Locke's gaze immediately locked onto the old wizard, and he exchanged a glance with Alicia. After she nodded in confirmation, she left the front desk and headed to the coffee table provided on the second floor of the Feathered Serpent Pavilion.

Locke and Alicia walked over, and the unfamiliar old wizard sat down as well, looking visibly uneasy. Seeing Locke and Alicia take their seats, he immediately spoke, "I've placed what you want in a magic box jointly created by an Abjuration School wizard and an alchemist. If I die or am attacked, if any harm comes to me, that magic box will immediately activate dimensional banishment."

"You won't get anything."

"Furthermore, before coming here, I've already performed special treatment on my memory. As long as I'm willing, I can completely forget all knowledge related to archaeology at any time."

This old black wizard had an attitude of, if you dare make a move, we'll all go down together.

Locke glanced at the old black wizard but completely ignored his harsh words. Instead, he used the complimentary coffee and cups provided on the table to cold-brew himself a cup of wizard coffee. He took a sip and thought to himself that the Feathered Serpent Pavilion was indeed wealthy and generous. This wizard coffee was of exceptional quality, so even with his casual preparation, it was fragrant and aromatic, and it even reduced some of the potion toxicity in his body.

These coffee beans were probably quite expensive.

The old black wizard, seeing that Locke not only didn't get angry after hearing his words but leisurely enjoyed a sip of coffee, felt his nervous tension ease slightly.

His tone became more moderate. "Worthy of the Eye Demon Wizard, truly extraordinary composure. Eye Demon Wizard, I've heard of your reputation."

"I've come to make a trade with you."

Locke raised an eyebrow. "I know."

He hadn't expected his reputation to have spread somewhat. Anyone with the intention to investigate and pay attention could now notice him.

A person's reputation, like a tree's shadow, having fame spread wasn't necessarily a bad thing for him.

The old black wizard said, "I am an archaeology scholar, and also an archaeology professor."

The old wizard proudly proclaimed this, revealing a face covered in knife scars beneath his hood. Those scars emanated a kind of malicious curse magic power. That magic had left a permanent mark on his face that couldn't be removed.

Locke glanced at his face and said, "Do you want me to help you remove the Face-Cutting Curse?"

The old black wizard grinned. "Of course it's not something that simple. I deliberately left this curse on myself."

"There are special reasons."

"I want you to concoct a bottle of Abyssal Werewolf Transformation Potion. Here's the contract. Sign this contract, and I'll provide the materials and formula. How about it? But do you have the ability to prepare an Abyssal Werewolf potion?"

Locke didn't evade this question and said calmly, "If you don't show me the formula, how can I know whether I can do it or not?"

"I'm indeed most proficient in abyssal studies, and I can use primordial fire."

The old black wizard said, "I've sought out many potion masters, but none of them could prepare the Abyssal Werewolf Transformation Potion. However, I need to transform myself into an Abyssal Werewolf, so that I can have hope of advancing to Second Circle."

"Then how about this."

The old black wizard took out a formula sheet and handed it to Locke to look at.

Locke raised an eyebrow, "You're this generous? Directly showing me the formula?"

The old black wizard grinned. "If you can't prepare it, showing you will only add to your troubles. But if you can prepare it, then you'll definitely need the archaeological inheritance in my possession."

"I know you've been putting out word for over a year now, seeking archaeological inheritance, but do you know what? You'll never find it."

Alicia asked in confusion, "Why? Our Land of Six Towers has cooperated with quite a few archaeology scholars and even provided them with certain areas for research."

The old black wizard nodded. "If that weren't the case, I wouldn't dare come alone to negotiate a trade with you. But archaeological-related inheritances are strictly protected by the Black Wizard Alliance. The apprentice-level stage is one thing, but First Circle level inheritances are very difficult for you to obtain."

"Unless absolutely necessary, no black wizard would come to trade with you. Only I truly need the Abyssal Werewolf Transformation Potion. Therefore, I'm your only tradeable target. I've been observing you for a year now. Miss Alicia, a year is a long time, isn't it? But don't worry, if you miss this opportunity with me, you can wait another hundred years for the next one."

The old black wizard laughed gleefully, "And you still won't have the slightest gain."

Alicia was somewhat angered by his attitude. "You!"

Locke, however, signaled Alicia with his eyes to stay calm. "You don't need to exaggerate. Let's bring the topic back to this trade."

Locke didn't touch the other party's formula, who knew what a black wizard might have left on his formula. He should minimize contact with it as much as possible.

To prevent giving the other party an opportunity to curse him.

Locke scanned over the formula and frowned. No wonder the other party couldn't find anyone to prepare it for him, because the difficulty of this formula was almost the most difficult First Circle potion, its difficulty even surpassing sun potions.

Half a year ago, he might not have had the ability to prepare it.

But during the year of the first round of the Ladder test at the Feathered Serpent Pavilion, through continuous study and discussions with Alicia, Locke had greatly improved his skills. So if he used primordial fire, he could prepare this potion.

"I can prepare it," Locke said simply.

A flash of wild joy instantly appeared in the old black wizard's eyes. "Really?"

"So many veteran potion masters had no way, but you have a way?"

Locke nodded. "I happen to be able to use primordial fire, and I'm proficient in abyssal potion studies. Abyssal potion studies is a niche field, there aren't many potion masters researching this area."

The old black wizard couldn't suppress the smile on his face. "Then good. I have two sets of materials gathered in my astral ring. If you can prepare it, then concoct it in the potion room here at the Feathered Serpent Pavilion."

"As long as you successfully prepare it for me, I'll give you my Tome of the Tombstone."

"This is your territory, you don't need to worry that I'll go back on my word."

Locke thought for a moment. Since black wizards' credibility was truly terrible, he shook his head and said, "That won't do. First take out that so-called magic box, then we'll sign a contract authenticated by the Eye of Truth."

"That magic box has sealing magic anyway, so you don't need to worry that I'll go back on my word."

The old black wizard pondered for a moment and said, "That works too. You sign the contract first, then I'll take it out."

Locke checked the contract, confirmed there were no problems, and signed his name together with the old wizard.

After signing the contract, a phantom of the Eye of Truth descended upon this place. It was a supreme eye, immensely vast, with countless complex geometric patterns forming the details of the Eye of Truth.

Locke glanced at that eye. At first glance it was an eye, but looking carefully it seemed like a door, and upon closer inspection, the Eye of Truth had transformed into the appearance of a sun.

This indicated that the Eye of Truth possessed characteristics that could not be directly gazed upon or seen, seeing it was wrong, thinking about it was wrong, approaching it meant moving away from it, exploring it was wrong.

This was one of the greatest magics in this world, the Eye of Truth.

At this moment, the Eye of Truth gazed toward this place. The contract on the coffee table flashed with a magical radiance, representing that the contract was established. The Eye of Truth acknowledged this contract, deeming its rights and obligations relatively equal and not an invalid contract.

A dignified and cold voice, devoid of any emotion, appeared beside Locke and the old wizard's ears, like a supreme judge pronouncing judgment before them. "In the name of supreme truth, we declare, the contract is established!"

"Those who violate the agreement will be forsaken by truth."

After signing the contract, Locke could visibly see the old black wizard relax considerably, and he was muttering under his breath, 'White wizards are still easier to talk to. Signing a contract can even get the Eye of Truth's guarantee.'