Potions

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

The pages carried the distinctive scent of parchment. Plants, minerals, and magical creatures that could be used in potion-making were illustrated in dark brown ink.

The text was obscure and difficult, filled with specialized terminology and abstract descriptions of magical power flow.

He could only settle his mind and use the heightened perception and concentration gained from condensing Astral Stars to study it word by word, sentence by sentence.

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

[Beginner Lung-Healing Potion]

[Effect: Gently stimulates the regeneration of lung tissue, significantly enhancing the respiratory system's immunity and recovery capabilities. It has remarkable effects in alleviating and curing 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)]

[Auxiliary ingredients: White crystal powder (0.5 grams, purifying agent)]

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

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

"Cure... lung disease?" Li Ang's heart began to pound violently, and his fingers unconsciously tightened 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 relieve symptoms, but also stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissue at its root, strengthen immunity, and completely cure his chronic illness.

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

Perhaps he could try replacing the pure morning dew with the purest water condensed through the [Water Creation Spell], but its effects would certainly be greatly diminished.

As for the crystal crucible, silver stirring rod, and 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 ingredients and tools.

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

The next day, Wizard Selenst "happened" to run into Li Ang, who was standing on the deck enjoying the wind.

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

Once they became official apprentices, however, that rule no longer applied. Thus, only Li Ang and Selenst were on the deck at the moment.

"Li Ang." Selenst's voice remained as calm 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 divided among numerous factions. A newly initiated apprentice without anyone to rely on will find every step difficult. You should know that for wizards to achieve anything, talent accounts for only a small part..."

He paused, slightly turning his head as his gaze settled on Li Ang. Deep within those gray eyes was a subtle hint of recruitment.

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

He said no more, as though he had merely stated an insignificant fact, then turned and left.

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

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

Was this an early attempt to recruit him? Had Selenst taken notice of the potential and adaptability he had displayed during the crisis? Thoughts raced through Li Ang's mind, but his expression remained calm.

The choice of mentor was crucial. He needed to learn more before making such a decision; he could not act rashly.

A few days later, the peace on the third floor was broken. Matthew moved upstairs in an equally new gray apprentice robe, his head held high in an arrogant manner.

His face was still somewhat swollen, and the gap where his front tooth was missing made his deliberately stern expression look even more ridiculous.

When he saw Li Ang emerge from the corridor carrying a book, his steps visibly faltered, and his expression instantly became extraordinarily complicated.

Wariness, fear, bone-deep hatred, and a renewed sense of superiority inflated by his Level 5 talent flashed through his eyes in turn, ultimately intertwining into a crazed look.

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 Matthew had expected—only an almost indifferent calm, as if he were nothing more than an irrelevant passerby.

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

He let out an indistinct snort through his toothless gap, shot Li Ang a vicious glare, and then hurried toward his room.

Another day later, Helena moved upstairs after him.

She had also changed into a gray robe that was slightly snug across her chest. Her cheeks, once pale from the torment of the lower-deck cabins, now carried a faint blush.

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

"Li Ang! This is wonderful, we've met again."

Her voice was filled with excitement and barely contained joy. Her long golden hair fluttered with her movements like a flowing waterfall of gold.

"I successfully learned the [Water Creation Spell], and Lord Selenst acknowledged me too. I finally... finally became an apprentice as well."

Her eyes shone with anticipation for the future and the relief of having escaped a burden.

"Congratulations, Helena," Li Ang said with a smile, sincerely happy for her.

"That night was truly thanks to you..." Helena said gratefully, then lowered her voice somewhat shyly.

"And thank you for sharing your insights on the [Water Creation Spell] before. It really helped me a lot."

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

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

Li Ang humbly accepted her thanks.

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

They naturally walked side by side toward the dining hall, leaving Matthew peering through the crack in his door, his eyes filled with cold, jealous hatred.

The dark fire in his heart flared back to life from the ashes and burned wildly.

Li Ang, that damned sickly wretch—what gave him the right? Why could he learn spells so quickly? Why could he get so close to Helena? Why did he look at him like that?

He had Level 5 talent. He was the most talented person on the entire ship! Even Lord Selenst regarded him differently.

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

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