by Zhuang Bifan
As for the Emerald Tower, it was of course the center of the storm.
After Gerian had tossed the news out, he'd been staying in the Emerald Tower, feigning illness.
"Visitation? Ai… I'm really sorry, President Gerian is seriously ill; it's a malignant infectious disease. If you're infected, it will lie heavy on our conscience. Why not go back first and come back again a few days later?"
Sometimes, the circ.u.mstance was a scary thing. Just after two days, someone as honest as Kevin was poisoned into lying every time he opened his mouth. He spoke of the infection with an anxious expression of pain as if Gerian had not been just ill, but had been infected by a plague instead.
Everyone knew what was going on, but there was nothing they could do about the fat old man Gerian. Everyone was at Gerian's mercy now, and what they were waiting for was to rip him off at the auction. So the members of the ten mage families came and left, and then the members of the six underground forces came and left too…
The seriously ill Gerian, however, was hiding in the bas.e.m.e.nt, grinning. He counted the Arcane Magic Potions again and again and listened to the noise coming from the hall, the grin on his face growing wider as he did that.
He no longer remembered how long it had been since the Jarrosus City had been so astir. For the last twenty years, the Guild of Magic had been the top influence in Jarrosus City. But those with discerning eyes knew that it was only because the Supreme Council still existed. Without the support of the Supreme Council, the guild would have fallen apart in an instant.
Before the emergence of the Arcane Magic Potion, who truly had regard for the Guild of Magic? The same went for Old Odin, whom he shared a friendly relation with. If he had not been the President, that old chap who controlled all the assassins in Jarrosus would not have given the Guild of Magic any respect.
Even that little rascal from the Merlin Family had dared to come to his doorsteps to make a demand.
"Pff! Kicking Felic out of the guild… Hats off to him for thinking about it."
"Ai, I am too brilliant!" Thinking back to his decision, Gerian couldn't help but revel in it. It was all because of this decision that the Guild of Magic had become what it was today. 30 bottles of Arcane Magic Potion had made the guild the focus of the entire Jarrosus City. If these fellows who were fighting crazily were to know there were another hundred-plus bottles in the cellar, what expressions would they have on their faces…?
As the initiator of the potion storm, Gerian knew Lin Li's worth more than anyone else. In his opinion, the Arcane Magic Potion was just the beginning, and it was still far from demonstrating the true worth of Lin Li. In fact, even Gerian himself wondered what kind of surprises would this almost miraculous potion master bring to the Guild of Magic…
Just as everyone was going crazy over the thirty bottles of Arcane Magic Potion, Lin Li was hiding in the potion lab alone the whole morning.
Lin Li knew about the stir created by the Arcane Magic Potion. If it happened in a different period of time, he would have taken p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e in receiving the attention. But he had no mood for it now.
He found something interesting in the potion lab.
It was a few black petals. He had most likely been too tired the past two days, and walked into the potion lab again in a daze this morning when he woke up. He wanted to leave once he came to realize where he'd gone, but then he suddenly spotted the flower petals among a pile of potion dregs.
The black petals were mixed in the dregs; if not for Lin Li's good vision, he'd not have been able to differentiate the petals.
In the beginning, Lin Li did not take it to heart. After all, gathering herbs was a troublesome task. Other than a herb master like him, an average person would inevitably pick up some weeds while gathering herbs. Who knew how many weeds he'd picked out from the herbs while he was concocting the Arcane Magic Potion the past few days…
Picking up those few petals was an instinctual reaction, just like how one would naturally grasp a woman's b.r.e.a.s.ts when he had his arms stretched out in front of her c.h.e.s.t—it was not a hooligan's behavior, but an extremely natural reaction…
Anyway, Lin Li picked up one petal in his hand.
It was then that he realized things were wrong.
Upon closer inspection, this petal was actually the legendary black lotus!
This… this… Isn't this too phony?
Lin Li could never dream that he'd discover the petals of a black lotus among the peacebloom dregs.
