Time ticked by, days turned into nights, stars shifted and revolved.
In the blink of an eye, over a month had passed since the news of the auction event at Burning Flame City spread.
Oasis No. 2 became visibly bustling. Although the merchants had only entrusted a meager number of items for consignment, the influx of customers had caused the oasis's revenue to skyrocket.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Qian Qiu diligently went out to place directional markers, and Mentor Fang occasionally shuttled to and fro, injecting energy into the legendary anomalous artifact, the Rumor Phonograph, when its cooldown period of Cd time was over.
Two more waves of advertisements were launched.
Not only were these advertisements for publicity, but this subtly spreading mystical sound also served as directional beacons for the strong, aiding in discernment when passing through intersections in inter-dimensional territories.
The changes were not limited to Oasis No. 2; Oases No. 1 and the Blue Star main base were also undergoing transformations.
Oasis No. 1, Spark Oasis, had now been promoted to a Level 3 oasis. The sun-drenched area was slowly expanding, and a hint of greenery was reappearing on the desolate land. Resource points at various locations had also been upgraded, significantly increasing their output.
According to the data, once the oasis was promoted to Level 4, the first tier of Great Oases, new resource points would emerge within the oasis.
This was still some time away.
Even though Spark Oasis was still under construction and continuously migrating new populations, developing the oasis to Lv4 would require at least a three-year plan.
Its immediate impact seemed limited, but from a long-term perspective, operating a high-level oasis was indispensable.
Rather, it could be said that having only Oases No. 1 and No. 2 was still too few.
However, if a third oasis were to be constructed, Mentor Fang would prefer to choose a location in another major domain. This way, once the oasis was developed, it could directly connect to the secret realm passage, enabling rapid traversal of major domains.
Unlike the current situation, where slow transportation via White Shark-class airships was necessary.
"The airship is also a problem. Currently, all transportation relies on this one. If anything were to happen to the White Shark airship one day, we'd be in a bind."
"Hmm, perhaps this demand can be met through the auction?"
After all, high-level treasures would not be sold for strange crystals but through bartering. It would depend on whose offered items were more valuable and more useful to their organization.
Fang You then shifted his gaze across various parts of Blue Star.
He was intimately familiar with the situation here, his gaze sweeping across tens of thousands of miles.
"There are a total of 36 reclamation areas currently under construction or already completed. Most of these areas are used for planting ordinary grains. In this year's environment, crops grow extremely fast. Those who sowed early have already harvested two crops."
This might seem exaggerated, but it was normal.
After Blue Star's sublimation, the growth rate and yield of crops had increased. These crop seeds were improved by Liu Shang, guided by mystery and her own talent. Many areas had also introduced special soil from Level 3 planting zones, augmented by branches from Eudora's Tree of Life, along with ritual arrays for assisting growth, and mystical fertilizers for promoting growth, and so on.
The enhancement buffs were all stacked!
Most importantly, Blue Star possessed vast expanses of land that could be used for cultivation. Unlike the various great oases and super oases, where people were packed into buildings, planting anything was done sparingly.
In a great oasis, unless one was from a noble family, it might take half a lifetime of struggle for a second or third awakened elite to buy a decent residence in the inner city.
Blue Star's base cities were also somewhat crowded at present, but they were continuously expanding.
The earliest constructed Shuize Base City had already formed a structure of one main city and four satellite cities, with a massive wall built to protect the entire base city.
Its specifications were not comparable to an oasis, but it was sufficient.
It had already repelled two waves of twenty to thirty thousand scale attacks.
In terms of organizational strength, after a period of quiet development, it had also grown considerably.
Hei Dao, Xing Jing Lei, and others had all made progress in their legendary skills, cultivating them to the proficient stage. An Jian You had nurtured her third seven-star ominous entity—the Crucible Golem.
Concurrently, after An Mei Zi had repeatedly grinded for experience in shallow areas dozens or hundreds of times, she had finally accumulated enough mystery to ascend to the Mythical realm in one go.
Yes, a single success.
Fang You had witnessed the process on-site as a protector. The era when An Mei Zi's "groundhog screams" were incessant had passed. Although she still couldn't help but cry out during the awakening tribulation, her voice was much more restrained now.
It made her appear as if she was handling it with ease.
