Chapter 292: Regarding the Starry Sky, Level Eight Fitter Shop

"Well... if you are truly set on this course, I can offer some assistance. The fact that the Elves entrusted you with the Seed of Eden as a token of gratitude is proof enough that you are worthy of investment."

Icarus glanced at Wang Yu and his companions, nodding thoughtfully. He ceased his questioning, instead producing a card similar to an identification pass and handing it to Avia.

"This is a permit for the street-level stalls in the district we passed through. It is not particularly expensive; the Truth Supervision Society holds many such properties, so consider this a gift from us."

Icarus explained its function: it was akin to a land deed, though unlike shops with formal architectural plans, this granted the right to operate a roadside stall.

These mobile shops provided space for the alchemists and scholars of the Sky Mechanical City to conduct independent trade, allowing for the construction of small, removable structures within permitted limits.

"Thank you for your help."

The four of them expressed their gratitude to Icarus.

"It is nothing. We shall likely have further cooperation in the future. Now, if you have any questions regarding the Sky Mechanical City, you may ask them; I shall provide answers here. You could seek me out later, of course, but I may not be there by then."

Icarus looked at them, preparing to address their doubts before his departure.

"Mr. Icarus, I would like to ask: does the Sky Mechanical City possess any knowledge regarding the starry sky above us? Has anyone ever reached that expanse?"

Wang Yu raised his hand to signal a question, posing it once Icarus nodded.

Regardless of the circumstances, he needed to determine if this world was truly a planet, and whether the Sky Mechanical City possessed the means to reach space—matters that were, in some way, linked to his return to Earth.

"The starry sky? Why do you ask of this...?"

Icarus furrowed his brow slightly, clearly not expecting such a question from Wang Yu.

The man's reaction made Wang Yu ponder: could the cosmos of this world be vastly different from what he had estimated?

"No. To this day, no one has been able to reach the starry sky above us. Only a rare few astrologers can borrow the power of those constellations."

Icarus shook his head, answering Wang Yu's question before pausing to add a caveat.

"If you truly wish to understand that firmament, you might attempt to seek answers in the Sea of Books at the Central Council. However, the prerequisite is to hold the status of 'Professor' and to offer knowledge of equal value in exchange."

"Finally, I offer a piece of advice from a personal perspective: the stars above are indeed beautiful, but it is best not to seek them too fervently. Many in history have pursued this magnificent mystery, but few have met a good end."

Icarus spoke with gravity, providing his warning after pointing the way to the knowledge.

"I understand."

Wang Yu nodded, signaling that he had taken the words to heart.

"It is as I expected. The void that exists on this continent always carries a hue reminiscent of the stars. No matter how one looks at it, the sky of this world is not so simple. But to make even this Feathered One offer a warning—what could be the reason?"

Lost in thought, Wang Yu asked no further questions. Once the other Elves had finished their inquiries, they bid Icarus farewell.

"You wish to understand that starry sky?"

Krieg asked Wang Yu after they had parted ways with the other Elves.

"Yes. Have you never tried flying upward? You should have discovered something."

Wang Yu had never asked Krieg about this before, so he took the opportunity to ask today.

"Although I am not well-versed in the stars, if one flies upward indefinitely, one will enter the 'Dissociation Layer'."

Krieg replied.

"The Dissociation Layer?"

It was the first time Wang Yu had heard the term.

"Yes. Upon entering this stratum, the body begins to collapse and dissociate. It starts with the transcendent power, breaking down bit by bit until, eventually, the dissociation spreads to the soul, utterly annihilating any existence that enters the layer. To date, no one has ever broken through that boundary."

Krieg revealed the nature of the "Dissociation Layer" to Wang Yu, explaining it as one of the barriers preventing the people of this world from exploring the heights above.

"Such a thing exists? Then let us set that aside for now. We must find a way to earn the funds to open the planar portal."

Wang Yu scratched his head. The existence of the Dissociation Layer made space exploration seem unreachable; it was certainly not something he could attempt to traverse for the time being.

The first priority was to follow the plan: earn money. And the purpose of that money was to help Krieg open the portal to the Undead Plane.

