Chapter 15: The Grand Mage’s Request

Dongbo Xueying swiftly slung the Flying Snow Divine Spear weapon case onto his back. With his right hand, he pressed a mechanism button on the side of the case—swish! swish!—two sections of the long spear emerged from the top of the case. Dongbo Xueying quickly reached back with both hands, grabbed the two sections of the spear, pulled them out, and then smoothly slid them back into the weapon case. With a click, they locked into place securely.

"Big brother looks so cool!" Qing Shi's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"You'll look even cooler when you become a mage in the future," Dongbo Xueying chuckled, looking at his younger brother.

"Haha, I actually had this weapon case custom-made separately," the purple-robed middle-aged man said cheerfully. Having finally sold off an item that had been gathering dust for years, he was in high spirits. "There are several compartments with hidden mechanisms on the sides, so when you're out adventuring, you can store ropes and other small supplies in the case as well."

The weapon case was lightweight, could store multiple items, and allowed for quick retrieval of heavy or long weapons.

"A separately made weapon case?" Dongbo Xueying asked with a smile. "The creator of the Flying Snow Spear didn't prepare one specifically for it? That seems unusual."

Most alchemy masters who forged weapons would typically craft a suitable case for them, often presenting them in exquisite packaging. But in this case, the weapon box was added later?

Dongbo Xueying was deeply curious about the origins of this spear. The one who crafted it must have known its true value. Logically, such a weapon should have been priced at an astronomical amount! Yet, Count Quan, the shop owner, had sold it to him for only 18,000 gold coins. This made Dongbo Xueying even more intrigued by its history.

"Don't worry," Dongbo Xueying reassured. "Now that I've bought it, I have no regrets."

"Haha…" The purple-robed middle-aged man hesitated for a moment before saying, "Xueying, my friend, I won't hide it from you. While doing business outside, I once encountered an old beggar. He ate and drank in my territory without paying… but I had a feeling he wasn't an ordinary person, so I let him be. Three years later, he suddenly set up a forge and crafted this spear, saying it would repay the food and wine he had consumed. Then, he simply left.

"I was ecstatic at the time! I thought I had encountered some great figure. I immediately sent the spear for appraisal. After multiple evaluations, they confirmed that it had some snowflake illusion effects, but no particularly special enhancements. Fortunately, it could withstand an immense amount of force, so it was classified as a second-tier alchemical weapon."

Dongbo Xueying nodded slightly.

…

After purchasing the weapon, Dongbo Xueying and his companions went to visit Grand Mage Bai Yuanzhi.

"The Grand Mage's residence is at the end of this alley," Zong Ling said, pointing toward a rather narrow passageway ahead.

"Dismount. The rest of you wait here. Uncle Zong, Shitou, let's go," Dongbo Xueying instructed.

Holding his younger brother's hand, he walked through the old alleyway.

"I didn't expect Grand Mage Bai Yuanzhi to live in such a secluded place instead of in the noble district," Dongbo Xueying remarked.

"The noble districts are too noisy and superficial. This place is better suited for focused research," Zong Ling replied.

Reaching the end of the alley, they found a vast estate with a tightly shut main gate. Dongbo Xueying stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Swish! The door opened, and a short-haired boy appeared, looking at them with curiosity. "Who are you looking for?"

"I am Dongbo Xueying, Lord of Xueying Territory, here to visit the Grand Mage," Dongbo Xueying stated.

"You're that Spear Demon?" the short-haired boy exclaimed in surprise before quickly covering his mouth.

"Junior brother, who is it?" Voices of other young boys and girls echoed from inside the estate.

"Teacher is currently in seclusion for research. No one dares to disturb him. Baron Dongbo, you may have to wait for half an hour," the boy quickly explained. "Once Teacher comes out, I'll deliver your message right away. But for now, I can't let you in."

"Alright, no rush," Dongbo Xueying said calmly.

He was patient.

…

Half an hour later.

Bai Yuanzhi emerged, dressed in a loose white robe. His skin was slightly wrinkled, and his thick black beard extended down to his stomach. He was already in his nineties. As he looked at the black-clad young man sitting before him with a weapon case on his back, he was somewhat surprised. He could sense the sharp aura emanating from this youth—this was definitely not an ordinary spear wielder.

"Grand Mage," Dongbo Xueying greeted with respect.

"What is it? Speak quickly, I have much to do," Bai Yuanzhi said bluntly.

"Since the Grand Mage is so direct, I will get straight to the point," Dongbo Xueying replied. "My younger brother will turn ten after the new year. He has an exceptional talent for magic, and I hope he can become your disciple."

"Taking on a registered disciple is not difficult. There are just a few conditions," Bai Yuanzhi said casually.

"No."

Dongbo Xueying shook his head slightly. "I want my brother to be your personal disciple."

"A personal disciple?" Bai Yuanzhi frowned. "Though I am over ninety, among Star-Level Mages, I am not considered old. I still aim to advance further in magic, so I am unwilling to waste too much energy. To this day, I have only accepted one personal disciple. For me to take your brother as my personal disciple… it's not impossible, but I have two conditions. If you can meet either one, I will take him as my personal disciple."

"Please tell me the conditions, Grand Mage," Dongbo Xueying said.

"I am in urgent need of a magical beast material—the Silver Moon Heart," Bai Yuanzhi's eyes gleamed. "That is the heart of a Tier 4 magical beast, the Silver Moon Wolf King! It must be fresh, with no more than three days since extraction."

"And the other condition?" Dongbo Xueying asked.

The Silver Moon Wolf King's heart? And fresh? That was a steep demand.

"Mages need money," Bai Yuanzhi sighed. "Research requires endless funds, and making money is difficult. If you can provide 50,000 gold coins, I will take on another personal disciple!"

In the entire Yi Shui City, only a few nobles could even gather 50,000 gold coins—even if they sold their territories.

But land was the foundation of nobility, so few would ever part with it for such a sum.

"I understand," Dongbo Xueying said as he stood up.

Bai Yuanzhi sighed.

He knew his demands were excessive.

"Within one month, I will return with either the Silver Moon Heart or 50,000 gold coins," Dongbo Xueying declared.

Grand Mage Bai Yuanzhi was momentarily stunned.

He agreed?

Excitement flashed through Bai Yuanzhi's eyes.

"Then I will await your return, Lord Dongbo," Bai Yuanzhi said, his tone now more polite. The first personal disciple he had taken was the child of an old friend who had passed away. Without sufficient reason, he had no interest in taking on more. His conditions were deliberately set high, and no noble in Yi Shui City had ever agreed to them—until now. But Dongbo Xueying had.

"No need to see me out, Grand Mage. Farewell," Dongbo Xueying said as he turned and left.

Bai Yuanzhi stood by the window, watching as Dongbo Xueying led his younger brother out of the mansion, with the silver-haired, six-armed serpent demon, Zong Ling, following closely beside them.

"Looks like this young lord is quite extraordinary," Grand Mage Bai Yuanzhi said with a slight smile.

…

"Brother, how did it go?" Qing Shi asked eagerly.

"We'll have to wait until after the new year for the result," Dongbo Xueying replied with a smile. "Don't worry, Qing Shi, the Grand Mage will likely accept you as his disciple. Just be patient and wait until after the new year."

But in his mind, Dongbo Xueying was already calculating.

Obtaining the Silver Moon Heart or 50,000 gold coins within a month…

The timeframe he had set was generous—it shouldn't be a problem. But he would wait until he succeeded before telling his brother. Now was not the time for empty promises.