Chapter 364: Starlight Herb
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The ceremony for taking up the President position was not complicated. After a simple speech by the new President, Herza announced the official establishment of the new Breezy Plains Guild of Magic. Then, it was Apophis’s turn to present a symbolic gift to Lin Li. The old man had changed into a new gray robe; although it was not as formal as Lin Li’s black robe, it was filled with a sense of mystery and authority when they were surrounded with that ma.s.sive magical wave.
The black staff in Apophis’s hands had an enormous magical crystal that was reflecting a blinding yet eye-catching ray of light. Lin Li was surprised to see the magical energy within it. He saw a magical crystal of a beast that was definitely above level-18, and one that had certainly undergone vigorous mageweath treatment before it was set onto the staff. Now, the mana it could provide would without a doubt be close to a Legendary magical crystal!
“Archmage Felic, I represent the Supreme Council to announce that you are now officially the first President of the Breezy Plains Guild of Magic,” the elder said as he brought the tip of the staff that had the magical crystal against Lin Li’s forehead gently. “May the force of magic guide you eternally.”
Finally, Apophis handed the staff to Lin Li. This marked the official recognition of Lin Li’s authority. From now on, the 25th guild of magic had been established in the Breezy Plains, and it was going to be protected under the name of Supreme Council. This meant that any organization’s hostile actions against the Breezy Plains Guild of Magic would be treated as a challenge towards the Supreme Council.
The Guild could even have their own piece of land, including the authority over it. Hence, they would be able to collect taxes, and also have a pool of human resources there. All in all, everything would go according to the wishes of the Guild of Magic, with no interference from the royalty of the Felan Kingdom. That was an agreement put in place 1300 years ago—all guilds under the Supreme Council would be able to acquire land they could call their own. In return, the kingdom would be able to employ mages who were below the Legendary level as soldiers if they were to be invaded by enemy forces.
Of course, the royalty of Felan would not provide that land without any conditions. They had no choice, actually. As land was limited, their younger generation would be left with nothing if they decided to give land away to another 20 guilds.
Whether the guild of magic could acquire that piece of land would depend on their true abilities. As long as they were powerful enough—even if they merely took over the Ledin Kingdom—the royalty of Felan would not mind offering them the legal authority to rule. Since they were not required to provide resources for their soldiers, they had nothing else to lose.
However, to the Breezy Plains Guild of Magic, it was still a distant dream. They only had around 10 mages. While their majority was at least Magic Shooters of level-13, their strength was too weak in numbers. Even if they were to take over a piece of land, they would not be able to protect it well. It was like how the Jarrosus Guild of Magic was not only robbed of the Demon Fall Valley, but also lost their Emerald Tower due to a fire. Although they managed to rebuild it with the help of Lin Li, it was still Jarrosus. The power of the Shadow’s Nest was too insignificant; any other forces in the Breezy Plains would have been able to crush his guild of magic into pieces. If Lin Li were to make any mistake on this land, he would not be able to deal with them alone.
The ceremony was an incredibly simple one. Ending with Lin Li’s act of accepting the staff, it did not have any boring and long speeches, and lacked the bustling excitement as well. But, the simple ritual was not shocking to any of the guests. Being all big shots of different statuses and positions, the process of the ceremony was not important. What mattered was the meaning behind the ceremony itself.
When the young man received the staff, it meant that there would be another force that was not to be belittled in the Breezy Plains. Although it seemed that this force was still very weak, at least half of the number of guests present had absolute confidence in Lin Li. They believed that as long as the young President was in his position, this force would grow to become an invincible one…
After the ceremony ended, Hoffman went over to Lin Li with a smile. “Hehe, big congratulations to Mage Felic… Oh, I should call you President Felic. As I’ve said, if the Supreme Council wanted to build a guild of magic in the Breezy Plains, you were the most suitable candidate for the President. To me, only a rare talent like you would have the right to be in this position here in the Breezy Plains! I’m absolutely certain that the elders in the Supreme Council have made the best choice…”
“Nothing like that, Mr. Hoffman. The Guild of Magic has just been established, so we will still need the support from the Glittergold Trade Union…”
“That’s for sure. As long as it is something I can help you with, feel free to tell me!” Hoffman promised Lin Li without thinking.
