Chapter 3354: Chapter 3355: Vacuum Membrane

Angel nodded.

Previously, he had discussed the strength of the Mirror Dragon with Luigi.

Khuntela, although not a top presence among the Cave Dragons, could reach the level of a Second-level Wizard, and its full-force attack could even reach the peak of a Second-level Wizard.

Even Sanders would need to be cautious facing it.

A pure Rock Crystal Cluster can ward off Khuntela’s full-force attack, even if just twice, it is certainly considered top-notch.

Bear in mind, the outcome of a battle often hinges on one or two attacks.

It’s no wonder it sells for such a high price.

Angel was somewhat envious of the pure Rock Crystal Cluster, but unfortunately... it was too expensive. Fifty thousand Crystalline sounds manageable, but that’s just the price for a unit. To use the pure Rock Crystal Cluster to craft defensive armor, he would need at least a hundred units, which is five million Crystalline.

Spending five million Crystalline on a pure Rock Crystal Cluster might as well buy some specialty materials to refine his own defensive artifacts.

Speaking of refining, Angel suddenly thought of a possibility: "Can this crystal shell be used as a material and incorporated into alchemy forging?"

Khuntela pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "This... shouldn’t be possible."

"I’ve seen a compilation in the library compiled by Mr. De. According to his records, the crystal shell is a crystalline form created by the Crystal Eye Clan using special methods. They might consider this as a ’creation,’ but essentially, it’s a specialized ’forging,’ with an internal structure chain composed of various crystalline bonds."

"Once this structure is mixed with any other material, the crystalline bonds inside may collapse, causing the crystal shell to lose its effect."

"That’s why the crystal shell is very difficult to reforg."

Angel nodded in understanding, simplifying it further, seeing the crystal shell as an alchemic product, tampering with such a product is likely to damage it.

To verify Khuntela’s statement, Angel also probed into the spatial realm with his spiritual power to scan the Vermilion Puff comprehensively.

As expected, the internal structure is extremely complex, filled with unknown crystalline bonds. Altering it internally would cause the Vermilion Puff to lose its effectiveness immediately.

It seems the idea to modify the crystal shell with alchemy is rather unlikely.

However... While ordinary alchemy methods wouldn’t work, he could still try Imaginary Alchemy.

Imaginary Alchemy doesn’t require damaging the material itself but instead attaches directly to the outside; much like the various "modules" loaded on the Indestructible Heart Mirror through Imaginary Alchemy.

Yet, for Angel, Imaginary Alchemy is still in its infancy stage, and to fully apply it requires further honing and maturation from him.

Angel shook his head, temporarily casting aside these convoluted thoughts, intending to continue to look at the name list of unique crystal shells.

At that moment, Khuntela suddenly spoke: "The defense of the pure Rock Crystal Cluster is decent, but its defense type is too balanced. If you’re looking to purchase defensive crystal shells, consider buying a specialized version of the Rock Crystal Cluster based on your needs."

Specialized versions? Angel nodded thoughtfully.

Previously, while scanning the names in his mind, he indeed saw many "specialized versions," seemingly referring to these that Khuntela mentioned.

Angel focused upward, looking at the entry above the pure Rock Crystal Cluster.

"Rock Crystal Cluster - Transmission Specialization: Flax-Colored Crystal Shell, upon use will enter ’rigid’ state, immovable in this state, but provides strong spatial protection, remaining intact during medium to long-range spatial transmission. Price for one unit is forty-five thousand Crystalline."

Upon seeing the so-called "Transmission Specialization" Rock Crystal Cluster, Angel understood Khuntela’s implication.

There are many defensive crystal shells, and while the pure Rock Crystal Cluster’s defense is good, it’s too balanced; whereas specialized versions may have certain shortcomings but excel in their specific domains.

Take for instance the "Transmission Specialization" Rock Crystal Cluster, it may not be useful in combat, and its drawbacks are evident — it enters a rigid state, unable to move upon use; but it can ward off fluctuations from spatial transmissions.

Medium-to-long-range spatial transmissions cause tremendous spatial fluctuations, and only those at the Official Wizard Level or above can maintain control over space. Thus, for Wizard Apprentices to conduct long-distance transmissions, they require the safeguarding of Official Wizards.

