Versatile Mage

 —

 Their plane headed north along the eastern coastline. It arrived at Penglai International Airport in Yantai after a little over an hour.

 The group headed to Yantai City after the flight. Lingling explained the details of the job to Mo Fan and Zhao Manyan on the coach.

 “These demon crests aren’t something like the feathers growing on the heads of demon creatures, but a special leaf containing the essence nature at the top of a certain plant. It only grows on top of a plant called the Giant Purple Linden. The leaves of Giant Purple Lindens are able to gather the energy of the Sun into the fruit they bear. As such, the demon creatures that feed on their fruits are usually stronger. Therefore, every Giant Purple Linden actually has a small ecosystem of guardian beasts protecting the tree and little creatures residing in the vicinity of it. The demon crests are the most important part of the Giant Purple Lindens, helping gather the energy of the Sun. I’ve done some research: the corporation needs to utilize a large amount of energy from the demon crests, since they mainly produce magic Equipment of the Light Element,” Lingling informed them.

 “I know the corporation you’re talking about. They were established here in Yantai around five years ago. In simple words, they were able to grow so quickly because they invented the technology to produce magic Equipment from the demon crests. Currently, the majority of the Light Element Equipment in Asia and Europe is produced by them. They have gained a great reputation. I believe they are supported by Tokyo’s Shrine of Mages, from Japan. Apparently, the corporation plays an important role in improving the economy along the coastline. They are collecting and refining the raw materials here. They then transport them to Dalian by sea to their production line to produce defensive magic Equipment, before selling them in Japan. The Equipment is made in China, but their prices rise significantly after they reach Japan,” Zhao Manyan added on.

 Zhao Manyan knew a thing or two when it was related to money and business. He always had a way to find out how a business was operating behind the scenes.

 “These demon crests weren’t that valuable in the past. A demon crest used to be around ten thousand yuan, and not many people bothered gathering them. However, in just five years, the demand for the demon crests in Yantai skyrocketed. Each demon crest is worth a hundred thousand now. But, even so, Tokyo’s Shrine of Mages is still making bank from it. The cost of a single piece of Equipment produced from the demon crests is two hundred thousand at most, but it can be sold at a price of five hundred thousand!” Zhao Manyan informed them.

 “These cunning businesses always get away with the money that the Mages have risked their lives to earn!” Mo Fan exclaimed.

 Defensive Equipment had always been the thing that below-average Mages lacked the most. Hunters spent most of their time fighting demon creatures, so they were well aware of the difference that a piece of defensive Equipment could make. As a result, most of the money they earned ended up in the pockets of the companies that were manufacturing defensive Equipment!

 “A hundred thousand is a reasonable price for the demon creatures. Back when it was only ten thousand, the Japanese managed to earn a great fortune!” Zhao Manyan agreed.

 “Speaking of which, it feels like we are a little too late. I heard many people discussing the demon crests on our way here,” Lingling said.

 When they landed in Penglai International Airport, the place was crowded with Hunters. She even noticed mercenaries and Hunter Groups from other countries. It was obvious that the news regarding the gold mine of demon crests had spread wildly.

 Lingling and Mo Fan were quite disappointed after seeing the competition they were facing.

 However, it was part of the nature of their career. It was impossible for every job to go smoothly!

 “Chen Yi is in Yantai, we can ask her to be our guide,” Zhao Manyan mentioned.

 “Is she from Yantai?” Mo Fan was surprised.

 “Yeah, it’s her hometown. She will be happy to see us,” Zhao Manyan smiled.

 “Such a pity that Little Flame Belle is sleeping. She would be happier if she sees the little creature,” Mo Fan murmured.

 Mo Fan had not met Zhao Manyan’s cousin Chen Yi after the incident of the Fiery Sorceress Jiang Feng. He knew it would take Chen Yi a very long time to get over the past. After all, she had ended her mother’s life with her own hands, even though Jiang Feng had no regrets.

 ——

 They soon managed to find Chen Yi’s home. It was a little hut facing the sea along the coastline, surrounded by blooming flowers as if spring had just arrived.

 An old woman was lying in the garden. The sunlight shone upon a face full of wrinkles. She looked very peaceful.

 Chen Yi was wearing a dress and holding a pair of scissors, trimming the wilted branches of the old trees in the garden. She asked while doing her job, “Grandma, can’t we just wait for the branches to fall on their own? Why do we bother cutting them off?”

 “Girl, taking care of a tree is just like looking after a person. If you don’t fix a person’s bad habits in time, the evil will corrode the bones and even the hearts. These branches might not look harmful on the surface, but their dying cells will spread to the roots and destroy them. A tree without roots is basically dead,” the old woman replied in a doddering manner, her eyes squinted. However, her mind seemed to be clear.

