Chapter 539: High-Grade Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion, Do You Want It?
Half a month later.
Inside the ice magic mirror room, the entire screen of the ice magic mirror now displayed a 3D image of a natural magic structural component similar to the Royal Lightning Field.
Simultaneously, the mirror surface flickered, switching the 3D structural diagram from the microscopic level to the spiritual level.
Locke compared the three 3D structural images of this natural magic structural component. Only through this comparison did he find the reason why this natural magic structure could stimulate the bloodline evolution of magic creatures that were compatible with lightning magic attributes.
"If a wizard from the Shaping School specializing in lightning magic saw these three images, they would quickly be able to create a brand new Spell Model for lightning magic."
Locke captured the key structural features of the three 3D diagrams, and at the same time, a large stack of documents printed by the magic mirror appeared at the console.
After finishing all this, Locke checked his remaining time. He had only used the ice magic mirror for 8 hours. Logically, he could use it for another 4 hours before being asked to leave by the mirror spirit.
Since that was the case, there was no need to leave obediently.
Locke placed a new sample into the magic mirror. After a drop of developing potion was added, the sample began to rotate within the mirror's surface.
This was merely a 3D structural observation of an already discovered natural magic structural component. He only needed to find a few key characteristic points and record them to prove it was that specific natural magic structural component.
Therefore, the remaining four hours were more than enough.
Within this half month, Locke had completed the pre-experimental data on the relationship between the fertility of six more types of Air Pineapple-type Magic Plants and magic creatures. Including the ones from the previous half month, there were nine types in total.
During this process, Locke had used synthesis to create a type of pineapple containing an unknown natural magic structural component—the Great Black Diamond Swan Pineapple.
This pineapple contained two unknown natural magic structural components. One could help a type of First Ring magic creature, the [Black King Swan], generate an earth-element-like biological protective layer on its body surface.
The other was a natural magic structural component with a potent Charm-like effect that increased the mating interest of male and female [Black King Swans].
At his current speed, once he became more proficient, he could probably complete the pre-experimental data for the fertility relationship between nine to twelve types of Pineapple-type Magic Plants and specific magic creatures in a month, discovering one or two new natural magic structural components each month.
This speed was already incredibly fast, terrifyingly so.
Group Six's original speed for discovering unknown natural magic structural components was approximately once every five years.
In other words, among the Group Six researchers from about three terms of the True Knowledge Institute, only one lucky individual might discover an unknown natural magic structural component.
Yet Locke, within just four months of entering the True Knowledge Institute, had already discovered three unknown natural magic structural components.
To be honest, Locke was a bit tempted to rely on this path and just keep going, frantically publishing in the First Ring-level tier 1 journal, [Green Grass Cloud Marsh].
Every newly discovered unknown natural magic structural component had a chance to be featured in [Green Grass Cloud Marsh].
These were regular guests of [Green Grass Cloud Marsh].
Four hours later, Locke left the ice magic mirror and immediately returned to his station in the public laboratory, asking Gregor to help him organize the data.
They were busy for three consecutive days. Locke stretched, stood up from his station, and finally finished writing three things.
A concluding report for a third-class fund, an article about a type-1 Royal Lightning Field-like natural magic structure, and a rewritten article on using Mister Power to accelerate entry into the Crystallization Stage.
That previous article had been rejected by both Cloud Marsh and Green Grass Cloud Marsh. Thus, before he had empirical evidence, Locke could only temporarily stop submitting it to prevent the number of rejections from increasing and causing trouble for future submissions.
But now, he was already a First Ring Crystallization Wizard, so he could naturally submit it.
Locke picked up the three documents and was about to leave when he turned to see Gregor, who had dark circles under his eyes and was propping up his chin, nodding off.
Gregor Robinson noticed Locke looking at him and was startled into standing up, quickly bowing to Locke. "Teacher, is our work finished?"
Locke looked at him in confusion. "I recall telling you to go back and sleep half a day ago?"
Gregor said guiltily, "But I felt that since Teacher hadn't rested, I didn't dare to rest."
Locke nodded slightly.