“I will thank Mr. Hoffman in advance then.”
“You’re welcome…”
After that, Hoffman called an attendant over. He gave him some instructions in a low voice before turning back to Lin Li.
“Oh, yes. President Felic, apart from coming to congratulate you, I had prepared a gift as well. I hope you will like it.”
“Mr. Hoffman, you are too courteous…”
As the two men conversed, an attendant entered the room with a box made of jade. From the first look, there was nothing special about it, but after Hoffman opened the lid of the box, it caused many to gasp in shock…
“This…”
Lin Li was one of those who were stunned. Frankly speaking, he had expected Hoffman to present him with a gift at this ceremony, yet he had not expected it to be such a precious treasure.
“So many Starlight Herbs?”
He did not believe that Hoffman could present him with a few hundred stalks of Starlight. It was definitely an exorbitant gift. To a Master Pharmacist, such an amount of Starlight Herb meant riches in astronomical figures. A bottle of Radiance Potion that could prevent the bite of mana would sell for up to tens of thousand gold coins, and the whole lot of Starlight in that jade box would certainly let him create more than 50 bottles of Radiance Potion!
Furthermore, it was just the simplest Radiance Potion. If he could get ahold of the rare Moonlight Flower, and combine it with Starlight Herb, he could create the Heroic Potion, a potion that even Sword Sages dreamed of—a treasure that could increase one’s Combat Energy unlimitedly. Compared to a level-17 magical crystal, it would definitely not be any less valuable…
“Hehe, hope President Felic can appreciate the small gift…”
Although Hoffman seemed to be very humble when he said that, he was actually really nervous. The Glittergold Trade Union might be wealthy, but it’d taken a lot of effort to collect hundreds of Starlight Herb stalks. However, it did not matter to Hoffman. He was certain of one thing: the herbs would become a dozen of bottles of Radiance Potion in his hands, but a dozen of bottles of Heroic Potion in Lin Li’s.
If Lin Li could gift him one or two bottles of the second potion at that time, it would overwrite the cost of these several hundred herbs…
“Mr. Hoffman, I’m accepting your gift. Don’t worry, I’m not a forgetful person. If I am successful in using them to create the Heroic Potion, half of them will go to the Glittergold Trade Union!”
“Then I will thank President Felic in advance…” Hoffman said gleefully. He would have been content with a bottle or two, and had not expected the young President to be so generous to promise him half of what he’d produce. If he could really get half the amount of it, how would this single box of Starlight matter?
“Oh, Mr. Hoffman. Are you free these two days? I have a business proposal to discuss with you…”
“Yes, of course! I will be in Doland in the next two days. Just call me over when you are free.”
“That’s a deal then.”
“Sure.”
While the two people chattered with each other, Englos brought Rina over.
“Hoffman, you really placed me in a difficult spot by giving such a valuable gift. If mine doesn’t match the standard you set, isn’t it an embarra.s.sment for myself?” Englos remarked playfully. “Luckily, I am well prepared…”
“Old man, stop acting mysterious. If you have anything good, just show it to us…” Hoffman said jokingly. Being Pharmaceutical Masters who had known each other for a very long time, their interaction was devoid of any formalities. Hoffman was not offended by Englos at all. “How could I not know how your Brilliance Shrine is? It was my Glittergold Trade Union that helped to fund your shrine when it was being built in the Breezy Plains. I really doubt that you can offer anything good…” he said in disdain as he pursed his lips.
“Hehe, Hoffman, you have guessed it wrong this time. You stingy man…” Englos laughed. Then, he fished out something from his pocket…