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After Haida left the clinic, Fran covered his mouth with his hand and yawned. With a slight feeling of drowsiness rising, he took out the scroll of information he had obtained from the Six-Eyed Raven Cult and began to read it.
This parchment scroll contains information about the ancient banyan fruit, "Shadow of the Past," as well as the process of obtaining it.
Fran already knew about the fruit's effects, so he wasn't particularly concerned.
What she really wanted to know was what exactly happened in the ruins of the library of the Son of the Tree back then... and what the specific process was in obtaining the Banyan Fruit.
[First Exploration Record of the Library Ruins (Person in Charge: Yimu)]
[Our advance team encountered dozens of Banyan-like Mimics upon entering the outer perimeter of the library. These were originally harmless, functional creations, but for some unknown reason, they had gone berserk. Under the leadership of High Priest 'Remnant Eye,' the team was able to successfully enter the middle level without any casualties.]
[From the murals depicting trees and insects in the central tower, it can be inferred that the library collapsed due to a natural disaster caused by some mythical creature going out of control. However, the disaster did not spread outwards, the reason for which is currently unknown.]
During the exploration, our team suffered casualties due to a magical trap.
Finally, in the treasure vault before the core layer of the Banyan Tree Sanctuary, we obtained an ancient banyan fruit. The second fruit was not yet fully formed, and picking it rashly would damage it, so it was left in the ruins.
After reading the first half of the scroll, Fran roughly understood why the Banyan Fruit [Shadow of the Future] was still left in the ruins after the thieves had visited it.
However, there were still some doubts about the whole incident, so she continued to watch.
[Second exploration record of the library ruins (person in charge: Gray Mark).]
Following the experience of the previous exploration by the High Priest of the Lost Eyes, we returned to the middle level of the sanctuary. Disappointingly, the other ancient banyan fruit had still not grown. But this time, the High Priest of the Ashes discovered a hidden route and found an ancient tomb from a lost era.
The tomb's occupant was 'The Seer of Desire,' Calmion von Munro. Of course… most people prefer to call him the 'Demon Monk.' There was no body inside the coffin; judging from the ash residue, it was a cenotaph. Similar cenotaphs are found in various countries and regions.
【教团得到8了他生前5对于时序古榕7的研6究，并6掌握了量产3‘不4老枝’4的技术。2】
Later, Lyons Horton, one of the members who participated in the expedition, fell into a state of madness. It was confirmed that he was possessed by the spirit of the Karmion in the tomb, gaining a vast amount of mystical knowledge. He subsequently murdered his colleagues, desecrated their corpses, and ultimately betrayed the cult.
After reading the entire scroll, Fran stretched out his arm with some difficulty and used his fingertips to hook a blanket from the side, which he then covered himself with.
Sigrid is at the Ridge Palace in Shitia; it's actually a bit cold in the clinic...
By now, she had a general idea of why Nightmarewalkers were so troublesome for the Six-Eyed Raven Cult.
For a third-tier disciple, not yet a high priest, to repeatedly evade the Marauders' pursuit... would be virtually impossible without external assistance. His ability to do so was primarily due to Karmion's legacy.
"If Nightmare is connected to Karmion, his danger level is far beyond that of an ordinary disciple."
Fran gently stroked his cheek, lost in thought.
At the same time, she was also quite concerned about some things that were not mentioned in the scroll.
The Abyss-like evil creatures appeared in the ruins of the library, yet the Six-Eyed Raven's raiders made no mention of it. In other words, they did not encounter this type of enemy.
Based on the information she currently possesses, she can deduce that those evil creatures from the Abyss were transformed from the corpses of the plunderers' fallen members. However, transforming humans into evil offspring requires specific rituals, and the Child of the Tree of Suspension clearly doesn't know much about this.
In other words, those who died spontaneously transformed into evil beings in the Abyss Sea afterward.
Recalling the peculiar aura emanating from the Mordway residents and the trace of spiritual essence bearing the characteristics of the Heir remnants in Detricka's tears, she couldn't help but have some unpleasant suspicions...
From this perspective, it seems that nearly one-tenth of the entire population of Golmouth has become the experimental subjects of the Star Abyss Society.
After clearing his mind, Fran slowly took off his doctor's coat, wrapped himself in a blanket, and gradually closed his eyes, preparing to take a short nap on the sofa.
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Modway, the first habitat.
Upon entering the monastery venue for the Full Moon Auction, Vivian and Detricka were led by a waiter to a VIP room on the second floor of the courtyard. The room featured a curtained terrace, allowing wealthy patrons to view the goods and make bids.
Standing slowly on the terrace, Vivian dared not relax for a moment, and focused intently on the ongoing auction process.
