Chapter 199: The Strongest Young Extraordinary in the World

"What about you?" Dany looked at the Shadowbinders, planning to compare their offerings and see whose item held the greatest value.

"I have no need for guardian techniques," Tam said indifferently.

Looks like the people of Volantis really went all out to invite you.

"I don't have a Tier-1 guardian technique to trade with you," the old black man said with deep regret.

The blue-lipped milkman stepped forward excitedly. "I'm willing to trade 10 barrels of Nightshade Water and the fundamental magic of male witches for it!"

I wouldn't take it even if you gave it to me for free!

Still, Dany put on a thoughtful expression, hesitating slightly before nodding. "Let me think about it."

Then she turned her gaze toward the Moon Singer.

"My current guardian techniques are sufficient," the powerhouse declined politely.

Are we broadcasting the weather report now?

"Can I speak with Mage Lisbon alone first?" Dany asked the Shadowbinders.

Once they nodded, she walked with the fire mage to a corner, turning her back to the others as they spoke in hushed tones.

"Without the fundamental magic of the Valyrian Grand Sorcerers, I'm afraid I won't be able to learn your 'Blood Dragon Frenzy,'" Dany probed deliberately.

Lisbon sighed in relief—so that was her concern.

"You don't need to worry at all. 'Blood Dragon Frenzy' can itself be studied as an advanced meditation technique. After all, it originates from the Valyrian Grand Sorcerers!"

"Is your sorcery incantation spoken aloud, or is it something else? I'm afraid I won't remember or understand it."

"I can write it down on parchment and teach you the standard pronunciation of Valyria's 64 syllables."

Dany's heart stirred, but she kept a puzzled expression. "Sixty-four syllables?"

"Valyrian sorcery has a specialized incantation system. In fact, every extraordinary profession has its own unique spell structure."

"Only 64 syllables?"

"What do you mean only 64 syllables?" Lisbon nearly jumped in frustration, protesting indignantly, "Even if you don't understand spell linguistics, you should at least know that Valyrian itself only has 30 letters, while the Common Tongue of the Sunset Sea has just 23."

"You can't fool me. Spell syllables and language letters are not the same thing," Dany said, unimpressed.

Letters of a language are arranged sequentially to form words, and words are structured into sentences, making it a one-dimensional language.

Spell syllables, on the other hand, are arranged in a two-dimensional structure. Their combinations and pronunciations are far more complex and variable—essentially, a two-dimensional language.

To put it simply, a vast number of individual spell syllables form a "QR code," which functions as a complete magical rune.

The nine-colored, spiraling vortex in Dany's mind was also a massive QR code.

Of course, magical "QR codes" were even more intricate.

Ordinary QR codes are made up of blank spaces and black dots—essentially binary "0s" and "1s." But sorcery, such as Valyrian incantations, had 108 standard syllables. Even without accounting for empty spaces, this meant it operated on a base-108 system.

The amount of hidden information it could store was immense.

As everyone knows, even QR codes vary depending on their encoding system. The one commonly used today is merely the most universal—adopted by the largest number of people.

Extraordinary professions differ in their fundamental spell syllables, meaning their "encoding systems" also vary. If one tries to "scan" a spell written in a different encoding system using an incompatible fundamental magic, the "scanner" won't be able to read the information—thus, no magical energy can be supplied, and the spell becomes unusable.

The Valyrian Sorcerer's Council aspired to transcend divinity—and they had the means to do so. Then, they actually did transcend.

The ultimate fundamental magic within the Grand Sorcerer's legacy was capable of "scanning" all encoding systems—except for the divine priesthood.

"Uh… you know about this too?" Being exposed by Dany face-to-face made the young fire mage momentarily awkward. But he quickly regained his composure, straightening his posture as he spoke seriously. "Let me put it this way: Among extraordinary professions, the profession with the second-highest number of spell syllables is the Red God's priesthood, which only has 54 syllables.

The nobles of the Black Wall are just a side branch and never received the complete inheritance. From them, I only acquired 36 basic spell syllables. I spent five years painstakingly researching to uncover the remaining 28 syllables—fortunately, fire magic is originally a Valyrian offshoot, so the two share many similarities in magical incantations."

"Now, I'm offering all of it to you." He gave Dany a look that screamed: You're getting such a great deal—aren't you going to thank me?

But all Dany wanted to do was roll her eyes. MMP! Something you pieced together yourself—who else but you would dare to use it?

"Are you sure this works?"

"Facts speak louder than words. You've seen my fire control technique," Lisbon said proudly.

And that's exactly why I'm convinced you're a third-rate sorcerer.

"I want the original spell script," Dany stated.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I think, given my talent, I might be able to deduce all 108 spell syllables."

The young fire mage shot her a sidelong glance and said coolly, "I'm not being arrogant, nor do I mean to discourage you, but a person should face reality.

In the extraordinary world of western Essos, I am the undisputed number one among the younger generation—the greatest genius, the most gifted.

Even my fortune is unparalleled, as I've obtained the world's only known inheritance from the Valyrian Grand Sorcerers."

"You haven't fully acquired that inheritance yet," Dany reminded him.

Then she added, "Besides, you've already mastered all the secret techniques. Giving me the original spell script won't cost you anything."

