Chapter 982: Chapter 488: Fulfilling the Commission (2)
——[Abyss Steel]!
As the name implies, this is a special mineral metal that only appears at mysterious ocean depths akin to the Abyss.
No one knows the exact reason for the birth of this metal, but because shipwreck remnants and cooled dead seafloor volcanoes are often found near its excavation sites, experts in the field of ocean minerals speculate that its origin may relate to the Negative Energy of lingering souls and solidified high-temperature lava.
Due to its unique environmental conditions appearing only in the deep sea, with no obvious features in the surrounding terrain, the quantity of this metal circulating on the market is quite scarce; basically, it can only be slightly supplemented through trade with ocean races or through plunder.
Usually, Abyss Steel presents a color dark blue akin to the deep sea.
In most cases, it even appears pitch black from the outside, but if it’s illuminated by sunlight or placed in bright, shallow water, its surface can reveal a faint blue glow.
Abyss Steel has a density much higher than ordinary steel; the weight is significantly more for the same volume, and of course, it’s harder and remarkably resilient, almost perfectly meeting the demand for crafting high-quality armor.
Moreover, the crafting of Equipment using this metal requires the craftsmen’s superb Forging technique and a meticulously detailed understanding of the material itself.
The Forging process requires attention to many aspects, yet just one point is enough to distinguish outstanding craftsmen from ordinary blacksmiths.
The Forging of Abyss Steel imposes extremely stringent requirements on the use of heat.
Unlike normal steel, which is forged and shaped in a white-hot state, excessive temperature combined with incessant hammering will only make the metal increasingly brittle, breaking easily with the slightest negligence, which detrimentally affects the finished product’s defense performance.
Abyss Steel must be hammered delicately and gently with a small hammer when heated to a dark red state—the strength can’t be too big or too small, and the temperature must be controlled stably to optimize the performance of its high-quality metal.
Experienced Forging Masters might even sprinkle a handful of sea salt produced near the discovery site on the surface of softened Abyss Steel during hammering, which provides extra resistance bonuses to the finished product.
Celeane was of course among the "experienced" category, and because of this, the Flame Resistance bonus on Xia Nan’s Abyssal Stream armor’s attribute panel was "25%" instead of "20%".
Regarding this slight contribution during Forging, the proud and rigorous nature of this Half Elf wouldn’t let him brazenly claim credit from Xia Nan.
As a perfectionist, he believes these are expected; having taken on the order, he should do his best within his capability.
Xia Nan perhaps feels pained by the expensive Forging cost of the Abyss Steel, but the string of special effects overwhelming his view on the armor’s attribute panel, along with its excellent hardness, also makes him feel everything he paid for was worthwhile.
Probably will last till the Moon Tide Banquet concludes...
"How’s it, anything else left to do? Since we’re familiar, I could give you a discount depending on the situation."
Having settled the Equipment balance and earned the recognition of the buyer with the meticulously forged item, Celeane felt quite pleased, proactively asking Xia Nan.
Knowing the other party had great skills, Xia Nan indeed wanted to custom-make several pieces of Enchanted Equipment from the Pearl Spinning tailor shop if conditions permitted.
Unfortunately, he’s strapped for cash.
After settling the Abyssal Stream’s balance, his savings were already less than five hundred Gold Coins.
For Blue Quality Equipment, investing this amount barely makes a splash, and it’s not feasible for him to compromise, just for the moniker of Enchanted Equipment, on items completely unsuitable for himself.
Hence, he shook his head, suggesting next time they collaborate when there’s an opportunity.
Exchanging a few pleasantries, while about to leave, he suddenly seemed to remember something; Xia Nan instinctively touched the White Pot pocket watch currently tucked between the inner lining and outer armor layer of the Abyssal Stream, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke:
"No big assignment now, but I might need your help to make one or two small things..."
As he said, he shared his idea with the other party.
"It’s doable, the cost isn’t an issue." Just having completed a big assignment, facing a customer who’s already spent thousands of Gold Coins at the tailor shop, the Half Elf’s demeanour was quite generous," Just those small things won’t take much effort, come and collect them the day after tomorrow."
...
...
After leaving the Pearl Spinning shop, Xia Nan didn’t return to the Three-legged Sea Dog Tavern but headed straight to the adventurer association.
In fact, much earlier, on his way to the tailor shop, he had already visited once, letting Association receptionist Maere notify Ellison to come to the Association to hand off tasks with him.
Recalling his first meeting with that middle-aged man was on Cliff Island—he just thought the other was a friendly fishing enthusiast, only to later discover Ellison was indeed the buyer of his Tide Rod, thus establishing contact with him.
Before heading to Twin Canyon, the two communicated regarding the sale of the Tide Rod, the process proceeded very smoothly, and meanwhile, Ellison entrusted him to help find and record some strange phenomena or objects while sailing in the vicinity of Twin Ocean.
Now back from the task, Xia Nan felt he’d completed Ellison’s commission; the Secret Realm descending in Twin Canyon, and those Exotic Realm structures integrated with canyon affairs perfectly met Ellison’s task requirements.
He then thought to take advantage of today’s return to Suo Yu Bay to resolve the matter.
When Xia Nan, guided by Maere, arrived at the meeting room, Ellison was already seated inside, but looking at his heaving chest and unstable breathing, it was evident he just arrived not long ago.
Turning back and greeting Maere with thanks, Xia Nan entered the room, closed the door, took the Dual Swords off his back, and placed them against the wall.
Ellison said nothing throughout, looking calm yet revealing unstable breathing and lightly tapping feet on the floor, indicating his unease inside.
Not until Xia Nan sat stably across the table did he finally ask:
"So, did you find anything?"
Having Maere invite the other over was to complete the commission, Xia Nan certainly wouldn’t intentionally hide it.
Excluding his encounters within the Secret Realm’s core and anything related to the attribute panel, he thoroughly shared his experiences and discoveries in Twin Canyon with the other.
One could see, accompanying Xia Nan’s explanation, Ellison’s seemingly unchanged expression in reality revealed through his eyes that fading expectation, resulting finally in fatigue and disappointment after anticipation.
Just like Lorin did when initially arriving at Twin Canyon and seeing those Exotic Realm structures.
Xia Nan felt curious.
Based on the present reaction, and that both had interest in Twin Ocean due to Exotic Realm items circulating in the black market, it can be inferred they were searching for the same item.
However, the Secret Realm items in Twin Canyon, although looking similar, were not the objects both pursued.
"Thank you for your efforts."
Leaning against the back of the chair, Ellison’s voice contained undeniable weariness, slowly speaking:
"I’ve left the commission’s reward at the Association; in a while, you can ask Maere for it."
Unintentionally recalling the second meeting when mentioning the "Sword of Vengeance" team, the unnatural look on the other’s face.
And subsequently learning from Lorin that she and Ellison were siblings.
Watching the skilled by fishing technique, dense fatigue-emitting middle-aged man before him, Xia Nan blinked, speaking in a tone without a shred of offense:
"Why don’t you ask Lorin?"
