Chapter 1014 - 770 I’m Here to Help You

With a snap, Long Yi tore off the small device on his wrist and threw it aside. Shaking his head, he walked away humming a tune.

Having acquired Level 12 permission, Long Yi truly experienced what it meant to move unimpeded. He spent most of his time wandering around, comparing the entire Ancient Mage Tower’s layout maps for an on-the-ground assessment of all environments. The Ancient Mage Tower was divided into three layers: upper, middle, and lower. The lower layer was the place for pre-education that he had experienced before; its space wasn’t large, and there weren’t many people. The majority of the Tower’s population was concentrated in the middle layer, which housed most of the research facilities, residential areas, and life support zones. As for the upper layer, it was the domain of those with permission above Level 13, where high-end magic research and studies on Giant legacies were conducted, and the entire management of the Ancient Mage Tower was also concentrated in this area.

Within the Ancient Mage Tower, Level 12 and Level 13 marked a divide. Only those who made significant contributions could have the chance to obtain Level 13 permission and enter the upper layer. And this was a dream that most residents of the Ancient Mage Tower could not fulfill in their lifetime.

"I want to go up and have a look," said Long Yi to Elma.

"Why?" asked Elma.

"That’s just how people are, isn’t it? The more you forbid it, the more curious I become, and I just have to go see for myself. Don’t tell me you don’t have that authority," Long Yi said.

"I do have the authority, but if I issue a Level 13 authorization, I’ll have to explain it to everyone. What significant contribution have you made to the Ancient Mage Tower?" asked Elma with a smile.

"A significant contribution to the Ancient Mage Tower?" Long Yi thought carefully. "That’s probably quite difficult, as I don’t really have any sentiment for this place. But if it’s for you, I could do you a big favor."

"Oh? What favor?" Elma was still smiling; he didn’t believe Long Yi could contribute anything particularly special beyond helping him absorb the Crystal Poison.

"For instance, I can restore your ability to cast spells," said Long Yi.

Elma’s expression changed immediately.

Yes, his life was nearing its end originally, and it was Solis who had used this method to extend his life. But the extension of his lifespan resulted in the loss of his ability to cast powerful spells. Although he could still cast some spells now, they were devoid of any significant power. And it was precisely for this reason that, although Solis still spoke to him with respect, Elma believed Solis was trying to seize control of the Ancient Mage Tower.

"You can restore my ability to cast spells?" Elma asked cautiously, looking at Long Yi.

"Yeah! Have I ever lied to you?" said Long Yi.

"Do you know why I lost my ability to cast spells? What do you plan to do?" Elma asked, staring into Long Yi’s eyes.

"Because you were dying, and the Crystal Poison that restored your vitality couldn’t provide you with additional Mana," said Long Yi.

"So what will you do?" asked Elma.

"I need to modify the device on your chest—I’ve been thinking about how to help you recently. And now, I’ve come to a conclusion: I can help you regain the ability to cast spells by improving that device, and moreover, you will become even stronger than before,"

Long Yi said.

"You... why are you helping me so much?" Elma was puzzled.

"If I say it’s because of friendship you definitely won’t believe me, so I can tell you it’s due to friendship plus a bit of self-interest. On the one hand, I want to help you out of friendship; on the other hand, I think you must hold a high position. If I can help you regain your strength, then surely you will return the favor."

Long Yi’s explanation was actually very sincere. Elma would certainly not believe it was out of pure friendship, but if it was an exchange of interests, then it was worth believing.

"I have to admit, you little guy have piqued my interest. But what can you do? Can you really do it like you say?" Elma said with a smile.

"I must be honest with you; I said you’d be stronger than before just to pique your interest. But either way, it won’t be worse than it is now, right?" Long Yi countered.

"What are the risks?" Elma asked.

"It might hurt a bit, but in my opinion, it’s definitely worth it compared to the benefits you’ll get," said Long Yi.

"Alright! Let’s do it! I agree!"

In fact, from the moment Long Yi first laid eyes on that Giant device, he had been planning for this day, and he chose to act now to maximize the significance of his actions. Anyway, the capabilities of this old fellow who didn’t want to disclose his real name were definitely considerable—at the very least, he was one of the Elders of the Ancient Mage Tower. An Elder always cooped up here—Long Yi did not believe it was due to his leisurely disposition. There could only be one reason.

He had been marginalized!