But with the Transmission Specialization Rock Crystal Cluster, formal wizards aren’t needed; Wizard Apprentices can also transmit solo.

This is its specialized effect.

Don’t think it seems usable only by those at an Apprentice Level — Official Wizards can use it too, potentially yielding even better effects than an apprentice.

For instance:

If an Official Wizard falls into a hopeless situation facing overwhelming danger, they are likely to make a decision: forcibly open a Plane Corridor.

Since it’s a forced opening, the spatial fluctuations are even more turbulent than usual; even if the Official Wizard is prepared in advance, there’s always some chance they’ll lose direction amidst the fluctuations, ultimately ending up lost in the vast unknown plane void.

Moreover, when an Official Wizard is forced to open a Plane Corridor, they are often in dire straits, unlikely to be well-prepared, increasing the likelihood of getting lost.

In such moments, the Transmission Specialization Rock Crystal Cluster can fend off spatial fluctuations to some extent, offering a greater chance of survival.

From this perspective, its function is quite significant.

In Angel’s opinion, it’s more appealing than the previously seen pure Rock Crystal Cluster.

Once the Log-in Device is fully operational and Crystalline becomes more available, he might consider purchasing some as reserves.

Specialized versions of Rock Crystal Clusters aren’t limited to just "Transmission Specialization." There’s "Sharp Specialization," "Blunt Specialization," which are self-explanatory, focusing on penetration and coverage.

Additionally, there are "Element Specialization," "Spirit Specialization," targeting elemental attacks and spiritual power attacks, and even "Magic Specialization," specifically targeting magicians.

One could say that specialized versions of the Rock Crystal Cluster occupy half of the list’s entries, accounting for nearly half of them.

Moreover, they are all at the lower end of the entries... implying these specialized versions are undeniably pricey.

Simply put, anything related to defensive crystal shells, whether specialized or not, often costs a unit price higher than other crystal shells...

Perhaps the reason is tied to the commonalities of the Crystal Eye Clan itself, leaning towards defense?

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have secured the entire Crystal Eye Clan inside the Crystal Castle...

After viewing the defensive specializations of the Rock Crystal Cluster, Angel looked at other types of unique crystal shells.

"Vacuum Membrane: Pure black crystal shell, when in a void or other harsh environments, it can isolate external pressures via the vacuum membrane. Price for one unit is eight thousand Crystalline."

This type of crystal shell targets exclusively oxygen-dependent species.

The vacuum membrane can isolate the outer void and create an oxygen environment inside, belonging to a peculiar type of crystal shell.

If I were to use an analogy, this would probably be the "spacesuit" of the Extraordinary World. However, this spacesuit can hold an extremely large amount of oxygen, even achieving a self-sustainable level.

"Invisible Shell: Colorless crystal shell. When the invisible shell covers an object, it suppresses and conceals the aura. It can also cover living beings, but must cover the entire body without any gaps. Twenty-three thousand crystalline per measurement."

This type of crystal shell is akin to an "invisibility cloak." Once a shell covers the exterior, it renders one invisible.

It can make not only objects but also living beings invisible, while also suppressing energy auras.

From a practical standpoint, the strategic importance of this "invisible shell" is quite high. The only thing worth noting is that to make a living being invisible, the entire body must be covered with this shell, and full-body coverage is certainly not achievable with one or two measurements. It requires more crystal shells, and the cost can reach staggering levels.

"Pine Coffin: Light green crystal shell, can slowly heal injuries. One measurement..."

Angel looked at some unusual crystal shells with generally good individual effects.

However, if he considers these crystal shells as "alchemy products," Angel feels something is missing... because if he refines them himself, he can achieve similar effects.

Take the "Invisible Shell," for instance. With Angel’s alchemy foundation, making an invisibility cloak isn’t difficult. If the Mad Hat crowns it, who knows, it might even turn into a "treasure"-level invisibility cloak.

So, when considered individually, they seem decent, but upon closer inspection, ninety percent of the crystal shells can’t compare to the artifacts he refines himself.

"How do you find it?" Khuntela looked at Angel. "Is there any crystal shell you’d like to purchase?"

Perhaps seeing Angel slowly return to his senses, Khuntela asked.

Angel: "Overall, these crystal shells are nice, but the one that attracts me most is..."

