Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy
Chapter 967: Immortal Bandits

Chapter 967: Immortal Bandits

Vale hadn’t even tasted the free fruit that he just got and he was already being offered a new one.

"Do I have to pay for this as well?" Vale asked, referring to the first fruit tossed at him.

"Ahh... No need. That’s just a normal fruit." Corvin then chuckled as he saw Vale’s expression.

With that, Vale took a bite after confirming that there was nothing to extract from it or anything he should take note of...

"Hmmm..." Vale gently nodded as it was indeed a normal fruit that tasted like a sweet avocado. There were no tricks whatsoever, just a normal gift from a kind merchant.

"Now, try this..." Corvin said, tossing it to Vale.

"You said it’s worth two Divine Crystals?" Vale asked.

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

Vale then took out one Divine Crystal that had been created in the human realm.

"Well, I only have this kind of crystal." He replied.

Then, Corvin realized why Vale was hesitating.

"So it’s a large one. I only need a lesser one. I guess you’re indeed not from around here. No one uses that unless you’re doing large transactions." Corvin replied as he waved his hand...

Vale then explained that he only had these large ones. In the end, Corvin decided to teach him how to obtain or produce the normal or the lesser Divine Crystals.

Apparently, Vale just needed to get a pebble roughly the same size as the normal Divine Crystal. If he couldn’t find one, he could just pinch one out of a stone to get that size.

Then, Vale simply had to use his Shadow Divinity to infuse the small stone with Divinity. However, there was a process on how to do it. He couldn’t just do it roughly since the stone would just explode...

There was no way a normal stone could store Divinity after all.

Well, Vale also had to infuse some Shadow Essence into it.

There were several methods to obtain Shadow Essence, but the easiest method for an Immortal like him was to use his own Immortal Life Force. It was quite a terrible method unless he was planning to infuse a hundred stones at once.

Shadow Essence and Divinity... It was no wonder the Divine Crystal was the currency being used by Immortals here.

Corvin patiently waited for Vale, and soon, the latter finally had the money to pay for the fruit.

"Alright... That’s called Blessedmelon. Grows in the crystal forests north of here. Have a taste... It’s worth the price."

Vale examined the fruit before biting into it. The flavor was intense with an aftertaste of wild honey. He could immediately feel his Immortal Body responding...

"Do you feel it? This is only available around here. Just a bite and your body gets better... Feels like you’ll get more divinity if you start meditating."

"You’re right... It’s interesting," Vale murmured, studying the remaining fruit. "How long does the effect last?"

"About six hours," Corvin answered. "I have some special fruits that give some permanent boosts... But they’re already reserved and they’re priced considerably more, of course. But I can provide something for you here." Corvin then leaned forward and spoke softly...

"Though if you’re heading to Luminis Hold, you might want to save your crystals. The tower’s archives have better options for long-term enhancement."

Vale nodded as he noticed this information. "You make this run often?"

"Every new moon," Corvin said, gesturing to the road ahead. "There’s a whole circuit of us merchants who supply the major settlements. I specialize in edibles and temporary enhancements." He pointed to a particular rack of vials. "Those are quite popular. It could show you the fantasy or the dream that you wish to happen."

Vale wryly smiled after hearing that far... Nonetheless, it was at this time that he noticed other travelers passing by on the road - some on foot while some others were riding strange, long-legged creatures...

There were even a few nodding respectfully to Corvin as they passed.

"Business seems good," Vale observed....

Corvin grinned. "Always is. We may be immortal, but we still get hungry because of the Will of the Realm. In any case, it is what makes us stronger."

Corvin then decided to continue on his journey...

"Right... If you’re heading to Luminis Hold, I could use an extra guard for the canyon stretch. Bandits have been getting bold lately. I can pay in goods or information."

Vale considered the offer. The merchant clearly knew his way around this region, and the opportunity to learn more was tempting.

"What kind of information?"

"Whatever you need," Corvin said with a smile.. "The best places to train, which factions to avoid, even where to find certain... specialized tutors. I’ve been supplying the Hold for centuries. I know things."

After a moment’s thought, Vale nodded. "I’ll take the information payment. But first, tell me about these bandits."

Corvin’s smile turned grim. "Now that’s a story best told over another Blessedmelon..."

***

Corvin gestured for Vale to join him inside the floating wagon as they continued down the Silver Road. The interior was surprisingly spacious, lined with shelves of exotic goods and a small table at the center. He pulled out another Blessedmelon, sliced it open with a curved knife, and handed half to Vale.

This time, Corvin didn’t accept Vale’s payment.

"The bandits aren’t your usual highway thieves," Corvin began, taking a bite of the glowing fruit.

"They’re exiles—Immortals who broke the realm’s laws and were cast out from the major settlements. Most are desperate, but some... well, some are just cruel... They enjoy it."

Vale listened as he ate...

"Why haven’t the local factions dealt with them?"

Corvin snorted. "Oh, they try. But the canyon’s a maze—perfect for ambushes. The bandits hit fast, take what they want, and vanish before reinforcements arrive. Of course, they only target traveling Immortals. Mortals weren’t really in their eyes."

He tapped the table, and a three-dimensional map of the canyon flickered into view above it.

It seemed like an Immortal Artifact...

"They usually strike here, where the road narrows. Five or six at a time, all armed with Divinity-disrupting weapons."

Vale studied the map and frowned at what he had just said. "Disrupting weapons?"

"Blades that can temporarily sever an Immortal’s connection to their Divinity," Corvin explained. "Nasty things. One cut, and you’re as vulnerable as a mortal for about ten seconds."

Vale’s eyes narrowed. That was dangerous.