"Just now, Hodgson’s apprentice from the Magnolia Magic Artifact Shop came over, saying he was looking for you to discuss a business deal." "Hodgson?" Carl shook his head, "Next time he comes, just tell him I’m not in, and as for the business, I’m not interested either." Babalara agreed, his belly protruding, as he bid his farewell and left. "Business?" Fınd the newest release on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱 Carl glanced outside, shaking his head lightly, "Forget it!" He had heard from others in the Swamp Alliance about Hodgson’s desire to expand his business. Thanks to the beast tide, the Magic Artifact Shop’s business was booming. In just half a year, Hodgson had earned back his initial investment and made a substantial profit. Now he planned to take over the adjoining shop as well, expanding his business, for which he needed tens of thousands of Magic Stones. From the initial few thousand to now tens of thousands, his appetite had certainly grown. However, according to past experience, the beast tide was far from over, and the deal might still be feasible. Once successful, Hodgson would be considered a big shot with four storefronts, boasting monthly profits that would make any Official Wizard envious. To raise the money, he naturally contacted the people who had come from the Black Swamp together with him initially. This time was different from the last. Many were willing to lend him money, and two had even used their own identities to guarantee him a substantial amount of Magic Stones. "Nancy’s account is still not settled? With the market doing so well, why would the store next door want to transfer ownership?" "Doing business shouldn’t be like gambling; it’s not possible to win every time." Muttering to himself, Carl walked toward the backyard. He was getting closer and closer to advancing. Doing business, he was equally interested. It could be said that he currently felt no urgency about money precisely because he had made plenty from investing in real estate initially. But he was also aware. No matter how much money he had, it was still an external asset. What was most important now was to enhance his Cultivation and realm. As long as he became an Official Wizard, earning Magic Stones would be a trivial matter, right? 「Bordeaux Restaurant.」 This place was arguably the most expensive dining spot in the Leipzig Market. Despite the beast tide causing countless deaths each day, the restaurant’s business was still thriving. It was even much better than before! Because fighting the beast tide required a lot of supplies, ordinary people would die, losing Magic Stones, but the market’s shops made a handsome profit. Hodgson stood up, holding a wine jug, and filled the glass for an elderly wizard opposite him, smiling as he spoke, "Elder Boge, could the price be a bit lower?" "Lower?" Boge shook his head, "If it weren’t for my urgent need for money, I wouldn’t have thought of transferring my shop at this time. You know. The worse the fight outside, the higher our earnings. Right now, the market’s shops are each a golden goose laying golden eggs." Hodgson remained silent. "I’m not in a hurry," Boge picked up his glass, speaking leisurely, "In the past few days, several groups have already come to ask about the price. If you don’t buy, there are plenty willing to accept. I’m considering you first because your character reminds me of myself when I was young. Young man... if you don’t have that big of an appetite, then don’t open your mouth so wide." Hodgson’s cheeks tightened. He was very eager to take over the shop in question, but he was struggling with a lack of funds. At that moment, a Great Knight came over to Hodgson, whispering a few words. Not lending? Hodgson’s eyes twitched. Carl, another person who looks down on me! Hmph! His expression darkened, his mind whirring rapidly, and after a deep breath, he looked directly at the old man opposite. "Elder Boge, I’ll take your shop!" "Oh!" Boge raised an eyebrow, "Magic Stones..." "You don’t have to worry about the Magic Stones," Hodgson spoke, "I will gather them in the next couple of days and deliver them to your residence." "Good!" Boge’s voice lifted, "I await your good news." Amidst a sky filled with flying snow, two figures stood suspended in mid-air. One appeared middle-aged with long, flowing blonde hair and eyes that were deep and chilly. One of the two Second Circle Wizards of the Cape family. The other was a child around seven or eight years old, his face innocent and curious, gazing around at his surroundings. Below them lay a gruesome battlefield. Countless ferocious beasts and Magic Creatures leapt from the deep woods toward the crowd, only to fall in rows. Bows, crossbows, arrows, witchcraft, and various traps hindered their forward charge. "Grandpa," the child spoke, "the beast tide doesn’t seem all that terrifying!" "That’s because the defenses haven’t broken," Jefferson spoke slowly, "Humans are able to defeat large beasts with sharp fangs and claws precisely because humans can unite and leverage the power of the group to make themselves stronger, while wild beasts usually cannot. But human thoughts are too intricate. Once the defenses are broken, chaos is likely." "Oh!" The child nodded, somewhat understanding, "So what we need to do is ensure the defenses aren’t breached by the beast tide?" "Right," Jefferson smiled slightly, "You’re very smart, possessing a talent that goes directly to the essence of issues, one far stronger than a mere talent for cultivation." The so-called Wizard Cultivation Talent is only useful for Wizard Apprentices. It becomes redundant after advancing to be an Official Wizard. This, in a way, is similar to academic talent. Some people can easily master the knowledge in textbooks and get into university. However, after graduation, they may find that a diploma is merely a stepping stone. Later development isn’t closely related to academic talent. As a Second Circle Wizard, Jefferson valued understanding of witchcraft more than mere Wizard Talent.