Although using peacebloom as the main ingredient of the Arcane Magic Potion produced fairly good effects, the growing environment of these herbs was not at all harsh. Simply put, they could grow anywhere. As long as there were mountains and water, there would be peacebloom.
The legendary black lotus, however, was on another end of the scope. Its growing environment was unbearably harsh—it had to be rich in magical elements and boast an extreme temperature high enough to melt steel. Most important of all, it had to be watered with molten lava coming from the core of the earth. The molten lava, however, could not be poured directly on the black lotus; instead, it could only be run slowly about a meter away from it…
All the conditions mentioned above were indispensable. Should there be any slight variance, the black lotus would wither away in the shortest of times even if it somehow managed to grow.
Aside from such perverted conditions, the emergence of the black lotus was universally acknowledged as impossible. Lin Li had put out a high price for news on the black lotus in order to achieve a breakthrough in pharmaceutics, but not the slightest simmer of bubbles could be seen even after putting out a reward of hundreds of thousands of gold coins.
The reward had been out for a few months; Lin Li gradually began to give up on the black lotus which only existed in the legends. He had not expected that, a few months later, he'd arrive in another world and discover the trail of the black lotus by chance.
"Could I be this lucky?" Lin Li gazed at the petal in his hand and couldn't suppress his excitement any longer.
If news of his luck coming upon a few black lotus petals among the peacebloom went out, it would scare some people out of their wits…
Lin Li quickly opened up the Ring of Endless Storm and took out two bottles of potion—a blue one and a red one. Sticking to the ratio of three-to-one, he carefully poured them into a beaker. Once the two potions mixed, they immediately gave off an acidic smell, which filled the potion lab.
Chapter 22 - A Visitor
This was a small trick Lin Li had learnt long ago. Mixing the Recovery Potion together with the Sobriety Potion would produce a c.o.c.ktail potion with the simplest structure and most intense conflicting properties. Through this, the attributes of a certain herb could be perceived directly.
Lin Li gingerly picked up a petal and slowly immersed it in the beaker.
When that speck of black came in contact with the potion, a fizzing pop could be heard. The liquid in the beaker churned violently, and white mist arose from it. The acidic smell that had permeated the potion lab seemed to be swept away in an instant, and replacing it was a rush of refreshing fragrance.
"It is indeed the black lotus!" Lin Li placed the beaker in his hands down on the table, as if he was afraid he'd drop all the black lotus petals into it.
Black lotus was frequently used in mental strengthening. One of the most powerful end products using it was the legendary Ephemeral Divinity Potion. In that twenty seconds of brief divinity, the user possessed an almost-infinite mental strength and was immune to any mortal spells. This thing was definitely the deadliest of weapons. It could block almost anything from humans to gods, and could kill with just a glare.
Granted—this thing was just a legend.
No traces of the Ephemeral Divinity Potion could be found even in the formulas of pharmacist gurus. Perhaps only someone at the level of a Divine Smith would have it…
In addition, the black lotus could also be used to create mental str
engthening potions like the Infinite Magical Ability, Arcane Field, and more. Although they were less freaky than the Ephemeral Divinity Potion, these potions were far more realistic than the illusory Divine Smith level formula. At least Lin Li had mastered their formulas when he had reached the level of a pharmacist guru.
Besides, these potions were not your average kind. They might not be as freaky as the Ephemeral Divinity Potion, but they were definitely almost there. In particular, the Infinite Magical Ability Potion was as enchanting as one wanted it to be. These three instantaneous phenomenal spells were enough for a mage apprentice to defeat a legendary mage.
Of course, to possess potions with such horrifying powers, the materials needed were not at all ordinary.
Other than the legendary black lotus, a great deal of rare herbs was also hard to find. After the completion of the potion, sap from the Eternity Tree had to be added in. Only the sap from the Eternity Tree would be able to provide magical support to the three legendary spells.
