Chapter 458 - 340: The Advent of Tier Three: Mountain Giant Potion

The solution’s color shifted from Dark Gold to a deeper "Earth Amber."

The illusory mountain within it gained a rock-like texture, as if covered by a natural Shell.

’Next... time to handle the Earth Vein Flower.’

Ian picked up the Dark Gold flower, rolling it gently between his fingertips.

The petals detached one by one, drifting into the Crucible.

The moment they touched the solution, the petals melted, transforming into pure Earth Vein Energy.

It was like a soothing rain, nourishing and calming the potion’s volatile nature.

The purpose of the Earth Vein Flower was to "harmonize."

Its pure Earth Vein Energy could mitigate the rejection reaction from the Rule Fragments, making the potion milder and easier for the body to absorb.

After all the petals were added, the solution’s color changed again, shifting from Earth Amber to a mellow "Dark Gold Liquid."

The illusory mountain within seemed to "come alive," slowly rising and falling as if it were breathing.

’Finally... the Auxiliary Materials.’

Ian added the Thousand-Year Stone Heart Vine Marrow, Earth Vein Crystal Powder, and Star Realm Silver Sand in succession...

With the addition of each Auxiliary Material, the solution’s Rule structure grew more stable and complete.

By the time all the materials had been added, the solution was completely stable.

Its color settled into a deep Dark Gold, the illusory mountain within gently rising and falling.

’The final step... Rule Solidification.’

Ian took a deep breath, placing his hands on either side of the Crucible.

He activated his Order Divine Body at full capacity!

The Power of three Rules—Gravity, Purification, and Time—surged into the solution at once.

The Gravity Rule sketched out a "skeleton," solidifying the structure of the illusory mountain.

The Purification Rule infused it with "flesh and blood," maintaining its internal purity and Order.

The Time Rule, like a "heart," regulated the Energy flow within the solution, causing the Rule Fragments to pulsate at a perfectly stable frequency.

「An entire hour passed.」

When Ian withdrew his hands, a faint, sharp pain throbbed at his temples. He had consumed about a quarter of his Spiritual Power.

’What a terrifying drain. An ordinary Level Three Wizard would have almost no chance of successfully Refining this.’

His eyes, however, sparkled with excitement.

’A Tier Three Bloodline Potion... I finally did it!’

Once complete, the Potion was a uniform Dark Gold, with the illusory mountain gently rising and falling within.

A faint sheen of Rule flowed across its surface, making it look like a slumbering mountain.

Ian took out a specially made Crystal Tube and carefully filled it with the Potion.

It felt heavy in his hand, as if he were holding a real mountain.

He held the Crystal Tube up to the light, a mesmerized look in his eyes.

In the light, the illusory mountain was even clearer—the paths of its river valleys, the distribution of its Earth Vein network...

[Tier Three Bloodline Potion detected... Acquired.]

At the edge of his vision, the panel data refreshed silently.

[Energy Rating: Tier Three Basic]

[Rule Traits: Mountain Spirit (Rudimentary), Earth Carrying, Rock Solidification]

Ian stared at the line for "Divine Body Compatibility," his expression thoughtful.

’It’s just that... in terms of Rules, a Tier Three Bloodline Potion is already touching the threshold of Level Four.’

’If I were to take it by force, without a Neutralizing Potion to temper it...’

’I wouldn’t get injured, but its volatile nature would be expelled from my body by the Divine Body.’

’No rush. The Bloodline Potion is complete. I can take my time researching the Neutralizing Potion.’

He carefully sealed the Crystal Tube and placed it in a Constant Temperature Box.

Then he sat down on a chair, closed his eyes, and began to meditate and recover his strength.

"A Tier Three Bloodline Potion... what should I name it?" he murmured to himself, the sense of accomplishment in his voice irrepressible.

’How about... the Mountain Giant Potion.’

[Mountain Giant Potion: Mastery (6400/12800)]

Ian thought the name was quite fitting.

After all, consuming it wouldn’t grant the simple "Child of the Earth Veins" bloodline, but the more High Level "Mountain Giant" true form.

’With this, plus a Tier Three Neutralizing Potion, I’ll have a real cash cow on my hands!’

「Three days later.」

Ian began researching a Middle Tier Neutralizing Potion. He spread two sheets of Parchment out on his Alchemy Platform.

On the left was the formula for the [Moonlight Neutralizer]; on the right, the [Dream Potion], which had already undergone Limit-Breaking once.

It had gained an extra trait: "Refining Spirit." After consumption, it would provide an additional tempering of one’s Spiritual Power during a bloodline Awakening.

