Dimensional Slime Rancher-Chapter 4: The egg of a multiversal Dragon?!

"The egg of a multiversal Dragon?!"

The corner of Xia Ming’s mouth twitched violently as he looked toward Ren, whose lazy face was currently filled with an unnerving, absolute certainty.

If his view of the shopkeeper had not been completely shattered by the brutal efficiency of the brass golem earlier, the Prince would have genuinely thought Ren was suffering from a severe case of cultivation-induced brain damage.

What the hell was a dimension-eating Dragon?

Within the entire Grand Xia Empire, the strongest entity Xia Ming knew of was the legendary ’Sky-Splitting Roc’ kept in the Emperor’s private reserve. However, that magnificent beast was only a peak Tier-6 spirit beast.

For the mere owner of a twenty-square-meter shop to casually mention selling the egg of a multiversal Dragon... Xia Ming had absolutely no frame of reference for how strong a Dragon was, but he could use the Sky-Splitting Roc as a comparison.

A single true Dragon should be worth at least a few dozen Sky-Splitting Rocs.

A single Roc was capable of leveling a small mountain with a flap of its wings.

A few dozen Rocs... could probably wipe the Grand Xia Empire off the map before lunch.

"Boss Ren really likes to joke around. I’ve read through the Royal Archives, but I’ve never seen a single record of a dimension-eating Dragon," Xia Ming said, forcing a faint, polite smile as he stood up from his stool.

Ren did not reply. He understood that Xia Ming did not believe him.

However, he wasn’t bothered; it was completely natural for a local prince to lack the imagination for multiversal scale.

After all, a true Dragon was a concept far too terrifying for a mortal empire to grasp.

"Actually," Ren said, changing the subject, "the higher the grade of the beast, the better the quality of its core and materials. They are like raw, natural blueprints of the highest grade. If Your Highness were to obtain any rare monster parts or exotic materials, you could bring them to the shop. My Workshop can process them into custom gear or synthesize unique pets."

The System had already upgraded to Two Stars, and the Workshop Module allowed him to process raw materials provided by customers.

It was highly profitable, which was why he decided to remind his wealthiest client.

"Oh? I can bring my own materials for custom synthesis? Now that is genuinely interesting." Xia Ming’s eyes lit up with real intrigue, and he nodded slowly, making a mental note of this unique service.

Outside, the violent storm had gradually come to a stop.

The heavy, dark clouds were slowly dispersing, unveiling countless rays of warm, golden sunlight that pierced through the misty alleyway.

Xia Ming handed over a pouch containing exactly five hundred Spirit Stones for the fan repair, then he gently rubbed the head of Xiaoyi, who was still hiding behind the counter, and left the store carrying his white oil-paper umbrella.

After the rain, large puddles of water had accumulated on the stone floor of the alleyway. The air smelled fresh, and the neon lights of the distant main street reflected beautifully in the wet pavement.

Pudding was still lying flat on the porch, sleepily vibrating.

Even after the heavy downpour, the gelatinous body of the slime remained perfectly clean and cool, without a single trace of dirt sticking to it.

Within the majestic Imperial Palace, row upon row of golden-roofed buildings were orderly built, exuding an aura of absolute authority.

Troops of heavily armored Royal Guards were patrolling the pristine courtyards with grim expressions.

They were not weak; the weakest among them was a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, while the commanders were early-stage Core Formation experts.

Xia Ming had returned to the palace.

The leader of the patrol respectfully saluted when they spotted him walking through the gardens, and the Third Prince indifferently nodded in their direction, his face an unreadable mask.

Passing through the towering entrance of the inner palace, he arrived at the vast and wide ’Dragon’s Breath Plaza’.

There were six massive pillars erected on the plaza, and carved upon each of them were intricate, lifelike images of the empire’s founding beasts.

Xia Ming stood in front of the plaza, looking at the looming silhouette of the Crown Prince’s palace in the distance with a complicated expression. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He took a deep breath, inhaling the cold air.

The political storm was finally breaking.

The palace of the Crown Prince, Xia Long, was situated directly behind the main administrative hall. With golden bricks, red tiles, and intricate defensive arrays humming in the air, it was magnificently and luxuriously built.

"Your Imperial Highness. According to our Shadow Guards, there was a coordinated assassination attempt on the Third Prince in an alleyway within the lower district," a refined, middle-aged man with an impressive beard said toward a young man seated on an elevated throne.

The young man was dressed in a golden python robe and had a purple jade crown resting on his head.

He had a pale, aristocratic face and long, narrow, dashing eyebrows.

His eyes were sharp like a blade, giving off a dignified yet highly dangerous aura.

"Oh? Is he dead yet?" the Crown Prince simply asked.

The first thing he asked was the fate of his brother.

