107 Vaughn Treasury (1/2)

”Leader Lys?! How could he be a Master!?” William gasped. How could he not know the Leader of Thousand Sails City's Alchemist Guild, Lys? A few decades ago, Leader Lys had been in a good relationship with the Merlin family, and ever since then, he would leave for Okland every year and visit as a guest of the Merlin Family. He even gave some pointers to William the previous year.

But William never could have imagined that the Great Alchemist from last year had already become an esteemed Master Alchemist!

After all, there were only 6 Master Alchemists in Okland, the core of the kingdom. Every single one of them had a very influential position in the kingdom and they weren't people that even the powerful Merlin Family would rashly offend.

Master Alchemists had reached a frightening level of proficiency in their craft, giving them nearly boundless power as each of them had a peak power of the kingdom standing behind them. Even if the Merlin Family had over a thousand years of history in Okland, the consequences of offending a Master Alchemist were far too grave.

'Damn, am I in the right place? Is this really Thousand Sails City?' William wondered, feeling disoriented. 'Is this really the eastern part of the kingdom, famous for being barren and primitive? The Thousand Sails City that was only acknowledged for its shipbuilding industry? Is someone playing a trick on me?'

He was having trouble accepting the situation.

'If this place really is Thousand Sails City, how could a Master Alchemist appear here? ...Hold on, Master…'

As his line of thought reached this point, William suddenly calmed down. 'Isn't it great that Leader Lys became a Master Alchemist? After all, the Merlin Family's friendship with Leader Lys has lasted for decades, and he even gave me pointers last year. It's perfect, I can take advantage of this and have Leader Lys seek justice for me! With the decades of friendship, he wouldn't allow me to be bullied in a place like this!'

William could practically see his revenge playing out.

'If Leader Lys learns that this damn Mafa dared to attack a direct scion of the Merlin Family, he would definitely not let him off. Just a word from Leader Lys would close down the Gilded Rose. I wonder what kind of expression that Mafa Merlin will have once his store is shut down!'

William Merlin promptly wiped the corner of his mouth and arranged his black robe, covering the scar on his neck as much as possible. Once he was done, he chanted a Water Screen spell and made sure that he looked fine and proper. Only after that did he push open the door to the alchemy laboratory and headed downstairs.

Lin Yun had already been talking to Leader Lys for some time.

However, Lys didn't mention that alchemy formula, and neither did Lin Yun mention the fifty Alchemists. The two seemed to maintain a tacit agreement not to say anything about the lucrative deal they had made.

Their discussion seemed to revolve around potioneering. One was a Master Alchemist, leader of the Alchemist Guild, while the other was someone who had mastered alchemy knowledge that transcended time. If outsiders heard this discussion, they would think that it was an exchange of knowledge between two alchemists of similar level, but who would think that of these two people, one was a Master Alchemist that was nearly a hundred years old, while the other wasn't even twenty.

”Great Mage Merlin, do you have some free time?” This was the first time Lys brought up a topic other than potions.

”Haha, Leader Lys, why are you asking this?” Lin Yun had a smiling expression, but he was inwardly vigilant. He had talked with that person for about ten minutes and Lys hadn't hinted at anything during that time. But how could Lin Yun not know that he was a fox that could compare to Solomon and Monchi?

'Suddenly asking if I have time right in the middle of a discussion about potions! Leader Lys, you are a sly one aren't you…'

”Not long ago, our Alchemist Guild found an ancient ruin,” Lys explained. ”After conducting some research, we confirmed that it was left by the 3rd Dynasty's last Artisan, Vaughn.”

'Vaughn Treasury!' Lin Yun realized, feeling quite startled.

At this moment, Lin Yun really wanted to tell Leader Lys, 'Aren't you a bit too direct?'

'That's Vaughn Treasury…' He thought about what he knew about it. 'The 3rd Dynasty's final Artisan, a famous existence in Noscent's history. The only Artisan to name six alchemy formulas with his own name.

Those six alchemy formulas were called the Hexagram Star of Vaughn.

But these six formulas were lost after the 3rd Dynasty. It was rumored that before his death, Vaughn hid these formulas in his own tomb, and that tomb was named Vaughn Treasury.

Lin Yun knew that this rumor was correct.

Because a thousand years later, the major forces of the kingdom would be caught in a chaotic, decade-long war due to Vaughn Treasury. That war swept in all the major forces, and ultimately, the Hexagram Star of Vaughn landed in the hands of the Ivory Tower. Heaven Mage Bane stood out during that chaotic war as he finally stepped into the Heaven Rank.

But it was a thousand years too early, so how could the Alchemist Guild have found it already?

Furthermore...

”Why me?” Lin Yun asked.

”Haha, Great Mage Merlin, you are underestimating yourself. If people had to pick out the most talented alchemist of Thousand Sails City, I believe that 99% would choose me, Master Alchemist Lys…” As Lys said this, his smile gradually vanished. ”But I would definitely choose you.”

”Hmm…” Lin Yun was suddenly at a loss. To be honest, Lin Yun really didn't think that he had such a great position in that Master Alchemist's mind.

”Vaughn's ruin is filled with alchemy puzzles. I think that you might be the only one talented enough to solve these puzzles,” Lys continued.

”Crystal Island is a bit far away…” Lin Yun truly felt pained. He obviously didn't want to go to Vaughn Treasury, but he couldn't say it.

Nothing could be done about it since Lin Yun couldn't just tell Lys, 'I already mastered the Hexagonal Star of Vaughn, so I have no interest in Vaughn Treasury, go have fun with it…'

A lot of trouble would come his way if he said something like that...

Thus, Lin Yun made it look as if he wanted to go but couldn't because he was busy and because it was too far away. If Lys insisted and wanted to drag him on a boat trip, he would use the trauma of a shipwreck.