Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 585 Gift
Mir has successfully forged a true "Ancient Dragon Artifact"—the legendary gold-quality [Star of Gravel]!
When this sacred artifact acquired a name with special significance, the corresponding panel content was also displayed in Luo Xiu's panel.

—【Grit Star】is very strong.

Luo Xiu quickly scanned its effects and became increasingly surprised by its strength.

As an "accessory"—it was a piece of equipment similar to a shawl.

The set effect of "Remnant of the True Dragon" can only be active for a maximum of five pieces. And the [Dragon Flame Demon Sword], [Dragon Breath Scepter], [Holy Radiance Armor], and [Silver Radiance Eye] that I currently possess are indeed only missing the last piece.

If he could obtain the [Star of Gravel], he could replace the [Guisan's Protection] he used to complete the set bonus... Luo Xiu pondered.

Of course, what he valued most was the inherent strength of [Grit Star] itself.

Besides the effects of the "Remnant of the True Dragon" set, the most important thing is that the [Star of Gravel] provides a very rare skill cooldown reduction effect.

For example, the main means that Luo Xiu currently possesses to reduce cooldowns are the unique skills "Divine Radiance Descent" and "Holy Wing Avatar" that he obtained through his two advancements.

The inherent skill effect of [Sand Star] and "Ancient Dragon's Hymn" can be combined with these two skills to unleash powerful skills such as [Heavenly Torrent] and [Heavenly Punishment] in a very short time!
"Divine Descent" can be repeatedly cast in a short period of time through cooldown reduction, and this area skill can completely reduce the cooldown time of the other two skills.

After using "Divine Descent", activating the inherent skill of [Sand] Star will refresh the cooldown of "Divine Descent", thus granting a total of 7 opportunities to completely reduce the cooldown within a very short period of time.

This can significantly shorten the downtime of one's own output.

In other words, "Holy Wing Avatar" is not affected by cooldown reduction, otherwise it would be even stronger.

Furthermore, the inherent skill "Song of the Ancient Dragon" of [Star of Sand] has another advantage: it can be released much more frequently than "Divine Descent" and "Holy Wing Avatar". This means that its own endurance can be greatly improved as a result.

"..."

Luo Xiu was thinking about these things.

【Sand Star】...This is indeed a very good piece of equipment.

Now, there's only one question left—

“Mil, my friend.”

A smile appeared on Luo Xiu's face:
"【Star of Gravel】, a very good name."

"So, it..."

“I’m giving it to you, Rosh.”

Before Luo Xiu could ask Mir if he was willing to part with the [Sand Star], Mir spoke first, interrupting what Luo Xiu was about to say.

"..."

"...?"

Luo Xiu was stunned.

His gaze met Mil's, and he saw in Mil's eyes the sincerity and passion within him. Mil gently stroked his work and continued:

"The technique I used to forge it was taught to me by Quesanx."

"The materials I used to forge it were given to me by Quesanx and by you."

"There's also a venue."

"And the funding, the manpower, and all kinds of support... all of that was given to me by you."

"Therefore, the Star of Gravel...you deserve it. It is my 'return gift,' and I know that you need it now."

As he spoke, Mir took the [Star of Gravel] off the shelf on the table, walked over to Luo Xiu, and placed it in Luo Xiu's palm.

"..."

"I see."

Luo Xiu nodded.

He was actually somewhat surprised that Mil had given him the Star of Gravel, something that held great significance for him and the dwarves of the Gravel race, something that could be considered a "sacred relic."

Although Mil's reasons—that his skills came from Quesanx, and that his materials and funding came from himself—were all very positive, Rosh was still somewhat surprised.

Or rather... it was touching. The dwarf Mil, who used his "shrewd merchant's tongue" to haggle in the city of Sina, is gone forever.

"Afterwards, I will have my clergy bring you 200,000 Imperial Gold. You can consider it as the price for buying [Sand Star], or as an investment in you."

In principle, Luo Xiu was actually reluctant to accept the [Star of Gravel] so easily.