What does a marginalized person desire the most?

To reclaim power, of course.

The reality now proved that all of Long Yi’s considerations were correct. However, what he didn’t know at the moment was that the person seeking to reclaim power was the actual master of the Ancient Mage Tower, Alma!

Elma lay there flat, while Long Yi was bustling about. In truth, Elma was also unsure in his heart. However, he truly longed to regain his power, and once he regained his power, he would no longer need to continue hiding here—power would return to his hands!

As for helping Elma, Long Yi had long had a plan in mind. Actually, Elma’s problem was very simple; his own life force had already been exhausted, and though supplementing it with Crystal Poison could improve his condition, it wasn’t his own, and his body was still that of someone on the verge of death.

Long Yi, on the other hand, was to perform a simple genetic surgery on his body, essentially reactivating his life force from its very roots. Of course, Long Yi had no intentions of turning him back into a young man, but at least for the duration that Long Yi was there, he needed a very strong ally.

Withdrawing blood, pretend contemplation. He also ’consumed’ some Cosmic Stones he had obtained from Elma, and after genetic modification, he reintroduced the blood back into him. Long Yi then began to adjust the device on his chest; this thing inherited the Giants’ device’s exquisiteness, but it was not clever and lacked any locks to prevent tampering. Long Yi easily reached the core, changing the equipment’s function from providing life force to providing mana. This way, the Crystal Poison would be completely consumed, and Alma would never be troubled by Crystal Poison again.

After all this was done, three hours had passed, and Long Yi stepped back two paces.

"It’s done," Long Yi said.

"It’s done?" Elma felt a surge within him, and it seemed his mana was a bit more abundant, but it was not much different from before.

"Just this?" Elma asked in a doubtful tone.

Long Yi smiled, "You rest well for a few days, and I think in less than a week, the result of my surgery will reach its peak."

Elma was skeptical but still nodded in agreement. Long Yi did not mention the matter of the Level 13 privileges, and naturally, Elma also took no initiative to bring it up. Whether this surgery was worth bringing Long Yi into the upper echelons, only practice would prove.

However, it was just one night, and Elma was stunned by the changes in his body.

When he awoke from slumber, he found his blurry eyes were now incredibly clear! He lifted his hand and saw that the age spots on it had significantly lightened, and his loose skin seemed to start tightening!

This wasn’t an illusion, was it?

Elma tried to wield his mana, and the mana that surged within him was so mighty it startled him!

All the changes made him wake up fully, he began trying some simple magic, followed by some complex ones. Soon, he discovered that although he still couldn’t use large-scale magic, compared to yesterday, he was truly much stronger!

Excited, Elma came to the farm and waited for Long Yi all day, but Long Yi was nowhere to be seen. Another day passed, and when Elma woke up from his dreams again, he was thrilled to find himself even stronger, yet Long Yi still did not appear!

And so, a week went by.

At this point, Elma was nothing like the old man he was! His sparse hair had grown back, the age spots had disappeared entirely, and his blurry eyes were completely clear. But most importantly, unprecedented mana was brewing inside him!

Yes, truly unprecedented! Because he could feel that his mana was much stronger than before, much stronger!

When Elma arrived at the farm, Long Yi was also there. Seeing the expression on Elma’s face, Long Yi knew he had succeeded.

"Long Yi! You little rascal! You really gave me a huge surprise!" Elma said excitedly.

"I told you it would work," Long Yi laughed heartily.

"Work, it does!" Elma was immensely excited, this was even more thrilling than when he had initially extended his life through the Crystal Poison device!

"Well then, hurry up and give me that Level 13 access! These past few days, my women and I have grown tired of these places!" Long Yi said, pointing to the back of his hand.

"Don’t rush!" Elma said, "Do you think those girls are capable of handling more advanced research work?"

"Of course, they are. The people around me, Long Yi, are the best of the best!" Long Yi boasted proudly.

"Can you guarantee that to me?" Elma asked very seriously.

"Of course! When have I ever deceived you?" Long Yi asked with a smile.

"Alright! If that’s the case, I’ll take all of you to the upper levels!" Elma declared magnanimously.

"Stop bragging! Who do you think you are, the master of the Ancient Mage Tower, Elma?" Long Yi retorted with a mouth curled in disbelief.

"Exactly! I am the master of the Ancient Mage Tower—Elma!" Elma proclaimed aloud. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)