End of the Magic Era

One drop of black substance plus 3,000 kilograms of the purest Abyssal Magic Iron would transform into a new material that wasn’t black as the Abyss Iron at all when a fusion agent was added. It was bright silver, with dark golden patterns on it.

The only material that could facilitate the fusion of the black substance was the Abyssal Magic Iron…

Lin Yun’s lips cramped. The Abyssal Magic Iron? Of all the materials that were delivered from the abyss through sacrificial rituals each month, the percentage of the Abyssal Magic Iron was the smallest…

Even the brainless abyss creatures knew how worthless the Abyssal Magic Iron was. If Lin Yun hadn’t demanded it, the demons’ subordinates wouldn’t have dared to offer the Abyssal Magic Iron at all…

One drop of black substance to fuse 3,000 kilograms of Abyssal Magic Iron. That was an unbelievable ratio.

Also, the new material was very powerful. It was much harder than the Abyssal Magic Iron, and could compare to the precious materials that were used to forge the Sword Sages’ weapons. Also, it carried the feature of automatic restoration. It could be sold by grams.

One kilogram of this material, named Black Pattern Silver, could easily be sold for 100,000 purple gold. More importantly, after the old materials were melted, they were combined into a new material, which wasn’t the alloy that was commonly used in weapons these days.

With the new material, it took Lin Yun only three days for him to create the first Universal Core.

The Universal Core could be applied to magic tools, alchemy puppets, and even alchemy arrays.

It was because Lin Yun’s speculation had been confirmed. After the devouring power of the black substance was weakened, it could not swallow mana anymore. The new material could attract mana as the black substance did, but it wouldn’t swallow mana until none of it was left.

With such a feature, the Black Pattern Silver could be used to draw runes and alchemy arrays. Also, as the core, it didn’t require any additional supply of mana. The Universal Core could work eternally based on the mana that the Black Pattern Silver attracted…

Besides, thanks to the features of the new material, it was hard for the core to be damaged. Even if it was, it could still repair itself.

Most cores of magic tools and alchemy puppets weren’t very sturdy. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have needed so many protective measures to cover them.

The cores that were manufactured in bulk with the Universal Core’s self-restoration ability could be applied to most magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays.

More importantly, this thing was very powerful. All the magic tools that were built with it would be Spiritual Magic Tools.

It could be used on alchemy puppets that were below the Heaven Rank. Even if one of the cores wasn’t enough, multiple cores would definitely suffice.

Lin Yun was quite amazed. He didn’t expect the black substance to be so powerful as a material.

He went to Faleau with the prototypes he made, and introduced the Universal Core to him. Then, Faleau rushed out as if he had seen a ghost. An hour later, Faleau returned with a few alchemy puppets, a few different magic tools, and the array plates of several alchemy arrays with a thrilled expression…

“Sir Merlin, this thing is truly powerful. All of the Gilded Rose’s magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays can use it. Also, after the Universal Core is installed in them, the magic tools’ power is improved by 30 percent on average, and the alchemy puppets are strengthened by 50 percent! Even the alchemy arrays are 40 percent more effective.

“If it’s used on special items, then its effect will be more obvious. In particular, the Gilded Rose’s alchemy array that can gather mana is twice as effective as before with the help of the Universal Core!

“Sir Merlin, it’s time we march to the markets of magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays. With this material, I’m sure that we will expand smoothly, and that the Gilded Rose’s market share of magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays will be as big as that of our potions.

“Their profits will be even greater than the alchemy potions!”

Faleau seemed excited, but Lin Yun shook his head.

“No, we will only sell the Universal Core! At least for now. We won’t use it with the Gilded Rose’s magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays.”

Faleau was shocked, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on his head.

“Sir Merlin, as long as we have the core, we’ll be able to—”

Lin Yun shook his head. “Faleau, don’t be too hasty. After all, we’re outsiders for the Odin Kingdom.”

Hearing that, Faleau heaved a sigh, and didn’t say anything else.

“Sir Merlin, you’re right. The Gilded Rose has been developing really fast, and making huge progress. Right now, many influential forces of the Odin Kingdom, such as the Lodney Family, have noticed us…

“However, the Lodney Family has stopped causing trouble for us. Our alchemy potion business is thriving too. Our profits from magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays are not nearly as great as those from alchemy potions.

“If we seek to expand our market share in those three aspects, we probably won’t be able to survive in the Odin Kingdom.”

Lin Yun smiled and shook his head.

“That’s not the main reason. The main reason is that even if the Universal Core is applied to our products, the profits won’t improve much. After all, even the magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays to which the Universal Core has been applied will be no better than Spiritual Magic Tools. They can hardly influence the market of the True Spirit Magic Tools.

