Magic Potion

After the <Red Dart Merchant Association> was wiped out in less than half an hour for hoarding <Forbidden Items> and attacking handlers, some companies within <Giant City> began to cooperate actively.

They provided intelligence on <Forbidden Items>, and even voluntarily traded 'accidentally' acquired <Forbidden Items> with the authorities.

This, in turn, accelerated the containment progress.

Meanwhile, in a conference room at the headquarters of the Handling Department in <Border City No. 3>, someone was analyzing the details of the operation.

"This kid <Night General> really knows how to surprise us. He managed to infiltrate that?" an old man chuckled, looking at the detailed report before him.

Another elder rubbed his forehead, "It's only because his strength is sufficient. Otherwise, it would have been a shock!"

"The actual controller of the <Red Dart Merchant Association> was that hidden <Whisper Path> <Spirit Ability User>. He disguised himself as <Xu Shi>'s bodyguard, but secretly used his abilities to control many key figures. He was the true leader of the <Red Dart Merchant Association>. He usually stayed at the wilderness settlement, remotely controlling the <Red Dart Merchant Association>."

"After the <Fantasy Orchestra> incident erupted, the number of <Spirit Ability Users> within <Giant City> surged. Although most were under our control, some still remained at large in <Giant City>. He took advantage of the <Red Dart Merchant Association>'s ability to travel between the wilderness and <Giant City>, recruiting some wild <Spirit Ability Users> in the wilderness and issuing long-term, continuous suggestions with his abilities, making those individuals his most loyal subordinates."

"But such a cautious individual came to <Giant City> to take away the Greedy Gold, and even exposed his identity. In the end, he was cornered by <Night General>. The curse of encountering strong enemies is more effective than we imagined!"

"Currently, the so-called 'encountering strong enemies' means that within a certain range, after defeating the current enemy, various 'coincidences' will guide new strong enemies to the cursed individual. This curse will only cease when there are no more powerful enemies within this range. Within <Giant City>, this is a good method for searching for enemies. When can we have <Night General> participate in other operations? Perhaps he could lure out some big fish."

"Within <Giant City>, there naturally won't be any overly dangerous strong enemies. Even if there were, we could dispatch support. But if it were in the wilderness, that would be too dangerous," said an aged woman with a face full of wrinkles.

At this moment, a sudden voice rang out.

Unlike the aged voices of others in the conference room, this voice, though low, was exceptionally young.

"Encountering strong enemies. I'm truly envious. If only I had such a curse."

The speaker was a young woman.

She wore a black trench coat and sat on a chair at the edge of the conference room, a uniquely shaped bone greatsword resting by her feet.

Her appearance was striking, her features exquisite, but her brows were filled with gloom, and her eyes were as black as night, devoid of any light.

She spoke calmly, "A curse like <Night General>'s is actually an opportunity for him to grow stronger rapidly. If you were willing to let him venture deep into the wilderness, near dangerous areas, as long as he doesn't die, with his curse, he could grow into a captain-level expert, or even stronger, within three years."

This statement wasn't without reason. Encountering strong enemies meant an abundance of risks and battles. Each danger and battle would refine <Li Yèlái>'s combat skills and mindset. As long as he survived each time, he would undoubtedly become stronger.

"That's too dangerous. Not everyone is as powerful as you, able to escape from repeated dangers and grow stronger. Even under the influence of your curse, we consider your abilities to be powerful and your talent exceptional," an old man said, "<Little Mad King>."

"Don't call me by that name insincerely. You have never believed me," <Little Mad King> said plainly. "Even now, you don't believe me."

The old man shook his head, "It's just the effect of the curse. We will choose to believe you with our own willpower."

<Little Mad King> did not respond to this topic. She picked up her greatsword and continued, " <Night General> has great talent. If he wants to become stronger, he can try venturing deep into the wilderness. Don't waste such good talent and curse."

The deep wilderness referred to areas close to major forbidden zones. It was a place frequented by wanted <Spirit Ability Users>, void creatures, and indigenous inhabitants of the forbidden zones.

It was an extremely dangerous area.

If the 'encounter strong enemies' curse were triggered there, one would inevitably face multiple powerful enemies consecutively. The efficiency would likely be terrifyingly high.

If he still survived, he would naturally become stronger. Becoming a captain in three years was not an exaggeration.

"Too dangerous," the old man shook his head. "Besides, he has his own mission. <Ark> still needs him to handle it."

