by Zhuang Bifan
"Let me think about it…"
Just as the two of them were talking, Lin Lu suddenly heard a voice beside his ear.
"Think of a way to obtain that ring."
"Who's that?" Lin Li immediately had a shock, starting in his seat. Yet after looking left and right, he could only see Andoine and Balbo. Other than these two old men, how could there be anyone else around him?
"Felic, what's with you?" Andoine frowned.
"Nothing, I think a mosquito bit me."
"Are there mosquitoes?" Luckily, Andoine just casually asked. After glancing at Lin Li, he turned around and started talking to Balbo again.
Lin Li looked around again, but he did not see anything. In the end, he could only sit down with uncertainty. However, when his b.u.t.t had just touched the vine chair, that voice appeared again beside his ear. "Be more composed."
"…" Lin Li almost started swearing. He thought to himself, Composed your as*. Your voice appeared out of nowhere, how could anyone be composed?
Lin Li took a few deep breaths so that his expression would be more natural.
"That's right…" That voice chuckled before saying, "I am Connoris. Please be more relaxed; don't be so nervous. I am using Spiritual Force to communicate with your mental strength. Whatever you want to say, you don't have to say it out. Just think about it in your mind. I am the Great Soul Trader, an expert at Spiritual Communication."
"Connoris?" Lin Li had a shock before remembering that after he came back from the Fire Plume Ridge, he had kept Connoris inside of the Ring of Endless Storm all the while. After that, things came in one after another. By some chance, he had accidentally forgotten to release this fella.
"That's right, it's me." Connoris' voice carried a tinge of anger. "Speaking of which, you've been too unkind. Ever since leaving the Eternal Furnace, you have caged me inside that ring. How long do you plan to keep me caged in there for?"
Lin Li pouted and whispered in his mind, "It wasn't intentional…"
"Luckily, I've found a trace of mental strength inside this ring. It can help me engage in spiritual exchange with you. If not, I wouldn't know how long you would keep me here for."
"Ok, ok, this was my mistake. Respected Mr. Soul Trader, take it that I let you down, ok?" Lin Li had a headache from this guy's nagging. He hurriedly admitted his mistakes, and then shifted the topic. "Oh, yes. What did you say just now? I must get that ring?"
"Yes." Connoris' voice was serious like never before. "Let me tell you, you must get this ring! If not, you will be unable to reboot the Eternal Furnace."
"Eternal Furnace?" Lin Li immediately understood. No wonder Andoine was racking his brains as to why would this ring have the deviant Mana Sealing Skill? It was all because it came from Highlord Osric's hands. Who was Osric? He was a High Elf that always broke laws. He'd even dared to replicate the Sky Castle, so why would he be scared to use a small skill like the Mana Sealing Skill?
"Correct. While building the Eternal Furnace, Osric created a total of two rings. One is the Brand Of Dusk on you, and the other is this Shadow of the Darkness. The use of the Brand Of Dusk was to boot the Eternal Furnace. Only those with the Brand Of Dusk would have the qualifications to obtain the right to control the Eternal Furnace. As for the Shadow of the Darkness, it is one of the core components of the Eternal Furnace. Without its energy, you would be burnt to a crisp by the Fire Dragon's magical crystal once you boot the the Eternal Furnace."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Lin Li almost jumped. This a*shole, Connoris, was making a joke out of lives. Back when Lin Li was at the Eternal Furnace, he'd never brought this up. Luckily, Balbo took out this ring today. If Lin Li were to build the Eternal Furnace and try starting it, wouldn't he shove his whole life inside?
"I forgot!"
"You dare to forget about something so important? Are you thinking about staying inside the ring forever?"
"Anyway, this is not urgent. Building the Eternal Furnace would need at least eighteen years. Isn't fine if I remind you whenever I remember about it?"
"…"
This fella was almost the death of Lin Li.
"Since this happened today, I reminded you in passing. Anyway, do as you deem fit. If you want to start up the Eternal Furnace, you would need to find a way to obtain that ring." Connoris' voice got softer and softer. Just when Lin Li thought he was going to leave, this fella suddenly said, "Oh, yes. When are you going to release me?"
