Chapter 88: Who Is the Prey?

Chapter 88: Who Is the Prey?

"Just forgot something. I'm here to pick it up."

Li Ya's gaze landed on a notebook resting on the podium before she strode forward to retrieve it.

The thin apprentice noticed Ya Lun maintaining an awkward posture and rushed to support him. "Ya Lun, what's wrong with you? Don't say anything unnecessary to Lady Li Ya."

As he gripped Ya Lun's arm tightly, he realized the other's entire body had gone rigid, unable to utter a single word.

"We... we should go first", the thin apprentice stammered, helping Ya Lun up with another companion before practically dragging him out of the classroom.

Luo En watched their retreating figures disappear down the corridor, a wry smile tugging at his lips. The absolute authority of high apprentices never ceased to amaze him - she didn't even need to speak or act. Her mere presence had been enough to send these bullies scurrying away like startled rats.

No sooner had they left the crowded area than Ya Lun suddenly began coughing violently, blood dark as ink staining his lips. His entire body convulsed as though struck by an invisible hammer, internal organs seemingly displaced by an unseen force.

"Ya Lun!" The thin apprentice's face paled, recalling how effortlessly Luo En had defeated them earlier. A cold sweat broke out across his back. "How could..."

"The boy isn't..." Ya Lun managed between ragged breaths, his face whiter than parchment. "Don't touch him..."

The group exchanged glances, their backs drenched in cold sweat. If they'd really lured that guy into the wilderness, who would become the predator and who the prey remained uncertain.

...

Li Ya picked up the notebook, turning to leave when she suddenly seemed to remember something, her gaze falling on Luo En.

"Luo En apprentice, I heard about you from Holt."

Luo En raised his eyebrows in mild surprise. "You know Master Holt too, Lady Li Ya?"

"He mentioned you were registering for the Potion Certification Examination."

A rare note of concern crept into Li Ya's voice. "As someone who's gone through it, I'd like to offer one piece of advice: Don't overreach your abilities."

Her expression turned serious. "Alchemy is one of the disciplines that values practical experience above all else. No matter how gifted you are, without sufficient accumulation, passing the certification will be extremely difficult. I recommend waiting a few more years before attempting."

Luo En mused internally about how swiftly information spread within the School. Perhaps Holt had learned of his registration through some internal connection.

"Thank you for your advice, Lady Li Ya." Luo En responded politely. "I'll certainly take your words into consideration."

"The School has special regulations for internal apprentices", Li Ya continued. "If you change your mind, you can withdraw anytime before entering the examination hall, and your registration fee will be fully refunded."

Her tone held no pressure, merely a gentle reminder. "Holt seems quite confident about you, but personally, I believe rushing ahead often leads to failure. Well, I need to be going now."

With that, she turned and strode away, her tall silhouette quickly vanishing down the corridor.

The few apprentices still present exchanged peculiar glances. They had clearly overheard Luo En's mention of the Potion Master Certification.

To them, the title of Potion Master represented an unattainable peak - a position of such comprehensive value and status that it surpassed many High Apprentices.

For a newly ascended Elementary Apprentice to dare challenge such a certification was pure fantasy.

Though honestly, it didn't concern them much. Everyone was busy; who had time to care whether someone really attended the Potion Master qualification exam?

Leaving the classroom, Luo En reflected on the knowledge and techniques he'd acquired today.

While the paid courses had complex structures and strict advancement requirements, they truly accelerated the learning process, offering significant help in enhancing one's cultivation.

[Spell Construction (Entry-Level) Experience Points +2]

[Spirit Interference (Entry-Level) Experience Points +2]

Both skills had seen noticeable improvements, their progress far surpassing what he could achieve through isolated self-study.

Though self-learning in isolation was safe, it paled in efficiency compared to systematic guidance.

"I must seize this opportunity to accelerate my progress", Luo En resolved internally. "I can't afford to keep working in isolation anymore."

Moreover, he'd heard that many mentors offered private consultations exclusively to apprentices who had taken their advanced courses.

To gain access to those paid consultation opportunities, he needed to complete all these courses.

Stepping out of the academic district, the night had already descended over the Black Mist Jungle.

A faint beastly howl carried from the distance, sending chills down his spine.

Luo En quickened his pace toward the Dormitory Area.

...

On the day of the Potion Master Certification Examination, Luo En had already risen and prepared himself before the first wisps of dawn pierced through the canopy of the Black Mist Jungle.