"I'm just giving a suggestion. Don't waste <Night General>'s talent," <Little Mad King> said coldly.

Afterward, <Little Mad King> left the conference room. She had only come to report her work progress. Since their conversation was unproductive, she left.

Only after she left did an old man say, "She actually said <Night General>'s curse was good? She really doesn't take bad luck seriously! One wrong move could be fatal."

"Her curse is that she will never be trusted and will live a life of extreme suffering. In her childhood, no matter what happened, she would be suspected and slandered. No one could trust her. Compared to that, perhaps she prefers the curse of encountering strong enemies," an elder sighed. "What a pity."

"If she were to truly succeed <Mad> <Wáng>, under the influence of her curse, would the various departments be able to trust her?"

"Then," a voice emerged from the darkness, "I'll get things done before I die of old age!"

Meanwhile, when <Cheese> drove to the <Red Dart Merchant Association>, she saw a group of handlers chatting by a battered off-road vehicle.

With just a glance, <Cheese> knew what had happened. She had experienced the 'vehicle killer' before.

"Alright everyone, our <Night General> is not used to the environment in your <West City>, so I'll be taking him back now," <Cheese> greeted them with a smile.

This made the faces of the few from the <West City> branch turn strange. What 'not used to the environment' from <Giant City>? Didn't they just want to build a good relationship with <Night General>? How stingy!

<Li Yèlái> stepped on a manhole cover nearby. Finding that no 'accident' occurred, he confirmed that his curse had disappeared.

He bid farewell to the people from <West City>, then got into <Cheese>'s off-road vehicle, carrying his large black umbrella.

"Why are you free to pick me up?" <Li Yèlái> asked curiously.

"I was going to <North City>'s <Trading Post> today to get your package. On the way back, I heard you took down the <Red Dart Merchant Association>, so I detoured to pick you up," <Cheese> glanced at <Li Yèlái> with her peach blossom eyes and pointed to the back seat, "Today, the caravan from <Border City No. 1> has arrived."

<Border City No. 1>? Package?

<Li Yèlái> was stunned, then realized.

It was the <Anti-spiritual power helmet>!

The <Anti-spiritual power helmet> he applied for trial use had arrived!

<Li Yèlái> was somewhat excited. With this, <Li Yúnyān>'s curse might be suppressed. She wouldn't have to be afraid of meeting people anymore.

"Thank you!" <Li Yèlái> expressed his gratitude.

<Cheese> shook her head slightly. "We don't need to be so polite between us. Speaking of which, how did you end up in <West City>?"

<Li Yèlái> told <Cheese> about his experience.

"To pull you from <East City> to <West City> to take them down. It's hard to say who was unlucky," <Cheese> quipped. "But it's good you weren't injured and helped recover the <Forbidden Item>. You'll get <Merit Points> as a reward. Did you gain anything yourself?"

His own gains?

After thinking, <Li Yèlái> replied, "I gained a clear understanding of my combat strength."

Indeed, this was <Li Yèlái>'s first real combat since obtaining <Chilong Ji>.

He hadn't killed anyone in this operation.

He had controlled his strength and attack points.

Whether they were the scavengers controlled by suggestion or the wild <Spirit Ability Users>, they were all just knocked unconscious.

Facing <Scarred Woman>, who was also a second-awakened, <Li Yèlái> won with ease.

The male bodyguard at the end was indeed troublesome, but one move of Dragon's Head resolved the fight.

It was rumored that the male bodyguard was a third-awakened <Whisper Path> <Spirit Ability User>, just like <Cheese>.

So, does that mean I have the ability to contend with <Cheese>? <Li Yèlái> pondered. Was this what they called fighting above one's level?

"I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that if you can defeat that third-awakened <Whisper Path> <Spirit Ability User>, you can defeat me, right?" <Cheese>, as if seeing through <Li Yèlái>'s thoughts, leaned in and whispered in his ear while waiting for the red light, "Come on, if I win, you do as I say. If you defeat me, you can do whatever you want with me~"

Her words were full of flirtatiousness and temptation, and her warm breath made <Li Yèlái>'s body go numb.

"You want to take advantage of me? Dream on!" <Li Yèlái> retorted.

"You're the one dreaming," <Cheese> turned back and gave <Li Yèlái> a look. "The gap between a wild <Spirit Ability User> without the support of a faction and an handler is huge. Besides, that third-awakened was dazed by a car crash. When he came out, you guys were already waiting for him. It wasn't like you fought him one-on-one."

