Liam deliberated for a moment, then pressed the Backspace key, erasing his message from the chat box. He understood that given the personalities of the group members, even if he spoke up to advise them, few would likely listen. Furthermore, since someone had already consumed it and appeared to be perfectly fine, the concoction probably wasn't immediately lethal.
Even so, Liam felt he couldn't simply ignore them. "Every remedy carries a slight toxicity," as the old saying went. What if this Physique-Refining Elixir was a slow-acting poison? What if it wouldn't kill them immediately, but prove fatal in the long run? He had to verify this recipe! He found himself genuinely concerned for these eccentric individuals. Liam was, all things considered, a person who deserved a "good deed" badge.
He picked up a notepad beside him and copied down the names of the thirty common ingredients in Apothecary's 'Physique-Refining Elixir' that he could find online. Liam had a cousin, Anya Reed, who was studying medicine. Her university had a traditional herbal medicine department, so Liam planned to ask her to discreetly inquire whether concocting these thirty qi- and blood-nourishing herbs together would be lethal. Theoretically, these tonic herbs shouldn't be deadly, but with so many ingredients simmered together, who knew what monstrosity would result?
As for the ingredients with fantastical, self-serious names—Fresh Sovereign Branch, Sliced Solar Blaze Bamboo, and the like—Liam naturally ignored them. What even were those things? He wasn't some deluded fantasy enthusiast, was he? If he asked Anya about them, she'd surely think he'd lost his mind. And then, his mother would undoubtedly fly in from the capital the next day, dragging him to a neurologist and a psychiatrist. "I'll discreetly ask Anya when I go home in two weeks," Liam thought to himself, hoping none of the seasoned fantasy enthusiasts in the group would meet an untimely end before then.
While Liam was copying the recipe, the Conclave of Arcane Lore remained quiet. Few members were online during weekdays, suggesting that even these eccentric individuals had normal lives. And quite right, too; everyone needed to eat, work, and raise families. Perhaps there were even students like himself in the group.
Having copied down the thirty ingredients from the recipe, Liam stretched. He glanced at the weather forecast in his computer's lower right corner. June 1st: Sunny. June 2nd: Sunny. "Good weather. I'll go out for some exercise later." Liam felt his physical condition deteriorating and resolved to increase his activity.
But even as the thought crossed his mind, his fingers instinctively clicked on a game icon on his desktop. "Just two quick rounds!"
...
What began as "just two quick rounds" soon became an endless cycle of games! Before he knew it, it was already noon. "Weekend time always flies by so fast," Liam chuckled dryly, closing the game. Habitually, his hand reached for the Conclave of Arcane Lore icon. A quick glance upon opening, a quick glance upon closing—it brightened his entire day!
Upon opening the group chat, he noticed that River North Wanderer, a frequent presence, was indeed online. There were many new messages.
River North Wanderer: "Brother Apothecary, your alchemy skills are truly unparalleled. I attempted ten batches of the refined Physique-Refining Elixir, and eight of them were successful! The efficacy is even better than I imagined. Alas, this elixir is only truly effective for nascent practitioners. For a rogue cultivator like myself, its use is limited. However, for Elders like Lord Seraph of the Grand Order, and others with many disciples and grand-disciples, its utility is immense. Once Elder Seraph and the others receive this recipe, they will owe you a great debt of gratitude."
Silent Monk Theron surfaced, sending a "thumbs up" emoticon.
River North Wanderer immediately chuckled. "Ah, I forgot. Master Theron, you too oversee a group of young acolytes. Brother Apothecary, it seems your debtors have increased."
Silent Monk Theron sent another smiling emoticon, then went offline.
River North Wanderer returned the smile. He found the practice of 'Silent Meditation' utterly perplexing. If not for this chat group, allowing Master Theron to communicate through punctuation and emoticons, he might be entirely cut off from interaction! The Ascetics truly were a peculiar lot—it was a blessing he hadn't been swayed by that old Ascetic to become a young acolyte himself!
About ten minutes later, Blade of the Madman came online: "Fae Willow, Enchantress Fae Willow, if you are present, I implore you to respond to this humble one!" Along with a flurry of tearful and kneeling emoticons.