Gregor was a local of the Yunze Wetland and had never traveled far. Furthermore, as a wood Child of the Elements, everything had been smooth sailing for him. After only four years of studying magic, he had become a First-Class Wizard Apprentice with a mana level of 700.
Consequently, he was simple-minded and didn't know how to refuse others, sometimes not even knowing how to protect his own interests.
Fortunately, this was the White Wizard Society, the exceptionally orderly Golden Crown Mountain. If it were the Black Wizard Land, he would easily be picked clean by others.
Locke frowned and said, "I am a One-Ring Wizard with strong mental power, which is why I can work for three days and nights straight. This is nothing to me, but you are only a First-Class Wizard Apprentice. Not sleeping for three consecutive days puts too much mental pressure on you."
"Moreover, your magic pressure is already at 700, which means you are sprinting toward breaking through to become a Formal Wizard. Don't do this kind of thing in the future."
Locke said calmly, "To me, the most important thing is for you to become a Formal Wizard as soon as possible."
Gregor felt a warmth in his heart. "Thank you, Teacher."
"Teacher, you are so kind."
Gregor looked at the documents in Locke's hand and drank a bottle of energy potion, temporarily regaining some spirit. "Teacher, let me go submit the papers for you. That way, you can go rest."
"You are a First Ring Crystallization Wizard; your time is more precious than mine. Let me handle these chores."
Gregor looked at Locke sincerely.
Locke shook his head slightly. If someone else had said this, he might have thought they were deliberately trying to flatter him, but he knew Gregor didn't think that way.
He was too simple; he just believed that a student should help their teacher in this way.
Locke's gaze swept over Gregor with a complex expression.
A student with this personality would likely not fare well if they fell into the hands of a Formal Wizard who harbored even a slight bit of malice toward them.
They would be ground down by others at will.
This guy wouldn't even know how to slack off on his own.
Wizard Apprentices are already in a weak position relative to Formal Wizards. If they can't even learn to slack off, they really will be worked to death as tools by Formal Wizards.
Meeting me is his luck.
Locke handed him the three sets of documents and also gave him a bottle of Holy Spring Nectar Potion. The Holy Spring Nectar Potion was a rare recovery medicine even for Formal Wizards.
The original version of the Holy Spring Nectar Potion might have been relatively average.
But Locke had previously compared the effects of his improved Holy Spring Nectar Potion formula with the Seven Treasures Jade Flower Potion commonly used by the One-Ring Wizards of the Yunze Wetland, and found they each had their strengths.
In the realm of restoring status and removing negative conditions, his Holy Spring Nectar Potion was actually slightly better.
Gregor froze for a moment. "Teacher, you gave me the wrong one. This is a First Ring potion."
Locke said, "If I give it to you to drink, then drink it. I am a Potion Master; this is just something I refine casually."
Gregor subconsciously drank the Holy Spring Nectar Potion. His condition immediately returned to its peak, and a significant amount of the potion toxicity in his body was removed.
The potion toxicity in the bodies of First-Class Wizard Apprentices on Golden Crown Mountain was often more, not less, than that of apprentices elsewhere.
After all, the more developed a magic civilization's region, the more advanced its Potionology, and the more potions these apprentices could access.
Otherwise, Gregor wouldn't have achieved a magic pressure of 700 in just four years.
This speed would be considered abnormal even in Liliths Cottage.
Back then, it took Locke over five years to reach that achievement.
That was because Gregor himself was a Child of the Elements, had received the best magic education, and could enjoy various welfare potions from Golden Crown Mountain at any time.
But because of this, he had actually accumulated a large amount of potion toxicity in his body.
And his original wizard mentor seemed to have never reminded him. However, Locke remembered that when Wizard Apprentices on Golden Crown Mountain broke through, they were given a bunch of benefits.
Among them, there seemed to be items for removing drug toxicity.
Furthermore, Golden Crown Mountain would occasionally distribute benefits; that previous concert was one such benefit.
Unfortunately, Locke had asked Gregor, and no one had ever notified him to attend, so he missed it.
However, these things were minor matters to him.
Locke called out to Gregor, who was turning to leave his station, "Wait..."
Gregor asked in confusion, "Teacher?"