"Leaving combat experience aside, those scavengers indeed have combat experience, even more so than rookies. After all, you can encounter anything in the wilderness."

"But in other aspects, they are far behind."

"<Psychic Weapons>. Without the support of major factions, such equipment simply cannot be produced."

"Auxiliary equipment like chainsaw swords, thermal lances, plasma bombs. These are all technologies from <Giant City>, and it's difficult for them to obtain such weapons."

"Magic potions, need I say more? Basically, all wild <Spirit Ability Users> have no channels to obtain magic potions. They can't even find the formulas, let alone the ingredients. Even if someone among them luckily obtained a suitable magic potion formula, it would be difficult to get the ingredients from the depths of the wilderness or restricted areas. But we officials don't have to worry about that. The <Night Watch> will collect enough ingredients."

"Spirit ability techniques, you can explore some on your own, but you can't train systematically like we do officially."

<Cheese> explained, "Therefore, wild <Spirit Ability Users> are generally weaker than handlers."

<Li Yèlái> nodded, agreeing with her statement.

Those wild <Spirit Ability Users> hadn't even mastered the <Psychic Barrier> technique. They had spirit energy and strength, but couldn't use them perfectly.

Therefore, <Li Yèlái> could easily defeat them.

"However, you are still strong to face so many enemies at once," <Cheese> said. "But don't think you can fight above your level. Each awakening of a <Spirit Ability User> creates a gap. A first-awakened might barely fight a second-awakened, but it's hard for a second-awakened to defeat a third-awakened. The further you go, the bigger the gap becomes."

"For example, my <Word Spirit> and suggestion. When facing me, if you can't immediately seal my voice, you'll be affected by my ability," <Cheese> said, "[Listen to me], cover your head."

<Li Yèlái>'s hands subconsciously rose a few centimeters, but he didn't cover his head.

"See?" <Cheese> picked up a sugar cube, swallowed it, and said, "Your physique is strong, and your spirit energy resistance is high, so you can resist my suggestion. But it will still hinder some of your actions. What if this interference happens during combat? It could be fatal. Don't be complacent, and don't try to fight above your level unless absolutely necessary."

"Understood," <Li Yèlái> nodded seriously.

"You are now second-awakened and have a <Psychic Weapon>. You can now consider the magic potion for the third awakening. The price of a third-awakening magic potion is around three hundred <Merit Points>. Your main goal now is to save enough <Merit Points>. Don't think about the <Anti-spiritual power helmet>," <Cheese> suggested. "A craftsman must sharpen his tools if he wishes to do his work well!"

"Yeah," <Li Yèlái> inquired, "Are there any recommended third-awakening magic potions for <Myriad Paths>?"

"For <Myriad Paths> third-awakening magic potions that can be purchased directly, there are only two in total across the four <Giant Cities>," <Cheese> thought for a moment. "They are <Barbarian Beast> and Mimicry·Scale Armor. The former transforms into the characteristics of a certain extraordinary creature and enhances one's agility and strength. So, you might see some colleagues with animal ears on their heads. Furry enthusiasts rejoice."

"Wow," <Li Yèlái> exclaimed. If he learned this, would he also have to wear animal ears?

"The latter enhances defense, mimicking the defensive scales of a certain creature. Of course, the effect will vary depending on the different ingredients added. For example, <Furnace Captain> obtained <Lava Dragon Armor>, which has extremely high fire resistance. Therefore, he can ignore high temperatures and flames, fighting in the fire."

"Which one should I choose?" <Li Yèlái> frowned.

"Ask the captain when you get back. The captain seems to have prepared some magic potion ingredients for you. They might be good stuff that isn't available on the market," <Cheese> reminded him.

"Not available on the market?" <Li Yèlái> was a little surprised.

"Yes, for example, <Furnace Captain>'s <Lava Dragon Armor> is because he added mysterious materials from a <Lava Dragon> into his magic potion," <Cheese> replied. "When he was dealing with the <Ashes Church>, he accidentally obtained a <Psychic Weapon> made with <Lava Dragon> materials. He dismantled it and added it to the magic potion. How could an ordinary handler have such assets or opportunities? This is the kind of good stuff you can't find on the market. <Lava Dragons> are monsters in the <Doomsday Forest>, you can't just hunt them in groups, right? Their king in the restricted area isn't just for show."

"I understand. With enough good stuff, one's abilities will be stronger," <Li Yèlái> nodded. "However, I've only recently awakened to the second stage, and the third awakening is probably still a long way off. I can consider it slowly."