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Chapter 227: The Premium Alchemy Manual
🕑 Added 2024-09-22 03:43:58 +0000 UTCSeeing the situation clearly, Tadel remained calm on the surface but secretly estimated the visitor's identity. Riding a mid-rank Flame Rhino meant that the owner’s strength was undoubtedly formidable, at least at a similar level. In the southwestern border region, none of the other two earls had tamed mid-rank magical beasts, so this person was likely an outsider.
Master Niru, observing the well-equipped and well-trained group of knights, showed a polite smile. This time, he had come to seek a favor from Earl Rhett, and being in a foreign land, he had to set aside any airs.
Master Niru smiled and said, "Brave knight, I come from the Ring Tower of the Reim Kingdom and am an old acquaintance of your lord, Earl Rhett. I am here for an important discussion with him."
Tadel and the knights behind him straightened their faces. They had, of course, heard of the famous Ring Tower, a top alchemical organization with an esteemed position in the Reim Kingdom.
Tadel saluted respectfully and said in a strong voice, "Distant traveler, I welcome you on behalf of the Dark Eagle City Knight Squad. Please follow me, and I will lead you to Dark Rock Castle. However, you may need to wait briefly while I report to our lord."
"Thank you!" Master Niru maintained his smile.
"You're welcome."
Not long after descending the stairs, Rhett encountered Sveta and Maru, who were chatting animatedly. Hearing footsteps, they recognized by the rhythm and sound that it was the lord in leather boots coming down the stairs.
They immediately composed themselves, adopting a formal stance. Sveta greeted, "Good afternoon, my lord."
Rhett nodded. "Good afternoon, Sveta. I've suddenly developed a craving for some delicacies made from aquatic magical beasts. Send someone to catch some aquatic magical beasts. And Maru, please prepare tonight's dinner with these creatures in mind."
"Understood!" Sveta and Maru responded in unison.
As Rhett sat at the dining table, a maid in a black-and-white uniform promptly poured him a cup of hot tea. Shortly after, another maid brought over a plate of exquisite floral pastries, exuding a faint fragrance.
"My lord, would you like a shoulder massage?" A pretty maid, a relatively new face, approached him. With the expansion of the castle, more staff had been needed, and new hires had been made every month over the past year.
"No need, Hana. Instead, go dust off the Shadow Tiger fur on the wall; it seems to have gathered some dust," Rhett said casually, his keen observation noticing the slight accumulation on the impressive fur.
"Yes, my lord."
Rhett picked up a piece of pastry but barely had time to taste it before Sveta returned, pushing open the castle doors and quickly approaching. She reported, "My lord, Tadel is outside. A guest from the Ring Tower, Master Niru, has come to visit you, and Tadel asked me to inform you."
Finishing the half-eaten pastry, Rhett feigned surprise. "Master Niru? He's come to my territory? That's quite unexpected..."
He stood up and headed outside, his voice floating back, "This is an esteemed guest. I must go greet him. Sveta, make sure the aquatic magical beasts are caught quickly; we can't delay tonight's feast."
"Rest assured, my lord, I'll take care of it right away."
Leaving the castle, Rhett followed a wide stone path to the manor's entrance, where he saw a tall Flame Rhino carrying a man and a woman. The man was Master Niru, and the woman was someone Rhett also recognized—Julie, who had once led him into the Ring Tower.
Tadel, standing beside the Flame Rhino, quickly stepped forward and respectfully said, "My lord, this visitor claims to be from the Ring Tower..."
Rhett waved his hand. "I know, Tadel. You've reported promptly. You may step back now."
"Yes, my lord!" Tadel bowed and, as he turned, glanced at Master Niru sitting on the Flame Rhino, secretly marveling. He hadn't expected that his lord knew even the alchemical masters of the Ring Tower and could attract such visitors. Truly, his connections were vast!
As the surrounding knights quickly withdrew, Master Niru and Julie dismounted and walked toward Rhett.
