Chapter 44: The Helm of Ethereal Sight

Afterward, he equipped the helmet with various environmental adaptation inscriptions, allowing it to automatically adjust its internal temperature according to changes in the surroundings. Whether in the scorching desert or the freezing snowfields, it ensured a comfortable wearing experience, keeping the wearer in peak condition, undisturbed by temperature or environment.

Of course, with only these features, it would merely be a highly functional, powerful ordinary alchemical item. The most crucial enhancement came when he embedded a transparent single-prism lens at the helmet's eye section, crafted by Qi Xiao from pure soul fragments and glass made from void sand grains.

Thanks to the unique properties of pure soul fragments, the lens enabled the wearer to see through the essence of spirit bodies, perceiving their emotions and intentions. The void glass allowed insight into subtle spatial shifts, revealing hidden spatial fissures or unstable dimensional nodes—a deadly asset when facing spatial sorcerers, capable of swaying the outcome of formal sorcerer duels.

Whether Qi Xiao, with his understanding of spatial magic, could be called an insider for crafting this helmet was uncertain. It also possessed practical minor functions such as seeing through illusions and sensing energy fields. Indeed, seven-tenths of the helmet's excellence owed itself to this small lens, making it worthy of its superior grade.

Qi Xiao, as before, relied mainly on the preciousness of the materials to elevate the helmet to the superior grade. To put it plainly, the helmet would sell for just over ten thousand magic crystals, while the lens alone cost him nearly five thousand, with total expenses close to seven thousand. A single failure would have meant a painful loss.

Fortunately, Qi Xiao's previous two failures resulted in only minor losses, and his main purpose was to improve his alchemical skills and receive system feedback, not to profit from sales. Moreover, after completing the lens, Qi Xiao was suddenly struck by inspiration. If he made further refinements and infused the mysterious aura he had previously obtained into the lens, he might create a truly remarkable artifact. Qi Xiao reckoned that even his teacher, with her strength and status, would be tempted by such a finished product. Thankfully, he reined in his impulse with reason and committed the inspiration firmly to memory.

He casually named it the "Void Spirit Sight Helmet," at least reflecting its function. Qi Xiao rode the ethereal veil back to the alchemy shop, just in time for the auction.

With advance notice given to member card users, attendance far exceeded expectations, causing the commercial street to be packed solid. Qi Xiao felt a slight headache—he would have to expand the shop in the future. He had originally opened the alchemy store in the commercial street for its usual customer flow, but now his Heavenly Craft Alchemy Shop was famous enough to attract its own clientele. He could consider relocating to a nearby vacant area and building his own store, saving rent and gaining ample space.

There were so many people this time that even the ordinary-grade weapons fetched higher prices than usual. Most attendees couldn't afford superior-grade items and were simply there for the spectacle and learning experience.

He collected two spheres of magic and four first-level tricks, and finally, the main event arrived. Qi Xiao smiled and swept his gaze across the restless crowd, announcing, "I won’t keep you in suspense. Here is our final lot—a superior-grade helmet, the 'Void Spirit Sight Helmet.'

"As its name suggests, the Void Spirit Sight Helmet possesses the wondrous power to see through space and soul. Its single-prism lens, forged from pure soul fragments and void sand glass, allows the wearer to perceive the essence of spirit bodies and detect the subtlest spatial shifts."

The audience stirred noisily, and Qi Xiao paused before continuing, "More importantly, this helmet counteracts spatial magic. Whether faced with twisted spatial fissures or the sudden assault of teleportation, the Void Spirit Sight Helmet offers essential protection and warning, granting the wearer a decisive advantage in battle.

"As a spatial sorcerer myself, I can say with certainty that if your opponent possesses this helmet, it’s a nightmare for any student of spatial magic. The tricks we rely on for survival could backfire, our movements predicted ahead of time, and even disrupted by chaotic spatial flows. With this helmet, you need never fear a spatial sorcerer of your own rank again."

"Starting bid is 5,000 magic crystals, with each raise no less than 500. Let the bidding begin."

The hall fell silent for a moment, then bids began to trickle in—not because the Void Spirit Sight Helmet was unpopular, but because some sorcerer apprentices were frantically contacting their associated mentors. Qi Xiao noticed this and added, smiling, "You are all our shop’s core clients, so even if you lack funds, you may bid on credit—just settle within a week. However, if you win on credit and fail to pay the balance… as the disciple of Lord Midiel, our Heartlake Island will ensure you learn the cost."

At these words, the price shot up rapidly; apprentices had evidently received bidding instructions from their mentors, merely delayed by the time it took to transfer magic crystals.

Qi Xiao quietly observed the bidding apprentices. Last time, the filigree bracelet was quite practical and usable by sorcerers of every school, yet it only fetched a bit over ten thousand, for no formal sorcerer would bother auctioning for a bracelet. But this helmet was different—an alchemical item that could decisively affect the outcome of a formal sorcerers’ duel was enough to make them participate.

Even though very few sorcerers practiced the mysterious spatial arts, and in nearly a thousand years only two had become famous: "Shadow of the World" Midiel Carlost, a second-level True Knowledge Sorcerer, and "Dimensional Summoner" Walton Alexander. Walton, in fact, was more a summoner than a spatial sorcerer.

Still, this didn’t stop sorcerers from acquiring the helmet as a precaution. The price quickly climbed to twenty thousand, then slowed noticeably.

Qi Xiao was satisfied with this price, so he didn’t prolong matters. Each time a higher bid was called, he would strike the hammer and start the countdown within seconds, which only seemed to fuel the bidders’ enthusiasm.

He wasn’t worried the helmet would be used against him; after all, he claimed to be a spatial sorcerer apprentice but actually only mastered a few spatial tricks, all auxiliary in nature, and hadn’t even learned the classic Dimensional Slash series, let alone anything more advanced.

In the end, the "Void Spirit Sight Helmet" was won by a middle-aged, golden-haired, brown-eyed sorcerer for 27,000 magic crystals. Qi Xiao recognized him—he had attended every auction since the first. Had Lonicca not produced secret silver last time, the filigree bracelet would likely have gone to him.

Qi Xiao handed over the helmet, smiling, "Phillips, isn’t it? I’ve seen you many times, but this is our first conversation."

Phillips’ voice was husky as he answered quietly, "Yes, Shopkeeper Qi Xiao. The Library Pavilion will send someone to settle the balance shortly. Here are 10,000 magic crystals for you to accept first."

Qi Xiao took the purse, understanding immediately. It seemed the formal sorcerer backing Phillips belonged to the Library Pavilion. It was said that the ancestral spirits Book Spirit and Ink Spirit resided there, and with its accumulation from the Vault of Ten Thousand Spirits over millennia, the Library Pavilion held a most exalted status.