"No. The Third Prince survived. However, our spies report that he didn’t even draw his sword. The assassins were neutralized by an unknown entity within the shop he was visiting."

The refined middle-aged man frowned, stroking his beard in confusion.

"Those who would dare to assassinate Third Brother in broad daylight would at least be elite Foundation Establishment killers. Third Brother would definitely be forced to reveal his hidden strength.

However, if he fought back, the entire capital would have felt his Core Formation Qi. The city guards would be in an uproar."

The Crown Prince opened his eyes, revealing deep, calculating pupils.

"The Third Prince is completely unharmed. That’s what is strange. Could it be that a hidden expert aided him?" The middle-aged man pondered.

"Advisor Xu, isn’t Third Brother constantly visiting that weird little shop in the dead-end alley these days? Is there anything abnormal about that place? Did you send anyone to investigate?"

The Crown Prince asked, leaning forward.

"Your Highness... There’s something extremely weird with that shop," Advisor Xu strangely said, his expression twisting.

"Hmm? How is it weird?"

"That shop is the ’Black-Hearted Slime Shop’ from the ridiculous rumors circulating the city. A basic water slime... costs one hundred Spirit Stones. A cracked jade bracer repair costs five hundred. The most expensive item is a Mutated Slime, which costs a thousand. The prices are absolutely astronomical." Advisor Xu had a look of profound disbelief on his face.

"It truly is an astronomical scam... Third Brother has actually fallen in love with this black-hearted store? It seems that there is definitely a secret there that no one knows about. Advisor Xu, find an opportunity to visit that shop."

The corner of the Crown Prince’s mouth curled up with genuine interest.

"We must tread carefully, Your Highness. Tomorrow, the Beast Tamer Sect arrives in the capital for their grand exhibition. The Sect Leader is a powerful figure, and he intends to challenge all independent beast merchants to assert dominance. This truly is a chaotic time for the Grand Xia Empire." The Crown Prince stood up and slowly paced around his throne.

"If I wish to secure my position on the Dragon Throne, I will definitely need the support of the Beast Tamer Sect’s war-beasts."

"Your Highness, the Sects have been showing signs of arrogance these past few years. Since His Majesty allowed them to operate freely in the capital, I am afraid they have become a thorn in our side.

According to our spies, the Beast Tamer Sect is specifically targeting that ’Black-Hearted Slime Shop’ tomorrow," Advisor Xu said with a frown.

"Conflict? It’s better when there’s conflict. There are some political moves that are easier to make when the city is distracted. Isn’t that what my Second Brother was thinking? Otherwise, why would he be stupid enough to send assassins after Third Brother?"

The Crown Prince chuckled, clasping his hands behind his back as he looked out the window.

Advisor Xu was stunned and did not say anything else. He was a smart advisor; he only spoke when spoken to, and he knew exactly when to remain silent.

"It’s fine, I already know about Third Brother’s little incident. I am not worried about him. The one I am concerned about is Second Brother’s desperation. However, there’s indeed something very strange with the assassination failing so quietly. Send the Shadow Guards... No, you should personally visit that black-hearted little store tomorrow during the duel. That shopkeeper is indeed quite a variable," the Crown Prince commanded.

Advisor Xu nodded, then silently withdrew into the shadows.

Within the heavily guarded manor of the Second Prince, Xia Wu.

The Second Prince expressionlessly crushed the jade communication slip in his hand, turning it into fine dust.

"A mere alleyway merchant dares to obstruct my assassins? It looks like there’s an urgent need to visit this ’Dimensional Ranch’. I’d like to see what kind of monster is hiding inside that would actually dare to cripple four of my elite killers," the Second Prince coldly stated, his eyes burning with rage.

Within an hour of the failed assassination attempt, the high-ranking officials and influential factions within the imperial city had received the whispers.

Whether it was the powerful Zhao clan or the boisterous Ouyang family, they were shocked by the undercurrents.

An open assassination attempt on a Royal Prince was not a small matter; it signaled the beginning of the succession war.

Naturally, other than the shocking news of the assassination, the "Dimensional Ranch" had officially entered the crosshairs of the empire’s true bigwigs.

Many of them were extremely curious, and deeply suspicious, about this bizarre shop that sold a bouncing puddle of water for a hundred Spirit Stones and casually beat up assassins.

Consequently, various factions secretly prepared their men to visit the store the next day, using the Beast Tamer Sect’s duel as the perfect cover.

At that exact moment, the owner of that highly scrutinized store was leisurely curled up on his recliner. The warm sunlight after the rain was enveloping his body, causing him to comfortably yawn.

He may not know it yet, but the entire political weight of the empire was about to descend upon his twenty-square-meter shop.

"System," Ren mumbled sleepily, scratching his chin. "Remind me to charge double for VIP seating tomorrow."