"You don't understand." After a moment of hesitation, Lisbon carefully pulled out a palm-sized canvas pouch from beneath his silk trousers. The pouch's opening was sewn shut with silver thread, with a belt looped through it.

A strange, pungent stench of sweat spread through the small corner, making Dany cover her mouth in disgust.

The young fire mage then loosened his belt and pulled down a small white canvas pouch, slightly yellowed with age. Using two fingers, he carefully and reverently extracted a palm-sized black plaque from the bag.

Dany's eyes narrowed. "A Valyrian steel identification plaque?!"

"You've seen one before?" Lisbon was momentarily stunned before realizing, "Ah, right, I forgot you're from the Arathon family."

Shaking his head, he explained, "But this isn't an identification plaque—it's a sorcery inheritance token, storing the spell 'Blood Dragon Frenzy.'"

Suppressing her excitement, Dany asked curiously, "How is it used? Are there any restrictions?"

"Heh, aside from requiring extraordinary talent, there are no other restrictions at all," Lisbon said with a mocking sneer. "That noble ancestor must have been incredibly foolish—and not pure-blooded, either."

The greater the restrictions, the less likely a noble house would be able to inherit it.

However—

"Or maybe this 'Blood Dragon Frenzy' wasn't highly valued by Valyrian sorcerers, just like how no one locks worthless copper coins in a safe," Dany remarked.

Lisbon nodded and sighed dejectedly. "That's very likely. Back then, the Valyrians owned the entire world. A minor spell like this was probably nothing to them."

Before long, however, his mood shifted—soon he would master 'Three Gods Return to the Cavern,' make a fortune, and acquire countless secret arts from that wastrel. With renewed enthusiasm, he fixed his gaze on Dany and declared, "Look at this—it's Valyrian steel, nearly an ounce (28 grams). I spent an extra five thousand Glimmering Gold coins to buy it."

Dany frowned in thought. The asking price wasn't high, and five thousand Glimmering Gold coins were nothing to her—but she simply didn't have that much money on her at the moment.

"I'm traveling, so I didn't bring that much money. Can I owe you for now? The Arathon family isn't short on funds," Dany said.

"Sigh, this is your first time at an extraordinary gathering, so I won't blame you for saying that." Lisbon shook his head.

After a moment's thought, Dany drew a 15-centimeter-long single-edged dagger from her waist. "Take a look at this."

The young mage gasped at the dark, smoke-like sheen and razor-thin blade. "Valyrian steel?"

"Yes."

"Deal! I'll trade immediately!" He reached out, eager to snatch the dagger.

"Hold on." Dany took a step back and returned the dagger to her waist. "Excluding the sorcery it holds, your iron plaque is far less valuable than my dagger."

"This…" The young man hesitated, knowing she was right. That dagger could easily fetch thirty to fifty thousand Glimmering Gold coins.

"What do you propose?" he asked.

"A collateral exchange. I'll leave my dagger with you for safekeeping, and in the future, I'll pay you five thousand Glimmering Gold coins to get it back." After a brief pause, she added, "I won't even ask you to sign a contract—just leave your second-most valuable possession with me as security."

"You're not afraid I'll go back on my word?" The young fire mage gave her a strange look. "Let me explain—extraordinary gatherings are rare, and the nature of people like us… well, you understand?"

A band of thieves and scoundrels—at least he had some self-awareness.

Dany nodded. "So what?"

"There must be a powerful, high-status, and widely recognized sorcerer acting as a guarantor to ensure fair transactions and prevent murder and robbery. But once the gathering ends, Master Tam won't care what happens to us anymore."

"I trust you," Dany said earnestly.

"Why?" Lisbon was taken aback, flattered.

"Because you're the number one talent of the younger generation."

"You—" The young fire mage's eyes welled up, moved by the recognition from this beautiful, kindred spirit.

But before he could fully appreciate the moment, Dany continued, "Since you're number one, you won't be able to disappear into obscurity. As long as I can find you, I don't have to worry about you skipping out on your debt."

To hell with kindred spirits—it was all an illusion after all.

Lisbon ripped the pendant from his neck and handed it over with a wooden expression. "Here, your collateral—my most treasured magical talisman."

Dany's face turned pale as she stared at the shriveled 'sausage' dangling from the silver chain.

"Forget it. No collateral. I doubt anyone would dare to default on a debt to me."

"Suit yourself." Lisbon shot her a 'fool who doesn't know value' look and happily put his "Gnome Talisman" back on.

Finally, with an eager expression, he urged, "Hurry up and teach me the 'Three Gods Return to the Cavern' spell!"

Dany put away the iron plaque before crouching down and explaining the technique.

"Wait… it's this simple?!" Lisbon was in utter disbelief.

"Just learn it first."

Soon after, the Shadowbinder and the others repeatedly witnessed Priestess 'Layla' smacking the fire mage on the head and back in frustration while cursing him nonstop.

"You idiot! How can you not grasp something so simple?"

"Are your wrists actually feet? My feet are more dexterous than your hands!"

"Too slow! Even a blind man could see your mistakes!"

"Are you really the number one talent of the younger generation? You're as stiff as a greyscale victim!"

The Shadowbinder murmured, "As expected… Even the finest talent of the younger generation struggles to master it. 'Three Gods Return to the Cavern' may indeed surpass first-tier Path-Guarding techniques—it might just be an ancient Valyrian god-tier secret art."

(End of Chapter)

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