Potions

Li Ang lay on his bed and opened Fundamentals of Potioncraft.

The pages carried the distinctive scent of parchment, illustrated in dark brown ink with plants of every shape, minerals, and Demonic Beasts that could be used in potion-making.

The text was profound and obscure, crammed with specialized terms and abstract descriptions of magical power flowing.

He could only calm himself and use the heightened perception and concentration gained after condensing Astral Stars to study it word by word, sentence by sentence.

When he reached the section related to the [Beginner Restoration and Constitution-Enhancing Potion], Li Ang's gaze abruptly froze.

[Beginner Lung-Healing Potion]

[Effect: Gently stimulates the regeneration of lung tissue, significantly enhances the immune and restorative capabilities of the respiratory system, and has remarkable alleviating and healing effects on old lung injuries and chronic pulmonary disease.]

[Main ingredients: Purple Cloud Grass (3 grams of dried leaves), Stone Root Grass powder (1 gram), pure morning dew (150 milliliters), Moonlight Moss extract (1 drop)]

[Supplementary ingredient: White crystal powder (0.5 grams, purification agent)]

[Brewing tools: Standard crystal crucible, silver stirring rod, stable flame source]

[Key brewing points: Spiritual power guidance must remain smooth. The focus lies in harmonizing the life vitality of morning dew with the regenerative properties of Moonlight Moss. The purifying power of Purple Cloud Grass is the key...]

"Cure... lung disease?" Li Ang's heart began to pound violently, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the edge of the page.

This was practically a potion tailor-made for him! The book clearly stated that this potion could not only ease the symptoms, but also stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissue at its root, strengthen immunity, and completely resolve his chronic ailment.

He carefully examined the list of ingredients: Purple Cloud Grass, Stone Root Grass, Moonlight Moss... These names were utterly unfamiliar to him. At present, there was no way he could obtain these magical plants used exclusively by wizards.

Perhaps he could try replacing pure morning dew with the purest water condensed through the Water Creation Spell, but the results would surely be greatly diminished.

As for a crystal crucible, a silver stirring rod, and a stable flame source... those professional alchemical tools were even further beyond his reach.

It seemed that only after reaching Riley City and entering the Wizard Tower would he have any hope of acquiring the materials and tools.

He silently committed the potion formula and its key brewing points firmly to memory...

The next day, Wizard Selenst "happened" to encounter Li Ang on the deck as he stood there enjoying the breeze.

Unless summoned, reserve apprentices were not permitted to come onto the wizard ship's deck at will.

Once one became an official apprentice, however, that rule no longer applied. Thus, only Li Ang and Selenst were on the deck at this moment.

"Li Ang." Selenst's voice remained as even as ever.

"Lord Selenst." Li Ang immediately bowed respectfully.

Selenst looked toward the distant horizon, as though speaking to himself.

"The Wizard Tower of Riley City is filled with rival factions. A newly initiated apprentice without anyone to rely upon will find every step difficult. You must understand that for wizards to achieve something, talent accounts for only a small portion..."

He paused, then turned his head slightly. His gaze settled on Li Ang, and deep within those gray eyes was a subtle invitation.

"Your talent is decent, and your temperament is fairly steady. Once we arrive, if you choose to join my ranks, then as your mentor, I will naturally grant you certain... conveniences within the bounds permitted by the rules."

He did not say another word. As though he had merely stated an insignificant fact, he turned and left.

Li Ang remained where he was as the sea breeze brushed against his brand-new gray robe.

Selenst's meaning had been very straightforward: if he wanted to take fewer detours, he should become his disciple.

Was this an advance recruitment? Had Selenst taken a liking to the potential and adaptability he had displayed in the crisis? Thoughts raced through Li Ang's mind, but his expression remained calm.

The choice of mentor was of utmost importance. He needed to learn more before making a hasty decision.

Several days later, the calm of the third floor was broken. Matthew, dressed in the same brand-new gray apprentice robe, moved in with his head held high and an air of arrogance.

His face was still somewhat swollen, and the gap left by his missing front tooth made his deliberately stern expression appear even more comical.

When he saw Li Ang emerging from the corridor with a book in his arms, his steps visibly halted, and his eyes instantly became extraordinarily complicated.

Wariness, fear, bone-deep hatred, and a renewed sense of superiority swelling from his Level 5 talent flashed through his eyes in turn before tangling into a frenzied expression.

He stood there with his fists clenched, seemingly struggling to restrain something.

Then he saw Li Ang's calm, unruffled gaze. There was no provocation or mockery in it, as he had expected—only an almost indifferent calm, as though Matthew were no more than an insignificant passerby.

That disregard humiliated and enraged Matthew more than any provocation could have.

He gave an indistinct snort through his missing tooth, shot Li Ang a vicious glare, then hurried toward his room.

A day later, Helena moved up as well.

She too had changed into a gray robe that was slightly tight around the chest. Her cheeks, once somewhat pale from the torment of the lower-deck cabins, now bore a faint flush.

The moment she saw Li Ang, a delighted smile blossomed across her face, and she hurried over.

"Li Ang! That's wonderful, we've met again."

Her voice carried excitement and irrepressible joy. Her long golden hair fluttered with her movements like a cascading river of gold.

"I successfully learned the Water Creation Spell. Lord Selenst recognized me too. I finally... finally became an apprentice as well."

Her eyes shone with hope for the future and the relief of a burden lifted.

"Congratulations, Helena." Li Ang smiled, genuinely happy for her.

"That night was truly thanks to you..." Helena said gratefully, then lowered her voice with a hint of embarrassment.

"And thank you for sharing your insights about the Water Creation Spell before. They really helped me a great deal."

She was referring to the small meditation and spellcasting techniques they had occasionally discussed after meals while they were on the lower deck.

"They were only trivial little insights. Besides, in an environment like this, we need to help each other more if we want to survive better."

Li Ang humbly responded to her thanks.

Helena's arrival brought a touch of warmth to the third floor, which had grown tense with Matthew's appearance.

They naturally walked side by side toward the dining hall, leaving Matthew spying through the crack of his door, his eyes filled with cold, jealous malice.

The dark flame in his heart rose again from dead ashes, burning madly.

Li Ang, that damned sickly wretch—what gave him the right? What gave him the right to learn spells so quickly? What gave him the right to be so close to Helena? What gave him the right to look at him with those eyes?

He himself had Level 5 talent, the highest talent on the entire ship! Even Lord Selenst regarded him differently.

He tried to stir the Astral Stars in his Mental World, condensing a small, wavering orange-red flame in his palm.

The heat of the flame scorched the air, giving him the illusion that he possessed power.