[Chapter 122: New Elixirs]
The medicinal ingredients were different from the Lightning-struck wood Daniel had worked with last time.
The Lightning-struck wood was incredibly heavy, several tons, so it had to be shipped with multiple trucks. Medicinal ingredients couldn't be handled like that, even though Daniel needed quite a few of them. Fresh medicinal ingredients would spoil over the course of several months, so they had to be transported by air.
After a flurry of coordination, Daniel finally received the medicinal ingredients. After inspecting them and confirming they were in good condition, he promptly transferred the final payment to Marcus Hale.
Then, Daniel began intense, high-frequency alchemy work.
For over half a month straight, whenever he wasn't eating or sleeping, Daniel was immersed in refining Elixirs.
Alchemy was an exacting process, especially for high-rank Elixirs.
First-Rank Elixirs were manageable, usually requiring just over ten types of medicinal ingredients. But for Second-Rank Elixirs, the number suddenly shot up to dozens. Third-Rank Elixirs could require hundreds of different ingredients.
Carefully processing and fusing so many ingredients, one by one, according to their medicinal properties and the Five Elements demanded extraordinary control, and a huge drain on Mental Energy.
Fortunately, Daniel had now reached the Archon of Mandate of the Authority Order, so his Mental Energy was strong. If he had still been in the Foundation Order, even with the ingredients, he wouldn't have been able to refine anything.
...
After so many days of hard work, Daniel's rewards were substantial.
All the medicinal ingredients he'd received were refined into Elixirs by Daniel. Except for about twenty-something batches that failed, the rest were a success.
The only difference was how many Elixirs each batch yielded.
Now, the total number of various Elixirs he had made was close to 200.
Spirit Transformation Elixir, Foundational Reinforcement Elixir, Energy Supplementing Elixir, Detoxification Elixir, Pristine Restoration Elixir, Spirit Cleansing Elixir, Osteogenic Elixir, Foundation Stabilization Elixir, Taint-Purging Elixir, Barrier Breaking Elixir -- they were all there.
The Foundational Reinforcement Elixir, like the Spirit Transformation Elixir, was a First-Rank Elixir. It strengthened one's foundation, improving physique and enhancing physical fitness.
The Pristine Restoration Elixir was a Second-Rank Elixir, a kind of healing elixir.
The Osteogenic Elixir was the one Scarlett had been longing for, it had the effect of increasing height. It worked by strengthening the bones and encouraging the skeleton to undergo secondary growth. Its main function was to make bones stronger and enhance their various capabilities. Secondary growth was necessary to achieve that. Growing taller was just a bonus, but for many people, that might be the most attractive benefit.
Besides the many First- and Second-Rank Elixirs, Daniel also created a batch of Third-Rank Elixirs.
The Marrow Cleansing Elixir.
Its effect was true marrow cleansing, shedding the mortal body and renewing the bones.
However, because it was a Third-Rank Elixir, ordinary people couldn't take it directly. The effect was too powerful for their Physical Body to handle. At best, they could be crippled. At worst, their Physical Body would explode and they would die.
The usual regimen was to start with the Foundational Reinforcement Elixir, then the Osteogenic Elixir. After using these two to strengthen the Physique, one could then take the Marrow Cleansing Elixir with no major issues.
Originally, there were three sets of medicinal ingredients for the Marrow Cleansing Elixir.
But Daniel ruined two batches and only succeeded with one, yielding six Marrow Cleansing Elixirs.
Daniel popped a Foundation Reinforcement Elixir into his mouth.
Soon, a powerful force began strengthening his Physical Body and improving his Physique. But because his body was already nourished by magic power, far stronger than an ordinary person's, Daniel didn't notice anything too obvious.
After taking a few more, he felt ready and swallowed a Osteogenic Elixir.
He immediately felt a dull ache throughout his skeleton.
After the pain subsided, an itching sensation began. He clearly felt his bones growing stronger.
At that moment, he couldn't stand up.
Daniel lay back on the sofa to relieve the weight on his bones.
The entire process lasted over half an hour before the painful itching slowly disappeared.
When Daniel finally stood up, he noticed his sleeves and pants were both a bit shorter.
He grabbed a tape measure to check: he had grown about an inch taller.
Originally 6'1", he was now 6'2".
"It really does make you grow taller," Daniel said, quite pleased.
"Let's take one more."
He took another Osteogenic Elixir.
This time, Daniel grew only 1/2 inch taller, reaching 6'2.5".
His bones felt somewhat stronger again.
After the third one, Daniel felt the effect was much weaker.
He didn't grow any taller.
"Looks like three Elixirs is the limit. Taking any more won't do much. What about the Marrow Cleansing Elixir?"
Daniel took a Marrow Cleansing Elixir.
Right after swallowing it, there was no immediate reaction.
But the next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach and rushed to the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, Daniel emerged, the bathroom reeking with an unbearable stench.
He quickly turned on the exhaust fan and shut the door.
Daniel himself felt incredibly light.
It was as if his entire body, inside and out, had been purified. All the impurities in his system had been completely cleared away.
He felt like "a body made of glass."
Daniel sensed that if he performed the Rite of Divine Empowerment now -- even the same Rank Rite as before -- the Divine Power he could summon would definitely be greater.
His vessel had expanded, allowing him to store more Divine Power.
Moreover, after the Rite of Divine Empowerment concluded, he wouldn't feel as weak or experience as much pain as before.
A satisfied smile crossed Daniel's face.
If these Elixirs had such an effect on him, what would happen if ordinary people took them? They'd probably feel like they were ascending to heaven.
"Frank Douglas spent six million dollars. It's about time I gave him some hope."
Daniel took out his cell phone and called Frank Douglas.
...
More than an hour later, Daniel arrived at Frank Douglas's villa in Beverly Hills.
Frank Douglas greeted him personally at the door.
"Mr. Cross, you said you had a surprise for me. Does this mean you can transfer Katherine's soul now?"
As soon as he saw Daniel, Frank Douglas asked impatiently.
"Not yet," Daniel replied.
The light in Frank Douglas's eyes dimmed noticeably at once.
"But hope is very close."
Frank Douglas's eyes brightened again immediately.
"How much more time is needed?"
"I can't make any definite guarantees, but I've seen hope," Daniel said.
Frank Douglas's expression grew solemn.
"I hope it's not too late. I've sensed some undercurrents stirring recently in both politics and business. That has to be the work of the Brotherhood of Saints. They won't honestly give us a full year."
"That's exactly what I expected," Daniel replied. "And they aren't stupid; they won't probe us little by little. They'll gather all their strength and wait until they're confident, then deliver one fatal blow."
Daniel could imagine it all.
If it weren't for Frank Douglas, the billionaire, and Sheriff Ford, the Brotherhood of Saints would have moved against him long ago.
"You're right," Frank Douglas said. "Deputy Chief Ford's promotion has also been suppressed. The Brotherhood of Saints must be exerting pressure behind the scenes."
Frank Douglas looked Daniel in the eye. "Mr. Cross, our power can only resist them temporarily. The power to turn the tide rests solely with you."
Daniel nodded. "Give me a little more time. It shouldn't be far off."
Frank Douglas smiled. "Alright, let's lighten things up. Tell me about this surprise you have for me."
They moved into the luxuriously decorated private reception room.
Before Frank Douglas could sit down, Daniel flicked his wrist, producing a Spirit Transformation Elixir.
"Here, take this first."
Frank Douglas picked up the Elixir and asked curiously, "What is this?"
"Just have it first," Daniel said.
Frank Douglas glanced at Daniel twice, then put the Elixir into his mouth.
His eyes widened instantly.
*****
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