Chapter 27: Altered Elixirs
Wu Tian remained oblivious to the tempest he had stirred by dispatching several guards from the Nie family a short while ago. Naturally, even if he were cognizant, he would have pursued their demise without leniency. His targets expanded beyond the mere guards; he harbored intentions of extinguishing other members of the Nie family. The primary catalyst being the irresistibly enticing secondary quest triggered by these actions.
Moreover, the Nie family's standing in Pingyang City was inherently tarnished. As one of the four major forces in the city, their familial influence was vast, yet their members frequently bullied common folk. Much like Nie Huixiang, they specialized in oppressing the virtuous to showcase their sense of superiority.
According to recollections, the Nie family held sway over the city's covert forces, engaging in ceaseless internecine strife for their interests. Several years prior, they committed mass slaughter of hundreds of innocent civilians for a parcel of land rich in spiritual herbs. However, due to the formidable clout of the Nie family, the matter was ultimately swept under the rug, fostering profound detestation among the common folk. Unfortunately, ordinary citizens, destined to be mere sacrificial pawns, held little sway in the Darwinian realm of the Divine Dragon Continent.
Precisely due to his awareness of the Nie family's moral lapses, Wu Tian executed the system's secondary quest without a moment's hesitation. The act of eliminating members of the Nie family not only served to rid the populace of a malevolent force but also promised lucrative rewards. What more logical course of action could there be?
Upon returning to his humble abode, Wu Tian promptly immersed himself in the research and alchemical refinement of the 'Vitality-Enhancing Elixir,' designed to replenish vitality, and the 'Qi-Gathering Elixir,' crafted for the restoration of genuine energy.
Wu Tian harbored no illusions regarding the challenges he would inevitably face given his current predicament. The encirclement experienced today, manageable against ordinary city guards, could prove fatal when confronted by a cadre of formidable experts. Without elixirs to rejuvenate his health and genuine energy, the outcome would likely be one of attrition. Armed with an endless supply of elixirs, Wu Tian could systematically outlast and overcome a multitude of adversaries.
"Master, are you once again engaged in alchemical pursuits today?" queried Xiao Hui upon witnessing Wu Tian surrounded by an assortment of medicinal herbs.
"Indeed, today's agenda includes continued alchemical endeavors. However, Xiao Hui, I am apprehensive that unforeseen circumstances may arise once again. It would be prudent for you to retreat to the sanctuary of your quarters, sparing yourself from potential harm," advised Wu Tian.
A subdued chuckle emanated from Xiao Hui upon recollecting Wu Tian's inaugural foray into alchemy.
Observing Xiao Hui's laughter, Wu Tian found himself momentarily lost in thought. Xiao Hui, in turn, blushed, displaying a measure of self-consciousness.
"Xiao Hui grows increasingly resplendent. Even at this nascent stage of development, her beauty is already striking. In the years to come, she is destined to captivate the entire nation," mused Wu Tian inwardly.
"Master, since you are immersed in alchemical pursuits, Xiao Hui shall refrain from disturbing you," declared Xiao Hui, her demeanor subtly affected by Wu Tian's observations, before retreating to her own chambers.
Wu Tian shook his head in a dismissive manner, recognizing that pondering such matters was untimely. The time had come for alchemical endeavors.
Armed once again with a substantial cauldron and an assortment of herbs, Wu Tian demonstrated newfound prudence. He implemented protective measures around the cauldron to mitigate potential explosions.
With preparations in place, Wu Tian meticulously arranged the herbs according to the prescribed formula.
Ding!
"Player Wu Tian's attempt to concoct the Vitality-Enhancing Elixir has failed. Alchemy proficiency +1."
Ding!
"Player Wu Tian's attempt to concoct the Vitality-Enhancing Elixir has failed. Alchemy proficiency +1."
...
The litany of failures persisted, yet Wu Tian remained undeterred. Similar to the logic governing the acquisition of rare equipment from vanquished foes, success was an eventuality with sufficient accumulation.
After enduring a night of continuous failures, a triumphant notification sounded when Wu Tian once again invoked the art of alchemy.
