"This reward was also given by that Formal Wizard to develop Potionology at the Tower of Dawn. It was an investment in geniuses of Potionology."
"Since I came to this shop, only Wizard Nova and you have received this reward."
Leo nodded and put the book away.
The elf reminded him, "However, although these are simple potions, that is only relative to Formal Wizards. In truth, even after Wizard Nova received this Grand Compendium of Potions, he waited until he became a Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice before attempting to brew the potions within."
"In Potionology, rashly brewing potions beyond one's own level is extremely taxing on the mind."
The elf clearly did not believe Leo could compare with Nova, and kindly warned him of the book's dangers.
Leo said, "Thank you for the reminder."
He had not planned to use the book immediately anyway.
After buying Fish-Fragrant Herb and Black-Tailed Crane Feather, Chris and Molly prepared to leave.
But Leo said, "You two go back first. I still need to buy a few things."
"Then we'll wait for you outside." Chris looked reluctantly at the elf as he spoke to Leo.
Molly nodded as well. "Hurry up."
After the two went outside, Leo wandered around the shop's herbs as though searching for something.
In reality, Leo was activating the codices of the various herbs.
In Leo's mind, the sound of herb codices being recorded rang out one after another.
"Low-quality Sunflower Codex discovered. Record it?"
"Low-quality quality discovered..."
Woodpecker Hut specialized in herbs, while the other subjects only involved introductory materials.
After using the codex to record all the herbs displayed outside, Leo asked, "Miss at the counter, are these all the herbs you have?"
The elf smiled. "Wizard, of course not. Precious herbs cannot simply be displayed so openly. If there are any herbs you are looking for, tell me, and I will fetch them for you."
Leo said, "I would like to ask whether your shop sells White Star Stone, black ink, and Withered Grass Tree Root."
Hearing this, the elf raised a hand and gently stroked her cheek, her expression thoughtful. "Our shop should have these three types of herbs. However, Withered Grass Tree Root is quite uncommon, so its quality may not be very good."
"That's fine. As long as I can buy it."
"Very well, customer. Please wait a moment. I'll get them for you right away."
A moment later, the elf brought over all three materials Leo needed.
Leo glanced over the three materials.
The Withered Grass Tree Root appeared to be of ordinary quality, while the other two herbs were high quality.
If used to brew a Withered Wood Potion, they could at most produce a high-quality Withered Wood Potion.
The elf said, "Customer, the recent climate has reduced the yield of Withered Grass Tree Root, so its price is rather high."
"One portion of Withered Grass Tree Root costs 3 Magic Stones. The other materials together cost 2 Magic Stones."
Leo secretly shook his head.
Of the eight Magic Stones that had just entered his pocket, buying the materials for one Withered Wood Potion immediately took away five.
Potionology really was a money-burning subject for Wizards.
Leo shook his head. Though it was expensive, he still had to buy it.
After purchasing the materials for brewing a Withered Wood Potion, Leo asked again, "I would like to buy some tools for brewing potions."
Hearing this, the elf propped her chin up with her right hand and said, "Potion-brewing tools are generally very expensive. The cheapest cost at least 50 Magic Stones."
At that price, Leo could only give up regretfully.
After buying the materials needed for the Withered Wood Potion, Leo was about to leave the hut.
Then Chris's booming voice sounded from outside. "Sono, long time no see!"
Soon afterward, Chris pulled Sono inside, with Molly following behind him. The three entered together.
In an instant, the Woodpecker Hut shop became crowded.
When Leo saw Sono, he smiled and said, "Hello, Sono."
"Hello." Sono returned the greeting with a forced smile.
When Sono's gaze unconsciously fell upon the badge on Leo's chest, the smile on his face became even more strained.
Leo's gaze also fell upon the badge on Sono's chest.
The gathering displayed on the badge was the Uriel Gathering. Its lower edge was gray, and his ranking was over seven hundred, even lower than Molly's.
After greeting them, Sono said, "Leo, Chris, Molly, we can talk when we have time. I need to buy herbs required for my subject."
Sono had apparently chosen Potionology as well. Under the elf's introduction, he went to the shelves and reached out, grabbing a bundle of herbs from among them.
Sono carried the herbs over to the elf and handed them to her.
When the elf saw the herbs, her eyes shifted slightly, then she smiled and settled Sono's bill.
Sono took the herbs and hurried away.
Leo watched Sono's departing back and shook his head slightly.
The herbs in Sono's hand were not even as good as the low-quality Fish-Fragrant Herb Chris had obtained. They were Fish-Tail Herb, one of the very few incorrectly placed materials among that pile of Fish-Fragrant Herb.
Sono lacked talent in spiritual power, and he had no talent for Potionology either.
In three months, he would most likely be unable to remain at the Tower of Dawn.
On the way back, Chris remained deeply reluctant to part with the elf they had just met. He said, "Leo, Molly, I suddenly have a goal in life."
"I want to surpass that Wizard named Nova and become the star Wizard in Miss Pointy Ears' heart."
A blaze of fighting spirit flared in Chris's eyes.
Leo was somewhat speechless. He asked, "Do you know the name of that Miss Pointy Ears in the shop?"
"I don't."
Leo: "..."
He did not even know her name, yet he was making grand declarations here!
Molly cautiously said, "Chris, I think that would be very difficult. Wizard Nova is a genius with Level 6 spiritual power talent, and he has shown extraordinary performance in all kinds of subjects too."
"So what? Assistant Sally said that on the Wizard's path, talent only matters in the early stages. Later on, what matters is persistence in pursuing truth."
"I'll use Wizard Nova as my goal, then surpass him."
Molly looked at Chris's earnest expression, rubbed her forehead, and appeared utterly helpless.
As for Leo, he could not be bothered to pay Chris any attention.
Having encountered a peerless beauty, this fellow's blood was now boiling.
No matter how anyone tried to persuade him now, they could not convince Chris.
Only after he hit a wall himself would his mind cool down and clear up.
On the way back to the Esmond Gathering hut, Leo and the others encountered no mishaps.
Leo returned to his room, put away the herbs he had bought, then impatiently opened the Grand Compendium of Potions.
It recorded many simple potion formulas.
However, the brewing methods written inside were still far too profound for Leo.
"Low-quality Mind-Nourishing Potion Codex detected. Record it?"
"Low-quality Mana-Catalyzing Potion Codex detected. Record it?"
"Detected..."
Although he could not learn them for the time being, Leo still memorized the brewing methods and turned them into low-quality codices.
When he improved in Potionology in the future, he could then consider researching these potions.
Just then, Leo flipped to the final page.
Dragon Blood Purification Potion (Incomplete Formula)
This formula was marked as incomplete.
It also recorded some information regarding the formula.
The formula was an equal exchange for the assistance provided by that Formal Wizard.
He hoped that the talented Potionologists he had helped could complete this formula in the future.
Leo carefully read through the incomplete formula.
Then something that left Leo dumbfounded happened.
"Low-quality Dragon Blood Purification Potion Codex discovered. Record it?"
Before you continue