"What's the rush? Since this is not urgent, I'll release you whenever I remember."
"You…"
"Hence, Mr. Great Soul Trader, I would have to inconvenience you for now." After Lin Li spoke, he did not care about the screaming Connoris. He cut off his spiritual connection with the Ring of Endless Storm.
Without this trace of mental strength Connoris had accessed, it would not be a concern to Lin Li no matter how Connoris screamed.
When he finished dealing with Connoris, the two old men were almost done talking.
Andoine was indeed an authority when it came to High Elves. With just a small clue on the ring, he had slowly guessed that it was Osric's. Yet, it was unfortunate that he did not have a deep understanding of Osric's conduct. After all, it was just knowledge from books. If it was about familiarity with that, it would pale in comparison from Connoris', the soul trader that got killed by Osric's own hands.
Therefore, he had been entangled by that Mana Sealing Skill, and also unable to come in contact with the truth.
Lin Li shook his head, but he did not remind Andoine. He only plotted in his mind how to obtain this ring.
"Knock, knock, knock…" It was at this time that a sudden series of urgent knocks came from the door
"Come in."
"Guild Master Balbo, Elin has succeeded!" It was that pharmacist in his forties that opened the door. His face was filled with joy. After entering, he did not have any basic manners. He just delightfully spoke to Balbo.
"What?" Balbo immediately sprung up from the rattan chair.
Chapter 224 - Explosive
"It's true, President Balbo. Elin really succeeded. Come take a look with quickly!" The middle-aged Pharmacist had run till he was panting. He had said a lot, but he still had not caught his breath yet.
"Come, let's go take a look!" When Balbo opened the door, his skinny right hand was already shaking. This news was too shocking. For hundreds of years, nobody could concoct the Catalytic Potion. Finally, it saw the light of day once again at the Pharmacists Guild. Furthermore, the person that had solved this difficult problem was his only disciple. How could Balbo not be excited?
"Is it true?" Andoine's eyes lit up when he heard it. His expression was more excited than Balbo's. He placed the jade box on the table and left with Balbo without any greetings.
"This old man really…" Lin Li shook his head. He looked at the backs of those three leaving, and then he looked at the jade box on the table. In the end, he gritted his teeth and refrained from this temptation that was within reach.
Honestly, if Lin Li was more black-hearted, he would have hidden the Shadow of the Darkness.
After all, the concoction of the Catalytic Potion would cause a huge uproar within the Pharmacists Guild. There would be many people walking around, so who would know who had taken the Shadow of the Darkness.
Unfortunately, Lin Li was not thick-skinned enough. He could not commit such acts.
With Lin Li's personality, he would not abstain from murder and arson, but for pilfering, he would steer clear away from it. In his own words, it would be that bandits had a higher status than thieves.
Seems like this Pharmacists Guild has all sorts of talented people. Even the Catalytic Potion has been concocted. This is indeed something worth taking a look at… Lin Lin Li shook his head and followed Andoine. It was just that as he was about to leave, he looked at the jade box on the table with some attachment.
When Lin Li walked out, the guild's pharmaceutical lab had already been surrounded by numerous people.
At a glance, there were tens of people. Most of them were wearing a gray robe. This was the dress code for members of the Pharmacists Guild. When Lin Li walked over, he immediately felt that there was a rich medicinal smell permeating the air coming from the crowd. Lin Li knew that these people were pharmacists that had been submerged in piles of herbs for tens of years.
At this time, tens of senior pharmacists were gathered together, and there was loud laughter coming from amongst the crowd. From its sound, it seemed as though it was from a young person.
"Well done, Elin. You deserve to be the President's favorite disciple!"
"Yes, yes, yes, Elin. This time, you were splendid. Not only did you surpass this group of old men, I'm afraid even President Balbo would have to see you differently!"
