Chapter 280: Mentor Trading Zone

What Punk intended to create was, strictly speaking, a semi-elemental golem. This golem was Vedrasha’s improvement upon traditional elemental golems, eliminating the overly focused elemental control abilities while enhancing the golem’s close combat capabilities. This perfectly aligned with Punk’s requirements—he needed an excellent melee tank, and as for spellcasting abilities, he himself was sufficient.

The main materials for crafting the semi-elemental golem were Minisen Alloy and Orc Flame Crystal. One served as the primary body of the construct golem, while the other was used as an enchanting auxiliary inscription material. Among these, the demand for Minisen Alloy was the greatest.

Punk currently had no materials at hand, and he couldn’t obtain the Aoke Fire Rock Crystal, which was only produced in the distant Land of Flames, on his own. Thus, he decided to visit the mentor trading area at the Thought of Truth Branch.

The Thought of Truth Branch in the Gray Rain Country was as desolate as ever. Since Punk chose to set out in the early hours of the night, only the faint rustling sounds of nocturnal small animals foraging could be heard in the swamp. The vast mentor residential area was completely devoid of any human figures.

Of course, since Formal-Level Mages did not require sleep and often conducted experiments day and night without distinction, it was common to see few people here even during the day.

In the Thought of Truth Branch, unless under special circumstances, flying was prohibited for everyone from the highest-ranking branch head to the lowest-level servants. This rule was not explicitly written in any regulations, but because most mages could not tolerate any unidentified flying objects above their heads, it was an unspoken rule tacitly accepted by all.

Punk did not violate this implicit rule for the sake of saving a little travel time.

While admiring the night scenery of the Grey Mire Swamp, he quickly made his way to the mentor trading area.

The Grey Mire Swamp at night was hazy. The ground here would produce a thin layer of gray mist late at night, which floated slowly about five centimeters above the ground and dissipated on its own by dawn.

At this moment, the gray mist was spreading extensively. With every step Punk took on the ground, the surrounding mist would ripple and stir, revealing the dark purple humus soil beneath. The patches of glowing fungi on the ground, dotted with sparkling specks of light, possessed a unique beauty against the backdrop of the surrounding mist.

Seeing that the vast swamp was empty except for a few low-lying laboratories of Formal-Level Mages, Punk felt a rare urge to play.

With a wave of his hand, he infused a surge of vitality into the glowing fungal spores on the ground, causing them to rapidly multiply and form glowing clusters. He then scattered these clusters, letting the specks of light spread through the gray darkness, forming a dazzling, shimmering galaxy…

As a Master-Level Caster, even without using any spells, Punk’s walking speed could easily rival that of a car on Earth if he didn’t deliberately slow his pace. With his cheerful mood, he soon arrived at the mentor trading area, which seemed incredibly mysterious and lofty in the eyes of apprentices.

“Is this the mentor trading area? Why does it seem a bit unreliable?”Punk quickly suppressed his cheerful mood and resumed an expressionless face as he saw the mentor trading area shrouded in gray mist.

Rather than a trading area, it was more like an exchange. Even Punk hadn’t expected that this vast area, forbidden to all apprentices and representing mystery and wonder in their eyes, would consist of 99% meaningless, barren swamp. Only an unremarkable triangular building at the center served as the main body of the mentor trading area.

Entering this roughly fifty-meter-high pyramid structure meant Punk had truly stepped into the mentor trading area, filled with countless treasures and even capable of connecting with the Thought of Truth headquarters for resource exchange.

The pyramid exchange was almost as deserted inside as outside. Only two Formal-Level Mages hurriedly carrying Enchanted Leather Bags passed Punk at the entrance, offering a respectful mage’s salute before rushing off. When Punk stepped through the exchange’s doorway, he remained the only living person in the pyramid.

Punk was somewhat surprised by this complete lack of bustling activity, but upon reflection, he realized it was actually quite normal.

The number of Formal-Level and above powerhouses in Gray Rain Country was inherently small, and those residing at the Thought of Truth branch were mostly mages who could remain secluded for decades conducting experiments. They naturally wouldn’t interrupt their work frequently to go shopping.

Moreover, while Thought of Truth’s resources were comprehensive, truly advanced materials—especially high-demand Formal-Level supplies—were exorbitantly expensive. None of the mages conducting research in this swamp were wealthy, and impulsive shopping sprees simply didn’t exist in the world of Formal-Level and above powerhouses.

Punk could also deduce that many Ordinary Mentors, not necessarily requiring advanced resources for their research, would likely employ apprentices to procure large quantities of low-level materials from the apprentice trading area for personal cultivation.

Since apprentices of Thought of Truth always enjoyed preferential policies from this Legendary education-focused organization, precious resources sold to apprentices were relatively inexpensive… Of course, such mentor “exploitation” was officially prohibited! But perhaps because Thought of Truth knew its pricing was somewhat unreasonable, as long as Formal-Level Mages didn’t go too far, both branch and headquarters higher-ups would turn a blind eye…

What greeted Punk in the pyramid exchange wasn’t a living person, but an alchemical golem.

This Phantom Image with a hooded figure (why were mages so fond of this appearance?) appeared somewhat feeble, its pale translucent form floating in the air, resembling a confused newborn wraith more than a powerful Formal-Level construct.

The golem’s reception maintained the minimalist style Punk was familiar with—no honorifics nor superfluous movements, only a monotonous voice introducing an equally pale and featureless projection screen:”Respected Master Punk Cyan, as our database indicates this is your first visit, we are providing a brief introduction to the exchange facility!”

“…………”

Punk stared speechlessly at the golem’s appearance—clad in an oversized Mage Robe—once again feeling the enduring influence of the Netherese Civilization:

“I was wondering why this hooded design and mechanical tone felt so familiar. Thinking back, it seems in Vedrasha’s memories, this was the popular style for guide golems during the era of Netherese Civilization. This thing has proven far more resilient than Earth’s fashion trends that change every season! Even after the destruction of Netheril, it’s still in vogue!”

My kitten is just too adorable~~ If you don’t believe me, just check the photos in the group chat! Finally, cute begging for votes~ Meow meow meow!

(End of Chapter)