GLUG!
He lifted his head and drained the contents in one gulp.
The Potion of Wisdom's Light slid down his throat into his stomach, the icy cool sensation jolting him alert.
No! It wasn't the taste. It was that his spirit had truly become more acute.
In the Divine Domain Fragment, Carl's eyes flickered as he closed them to silently experience the changes while practicing his Meditation Method.
Spiritual Inner Sea.
The usually restless and undulating waves had become much calmer under the Potion's effect, indicating that the Meditation Method's efficacy would greatly increase. If one's self-consciousness is likened to a seed, then the Spiritual Inner Sea is the nutrient-rich soil in which it is embedded. The Meditation Method, then, is what allows the seed to absorb nutrients from the soil, to take root and sprout, until self-consciousness fully occupies the Spiritual Inner Sea, causing a fundamental transformation from within. Previously, due to the interference of distracting thoughts, the Meditation Method was not highly efficient. How much more efficient is it now?
Sevenfold! Taking the Potion, efficiency has increased by at least sevenfold. Moreover, it's not only the Spiritual Inner Sea nurturing the spirit; the Potion itself also has the effect of enhancing spiritual power. It must be the effect of the Necrotic Dust. Hibell has mentioned that such Magic Potions contain many ingredients that originate from the soul...
「One day later.」
Carl looked at the data panel in front of him.
Constitution: 0.78
Spiritual power: 0.98
His Constitution had increased by 0.01 compared to a few days ago. But this was not related to the Potion he had taken; instead, it resulted from continuous training and breathing exercises.
Spiritual power... 0.02! In a single day, his spiritual power had directly increased by 0.02, a feat that would have taken nearly a month by his previous progress. Even with prior accumulation, this was still astounding.
Carl muttered to himself, "No wonder Hibell is so eager to obtain Necrotic Dust. The difference in training progress with and without a Potion is like night and day."
「Another day.」
Constitution: 0.78
Spiritual power: 0.98
His spiritual power had increased by another 0.01, but Carl could clearly feel that the Potion's effects were now negligible.
Two days, an increase of nearly 0.03. With my methods, one portion of Necrotic Dust can be made into two Potions of Wisdom's Light. I still have thirteen portions of Necrotic Dust in my possession. That will be enough for the short term! If he were to give the Necrotic Dust to Hibell, she could make three to four Potions of Wisdom's Light with her techniques and professional tools. However, that would expose him, which was undesirable.
An increase in spiritual power will correspondingly speed up spellcasting and enhance the power of minor spell force fields.
Carl stretched his limbs and further considered, It also benefits the practice of swordsmanship. This was not evident in the Divine Domain Fragment. Stronger spiritual power meant better control over the physical body, but in the Divine Domain Fragment, perfect control was possible, so no difference was detected. Only upon returning to the real world could one experience the disparity. No wonder Miles, despite never having practiced swordsmanship, was able to suppress a Knight Attendant with just a thin sword. The spiritual power of an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice allows him to control his body more precisely and move faster. An Advanced Wizard Apprentice might have stronger physical abilities than a regular Knight Attendant, even without training. That's why my teacher, Adolf, still moves briskly despite his age.
SWOOSH!
As the sword shadow retracted, Carl's face took on a solemn expression.
Then, Battle Skill—Gale Slash!
Four afterimages! Swinging four afterimages at once, plus the broadsword itself, made five; this was not weak for a Knight Attendant. It was also the first time Carl had swung four afterimages outside of the Divine Domain Fragment.
「Black City.」
The snowflakes mixed with obscure black dust finally stopped falling. However, the sudden drop in temperature caused the snow on the ground within the city to freeze into ice.
Even guests who were Knight Attendants had to don thick robes here.
"Uncle." Ayala emerged from a crack in the ground with a leap. "We're here."
Behind her still followed the youth called Little Nan, who had the build of a grown man.
Unlike their first meeting, this time Little Nan wasn't wrapped up tightly but showed his youthful face.
After a few trades, a certain level of trust had been established between them.
Little Nan scratched his head, a silly grin on his face. "Heh heh... Uncle."
"Mm." Carl's face was expressionless. "Did you bring the stuff?"
"Brought them." Ayala nodded hastily, signaling Little Nan to remove the bundle from his back, and said, "Seventeen portions of Necrotic Dust, six pieces of gold and jade goods, and a few books, but I couldn't get the breathing technique."
"Seventeen portions." Carl furrowed his brow slightly. "That few?"
As for not getting the breathing technique, he wasn't surprised, since there had been no clues in the past few trades. He had gradually gotten used to it. Besides, he already had the Wolf's Breath Technique; collecting other breathing techniques was just a habit and not urgent.
"This..." Ayala forced a smile. "During the Winter Month, few people are willing to come out. As for the experts... I can't get in touch with them yet."
"But next month should be better."
Carl looked up at the sky, accepting this explanation. He gestured behind him. "The stuff's inside, along with some food and the two portions of Healing Medicine you wanted."
Ayala's eyes lit up.
Every Winter Month, due to food shortages, many people would die in Black City. The price of food also skyrocketed.
Although Carl had also raised the price, it wasn't by much, and the difference was already a huge profit for her.
Not to mention the rare Healing Medicine.
Pulling out the items from the bundle, Ayala's beautiful eyes flickered. "Uncle, what do you do with these gold items?"
"For amusement, collecting," Carl said, examining the golden statue in front of him while mentally estimating its price. "Any problem?"
"No, no." Ayala waved her hands hurriedly. "I thought you could leave."
Leave? Carl's eyes narrowed. Indeed. These items aren't worth much in Black City but could be exchanged for many good things outside. Deliberately collecting them might give the wrong impression. Can he leave the city? Is that why he's collecting these things?
"No," Carl said slowly. "If you have a way out of the city, feel free to tell me."
"Yes." Ayala nodded emphatically. "I'll definitely tell Uncle first."
"Huh?" Ayala suddenly turned back, an uncertain expression on her face.
"There's movement!"
"Indeed." Carl's face also became solemn. He was also slightly surprised by Ayala's remarkably sharp sensitivity.
He had only just detected it himself.
"Let's leave first."
BOOM!
Before he finished speaking, the distant sound of footsteps suddenly erupted into a loud noise, accompanied by swirling snow and dust.
"Gorlon, you cannot escape!"
AH!
Angry shouts and the sounds of collisions intermingled as chaotic footsteps drew nearer.
"Go!" Carl's heart sank. This kind of commotion was most likely not caused by a Knight Attendant; it's dangerous for me as well.
SWOOSH!
Ayala called to Little Nan, and they both jumped towards an underground passage.
The two were not strong, but they were agile. Having lived in Black City for years, their sense of danger was particularly acute.
Using the extensive network of underground passages, they could easily escape.
Carl, on the other hand, had never been underground. Having visited Black City only a few times, he was not very familiar with the surroundings.
He hadn't run far before three figures blocked his path.
"I'm just a passerby." Carl raised his hands high, signaling he meant no harm. "Could you let me through?"
The response was arrows flying towards him.