"Please don't say that, Uncle Maxim. Compared to Master Balbo, I'm still miles apart. I was lucky this time round. I was not very confident in the beginning. I only thought of casually trying, but I did not think that I'd actually succeed…"
"Elin, don't be so humble. We old men have been dealing with this Catalytic Potion for tens of years, so how could we not know the difficulty of concocting it? This time, you concocted it, so we, the Pharmacists Guild, would be honored by it. Who would dare to say that the Pharmacists Guild does not have any geniuses anymore!"
The crowd praised incessantly, causing the whole pharmaceutical lab to be very lively.
"President Balbo is here." The crowd did not know who said it. The bustling pharmaceutical lab instantly became quiet. The crowd instinctively split, making a path for the master and disciple.
"Master Balbo…" Elin seemed to be in his twenties. He was fair and refined. His luscious golden hair was meticulously cared for, and he was wearing a black robe that was befitting of him. His disposition was indeed identical to that of Balbo.
"Elin, not too bad." Even though Balbo's tone was calm, the excitement shown in his eyes could not be hidden. After all, Elin was his only disciple. He had solved the difficult problem that the Pharmacists Guild could not solve for tens of years at such a young age. How could he, as the master, not be excited?
"You praise me too much, Master Balbo. I was just luckier than others."
"Haha, Elin. There's no need to be humble with me. What you've solved is a problem that the Pharmacists Guild could not solve for tens of years. Such an accomplishment does not have enough praise. How about it, what sort of rewards do you want this time? How about this, didn't you mention last time that you wanted a set of purple crystal potion bottles? I will get Burnside to pass you a set later." Balbo was talking more and more under his elation. He was too happy today. Concocting the Catalytic Potion was secondary. Tens of years of dealing with it finally had some returns. For Balbo, this thing that was most worthy to be happy about was his disciple.
"Thank you, Master Balbo." Elin nodded. Although he did not say it, judging from his gaze, he could not help but feel proud. His mentor was the pharmacist of the highest standards in the Felan Kingdom. To be praised by him also meant that he had attained the acknowledgment from every pharmacist.
With Elin's current age, it was like a miracle.
"Ok, Elin. Bring me over to take a look at that bottle of Catalytic Potion."
"Ok, Master Balbo. Follow me."
When this pair of master and disciple walked over, the surrounding pharmacists made way for them, and an empty table emerged in their front. On the table there was a goblet filled with a red liquid that was diffusing a white smoke.
"Elin, congratulations!" When the goblet filled with red liquid fell within his sight, Balbo finally smiled. This was indeed the Catalytic Potion. Although the color of it was minutely different from the description in the recipe, that strong stimulating smell and the intense magical waves permeating from the potion could not be concealed from a top-tier pharmacist like him.
"Thanks."
"Elin, now you can tell me, how did you do it? Take note, do not leave out a single detail. This is very important for the Pharmacists Guild."
"Ok, Master Balbo." Elin smiled with restrain. He gently stretched out his hand and took the goblet that was filled with red liquid. "Actually, at the start, it was Uncle Maxim's words that inspired me. He said that it would be great if there was a way to simplify the composition of the Catalytic Potion. Hence, I thought that the only way to simplify the composition of the potion would be to use the Leaf of the Origin Tree…"
"Yes." Balbo nodded. He did not give any comments, but quietly listened to what Elin said.
"Weird…" When Lin Li walked into the guild pharmaceutical lab, his face was full of uncertainty. He had felt something was off, but after thinking about it, he could not discern what it was. It was only when Elin had picked up that goblet filled with red liquid and started explaining to Balbo the process of concocting the potion when Lin Li immediately understood.
Lin Li sniffed hard and immediately smelt a pungent medicinal smell drifting from afar.
"That's right, this is it!" Lin Li immediately understood. No wonder he'd constantly felt something was off. It was because something that should not be added had been added to this bottle of Catalytic Potion.
"F*ck, this is bad!" After thinking that this could bring about a terrifying result, Lin Li's hairs instantly stood up.
