Yarbede's gaze slowly slid down from Duke's eyes, glided over his nose bridge, and finally rested once more on his slightly clenched lips due to nervousness.

Her fingertips gently brushed against his lower lip, an action that was tinged with extreme ambiguity.

Her face leaned a bit closer, the tip of her upturned nose almost touching Duke's cheek, seemingly trying to sniff out something special from him.

At such a close distance, the two's lips were almost touching, their breaths intertwined, the atmosphere amorous.

"Hehe~" Yarbede looked at Duke and suddenly let out a cryptic chuckle.

Moments later, she pressed forcefully with her knee on the bed, her body floating backward weightlessly, landing steadily in the center of the bedroom.

She adjusted her incredibly sexy pure white robe, as if she wasn't the one who had just pinned him to the bed, her face returning to that lazy, playful expression.

"Well then, until next time, my dear employer~" She blew a kiss to Duke.

With a string of joyful and mischievous laughter, Yarbede's figure melded into the suddenly opened dark fissure behind her and completely disappeared.

The bedroom returned to silence, leaving only Duke sitting on the edge of the bed, as if he could still feel the cold touch of those fingers and the dense subtle fragrance.

He slowly exhaled a breath of foul air, his tense body only then relaxing, a fine layer of cold sweat even forming on his back.

"Don't let there be a day when I'm stronger than you or else..." Duke thought quietly.

If there truly comes a day when his power surpasses Yarbede's, he will make her truly experience the treatment an Enchanting Demon should receive.

Now Yarbede is deliberately teasing and mocking him, he dares not act rashly, totally under her control.

"To reduce risk, it is better to summon Yarbede only when necessary." Duke thought to himself.

After testing the messenger contract, Duke took out the Tear of the Stars necklace obtained from Fus's treasury.

This is an excellent Witchcraft Artifact base, just unsure of what level of artifact it can be crafted into.

Duke plans to gift the crafted Tear of the Stars to Vivian as a surprise.

Of course, crafting a Witchcraft Artifact requires contacting an alchemist, and the one he's familiar with is Merrick.

Though Merrick has good alchemy talent, his current ability is insufficient, at most crafting a Level 1 Witchcraft Artifact, and unable to craft anything higher than Level 1.

However, he does have a master alchemist teacher behind him, Land himself is a Level 3 Mage, and in the future can well utilize this Tear of the Stars necklace.

However, commissioning Master Land to craft an artifact isn't easy, many wish to spend a fortune to commission him but never get the chance.

Duke can only try leveraging Merrick's connections, even if Master Land is unavailable, Merrick should know other alchemists.

Duke sat at the edge of the bed, calming his mind and blood flow somewhat disturbed by Yarbede, the air still lingering with her unique, alluring scent.

He then activated the Wizard's Mark and sent a message to Merrick: "Merrick, I have an artifact base I'd like to commission Master Land for crafting, is there an opportunity for this?"

Merrick seemed just free and quickly replied: "An artifact base? What level? If it's just a normal Level 1 Witchcraft Artifact, I'm afraid it won't interest the teacher."

Master Land has recently seldom crafted artifacts for others, ordinary artifacts can't stir his interest.

Now he crafts artifacts more for research, the materials must hold some research value to pique his interest.

Just commissioning fees alone won't move Master Land as he's not short of money.

"It should be able to be crafted into a Level 2 Witchcraft Artifact, but I can't discern the specific material; haven't found related information these days either." Duke replied.

"There might be some hope, if it's special material, maybe the teacher won't even charge and craft it for you free." Merrick said.

"How about this, come to Harbor City tomorrow, coincidentally the teacher is also here, directly show it to him." Merrick continued.

"Alright, thank you." Duke expressed gratitude.

Regardless of whether it works, thanks should go to Merrick for bridging the connection, as contacting Master Land isn't easy for most.

"Don't mention it." Merrick smiled.

The next day, Harbor City, Master Land's Alchemy Workshop.

The workshop is situated at the edge of Harbor City, a tower constructed of rough gray stone, far from the bustling city center, only the sea breeze perpetually wafting over the tower tip.

Merrick had long been waiting at the door, seeing Duke, he warmly invited him inside.

The tower interior starkly contrasted with its rough exterior, being exceptionally clean and bright.

The air was filled with a peculiar aroma from the blend of various magic materials, carrying the coldness of metal, the freshness of herbs, and a faint trace of scorched magic power.

The walls were embedded with moonstones emitting a gentle halo, illuminating the winding staircase.

Passing through several rooms along the way, one could see complex rune arrays, humming refining apparatus, and various materials hovering in mid-air.

This place is where Master Land crafts some small items, and often more for juniors like Merrick to practice alchemy.

The truly well-equipped alchemy workshop is inside the Black Sail, as those facilities are extremely expensive, and only within Black Sail is it safe enough.

Master Land was in his main lab, clad in a gray alchemy robe dotted with various powders, his sharp eyes focused, meticulously manipulating a group of blazing metal liquid suspended before him, his fingertips channeling the magic power delicately guiding the liquid's form transformation.

Seeing Merrick bring Duke in, he only slightly nodded to signal them to wait and didn't cease his work.

Duke and Merrick stood quietly to the side, not daring to interrupt.

About three minutes later, Master Land's fingers gathered, the metal liquid swiftly cooling and shaping into a finely structured gear-shaped component, dropping into a nearby container filled with cooling liquid, emitting a gentle hissing sound.

Only then did he turn around, his gaze landing on Duke, asking directly: "Merrick said you have an artifact base you want crafted into a witchcraft artifact?"

"Yes, Master Land." Duke quickly took out his Tear of the Stars necklace and handed it forward.

Master Land didn't immediately take it but removed his powder-stained gloves, switching to a pair of white ones before taking the Tear of the Stars in hand, examining it closely.

He looked for a while, even taking out a small magnifying glass-like tool to observe meticulously.

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