Only the Sky Mechanical City possessed devices capable of stably opening such portals. Meeting in another plane was the secret method of the Silver Dragon, Aerilian.

"Professor, are you certain there is no issue with selling your scales to raise the funds?"

Wang Yu confirmed the first step of the plan with Krieg once more.

"There is no issue. As long as it is not something akin to the blood surrounding the heart, the dragon body regenerates rapidly. The scales will grow back in no time."

"Besides, when I first brought Noel to this continent, we relied on selling dragon blood and the like to earn gold coins. This is merely returning to an old trade."

Krieg replied with a smile.

"That is good to hear."

...

The next day, as the residents of the Sky Mechanical City passed through the commercial district—the street where down-and-out alchemists and scholars often set up stalls to sell their works—they noticed a rather refined stone hut had been erected. A wooden sign hung above it, bearing the words: "Selling Adult Dragon Scales."

"Dragon scales? How long has it been since that race appeared on the continent? Surely all the old materials have been exhausted by now. Is someone actually selling them?"

"Dragon materials? Would someone with such high-level alchemical ingredients really come to this district to sell them? Even if they were real, they would surely be damaged."

"Though the stone hut looks decent enough, it is hard to believe this is genuine. No need to waste time."

Passing alchemists, scholars, and ordinary transcendents mostly shook their heads and walked on, refusing to linger. Most who possessed any judgment deemed it impossible.

But people are always the same; they cling to a sliver of hope, wondering if they might just stumble upon a bargain. That much is true everywhere.

After half an hour of foot traffic, an alchemist finally entered the shop. He was a man in his thirties, likely someone who had been in the Sky Mechanical City for some time.

Inside, he surveyed the layout. It was simple: the room was divided by a stone wall. The front held a counter for sales, while the back appeared to be a workspace, hidden by curtains and magic circles.

"Greetings. Are you here to purchase dragon scales?"

The man behind the counter inquired. Beside him, a red-haired little girl was intently reading a book of unknown content.

The alchemist looked at Krieg, who sat behind the counter wearing gold-rimmed spectacles and a gentle smile. The man’s demeanor suggested he was no charlatan; he possessed the mild, detached, scholarly air of a true intellectual.

"I would like to see the dragon scales, if I may."

The alchemist stated his request. Regardless of how honest Krieg appeared, he had to verify the authenticity of the goods himself.

"Of course."

Krieg retrieved a box from beneath the counter and opened it. Inside lay a palm-sized scale, black with a crimson undertone. Its surface was rough, marked with distinct textures, and it was roughly two or three centimeters thick.

The moment the alchemist saw the scale, he felt it was authentic. Certain details matched the descriptions in the alchemical reference books he had memorized—for instance, the shift in color, a hallmark of the transition from a young dragon to an elder one.

"You may pick it up to observe it, or use instruments to test it. That is perfectly fine."

Krieg pushed the box toward the alchemist, signaling that he was welcome to conduct further verification if he had doubts.

"I appreciate your understanding."

The alchemist was surprised. Few merchants would allow a customer such freedom, as damage to high-level alchemical materials could lead to significant losses.

Using a pair of tweezers he carried, the alchemist lifted the scale and lightly touched it with a glowing silver probe. The probe began to change color, eventually settling into a clear, brilliant azure.

"Exceptional magical affinity, hardness meeting the standard, and characteristics consistent with ancient texts—this is indeed a dragon scale. Tell me, what is the price for this piece?"

The alchemist spoke, a flicker of joy igniting in his eyes. He had only come here to try his luck, hoping to find materials with such high durability and magical affinity for his current project, never expecting to actually succeed.

He wondered about the price of such rare, high-tier alchemical materials, hoping it was within his means.

"One thousand. I do not accept haggling."

Zieg held up a single finger, stating the price and making it clear that negotiation was off the table. It was a fixed price.

"A fair price. I will take one. Do you have any more in stock? If so, I shall have my colleagues come and purchase some for their own reserves."

The alchemist produced his identification card without hesitation, ready to transfer the funds. It was a standard price for high-tier materials, and considering the scarcity of dragon scales, it was, in truth, a bargain.

