Gurgle gurgle!
The sound of the liquid boiling gradually weakened and eventually disappeared completely.
Sunan picked up the beaker, poured the viscous liquid into a potion bottle, inserted a cork, and then placed it on the table behind him.
On the solid wood table, fifteen bottles of potion were lined up in a row, shimmering with a captivating luster under the bright yellow light.
Looking at the potions in front of him, Sunan showed a slight smile on his face.
These fifteen bottles of potions were the result of his efforts over the past few days.
The materials consumed for this had costs exceeding one hundred fifty gold coins.
However, it's all worth it.
Composing himself, Sunan sequentially placed the potions into the synthesis cube.
As the number of potions increased, the information displayed on the right synthesis interface kept changing.
When the count increased to three bottles, the synthesis of the inferior active potion changed from 'Zero Level/Low Grade' to 'Zero Level/Medium Grade.'
When it increased to seven bottles, it transformed again to 'Zero Level/High Grade.'
Sunan continued to add the inferior active potions without stopping.
Until the twelfth bottle was added, the synthesis interface suddenly flashed, and the resulting potion finally changed form.
[Active Potion (First Level/Low Grade), greatly increases spiritual activity level upon consumption, extends meditation time, duration of 30 days and 12 hours, no cumulative effect, requires spiritual power above 5 for consumption.]
Compared to the inferior active potions, the active potion had the additional description of 'greatly' increasing the spiritual activity level.
It also added 'extends meditation time,' which is essentially an indirect increase in meditation efficiency.
However, what made Sunan frown was that the duration only doubled?
The consumption restrictions that followed didn't surprise him.
Most potions entering a higher level have consumption restrictions.
And the higher the level, the stricter the restrictions.
These restrictions generally manifest in terms of spiritual power.
Individuals with insufficient spiritual power who forcibly consume the potion could suffer from mild madness, soul damage, or in extreme cases, turn into some strange being or even die from bodily explosion.
After contemplating for a while, Sunan placed the remaining three inferior active potions into the cube.
Perhaps because there were too few, the synthesis quality showed no change this time.
Seeing this, Sunan took the three potions back out and then chose to synthesize.
In an instant, a bottle of active potion appeared in his palm.
Without hesitation, Sunan consumed it on the spot.
By only looking at the effect description, he couldn't see much, so he decided to personally experience the effect of a first-level potion.
As the potion flowed into his stomach, Sunan felt a sudden surge of spirit, and the entire world seemed to become much clearer instantly, as if changing from low resolution to high resolution.
Without delay, Sunan sat down on the spot and began to meditate.
After an unknown period, he suddenly opened his eyes, and the first thing he did was look at the clock on the wall, surprised to find that nearly four hours had passed, and it was getting dark outside.
"The meditation time has doubled from before."
Sunan opened the panel to see, pleasantly surprised to find his spiritual power had increased by 0.09.
The Star Ring Meditation Method had also increased by 68 points in proficiency.
"The increase in spiritual power was less than expected, but the proficiency increase was more than six times that of before."
Sunan quickly calculated in his mind.
Using the active potion for meditation for one month leads to slightly more results than using twelve bottles of inferior active potions for six months, with the difference not being particularly significant.
However, the time used varied a lot.
For wizard apprentices with limited lifespan, which one is more beneficial is obvious.
"This is exactly the advantage of irreplaceable precious resources, allowing me to increase spiritual power faster and breakthrough levels more quickly."
"If I can always use active potions, I can construct the second star ring in just over forty days, and within a year, I am sure to advance to a second-class wizard apprentice!"
Sunan felt immense joy.
After advancing to a second-class wizard apprentice, many restricted methods can be used, and his combat power can also be greatly enhanced, truly gaining a foothold in this world.
"Should I continue synthesizing to improve the quality of active potions?"
After a moment's hesitation, Sunan ultimately dismissed this idea.
Synthesis surely is not a loss, but higher-quality active potions will definitely have higher spiritual power requirements.
If an inaccessible potion is produced at this stage, that would be too wasteful.
While the economic pressure in Black Stone City has greatly eased now, there's still not much money for him to squander at will.
"The First Level/Low Grade active potion is probably enough before advancing to a second-class wizard apprentice."
...
As time entered the Thunder Moon (April), the weather remained hot.
Villages surrounding Black Stone City gradually completed their farming, with farm work nearing completion.
More manpower was gradually withdrawn and redirected to the reconstruction efforts of the Black Stone Mine.
It is expected that by the end of the month, the Black Stone Mine will be fully reconstructed.
However, to avoid wasting time, Kei decided to recruit miners at the start of the month to begin mining operations early.
Thus, the Black Stone Mine was immediately operating at full capacity, with ores being transported daily from the underground shafts to the surface, to be cast into neat Black Stone Iron ingots in the furnaces.
The entire Black Stone City was enveloped in an atmosphere of bustling activity.
The only exception was the courtyard where Sunan resided, which remained serene and peaceful as always.
In the Meditation Room.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Sunan's body suddenly trembled slightly before he opened his eyes, revealing a delighted smile.
"Finally, the second star ring is constructed!"
Deep within his sea of consciousness, two star rings were interlinked and connected like a chain, exuding a mysterious and profound aura.
Sunan felt invigorated, his spirit elated as he opened the panel to take a look.
[Sunan Yanest, Human Male, 16 years old]
[Spiritual Power 10.85/Constitution 5.04]
[Skills]
Star Ring Meditation Method Lv3 (28/10000)
Potion Crafting Lv2 (629/3000)
Biological Transformation Lv1 (3/1000)
"The spiritual power increased by 1.21."
Sunan nodded inwardly.
Originally, his spiritual power was only 9.64, and with the successful construction of the star ring, it instantly surpassed the 10-point threshold.
In this scenario, once he constructs the third star ring, his spiritual power will definitely exceed 12 points, thereby advancing to a second-class wizard apprentice.
"The constitution also broke through 5 points."
Sunan clenched his fists.
He hadn't deliberately strengthened his constitution, but with prolonged meditation and the enhancement of spiritual power, his constitution gradually improved without him realizing it.
It's estimated that by the time he's promoted to a second-class wizard apprentice, his constitution, although not matching a formal knight, won't be far behind.
"The proficiency of the Level 3 Star Ring Meditation Method increased by more than double, but with 10000 points of proficiency, if things move quickly, it can be maxed out in half a year."
Sunan's gaze swept through the skill bar, landing on the biological transformation at the bottom.
This was a skill he mastered only yesterday.
Ever since acquiring potion crafting and puppet refining, Sunan spent most of his time on these two skills, only occasionally sparing time to progress in biological transformation studies.
However, this skill already had over half of its learning progress, and after several months of intermittent efforts, it finally reached 100% yesterday, thus appearing in the skill bar.
"As long as I continue down the path of wizardry, I will inevitably touch the field of biological transformation, and then this skill will be useful."
On the other hand, the learning of magic spells was progressing smoothly.
The subsequent acquisition of the unlocking spell, detect poison, and touch of fatigue have been mastered successively.
The first two need no explanation, as the spell effects are apparent from their names.
However, Touch of Fatigue is an offensive-type spell.
By contacting the target, it injects negative energy, causing the target to fall into a state of fatigue.
Its practicality... let's say it's mediocre.
It's just that in the absence of other spells to choose from, Sunan learned this spell.
"Previously, I asked my brother to collect wizard scriptures and magic items, I wonder how that's progressing?"