Soros's Request

Soros stared deeply at Xia Ming, like a starving wolf pouncing on prey. He waved his hand and shouted, "Bring out your finest beef and wine! Today, it's on me!" As he spoke, he looked at Xia Ming with an almost fawning gaze. "Little Brother Xia Ming, right? What would you like to eat?"

What was going on?

Xia Ming wondered inwardly. How did Lan Ning know that he was proficient in magic potions? And why was Soros acting like this after learning that he was skilled in magic potions?

The tavern swiftly brought over the finest beef and wine. The enticing aroma of the food made one's mouth water. Xia Ming, for his part, dug in without any courtesy. Soros was a great thief, after all—fleecing him for one meal was nothing. Consider it robbing the rich to aid the poor.

Soros watched Xia Ming with a beaming smile, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Little Brother Xia Ming, I heard you're well versed in potion-making?"

"What about it?" Xia Ming asked back.

"Hehe, I was wondering if you could brew a [Mana Source] Potion?" Soros asked warmly.

Mana Source Potion!

Xia Ming rubbed his nose. It was the Mana Source Potion again. He smiled. "I can."

Upon hearing Xia Ming's certain answer, both Lan Ning and Soros's eyes lit up. Soros burst into laughter and slammed the table hard. "Ha! This old man is finally saved!"

Watching Soros's exaggerated reaction, Xia Ming asked, "What do you mean, finally saved?"

"Hehe, let me explain." Lan Ning pointed at Soros with a grin. "This old bastard thought his thieving skills were unmatched under heaven. His hands got itchy for a moment, and he went and stole from the biggest underground force on Azure Flame Island—the [Black Dragon Alliance]!"

"It would have been one thing if he'd stolen something ordinary, but what he stole was a Mana Source Potion that Hughes, the leader of the [Black Dragon Alliance], had prepared for his son!"

"Hehe, that old fellow Hughes could be called wise and capable all his life, but his son was born with a defect in his mana. After cultivating for over twenty years, he was only a Level Two Mage. Hughes had exhausted his heart and soul for his son, and that hard-won Mana Source Potion was meant to raise his son's magic level. Yet this old bastard went and ruined everything..."

Wait!

Black Dragon Alliance, Hughes... Why did that string of words sound so familiar? Xia Ming's heart stirred. Right—the man who had competed with that mysterious black-robed figure for the Mana Source Potion at the Myriad Phenomena Trading House auction had been Hughes!

No wonder Hughes had spent so lavishly to fight for the Mana Source Potion. It had been to help his son break through the shackles restraining his magic.

"So that's why the Black Dragon Alliance is hunting you down?"

Soros gave an embarrassed smile, his old face reddening slightly.

Xia Ming was somewhat curious. "Since you're wanted, couldn't you just return the Mana Source Potion?"

"Haha, don't mention it. Last time, this old bastard was muddleheaded after drinking and mistook the potion for liquor..." Lan Ning gloated.

Xia Ming: "..."

Mistaking a Mana Source Potion for liquor—Soros was truly both outrageous and extravagant.

Xia Ming looked at Soros. "So you need me to brew a Mana Source Potion?"

But Soros shook his head, sidling closer with a shameless grin. "How could I have the materials to brew a Mana Source Potion? Little Brother Xia Ming, how about we make a deal? Recently, that fellow Hughes has searched all across Azure Flame Island for potion-makers and organized a Potion Conference. As for the purpose, hehe... it's for that son of his, the one born a waste in mana!"

"Hughes has declared that anyone who takes the crown at the Potion Conference will receive a grand gift from him. And if someone can cure his useless son's mana defect, there'll be an additional great reward! So, Little Brother Xia Ming, are you interested?"

Though Xia Ming's heart was stirred, he also understood that Azure Flame Island was vast and concealed crouching tigers and hidden dragons. It would not be so easy to stand out at the Potion Conference.

Seeing that Xia Ming did not seem particularly tempted, Soros added more fuel to the fire and said mysteriously, "Little Brother Xia Ming, do you know what the grand gift for first place at the Potion Conference is?"

"What is it?" Tang Ge, who had been listening so intently that he was practically drooling, could not help asking first.

"A mine! A mine containing major veins! A mine in the Shadow Forest north of Azure Flame Island. They say it contains several massive veins of Lava Crystal!" Soros tempted him.

A mine!

Not only Tang Ge—even Xia Ming's eyes lit up. A Lava Crystal mine!

Lava Crystal was a kind of magic ore rich in fire-element magic energy. It could assist mages in cultivating fire magic—though it was only an aid, of course.

But that alone was enough to make Xia Ming's heart pound. The value of an entire mine was simply immeasurable. Hughes, the leader of the Black Dragon Alliance, had truly spared no expense. The hearts of parents everywhere were pitiable.

"So, what do you say? Are you interested, Little Brother Xia Ming? This is a heaven-sent opportunity. If you gain some benefits, just put in a few good words for me before Hughes when the time comes!"

Xia Ming smiled without answering. After a moment of silence, he asked, "When does this Potion Conference begin?"

"One week from now, at Azure Flame Academy! Don't worry, little brother—leave everything else to me. When the time comes, you only need to go there. I'll handle the minor matters like registration!" Soros said readily, thumping his chest as his narrow eyes narrowed into slits.

Xia Ming thought it over, then finally nodded in agreement.

The Potion Conference might allow him to try his luck and see whether he could obtain Hughes's "grand gift." Besides, it would be a good opportunity to learn about the potion-makers of this world. Ever since obtaining potion-making knowledge and skills from the Book of Eternity, Xia Ming had yet to interact with any potion-makers in this world.

"Hehe, then it's settled! We'll meet again in a week!"

Soros clapped his hands happily, then left the tavern arm-in-arm with old Lan Ning. The two whispered obscenely to each other, breaking into unrestrained laughter now and then, drawing sidelong glances from everyone around them.

One was an old swindler, the other an old lecher. Xia Ming truly could not make heads or tails of these two. He vaguely felt that Soros's purpose was likely not as simple as wanting Xia Ming to attend the Potion Conference.

But since he could not see through it, Xia Ming could not be bothered to dwell on it. When the cart reached the mountain, there would surely be a road. Whatever came, came.

"Let's go too." Xia Ming smiled and patted Tang Ge on the shoulder.

"Sure. Now that you've come to our academy, there'll be plenty more chances for us to exchange pointers. That fellow Sherlock keeps talking about wanting to discuss magic with you. We'll have to get closer from now on..."

As he said this, a suggestive look appeared on Tang Ge's face. "And since you're cultivating magic at Azure Cloud Tower, remember to bring me more news about Instructor Freya..."

Xia Ming was helpless. The two were just about to leave the tavern when a curvaceous young waitress stopped them.

The alluring waitress cast them a flirtatious glance and said in a sweet, delicate voice, "Gentlemen, those two guests from earlier haven't paid yet. When they left, they said to put it all on your tab. The finest steak and wine come to fifty gold coins in total. Thank you!"

"..."

"Damn it, those two old bastards! Next time I see them, I'm going to kill them!" Tang Ge let out a furious roar.