Anyhow, the black lotus could only be met but not asked for. Just these few petals would drive most pharmacists crazy. Moreover, these petals provided a clue for Lin Li to figure out the place pharmacists dreamed of—the spot where a black lotus was growing.
The black lotus petals were gently kept into the Ring of Endless Storm. Lin Li was mindful of his hands for the whole time as if he was afraid he'd bruise the treasure by accident.
He was finally done with the work and ready to leave when he met an acquaintance as he walked out of the potion lab.
This fellow actually dared to come to the Guild of Magic! Lin Li was unnerved watching Cromwell enter the Emerald Tower in a distance. Didn't he just threaten Gerian a few days ago about what to do? And the next minute, he came calling on the Guild of Magic, right? The Gerian today was not the Gerian of yesterday. Ever since he had got ahold of the Arcane Magic Potion, it was as if an old man had met an old army doctor. Without a few smokes of the cigarette everyday, he'd not be at ease.
This fellow had come in so casually, wasn't he afraid that Gerian would take the chance to vent his emotions?
The whole Jarrosus City was all about the fat old man now that he had the Arcane Magic Potion in his hands. Given the vindictive nature of the old man, he would never let Cromwell come to a good end for offending him!
"Felic! I couldn't find you anywhere, so that's where you're hiding…" Lin Li was contemplating whether to hide in a corner and watch the upcoming show when he heard Kevin's voice coming from the hall.
Lin Li looked up, only to see Kevin with a face full of sorrow.
"What's with the expression?" Lin Li knew best the kind of crap Gerian had arranged for Kevin to do these two days. The fellow smirked unkindly upon seeing Kevin's sorrowful face. "How was it? I bet you've reaped some profits these few days?"
"Don't even mention…" Kevin's pretty face was smothered into a ball of worry. "You don't know how I managed to pull through these two days. I haven't taken a break since morning. The people coming for Uncle Gerian were unceasing, everyone was asking how his illness was. I've told the lie about that infectious disease at least eight hundred times, if not a thousand. I've even come to suspect I'll say the same things in my dreams…"
"Then you'd have to get the time to sleep." Lin Li dropped another blow on Kevin heartlessly. He stretched out his hand and pointed at the noisy crowd outside the Emerald Tower. "Look at the number of people. By the time you play them off, it'll probably be morning."
"…"
Kevin was so engrossed in the chit-chat with Lin Li that he was caught unwittingly by Cromwell.
After being reprimanded by Old Merlin last night, Cromwell was even more anxious to prove himself. Early this morning, he walked into the Emerald Tower carrying a few level-fourteen spells. He had even planned out the plea he would give in his mind.
In his mind, he had imagined Gerian being overjoyed when he presented him with the spells. Then, he'd start pulling strings, talking about the deep and long-standing friendship the Guild of Magic and Merlin Family shared. And when the atmosphere became harmonious, he would represent the Merlin Family, and with a tactful and sincere tone, ask to purchase the thirty bottles of Arcane Magic Potion.
"Perfect!" A reserved smile came to Cromwell's face at the thought of that exciting moment.
Except, no matter how reserved his smile or how perfect his plan was, there had to be a chance for him to carry it out first.
As soon as he walked into the Emerald Tower, Cromwell found that things were quite different from what he had imagined. The mages, who were nothing but polite when they saw him on other days, regarded him as air today. Even the most enthusiastic ones merely nodded to say hello. Cromwell thought he was mistaken, but it had happened several times; at last, he began to panic…
He had already messed up in his handling of the estates. If he couldn't even get this done well, it would be hard to keep his position in the family.
So, Cromwell put on his best behavior, something that he rarely did, and tried his best to force a smile on his face, taking the initiative to befriend the mages in the Emerald Tower.
Cromwell smiled as his heart bled.
He was the son of Matthew Merlin, yet he had to lower his head and be the one taking the initiative to befriend these low-level mages. To the arrogant Cromwell, this was worse than killing him.
Chapter 23 - A Slap In The Face
What Cromwell could not tolerate was the attitude of these damned mages. Those high and mighty faces almost drove Cromwell crazy. He could not accept how these people who had tried so hard to butter up to him could now laugh so contemptuously at him.
