Chapter 146: Nether Wind (Part 4)
---) Nether Wind Substance: Formed in the dead zone of the Underworld under the nourishment of Yin winds. Upon embedding, it increases the strength of the user’s wind powers by two times. The Nether Wind Substance possesses the devouring property, which allows it to break the highest limit of a two-times increase imposed on Low Level substances and reach even higher levels.
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Azrael almost lost his composure after reading the details of the Nether Wind Substance. Fortunately, he quickly regained control and picked up the note within the box, making it appear as if he had gotten the information of the substance from the note rather than from his status window.
"Uncle Oliver, this... is it true that this substance can surpass the two-times increase?" He asked after pretending to study the note for a while.
Oliver nodded at Azrael’s words. "It’s true. Actually, I didn’t believe it myself when I first received it, so I personally tested it. The results were exactly as described in the note."
Azrael took a deep breath and looked at the small skull in his hand with a serious expression.
The maximum increase a Low Level substance could provide to a user’s power was capped at two times.
But the Nether Wind Substance could break that limit and go beyond two times, stepping into the domain normally exclusive to Middle Level substances.
"The note says its devouring property is the reason it can surpass the two-times limit. What do I need to do after embedding it in order to make it stronger?"
"Just allow it to devour some of your cosmic and spiritual energy each day," Oliver explained. "Half an hour every day will be enough to promote it to a higher level within about half a month."
"Just cosmic energy and spiritual energy?" Azrael raised an eyebrow in surprise, expecting that it would require rare or expensive materials.
Oliver chuckled and nodded. "Yes, only your own cosmic energy and spiritual power. After all, once embedded, the substance will become a part of you and will only respond to energy that belongs to you."
"I see," Azrael nodded, and after a moment of thought, he said firmly, without hesitation,
"I will take the Nether Wind Substance."
Oliver wasn’t surprised by his decision as he had already expected it.
A Low Level substance that could boost power beyond the normal limit of two times was an unprecedented treasure and only a fool would reject it.
"Then I will send back the other two substances to the branches that provided them," Oliver said as he picked up the Azure Wind Substance and the Hurricane Wind Substance.
He looked at Azrael with a smile.
"The branch of the Star Auction House that sent the Nether Wind Substance was actually planning to use it as the main highlight of this month’s auction. You’re fortunate that you visited me a few days ago and asked me to look for a wind substance. If you had been even a single day late, this item would have already been listed in the auction, and obtaining it would have become extremely difficult."
Azrael was genuinely surprised by Oliver’s words and secretly sighed in relief.
A Low Level substance that could increase wind power beyond two times would have attracted countless powerful bidders from all over the world. If it had gone to auction, acquiring it would have been very difficult for him.
"Uncle Oliver, what is the usual price of top-quality substances like these?" Azrael asked curiously.
"It can range anywhere from twenty million cosmic energy stones to fifty million," Oliver said. "But the real problem is that even if you have the money, it’s not easy to acquire a top-quality substance."
As he spoke, he gestured toward the three substances he had gathered.
"There are hundreds of branches of the Star Auction House all across the world, but even after contacting them, I was only able to gather three top-quality substances. And even among them, the Azure Wind Substance only provides a 1.9-times boost, not a full two times."
He paused, then added.
"Substances that can increase someone’s power by a full two times are exceedingly rare. Not many in the world possess them. In fact, I can guarantee you that even in the Elite Class of Slayers Academy, where you currently study, about ninety percent of the students wouldn’t be able to obtain a substance capable of boosting their power by a full two times."
Azrael raised an eyebrow at Oliver’s words, and his mind couldn’t help but wander to Luo Bingqing, whom he had fought earlier.
During their battle, Azrael had noticed that despite Luo Bingqing having completed his Eonrift Trial in January, he had not yet embedded a substance.
At the time, he couldn’t figure out the reason, but now he understood—it was most likely because Luo Bingqing had been aiming for a substance that could increase his powers by two times, yet he had been unable to obtain it.
At this point, Oliver pointed at the Nether Wind Substance in Azrael’s hand and said.
"As for this one, if it were placed in an auction, it could easily be sold for over eighty million cosmic energy stones because of its uniqueness."
"I see," Azrael nodded at Oliver’s words and silently thanked the heavens that his family was filthy rich and had a lot of connections. Otherwise, he would have had to work like a donkey just to gather enough money to purchase a single substance.
"Thank you once again for your help, Uncle Oliver," He said as he stood up.
"No worries. If you need anything else in the future, just let me know," Oliver replied, standing up as well and waving his hand dismissively.
"Oh, right," Azrael suddenly remembered something and pulled out a sheet of paper from his storage ring.
"Uncle Oliver, can you check if you have these materials?"
Oliver took the paper from Azrael and, after scanning the list, nodded.
"These materials aren’t rare. I can easily acquire them." As he spoke, he tucked the list away.
"It will take me about an hour to collect everything. If you like, you can wait here, or you can return and I’ll send them to you later."
Azrael nodded at Oliver’s words. "You can take your time. I’ll need them in a few days anyway, so there’s no rush."
The materials Azrael had requested were for practicing the defensive skill he had redeemed from the Skill Library. Since he had many other things to deal with first, he wasn’t in a hurry to begin training the defensive skill.
After chatting with Oliver for a few more minutes, Azrael bid him farewell and left the auction house.
He returned to his mansion in the academy using the hover car, arriving in about an hour.
As soon as he returned, he immediately headed straight to the Cosmic Energy Gathering Room on the second floor, eager to embed the Nether Wind Substance as quickly as possible.