After all, An Jian You had used her legendary skills to nurture two seven-stars, bringing her immense benefits, and had slain countless ominous entities. She was no longer the girl who would burst into tears, frightened by a flesh-and-blood giant.
She, An Jian You, the ominous entity slayer!
She was a mythical existence possessing strength, foundation, and willpower!
As Liu Shang, Xi Ti Na, and Qian Qiu diligently cultivated their legendary skills, Mentor Fang's actual combat strength had also improved significantly.
The only regrettable thing was that it was extremely difficult for him to truly learn legendary skills.
Without the safety net of skill fruits, and with legendary skills having an extremely high entry difficulty, it was theoretically impossible to learn them, but in reality...
"Tree of Life (Uninitiated: 2.3%)"
"Nirvana Sacred Fire (Uninitiated: 2.1%)"
"Illusory Bubble (Uninitiated: 0.9%)"
Practicing Illusory Bubble was rather difficult as it required a target. In the end, Fang You had no choice but to choose Little Huan, as she was the most readily available mythical combatant he could summon.
This also benefited Little Huan. Under his guidance... or rather, rigorous training, Little Huan's combat prowess had significantly improved. Although she was still weaker than the average member of the Spark, when combined with her various skills that had been upgraded to Master or Peak levels, Little Huan was now a true mythical combatant.
A relatively weaker mythical being.
However, she was still stronger than a divine descent avatar.
Little Huan had made progress, Fang You had learned skills, and everyone had a bright future.
While cultivating skills and handling official duties, Mentor Fang also remembered a key general of the organization whom he had almost forgotten.
—Head of the Intelligence Department, Qian Mian!
Qian Mian, who always wore a grey robe or appeared in other guises, and whose gender remained unknown, listed as one of the organization's top ten unsolved mysteries. His/her combat strength was also a mystery, having never unleashed their full power in battle. Or rather, during Qian Mian's work missions, there had been no enemies worthy of their full might, and their combat appearances were few and far between.
This was also normal.
Qian Mian's work involved deep infiltration into enemy territory. If a situation requiring full power were encountered, it would likely be a dire one.
He/She typically engaged in investigation, infiltration, disguise, and information gathering.
Where was Qian Mian currently located...
Fang You opened the apostle list to check. Oh, the main body had already gone to the Fallen Star Imperial City? And had obtained several ritual array diagrams from some great nobles.
"Qian Mian's missions are of extreme importance. He/She is entirely worthy of possessing a legendary skill."
"Furthermore, Qian Mian's actual combat strength is not weak. Although there are no records of him/her unleashing full power, a slight display of skill was enough to intimidate Cang Yan, the Lord of the Blazing Flame Great Oasis, who is not weak among the six awakeners. This shows that Qian Mian is at least a top-tier among the six awakeners."
A majority of the organization's core personnel now possessed legendary skills.
Of the remaining, Little Huan was still diligently practicing. Yin Ling and Wang Chui were too weak and were not combat personnel at all. There was no need for them to merge a legendary skill, at least not at a time when fate points were not abundant.
Pei Hong Jing's combat strength was acceptable, but he was not passionate about combat and had gradually transitioned from frontline combat personnel to secondary logistics personnel.
He would be left alone for now.
He sent a message to Qian Mian. Only after Qian Mian's intelligence gathering work was temporarily concluded and he/she had returned to a safe zone did he use the fusion authority.
Skill orbs of various colors emerged from deep within Qian Mian's body, floating and radiating different hues.
Fang You extended his hand.
His palm seemed to traverse an immeasurable distance, brushing past each skill orb. Finally, he touched a few, and with his index and middle fingers brought together, he traced lines as if connecting points on a blackboard, linking all nine chosen skills, talents, and abilities.
Ever-changing! Puppet Avatar!
Puppet Manipulation! Phantom Avatar! Thread Control! Thought Steal! Gu Yu! Disguise! Stealth!
"My turn! Fusion!"
Qian Mian's materials were considered luxurious among the core personnel, including two epic skills. Although many of the blue and green skills were materials for epic skills, using them again was not a problem. It would likely result in variations in different directions.
Having used the fusion authority so many times, Mentor Fang had discovered many tricks.
Adding skills, removing skills, and then probing the probability of success.
It could be said that this was the first time he was fusing for Qian Mian, but he had already tested the connections of the skill materials at the edge of fusion many times.