He still preferred to give Mil something—two hundred thousand Imperial Gold Coins. This act of kindness came from Rosh, who was now an "Archbishop," and was equivalent to half a year's worth of his holy stipend.

Mil was stunned at first. He looked up at Luo Xiu's eyes, and the surprised and astonished expression shifted to his face.

To his surprise, his old friend was willing to give him so much.

Two hundred thousand gold coins, plus the savings that Mir has accumulated from completing a large number of orders recently, are enough for Mir to rent hundreds of acres of vacant land in the suburbs and build his own forging factory.

"you……"

He instinctively wanted to refuse, as if he couldn't quite believe that such a huge sum of money would fall into his lap, and as if he felt that he was not yet capable of handling such a large fortune, but Luo Xiu interrupted him.

“Mir, my friend. I want to see you forge more of these exquisite and magnificent works that can be passed down through generations.”

Luo Xiu continued speaking to Mir:
"Besides me, my church also needs you to carry on your skills."

"So there's no need to have any doubts or worries—I know you're about to cross a new threshold. And once you truly become a Grand Master Blacksmith of the 'Fivefold Destiny,' there will be many more places where you'll need money."

“Even for my own sake, this ‘investment’ in you is worthwhile. Two hundred thousand gold coins is not a loss for me at all, and what you need to do now is to continue to improve.”

"..."

Luo Xiu said this.

Just as Mir was about to speak, expressing that he could not accept such a large amount of wealth, he held back.

He seemed to have accepted Luo Xiu's words and made a certain decision in his heart.

"I will continue to improve."

Mir nodded.

“Indeed… just as you said, I have truly seen the door that belongs to me… leading to the realm of the ‘Fivefold Destiny’.”

"I should be able to open it soon. And the 'key' I brought from my hometown will finally come in handy..."

"..."

Mir himself possesses the Obsidian Key.

In his previous life, Mil was able to advance to become an "Ancient Dragon Blacksmith" because, at least in the matter of the key, he did not rely on any other forces or people.

"Then good luck, my friend."

Luo Xiu smiled and said to Mir:

"【Star of Gravel】, you can keep it here for now. You still need to complete some sealing and maintenance steps. Also... just like you strengthened those holy artifacts before, 【Star of Gravel】 should also be strengthened." "Okay." Mil nodded.

"Come back at this time tomorrow. By then, [Sand Star] should be fully upgraded."

Mill said:

“I will watch you put it on. After that, you will be heading to the dark capital.”

"May the [Sand Star] protect your safety... my friend."

"..."

……

In Mir's tent, I witnessed Mir successfully forging the "Ancient Dragon Artifact" [Star of Gravel], and we finished talking about what had happened before.

When they came out of the tent again, several hours had passed.

The crimson sun had risen to its highest point in the sky, and it was already noon. Luo Xiu squinted, only then realizing how quickly time had passed.

They emerged from the dwarven camp in the "gravel".

He saw Quesanx, the "Dragon of Justice," still where he had landed, on a cliff jutting out from the rift valley.

It also saw Luo Xiu, and so it raised its long dragon neck, its two pairs of dragon eyes, each gleaming with three colors, staring at Luo Xiu. Its jaws opened slightly, and it let out a low roar—

"……Roar."

"How is it, Luo Xiu?"

[Mir, his forging...]

“He succeeded,” Luo Xiu replied.

He had come to Quesanx, stepped onto His drooping dragon wings, and climbed onto His dragon's back.

"—【Star of Gravel】. Mil successfully forged an ornament that is an "Ancient Dragon Artifact", and he decided to name the artifact he forged by hand that this way."

"Perhaps it's still difficult for Mil to forge ancient dragon artifacts like the Dragonfire Demon Sword or the Dragon Breath Scepter. But forging an ornament that can serve as an 'ancient dragon artifact' is already a successful start."

"And he did indeed reach a bottleneck, but he didn't linger for long; he was already able to see his own Obsidian Gate."

“His promotion… that should happen in the next day or two. We should see a new ‘Ancient Dragonforged Master’ before we set off from Val Fortress.”

"..."

"……Roar."