“Such an improvement won’t bring an absolute edge to the Gilded Rose. The best we can expect will be an advantage in the prices of our products.

“We have unique alchemy potions, which give us an absolute edge. If we recklessly enter the markets of magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays without an absolute edge, it won’t be good for us.

“On the other hand, if we only sell the Universal Core, we will earn even more because the stores that sell magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays will all need them.

“They have regular clients. One tiny bit improvement of the core will significantly increase their competitiveness. By selling the cores to them, we will make money without hurting anyone’s interests. It will help us stabilize in the Odin Kingdom.”

Faleau nodded and agreed with Lin Yun. That was for the Gilded Rose’s best. The Gilded Rose had caught too much attention, and stolen the Lodney Family’s market share of potions as an outsider, leaving a bad impression on other forces in the Odin Kingdom.

More importantly, the Gilded Rose was so much weaker than the top forces of the Odin Kingdom. It didn’t have nearly as many strong warriors or Heaven Rank experts.

The only right direction was to cooperate and make profits together, and that was what the Gilded Rose was doing. At this moment, a dozen small forces were already following the Gilded Rose to make money. However, it didn’t have any large partner except the Starry Sky College.

Lin Yun looked at the Universal Core, which was five centimeters long and looked like a metal piece, in his hands with a weird smile.

“Besides, this is just an experimental product that’s far from perfection. The key of the product is the materials it’s made of, and I assure you that I’m the only one in Noscent who has such materials.

“Also, once created, it’s impossible for the Universal Core to be cracked. Whoever tries to crack it will only destroy it in the end. It isn’t very difficult to create the core. Anyone with Master-level expertise should be able to make it easily.

“We can sell the Universal Cores to our partners for 50,000 purple gold apiece, and to independent customers for 80,000 apiece. That’s not too expensive, right?”

Faleau nodded solemnly. “It’s too cheap. We should peg the price at 100,000 purple gold, and give a 20% discount for bulk purchases…”

Lin Yun shook his head, and disapproved of Faleau’s proposal. “Just make it 50,000. And 80,000 for independent customers. Tell the news to the organizations that have been cooperating with us first…”

Faleau heaved a sigh, and still thought that it was too cheap…

The powerful Universal Core was better than all existing cores in terms of hardness and abilities. More importantly, it was applicable to most magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays, and it was made of a new material.

Yet, it was only sold for 50,000 purple gold. It seemed that Sir Merlin was determined to earn a respectable position in the Odin Kingdom with generosity…

Lin Yun was silent. He couldn’t explain to Faleau the cost of the Black Pattern Silver…

The Abyssal Magic Iron? There was enough Abyssal Magic Iron to build a Neverwinter City.

The black substance? One drop of black substance could create 3,000 kilograms of Black Pattern Silver, and one kilogram of Black Pattern Silver could create at least half a million Universal Cores.

The only thing that cost him purple gold was the fuse agent, whose price was 40 purple gold.

One Universal Core for 50,000 purple gold. Lin Yun couldn’t even calculate the profit rate. The net profit from one drop of black substance was at least seven billion purple gold…

The Black Pattern Silver that Lin Yun had created was enough for the Gilded Rose to use for at least three months, even if its sales were most ideal.

More importantly, Lin Yun was truly not interested in the item. After all, it was just the material that proved successful in the first experiment. It wasn’t exactly what Lin Yun needed.

If the Gilded Rose intended to march into the markets of magic tools, alchemy puppets, and alchemy arrays, it would need a real star product, like the potions. That would be in the best interest of the Gilded Rose.

As for the Universal Cores, they could be used to fool idiots. After all, they were only suitable for the mid-class market, and the Gilded Rose was only famous in the high-class market, which it depended on.

Each bottle of the best potions that the Gilded Rose sold was more profitable than tens of billions of bottles of regular potions.

Additionally, selling the Universal Cores was also a way to stabilize the Gilded Rose’s position in the Odin Kingdom. When all the stores that served the mid-class market needed its supply, it would become an indispensable part of the Odin Kingdom.

Besides, who could be sure that the Gilded Rose only had the first-generation Universal Core, and wouldn’t develop a second-generation Universal Core?

Lin Yun gave the Black Pattern Silver to Faleau, and left the matter alone. He returned to the Demiplane for studies.

In only three days, things were already changing in the Odin Kingdom’s alchemy business. The families who had been working with the Gilded Rose were the first to receive the news.

Even though most of the families didn’t sell alchemy products, they had all signed contracts to purchase products in bulk from the Gilded Rose.

