Chapter 9：Hilaire's Demon Ring

The old warlock took a reagent bottle that contained a light blue liquid from the bookshelf, then found a rag and soaked it with a small amount of the liquid. Using the rag, he carefully rubbed the iron ring. Slowly, the rust on the surface of the ring dissolved, revealing its original appearance —a dark ring glowing with a demonic light. Although it had not been thoroughly identified, it was plain to tell that the ring was an extraordinary item just by looking at its appearance.

Without lifting his head, the warlock said, "The fee to identifying this item is 675 gold coins."

'God, this is ridiculous!' Xiao Ling almost vomited blood. '675 gold coins is enough for me to buy an Epic armor with lower attributes! Ordinary Uncommon and Rare items only need a few or dozens of silver coins to be identified, while an Epic armor only needs a few gold coins. In fact, the attributes of those that need dozens of gold coins to be identified are quite good already. I can't believe it takes 675 gold coins to identify this ring!'

He hesitated. 'Should I spend the money? What if the ring's attributes are not good? Even if they are excellent, its price should be above 60,000 gold coins according to the ratio of item value to the identified price of 100:1. Few people can afford an item of such a high price on the market!'

After much deliberation, Xiao Ling finally decided to identify the ring. 'If I can't use it, I'll just sell it at a low price. The money I get will be enough to buy a mechanical imp, and then I'll be able to embark on my journey of leveling!' At the thought of this, he could not help but feel a little excited.

After the fee of 675 gold coins was paid, the old warlock began identifying. He was absorbed in his work as he kept rubbing the iron ring with various potions. Slowly, the ring radiated a black light like a demon's eyes that could absorb one's soul.

Xiao Ling was shocked to find that the ring was emitting a terrible demon aura. But as a warlock, the other had no fear of it because warlocks served demons.

Before long, the iron ring was completely enveloped in a scorching and dazzling black flame. The old warlock breathed a sigh of relief and threw the ring to Xiao Ling.

System: You have obtained the Hilaire's Demon Ring.

Hilaire's Demon Ring

Quality: Artifact

Use: Signs an accord with demons and possesses the talents of Demonic Warlocks, Destruction Warlocks, and Affliction Warlocks.

System: Do you want to bind it to your character?

For a moment, Xiao Ling felt dizzy. 'The ring has no attributes? What does this even mean?' He vaguely remembered that Hilaire was one of the first few warlocks to sign an accord with demons, the father of all warlocks. In those days, in order to fight against the siege of the human kingdom of Erathia, Hilaire and his companions had signed an accord with demons and gained great power. Eventually, they won the war to defend Eddins and signed an armistice with Erathia. After that, Brakada pledged its allegiance to Erathia and paid a certain amount of tax every year in exchange for peace. Warlocks had been accepted by human kingdoms ever since.

"You're in luck, young man! The ring is an Artifact item. After binding with it, you can work on the three specializations of demon warlocks at the same time, on top of your current specialization of a mechanical alchemist. You can learn all the spells of these specializations, and all the bonuses of talents to attributes will be based on the highest," said the old man as he closed the book on the table and put it back on the shelf. "It is the best warlock equipment I've ever seen except for Natalio's Ring, which is an Heirloom item."

It finally dawned on Xiao Ling that if he wore the ring, he would become a demon warlock of three specializations. He was shocked at why there was such a freakish item in the world. The talents of Demonic Warlocks and Destruction Warlocks had a 5-times bonus to spell damage than that of Alchemy Warlocks. The spell damage of Alchemy Warlocks increased by 0.2% per level while that of Demonic Warlocks and Destruction Warlocks increased by 1%. If the highest bonus was taken, Xiao Ling's spell damage would increase by 1% for every new level he gained, and he would be able to fight like any warlock of the three specializations.

In addition, he could learn various spells of Demonic Warlocks, Destruction Warlocks, and Affliction Warlocks.

The Summon Demon spell of a Demonic Warlock, the high dps of a Destruction Warlock, the Curse spell of an Affliction Warlock, and the mechanical imp's bonus to a Mechanical Alchemist's dps…when the strongest strengths of the four specializations were combined, how much power would they generate?

Xiao Ling was completely stunned. The ring was truly worthy of being an Artifact item that was only inferior to an Heirloom item!

He could finally get rid of the weakness of a mechanical alchemist and grind like a demon warlock! He did not want to waste his life in that mine that only produced low-quality ore anymore!

Without hesitation, he chose an option.

Yes!

System: The Hilaire's Ring is now bound to you.

After binding, the ring could never be traded again, and would not drop after he was killed. A ring of Artifact quality worth 60,000 gold coins was probably Xiao Ling's most expensive piece of equipment, but he would never regret the decision.

"Do you have anything else to identify?" asked the old warlock.

Xiao Ling took out the Titan's Heart from his backpack. Its pale blue light instantly lit up the room. "Please help me look at this item."

The old man's eyes lit up the instant he saw the gemstone. "An Aquamarine Titan's Heart, wonderful! Do you want to identify this item?"

"Yes."

"The fee of identifying this item is 6,251 gold coins."

The old warlock's words made Xiao Ling almost cough up a mouthful of blood. '6,251 gold coins? Oh, my god, what the hell is this?' With an awkward smile, he said, "I'm sorry, but I don't have so much money. I think I'll not have it identify right now."

"Pity!" The old man sighed. Xiao Ling did not know whether he felt pity for not being able to identify a super treasure or for the lost 6,251 gold coins.

After coming out of the Appraisal Hall, Xiao Ling could not help but throw his head back and roar, relieving the pent-up depression inside him. Looking at the players wearing Uncommon or Rare equipment in Eddins, he suddenly felt that life was so beautiful. He finally had the power to pursue these things!

He walked to the Auction House. After wearing the demon's ring, the first thing he had to do was buy some skill books.

The Auction House was packed with people, all staring at the magic display screen to bid. The price of basic skill books was very low because they were produced in relatively large quantities. Xiao Ling browsed through them and chose some that were useful to the three specializations of demon warlocks.