Cold Extraction Method

Through his connection with the rune cabinet, Li Ang clearly sensed that in the low-temperature environment, the medicinal properties of the Sunflower were released extremely slowly, as if they had fallen asleep.

The originally violent fire-attribute magical power also became inert, slowly dissipating and blending into the water.

After waiting a while and confirming that the medicinal properties were released slowly but steadily in the low-temperature environment, Li Ang boldly added the second ingredient: dried slices of Dragonblood Fruit.

The same thing happened again. The medicinal properties of the Dragonblood Fruit were also released very slowly at low temperatures.

The energy flows of the two ingredients remained clearly distinct within the icy base solution, without the hair-trigger sense of conflict they usually had when heated.

"This might work!" Excitement flashed in Li Ang's eyes as he added the remaining four auxiliary ingredients into the cold crucible one by one.

The six ingredients differed greatly in nature, yet all possessed fire attributes. They should have immediately triggered a fierce clash, but under the low temperature's forced calming effect, they unexpectedly coexisted peacefully—some floating, some sinking, each slowly releasing its medicinal properties.

The entire potion was in a mixed yet tranquil state, its energy flow nearly stagnant.

Li Ang estimated that at this rate, it would take at least twelve hours for all the ingredients to fully release their medicinal properties.

He glanced at the clock in the workshop. It was already evening; preparing the Stone Root Grass Crystal had taken far too much time.

But he was not impatient. Instead, he was filled with anticipation. The path of cold extraction seemed truly feasible.

Li Ang tidied up the workshop, closed the main doors, and turned to leave. He could only continue the brewing tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in Eve's living quarters above the workshop.

Eve was reclining halfway into a soft velvet sofa, holding the stack of manuscripts Li Ang had given her twenty days ago. She had reread them so many times that she had lost count.

The novel had reached the pivotal point where Xiao Yilisha Yanfeng resolutely left her Lineage, determined to venture out alone and grow stronger.

And then? Where did she go? Who exactly was the old woman inside the ring? Would that damned fiancé regret it?

It felt as though a little cat were scratching at Eve's heart, leaving her unbearably itchy.

Though her face showed little expression, her clear blue eyes kept darting toward the door, carrying obvious anticipation and restlessness.

Eve softly sighed and set down the manuscript. She picked up her former favorite novel, <The Starlight Knight and Her Seven Little Companions>, but did not open it.

Her eyes were fixed on the book cover in her hands, yet her gaze was somewhat unfocused. Eve's thoughts were in a mess.

On one hand, she knew perfectly well that Li Ang had lately been practically living in the workshop, forgetting food and sleep for the Silver Crucible competition.

As a qualified mentor, she should not summon him at such a critical time over trivial matters and disrupt his train of thought and rhythm.

But on the other hand... that unnamed novel, which only had an opening, was like a mischievous little cat continuously scratching at her heart with its claws.

What concerned her even more, of course, was how Li Ang's competition preparations were going.

That day, he had merely come over and abruptly asked whether there was any potion that could improve his physique, then he had never come again.

An original potion... even if it was merely an improvement in name only, it was still an extremely difficult challenge for many Apprentice Wizards.

He was only a level-zero apprentice. Though he was exceptionally gifted, was he taking on too much? Had he chosen the right direction? Had he encountered some problem he could not solve?

All these thoughts intertwined, leaving the Reclusive Princess—who had always been cool and aloof, accustomed to immersing herself alone in the worlds of potions and novels—somewhat distracted these past few days.

Several times, she rose and walked to the door, only to stop in hesitation.

Go find an apprentice on her own? Ask about his progress? Even... demand the rest of the novel?

This... this would be far too unbecoming of a mentor, especially after she had sternly warned him last time not to waste time on such irrelevant things.

Her intense reserve and embarrassment nailed her firmly inside her living quarters.

"No... I can't go."

Eve shook her head hard, trying to fling away those chaotic thoughts and refocus her eyes on the novel in her hands.

After a night of rest, Li Ang arrived at the workshop the next day brimming with energy.

With the competition approaching, the mentors were all busy guiding the Apprentice Wizards under them in potion-making, so classes for the apprentices had been suspended again.

The apprentices were more than happy with this, as it gave them more time to take on commissions.

Although this had strayed from their original goal, even the greatest ideals had to wait until one had a full belly.

Early in the morning, a figure silently approached the workshop. Eve had ultimately failed to suppress the curiosity and worry in her heart.

The excuse she gave herself was, I just happen to be going to the workshop to get something, and while I'm there... I'll take a look to see whether he's wasting my materials. Yes, that's all.

After arriving at the workshop and seeing that Li Ang had not yet come, she first breathed a sigh of relief. Then, for no apparent reason, her heartbeat quickened, and a feeling almost like guilty furtiveness welled up inside her.

What expression should I use when I see him later?

What should I say? "Li Ang, you came too?"

Or, "I was passing by, so I thought I'd take a look at your progress?"

Would that seem too deliberate? No, no. I'm a mentor. What would it look like for me to come looking for an apprentice on my own?

When the moment came, the princess who had secluded herself for nearly a century began to lose her nerve again. Just as she was preparing to leave and return to her quarters—

The workshop doors were suddenly pushed open. Hearing the sound, she instinctively flashed aside and hid behind a huge medicine cabinet.

Li Ang entered the workshop and saw that it was still completely empty. He could not help feeling a little pleased. This was the advantage of being the only apprentice.

Mentor Eve only used the place at night. During the day, this workshop was practically his.

Humming a tune, he opened the Everfrost Rune Cabinet. The various ingredients inside had already fully precipitated their medicinal properties; all that remained was to add the compound stabilizer.

Eve held her breath as she watched Li Ang open the Everfrost Rune Cabinet used for storing ingredients and take out a small crucible.

From her angle, she could not see what was inside the crucible, and doubts began to stir in her heart.

What is he doing? Did he put some unfinished potion inside the Everfrost Rune Cabinet?

Then she saw Li Ang use a balance scale to measure out a tiny amount of grayish-blue powder and carefully add it to the crucible.

As the blue powder was added and the temperature gradually rose, Eve could feel the magical power fluctuations within the crucible slowly reviving and gradually beginning to merge.

The more she sensed it, the more something felt wrong. Why did the magical power fluctuations in that crucible feel so complex? It was as though multiple ingredients were merging within it?