In the next moment, a wisp of Primal Fire landed on him. Water-element magic fire source and fire-element magic flames burned upon his body.
Instantly, Gregor's entire body was ablaze, turning him into a man of fire.
This drew the attention of Witch Mason and another Group Six wizard who were still working in the office area.
At the same time, Gregor was terrified, but out of trust in Locke, he didn't put up any resistance.
Soon, Locke reached out, and the Primal Fire returned to his palm.
Locke said, "Alright, I've completely cleared the potion toxicity from your body. Also, drink this potion."
Gregor foolishly accepted a heart-shaped potion.
This was an improved formula of the Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion that Locke had explored using the synthesis cube; Locke named it the High-Grade Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion.
Ordinary Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion has no effect on a Child of the Elements, but his improved version, if taken at a rate of ten bottles a month, could increase one's talent by 2 levels, thus even working to improve the aptitude of a Child of the Elements.
Locke estimated that by continuously taking the High-Grade Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion, Gregor should be able to possess twice the talent of an ordinary Child of the Elements.
However, this meant he would have to spend an extra thousand magic stones on Gregor each month and refine ten bottles of High-Grade Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion every month.
After Gregor drank it, he immediately felt a distinct change within himself.
Locke said, "From now on, I will give you ten bottles of High-Grade Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion every month."
Gregor looked at Locke gratefully and said, "Thank you, Teacher."
Carrying feelings of gratitude and joy, he left the room.
At the workstation, after Gregor had left, Witch Mason hurriedly asked Locke, "Locke, was that flame just now the Primal Fire?"
"I've heard that's something Potion Masters dream of. I can't believe you have Primal Fire. Before you came to our True Knowledge Institute, only one Second-Ring Apothecary in the entire institute possessed it."
"And that special technique just now was the [Water-Fire Refining Method] used by Potion Masters, wasn't it?"
Locke admitted it openly; there was nothing to hide anyway, as the wizards in the True Knowledge Institute were all geniuses.
Among a group of geniuses, he wouldn't seem out of place no matter what.
Furthermore, only talent could truly earn the respect of geniuses.
Locke said, "Yes, that was the Primal Fire."
The Water-Fire Refining Method was something he had practiced and learned while concocting the Lucky Potion; or rather, this heat-control method was itself a prerequisite for making the Lucky Potion.
The Water-Fire Refining Method could harmonize core materials with conflicting medicinal properties, and it could also cleanse a wizard's body, removing potion toxicity and strengthening their constitution.
This special heat-control method might not even be mastered by the top First Ring Potion Masters, but since he possessed the Primal Fire, it was a different story.
With the help of the Primal Fire, he had mastered a privilege of the top First Ring Potion Masters—using the Primal Fire to purify the potion toxicity within his own body and to strengthen his physique.
This was a special heat-control method that could help a First Ring Wizard purify potion toxicity, so naturally, clearing the toxicity from an apprentice's body was an easy task.
It was just that not many could master it; without Primal Fire, many wizards might not master this even after becoming a Second-Ring Apothecary.
And this was also the difficulty in concocting the Lucky Potion.
Another wizard in the office area had a glint in his eyes. "I'd heard long ago that you were a Potion Master, Locke, but I didn't expect you to have such achievements in the field of Potionology."
"It's almost as impressive as your achievements in Breeding Science."
"That student of yours is quite lucky; having such a powerful Potion Master as a mentor, his luck is truly too good."
Witch Mason smiled and said, "Indeed. I am not a Potion Master and don't have Primal Fire, so I wouldn't take the initiative to remove potion toxicity from my students. I'm actually looking for someone to help me remove the residual potion toxicity in my own body."
"I have two students who have recently experienced massive side effects from taking too many potions; their hands and feet shake when they walk. I heard they've been trying to purchase Void Gems lately to purify the potion toxicity in their bodies."
"Moreover, Golden Crown Mountain provides monthly benefits to students, and they can be allocated some wizard tea from Lu Xu Bridge. Even the most ordinary wizard tea from Lu Xu Bridge is the top-tier of its rank and can purify potion toxicity."
