ron through the mist towards the Docking Tower.
Back in the suite, Ron found Dale leaning over the edge of the Crystal Vat, her little face pressed against the transparent wall, intently observing the constantly changing water patterns inside.
Ailan stood beside her, vines gently stretching, presenting a relaxed posture.
"Master is back!" Dale cheered, her fish tail splashing the water, stirring ripples:
"What good things did you buy? Was the city fun? What do the residents of the Abyss Edge look like? Are they all contaminated?"
A barrage of questions burst from the Little Sea Siren’s mouth, and Ron’s lips curled slightly.
When interacting with Dale, he could always relax somewhat from his deliberately maintained calm facade.
"Bought some interesting materials."
Ron simply replied, then turned to Ailan:
"You can go out for a walk, move around near the airship, but don’t go too far. Dale, remember to bring your Crystal Talisman."
Dale excitedly nodded, swiftly leaping out of the Crystal Vat, transforming into the shape of legs.
The Blue Crystal Talisman hanging around her neck emitted a faint glow, a humidifying device Ron had specially refined for her, capable of providing necessary moisture in dry environments.
"I’ll take care of Dale, Master."
Ailan’s voice was like a breeze rustling through leaves:
"The Observation Deck on the airship seems to have some interesting vine plants; I’d like to observe their growth state up close."
Once the two had left, Ron immediately took out today’s harvest and carefully lined them up on the workbench.
The three Abyssal Items emitted their unique light under the lamp.
The deep blue glow of the Void Gem, the gloomy green of the Heart-devouring Stone, and the pulsating violet-black electric light of the Abyss Crystal.
Ron first picked up the Void Gem, cautiously placing it on a specially made detection device.
This was a simple setup he had temporarily assembled on the airship to roughly measure some basic data of Extraordinary Items, though its precision was far inferior to the instruments of the School’s formal laboratory.
As the detection proceeded, the various data of the Void Gem gradually emerged—energy density exceeded ordinary Magic Stones by twenty times;
The fluctuation frequency was unusually stable, presenting a rare quality structure;
Most astonishing was its spatial propensity index, which almost reached the instrument’s measurement limit.
"These spatial attributes..." Ron’s eyes flickered with excitement but soon returned to calm:
"It can definitely be used as the main framework material for the Pocket House Technique."
The Pocket House Technique is the kind of Ancient Spatial Magic he had seen before, capable of creating a private space isolated from the external world, internally arranged according to the caster’s will.
This magic requires extremely rare Spatial Attribute Materials as a medium, and the Void Gem is one of the ideal choices.
Ron recalled Lady Allen’s mobile herb store, a seemingly ordinary little cube whose interior was a world of its own, capable of accommodating numerous herbs and alchemy equipment.
Back then, he developed a strong interest in this spatial magic but had always struggled with finding the right materials.
"The spatial attributes of the Void Gem far exceed any material I’ve seen before, perhaps even superior to those used in Lady Allen’s herb store."
Ron mused, eyes gleaming with anticipation:
"If I can combine it with my Alchemy Technology to create a truly private laboratory, I can directly resolve one of my long-standing issues."