From Angel’s perspective, after reviewing the entire list, apart from the transmission-specialized Rock Crystal Cluster, it’s —

Vacuum Membrane!

The vacuum membrane’s effect is of little use to Angel.

But the vacuum membrane is also a crystal shell, and crystal shells have a common effect: mimicry.

If the vacuum membrane is mimicked into the shape of a palace, and he refines a spatial artifact with a larger range, placing the vacuum membrane palace inside the spatial artifact, wouldn’t it become a "spatial artifact" capable of holding living beings?

Generally, for alchemists to accommodate living beings in space, they need to place Void Floating Algae.

Void Floating Algae is an extremely special demon plant, possessing characteristics of spatial void and plants. It absorbs free spatial energy to meet its survival conditions. In other words, it can autonomously create a space in the void where creatures and plants can survive.

Unfortunately, Void Floating Algae is too expensive and scarce.

In Angel’s bracelet space, there are 13 pieces of Void Floating Algae, creating a living environment half a meter square.

And the price of 13 pieces of Void Floating Algae at auction is at least six or seven thousand magic crystals.

In conversion, it’s much more expensive than the vacuum membrane.

Therefore, in Angel’s view, the vacuum membrane can completely replace the role of "Void Floating Algae," being cheaper and creating a wider living environment. In terms of cost-effectiveness, it’s undoubtedly the best.

Angel expressed his thoughts, and Khuntela, after listening, rubbed his chin with his paw, "Void Floating Algae? I’ve never heard of it. But according to what you said, the vacuum membrane should be able to replace Void Floating Algae, and I think maybe inside the vacuum membrane, there’s some microorganism you mentioned that creates a living environment..."

Otherwise, it would be difficult for the vacuum membrane to be self-sufficient.

Angel didn’t comment on this yet. Whether microorganisms exist or it’s just "Void Floating Algae," he’ll determine when he contacts the vacuum membrane in the future.

If true, he might not need to buy the vacuum membrane, instead directly sourcing Void Floating Algae from the Crystal Eye Clan for perhaps a cheaper price.

While Angel was calculating in his mind, Khuntela softly said, "I’ll remember the vacuum membrane and transmission-specialized Rock Crystal Cluster. I’ll contact Aor Shanzhuo later to purchase more during procurement."

Angel: "There’s no need to buy right now, just keep an eye on it."

They need to assess the particular situation as they don’t see the finished product; making decisions in the void is obviously inappropriate.

If possible, Angel hopes to examine the actual samples before making a decision.

Khuntela nodded, "I understand..."

After pausing, Khuntela didn’t continue the conversation on crystal shells but instead pointed to the peak not far away, "We... have arrived."

Angel and Laplace followed Khuntela’s finger.

On the majestic mountain peak lay layer upon layer of vortex-like thick clouds, resembling a funnel, narrow at the bottom, wide at the top.

Within the thick clouds, the interior darkness was faintly visible, with Thunder Serpents darting through the black clouds, and electric light winding like vines...

Behind the cloud layers like natural disasters, lay the Cave Dragon’s outpost... Cloud Cave.

...

Under Khuntela’s guidance, Angel and his companions stopped at the mountain peak.

Through the long ladder built within the mountain, they walked step by step into deeper, grander clouds.

Outside, the Cloud Cave might be ravaged by thunder, but walking from the ladder inside, no anomaly could be seen. Everything was calm, with gray clouds underfoot, and at the ladder’s end, a door made of gray mist.

When they reached the end of the ladder, before Khuntela could lead them into the Cloud Cave, they saw standing before the gray mist door a giant Silver-Eyed Cave Dragon resembling a small mountain.

Angel was no stranger to this Cave Dragon. Whether in Crystal City or in the Crystal Origin of Dreams, he had encountered this being.

It was the possessor of the Dragon God’s Mark, the new generation leader of the Cave Dragon... Kukurus.

Upon seeing Angel and others approaching, Kukurus gradually shrank until it became a mini Cave Dragon about two meters tall.

It floated towards them to greet them.

At this moment, its expression no longer held the arrogance of their first meeting. Instead, Angel detected a hint of awkwardness in its eyes.

Maybe it felt awkward because it initially overlooked the log-in device Luigi introduced, and now had to lower its pride?

Angel didn’t bother to speculate. As long as the final result was consistent, whatever obstacles arose midway were unimportant.

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