He added the inquiry, intending to bring his acquaintances here—whether for their own stores or to resell, it would be a profitable venture.

"There are more, though not many."

Zieg feigned a search through the counter below and provided his answer. He had set this price after researching the average cost of high-tier materials in the Sky Mechanical City; selling them for fifteen hundred would have been perfectly reasonable.

However, since the cost of the dragon scales was effectively zero, his purpose was merely to secure the initial capital for alchemical equipment. This was not their primary business.

Satisfied, the alchemist transferred the payment and departed with the scale. About twenty minutes later, he returned with several scholars and alchemists in tow, who proceeded to purchase several more scales from Zieg.

The sight of customers entering and leaving the shop drew the attention of passersby. Soon, others entered, and because the quality was beyond reproach and the price was remarkably fair, transactions were concluded in short order.

Gradually, a small queue formed outside. Good wine fears no deep alley, and this shop was conveniently located on the roadside; as long as the goods were genuine, customers would inevitably follow.

"How many are left? I will take them all."

An alchemist, appearing to be a procurement officer for some society, addressed Zieg.

"Eighteen pieces. You want them all?"

Zieg did not believe in artificial scarcity; selling them off at a fixed price meant he could purchase his equipment sooner. He briskly retrieved the dozen or so boxes from the counter and placed them before the man.

"Yes, I will take them all. Eighteen thousand, correct? I shall verify the quality before paying."

The man opened the boxes, confirming the quality of each one.

"A pity. I didn't expect there to be real dragon scales; I was beaten to the punch."

"I wonder if the proprietor has any more in storage. At this price, it is truly frustrating to miss out. I shall return tomorrow to see."

Those waiting in line, seeing the entire stock claimed, could only depart with a sense of regret, or perhaps harbor hopes for the following day. There were no special market rules here; a deal was a deal, and no one was obligated to yield to another.

Zieg was equally decisive. Once the scales were sold, he closed the door and ended the business day.

Regardless, in a single day, this stone-walled shop had gained a modest reputation on the street.

...

The next morning, the first alchemist to visit the shop arrived early, curious to see if the store—having sold out of its scales—would offer anything else.

From a distance, the stone house remained, and his heart lifted. It seemed the proprietor had more to sell and intended to continue operations. If possible, he hoped to acquire other useful materials.

But as he drew closer, he noticed the sign had changed. It now read "Level 8 Machinist Shop," followed by a list of services: "Alchemical Tool Repair," "High-Tier Material Processing," "Potion Crafting," and a variety of other tasks.

"This...?"

The alchemist paused. He understood the services, but the term "Level 8 Machinist" was a mystery. Nevertheless, he stepped inside.

The layout remained much the same, though the tables were now filled with a set of alchemical instruments. They appeared brand new and of a higher quality than those he used himself, which stirred a sense of envy.

The scholarly man was gone. In his place sat a youth with a translucent, magic-infused lens over his right eye, reading a book while scribbling in a worn notebook.

"Do you require assistance?"

Wang Yu looked up and asked.

Just as the alchemist was about to decline, he remembered something and pulled a pocket-watch-like object from his coat. Its hands were frozen.

A steady-state clock, capable of maintaining precise time in extreme environments, was a common tool for high-level alchemists. It was expensive, and his was a second-hand unit that had failed after some use.

Because such devices were easily ruined if opened—as their internal environment was delicate—and lacking the skill to repair it himself, he decided to let this "Level 8 Machinist" shop try.

"Repair this? I cannot guarantee it. Let me see. Oh? This is simple. Here, it is fixed."

Taking the clock, Wang Yu offered a brief warning before using the Power of the Chariot to deconstruct and scan the device.

He immediately identified the issue: one of the thousands of interconnected gears had melted due to heat. Using the Power of the Chariot to reset the gear through the casing, the repair was complete.

"Ah?"

The alchemist stared at the steady-state clock, which Wang Yu had returned in less than ten seconds. He was stunned. How was that possible? The man hadn't done anything. Was he being mocked?

But he soon noticed that the previously frozen hands were moving once more. Wang Yu had said it was fixed, and it truly was...

The power of a Level 8 Machinist was terrifying indeed.