Today, Master Niru wore a black formal suit, giving him a more noble appearance, with less of the scholarly aura of an alchemist.
"Hello there," Rhett greeted warmly. "It's great to see you again, Master Niru. Today, you look more like a noble than I do."
"Really? Thanks for the compliment." Niru patted his clothes, took off his hat, and smiled. "Actually, Earl Rhett, you're not wrong. In my youth, I was indeed a minor noble. But after a family calamity, we fell into decline, and I only turned to alchemy as a means of survival."
"Oh, I'm sorry to bring up a painful memory," Rhett responded politely.
"You're referring to my family's downfall?" Niru shrugged, seemingly indifferent. "It doesn't matter. When I was young, I was indeed despairing and troubled by it. But now, I’m grateful for those difficult times. It was the struggles in hardship that gave me the opportunity to achieve what I have in alchemical potion-making today."
Julie, standing beside him, showed a hint of surprise. "Master Niru, you've never told us about your youth before. It's quite an inspiring story!"
Niru cast a glance at Julie and said, "That’s because few people know. In fact, the other masters and the Tower Master are aware of my past."
"Alright," Julie muttered silently, thinking, I wouldn't dare compare myself to those at that level. But why mention it to Earl Rhett now? Could he be on par with those alchemy masters and the Tower Master?
Rhett, sensing the right moment, showed a look of admiration. "Master Niru, thank you for sharing. True success starts with enduring qualities."
"This isn't much. It took me a long time to get here. But Earl Rhett, you've risen to prominence in just a few years, far surpassing most," Niru complimented in return. Then, looking ahead, he said, "Earl Rhett, may I tour your manor? It looks quite beautiful."
"Of course, it's a small matter. Please, follow me." Rhett extended his right hand, gesturing for them to proceed.
Leading the way, Rhett walked with Master Niru and Julie, one on either side. They strolled through the manor for about half an hour.
Master Niru slowed his pace, eventually stopping beside a silver pine tree. He spoke slowly, "Earl Rhett, there's something I’d like to ask you about."
Rhett turned around. "Master Niru, what is it?"
After a moment of deliberation, Master Niru asked, "I heard that... you once sent Rean to our Ring Tower for help?"
Rhett's expression showed a trace of surprise. They had spent the last half hour chatting casually, not touching on anything related to the Blood Source Pearl. Now, it was clear they were getting to the heart of the matter.
According to the simulated trajectory, as long as he refused to disclose information, he could avoid attracting the Blood God Cult leader's attention.
However, text simulations couldn't account for real-time interactions. So, he decided to use the real simulation to explore other possibilities.
In fact, he had already devised some plans.
With this in mind, Rhett activated his system.
【Would you like to start a real-time simulation? Each day of simulation consumes 1 Fate Point.】
"Yes, simulate one day."
A ripple spread before Rhett’s eyes.
Knowing the simulation had begun, he maintained a calm smile and said, "That's correct. At that time, Rean was contaminated by a blood spirit—subtle yet sinister. I was helpless, so I suggested he seek help at the Ring Tower. After all, most of the renowned alchemical masters in the Kingdom of Golden Wheel are tied to the royal family. Only the Ring Tower could offer the assistance he needed."
Contamination by a blood spirit? Niru's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Rhett to reveal such a significant secret right away.
Fixing his gaze on Rhett, Niru asked, "Earl Rhett, how did you know it was related to a blood spirit? And I also heard from Rean that during their experiments under those evil alchemists, they were forced to swallow some kind of sinister pearl. After you cleared out the hideout, did you acquire any of these pearls?"
Rhett nodded and openly admitted, "Indeed, I extracted from the prisoners that these pearls are called Blood Source Pearls, creations of blood spirits. Rean's contamination was connected to these pearls, and all Blood Source Pearls come from a Holy Domain figure known as the Blood God Cult leader, the owner of the blood spirit."
Master Niru's pupils contracted sharply. The mission was progressing more smoothly than he had anticipated—he was effortlessly gathering valuable information.
