Chapter 33

I'm not sure how common cloud-piercing iron is in this world, but in the game world, a piece of cloud-piercing iron is as valuable as a bronze-tier magic item. And that's still under the condition where various materials and resources are constantly refreshed...

In this real world without an infinite refresh mechanism, the value of cloud-piercing iron can only be higher, not lower!

Finding such a great deal, Ji Ran was naturally extremely excited. His eyes immediately lit up as he looked around the stalls, hoping to find a few more. However, Songpan Town was small, and the adventurers were weak; there weren't many good deals to be found. After looking for a long time and walking from one end of the trading area to the other, he didn't see another item as valuable as the cloud-piercing iron.

But it didn't matter. After a brief disappointment, Ji Ran was also satisfied. No matter what, he had found a great deal. Such a large piece of cloud-piercing iron wasn't suitable for making weapons, but... it could be used to make some small magic items!

A flying magic item was definitely out of the question, as the material was not enough. Making a defensive magic item, the material of the cloud-piercing iron wasn't suitable either. So, he could only make some offensive magic items.

After thinking for a long time, Ji Ran made a choice: a flying dagger.

A flying dagger is hidden and sudden, making it a good tool for ambush. Ji Ran used to like using flying daggers in the game, always carrying a set of flying dagger magic items, which could be quite useful in critical moments.

The material of the cloud-piercing iron was perfect for making flying daggers, but it still needed some other materials added. However, there was no rush, as the materials available in Songpan Town were quite limited.

After finishing his tour of the trading area, Ji Ran spent most of the 2,000 gold coins they had just obtained, much to the dismay of Lys and the others. But Ji Ran promised that upon reaching Baise City, he would custom-make a magic item for each of them, ensuring quality, which reassured everyone.

As for the crafting fees, they didn't matter much. After the battle with the True God Sect, the bond between them had transcended the petty calculations of teammates... However, even close friends need to settle accounts clearly. Lys calculated precisely to ensure that the value of the items each person received was roughly the same. This was one of the basic conditions for maintaining a team, and everyone understood.

After staying another night at Old Mac's tavern, they set off for Baise City.

Baise City, as the most famous commercial city on the continent, is located in the central-eastern part of the continent and is a member of the Knight Commercial Federation. The Knight Commercial Federation borders the Ere Empire to the west, the Liber Kingdom to the south, the Dragon Spine Mountains where dwarves live to the north, and various small countries led by the Holy Light Church to the east. The largest river on the continent, the Leibore River, runs through it, making transportation extremely convenient. It is not an exaggeration to call it the commercial center of the entire continent.

Baise City is like a capital, but the Knight Commercial Federation doesn't really have a capital. The cities are relatively independent, forming a loose alliance. However, no country, big or small, on the continent dares to underestimate this alliance... Economically, the Knight Commercial Federation surpasses most countries... There are even rumors that the wealth of the Knight Commercial Federation is actually the first on the continent.

Everyone knows that the Knight Commercial Federation is rich. And the richest city in it, without any doubt, is Baise City.

While listening to Lys and the others' introductions, Ji Ran headed towards Baise City. They traveled with a caravan, essentially serving as the caravan's guards. The caravan's goods, though numerous and heavy, were not particularly valuable, mostly consisting of monster furs and herbs, things that only have value in large quantities. Such items are rarely targeted by bandits, as transporting and selling them is too troublesome... However, for safety, the caravan hired many adventurers as guards, and Lys joined the caravan through his good connections.

The journey was relatively peaceful, giving Ji Ran enough time to refine magic items and practice. The materials he had left and those he bought in Baise City were enough for him to refine a few magic items on the way.

Ailin and Lys already had magic items, so he now needed to refine items for Ban, Beck, and Lydia.

The magic item for Lydia was relatively simple, just needing to enhance spell power and shorten casting time. Such items are not uncommon in the game, as there are many spellcasters in a xianxia game. For Ban, it was also straightforward: enhancing defense and adding some counter-attack capabilities would significantly boost his strength. The most troublesome was the magic item for Beck.

