Chapter 64: Rewards

In truth, Rollin himself had not expected his first attempt at potion-making to proceed so smoothly. From drawing the alchemical array, to refining the magic crystal core and herbs, to the fusion of elemental energies, and finally to successfully producing the potion—there had not been the slightest mistake throughout. Now, as he gazed at the "array outlet" beneath the heart of the formation, he was overwhelmed with excitement.

He hurriedly retrieved a large bowl from his necromancer’s space, holding it with both hands and placing it under the outlet, ready to collect the alchemical potion. At that moment, Mischus, who was standing by, spoke up: “Rollin, use this crystal vial to collect it, lest the potion’s efficacy evaporate!” With that, Mischus took out several delicate, transparent crystal vials from his spatial ring—containers specifically designed for holding alchemical potions.

Rollin set aside the large bowl and picked up one of the crystal vials, holding its mouth directly under the array outlet. He then carefully opened the outlet, and a thread of pale green, sparkling liquid flowed out, landing directly into the crystal vial below. Before long, one vial was filled. Rollin quickly placed another vial to continue collecting the potion.

As the last drop of pale green, crystalline liquid flowed from the heart of the alchemical array, the formation immediately dimmed and, in an instant, faded away. Rollin looked at the six small vials of pale green potion lined up on the stone table, his heart filled with satisfaction.

The reason he had chosen to concoct this body-strengthening potion was because, as a mage, his physique was too weak. The booklet recorded several potion recipes, and successfully producing any one of them would suffice to pass the first trial. Thus, he chose to make the one that could enhance his own constitution—and to his surprise, he succeeded on the first try.

Afterward, under Mischus’ astonished gaze, Rollin began to refine more potions. There were still four sets of magic crystal cores and herbs left on the table, and he did not intend to waste them. Each attempt would add to his experience in alchemy. Having already succeeded with the body-strengthening potion, he decided to try concocting potions with other effects.

Over the next two hours, he used up the remaining four sets of alchemical materials. He failed twice, but succeeded in producing two more kinds of potions: one was an antidote, the other a healing draught. Both were extremely valuable in the perilous Maya Mountains, so he had prioritized them.

Potion-making was never guaranteed to succeed every time; even a grandmaster like Mischus could not claim a perfect record. For Rollin, just starting out, to succeed three out of five attempts was an exceedingly rare accomplishment.

Mischus could not help but shake his head with a wry smile. When others undertook this trial, they would also use up all the materials—usually failing the first few times to gain experience, and only succeeding in the last one or two attempts. Rollin, though, used up the materials not out of failure, but to avoid waste and make the most of the resources, reaping the greatest benefit. It seemed this young man possessed an extraordinary talent for potion-making.

“Congratulations, Rollin, you’ve passed the first trial!” Mischus excitedly rubbed his greasy hair, then stretched out his hand to shake Rollin’s in celebration. Startled, Rollin stepped back several paces and quickly bowed in salute.

Mischus was not offended by Rollin’s slightly awkward reaction; on the contrary, he was pleased. “Rollin, you are the 128th person in ten thousand years to enter the Mischus Sanctuary, and the 99th to pass the first trial. Of all who have passed this potion-making test, you are the most outstanding—successfully producing three potions in the shortest time. I believe that with time, you will achieve truly great things in alchemy!”

Rollin hurriedly replied with humility, “Master Mischus, you flatter me. Hehe, may I ask when I’ll receive my reward for passing the first trial?”

Mischus laughed heartily. “You rascal, since you’ve passed, of course your reward won’t be withheld!” With a sweep of his burly arm across the stone table, several ancient-looking books and a black ring appeared before them.

Rollin immediately examined the books. One was a treatise on potion alchemy, and the others were four potion formulae ranging from three-star to six-star difficulty. For the past two years, he had endured countless hardships and braved the dangers of the Maya Mountains just to learn potion alchemy and cure his younger brother Hawk’s leg ailment. Now, finding these texts, he eagerly leafed through them.

The book on potion alchemy contained Mischus’ own insights and methods as a grandmaster. Its pages were filled with wisdom. Rollin then quickly browsed the four formulae, but soon looked up in puzzlement: “Master Mischus, I don’t see any formula here for treating a congenital leg disorder.”

Mischus regarded him curiously. “Why do you need such a formula? Does a friend of yours suffer from that condition?”

“It’s my younger brother, Hawk. He was born with this ailment. My chief purpose in coming here was to learn alchemy and concoct a potion that could heal his legs,” Rollin replied honestly.

Mischus was deeply moved by Rollin’s devotion. “A congenital leg disorder like your brother’s would require at least a seven-star potion to treat. The highest formula I’ve given you is six-star, so naturally, that recipe is not among them.”

Rollin asked urgently, “Master Mischus, do you have the seven-star formula?”

Mischus nodded. “Not only do I have seven-star formulae, I have those for eight-star and nine-star potions as well. However, you must pass the subsequent trials to earn them!”

Rollin grabbed Mischus’ sleeve, eager to go, “Master Mischus, please take me to the next trial at once!”

Mischus laughed. “Rollin, I understand your urgency. But you’ve already expended much energy making potions. If you attempt the second trial now, I can guarantee you won’t pass. You’d best rest here, recover your strength, and only then will I take you to the second test.”

Having thought he’d finally achieved his greatest wish of the past two years, it was a blow to learn he would have to pass another trial to obtain the formula to heal his brother. His heart was in turmoil, but Mischus’ words brought him back to his senses. In his current state, he indeed could not fully concentrate on the challenge ahead.

“Thank you for your advice, Master Mischus!” Rollin took a deep breath and calmed himself, then sat cross-legged on the floor to recover.

Mischus nodded approvingly. He highly valued Rollin’s ability to compose himself so quickly. Whether mage or warrior, impatience was the greatest enemy of cultivation. Those unable to master their emotions and mindset would never go far on the path of self-improvement.

After more than an hour, Rollin had restored his magical and mental strength and was in peak condition. He rose and asked Mischus, “Master Mischus, may I take these potions with me?”

Mischus smiled. “Leave me one vial as proof of your success; the rest are yours.”

Overjoyed, Rollin left behind one healing potion, then swept the remaining dozen vials, the alchemy books, and the spatial ring into his necromancer’s space. He couldn’t hide his urgency as he said, “Master Mischus, may I go to the second trial now?”

Mischus chuckled. “Let’s go, young one. I didn’t expect you to be a necromancer, just like Thomas!”

Then, the two of them crossed the hall and stopped in front of a chamber. Mischus opened the door and stepped inside. “Come in, boy. This is where you’ll face the second trial.”

Rollin took a deep breath and steeled his resolve. No matter what, he would pass this second test and obtain the seven-star formula—for only then would there be hope for curing his brother Hawk’s disorder. With that, he stepped inside. When he saw the scene before him, his mouth fell open in astonishment!