[This is all good news, Luo Xiu.]

You said that the 'Ancient Dragon Artifact' that Mir successfully forged... is called 'Star of Gravel'?

Quesanx's voice still echoed in Luo Xiu's ears—

[A very nice name.]

He has indeed grown, which is a good thing.

"Ancient Dragon Forger... According to the lineage I know, Mir has successfully forged an Ancient Dragon artifact, fulfilling the requirements for his advancement."

Just wait, Luo Xiu. He still has great potential, and I will continue to teach him after he advances to become an 'Ancient Dragon Mage Forger'.

"That would be best, Quesanx."

Quesanx was satisfied with Mil, and Luo Xiu could tell. After all, in his previous life, Quesanx's true "Ancient Dragon Friend" wasn't actually himself, but Mil.

After becoming "Ancient Dragon Magesmiths" in their previous lives, Mir and Quesanx never appeared in the players' sight again. Perhaps he left the continent of Fanor with Quesanx, returning to their homeland on the Broken Continent, or perhaps they explored a new world together.

Therefore, Mil's upper limit—the rank he can reach—is definitely not limited to the "Fivefold Destiny".

He might become a "divine craftsman"—one who has reached the "seventh destiny" and is able to truly forge weapons or equipment of "divine quality".

Although that is still a long way off, it is certainly something to look forward to.

Luo Xiu was equally excited about this.

……

As the sun, high in the sky, shifted slightly, Quesanx, carrying Rosh, spread his broad, enormous wings.

He soared down from the rift valley and flew toward Val Fortress.

After checking on the situation in Mil, Luo Xiu went to meet up with "Saintess" Franya, "Supreme Sword" Monine, and Daveld.

In fact, the main purpose of the saints who participated in the expedition returning to Val Fortress was to take a final rest before participating in the final battle.

Val Fortress also has some supplies stored there, where clergy can maintain their weapons and equipment and replenish their potions.

Potions like life potions and mana potions, as well as various amplification and enchantment potions—even though Luo Xiu hardly needs them anymore, they are still essential consumables for battle for priests who haven't yet ascended to sainthood, and for players.

Quesanx was heading to the cocoon of the dead dragon embryo, which was sealed tightly by multiple barriers. Luo Xiu had instructed Him, if there were no other arrangements, that He could analyze the spirituality of the ancient dragon that had fallen into the "Primordial Demon" in order to increase His understanding of this type of demon.

Meanwhile, Luo Xiu went to Rochester Manor—formerly Fafnir's palace at Val Fortress, now the base camp of Franja and Monigne.

Summoning and riding the "Golden Pegasus," Rosh descended to the ground, arriving at the city of Val Fortress. He saw clergymen hurrying to and fro on the walkways on both sides, and each clergyman would stop as they passed Rosh to offer a devout greeting to their revered "Archbishop."

Players also lingered there; quite a few remained in Val Fortress at this time. Their gazes towards "Archbishop" Luo Xiu always carried a strange longing and anticipation, along with a hint of eager anticipation.

Luo Xiu responded to the players who "greeted" him in the same way, without discrimination.

He had arrived at the main gate of Rochester Manor. The clergy on duty saw their archbishop, bowed respectfully, and then opened the gate for Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu stepped inside.

He first smelled the unique scent of incense, and when the gentle breeze blew under the shade of the trees, he also felt a comfortable and refreshing sensation.

At this moment, Franya and Monine were in the manor's auditorium, preparing to discuss the upcoming itinerary and arrangements.

Luo Xiu was there to participate in the discussion and make the final decision. Although he was a little late because he went to check on the situation in Mil, the meeting of the six people was scheduled for 2 p.m., and there were still about 20 minutes before the meeting actually started.

As he thought about and calculated the time, his mindset became more relaxed.

At the same time, footsteps could be heard behind him.

Luo Xiu turned around and saw that it was Daveld, who was also there to participate in the meeting.

Beside Daveld stood another paladin clad in silver armor.

That's Pamela.

It seems that Monigne has also taken the time to call her here.

……

(End of this chapter)