It was an excellent trait, but unfortunately, Ian was already a Level Three Great Wizard, so the effect on him was minimal.

The approaches behind these two Neutralizing Potions were completely different.

’The Moonlight Neutralizer is for ’suppression,’ and the Dream Potion is for ’guidance’.’

Ian attempted to fuse them, hoping to combine their strengths.

He wanted to create a brand new Neutralizer, one that could handle the volatile nature of a Tier Three Bloodline Potion.

But... unsurprisingly, he failed.

On the first attempt, the properties clashed, and the Test Tube exploded.

On the second, the Energy became imbalanced, and the solution turned into a pile of grayish-white sludge.

On the third, the Rules descended into Chaos, triggering a small-scale Spiritual Shock wave.

Ian was thrown back three steps, a vein bulging on his forehead.

’I was too hasty... I let it get to my head!’

A Tier Three Neutralizing Agent required more than just Energy balancing.

It also needed... soothing at the Soul level.

The Rule Fragments within a Tier Three Bloodline Potion already touched upon the Soul.

Upon consumption, the Rule Fragments would resonate and fuse with the user’s Soul.

If one’s Soul wasn’t resilient enough, or if the Neutralizer couldn’t provide sufficient "soothing"...

At best, the result would be psychosis. At worst, the Soul would be Assimilated by the Rule Fragments, turning the person into a mindless monster.

’I need a... material that can act directly upon the Soul.’

Ian muttered to himself, his mind racing.

He was reminded of the Shadow World and one of its native products... the Ghost Orchid.

It grew in places with the most concentrated Shadow Energy, where it could absorb Soul fragments and convert them into pure Spiritual Energy.

It was a top-tier ingredient for concocting High Tier Spiritual Potions.

’If I can find a Ghost Orchid and extract its "soul-soothing" component...’

’Perhaps I could break through the bottleneck in creating the Neutralizer.’

Ian looked up at Gaga, who was perched on his shoulder.

The little creature was preening its feathers. Sensing his gaze, it lifted its tiny head.

"Ian, what’s up, ga?"

"Do you remember... any other special places in the Shadow World, besides the Shadow Crystal Ore Vein?"

Gaga tilted its head, blinking its little eyes.

"Special places... lots of them!" the little creature chirped, flying to Ian’s shoulder.

"About a hundred miles west of the ore vein, there’s a Shadow Swamp."

"Lots of twisted trees and flowers grow there. It definitely has what you’re looking for."

Ian’s eyes lit up. A place like that would be brimming with Shadow Energy.

’There’s a high chance I’ll find Ghost Orchids there.’

"A blue what? I don’t know, ga, but I’m sure it has what you’re talking about."

Gaga landed back on his shoulder, its expression gleeful.

"Are we going to look for it? Let’s go!"

Ian smiled. He knew Gaga was completely at ease in the Shadow World, as if it were home.

"No rush. I need to make some preparations. This time, we also have that big guy from before to deal with."

He planned to Refine some specialized Potions.

They would have a single purpose but a long-lasting effect, specifically designed to counter creatures from the Shadow Realm.

’I’ll probably have to rely on the Shadow World for the materials for the Tier Three Neutralizing Agent.’

Plus... hunting that Shadow Lord would also help Gaga accumulate Tier Three Resources.

Gaga’s little eyes lit up instantly.

"Ian, I’ll definitely do better this time, ga!"

"I know. Gaga has always been brave," Ian said, rubbing its little head.

"This time... once we’re fully prepared, we can definitely take it down."

The little creature flapped its wings excitedly, flying a few laps around the Laboratory.

"Great! I can finally get my revenge! It chased us last time, so this time I’m going to peck its eyes out!"

A smile touched Ian’s lips as he watched its excited display.

"Alright. Once the Potions are ready, we’ll set out."

Gaga nodded vigorously, its little claws scratching at the tabletop.

"My Shadow Jump distance has increased again! I can take you into the Shadow World now and we can stay for forty minutes!"

"Oh? That improves our chances even more."

Ian stood and walked over to the Alchemy Platform, his gaze sweeping over the various materials on its surface.

In his mind, he began to plan his next moves.

Delve deep into the Shadow World, find the Ghost Orchid, hunt the Shadow Lord, and accumulate resources for Gaga.

And while he was at it... he would test the limits of his Order Divine Body in the Shadow World.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

Inside the Laboratory, the light of the Crystal Stone Lamp flared to life once more.

’This time, I’m going to Refine something different. I might even get a pleasant surprise...’