River North Wanderer: "Ho, Brother Madman, you haven't been online these past few days. Where did you seclude yourself for meditation?" River North Wanderer chuckled, his question pointed.
Blade of the Madman: "Meditation, indeed! Three days ago, Elder of the Spirit Isles paid this humble one a visit, and resided in my sanctuary for three days. And well, you understand, ahem… the horror!" Madman sent a voice message, his voice thick with sobs.
River North Wanderer: "Heh." River North Wanderer expressed zero sympathy for Madman. Those who courted their own demise deserved none!
Blade of the Madman: "Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles, beautiful Enchantress Fae Willow, please emerge and grant this Madman an audience! I have an urgent plea!" Madman cried out. Madman was his given name.
Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles: "?" Fae Willow came online, sending a question mark.
Blade of the Madman: "Enchantress, you're finally here. This humble one has an impertinent request—I implore you, take your overly doting father back home! This Madman begs for mercy!" Madman sent a "kneeling" emoticon.
Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles: "Heh." Fae Willow sent a smiling emoticon. A moment later, a soft, ethereal message appeared: "This Elder, 'overly doting'?"
Oh! Something felt amiss. 'This Elder'? Was it the Lord of the Spirit Isles again, using his daughter's account? A shatter sound effect. Madman's fragile spirit cracked. That old man truly was overly doting, constantly using his daughter's account! Was there no privacy left in this world?
River North Wanderer: "..." River North Wanderer felt his eyebrow twitching uncontrollably. Finally, with good intention, he offered a hint: "By the way, Brother Madman. Miss Fae Willow is likely busy refining the new Physique-Refining Elixir, you see."
Therefore, Miss Fae Willow wouldn't be online for a while. And with that, Madman went offline… not logged off, but disconnected.
Liam: "Heh!" Liam chuckled joyfully. His mood considerably brightened.
However, after observing the chat logs for over ten days, Liam began to suspect that the group members weren't merely indulging in "middle school syndrome." The details in their conversations felt too real, almost as if they weren't products of mere fantasy. The thought merely flickered in Liam's mind.
"Have I been reading their chat logs so much that I'm becoming like them?" Liam felt a cold sweat break out at the thought. He was long past his adolescent phase, but who didn't have embarrassing memories from their youth? His past dreams of being a martial arts master, a superhero, or an immortal were embarrassing black marks on his life's ledger. Just thinking about them made him cringe, made him wish he could forget, just forget! He absolutely had to avoid becoming like these people.
"Time for lunch," he mumbled, reaching to close the Conclave of Arcane Lore.
Just as his fingers hovered over the close button, River North Wanderer's message appeared: "Seven, has your junior finished her lightning trial? There's been no sound from her."
Seven of the Serpent Clan: "Just about to begin. It will commence in a few hours."
River North Wanderer: "Where will the trial be held? Do you require assistance?"
Seven of the Serpent Clan: "The trial will be in an isolated area outside Haven City. Rest assured, my Sixteen possesses exceptional talent. A mere Third Tier Mortal Ascension lightning trial is a trifle; she will overcome it with ease. Prepare yourselves, for soon my Sixteen will ascend to the Fourth Tier Celestial Foundation, and then she shall seek out opportunities to challenge each of you, hahahaha." Seven of the Serpent Clan chuckled, seemingly at ease.
River North Wanderer: "That puts my mind at ease. Sixteen's talent is indeed impressive. The Third Tier Mortal Ascension lightning trial should not pose a challenge to her." River North Wanderer agreed.
After that, the group chat fell silent once more.
...
Liam scratched his chin. Haven City? Wasn't that right next to Aethelburg? In fact, Aethelburg University was situated in a district bordering both Haven City and Port City. Haven City was a small city in the Dominion, yet economically prosperous. It was known as a shopper's paradise, where anything could supposedly be bought, legal or otherwise.
If the trial was in Haven City, wouldn't Aethelburg be able to witness it?
"I'm being an idiot," Liam chuckled to himself. He was actually taking these group members' words seriously? A lightning trial? The sky was cloudless, the sun shining brightly. There was no chance of a thunderstorm. Besides, modern weather forecasts were quite accurate. For the next three days, if it predicted sunshine, there would be no sudden thunderstorms.
"With such good weather, I'll head to the bookstore after lunch!" Liam mumbled.