Chapter 382: Compressing Mental Power

Helag focused intently, cautiously beginning to compress his liquefied mental power.

He proceeded slowly, prioritizing caution over speed.

Helag knew this process couldn’t be rushed; stability was crucial.

Even if it took longer, safety was paramount.

Any issues with mental power could severely impact a wizard’s career.

Hiss~

As Helag started compressing, a sharp pain pierced his head.

This stage’s pain was much more intense than the gaseous stage.

Feeling the pain, Helag paused briefly, then continued compressing.

Suddenly, a cool sensation spread through his mind, alleviating the discomfort.

Not only that, but his mental power seemed more refined, speeding up the compression.

“This is…”

Recalling the sensation, Helag realized it came from his bloodline imprint.

He’d never felt this before; the imprint rarely reacted.

During the gaseous stage, the imprint hadn’t emitted this cooling effect.

Reflecting, Helag deduced the cause.

“The Divine Core…”

After absorbing the Divine Core’s energy, Helag stored it in his bloodline imprint.

The core’s immense energy was too much for Helag’s body, so the imprint held it.

The energy hadn’t dissipated, remaining in the imprint.

As Helag compressed his mental power, the core’s energy eased his discomfort and tempered his power.

After absorbing the core, Helag’s mind filled with liquefied mental power, indicating the core’s energy boosted mental growth.

The energy accelerated the compression process.

Realizing this, Helag resumed compressing his mental power.

Each time he completed a compression cycle, a trace of pain arose, but the imprint’s energy flowed, bringing relief.

Helag was pleased; the process would be much faster.

Importantly, the core’s energy ensured safety, providing a healing source for mental power.

The imprint’s energy reserves were vast, unlikely to deplete soon.

The Divine Core, from a high-level Abyssal entity, contained more energy than Helag could use.

Helag hadn’t expected this benefit; he’d felt no change after absorbing the core, thinking it useful only in the Abyssal Plane.

In the polluted zone, he hadn’t compressed his mental power, so he hadn’t realized the core’s potential.

With newfound determination, Helag immersed himself in compressing his mental power.

***

For ten days, Helag focused solely on compressing his mental power, forgoing sleep.

When the airship vibrated, Helag opened his eyes, pausing his work.

The airship had docked at North Slope City.

Using Deep Blue, Helag observed the bustling plaza, similar to Sord City’s.

The airship would stay for three days, unloading and loading cargo and passengers.

After docking, Helag monitored the activity outside.

The first two days were uneventful, with no inspections.

On the third day, a group boarded the airship.

Helag discovered they were North Slope’s city officials, conducting a surprise inspection, led by a young man under thirty.

Onboard, a short, stout man greeted the young official with a smile, “Lord Case, if I’d known you were coming, I’d have prepared a welcome.”

“Royce, I’m here to inspect, not for a welcome. If I’d told you, it wouldn’t be an inspection,” Case replied with a smirk.

Royce, looking around, whispered, “Lord Case, we’ve paid plenty this time. Please let us off.”

Case smiled, “I know, but I’ve heard this cargo is special. What you’ve paid isn’t enough.”

As the airship dock official, Case regularly received bribes.

Most of Sam’s bribe money had gone to him.

Upon learning the cargo was dragon bones, Case felt underpaid and sought more.

Dragon bones were rare and valuable; smugglers wouldn’t risk losing them without bribing.

Case could demand more, and they’d comply.

Refuse to pay?

He’d seize the cargo, costing them their bribe and goods.

Case wasn’t afraid of retaliation; his position shielded him.

Even if he reneged, they’d still seek his favor next time.

“Lord Case, how much?” Royce asked, resigned.

Case raised five fingers.

Royce hesitated, then nodded, “Five… five thousand it is.”

It wasn’t much, affordable, and Case wasn’t too greedy.

Case shook his head, “I meant fifty thousand.”

“What? Fifty… fifty thousand! Lord Case, that’s too much. I can’t afford that,” Royce’s face crumpled in despair.