Cromwell could not remember how he'd managed to pull through that morning.
Each time he was forced to show a friendly smile, all he received in exchange were several cold shoulders.
Until a moment ago, when he finally saw Kevin.
Cromwell, who had dealings with Kevin several times before, knew that if there was an honest person left in the Jarrosus Guild of Magic, it would definitely be Kevin. In Cromwell's mind, it was much easier to talk to an honest person.
"Mage Kevin, long time no see!"
"Uh… Long time no see, Mr Cromwell." Upon seeing Cromwell, Kevin's head began to ache. If possible, he wished he could say "Better not see!" instead.
It was a pity they'd already seen each other. Cromwell, who was like a drowning man clutching at any straw that could save his life, rushed up and shook Kevin's hands—whether the latter wanted it or not. "Long time no see, long time no see…"
Lin Li, who was standing at a side, was of course ignored.
Cromwell had thought that now that Gerian was down with a serious illness, the person who should oversee the Guild of Magic would naturally be his nephew, Kevin. What reasons were there not to cozy up to the guild's in-charge and instead engage in a chat with a mage in dire straits? Besides, as the heir to the Merlin Family, Cromwell could not afford to lower himself and initiate a greeting with a low-level mage.
Lin Li was good at taking hints. As Cromwell's expression fell into his eyes, he knew exactly what was going on in his mind…
But it was better to accept being ignored lest he should be approached with a smiling face and too embarrassed to make trouble for him in the future.
Cromwell had thought of his plea before he came, but because he had to hold it back for the whole morning, he had almost gotten sick from keeping it in for too long. Now that he finally caught up with Kevin, he'd never give him a chance to resist. He had not let up ever since he had a grab of Kevin's hands. He began with the friendship they had shared since childhood, and then went on to talk about the deep and long-standing friendship between the Merlin Family and the Guild of Magic.
The bombardment of words and favor had made Kevin extremely drowsy and miserable.
"Brother Kevin, to be honest, I really admire you. Father once told me that you are the only young man in the whole Jarrosus City with a stronger gift in
magic than me. I had not believed him then; only last year, when you had surpassed level-eight in the mage certification, did I realize Father's vision was not wrong…"
Upon hearing this, an honest person such as Kevin himself could hardly restrain from cursing. You son of a watermelon—one should avoid the face of the person he was beating up! Didn't he know about that?
Kevin glanced guiltily at Lin Li and thought, Surpassing level-eight surprises you? If you knew someone who had just been exposed to magic for three months surpassing level-eight, wouldn't you be scared crazy right on the spot? Not to mention you, your father would probably be driven crazy too if he saw the crystal ball glowing for twenty-eight minutes…
Lauding me as a magic genius in front of this someone, isn't he trying to push me into a pit of fire!?
Kevin finally saw a silver lining when the sun was about to set; he had waited long for Cromwell to ask about Gerian.
"I'm so sorry, the President has been overly exhausted recently, and so he has not been feeling very well. He's resting in the Emerald Tower at the moment." Kevin was awfully agitated when he delivered the sentence. It was as if the race that had been enslaved for thousand of years suddenly saw the dawn of victory at the end of the Dark Ages.
"That's too bad…" Cromwell's expression was aggrieved. "Then, can I see him? My father had told me to bring him a small gift when I left home this morning."
At last. Kevin had waited for this sentence after being tortured for the whole afternoon…
"Visitation? Well… I'm really sorry. President Gerian is seriously ill this time, and it's a malignant infectious disease. If you're infected, it will lie heavy on our conscience. Why don't you go back first and come back again a few days later?"
Kevin had repeated this for at least a thousand times in the past two days, but never had he felt this joyful saying it. The words came as he opened his mouth, and he spoke without feeling burdened, much less worried that he'd sleep-talk in the night. He even felt a stone lifted off his heart after he'd finished the sentence…