Chapter 671, Grasp It
"No, you'll find out in a moment." Wu Heng said, casually activating [Mansion Spell] again.
The old Mechanist emerged slowly, leaning on his wooden cane.
The three maids frowned simultaneously, glanced at the old man, then looked at Wu Heng.
In that state, can he still work?
Is he here to retire or what!
After stepping out, the old Mechanist's slightly cloudy eyes scanned Wu Heng and the three maids beside him.
He bowed and greeted, "Island Master Wu Heng."
Then saluted the three, "Greetings, ladies."
The three maids returned the salute.
At the Snake Emblem Consortium, Wu Heng's appearance had been disguised.
The appearance he now showed was that of the Island Master of Gold-Silver Island.
Wu Heng introduced, "These three are my maids. They're in charge of running the Island Master's Manor. If I'm not around, you can approach them."
Then he introduced the old Mechanist, "Mechanist, you're one of us now."
After getting acquainted.
Wu Heng continued, "Prepare dinner. We'll talk after eating."
"Yes."
Minnie went to the kitchen while Robe went out to call Shanaila.
Soon after, dinner was ready.
Everyone sat at the dining table together.
......
After dinner.
A warehouse in the courtyard.
It was already dark outside, but the light bulb inside the warehouse was still bright.
The old Mechanist rested in a chair.
Wu Heng asked, "Anything else you want to eat or drink?"
"No, sir. Dinner just now was very hearty," the old Mechanist said with a smile.
Wu Heng continued, "Before we begin, I need to sign a slave contract with you—for your protection and mine."
"You're very thoughtful. I have no objections."
Wu Heng took out a slave contract. The old Mechanist pricked his sunken fingertip and squeezed out a drop of blood onto the scroll.
A burst of energy shot from the scroll and entered the Mechanist's forehead.
Immediately after, the old Mechanist rolled his eyes back and fell backward.
The nearby skeleton servant quickly grabbed his falling arm.
And laid him flat on the ground.
Wu Heng was startled.
Upon checking, his breath was weak. His body was truly in bad shape.
Wu Heng fed him a mental potion and a healing potion.
Only then did the old Mechanist slowly regain consciousness.
If he died at that moment, now that would be interesting.
"No more delays. Let's transform him into a ghoul tonight," Wu Heng said directly.
With a body like that, who knows when he'll drop dead.
Although Wu Heng could use Resurrection, it's best to proceed while the body is intact.
"Alright."
Wu Heng began preparing the ritual, drawing ritual patterns on the ground.
The old Mechanist also took out all the materials he had prepared, placing them according to their designated spots in the formation.
Wu Heng also had a set of ghoul materials.
They were originally prepared for him by the steward of Blackstone Town, but had gone unused and were kept in his spatial ring.
"Step inside and stand in the middle," Wu Heng instructed.
The old Mechanist took a deep breath and straightened his back to make himself look more upright.
Then Wu Heng released necromantic power and began activating the formation.
The ritual patterns gradually lit up. The various materials turned into torrents of energy, swirling and wrapping around the aging body.
Ah~!
A painful growl came from within the formation.
His flesh began to shrink and wither, as though all moisture and nutrients had been drained.
Slowly, a shriveled body took shape.
The process lasted about 20 minutes.
Huff~!
The formation suddenly expanded and the energy dissipated.
After a few seconds of stillness, the shriveled body curled in the center of the formation slowly unfurled.
Then stood up and walked out.
"Sir, it seems to have succeeded."
"It did. This body will still need to be nourished by necromantic power. I'll find a solution for you," Wu Heng said.
"Thank you, sir."
Wu Heng nodded and continued, "Stay here tonight. Tomorrow I'll have someone find you a place. From now on, all Mechanists here will be under your command."
"Alright. Thank you for your trust."
The old Mechanist retrieved a new set of clothes and a hood from his spatial ring and put them on.
He tossed aside the old cane and followed Wu Heng out of the warehouse.
Together, they headed upstairs.
......
Night fell.
Wu Heng washed up briefly and returned to his bedroom.
Shanaila sat at the vanity, glanced at him through the mirror, "The transformation is done?"
"Yes, it's done. His body was too weak to delay further." Wu Heng sat on the bed.
Shanaila yawned and slipped into the covers, saying, "Tomorrow I plan to display the bicycle at the expo to keep the buzz going. Can you mass-produce it?"
Shanaila had mentioned earlier that the expo needed a new product.
But Wu Heng had gone to Rentam City, which delayed the matter.
Another point was he wasn't sure what product to present. The fountain pens and watches had caused quite a sensation.
It would be hard to top that.
"Mass production should be possible. I'll give it some thought," Wu Heng said.
Shanaila nodded, "That's good. With some promotion, the result should be decent."
"You're the boss," Wu Heng said with a smile.
Night deepened.
The two of them embraced and drifted into sleep.
......
The Expo.
News of the new exhibit spread, drawing crowds to the expo area.
Whether it was the fountain pen, the watch, or the five bottles of enhancement potion, each had made a huge impact.
Thanks to the Gold-Silver Island exhibits, quill pens were replaced overnight.
Watches changed how people told time, moving from rough estimates to precision.
What would the new revolutionary product be?
Gold-Silver Island really is amazing—one new item after another.
The crowd packed into the first-floor hall.
The central exhibit platform was already surrounded.
The large screen overhead was playing a new video.
A handsome elf man was riding a two-wheeled vehicle, with a beautiful elf maiden seated behind him.
Her long hair flowed in the wind, a blissful smile on her face.
"Bicycle? What a strange name."
"How do two wheels keep balance? Seems odd."
"Probably only high-agility Professionals can use it. Others might fall."
"Looks so romantic. Totally suits elves."
The onlookers buzzed with discussion.
They were curious about the new product but also questioned how it balanced with parallel wheels.
Wondered if it required certain classes to use.
On the other side of the platform, a row of Mechanists sketched from the promo and samples on display.
Unlike the pens and watches.
This time the item's structure looked much simpler—a frame propping up two wheels.
It seemed replicable.
Last time's watch disassembly caused major losses to merchant guilds—only to find it couldn't be copied at all.
If they could replicate this one, maybe they could recoup some losses.
As for copying the Island Master's products—
Heh~!
Business competition is ruthless. It's all about speed and tactics.
That's how other guilds survived too.
For a time, the whole area filled with the sound of furious sketching.
......
Elsewhere.
Wu Heng brought the newly joined old Mechanist to a nearby four-story building outside the Island Master's Manor.
After a full tour inside, he said, "This will be your office from now on. Those skeleton Mechanists will take your orders too."
"Thank you, sir," the old Mechanist said with a bow.
Wu Heng waved, and crates of blueprints appeared.
"These are some schematics. Take a look."
The old Mechanist picked up one. At first glance, his eyes immediately sharpened.
"So many schematics... and all ones I've never seen before."
A sense of excitement rose in the Mechanist's heart.
It seemed his choice had been the right one.
If these technologies—unavailable to the outside world—could be mastered by him…
It would definitely be enough for him to reach Level 18 and break into a new tier.