Potion-Making and Linghuan's Gratitude

The next day.

Lin Yuan woke before his alarm even went off.

He was excited about the imminent arrival of the two materials that could treat Linghuan.

After washing up and eating a quick breakfast, he began sorting through the questions left over from the night before.

A plan gradually took shape in his mind...

Seven o'clock.

A [Courier Bird] arrived at the door of Yuanming Pet Food Shop right on time.

This one was much smaller than the "old friend" that had come before.

It had clearly only recently finished training—a new employee fresh from the nest.

It was much more excitable, too.

The moment Lin Yuan saw it, he sensed a liveliness he had never felt from the older [Courier Bird].

But the older bird had taken the goods he'd shipped to six Customers just yesterday.

Why wasn't it here today?

A sudden pang of loss struck Lin Yuan. Had it fallen ill?

It was no wonder he felt that way. For the past two years, that same [Courier Bird] had handled all his deliveries and pickups.

Hopefully, I'm just overthinking it.

Lin Yuan offered the new [Courier Bird] some water from his hand.

Its [Status] changed noticeably: Wow, a good-looking human gave me water on my first day at work! This job doesn't seem anything like the seniors said. It's not that bad at all, is it?

Lin Yuan paused at the sight of its status.

Old employees giving way to new ones was normal in this world of Beast Tamers.

For the most ordinary pet beasts like [Courier Birds], their fate seemed set from the moment they were born.

A helpless feeling rose in Lin Yuan for no clear reason.

But that, too, was simply how this world worked.

After collecting the delivery, Lin Yuan quickly turned his attention to the materials.

He went to his small workshop and began preparing them according to the panel's instructions.

Mixing Zilan's Evolution Materials the day before yesterday had given him some experience.

The [Red Spirit Tail] came from the shed skin of a Low-Grade Commander [Red Spirit-Tailed Snake]. After processing and grinding, it counted as Transcendent Mid-Grade material.

It looked like foxtail grass and gave off a faint red glow.

It was also the core material for Linghuan's First Evolution. Her [Spirit Tail] trait and the red glow on her tail both came from it.

The [Spirit Red Bright Liquid] had a soothing appearance.

It sat in a glass bottle of about five hundred milliliters, a faint red light glimmering through the clear glass.

It was Transcendent High-Grade material, made by mixing one drop of High-Grade Commander [Spirit Red Divine Dew] with Ordinary [Wood Spring Water].

In other words, it was a byproduct made by diluting Commander-grade [Spirit Red Divine Dew].

Even so, it was extremely expensive.

In this world of Beast Tamers, being a potion maker was a lucrative side profession. Such Beast Tamers could combine various pet-beast products to create new ones and generate greater profits.

The perfume shop that had wanted to discuss a contract with Lin Yuan yesterday followed that same approach of further processing.

Lin Yuan carefully brought the two materials together, following the mixing method he had written down.

First, he ground the [Red Spirit Tail] into powder and divided it into fifteen portions, then added each portion to an equal share of the [Spirit Red Bright Liquid].

He shook them well, added some mild, Ordinary herbs, and put the mixtures in the refrigerator to keep them below ten degrees Celsius.

The whole process was easy enough.

It was much like the basic experiments Lin Yuan had done in his previous life.

He put the mixtures in the refrigerator. In about half an hour, he could apply the first dose to Linghuan's tail and begin repairing it.

Half an hour later.

Holding a bottle of medicine, Lin Yuan walked over to Linghuan, who was trimming the [Purple Star Vine].

"Linghuan, your last evolution left you with a lingering condition. I've been looking into it these past few days and made you a treatment," Lin Yuan said. He had waited until the medicine was ready before telling her.

Her emotions were in a delicate state. Until he could cure her, he hadn't wanted to give her too much hope or raise her expectations. That might cause her emotions to swing wildly.

Now it was different. The medicine was ready; he only needed to explain.

Linghuan looked a little stunned.

Ever since her evolution three years ago, she had felt that something was different. Her head buzzed every day, as if two little bears were arguing inside it.

One told her to devote herself entirely to work; the other told her that even while working, she should express her feelings.

She had always thought it was normal—that this was simply what happened after evolution.

Then, two years ago, after her two elderly masters passed away, the little bear that urged her to express her feelings seemed to fade.

Only the urge to work remained in her mind.

She liked order, liked caring for her family, liked arranging everything neatly.

