Clues of the Magic Potion

Li Wen reflexively wanted to activate the Eye of the Transcendent and flee, but then she realized the sword wasn't aimed at her. If it had been, she would already be dead.

The young knight stood at the entrance, the sunlight from behind him bathing him in a golden radiance, as if he were clad in holy armor. His face was hidden in shadow, exuding a non-human divinity.

Granny Marsha, the Ghost Fairy, licked her jagged fangs, her eyes full of greed.

"Arrogance and impulsiveness are sins proscribed by doctrine, young one. I have yet to taste the flesh of a Templar Knight."

"That's not for you to decide."

The Firstborn of the Temple, Moriah Enoch, calmly walked into the treehouse. His knight sword was still wreathed in flames, yet its temperature showed no change.

Li Wen didn't want to get caught in a battle beyond her capabilities for no reason. Neither Moriah nor the Ghost Fairy were opponents she could handle. However, Granny Marsha clearly had no intention of letting her stay out of it.

"Girl, if you still need the Shadowfall Potion, quickly kill this knight. Or, driving him away is fine too."

Before Li Wen could speak, Moriah's gaze, sharper than any blade, pierced through her.

"Shadowfall Potion? Are you an ascendant of the Umbral Lineage?"

Radiance and Darkness were opposing lineages. Opposition meant an irreconcilable enmity; where they met, one was destined to die. Li Wen inwardly cursed her misfortune. Even now, the Ghost Fairy was trying to shift the blame onto her, just as a born troublemaker would.

Li Wen couldn't be bothered to explain. She immediately prayed and cast a Prayer Incantation upon herself.

Radiance was the ultimate pass for the order faction. Those who served Radiance were all unwavering believers, pure of heart and devoted to the light. Players, of course, were an exception.

Moriah, who had yet to fully understand players, immediately lowered his guard upon seeing Li Wen cast a Divine Art. A warm, open smile spread across his face, even though Li Wen's attire hardly resembled that of a believer.

"So you're a brother or sister from the Church. I am Moriah, an unknown Templar Knight."

Disciples of the various churches serving Radiance referred to each other as brothers and sisters. Although Moriah hailed from the Temple, he also served a secret church, hence his use of such terms when abroad.

"I'm just not sure what this fellow believer needs the Shadowfall Potion for, as Darkness is our greatest enemy." Moriah's expression and gaze remained unchanged, but his sword subtly shifted its aim towards Li Wen.

As expected, he wasn't easily fooled. Li Wen sighed.

"A companion of mine was afflicted with a very peculiar curse. They keep developing crescent-shaped bite marks and will die in seven days. They need the Clearbright Elixir to neutralize the Darkened Potion, which then serves as the antidote to lift the curse." Fortunately, Li Wen's mind worked quickly. Having browsed through miscellaneous information from strategy guides in her past life, she was able to come up with an answer swiftly.

"There's such a curse?"

Moriah frowned. It didn't seem like he was unwilling to believe her, but the matter appeared to have reached the limits of his knowledge.

"Yes, there is. And the antidote is indeed configured like that. I can swear to it with my knowledge of potions. I even remember the curse was called 'Netherbite'... How strange. Ever since coming to Arthur, I haven't heard of this curse in a long time." Granny Marsha said, casting a deep glance at Li Wen.

Moriah nodded, deciding to take her word for it for now. He raised his knight sword and pointed it at the Ghost Fairy.

"In that case, hand over the potion quickly. Don't delay my fellow believer's companion's life."

The Ghost Fairy grinned and ignored him, scooping more from the cauldron with her bowl and spoon. She tasted the delicious liquid, bright yellow and thick, dripping down her fangs and cracked lips.

"Even if you kill me, you won't get the potion. It simply doesn't exist anymore; it's long lost. Perhaps you might find some in ancient ruins and old remnants, if they've been preserved well. Of course, I still remember some of the formulas, but the main ingredient, the Obscure Root, is nowhere to be found. Perhaps you might find it further north in Arthur."

Moriah looked at Li Wen. After a moment of silence, she nodded.

At least part of what the Ghost Fairy said was true, otherwise, she wouldn't have come to the goblin to try her luck. Goblins were known to collect treasures and had extremely long lifespans, so many things lost to the mortal world could be found in their hoards.

However, Granny Marsha claimed to only know the formula but not the main ingredient. Li Wen leaned towards the possibility that she was lying.

Moriah thought the same, so he immediately activated his Divine Art.

The pupils of his eyes showed a burning candle flame, so bright that the light within the treehouse dimmed. Li Wen gripped the Eye of the Transcendent in her hand and subtly retreated a few steps, ready to flee at any moment.

"You can choose to tell the truth, or become fuel for the candle flame, burning for eternity."

Moriah's voice was loud and righteous, not like someone who would lie. Even the usually uninhibited Ghost Fairy feared he might suddenly self-detonate, so she chuckled dryly and said, "Just because I don't have it doesn't mean I don't know where to find it... There is one place where you can find both the potion and the raw materials."

"Where?"

Moriah maintained his Divine Art. The visibility in the room decreased, while the candle flame in his eyes grew more intense, reaching a point where merely looking at it caused a stinging sensation.

The Ghost Fairy's expression changed. She summoned a layer of black mist to surround herself. "In the underground ruins of the Black Forest! That was once the laboratory of an Alchemy Master! That's where you'll find it! Stop your damn spell! Unless you want everyone here to die with you!"

Having received his answer, Moriah immediately ceased the Divine Art. Li Wen, meanwhile, asked, "What is the Black Forest?"

"It's this forest," Moriah replied, frowning slightly. "It's been frequented by adventurers for years. Even if there were any secrets, they're long gone. Do you really think you can still find anything?"

Li Wen was contemplating something else. The gnome stall owner she met earlier had indeed mentioned dungeons. At the time, Li Wen hadn't paid it much mind, but now she thought it might be the Alchemy Master's laboratory the Ghost Fairy spoke of. Perhaps the entire Goblin Market was built around the underground ruins. Otherwise, why would so many Transcendent beings and ordinary people knowledgeable about the supernatural gather here?

Furthermore, the gnome had indeed produced a potion with a similar formula, the Ghost Solution. If the ruins contained the Ghost Solution, it wasn't impossible for them to also contain the Shadowfall Potion.

"I understand. I know where to look now. Thank you both for your help."

Let the Firstborn of the Temple and the Ghost Fairy fight however they pleased. With a lead, Li Wen just wanted to leave quickly.

But as if seeing through her thoughts, Moriah reached out and stopped her.

"Although the Alchemy Master's laboratory in the Black Forest has become ruins, the dangers within have never diminished. Every year, countless people die there. For safety, allow me to accompany you."

Moriah's tone was sincere, his expression serious, and his words were very practical. Li Wen couldn't think of a suitable reason to refuse him.