At this moment, the full moon is about to rise. The white-necked priest is holding a mask shaped like a raven's head, and is performing a ceremony to honor the six-eyed raven under the gradually appearing moonlight.
The information provided by Dr. Fran included her observations from her previous visit to the Third Habitat, and also covered this aspect.
However, the Gray Mark used materials that could be classified as consumables, while the White Neck used a relic.
If Dr. Fran were here, she would certainly know the specific function of that mask.
Vivian pondered with a hint of regret, and couldn't help but wonder what the doctor was going to do tonight. Generally speaking, she would never miss something she considered "interesting."
If she doesn't show up, it's probably because she's doing something more important and interesting...
Just then, she heard the white-necked priest recite the ritual prayers clearly and fluently.
"As dusk falls and the moon rises, whenever the celestial bodies appear, the darkness in your eyes leaves a black scar on the earth. The memories seen by the crow-faced have been cooked into a delicacy. Please enjoy this meager offering. Your pecking and sipping will open the ignorance in our minds."
As she listened to the white-necked man's narration, Vivian's eyes narrowed, and she roughly understood what the "offerings" used by the First Habitat were.
Remember the different lin〇℃〓habit tumor￠∫chicken one∈∪4毶＿search）∏search＞、�qUn:remember.
In other words, that mask was a relic used to collect memories.
As the ceremony began, countless bubbles containing hazy memories escaped from the raven-headed mask, which were then swallowed by an invisible, pitch-black raven beak.
Although the entire venue was solemn and silent, Vivian seemed to faintly hear the sound of chewing.
As the invisible raven's beak dissipated, a feather composed of pure shadow, its outline barely visible, remained within the plaster altar.
That was a return gift left by the Six-Eyed Raven.
If the item obtained through the ritual were some other material, Vivian would probably have no idea of its name or function. But coincidentally, this material is recorded in the lost book "The Night Ballad of Mistia," and she knows quite a bit about it.
"Wiping the Feather".
She whispered the name of the relic.
Upon hearing the name of the item, Detricka, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but become curious and looked at Vivian.
"Hermit, do you know anything about this spirit-infused material?"
Although she was a plunderer of the Six-Eyed Raven, she belonged to a lower rank. She had some knowledge of materials like Raven-Eye Stone, which were not uncommon, but she was almost completely ignorant of high-ranking materials that could only be found in the First Habitat.
"Know a thing or two."
Seeing that the young thief beside her was interested in this, Vivian then began to explain.
"The secret technique model of the second-class superior secret technique [Shadow Control] has been lost, but Wiping Feather can directly construct an unanalyzable secret technique model in the user's consciousness. It can shorten the study time that originally required several years to about two months."
"Most of the Raven Feather disciples who are now able to perform the Shadow Manipulation Technique rely on this material."
Hearing Vivian's explanation, Detricka finally understood the source of her initial longing upon seeing the feather. However, once that initial surge of excitement subsided, she was forced to confront the cold, hard issue of finances.
Her entire fortune consisted of three hundred Norrington silver given to her by Lady Vivian, a small amount of her own savings, and a Meredith wolf-head gold coin. Acquiring a Raven's Eye Stone wasn't difficult, since it was useless to Ravenfeather Disciples above the fourth tier.
However, trying to acquire the Wiping Feather through auction is somewhat overestimating one's abilities...
Ms. Vivian probably wouldn't want to buy it either, since this material is only useful for studying the Raven Feather Mystic Arts.
But in reality, Vivian was actually considering how to buy it at that moment. Zero
She pursed her lips slightly and began to mentally review the task budget that Dr. Fran had given her.
600 Norrington silver, a modified rubbing of the *Black Feather Secret*, two hidden wings from the remains of a shelled holy being, and a *Tear of Heil*. Speaking of which, Munin has another one, but that's practically his personal stash, so it shouldn't be touched.
Moreover, the major case involving the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower hadn't been over for long, and the appearance of Heil's Tears on the market would definitely attract the attention of the Star Abyss Society. Therefore, Vivian dared not use it as currency at all.
The full moon auction at the First Habitat lacked a loose, free trading process; therefore, White Neck began the formal auction immediately after removing the Glow Feather.
"Thank you for your presence, distinguished guests. As is customary, we will first sell the 'gifts' obtained during this ceremony."
Her voice was clear and melodious, with a touch of the auctioneer's characteristic persuasiveness in her words.
"'Wipe the Light Feather' is an indispensable spiritual material for constructing the second-class superior secret technique, 'Shadow Control.' It directly provides a complete and stable secret technique model, but this ritual has a black box effect; the user cannot analyze its own contents." Z
"Besides that, it can also be used in ascension rites, or other mystical rituals that require Enlightenment Essence." H
"The artifact was sold through a secret auction, with a starting price of 2500 silver taels, and the highest bidder won."