Beck is currently a level 3 spear warrior, at the high end of the bronze tier. At his age, this strength is not low, but it's not particularly high either. And he is now cursed, so his strength will not improve for a long time. If Ji Ran gave him a magic item of poor quality, it wouldn't help much. But if he gave him something too good, it might attract others' envy. What kind of magic item to give Beck was a headache for Ji Ran.

Beck's current situation clearly doesn't suit him to cause trouble, so he doesn't need an offensive item. A defensive item, however, doesn't fit his fighting style. Support... what kind of support? Helping him run away quickly?

This was a viable path. The magic item for Beck should give him enough survival capability. If he can't win, he can run away. What can you do to me?

With this in mind, he had a plan. After carefully selecting a few materials, Ji Ran ultimately refined a heart-protecting mirror for Beck.

Of course, there is no such thing as a heart-protecting mirror in this world, so Ji Ran refined it into a mirror shape. The mirror would increase defense and stamina, but not significantly boost other attributes. However, when the owner is attacked beyond a certain limit, it would automatically activate a shield, repel all nearby enemies, remove spell bindings, and absorb all subsequent attacks. At the same time, it would greatly increase the owner's movement speed and provide some healing.

This item's survival capability is quite strong, so it has many restrictions. It can only be triggered once every seven days.

With this item, Beck could at least escape in some critical situations. However, it only works against opponents of the same or slightly higher level. If the opponent is too strong, the shield won't protect him. So, the value of this item isn't particularly high, roughly on par with the others' magic items.

However, when Ji Ran gave the mirror to Beck, it caused great dissatisfaction.

"Ji Ran, you're really looking down on me! You refined a magic item for me to run away! Do you think I, Beck, would run away in battle? You're insulting me! No way, I protest, you must make another magic item to compensate me!"

Ji Ran, who was already used to Beck's personality, just rolled his eyes: "If you don't want it, give it back. This thing could fetch a good price if sold."

Of course, a survival magic item! This type of item is always one of the most expensive! Who doesn't want more lives? But attack and defense are hard to balance; you can't wear a suit of iron all the time. With this mirror, although the defense boost isn't significant, if you face a fatal danger, it at least gives you a chance to run away!

Of course, magic items that automatically teleport you when you face a fatal attack are much better, but they are also extremely expensive. This item is cost-effective and can save your life in battles that aren't too overpowered, making it highly sought after!

Beck immediately snatched the mirror and looked at Ji Ran with a grin: "Ah, forget it. I know it's not easy to refine these magic items, so I won't make it hard for you. This thing isn't great, but I'll use it..."

With the three magic items resolved, Ji Ran began to prepare to refine something for himself.

Originally, he wanted to refine a weapon for himself, as using a regular longsword was seriously affecting his combat ability. However, because he obtained a piece of cloud-piercing iron, his plans changed.

First, refine a flying dagger! This was a magic item he used to use in "Xianxia Freedom," and if used well, it could definitely give him another trump card!

The method of merging the magic item with himself through a burst of true essence can be a trump card, but it can't be used casually. After the burst, he would have no combat ability, and if anything unexpected happened, he would be in trouble.

But with this magic item flying dagger, things would be different. Throwing the dagger only consumes mana, and he still has other means to fight. This trump card is much more reliable!

However, refining a high-quality flying dagger isn't easy. Although he has cloud-piercing iron, the other materials can't be too poor. Otherwise, it would waste the rare material. So, refining the flying dagger is still just a plan, and it's still a bit far from completion.

The rest of the time, Ji Ran spent refining the Yuan Gathering Qi Soup for Uncle Lys.

The materials needed for the Yuan Gathering Qi Soup are not too rare, and there are many substitutes that can be used for different stages. The best materials for treating Uncle Lys's injuries are silver-tier.

However, Ji Ran wasn't sure if the actual effect would work, so using silver-tier materials right away would be wasteful. So, he used some common herbs, monster bones, and vegetables to make a batch of Yuan Gathering Qi Soup.

He gave the Yuan Gathering Qi Soup to Uncle Lys, and under his puzzled gaze, urged him to drink it quickly.

Lys drank it. Soon, he felt something inside him change.