He carefully checked his tools, paying special attention to the Silver Wing Separator, which could extract the purest medicinal essence in the shortest time during potion-making.

Madame Ellen's oft-repeated words still echoed in his ears: "Remember, a Potion Master's true value lies not just in how many formulas they know, but in maximizing the potency of every single drop of potion."

"Everything's ready. Time to go." Luo En neatly arranged his attire and gathered his belongings, took a deep breath, and stepped out of his dormitory.

Walking through the morning mist of Black Mist Jungle, his heart fluttered with both nervousness and anticipation.

This semi-annual Potion Certification Examination represented a rare opportunity for him.

Missing this chance would mean waiting another six months, a delay his carefully laid plans could not afford.

Arriving at the Central Hall, he found over twenty people already gathered on the steps. None of the faces were familiar.

Some wore travel-worn robes, their clothes dusted from long journeys.

Others dressed more refinedly but bore tired eyes from arduous travels.

Some were wrapped head to toe like mummies, their strange limbs occasionally visible beneath their robes...

"The Potion Certification Examination certainly attracts an unusual crowd", Luo En mused. "Even wandering apprentices and exotic races from beyond Black Mist Jungle have been drawn here."

"Next candidate, please step forward promptly!" A middle-aged female apprentice at the registration desk called out, her tone carrying clear signs of impatience.

When it was Luo En's turn, he stepped forward and submitted his application form along with fifteen Mana Shard Fragments as registration fees. It was said that outsiders needed to pay double the usual fee to participate in the Potion Master Certification.

The registrar, a woman nearing forty, glanced at the form before her expression shifted to obvious surprise. "Luo En Lalf? Just became an Elementary Apprentice?"

She lifted her head, scrutinizing Luo En from top to bottom with a skeptical gaze. "Young man, are you certain you want to take the Potion Certification Examination?"

Luo En nodded calmly, his expression composed. "Yes, I'm fully prepared."

The registrar gave a disbelieving snort, tossing his application form aside carelessly. "Youth, do you even understand how low the passing rate is? Even those who've studied potions for decades often barely scrape through."

Lowering her voice, she added almost pityingly as she prepared to return his bag of Mana Shard Fragments: "Let me give you some advice - it's not too late to withdraw. As a registrar, I can exercise discretion to refund your fees in full, a special privilege reserved only for our School's internal apprentices."

Luo En smiled politely, understanding her good intentions while firmly restating his decision. "Thank you for your consideration, but I wish to proceed with the examination."

"Young people... so stubborn. Wait until you've experienced some failures, then you'll know better."

Seeing his determination, the registrar shrugged and stamped his form with a mana-inscribed seal that activated immediately. "Just don't come crying to me later."

After bidding the registrar farewell, he collected his examination token and followed the air-borne elemental guidance markers into the waiting area.

Dozens of participants already sat inside, varying degrees of tension and anxiety etched across their faces.

Luo En glanced around, noticing most candidates appeared far older than himself:

An elderly man with snow-white hair diligently reviewed an alchemy notebook, his fingers stained yellow from years of potion-making.

In a corner sat a Lizardfolk with short horns atop his head, his weary eyes filled with both exhaustion and hope.

Several middle-aged men in their thirties whispered among themselves, occasionally glancing at Luo En with visible curiosity.

Though a few noticed the young candidate, surprise and doubt flashing in their eyes, most quickly returned their focus to preparations.

At this critical moment, wasting energy on jealousy or suspicion was foolish. Many here had tasted bitter failures before, learning to channel all their energy into the examination itself.

Only one short, stout middle-aged man couldn't help muttering to his companion: "These youths always think alchemy can be mastered through talent alone."

"Why bother?" His companion replied in a voice bordering on numbness. "In the past thirty years, I've taken this exam five times. Every time, I see these confident young faces. And what happens in the end?"

The two exchanged bitter smiles without further words.

Their conversation soon dissolved into the tense atmosphere of the examination hall. Luo En focused solely on his final preparations, tuning out the idle chatter.

"Examinees, please pay attention!" A school registrar dressed in standard gray robes entered the room. "The examination will begin shortly. Please follow me to the examination hall."

The examination hall was a vast circular chamber, its walls inlaid with dozens of luminescent stones that bathed the space in bright, steady light. At the center of the room stood a semi-circular long table where three examiners sat in solemn silence.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end