With that thought in mind, Lan Qingyou scrolled back through the chat history.
She soon came across an intense discussion between 【The Sun】 Ingrid and 【High Priestess】 Vivian regarding rune stones and magic stones.
High Priestess: "Personally, I feel that the characters inscribed should be arbitrary. There's a paper on the forum about 'Spirit' written by the Witch of the Tower. You should take a good look at it."
The Sun: "I've read that paper. While it's quite green, I do agree with some of the theories in it. However, that doesn't mean I agree with your concept."
The Sun: "In my opinion, whether it's characters or symbols, they each have their own unique meaning. This includes the expectations of the person who created them. Through long-term use and public recognition, characters truly become 'symbols' of a civilization."
High Priestess: "What you're saying makes sense, and I agree with that point. However, whether it's characters or symbols, the function they achieve is the same, whether it's my magic stones or your rune stones."
The Sun: "No, no, no. I've looked at the magic stones you put in the newbie gift packs. Their attack power can't compare to my rune stones at all. The automatic defense and firing mechanisms show some technical skill, sure, but they're strictly for offense. They aren't as comprehensive as my rune stones."
High Priestess: "Excuse me!?"
The Sun: "Forget it, words are useless. It'll be easier for you to understand if you see for yourself."
【Ding! The Sun sent a Red Packet 3/14】
With that, 【The Sun】 Ingrid sent a Red Packet to the group.
Another round of discussion followed.
Lan Qingyou immediately clicked the Red Packet. Three oval pebbles, each about a quarter of the size of her palm, appeared in her hand.
These pebbles had clearly been polished. The variation between them was minimal, possessing a certain beauty of mass production.
Each of the three pebbles was inscribed with a symbol.
Three pebbles, three different symbols.
From the chat between The Sun and the High Priestess, she learned the name of these symbols: 'Runes.'
While Lan Qingyou wasn't entirely sure what these 'Runes' were, according to The Sun, she had researched them and successfully integrated them into this world's Semiotics. This had earned her the recognition of the world consciousness and her title.
Reading this, Lan Qingyou felt it was remarkably similar to her previous idea of replacing this world's script with the language of the Dragon Country.
Ingrid even used two of her own papers to support her arguments.
In the end, the two sides called a truce and began to study and discuss things together.
This was the nature of the group; it was primarily a place for academic discussion. Even if people had disagreements, they were more interested in learning from and debating with one another.
Hostility simply didn't occur.
Or rather, those with a 'need for conflict' wouldn't have entered this discussion group in the first place.
There was no room for it here.
Did anyone really think the rule 'no attacking each other' in the group was a joke?
No one knew how much power Chu Yuan, a member of the Supreme Council, held. But the fact that he dared to take the card for 'Justice' spoke volumes—and he was the founder.
Even Li Huai, the great wind mage who served as the villa's primary combatant, had likely taken the 'Death' card on Chu Yuan's suggestion.
If any members of the villa were to actually attack each other, those two would undoubtedly be the first to step in, whether to mediate or to fight.
They were the stabilizers of the group.
Lan Qingyou continued scrolling down and saw the Red Packet sent by 【Righteousness】, also known as Riesling.
It seemed the two had arrived one after the other. He had joined just after Ingrid finished her discussion with Vivian.
They had arrived almost back-to-back.
Lan Qingyou didn't hesitate and clicked the Red Packet he sent.
A glass bottle filled with a brown liquid and a beautifully packaged tin box appeared in her hands.
The glass bottle was slender with an S-curve, resembling a vase, and it contained fine liquor.
The box contained four cigars, a cigar cutter, and a small kerosene lighter.
To be honest, putting everything else aside, these two items were very striking just based on their appearance.
According to him, since it was customary to give gifts upon joining the group, he had specifically waited for the custom bottles and cigar boxes he ordered from Shang Chuan to be ready before entering.
He was making a point of being polite.
Chariot: "@Justice, that Flame Spirits of yours is incredible. Do you have any more?"
While not exactly a hopeless drunk, Olf—the Nordic man who couldn't live without a drink—asked Righteousness repeatedly now that he finally had access to good alcohol again.
Righteousness: "Of course. I'm a brewer, after all. How much do you want, and what are you offering in exchange?"
Having just joined, Righteousness seemed quite business-savvy.
The two went back and forth, haggling over the price.
In the end, both Chariot and Righteousness got what they wanted.
Afterward, Righteousness shifted the conversation and began discussing planting with Empress Jiang Lan.
Lan Qingyou was stunned by how quickly he switched between the roles of merchant and researcher.
Lan Qingyou turned her head to look at the alcohol and tobacco in her hands.
She didn't use these things herself.
Or rather, she hadn't had the chance to in the past.
She tossed the cigars directly to Shang Chuan; she didn't care if he sold them or smoked them himself.
But this liquor felt very useful. Or perhaps she could use it to cook something up?
【Flame Spirits (D)】
【Effect: Increases Strength by 10%, increases Fire magic effects by 10%, increases body temperature by 2 degrees. Duration: 30 minutes.】
【Description: A fine liquor brewed using Flame Grass and Red Oil Fruit. Although it is only D-grade, the effects are outstanding, showing that the brewer is quite skilled.】
Lan Qingyou nodded slightly as she read the results from her identification glasses.
As a D-grade herb, Flame Grass was one level higher than Fire Bells.
In a sense, Flame Spirits could be considered a medicinal liquor.
However, Lan Qingyou wasn't interested in the liquor's effects; she was planning to take her experimentation to the next level.
The Tower: "@ Righteousness, how much Flame Spirits do you have?"
Righteousness: "Aha, you must be the Witch of the Tower. I currently have about ten tons on hand."
The Tower: "I'll take it all."
Chariot: "Huh?"
Olf was dumbfounded when he heard that.
Even as a heavy drinker, he only bought it by the pound. You're starting with tons?
Ten tons—how long would that even take to drink?
Righteousness: "That's no problem, of course. But regarding the price..."
The Tower: "You don't need to discuss the price with me. If there's anything you want from my side, you can talk to The Moon. He'll handle the arrangements."
Rate on N.U.