They were fully aware of the importance of the Universal Core. There was no telling who leaked the news, but very soon, more and more stores came to the Gilded Rose, seeking cooperation.

The fastest store to react was the one named Hammer of Magic.

A magic lamp was emitting gentle light. A lot of alchemy tools had been placed in this hardcore laboratory. Plenty of uncompleted magic tools were piled on the iron tables.

A few alchemists gathered together, and looked at a magic tool that was on a crystal table full of runes. They looked quite grave.

“How did the test go?” A middle-aged man, who wore a black gold-edged robe, stood aside, and looked at the alchemists hopefully.

The alchemists, however, seemed to be bewildered. Their eyes were filled with passion as they stared at the magic tool on the table. The magic tool was a ball with four metal wings. It was shrouded in a halo of mana.

After the man asked several times in a row, the alchemists finally stood straight in amazement.

“Masterpiece. An amazing masterpiece. After the Gilded Rose’s Universal Core is applied to our protective sprite, the latter is at least twice as powerful as before.”

“This Universal Core does require mana supply. It attracts mana to make up for its consumption. Also, there’s no telling what it’s made of. It must be a newly developed alloy. The Universal Core has been designed quite creatively.”

“Also, this Universal Core is even harder than the protective sprite, and won’t ever be destroyed. At least, even if the protective sprite malfunctions, it won’t be because of the Universal Core.”

“General agility improved by 131%, reaction speed improved by 82%, protection power improved by 70%, and general mana consumption reduced by 33%…”

“Even if the Universal Cores are sold for 50,000 purple gold apiece, they will still be a great bargain. We can sell our new protective sprites twice as expensively as before. Our profits will be 60% more than before.”

Hearing the alchemist’s report, the black-robed man was rather dumbfounded. Another alchemist was very thrilled as if he had seen a great opportunity.

“No, that’s not the most important thing. You should know that if your product is 10% better than similar products, the sales of your store will be boosted. Also, it will improve your store’s reputation, which is what matters most.”

“We must get the Universal Cores ahead of others, which will give us a greater edge. After we release new magic tools, our general sales will be boosted, not to mention that the new magic tools will be very profitable themselves. This is a rare opportunity for us!”

The more the alchemists talked, the more reluctant the black-robed man became.

“If this Universal Core is truly as great as you claim, how come the Gilded Rose is not using it?”

The oldest alchemist in the room shook his head.

“I don’t think they don’t want to use it; it’s simply not valuable enough for them. The Gilded Rose’s revenue comes mainly from potions. They’re only selling magic tools by the way. The Universal Core is truly powerful, but cannot ensure enough profits if used on low-level magic tools.”

“It won’t be very effective on True Spirit Magic Tools. It’s best for lower magic tools. However, the Gilded Rose doesn’t have the time to conquer the mid-class market. Their returns won’t be able to cover their investment. They might as well just sell the Universal Cores so that they won’t need to add their investment…”

Hearing that, the black-robed man completely relaxed.

The mid- and low-level market was pretty much fixed. It was impossible to earn any share in the market without presenting an ultimate product.

Even if a customer was only trying to buy a Spiritual Magic Tool, between a store that only sold Spiritual Magic Tools and one where True Spirit Magic Tools were available, they would certainly choose the latter one, which was more trustworthy.

Besides, after all these years, the mid- and low-level markets were already very stable, and the general shares didn’t change very much.

The Gilded Rose had surely realized it too. The Hammer of Magic had to be the first to purchase the Universal Cores! It was a great opportunity!

The black-robed man gritted his teeth, and left the room in a hurry. An hour later, he arrived at the Gilded Rose, and left with 100 Universal Cores a dozen minutes later…

On the same day, a lot of people came to the Gilded Rose, and bought plenty of Universal Cores sneakily like thieves. More than 3,000 Universal Cores were sold in the day for more than 160,000,000 purple gold, which was greater than the revenue from all the other products that the Gilded Rose sold in the day. Their profits were almost as much as the Gilded Rose’s net profits for a whole month!

Even though Faleau knew that the sales couldn’t be so great every day, he was still quite shocked. He had managed the Gilded Rose for a long time, and he had never seen such sales in only one day. Not to mention that he was not selling a product at all, but only a part…

The second day, the Sky City came, and purchased 10,000 Universal Cores, enjoying a discount because of the bulk purchase. Still, it meant an income of 450,000,000 purple gold.

Faleau suddenly realized why Lin Yun insisted on selling the Universal Cores directly—they required no further investment at all. No more studies, researchers, or gold coins were needed. All they needed to do was to cut the Black Pattern Silver, and ask the Gilded Rose’s craftsmen to embed runes and alchemy arrays in a fixed way. The manufacturing process was very simple…

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