Chapter 18：Compounding the Spirit-Awakening Potion
The two men continued their standoff until the vendor spoke again: "If you are sincere about buying these items, then four hundred copper coins. I'll give you this armor and everything on this table."
The vendor's plan was clever. The miscellaneous items on the table, excluding the armor, only added up to about a hundred copper coins. It looked like a lot, but it wasn't worth much. This meant the armor still effectively cost three hundred copper coins.
"Hmph! Using such petty tricks!" Allen immediately recognized the vendor's small scheme but didn't expose it.
Instead, he pretended to be tempted, hesitating.
Finally, Allen gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, four hundred copper coins! But I will need to buy more of these items in the future, and you must give me a discount."
Seeing the deal about to close, the vendor readily agreed with a smile, thinking to himself, "Who knows about the future! I've made my profit now!"
The two moved to a darker area to complete the transaction.
The vendor quickly took the money and disappeared into the darkness, afraid Allen might change his mind.
Allen packed up his purchases, closed his stall, and sailed away from the black market.
The six pairs of Shimmering Blue Butterfly wings were placed in a small wooden box provided by the vendor, which Allen securely tucked into his chest.
Transactions at small stalls like this were usually inconspicuous, and few people paid attention.
Suppressing his excitement about stepping into mysticism, Allen quickly sailed downstream.
...
In a secluded, dark jungle, Allen had secretly carved out a hidden pharmaceutical lab within the trunk of a giant tree.
"Elixir of Awakening, Mage Sequence Plant Mage, activates perception, significantly enhances physical attributes..."
"Five hundred milliliters of clear water, halved."
"One hundred milliliters of fresh land turtle blood, halved."
"One pair of Shimmering Blue Butterfly wings, halved."
"Twenty grams of rainforest black bear tooth powder, halved."
"Lastly, one mature Magic Brain Mushroom! If not mature, substitute with one juvenile."
Following the "Plant Mage's Meditation" formula from the Dark Ritual, Allen carefully adjusted the proportions.
He then cautiously placed the ingredients into a heavy brass cauldron to heat them in sequence.
The cramped lab was filled with makeshift experimental equipment.
These items cost far more than the materials for the elixir. The most difficult-to-obtain Level 1 magical treasure, the Magic Brain Mushroom, had been acquired at a minimal cost.
However, the precise scales and the nearly one-centimeter-thick, thirty-centimeter-diameter brass cauldron were quite expensive, causing Allen some heartache.
But regardless, everything was ready.
On this dark, thick night, the Elixir of Awakening began its brewing process!
"Unfortunately, the three Magic Brain Mushrooms I have are all juvenile. Even using all of them is equivalent to only one and a half mature doses."
As the land turtle blood solution in the brass cauldron gradually boiled, the structure of the Shimmering Blue Butterfly wings began to break down, mixing with the black bear tooth powder.
A pungent smell filled the air, rising with the steam into Allen's nostrils.
But Allen, ever cautious, had already prepared by wearing a homemade gas mask.
Until he was completely certain of the elixir's properties, Allen wouldn't risk poisoning himself by ingesting it.
"Based on the dosage calculation, three juvenile Magic Brain Mushrooms should produce six doses of Plant Mage's Meditation."
Allen rubbed his chin, staring at the boiling cauldron.
First, he substituted one juvenile for one mature mushroom, then halved all the other materials to brew between one and three doses.
If the process went smoothly, he would use the remaining two juvenile mushrooms to brew four more doses of Plant Mage's Meditation.
If all went well, Allen estimated he could produce at least five doses.
He would then use one dose to test for toxicity.
Once confirmed safe, he would take the elixir himself, aiming to step into mysticism and become a true extraordinary being by the next day.
"Bubbling... bubbling..."
As the potion boiled, the water evaporated, and the Magic Brain Mushrooms fully integrated into the thickening elixir.
Suddenly, a faint green glow mixed with green mist rose from the cauldron.
A mysterious and indescribable atmosphere filled the cramped lab.
Allen's heart skipped a beat. This was the sign of success mentioned in the Dark Ritual!
The potion, initially stained red by the land turtle blood, gradually turned clear during the brewing process.
It continued to change color with the low heat, ultimately becoming a thick, dark green.
Symbolizing the power of nature! Green!
This was also the source of the Plant Mage's power, using natural forces to concoct potions and control compatible plants, significantly enhancing vitality!
"A thick, dark green, emitting a glowing green mist!"
"Success! Fantastic!" Allen exclaimed, watching the potion in the cauldron settle. He leaned in, and a strange fragrance seemed to penetrate his face, bypassing his nose and mouth, reaching his soul!
Allen could barely contain his urge to drink it.
Looking at the two doses of Plant Mage's Meditation he had brewed, Allen finally suppressed his desire.
He continued cautiously, meticulously brewing the remaining materials.
The entire process went smoothly. The dimly lit lab was illuminated only by the faint glow of captured fireflies.
For fire safety, Allen had removed all hazards; he couldn't afford any accidents.
After some time, Allen looked at the six copper vials of Elixir of Awakening before him and exhaled deeply.
He had successfully brewed six doses of Plant Mage's Meditation. These doses were enough for Allen to step into mysticism and the extraordinary realm, barring any mishaps.
But before that, Allen needed to test one dose on someone.
Initially, he planned to buy a slave or capture a beggar.
However, after some thought, Allen abandoned this idea.
Whether the Elixir of Awakening worked or not, he would inevitably have to kill the useless slave or beggar to eliminate any potential threats.
But Allen was confident his elixir wouldn't fail, a confidence stemming from years of experience and precise intuition.
Thus, wasting a precious dose of Plant Mage's Meditation on a life that would be lost was not a wise trade.
Instead of wasting it, Allen decided to find someone loyal to him to test the elixir.
The risk of the test was minimal, but success would yield a valuable ally.
Considering all factors, Allen sifted through his subordinates in his mind.
After some thought, he made a decision.
"Is it feasible?" Allen frowned, but his mind was made up.
The person to test the elixir would be Peter.