Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1275: The Golden Treasure Hunt

Attendants stood all around the venue without leaving a single area unattended. If it were someone’s first time participating in the Golden Treasure Hunt, they would have believed the measures to be mostly for security purposes. However, even if one were foolish enough to steal from a place under the protection of the Golden Dragon Association, the Serva Stone would be the worst thing to take.

Each Serva Stone emitted a unique energy signature that could be tracked at all times by the Golden Treasure House. More importantly, due to the special nature of the Serva Stone, this unique energy signature could not be erased or hidden. In other words, if someone stole a Serva Stone, it would not take long for the Golden Dragon Association to track them down and punish them for their insolence.

Of course, that was just one of the reasons no one dared to steal from this place. The biggest reason was that the Golden Dragon Association directly employed several individuals in the legendary realm. And, if one were to also count those legendary realm VIPs who owed them a favor or two, the number would be enough to rival the force of any large organization in the Mortal Realm.

Izroth casually strolled around the venue and examined the various Serva Stones.

’It’s just as they said—even with Divine Appraisal and Deep Insight, I am unable to see what is inside of the Serva Stones. This natural way of subtly disrupting space and cloaking energy is something you don’t see every day. Though even if I cannot see what is inside the Serva Stone, there is one advantage that I hold.’

Name: Sealed Serva Stone(???)

Usage: This item has a chance of containing hidden treasures.

~Appraisal~

Age: 500~

Quality Value: 6/100

~Appraisal~

Although Izroth was unable to see what was inside of the Serva Stone, Divine Appraisal had the ability to determine an item’s value. After all, even gold covered in dirt was still gold. Naturally, this applied to the Serva Stone and the item it contained. The higher the quality value that was shown through appraisal, the greater the item’s intrinsic value.

Name: Sealed Serva Stone(???)

Usage: This item has a chance of containing hidden treasures.

~Appraisal~

Age: 2,600~

Quality Value: 53/100

~Appraisal~

’Oh? This one isn’t bad.’

This was the first time Izroth had come across a Serva Stone with a quality value that exceeded 50.

The price tag on this particular Serva Stone was 250 gold coins. This meant that, in terms of a Serva Stone’s age, it would roughly be considered the equivalent of a young human teenager.

Of course, the age of a Serva Stone did not directly determine the value of what was inside. It simply meant that the older a Serva Stone turned out to be, the greater the chances of one getting their hands on something that no longer existed in the world.

’Since this one has a quality value somewhere in the middle, it will be a good chance to see what Divine Appraisal considers to be average.’

”I will purchase this one.” Izroth said to one of the nearby attendants.

”My name is Pearl. I am happy to assist you, dear guest. How would you like to arrange your payment?” The attendant, Pearl, asked politely as she approached Izroth.

”I’ll make the payment with this.” Izroth said as he showed the black card given to him by Vexpela.

When the attendant show the card in Izroth’s hands, her eyes widened in shock as she immediately bowed deeply.

”I apologize for failing to recognize this esteemed guest.” Pearl said apologetically.

”There’s no need for formalities. Just attend to your duties without feeling troubled.” Izroth said casually.

”It is my pleasure, esteemed guest.” Pearl replied as she stood upright.

She then continued, ”If you may, esteemed guest, please hold the card out so that I may complete the transaction.”

Izroth followed Pearl’s instructions and held the card out flat.

The next moment, Pearl lightly tapped the ring on her right middle finger. It was a silver ring with a smooth blue stone at its center. When Pearl touched the blue stone, it emitted a faint hue as she tapped it against the diamond part of the black card.

”The transaction has been completed. Since you are a Diamond-Level VIP, a 30% discount of 75 gold coins has been applied. This brings the final charge to 175 gold coins. The matter of opening the Serva Stone—would this esteemed guest like to take it away or leave it to the experts of our Golden Treasure House?” Pearl asked.

”I will leave it in the hands of your experts.” Izroth replied without hesitation.

’I’m curious to see how they open Serva Stones without damaging the contents inside.’

Opening a Serva Stone was a delicate matter. One wrong misstep could result in the contents inside the Serva Stone being destroyed. This was most likely due to the unique way Serva Stones handled energy and space.

”I will call over someone at once.” Pearl said as she touched the small gemstone on her left earring.

’The Golden Treasure House certainly isn’t afraid to flaunt their wealth. To provide all their attendants with magic tools—it must have cost hundreds of thousands of gold coins. If this is just one of the many businesses under the Golden Dragon Association, how many gold coins flow through the actual organization?’

Not long after Pearl touched the gemstone on her earring, a burly looking middle-aged man trotted over.

”Esteemed guest, this person is one of our experts who special in opening Serva Stones, Master Gillian.” Pearl introduced.

”Nice to meet you. Just leave it to me and sit back and relax. I’ll be sure to get your item out in one piece.” Gillian said confidently as he hit his fist against his chest.

”Master Gillian, your manners...!” Pearl exclaimed as she looked over at Izroth, afraid that Gillian’s casual attitude may have offended him.

Izroth held his hand up and said, ”It’s fine. As I said before, I’m not one for formalities. I prefer this kind of easygoing attitude. Of course, that is as long as it doesn’t get in the way of doing what needs to be done.”

”Ahahaha! Well said, well said. Who has time for stuffy formalities? Rest assured, when it comes to opening Serva Stones, if I claim to be second, no one would dare to say they’re first.” Gillian stated.

”This... If that is what the esteemed guest wishes, we shall comply.” Pearl said as she tried to hide her troubled expression and anxiousness.

Gillian reached into a simple looking pouch at his side and pulled out a chisel and small hammer. At first glance, it seemed like common tools you could find anywhere. However, upon closer inspection, one could see the intricacies of magic and mana weaved into its structure.

’Magic tools? It’s the first time I’ve seen these type of magic tools. Were they made specifically for opening Serva Stones?’

Gillian took a deep breath as he carefully angled the tip of the chisel against the Serva Stone.

The Serva Stone was roughly 1.2 meters in height and half a meter across. However, one should not be fooled by the size of a Serva Stone. Since the way Serva Stone interacted with objects meant that something the size of a marble could be trapped in a Serva Stone two meters tall.

Dink!

Gillian slammed his hammer into the upright side of the chisel. But, instead of fracturing as normal stone did when chiseled, a piece of the Serva Stone ”peeled” off smoothly.

”Master Gillian may be somewhat rough around the edges; however, his skills are legitimate. There are very few individuals who can handle Serva Stone in such a delicate and elegant way.” Pearl mentioned with a light smile as she observed Gillian.

”It seems that his words were not filled with empty bravado.” Izroth stated calmly.

’Just before the hammer makes contact with the chisel, he injects his mana into it in short controlled pulses. Even some high-ranking mages would be in awe at his level of mana control.’

Every time Gillian struck the chisel with his hammer, a piece of the Serva Stone peeled off as if one were using a peeler to remove the skin of a potato. His goal was to remove as thin a layer of Serva Stone as possible to ensure that he did not accidentally damage the item inside. It was, in all sense, a grueling process that required a high level of concentration.

’I can see why experts exist specifically for opening Serva Stones. In a way, it almost resembles an art form.’

”We’ve reached the core. The dangerous part is over now.” Gillian stated.

Gillian picked up his speed as he peeled off several more pieces of the Serva Stone.

Thump!

Gillian halted his actions as a large grin formed on his face.

”It looks like this is it. Well, I hope ya get something worthwhile.” Gillian said as he lightly knocked against the remaining Serva with his knuckles.

Crraaaack...!

The Serva Stone fell off in chunks of shards as a dazzling deep purple orb sat on a small portion the Serva Stone.