"Therefore, there are many Demon God believers hidden in the Sky Mechanical City; it is rumored they even formed a secret organization mainly focused on Alchemy exchanges."
To become an Alchemist, one naturally must be a prodigious genius. If such a genius can be pulled into the vortex against the World Will, it is profitable for the Demon God.
Thus, the more talented one is, the more they are noticed by the Demon God.
Angel surely was noticed by the Demon God, but since Muse agreed to let Angel enter the Research and Development Institute, it proves Angel is absolutely trustworthy.
Those who join the Research and Development Institute sign an oath, allowing great freedom in other matters, even if one seldom visits the institute. However, in matters related to Demon Gods, the oath imposes strict limitations. Even Dong La, full of curiosity for everything, wouldn’t dare violate the oath to touch the Demon God’s mark.
So, Dox’s previous words only exposed his ignorance.
And even more ignorant...
"As an Official Wizard, you don’t even recognize Demon Gold Coins. It seems your pursuit of so-called freedom is more about laziness and neglect."
The Black Earl spoke bluntly, making Dox’s thick skin turn awkward.
However, the Black Earl knew when to stop and did not continue to extend the conversation. Firstly, there’s no need to break ties with Dox; secondly, apart from Dox’s provocative behavior, the Black Earl actually quite admired Dox.
Otherwise, the Black Earl wouldn’t have guided Dox multiple times along the way.
Including this time, even though the words were harsh, it was also a reminder to Dox... It’s time to improve himself.
Wizards most fear appearing in a knowledge wasteland, and Dox, as an Official Wizard, has some areas where his breadth of knowledge is lush and thriving, but in more areas, it’s even more barren than a wasteland, one could say it’s a desert of knowledge.
The Black Earl didn’t delve deeper, and Dox also remained silent, with the Mind Ribbon falling into a prolonged silence.
It wasn’t until Angel stopped his stroking, seemingly preparing to throw a gold coin into the Cicia Box, that the Mind Ribbon resumed communication.
"Master... what are the Demon Gold Coins?" asked Kaier, cautiously looking at the Black Earl.
The others also pricked up their ears, awaiting a response from the Black Earl, as they hadn’t heard of Demon Gold Coins either.
But this time it wasn’t the Black Earl who answered them, instead, it was Angel standing in front of the Alchemy Golem.
"Demon Gold Coins are the universal currency in the Demon City. The insignia of the Crown Joker is engraved on the coins, also ensuring the absolute fairness of the Demon Gold Coins."
With the strength of the Crown Joker alone, the Demon Gold Coins became the circulating currency of the Abyss.
Perhaps this is a "divine standard" financial system?
Although in Angel’s view, this system contains many flaws, as long as the Crown Joker exists for even one more day, the value of Demon Gold Coins will never depreciate.
After a pause, Angel continued, "This Demon Gold Coin is the first one I earned when I opened a shop in Lassudral."
Angel’s words carried a touch of lament.
After all, this Demon Gold Coin not only represents "value," but it also holds the "significance" Angel’s life experience has bestowed upon it.
After Angel’s sigh, with a flick of his fingers, he sent the Demon Gold Coin flying, forming a parabolic arc in the air, eventually landing in the Cicia Box.
After throwing the Demon Gold Coin into the Cicia Box, Angel took out a second coin.
As Angel looked at this coin, his gaze clearly carried a sense of nostalgia.
At this point, everyone somewhat understood Angel’s intentions. From the "attached significance" of the first coin, this coin might also have corresponding significance.
The addition of these "significances" makes an ordinary coin precious.
--Of course, Demon Gold Coins are not ordinary by any means.
"This coin is the currency of my homeland, the Goldfinch Empire. The front shows a goldfinch spreading its wings; the back originally had the insignia of the Shannon Royal Family, but I gradually scratched it off..." Angel said softly.
"Why scratch off the Shannon Royal Family’s insignia? Do you have a grudge against them?" Dox finally asked after hesitating for a long time.
Angel shook his head: "No grudge. The reason for scratching it off is purely because I think the goldfinch side looks prettier, while the other side doesn’t."
Everyone: "..." This reason is indeed very sufficient.
Seeing everyone showing strange expressions, Angel chuckled: "This coin, you see, was one of a bag of coins given to me by my Mentor when I left the Old Earth Continent with the Guide."
Dox recalled the "significance" attached to the Demon Gold Coin earlier and suddenly understood: "So, this is a relic left by your Mentor?"
In Dox’s mind, for Angel to treat it so seriously, it seemed his Mentor must have passed away. And this coin bore Angel’s nostalgia for his Mentor, adding that layer of attached significance to an ordinary coin.
However, upon hearing Dox’s words, Angel’s gaze immediately turned cold: "Sorry to disappoint you, my Mentor is very much alive."
Realizing that he had made a wrong judgment and being met with Angel’s cold stare, Dox’s expression turned somewhat awkward.
"I, I..." Dox lowered his head: "It’s my fault, I spoke carelessly, without thinking."
Angel didn’t actually blame Dox too much, he could understand Dox’s logic. The significance attached to the coin was indeed what Angel intended to use to test the Cicia Box’s "precious" standards.
This coin does indeed have its significance, only Dox thought in the wrong direction.
"From the Old Earth Continent to the Flourish Continent, to me at the time, it was a very distant journey. The passage of time was both fast and slow, and unknowingly, I somewhat lost track of time. So, to reclaim the concept of time, I took out a coin and scratched a mark on it every day, eventually turning the back of this coin into its current appearance."
"It not only represents the gift given by my Mentor; the number of scratches also signifies the days I drifted on the Devil’s Sea. At the same time, it witnesses my journey from ordinary to Transcendent."
When Angel finished speaking, he flicked it lightly again, sending this coin into the Cicia Box.
A Demon Gold Coin represented Angel’s sentiments and experiences.
An ordinary coin witnessed Angel’s growth and remembrance.
In terms of sheer value, one is precious, the other ordinary. But in terms of attached "significance," for Angel, they are both... treasures.
Angel brought out these two coins to see if the Cicia Box values intrinsic worth or the so-called "significance," or perhaps both.
Everyone now understood Angel’s intentions.
It must be said that, from the perspective of probing, Angel is far more thorough and comprehensive than Vay.
Aside from that, everyone greatly admired Angel’s willingness to let go of items bearing "significance," which requires significant decisiveness. Letting go, speaks simply, but is difficult.
If it were themselves, they might ponder for a very, very long time.
...
Sensitive emotions were temporarily set aside. Everyone’s attention returned to the present.
After the two coins were thrown into the Cicia Box, what changes would occur?
Would it accept them, or would it, just like with Vay, be immediately rejected?
While everyone was pondering, the Cicia Box showed changes for the first time.
The exquisite box began to emanate a faint red glow above it, with misty fog swirling within the glow, occasionally forming strange patterns.
But no one could comprehend the meaning of the patterns.
The whole process appeared both bizarre and somewhat eerie.
"Is this... the indication of acceptance?" the group wondered.
Unlike Vay’s previous situation, so naturally they speculated in the direction of "acceptance."
However, the red glow continued to linger, the patterns continuously flashing, yet no other information was revealed, and the Alchemy Golem didn’t utter any words of acceptance.
What is going on?
Angel himself was also bewildered, and after pondering for a moment, he reached his hand towards the Cicia Box.