Chapter 59
Chapter 59
“I’d like to commission you to formulate some potions,” Cui Xi cut straight to the chase.
“You must be quite skilled if you work here at Madame Ellen’s shop,” she continued, her amber eyes gleaming with calculation. “School-certified potion masters charge exorbitant rates, while ordinary apothecary apprentices can’t even brew a proper Stimulant Potion.”
Luo En arched an eyebrow. “What kind of potions do you need?”
“Primarily cultivation aids—Stimulant Potions, Spirit Stabilization Liquids, Blood Potions.” She listed them off with practiced ease before adding, “Of course, if you could manage something like the Lucidity Elixir, I’d pay handsomely.”
Luo En’s expression darkened. “Lucidity Elixir?”
He’d read about that advanced formulation in texts—a potent draught that helped cultivators suppress spirit pollution. Only seasoned apothecary apprentices or professional potion masters dared attempt it. For apprentices, it was an essential tool against corruption, especially beyond the mid-level stages.
“I’m afraid that’s beyond my current capability,” he admitted frankly. “But I can handle the foundational ones without issue.”
Cui Xi nodded, unfazed. “Then we’ll start there. As fellow townsfolk, I’ll offer a fair price.”
She reached into her robe and produced a small velvet pouch that jingled with wealth. “I signed a twenty-year service contract with the School. In exchange, they provided substantial upfront resources.”
Luo En understood the unspoken implication—she’d traded her future for present security, a common arrangement for talented apprentices. Schools often invested heavily in prodigies, binding them with long-term obligations.
“I see,” he said with a slight nod. “I can prepare the basic potions, but it’ll take time. I still have duties at the herbal shop during the day.”
“Time isn’t an issue,” she said breezily. “Quality matters most. Shall we proceed?”
They quickly sealed the deal. Cui Xi left a deposit of dozens of Mana Shard Fragments and agreed to return the following week for the first batch.
As she reached the door, she paused. “I have a feeling your future holds far greater achievements. If you ever… take that next step…”
Her voice faltered, her youthful awkwardness surfacing. At sixteen, she still struggled with formal pleasantries.
Luo En chuckled, stepping forward to open the door gallantly. “I understand. We’re from the same town—we should watch each other’s backs. Feel free to reach out anytime.”
After seeing her out, he returned to his workstation. Madame Ellen had vanished, leaving only a note with a list of tasks.
The morning passed in quiet industry as Luo En completed his assignments while contemplating his next steps. The Murmuring of the Star Devourer was a breakthrough, but he couldn’t neglect other skills.
His Silver Pocket Watch pulsed faintly against his chest, as if responding to his thoughts.
“You’re right,” he murmured to himself, a smile tugging at his lips. “There’s still you, my lucky charm.”
By afternoon, Madame Ellen had shuttered the shop, using living vines to spell “Closed” across the entrance. The dim glow of Mana Crystal Lamps cast long shadows, deepening the mystique of her silhouette.
“Ready?” she asked, her voice low and solemn, a stark contrast to her usual sharpness.
Luo En squared his shoulders. “Yes, madam.”
“The Murmuring of the Star Devourer is no ordinary meditation technique,” she warned, unrolling an ancient leather scroll. “Most techniques merely guide spiritual energy’s flow, but this one transforms its very essence—irreversibly.”
She pointed to a complex rune at the scroll’s center, where dozens of Basic Meditation Runes intertwined in a labyrinthine pattern. “This core rune is far more intricate—and dangerous—than any School technique. If your energy reserves are insufficient or your control lacking, it could shatter your mind or drive you mad.”
Luo En studied the glowing symbol, sensing its cosmic rhythm. Unlike the gentle pulses of basic runes, this one felt like staring into an endless night sky—beautiful and terrifying.
“The first cultivation stage focuses on stabilizing your spiritual field,” Madame Ellen explained. “Master this core rune, then build upon it gradually. With your current aptitude, this phase alone could take years.”
She spent the evening detailing the rune’s construction sequence, energy pathways, and mitigation strategies. As twilight deepened, she concluded, “I won’t guide you again until you reach the High Apprentice stage. Review everything thoroughly before attempting meditation.”
Luo En bowed deeply. “Thank you, madam.”
“One last thing,” she added, her gaze sharpening. “Before cultivation, secure your environment. The Murmuring of the Star Devourer attracts dangerous entities—prepare suppression arrays beforehand.”
“I’ll be cautious,” he promised.
As he left, the rune’s image burned in his mind like a seed awaiting fertile soil. Back in his dorm, he retrieved his Silver Pocket Watch. Its display had reset to “0/10.”
Gazing out at the starlit sky, he felt countless unseen eyes watching from the heavens.
(End of Chapter)
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