But from the day she evolved until now, she had always felt that, though she was doing what she loved, it was as if her own hands weren't the ones doing it.

That helpless feeling of being controlled made her feel as though a piece of herself was missing.

Now her young master had suddenly told her that her evolution had left her with a lingering condition. Everything seemed to fall into place.

What surprised her even more was that he had prepared the medicine without saying a word!

Before Zilan's evolution, she probably would not have believed him. But she knew Zilan had evolved into her present form thanks to this young master.

For the past two nights, after finishing her work, she had thought about how her old friend Zilan had evolved into the form she loved most.

Linghuan had already evolved once. She wasn't asking to evolve again.

She only hoped to regain the ability to govern her own emotions and feel truly alive.

So Lin Yuan's simple words left her struggling to take it all in.

Still, she gave a soft "eek" to show she understood.

"I'm going to apply the medicine to your tail. It might hurt a little," Lin Yuan said.

Linghuan made no sound this time. She only nodded.

Seeing that, Lin Yuan slowly poured the medicine evenly over Linghuan's tail, then gently rubbed it in with both hands.

A red glow visibly sprang to life along her tail.

But this wasn't the fierce, uncontrollable red of before. It was warm.

As Linghuan felt the sting in her tail, she also felt a new clarity in her mind.

Her eyes brightened. Suddenly, the world before her seemed a little clearer.

Compared with the feeling of coming back to herself, the sting in her tail was nothing.

She gave a few soft squeaks, her eyes glistening.

Lin Yuan knew she was expressing her gratitude.

"Here, drink this drop of [Spirit Dew] from Zilan. It'll ease the discomfort in your tail." Lin Yuan squeezed out a drop of nectar and held it to Linghuan's mouth.

Linghuan did not refuse.

She couldn't bear to swallow that drop of [Spirit Dew]. Somehow, it tasted far, far sweeter than the five drops Zilan had "forced" her to drink the day before yesterday.

Only today had she learned

that she had been ill.

But she also knew her young master would soon cure her.

Lin Yuan looked at Linghuan's panel.

[Spirit-Tailed Raccoon]

[Level]: Transcendent Level 4

[Status]: Deeply moved and grateful. Drinking [Spirit Dew] over the past two days has raised her level by one and improved her condition.

Her first treatment has officially begun, with good results. Continued use of the medicine and [Spirit Dew] will cure her illness more quickly.

[Evolution Paths]:

[Evolution Path One: Red Spirit Raccoon, Quality: Low-Grade Commander, Compatibility: 5%]

[Hidden Evolution Path One: Unlocks after her physical and mental condition recovers.]

[Hidden Evolution Path Two: Unlocks after her physical and mental condition recovers.]

Lin Yuan couldn't help smiling at her [Status].

It seemed she really could recover sooner than expected.

Every time he looked at Linghuan's panel, he found it hard to take his eyes off the two Hidden Evolution Paths.

Zilan's evolution into a [Purple Spirit Treasure Orchid] had already set the pet food shop on a new path.

As a Housekeeping Beast, what kind of transformation might those Hidden Evolution Paths bring Linghuan?

He couldn't help looking forward to it.

Nine-thirty that morning.

Chen Xuanbai arrived as promised.

It wasn't his first visit to Lin Yuan's home. A month into Lin Yuan's first year of high school, Chen Xuanbai had noticed his talent and learned about his family circumstances.

He had made a point of coming here to buy quite a few things. After that, he returned to shop from time to time, though always while Lin Yuan was in class.

That was why Qin Bailing knew him as a regular customer.

"Here to buy pet food today? Cat food again? Our [Purple Star Vine] has been excellent lately. Would you like some?" Qin Bailing asked with a smile.

Just then, Lin Yuan came out.

"Grandpa Qin, he's a teacher at my school. He's here to discuss something about pet beasts with me."

"A teacher! Then off you go. I won't disturb you," Qin Bailing said quickly, stepping aside.

As he watched them head upstairs, warmth spread through his chest.

The teacher had visited the pet food shop at least twenty times over the past year. Qin Bailing didn't know what he was like in the classroom.

But in his eyes, Chen Xuanbai was a good teacher.

Meanwhile,

Lin Yuan saw the summoned [Shadow Witch Cat].

For once, he couldn't quite keep his expression in check.

She really had changed color.

Not just her body—her "soul" had grown even more colorful...