It was very stable.
However, what skill would be fused?
He fixed his gaze.
In his vision, Qian Mian, in the dim hut, was like a statue, with only the flickering candlelight illuminating a few of his/her robes.
Suddenly, the candlelight trembled slightly, and Qian Mian's shadow, illuminated by the light, stretched and twisted eerily as if alive.
"Ding!"
"Notification: Fusion created Qian Mian's unique skill 'Endless Shadow'."
—
"Endless Shadow (Gold)"
"Description 1: Qian Mian can split 'Shadow Mediums' based on their own shadow. Through these mediums, Qian Mian can manipulate others' shadows, or silently corrode, devour, and replace targets whose status is lower than his/hers. Once the shadow medium merges with the target's shadow and the target's back is turned, this medium can also be used to replicate the target. It can perfectly mimic appearance and inherit some abilities and memories. To inherit completely, the target must be devoured. Replicas that are devoured and replaced not only possess the original body's abilities but can also use Qian Mian's own skills when actively controlled by him/her."
"Description 2: Within a certain range, Qian Mian can switch between their main body and shadow through shadow mediums. Simultaneously, Qian Mian can create up to three core mediums. After core mediums devour and replace targets, they can exert greater combat power than the original body. When Qian Mian's main body perishes, he/she can also be resurrected from a core shadow medium/core replica."
"Remark: There is a limit to the number of shadow mediums Qian Mian can split. However, once a medium devours and replaces a target, it frees up a new splitting slot."
While reading the skill description, as usual, Mentor Fang copied this skill into his own slot.
Instantly, a torrent of information flooded into his mind, like a tidal wave of countless memory fragments crashing against him.
"This skill..."
"It's a bit terrifying!"
It wasn't a matter of strength or future potential, which might not be as high as Netherworld Lord or Immortal Legion, but this skill was truly terrifying!
Imagine, when the leader of a certain faction emerges from seclusion, the entire faction has been replaced by Qian Mian. On the surface, everything appears normal, but in reality, only Qian Mian exists.
Everyone else is being impersonated by Qian Mian.
One person, a thousand faces!
Good heavens! It's a bit scary just thinking about it.
Oh, Qian Mian is one of us? Then it's fine.
Qian Mian's intelligence gathering ability was already maxed out. Even when he/she was still weak, they could infiltrate cultists. Now...
Fang You stroked his chin.
"Can Endless Shadow, this legendary skill, be used to replace the minions of evil gods without being detected by higher-ranking minions?"
"We can try. After all, this life-saving ability is too strong. Even the half-god level Scarlet Emperor could do nothing to Qian Mian."
Therefore,
The target for this attempt would naturally be...
Infiltrating the forces of the Scarlet Emperor that were blockading the entrances to several locations like the Fallen Star Grotto.
As for the task of gathering intelligence and obtaining precise data from Fallen Star City, this did not need to be abandoned. They could proceed on both fronts.
"With Qian Mian's Endless Shadow deployed, the number of shadow avatars can be considered infinite. There will be no shortage of personnel. In fact, once Qian Mian ascends to the Mythical realm and higher, he/she alone could establish an entire intelligence department."
Of course, Mentor Fang was not a devil. The intelligence department still needed other personnel.
He was just thinking that if Wang Chui and Yin Ling could also learn this skill, the Spark's equipment and potion production would not be a problem.
"Perhaps, Qian Mian could find some master craftsmen to replicate it, but when it comes to devouring and replacing, caution is necessary. This skill cannot be misused. I must remind Qian Mian of this."
Spending over a hundred thousand fate points to create such a skill could no longer be described as a great value.
Were there any other great generals he had forgotten?
Probably not.
Or perhaps there were?
...
Blue Star, Shuize Base City, Spark Training Camp.
Within a small pavilion located in a secluded area, which passing trainees would regard with reverence, a series of crackling sounds could be heard incessantly.
In front of a high-end desktop computer, on an ergonomic chair, a black cat with jet-black fur, a slightly plump head and body, was crouched. Its gem-like eyes were focused intently on the constantly changing computer screen.
Simultaneously, threads of black emerged from various parts of the black cat's body, twisting and coiling to form thick ropes, resembling human fingers constantly operating on the keyboard. The crackling typing sounds originated from this.