Ding!
"Congratulations to Player Wu Tian for successfully concocting the Vitality-Enhancing Elixir. Receive 10 transcendent-grade premium Vitality-Enhancing Elixirs and a proficiency boost of +2 in alchemy."
"Ha-ha! Marvelous! Either it doesn't happen, or it does, and when it does, it yields ten premium-grade elixirs. Let the endeavor persist!" Wu Tian laughed heartily, reveling in the fruits of his unwavering dedication.
With one success, subsequent events unfolded seamlessly. In a short span of one hour, Wu Tian produced 100 premium-grade Vitality-Enhancing Elixirs and 150 premium-grade Qi-Gathering Elixirs, an achievement bordering on the extraordinary.
"As a final flourish, let's incorporate the remnants of herbs in one fell swoop."
Given the meager remnants of herbs, Wu Tian unreservedly tossed them into the cauldron.
The moment the herbs descended, a sudden realization struck Wu Tian. "Oh no, after a night of alchemical endeavors, my mind has become muddled. I inadvertently threw the ingredients of both elixirs into the cauldron. What a waste; it truly pains the heart."
Unfortunately, the herbs were already intermingled, rendering any attempt at separation futile. Had they remained uncombined, Wu Tian estimated he could have concocted an additional 10 elixirs—quite a substantial quantity.
"Let it be. We shall proceed with a blended concoction. After all, waste is waste. Let us utilize this to bolster alchemical proficiency," sighed Wu Tian, resigned to the circumstances. With that, he initiated the alchemical process for the mixed herbs.
Upon releasing the alchemical essence, a white smoke emanated from the cauldron, accompanied by a noxious odor.
"As expected, adherence to the prescribed formula is paramount; once again, toxic fumes are released," commented Wu Tian, covering his nose.
However, just as he prepared to distance himself, the noxious odor unexpectedly dissipated. The concoction within the cauldron commenced a vigorous boil, with the malodor gradually dissipating and ultimately transforming into a scentless state. After a brief interval, a faint fragrance wafted through the air.
"What sorcery is this? Despite the extended duration of concoction, there has been no indication of failure," pondered Wu Tian curiously, observing the incessant boil of the substantial cauldron—an occurrence he had yet to encounter in his numerous attempts.
Boom!
Suddenly, the cauldron erupted in a muffled explosion, releasing a dense white mist that obscured Wu Tian's vision.
"Cough, cough, cough... Goodness, it eventually exploded. As I suspected, after all the effort, something went awry. Choking indeed!" Wu Tian coughed incessantly, swiftly retreating to a safer distance.
Ding!
"Congratulations to Player Wu Tian for successfully concoct
ing the elixir. Receive 20 'Mutated Vitality-Boosting Elixirs' and 20 'Mutated Qi-Gathering Elixirs'! Due to the player's creation of mutated elixirs, the system grants additional rewards."
"Congratulations to Player Wu Tian for receiving extra rewards from the system: +5 Luck, 5000 experience points, 10 points in the system mall exchange value, a 10-point increase in the slaying value, and an alchemy proficiency boost of +50."
Incredible! Wu Tian found himself dumbfounded. Through a fortuitous accident, he had concocted mutated elixirs, reaping unexpected rewards from the system. This stroke of luck was nothing short of extraordinary.
Overwhelmed with excitement, Wu Tian eagerly examined the properties of the mutated elixirs.
Mutated Vitality-Boosting Elixir: Transcendent-grade divine item, ten times superior in quality to the premium grade. Instantly restores 500 health points, followed by an additional 10 points per second regeneration, lasting 30 seconds. Usable even in a severely injured state, it alleviates certain negative effects. Furthermore, it bestows an aura of attribute enhancement, providing a 10% increase in attributes within half an hour.
Mutated Qi-Gathering Elixir: Transcendent-grade divine item, surpassing premium-grade quality by tenfold. Instantly restores 500 true energy points, followed by a regeneration of 10 points per second. Usable even in a severely injured state. Additionally, within half an hour, it increases the user's total true energy by 15% and defense attributes by 10%.