Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Grand Apothecary (With gratitude to the reader whose ID ends in 110 for providing the character)

After spending several days in the royal city of Aylan, at first Murong Xun hid away in the inn, while the others came and went like ghosts, rarely seen during the day. Eventually, he took to wandering the city on his own. He simply couldn’t place his hopes in anyone else.

During these idle strolls, he discovered many fascinating things. The equipment shops, for example, were filled with weapons and armor—most of them common, but some of rare blue quality. There were also magical equipment stores: staves, wizard’s robes, spellbooks, all starting at blue quality.

For the first time, Murong Xun also saw equipment of another color—green! Yet the prices were astronomical, and with his empty pockets, he couldn’t afford a thing.

Besides these, the city boasted potion shops selling all sorts of elixirs and alchemical products, dazzling him with their variety. But again, he was far too poor to do anything but look.

One day, passing the newly opened alchemy store once more, Murong Xun stopped, his gaze drawn to a potion displayed on the counter.

[Claudie’s Crystallized Lifeblood: Master-grade Rare Potion!]
[Star Rating: Five Stars!]
[Effect: Instantly restores 50% health and mana/energy. For ten minutes after use, all attributes +20%, lasting three minutes!]

Seeing these attributes, Murong Xun was rooted to the spot. This was a genuine life-saving potion!

“Young man, I’ve seen you a few times now. What is it? Are you interested in buying?” An old man inside, idly sweeping with a feather duster, came out to greet him.

“I can’t afford it,” Murong Xun answered honestly.

He had no money at all. The little gold Longmas he possessed had been exchanged from gold bars given by Wen Feng, enough for food and lodging but nothing else.

“You can come in and look even if you can’t afford it!” the old man said with a kindly smile, radiating warmth and approachability.

Murong Xun hesitated but then followed him into the shop.

“Feel free to look around. I don’t get many customers. You can call me Old Father Modo.” (Thanks to reader 160115211147110 for the character.)

Murong Xun said nothing, his gaze drifting past the shelves, which were mostly stocked with potions and a few alchemical products.

“Are you an alchemist?”

“I used to be,” Modo replied with a smile, saying nothing more.

Murong Xun didn’t press further.

The shop held a wide array of potions. There was a red one called Dragon’s Might that could temporarily boost strength—and with long-term use, even grant permanent increases. There was also Leaf of Life, a green tonic for rapid healing.

There were potions to restore mana, stamina, boost physical attributes for a short time, grant permanent increases, and many with special effects—dozens in total, none of them duplicates, though some had similar effects at different grades.

“How much is that one?” Murong Xun asked, pointing at Claudie’s Crystallized Lifeblood.

“That? A million gold Longmas, or a master-grade staff or weapon would do,” the old man answered casually, naming a price that would turn anyone away.

Murong Xun had tried exchanging Paradise Coins for gold Longmas, but it was a one-to-one rate. He couldn’t possibly come up with a million.

The old man grinned at him. “If you truly want it, you can trade me something else.”

Murong Xun was puzzled, especially as he met the old man’s meaningful gaze.

“I’m a potion maker. There’s something on you that calls to me,” Modo said bluntly.

Murong Xun thought for a moment—what could he possibly have that would interest someone like this? Suddenly, he remembered and took out the pair of Blood-Seeing Eyes. He’d completely forgotten about them; they’d just been gathering dust in his personal space.

“Not those. Though they have high potential and once belonged to a transcendent being, they’re only good for alchemy, not potions,” Modo said, shaking his head.

Murong Xun frowned. Aside from those eyes, he had nothing of real value.

“Is it this?” He produced the Original Delight. He had three, after all; losing one wouldn’t hurt.

“This… this… which master crafted this? Such perfection in blending so many ingredients, not only without canceling each other’s effects but actually enhancing them! And so delicious!” The moment Modo saw the bowl of noodles, he was amazed. Despite its modest level, the technique fascinated him.

“Tell me, whose masterpiece is this?” the old man asked fervently.

Murong Xun replied calmly, “I made it.”

“You?” Modo looked him up and down, then suddenly seemed to realize something. “That touch of darkness…”

He broke off, suddenly dashing into the back room, then hurried out with something like a magnifying glass in hand. He peered at Murong Xun again and again, marveling as if he’d discovered a priceless treasure.

Murong Xun felt extremely uncomfortable under this scrutiny, his hand itching to draw his blade more than once. But, wary of the White Knight, he held himself in check.

“You’re a born potion master!” Modo exclaimed in awe. “To create something like this on talent alone—what would you be capable of after formal training?”

Murong Xun met his fervent gaze and felt a chill, certain the old man’s intentions were less than pure.

“I have things to do. I need to leave,” he said hastily.

“Become my apprentice!” Modo called out as he was leaving. “You can pick any three potions you like from my shop!”

Murong Xun stopped dead in his tracks at the door.

Slowly, he turned back to look at the old man.

“That’s right. Become my student, and you can choose any three potions from this shop as a gift from me,” Modo said with a smile.

He was confident that no one could refuse such an offer—especially someone who understood the value of these potions.

“Can I change the terms?” Murong Xun asked after a moment of silence.

“Tell me,” Modo nodded.

“One potion—and the other two can be anything, not just potions,” Murong Xun proposed.

The most precious item in the shop was Claudie’s Crystallized Lifeblood. The rest, though valuable, were more or less the same. Other things might be even more useful.

“Greedy!” Modo stared at him for a while, then broke into a laugh. “But to be my student, you must indeed be greedy enough. So I agree to your terms!”