Chapter 16: Synthesizing First-Rank Potions

Chapter 16: Synthesizing First-Rank Potions

Boil, boil!

The bubbling sound gradually diminished until it finally vanished.

Su Nan picked up the beaker and poured the thick liquid into a potion vial, corked it, and placed it on the table behind him.

On the solid wood table, fifteen potion vials lined up in a row, gleaming invitingly under the warm yellow light.

Looking at the potions, Su Nan's face broke into a smile.

These fifteen potions were the fruits of his labor over the past few days.

The materials he used cost more than 150 gold coins, but it was worth every penny.

Taking a deep breath, Su Nan began placing the potions into the synthesis cube one by one.

As the number of potions increased, the information displayed on the synthesis interface kept changing.

When he added the third potion, the synthesized Lesser Active Potion went from 'Zero-Rank/Low' to 'Zero-Rank/Mid.'

When he added the seventh potion, it became 'Zero-Rank/High.'

Su Nan continued adding the Lesser Active Potions without pause.

When he added the twelfth potion, the synthesis interface flashed, and the resulting potion finally changed its appearance.

[Active Potion (First-Rank/Low): Consuming this potion will significantly increase mental activity, extend meditation time, and last for 30 days and 12 hours. Effects do not stack. The user's mental power must be at least 5.]



Compared to the Lesser Active Potion, the Active Potion's description included the word 'significantly' in terms of mental activity.

Additionally, it added the benefit of 'extending meditation time,' which essentially meant a higher meditation efficiency.

However, what made Su Nan frown was that the duration only doubled.

On the other hand, the consumption restriction was not surprising.

Most potions that grant a rank advancement come with consumption restrictions.

The higher the rank, the more stringent the restrictions.

These restrictions usually revolve around mental power.

If someone with insufficient mental power forcefully consumes such a potion, the consequences can range from mental confusion and soul damage to becoming a bizarre creature or even exploding.

After a moment of thought, Su Nan added the remaining three Lesser Active Potions to the cube.

Perhaps due to the small number, the synthesis quality did not change this time.

Seeing this, Su Nan took the three potions out and chose to synthesize them.

In an instant, a bottle of Active Potion appeared in his palm.

Without hesitation, Su Nan drank it on the spot.

The effect description alone didn't tell him much, so he decided to experience the effects of the First-Rank potion firsthand.

As the potion entered his body, Su Nan felt a sudden surge in his mental clarity. The world seemed to become much more vivid, as if the resolution had been increased from low to high.

Without delay, Su Nan sat down and began meditating.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the clock on the wall, surprised to find that nearly four hours had passed, and the sky outside had grown dark.

"My meditation time has doubled."

Su Nan checked his status panel and was pleasantly surprised to see that his mental power had increased by 0.09.

The Star Ring Meditation Technique's proficiency had increased by 68 points.

"The increase in mental power is less than I expected, but the efficiency in gaining proficiency is about six times higher than before."

Su Nan quickly calculated in his mind.

Using the Lesser Active Potion to meditate for a month would yield results roughly equivalent to using twelve Lesser Active Potions to meditate for six months, with a slight difference.

However, the time difference was significant.

For a wizard apprentice with a limited lifespan, the choice was clear.

"This is the irreplaceable advantage of precious resources: they can increase mental power and help you break through ranks much faster."

"If I can keep using the Active Potion, I can construct the second Star Ring in just over forty days. In less than a year, I will definitely advance to a Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice!"

Su Nan was overjoyed.

After advancing to a Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice, he would be able to use many previously restricted techniques, significantly boosting his combat power and giving him a real foothold in this world.

"Should I continue synthesizing to improve the quality of the Active Potion?"

After a moment of hesitation, Su Nan ultimately decided against it.

Synthesizing would definitely not be a loss, but a higher-quality Active Potion would require even more mental power.

If he ended up with a potion he couldn't use at his current stage, it would be a waste.

While the economic pressure in Blackstone City had eased significantly, there wasn't enough money for him to frivolously spend.

"A Low-Rank First-Tier Active Potion should be sufficient until I advance to a Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice."

As the month of Thunder (April) arrived, the weather remained hot.

The serfs in the surrounding villages of Blackstone City had gradually finished their planting, and agricultural work was nearing its end.

More laborers were being reassigned to the reconstruction of the Blackstone Mines.

By the end of the month, the Blackstone Mines were expected to be fully rebuilt.

However, to avoid wasting time, Koy had decided to recruit miners at the beginning of the month, starting the mining operations ahead of schedule.

The Blackstone Mines immediately went into full operation, with ore being transported from the underground mines to the surface every day, then smelted into neat blocks of Blackstone Iron.

The entire city of Blackstone was enveloped in a bustling atmosphere.

The only exception was Su Nan's courtyard, which remained as tranquil and peaceful as ever.

In the meditation room, Su Nan, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, suddenly trembled, then opened his eyes with a joyful smile.

"Finally, I've constructed the second Star Ring!"

Deep within his mind, two Star Rings interconnected, forming a chain-like structure that emitted a deep, mysterious aura.

Feeling invigorated and elated, Su Nan checked his status panel.

Su Nan · Yanez, Human Male, 16 years old

Mental: 10.85 / Constitution: 5.04

Skills:

- Star Ring Meditation Technique Lv3 (28/10000)



- Potion Making Lv2 (629/3000)



- Biological Transformation Lv1 (3/1000)



"My mental power increased by 1.21."

Su Nan nodded to himself.

His mental power had previously been 9.64, but with the successful construction of the second Star Ring, it had instantly surpassed the 10-point mark.

At this rate, when he constructed the third Star Ring, his mental power would definitely exceed 12 points, allowing him to advance to a Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice.

"My constitution has also surpassed 5 points."

Su Nan clenched his fist.

He hadn't deliberately focused on strengthening his constitution, but with prolonged meditation and mental power enhancement, his constitution had improved naturally.

By the time he advanced to a Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice, his constitution would likely be on par with that of a formal knight, if not better.

"The proficiency in the Level 3 Star Ring Meditation Technique has more than doubled. If I keep this up, I should be able to max it out within half a year."

Su Nan's gaze swept over the skills list, landing on the Biological Transformation skill at the bottom.

He had only just mastered this skill yesterday.

Since acquiring Potion Making and Puppet Crafting, Su Nan had spent most of his time on these two skills, only occasionally dedicating time to Biological Transformation.

However, since he had already been halfway through the learning process, he managed to reach 100% proficiency after a few months of sporadic practice, and the skill was now listed on his panel.

"As long as I continue on the path of a wizard, I will eventually delve into the field of biological transformation, and this skill will come in handy."

On the other hand, his progress in spell learning had been smooth.

The subsequent spells he acquired—Unlock, Detect Poison, and Touch of Fatigue—had all been mastered.

The first two were straightforward, with their effects evident from their names.

Touch of Fatigue, however, was an offensive spell.

By touching the target, it could inject negative energy, causing the target to fall into a state of fatigue.

Its practicality was average.

However, with no other spells available, Su Nan had chosen to learn this one.

"I wonder how the search for wizard tomes and magical items is going, now that I've asked my brother for help?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end