Tempest of the Battlefield

Chapter 520: An Unusual Crystal

Translator: Oneshotwonder Editor: Hitesh_

"Maybe I should go with you. I might be able to help." Ye Zi put in. Wang Tong nodded in response, and the two walked toward the sales room, where a man in his forties greeted them.

"What can I do for you?" He asked politely, his eyes glued to Ye Zi's Sect badge.

"We have something for the auction." Wang Tong announced.

"Not sure what you want to sell? If it is not anything 'special,' if you know what I mean, I would recommend you to use the official exchange depot. We charge a 10% commission fee."

"I do have something very special, but I am not sure if anyone here is able to recognize its value." Wang Tong remarked.

"Hehe… Sir, we have been in this business for years, and have seen everything you can imagine. Bring it out and let us examine it, then we will give you a fair offer."

"Are you in charge here?"

"Yes, I am. My name is Syracuse, and I am the owner here. I bet you two are from Battle Wolf? I have heard about your recent success, so I will waive your commission fees." Syracuse smiled. He was going to leave Jade City a few days ago, but since he had heard that Xiao Yuyu was going to pay the city a visit, he had decided to stay a few more days.

"You…You are Syracuse?" Ye Zi was shocked by the name.

"You bet!" Syracuse said with a typical businessman's sleazy smile.

"Is he...famous?" Wang Tong asked quietly under his breath, but it was loud enough for Syracuse to hear him. Ye Zi hurried for an explanation.

Syracuse had made a name for himself after the war broke out as the go-to person for auctions. He had set up branches within human settlements all over Mars.

Syracuse waved in appreciation for Ye Zi's introduction and then said, "I am not that successful… Just a merchant, that's all. If you don't mind, may I ask whom I am talking to?"

"Ye Zi… I am Battle Wolf's field medic, and he is Wang Tong, one of our captains." Ye Zi said. She noticed the light of anticipation in Syracuse's eyes dim after he realized that the man was not Guan Dongyang.

"Captain Tong, what would you like to sell?" The old merchant asked.

Wang Tong took out an energy crystal and set it on the table. "I have got a very special energy crystal."

Disappointment flashed across Syracuse's face. Energy crystals were one of the most common items on the market. There was nothing spectacular about them, and they were dirt cheap unless they were from a super METAL. However, Syracuse noticed that the one on the table was only of a mid-tier level.

To confirm his initial appraisal, he picked the crystal up and held it close to his eyes. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "What's this inside?" As Syracuse scanned the energy crystal, he found something unusual with it.

"Hehe… There are three Mastery spells inside the crystal. They can be used by a person who does not even know how to fight." Wang Tong revealed the truth. From the way Syracuse carried himself, Wang Tong was certain that he was a powerful fighter and an experienced appraiser.

"This is not a good place to talk. Please follow me." Syracuse invited the two into an inner chamber, where they were greeted by a dozen young and beautiful servant girls, who brought them fresh fruits.

"Captain Tong, is this the new invention of the Fire Lord? I haven't seen Guan Dongyang for a while, and didn't know that he had advanced his cultivation so quickly." Syracuse lamented. All this while, he held the crystal tightly in his hand.

"Hehe… I am relieved that you are able to recognize its value. Yes, this is the work of our captain. Not only that, the mastery spell inside of it is like nothing you have ever seen. It's a buff spell called Divine Light. When used, it will be able to improve the level of all friendly soldiers around you to level seventeen." Wang Tong spoke slowly, and then produced another one of the same crystal from his pocket and set it on the table.

"This one contains a Fire Inferno Spell, Captain Guan's famous AOE spell… level eighteen and single use." Wang Tong watched Syracuse's face attentively, trying to catch the merchant's thoughts.

Syracuse's face didn't betray his emotions as he asked with the same calmness, "How many of these crystals have you brought with you?"

"Three of the Divine Light, and two Fire Inferno."

Syracuse held Wang Tong's gaze and asked slowly. "Who can use them?"

"Anyone, really. There is no level requirement, if that's what you are asking."

It had finally occurred to Syracuse how powerful these crystals were. It meant that any ordinary person could carry a level eighteen spell with them at any time.

"Captain Tong, may I propose a win-win approach?"

"Do tell!" Wang Tong smiled broadly. Everything was going according to his plan so far.

…

The next day morning, the entire Jade City was up early in the morning, preparing for the welcoming ceremony.

When Xiao Yuyu and her mastery casters filed into the city gate, the city boiled over in joy and pride. Wang Tong and his friends watched the procession quietly. As warriors, they would not hide in the city and pray for the protection of the powerful.

The Divine Mastery Sect had been influential even before the Zerg invasion. The external pressure on human society had only lent the Sect even more power and respect among the Martians, so much so that even a field medic from the Sect was revered as a goddess.

The Sect's influence could be effective in uniting the Martians against the Zergs, but it could also be used by corrupted forces for ulterior motives.

Although the Jade city boasted a watertight defense, its citizens lacked the will to fight. The false appearance of order and safety inside the wall had made its dwellers content. They had forgotten that they were still at war. The lack of aggression was a drastic contrast to the people in the Maersa district.

As a high ranking field medic, it was not difficult for Ye Zi to arrange a meeting with Xiao Yuyu after she had met with the local lords. Wang Tong decided to tag along and to see what it was like inside the Sect.

Wang Tong had talked a few hours with Syracuse about what to do with the profits after they sold the crystal. Eventually, they settled on a relatively fair plan. Syracuse made it clear that he wanted Battle Wolf to become his long-term partner in his business endeavor; therefore, he was willing to sacrifice some of the profits now in order to win the exclusive rights to sell their energy crystals.

…

Sanders was not in a good mood. His nephew's body was found a few miles outside of the city; he was flayed, and had his flesh carved out.

Sanders had lost his only son in the war. Guilt spurred him to spoil the only male offspring of his family: his nephew. He had known about Charles' outrageous crimes against powerless people, but couldn't find the will to punish him. Finally, he realized, Charles had paid the ultimate price for his foolishness.