Once he processed the details, he asked urgently, "Earl Rhett, could you hand over the Blood Source Pearl to me? I’m willing to offer a generous reward that won’t disappoint you!"
"Sure!" Rhett agreed readily.
Niru was momentarily stunned, finding Earl Rhett to be unexpectedly agreeable. He thought to himself that this man was truly worth befriending!
"What do you need, Earl Rhett?"
"I need an alchemical manual, and it has to be a premium one from the Ring Tower, not just any ordinary work by a random alchemist," Rhett replied casually.
"That..." Master Niru hesitated, furrowing his brow at the straightforward request. "An alchemical manual is the essence of an alchemist’s craft, rarely shared with outsiders. Moreover, the Ring Tower does not engage in selling alchemical manuals."
"Is that so?" Rhett raised an eyebrow. "But the Blood Source Pearl is a hard-earned trophy of mine. If you’re unwilling to pay this price, I’m afraid you won’t get what you want."
Julie, standing nearby, frowned in displeasure, about to say something. She hadn't expected Earl Rhett to behave so strangely, losing the mature demeanor he had displayed during their last encounter. He seemed like a different person altogether!
But Master Niru, noticing Julie's intention, signaled her with a glance and quickly said, "Alright, Earl Rhett, I hope you keep your word. I do have a master-level alchemical manual with me. But before we trade, may I examine the Blood Source Pearl to verify its authenticity?"
"No problem," Rhett replied, taking out a previously prepared Blood Source Pearl and holding it in his palm.
It was the purple-red Blood Source Pearl, glowing faintly under the sunlight.
Both Niru and Julie were captivated by the pearl's eerie glow, their eyes filled with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.
Master Niru took the pearl in his hand, extending his spiritual sense to examine it, but quickly withdrew.
A look of seriousness crossed his face. Even with his Grand Mage-level spiritual power, he could feel the sinister energy within the pearl, knowing he wouldn't be able to dispel it if contaminated!
"Ha," Niru exhaled lightly, confirming that this was indeed the item he sought. He solemnly said, "It seems this truly is an evil artifact, likely connected to the blood spirit!"
"Of course. Everything I've said is true," Rhett responded earnestly.
Niru nodded and retrieved a finely crafted book from his robe, handing it to Rhett.
"This contains insights from several master alchemists at the Ring Tower, filled with their experiences and reflections. However, this one primarily focuses on lower-grade potions, which should be suitable for your needs."
Rhett's eyes lit up. Niru was right—this lower-level alchemical manual would be perfect for his territory!
The first step in building an alchemical foundation was to train a large number of talents. With a broader base, it would be easier to cultivate outstanding individuals!
Pleased, Rhett accepted the manual and tucked it into his robe. Glancing at Niru and Julie, he remembered this was only a simulation, so he quickly said, "Master Niru, Miss Julie, since the transaction is complete, I won't keep you. Let's meet again next time."
With that, Rhett turned and left, heading straight back to Dark Rock Castle without looking back.
Julie and Niru were left stunned, staring at Rhett's rapidly disappearing figure. Neither could fathom why Rhett had departed so abruptly.
Julie’s face twisted in anger. "Hmph, this Earl Rhett has no noble demeanor whatsoever. He’s like a money-grubbing scoundrel! Last time, he hid his true nature too well!"
"Haha, don’t be too harsh. Everyone has their secrets," Master Niru shook his head. "But it seems I misjudged him..."
With their business concluded, the two wasted no time in departing from the manor.
Meanwhile, back in the castle, Rhett eagerly returned to his room with the alchemical manual, determined not to waste a moment. He began flipping through its pages, memorizing and absorbing the information.
His goal was simple: to use the real-time simulation to gain as much knowledge as possible.
Though his actions had been somewhat improper, in the simulation, he didn't need to worry about such things.
Although as a mage, his memory would naturally improve with his spiritual power, it wasn't limitless.
True photographic memory, especially permanent recall, was far from realistic.
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