Chapter 537: 173. The Way to Make Money (2 in 1)_6
“Hmm… This competition organization called Barron seems to be quite capable. ‘Frozen Magic Stones’ are specialties of Frozen Island, and the locals there are quite exclusive, not willing to sell their magic stones to outsiders easily. They must collect a lot of entry fees.”
Noland Lee flipped to the next page of the invitation, and the “Entry Fee” column came into view, with the words “Each participant needs to pay 500 gold coins” boldly written.
The audience’s competitive viewing ticket bundle costs 10 gold coins each. With this ticket bundle, the audience can freely watch every match of the competition.
The competition organizers make money by attracting popularity and collecting competition fees and ticket fees.
In many cases, the rewards worth tens of thousands of gold coins are just gimmicks. The competition organizers might secretly arrange for their own trainee contestants to participate and take away the prizes for 1st to 3rd place.
With such operations, the competition organizers can not only earn entry fees and ticket fees, but also save on the cost of issuing bonuses.
This kind of thing is very common in the Ulnas Circle, almost every competition organizing with fixed venues has a close relationship with several specific wizard forces. Both parties share the income, share the costs, and have formed a clear industry chain.
But!
This competition routine, which is almost like an unwritten rule, cannot guarantee that the competition organizers will always make a profit.
It is often the case that during a few seemingly surefire matches, the participant from their side is unexpectedly eliminated, causing the competition organizers to lose the bonus.
This is usually when a rival sends someone to challenge, or a “pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger” contestant emerges in the participants.
Noland Lee thought for a moment, put away the invitation:
“I’m going to participate, Denise. That Grey Wizard from the Barron Championship is right—if I have a companion witch by my side, I absolutely can’t miss such an event. Other contestants might be affected in the next match due to injuries from the previous one, but I don’t have that worry. With you around, I believe it would be difficult for me to be severely injured.”
Denise gently twisted Noland’s arm:
“Eh, don’t talk about serious injuries, it will bring bad luck.”
“I was just making an analogy…”
“Even an analogy is not allowed.”
Noland took a small breath, “Alright. I won’t say it then.”
He raised his hand and patted Denise’s hand on his arm:
“Let’s go, back to the hotel. Maybe when we wake up, there will be news from Morster.”
The two paid the bill, left and went through the streets lit by the magic lamps, and entered the hotel they were staying at.
Since it was unlikely to gain a large amount of soul strength in a short time, Noland restrained the impulse to use all of his soul strengths to practice the ‘Voice of Silence’ meditation method.
Once he had his own magic messenger, he would be able to obtain Silent Magic Stones from Erica to replace the soul strength for practicing meditation.
…
…
At the same time, as the magic ship was leaving Alchemist Island.
In the remote tomb numbered 1214 in the Suffering Borderland.
Morster promised Noland that the plan would be foolproof.
After his arrangements, the Alvin Army, affiliated with the Korabo Army, entered Tomb No.1214.
The army worked overnight and fought hard. Lieutenant Alvin and Captain Murphy took the lead and overturned all the Undead Armies from Tomb Level One to Level Three.
Lieutenant Alvin sent the imperial soldiers to rest on Tomb Level Two, and then Morster took the ten scrolls to Tomb Level Three.
Noland Lee’s acquaintances surrounded the Spirit Pivot, serving as the audience. Lieutenant Alvin, Sergeant Mars, Sergeant Mike, and Captain Murphy. These four did not know that the magic scrolls in Morster’s hand were written by Noland Lee.
In front of them, Morster tore the wax seal on the scroll and released the magic energy contained within.
A black ray filled with Undead Runes fell on the Magic Protective Cover protecting the Spirit Pivot.
Instead of disappearing immediately after hitting its target, the ray clung to the Magic Protective Cover, moving like a dark eel, sparks of black electricity crackling as it went.
Countless tiny cracks appeared in the places where the black rays had traveled over.
Death Energy within the Magic Protective Cover began to uncontrollably flow out through these cracks, dissipating into the air as black smoke.
This sight was nothing extraordinary to Morster, but it amazed Alvin, Murphy, and the others.
Their eyes were wide, mouths unconsciously opened, disbelief evident in their expressions. They held their breath, as they couldn’t push out the words they wanted to say.
One magic scroll wasn’t enough; Morster tore open another one.
In just 5 minutes, 10 magic scrolls were consumed.
The Magic Protective Cover around the Spirit Pivot was nearly transparent.
It was estimated that if it was hit again with some fire or gunshots, the protective cover would disappear.
Morster stood beneath the Spirit Pivot, his face lost in thought. He was wearing a metal mask, so no one could see his expression.
“Is this the power of magic?” Captain Murphy asked the question that lingered on all the military officers and warrant officers’ minds:
“If the power of magic can easily break the Undead Cult’s protective cover, what have we been holding onto all these years?”
Scenes of battles flashed through Murphy’s mind, bringing up countless tragic memories.
Murphy’s eyes reddened as her voice grew sharp:
“We have sacrificed so many soldiers’ lives, spent so much money on fuel, and the effects are far worse than a few pieces of parchment you brought?! What were our past efforts and sacrifices for?!”
It wasn’t just Murphy who was on the verge of breaking down.
Mars and Mike, two military officers who had clawed their way up from the bottom, clenched their fists tightly, their hands turning pale from the excessive force. Their bodies shook, their muscles tensed, and their expressions were a mix of complicated emotions, mostly anger.
Alvin’s figure was hunched as if he had lost any will to continue fighting. Old tears were streaming down his face, choking on his words without being able to speak.
Morster slowly turned around, took a deep breath, and said solemnly:
“The scene you just witnessed will be repeated in the future. The suffering of the Boundary Land will have an end one day.”
Morster spoke subtly.
He did not analyze the Empire’s situation for the four people present as he had done with Noland Lee.
That’s because the situation was very unclear and turbulent. The Undead Cult might last longer than expected due to becoming a pawn in various power struggles.
But Morster did not lie.
Indeed, the suffering of the Boundary Land would eventually come to an end; it’s just a matter of time.
Looking at the sobbing Murphy and Alvin, and the outraged Mars and Mike, Morster sighed quietly in his heart.
Ah, he had fallen into Jarvis’s trap again, doing many things for him all at once.