 The old woman slowly opened her eyes when she sensed someone approaching, and saw Mo Fan and Zhao Manyan walking in…

 “Girl, the jerks that are hitting on you are back again,” the old woman called out mockingly.

 “Grandaunt, I’m Zhao Manyan, Bai Mingjing’s son!” Zhao Manyan quickly explained with an awkward face.

 Chen Yi was surprised to see Zhao Manyan and Mo Fan. “Why are you here!?”

 Chen Yi clearly had no idea that Zhao Manyan had gone missing. The incident was not completely revealed to the public. Chen Yi had spent all her time in Yantai, so she was clueless about what happened in the Magic City.

 “You are Mingjing’s son. I remember you; I told you not to harm the little sparrows so you wouldn’t develop the habit of thinking that it’s fine to hurt the little animals or other people, as long as it doesn’t affect you. Have you fixed your bad habits now?” The old woman looked at Zhao Manyan sternly.

 “Ugh… I believe you’re referring to my elder brother?” Zhao Manyan vaguely remembered it. They were playful when they were still kids. They once tortured the little sparrows in the garden and ended up being scolded by their grandaunt.

 Zhao Manyan set the sparrows free, but Zhao Youqian flung the sparrows to the ground and killed them in a rage.

 “You are the younger one… oh, I heard Chen Yi mention you. What about your brother? How is he doing… if a person doesn’t fix his habits, it might rot their bones. You can still dig it out from the bones while enduring the pain, but once it reaches your heart, there’s no way you will be able to fix it. He might end up harming people!” the old woman said.

 Zhao Manyan had never taken his grandaunt’s words seriously. However, after what happened, he did not feel good hearing them again.

 Perhaps it was exactly what his grandaunt had said: Zhao Youqian’s habits had rotted his heart. All he cared about was his own benefits. He had lost his conscience and human empathy.

 “Don’t tell me you’re here for the demon crests, too?” Chen Yi asked.

 “Yeah, we thought only a few of us had the information. Who knew that the streets would be crowded with Hunters. Even the inns are three times as expensive as usual!” Mo Fan grumbled.

 “You can just stay here with me and my grandma, I’ll prepare the rooms. Just place your stuff in the living room!” Chen Yi was very happy. It had been a while since anyone visited her. She had been living peacefully here and gradually forgot about the past, but she did feel a little lonely since she did not have any friends around her own age.

 “Did you stop practicing magic?” Mo Fan asked when he sensed that Chen Yi’s cultivation had not changed much.

 Chen Yi shook her head and said, “There’s no end to it. I’m already content with how strong I am, since I don’t go around and fight demon creatures. I feel happy that I can teach the young Mages who have just Awakened their magic in the Penglai Magic Association. I couldn’t be a great person, but it’s not bad being the teacher of future great people, either!”

 Mo Fan realized that Chen Yi’s temperament had changed a lot. She used to be a little proud with a blind ambition of pursuing everything she saw. However, it seemed like she had figured out what she really wanted. She was like an orchid with a unique fragrance, waiting for her time to blossom.

 It explained why the old woman thought they were trying to hit on Chen Yi. The girl was indeed more charming now!

 “We are actually here for something else. We are only interested in the demon crests to earn some quick money,” Zhao Manyan said.

 The Totem Beast was still their first priority. Yu Shishi was not willing to let anyone come into contact with the Moon Moth Phoenix. It could not be helped since she was being very cautious after everything she had gone through. However, Mo Fan and Zhao Manyan believed if they could find the other Totem Beasts, they would be able to unleash the full potential of their symbolic vessels!

 Zhao Manyan had confirmed it with Baxia. Mo Fan strongly believed it, too!

 “Grandaunt, you’ve been living here for so long. Have you seen anything like this before? It’s an ancient Seal, related to a certain ancient existence,” Zhao Manyan said, showing the seal that Mo Fan had derived to the old woman.

 The old woman opened her eyes. She acted languidly at first, but her eyes glittered when she took a glance at the Seal. She started to tremble, as if a shocking memory had risen up!

 Mo Fan and Lingling exchanged glances.

 The old woman had recognized the Seal!

 Their speculation on the Totem Seals was right! After taking out the Totem Seal of the Moon Moth Phoenix from the Totem Seal of the feather, the remaining Totem Seal was related to another Totem Beast!

 It turned out that the Totem Beast was really here in Penglai, or at least the old woman had seen the Seal before!