Chapter 53 - 52: Basic Magic Potion

Chapter 53: Chapter 52: Basic Magic Potion

Gaode was startled, realizing that he was still not cautious enough and far too impulsive.

Not long ago, he had purchased a Tapping Technique Magic Scroll from Pierre to suppress the Secret Technique Lock, and now he was putting on the airs of the New Rich. Anyone with half a brain could connect the dots and figure out what this meant.

Fortunately, Pierre was not someone with malicious intent. Besides, Pierre had probably guessed a few things when Gaode asked him for the solution to the Secret Technique Lock. Still, the realization gave Gaode a scare, and he made a mental note to himself. He could never afford to get so carried away again.

"It’s just so-so," Gaode laughed it off, brushing past the topic. He cupped his hands and said, "Then I’ll look forward to your good news."

After agreeing on a specific time with Pierre, Gaode said his goodbyes and left.

The little old man glanced at Gaode’s retreating back and thought, "This kid... I get the feeling he’s becoming more and more extraordinary."

Pierre had agreed to his request. Even though it wasn’t guaranteed to succeed, Gaode was in a rather good mood.

Back then, Yom had brought a total of five Magic Formulas. Due to limited financial resources at the time, he could only choose the three most suitable ones based on his situation: Acid Splash, Frozen Ray, and Enhance Resistance. He had temporarily given up on Blade Protection and Reading Magic.

The reason he was now turning back to reconnect with Yom and buy the remaining two Magic Formulas was, first and foremost, because he was much better off financially. Secondly, he was now in desperate need of the two Magic Formulas he had previously abandoned.

To acquire Origin, Gaode would sooner or later have to face the Earth Vein Creatures. Thus, Blade Protection, which could defend against physical damage, became particularly important. Furthermore, Gaode still vividly remembered being ambushed by three unemployed miners in the city last time. Although he had only sustained minor injuries and forced them back using Magic, it still scared him in retrospect. As the saying went: no matter how skilled you are, a lucky strike from a kitchen knife can still take you down. It was the same principle. At the very least, once he mastered Blade Protection, he would no longer have to fear random kitchen knives.

As for Reading Magic, it was of the utmost importance to Gaode. One could even say it was his primary goal. Putting aside the fact that, as a Mage, failing to master the ability to decipher Magic Text would cause immense inconvenience in the future, Gaode had an immediate, unavoidable reason for needing Reading Magic right now. He needed Reading Magic to decipher the Magic Text on that scroll of unknown origin and use left behind in Mage Seda’s inheritance. How could anyone not be curious about what was recorded on a scroll that looked so extraordinarily precious from the outside?

After leaving the Pierre Grocery Store, Gaode did not return directly to the Medicinal Garden. He thought for a moment, then took a detour to the end of the street, arriving in front of Rose Magic Pharmacy, the farthest from Phil’s Magic Pharmacy.

Hogan City’s three most famous Magic Pharmacies were Phil’s Magic Pharmacy, Glowing Magic Pharmacy, and Rose Magic Pharmacy. All three Magic Pharmacies wanted to dominate and monopolize Hogan City’s Magic Potion Market, so the competition among them was exceptionally fierce. They were completely incompatible, like fire and water. When one went to a Magic Pharmacy, it was either to sell Magic Potions or buy Magic Potions. Gaode’s goal was the latter.

Now that he was carrying a "huge sum" of money, Gaode entertained thoughts he hadn’t dared to before. He planned to luxuriously purchase Basic Magic Potions to assist in his Guiding Technique cultivation. However, he couldn’t buy them at Phil’s Magic Pharmacy. He had already aroused the suspicions of the clerk there, so for something like buying Basic Magic Potions, it was naturally safer to switch to another Magic Pharmacy.

The market price for Basic Magic Potions was six Gold Coins per set. A First-class Mage Apprentice would consume a set of Basic Magic Potions in six days. In other words, if Gaode wanted to drink Basic Magic Potions continuously, the fifty Gold Coins Mage Seda left behind would only support his cultivation for fifty days. Although Gaode was usually a "penny-pincher," he could clearly distinguish what was more important when comparing cultivation realms and money. Besides, once his strength improved, making money would become much easier.

Because of this mindset, as he stepped through the doors of Rose Magic Pharmacy, his eyes swept around the shop, but he didn’t see any Basic Magic Potions on sale. He didn’t leave in disappointment, though. The number of Mages in a small city was still too low, so the Magic Potions sold in these Magic Pharmacies were mainly meant for ordinary people. A Magic Pharmacy wouldn’t necessarily display a Magic Potion specifically meant for Mages, like the Basic Magic Potion, out in the open.

The clerks in the shop were very observant. Before Gaode could even ask, a young male clerk proactively approached him and asked, "Hello, sir. What do you need?"

Seeing that Gaode had started scanning the shelves the moment he walked in, it was obvious he had a clear goal and was searching for a specific Magic Potion. Customers like this rarely needed a sales pitch and almost never left empty-handed. But seeing that Gaode had scanned almost the entire store without speaking, the clerk guessed he hadn’t found what he was looking for and quickly came forward to greet him.

"Do you sell Basic Magic Potions? I don’t see any."

"Of course we do, but they are kept inside the medicine cabinet. Please wait a moment; I’ll get them for you." The clerk gave Gaode a slightly surprised look.

Gaode was wearing brown linen clothes, the typical attire of a commoner. Since Basic Magic Potions were clearly considered luxury goods, the clerk hadn’t expected them to be Gaode’s target. Surprised as he was, the clerk had already squatted down nimbly in front of the medicine cabinet beside the counter. He took an exquisite box out of a drawer, placed it carefully on the counter, and opened it right in front of Gaode.

Inside the box were three small bottles of Magic Potion, the liquid a crystal-clear ocean blue.

"Take a look, sir."

Gaode’s heart stirred, and a faint glimmer flashed in his eyes.

Detect Magic.

At that moment, a medium-bright Spiritual Light, invisible to others, flickered on the Magic Potion bottles in his eyes. The quality was quite good. After inspecting the goods, Gaode was satisfied.

"How much for a set?" he asked for the price as usual.

"Sir, one set is only six Gold Coins and ten silver coins. Our store has clearly marked prices; we do not negotiate," the clerk smiled.

"Isn’t the market price for Basic Magic Potions six Gold Coins a set?" Gaode’s expression changed, unable to maintain his composure any longer.

The clerk patiently explained, "Here is the situation. Lately, because of the frequent appearance of Earth Vein Creatures outside the city, many outsiders have flocked to our Hogan City.

"As you know, a large portion of these outsiders are Mage Apprentices, and they also purchase Basic Magic Potions to consume.

"If it weren’t for this unexpected situation, our pharmacy’s sales of Basic Magic Potions would have been very stable. The number of sets we sell in a year is usually about the same.

"So, we were also very restrained in our stocking. Now, with all this commotion, our inventory obviously can’t keep up, and we had no choice but to raise the price.

"It’s not just us. If you ask at Phil’s Magic Pharmacy or Glowing Magic Pharmacy, you’ll get the same price," the clerk said, spreading his hands as if it were only natural.

It all came down to the same old saying: the market determined the price.

"Fine." Hearing this, Gaode could only accept defeat. He gritted his teeth resentfully and said, "Give me two sets."

"Alright!" The clerk immediately squatted down with great enthusiasm and retrieved another set of Basic Magic Potions from the medicine cabinet.

A transaction of more than ten Gold Coins was considered a large order in the store. Gaode carefully fished his money pouch out of his pocket, counted out thirteen Gold Coins, and handed them to the clerk.