Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

Goblin Gaga stopped observing the Ferghana horse. He walked over to Yan Xing and took out a small notebook and pen from his alchemical seat, writing down some formulas and drawing some figures.

After a good while, Gaga said to Yan Xing, "Yes, those things I mentioned... the Swamp Beastmasters can all recognize them. Next, I'll give you some suggestions from an Alchemist's perspective regarding the Demonization process of this warhorse.

"First of all, the horseshoes on its hooves need to be replaced with specially made alchemical horseshoes. I can design a set of spells to apply an Enchantment to the horseshoes, which will stimulate its hooves to produce an Air Barrier faster.

"Its mane and tail also need special alchemical preparations for daily grooming to achieve a pure elemental air transformation, eliminating any other impure magical elements.

"Its shoulders are two areas where magical elements are densely concentrated. I can forge a set of alchemical horse armor for you that will allow these magical elements to form wind-attribute wings. This will grant your warhorse enough lift to run through the skies and may also induce the Magical Wind Wing Skill after it is fully demonized.

"Of course, I can also specially prepare Magical Fodder Additives suitable for it to develop more of its Demonization potential."

Yan Xing listened quietly to everything Goblin Gaga said.

He understood that all these things meant money. He guessed that even if he offered Gaga a few more days with the watch, he wouldn't be able to get a discount. It seemed that this was money he would have to spend.

"Mr. Gaga... how much for this whole set of things to eat, to apply, to wear, and to inlay?"

Gaga extended a finger. "10,000 Gold."

Damn! That's steep! I only made 20,000 Gold Coins after selling 5 million woven bags. You extend one finger and want to take half; you're really treating me like a fat sheep to be slaughtered.

Yan Xing extended a finger. "1,000 Gold."

Seeing Yan Xing bargain so hard, Gaga almost jumped out of his alchemical chair in anger.

He touched the spot where the watch lay, calmed himself, and said to Yan Xing, "Knight Yan Xing, you must think my quoted price is too high. But since you also understand Alchemy Technology, you should know that the more precise and advanced the Alchemy, the higher the failure rate.

"Behind every exquisite alchemical product, there's a pile of uncountable failed attempts. One thousand Gold... buys you 1,000 Gold worth of Alchemy. Ten thousand Gold buys you 10,000 Gold worth of Alchemy. I believe your warhorse has great potential. If properly nurtured, it will undoubtedly evolve into a very powerful Magical Beast. Being stingy will only bury its potential. And if you want to see the limits it can reach... the necessary investment, I think, is justified."

Yan Xing had to admit that the Goblin merchant Gaga really knew how to read his customers' minds.

He was right. Anything... for 1,000 Gold, there's a 1,000-Gold method; for 10,000 Gold, there's a 10,000-Gold method. Perhaps if one offered 100 Gold, it could still be done by simply cutting corners on materials and craftsmanship. But my precious horse's evolution is a one-time deal. Can I skimp on this? No! I must use the best.

"Ten thousand Gold it is then. Give my horse the best of everything you have..."

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Yan Xing was ready to make a big investment.

But looking at Goblin Gaga's satisfied smile, my heart started to bleed. Ten thousand Gold... I've just poured in 90 million yuan like that. However, when I think about how much private jets cost in the real world, my mood improves a lot. And then, thinking about how much a plane that grows four legs and runs across the sky would cost? That's a pleasing expenditure. Worth it!

Yan Xing promptly signed another contract with Goblin Gaga. At Gaga's suggestion, he also signed an additional clause: Gaga's Goblin Alchemy Shop would regularly check up on Yan Xing's Ferghana horse. For every stage of its Demonization, they would offer targeted suggestions and provide corresponding services. These services would last until it was fully demonized, reaching a fixed Magical Beast form.

As for the cost... I've already stretched out my neck, lying flat on the chopping block, ready to take a solid hit. But what goes around comes around. I don't believe you can fully understand integrated circuit boards just from having a watch. When it's my turn to put the chopping block under your neck, Gaga, you'd better remember today. Don't blame me if my knife is too quick.

The agreement was signed.

Goblin Gaga was in a great mood after finally making money from Yan Xing. I haven't tarnished the reputation of my kind!

So, Gaga shared with Yan Xing some more information about the Demonization of this particular Ferghana horse. He explained how to guide the horse's Demonization in daily life, making it jump higher, run faster, and become stronger.

In Yan Xing's system prompt, the identification progress of the Ferghana horse was steadily increasing.

[Subordinate Hero Unit: Ferghana Horse Identification Completion 70%]

[Ferghana Horse Identification Complete.]

Shadowflight (Magical Beast)

Ferghana Horse: Hero Unit (Evolving...)

Level: 10

Attack: 13

Defense: 13

Intelligence: 10

Knowledge: 10

Hero's Specialties: Unknown

Hero Skills: Unknown

Magic/Skills: Unknown

When the identification completion reached 70%, some attributes of the Ferghana horse finally materialized. Shadowflight was the name the horse had acquired at the stables; Yan Xing thought it was suitable and hadn't changed it. However, since Shadowflight had not yet fully transformed into a Magical Beast, beyond its level and corresponding attributes, other important combat indicators remained unknown. Will this unknown status be a pleasant surprise or a shocking thunderbolt after Shadowflight truly becomes a Magical Beast? It all depends on how many Gold Coins I'm willing to invest.

As a future template for Magical Warhorses cultivated in the Eternal Domain, the upper limit of Shadowflight's Demonization will be an important reference when I bring in more horses from the real world. This sort of investment is imperative.

After completing the identification of the Ferghana horse, Shadowflight, Yan Xing led the horse back into the Alchemy store with Goblin Gaga. Custom measurements for the horse's armor and horseshoes were needed, and Shadowflight's magical properties required further testing.

If the money is spent well, the Goblin's services will follow suit.

Several Goblin craftsmen dressed as artisans came up from underground on an elevator, attending to Shadowflight with various tools. Goblin Gaga was very enthusiastic, explaining to Yan Xing the alchemical products displayed in his store, especially the Alchemical Weapons for war.

"Because war is imminent in the Wildwind Highlands, our Goblin Alchemy store's munitions are selling well. The best-seller is the alchemical bomb. This is a type of Alchemical Weapon that doesn't require a Mage to cast. Any ordinary peasant can use it with a little training.

"The smaller alchemical bombs are the size of hand grenades. Some heroes heading into battle are particularly interested in them, as they can be life-saving at crucial moments. Larger alchemical bombs can be carried into the sky by flying units and then dropped on ground targets. Even larger ones need to be hurled by trebuchets, generally used for demolishing sturdy walls and enemy formations. Of course, such alchemical bombs are extremely expensive and not something to be frivolously thrown around in war. The main large-scale lethal strategies of the warring parties still rely on Magic. Alchemical Weapons are more often used in specific combat scenarios.

"Then... there's a shield fixed to bracers that can be deployed and retracted at will.

"There's an automatic-loading repeating crossbow.

"There's a Lightning Chain Trap that's convenient to place and retrieve.

"And there's a Magical Sentry that provides early warnings and surveillance..."