"If you wish to use other currencies, please refer to the exchange rates posted at the First Habitat beforehand. As for offering relics, materials, or books as payment, the appraisers of the Six-Eyed Raven Order will provide you with fair prices."
Is it a secret bidding process? That is, only the seller can see the bidder's information; the buyer's identity remains hidden.
Listening to the white-necked high priest's introduction, Vivian narrowed her eyes, a slight sigh escaping her lips.
The Six-Eyed Raven Cult is said to be one of the most financially successful secret cults. Now it seems that's indeed true; they truly have their own methods and insights for accumulating wealth…u
Soon, a servant from the First Habitat arrived at Vivian's room. He knocked lightly on the door, and only after receiving permission did he bow and enter.
"Distinguished guests, please have some tea."
"The 'winter buds' take a long time to brew, and we were unable to serve them upon your arrival. We apologize for this inconvenience."
As he spoke, he respectfully placed the teapot and porcelain cups on the square table on the terrace where Vivian was.
"Ah."
Vivian nodded in agreement, seemingly unconcerned.
The waiter bowed upon hearing this, but it seemed that he had come for something else besides bringing tea and refreshments.
"Lady Hermit. Do you have any intention of bidding on this material? You can write down your desired price on the bidding board, and someone else will inform you who will acquire it."
Upon hearing this, Vivian pondered for a moment but did not immediately write down the price on the bidding board.
Because the cash she currently holds... isn't even enough to cover the reserve price.
"Let the appraiser come over."
Now we can only see how valuable the few pieces of material Dr. Fran provided actually are.
"Yes, as you wish."
Upon hearing this, the waiter left the room. A moment later, the white-necked priest entered.
“Welcome to the First Habitat. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hermit. I have heard of you from Grayscar. You may call me ‘Whiteneck’.”
As she spoke, she raised her index finger and pointed to the white handkerchief beneath her raven-head mask.
"By the way, I'm the best appraiser here. What kind of material do you wish to have appraised?"
Vivian never expected that the appraiser of the First Habitat would be a Raven Feather Priest.
Being face-to-face with Bai Jing in the small private room made her feel a sudden increase in pressure, and her back began to sweat involuntarily. However, this tension did not show outwardly, hidden by the gauze robe and the veil of her mask.
Seeing the recluse remain silent, Bai Jing, with his white neck, felt inexplicably nervous.
When they first met at the monastery gate, it was Greymark who went up to greet her, preventing her from getting close. Now, facing this hermit woman directly, she finally understood why Greymark had said they couldn't be negligent…
The woman was surrounded by an ancient and mysterious aura, the mere smell of which was unsettling.
"Then I'll trouble you, White-Necked Lady."
Finally, Vivian broke the silence and handed the items that needed to be authenticated to White Neck.
It is a modified rubbing of the "Black Feather Secret Scripture," with Fran intentionally obscuring some content during the rubbing process. Although it is still possible to deduce further based on the fundamental theories it provides, the entire process takes a considerable amount of time.
"Oh... The Black Feather Secret Sequel?"
It was an unfamiliar name, but White Neck inexplicably felt a strong interest in it.
Today, Mr. Yimu, quite unusually, praised and rewarded that fellow Gray Mark. Considering his attitude, it seems he received something of value from the Hermit Lady.
Using books as a form of payment implies that the recluse was actually a "collector" of such books.
Suppressing his wandering thoughts, Bai Jing turned his attention to the contents of the book.
Unlike Gray, who only realized the value of the book at the end, she could hardly contain her seriousness and eagerness after reading only the basic theory at the beginning.
This book records the basic theory of the lost secret technique [Shadow Control]. The content is substantial and reasonable, and even Bai Jing's perspective found no errors upon examination.
If this can be completed, those who study this secret art will be freed from their dependence on the material of the polishing feather.
This essentially fills a theoretical gap in the cult's understanding of this area, and the contents of this text seem to extend beyond that...
“Hermit, if you wish to bid on these 0 books, I can first give you the Wiping Feather. This will save you some of the subsequent procedures.”
After considering his words for a moment, the white-necked man spoke respectfully.
Hearing this, Vivian felt a little relieved.
Fortunately, the situation was roughly as she had anticipated. Although the book had been altered, it was still of great value to the Six-Eyed Raven Cult...
While she was thinking, she put her hand, which was originally about to remove the cloaked wing of the shelled creature, back into the pocket of her doctor's coat under her gauze robe.
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Soup! (On hiatus, awesome!)
Chapter 108 Reaching for the Moon
While Wiping Feather can enable a qualified Raven Feather disciple to quickly master the second type of secret technique, it cannot substantially fill the order's information gap regarding this secret technique.