This was the Catalytic Potion. Every herb used contained an immense elemental power. Especially the Rainbow Herb—it could be called the killer of all killers. Just a single use could cause a huge explosion of power. Furthermore, with the pharmaceutical processing, the unique composition could push this power to the extremes. Don't think that it was just a small goblet in Elin's hands. If any accident were to happen, even the whole Pharmacists Guild would run into a gigantic problem, not to mention this pharmaceutical lab.
"What is that, Elin? It's absurd!" Instantly, Lin Li hair stood on ends. The wellbeing of the crowd now was as doubtful as that of someone dancing on a blade. Look at that Elin, he was smiling more delightfully than anyone while holding a pile of explosives in his hands.
Lin Li was really curious as to whether that fella would still be smiling so delightfully if he knew that he was hold an explosive instead of a potion in his hands.
The pair of master and disciple, Balbo and Elin, were happily chatting about the experience of the concoction, and the group of pharmacists at the side were listening intently. Even the onlooking old man, Andoine, was in high spirits. Nobody noticed that the red liquid within the goblet started go through some abnormal changes.
Logically, the potion would have cooled down after leaving the fire for such a long now. Yet now, the red liquid that filled the goblet started to bubble without rest. The white smoke was now coming out of the goblet continuously, causing the whole guild pharmaceutical lab to be pervaded with a white smoke.
The scariest thing was…
The magical waves emitted by the red liquid did not slowly stabilize. Instead, it was like the conversation between those two—it was becoming more vigorous and violent. That feeling even made Lin Li remember the battle at Jarrosus where Cromwell summoned the level-18 spell through his magical staff.
In this crowd of tens of Pharmacists, there was no lack of strong mental strength or s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e sensory organs. If it was during a regular time, they would have noticed the abnormalities of the potion long ago. However, the crowd was submerged in joy. Even Andoine, a legendary-mage, did not discover the abnormal changes of this red liquid.
"Oh sh*t…!" This time, Lin Li could not be bothered anymore. He shoved away the pharmacists that were in front of him and made his way through furiously. At the same time, he was reciting a spell hastily and an icicle formed on his right immediately…
Chapter 225 - Sudden Change
Just a little more and I can blow up that thing in front…
"Dang!"
There was a sudden crisp sound, and the goblet full of red liquid was instantly spilled everywhere.
The whole guild pharmaceutical lab was eerily quiet. E
veryone stood there while staring in bewilderment. They looked as the icicle smashed the goblet, and the goblet full of Catalytic Potion started leaking out…
The tens of Pharmacists were stunned.
Nobody thought that while the whole Pharmacists Guild was drowning in joy, there would actually be someone that shot an icicle to smash the goblet. Even more so, nobody thought that the person who did it was a guest that the President had invited. That was the Catalytic Potion, something that had puzzled the Pharmacists Guild for tens of years. It actually been destroyed by someone without rhyme or reason.
Andoine was also stunned. He was waiting at the side to see what was so special about this potion that even Felic said was dangerous. Yet, after waiting for so long, he only waited for an icicle flying out of Felic…
When that crisp sound traveled over, Andoine was shocked in an instant.
This was going to be a big problem…
Andoine rubbed his eyebrows with a pounding head, thinking of how to solve the problem this time. This was the Pharmacists Guild—any pharmacist could be said to be a figurehead with big backing. Furthermore, what Felic had destroyed was the tens of years of hard work of the Pharmacists Guild. It could even be said that this icicle had made him the enemy of all the pharmacists in the Felan Kingdom. How could offending the Marathon Family be compared to this problem?
Andoine's head was really pounding. He could not understand—why would Felic do this?
Although this kid always caused trouble, the old man had not thought that he would go overboard today. Even in the issue with the Marathon Family, Andoine helped him clear up the mess. Although Andoine scolded him, but in his mind, he was secretly praising him. Well done!
But this time, even Andoine could not help but grumble…
What do you think you have done? The Pharmacists Guild has been busy for the past tens of years all because of this Catalytic Potion. You're good. You've destroyed it with an icicle. This, this, this… Isn't this too harsh?
"Felic, why did you do that?" Even though Balbo's expression was calm, the anger in his voice could not be concealed.