"Yes, the tea apprentices usually drink is the Green Bamboo Pekoe cultivated by the Tea Masters of Lu Xu Bridge. It's a type of white tea mixed with green tea. Tea Master is a niche wizard profession branched off from the field of Breeders." The other wizard asked Locke tentatively, "However, if I may ask, what is the effect of the High-Grade Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion? I haven't heard of this apprentice-level potion before."
"Locke, what is that? Is it a potion from another Wizard Land?"
Locke nodded. "Yes. But it's a version I've improved."
He briefly explained its effects.
Witch Mason and the wizard named Newt, who were present, stared in wide-eyed shock.
Taking it continuously every month can increase a wizard's talent by two grades!
Ordinary wizards of the True Knowledge Institute also had teaching requirements; they had to train at least one Formal Wizard to meet the criteria for leaving the station!
This led the two of them to spend every day either thinking about their own projects or their own magic level advancement, and then worrying about how to quickly raise a promising student's magic pressure to 800 so they could drink an Advancement Potion and be done with it.
Locke looked at the two of them and smiled slightly. "What, do you two want some as well?"
Witch Mason and Wizard Newt nodded hurriedly.
Wizard Newt said, "Locke, money is not an issue. You name the terms. But I won't deny that I really want it. You know, every day I watch those stupid students of mine ask me stupid questions, and their advancement speed is slower than the stupidest snail; it makes me feel so miserably frustrated by their stupidity."
"It's simply the height of stupidity!"
"In short, if you have such an excellent improved formula, I want it too."
Witch Mason quickly followed, raising her left hand. "Me too."
Locke thought for a moment; the cost of this potion was only about a hundred magic stones.
No matter how rare an apprentice-level potion was, it was still limited to the apprentice level; common sense dictated a ceiling for its price, and he couldn't sell it for too much.
Selling a bottle for a thousand magic stones would be unreasonable and somewhat shameless.
If he asked for money, he wouldn't be able to get much at all.
And it would be easy to offend people.
Therefore, he needed to consider whether or not to take this deal.
Wizard Newt saw Locke's hesitation. They were all shrewd individuals, and he immediately understood the reason for Locke's reluctance. He quickly spoke up: "I won't use magic stones to buy it—well, I'll only pay the cost price in magic stones—but I'll exchange the partial labor of my five students for it. You just need to give me one set every month, which is ten bottles of High-Grade Blood-Crying Nightshade."
"Those five students of mine are already familiar with the work at the True Knowledge Institute. There will be absolutely no problem if you have them do some chores."
Wizard Newt said, "Today marks my fifth year. I meet all other criteria for leaving the station except for the student requirement."
"If the student I have high hopes for this year doesn't become a Formal Wizard, I'll have to delay my departure by a year. As you know, it can only be delayed twice at most. If he still hasn't become a Formal Wizard by then... as his mentor, I will have wasted seven years of my life."
Wizard Newt's face turned pale at the thought.
He never expected that after working so hard as a wizard mentor and being so close to successfully leaving the station, he would ultimately fail because of his six useless students.
But Locke's High-Grade Blood-Crying Nightshade Potion gave him hope.
Locke also realized that there was no longer any competitive relationship between him and Wizard Newt, so he could directly use the five students who had already been trained by him for five years.
Beside them, Witch Mason wanted to speak; she also wanted to offer students, but she suddenly realized this was only her third year at the True Knowledge Institute.
She was still short of students to do her own work.
Thus, realizing Locke had no interest in trading with her, Witch Mason could only take the initiative to remain silent.
Although based on their colleague relationship and the fact that she had befriended Locke recently, she might be able to force a trade by owing him a favor.
But Witch Mason was different from Wizard Newt.
She didn't have such a strong need for her students to advance to Formal Wizard quickly, so there was naturally no need to squander a favor in advance.
Wizard Newt said, "However, I wonder if you could use the Water-Fire Refining Method to help that student of mine purify the potion toxicity in his body."
"He took an Advancement Potion once before, and a very strong potion toxicity remains in his body. Although Golden Crown Mountain has many things that can purify potion toxicity, I've currently spent all my research funds, and he doesn't have any savings left..."
"Apprentice-level resources are also very difficult to use for completely purifying potion toxicity."
"Especi