After a while,
When the screen switched to display the word "Victory" and enthusiastic cheers, the black cat straightened up and leaned back, its tail swaying as it let out a satisfied meow.
"18 consecutive wins, as expected of this meow!"
"This kind of life is too enjoyable, meow!"
It used its invisible hand to open the nearby refrigerator, take out a can of soda, expertly twist it open with its invisible hand, and bring it to its mouth, drinking it down.
Eating, sleeping, and playing games—this was the life a meow should live!
Fighting ominous entities was too tiring, meow.
...
...
Oasis No. 2, Burning Flame City.
The city gate on the south side of the mall had, over two months of development, become a sizable marketplace. Many awakened individuals clad in armor and armed with swords were hawking their wares like ordinary vendors, striving to fill their wallets.
They were mostly freelance mercenaries, or guild guards on leave looking for ways to earn extra income, or strong individuals from some oasis.
Their numbers were not very large.
The total resident population of the entire mall might not even rival that of the nearby Lamppost Town Oasis, but the liveliness of this simple marketplace was ten, even a hundred times greater than Lamppost Town.
After all, the number of awakened individuals in Lamppost Town capable of venturing away from the oasis was less than a handful.
Here, almost everyone had the ability to venture into the gray fog areas. They hunted ominous entities, searched for resources, and upon returning to the oasis mall, found ways to sell their acquired goods, or sold them directly to the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce.
However, selling to the chamber of commerce resulted in heavily discounted prices.
"I didn't expect that in just two months, this place would become so lively," exclaimed Lott, the leader of the Warfire mercenary group.
His armor bore many scratches, his hair was disheveled, and he had not yet sheathed his sword. He had just returned from outside, having just crossed realms.
Yes, he had just taken on another job.
Escorting a merchant caravan back to the Shattered Sea's Crimson Lotus Empire, and then escorting another one to this place. Having made two round trips, Lott was now quite experienced.
"When I left, there wasn't even a trace of a marketplace. I didn't expect such a big change. Looking at it, many people seem to be preparing to settle here?"
"However, the development of Burning Flame City is also beneficial to me. We can continuously accept escort jobs from the Crimson Lotus Empire to Burning Flame City... repeating the same route is much safer than opening a new one."
He had discovered a business opportunity.
After seeing off the escorted merchant caravan, he began chatting with the stall owners in the marketplace. Here, Lott also found a few familiar faces.
"Leader Lott, have you made another profit?"
"A small profit, a small profit. Not as much as Boss Wang's big business."
"Which merchant caravan did you escort this time?"
"This can be revealed. It was the Wu Tie and Vincent families from the Crimson Lotus Empire. Both of these families are great lord families with substantial wealth. They are likely here for the auction... Alas, if the auction time wasn't so tight, I would have made several more trips."
The Shattered Sea was different from the Fallen Star Grotto.
There, there were only super oasis nations, and all great oases and ordinary oases were territories under the jurisdiction of various empires and dynasties. Hence, they were mostly referred to by family names or titles of lords.
Even though these lord families had to pay tribute to the empire, these families had long histories and deep foundations, and their wealth far surpassed that of great oases like Sword Blossom City and Wave Crest City-states.
The Shattered Sea region was inherently a symbol of power.
As they were discussing, in the distance, the gray fog surged, and a well-equipped team slowly entered the oasis zone. Following behind dozens of cavalry, the airship hovering fifty meters high glittered in the sunlight.
"It's the 'Heart of Burning,' people from the Kalen family have arrived!"
"Is it that Kalen family, which holds significant importance even within the Crimson Lotus Empire? I heard they have a mythical ancestor!"
"Another powerful merchant caravan has arrived. Judging by the emblem, it's the Ancient Moon Forest family!"
"The Seven Star Alliance, people from the Sixth Star Island have arrived."
"That must be the Pale Mausoleum from the Land of Buried Bones, a major domain. I didn't expect them to travel such a long distance despite their cold nature."
As if by appointment, as the two-month deadline approached, powerful teams one after another arrived at Burning Flame City.
Among them were numerous titled six-awakeners who had made a name for themselves in various major domains. Yet today, these renowned strong individuals had all gathered at this small oasis.
Many mercenary group leaders were greatly surprised.
The auction items offered by the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce seemed... more important than they had imagined.