A smug look appeared in Song Chi's eyes. He played it perfectly, vividly portraying the pride of a lucky man who had accidentally discovered a more potent drug hidden behind this gene potion shop.
He quietly swept his gaze around behind him. Only after confirming that no one was nearby did he lean close to Gore's ear and whisper,
"It's an enhanced version of the Gene Optimization Potion. Its effects are more than ten times greater than those of the gene potions before us.
"I paid an enormous price to buy one before. The effects were simply intoxicating. Unfortunately, the shop has special rules—each person can purchase only one. Otherwise, I would have bought them all."
Gore immediately looked like a rabbit whose tail had been stepped on, nearly leaping into the air.
"What? Its effects are more than ten times greater than the Gene Optimization Potion's? Such an enhanced potion really exists?"
As if in response, the text on the light screen at the center of the shop changed once more.
Advanced Genetic Optimization Potion: only nine doses currently remain. Its effects far surpass those of ordinary Gene Optimization Potions.
Along with the words, nine blue-tubed potions appeared on the counter. They glowed faintly, and their packaging was clearly far more exquisite.
Pop!
One of the nine blue-tubed potions was opened slightly. A faint medicinal fragrance immediately wafted out. Although it was sealed again at once, Gore, having taken only one breath, felt every cell in his body cheer. At the same time, his bloodline—his genes, which had already undergone one correction—showed faint signs of awakening again.
Instinct told Gore that this Advanced Genetic Optimization Potion could bring tremendous sublimation to his bloodline. One dose might not fully restore his king-class bloodline from its peak, but with two or three doses, awakening a small portion of that king-class bloodline would be no difficulty at all.
At that thought, he suddenly shouted,
"Please reserve all nine Advanced Genetic Optimization Potions for me. I'll be back soon."
Seeing such a huge reaction from him, Song Chi remained expressionless, while the light screen in the middle of the shop changed again.
Advanced Genetic Optimization Potions are costly to produce and scarce in quantity. Only Millennium Deepwater Mussel Pearls may be exchanged for them.
Gore gave it a hurried glance without saying anything. He swiftly turned around and left the Market Ruins even faster than before.
Inside the palace on Conch Island, the chief of the Bronze Halberd Tribe fiercely flicked his fish tail. A powerful current instantly spread outward in every direction, and the pressure of a Second Rank creature was especially terrifying.
"Absurd! What do you take Millennium Deepwater Mussel Pearls for? Or do you think that—"
Before he could finish roaring, Gore directly took out more than thirty Basic Genetic Optimization Drugs and handed them to his father.
When the chief of the Bronze Halberd Tribe accepted one Basic Genetic Optimization Drug and opened it to take a sniff, his reaction was identical to Gore's earlier one. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and the withered bloodline within his body seemed to regain vitality.
"This is the potion you mentioned? It actually has such effects."
"Are you certain there are advanced potions with effects more than ten times greater than this?"
Gore nodded heavily, his attitude incomparably firm.
The chief of the Bronze Halberd Tribe clenched the potion in his hand. After pondering for a moment, he looked at Gore again.
"This is a heaven-sent opportunity for our Bronze Halberd Tribe. Since you're certain, go exchange for them. However, I don't have any Millennium Deepwater Mussel Pearls on hand. Take this and see if it works."
"Remember, this item is extremely precious. Exchange it for as many of those advanced potions as possible."
At the Myriad Heavens Market, when the eagerly awaiting Gore returned, Song Chi refocused his attention on the gene potion shop.
Hearing Gore's reply, he frowned deeply, greatly disappointed.
"No Millennium Deepwater Mussel Pearls? Then you can't exchange for these Advanced Genetic Optimization Potions."
Just as he was preparing to manipulate the virtual light screen in the shop to reply, Gore took out an item first.
"Although I don't have Millennium Deepwater Mussel Pearls, this item is even more valuable than a millennium mussel pearl. It was nurtured by a beauty of our merfolk race, one seen only once in a thousand years. Other creatures call it a Mermaid's Tear."
As he spoke, he took out the so-called Mermaid's Tear and placed it on the shop counter.
Then he added,
"This Mermaid's Tear was nurtured by one of my ancestors, a Third Rank mermaid. It can promote the evolution of the life level of the vast majority of creatures in the Star Sea."
The moment that crystalline teardrop, even more lustrous than a deepwater pearl, appeared, Song Chi's attention was completely drawn to it.
He was far too familiar with Mermaid's Tears, because they were among the few currently known items capable of providing an additional success rate for the advancement of Kindling Starships.
According to Gore, this Mermaid's Tear had been nurtured by a Third Rank mermaid. That meant it could likewise increase the success rate of advancement for Kindling Starships of Third Rank and below.
From First Rank to Second Rank: increase by 10%.
From Second Rank to Third Rank: increase by 5%.
The numbers might not seem large, but for every Kindling captain about to begin an advancement, they were absolutely second only to their lives in importance.
And Song Chi clearly needed this item right now. The advancement success rate of his mother's Dragonfly was far too low. Even though his father was doing everything he could to find a solution, the outlook remained far from optimistic.
If his father could obtain a treasure that increased the success rate, he would have used it on his mother long ago. Why would he have delayed until now? Besides, the Titanium Crystal was still nowhere in sight.
Therefore, he had to get this Mermaid's Tear.
Third Rank Mermaid's Tear. Its value is acceptable. In consideration of the item's value, the restriction of one Advanced Genetic Optimization Potion per person has been lifted. It may be exchanged for three Advanced Genetic Optimization Potions.
Originally, he had intended to offer only one dose. But after thinking it over, he felt that would be pressing too hard. If Gore refused the exchange, would he have to haggle with him through the virtual light screen?
The persona Song Chi had established for the transaction intelligences in every shop was one of complete fairness and impartiality, with prices that were final. To avoid ruining that persona, he ultimately set the exchange amount at three doses.
It was neither too much nor too little, the most suitable number. He believed Gore would not refuse.
And events unfolded exactly as he expected. Although Gore initially wanted to bargain, when the intelligent light screen offered no concession whatsoever, he ultimately agreed to the transaction.
As three Intermediate Gene Optimization Potions were delivered into Gore's hands, Song Chi also obtained the Mermaid's Tear. For a moment, he could hardly contain the joy in his heart.
With this Mermaid's Tear, and if his father could think of another solution afterward, the Dragonfly's official advancement seven months later would have a success rate of over 50% no matter what.
It still was not entirely safe, but it was far better than 24%. Besides, if they could truly obtain that Titanium Crystal later, the success rate should rise considerably further.
Before you continue