Chapter 28: Ninth-grade pharmacist

As days went by, Blackwood continued to develop methodically.

Ethan quietly watched a family grow.

Then he smiled again.

"Blackwood, year 23, Gratitude Village population reaches 1548."

"Amelia, with a Foundational Energy level four, has been cultivating herbs in the beast park for years, deeply studying 'Iron Will cultivating psychic powers manual' about 'special methods of psychic medicine and cultivation', achieving great results. "

"By a stroke of luck, she got a book 'Thousand Herbs' from an old doctor in Gratitude Village and made her first medicine powder 'Coagulation Powder'."

"Amelia has achieved the profession—ninth-grade pharmacist!"

"Moved by her achievement, her Wood Psychic Constitution value reached 60, breaking through to Foundational Energy level five!"

"A profession? A pharmacist has appeared!"

Ethan slapped his thigh. In modern times, you hardly see pharmacists around, replaced by petri dishes due to technological advancement. But that's just one reason; becoming a pharmacist, even more complex than becoming a Dan master, was another.

It was said that when psychic abilities first resurged, pharmacists had once replaced doctors, powerful enough to revive the dead or kill invisibly!

He clicked on Amelia's profile in a rush.

At that moment, Amelia, in front of a beast blood fruit tree, was joyfully touching a packet of medicine powder, darting around a large copper furnace, "I did it, Forebearer bless, I made it!"

Only 16, in the prime of her youth, yet Blackwood's daughters somehow didn't like interacting with outsiders. Olivia was like that, always reading at home, and so was Amelia.

She wore a simple black robe, her hair in a ponytail, her exposed skin dirty, not as beautiful as Olivia, but with a simple elegance.

She spent almost all her time in Blackwood's medicinal garden, tending to the psychic plants.

"Amelia (second generation)"

"Profession: Ninth-grade pharmacist"

"Level: Foundational Energy level five"

"Psychic Constitution: Five-element mixed Psychic Constitution"

"Techniques: Qi absorption technique, Thousand Herbs, Swift Steps"

"Trait: Plant affinity"

Ethan was also delighted with Amelia's growth.

As Amelia grew, many in Gratitude Village with injuries and illnesses began seeking her medical treatment, gradually boosting her reputation and advancing her pharmacist level.

Meanwhile, Ethan was really starting to see how crucial Amelia was!

"Your descendant Amelia has cured 'Steven' from Gratitude Village of a hidden ailment, and now he can finally get cozy with his wife like normal. Blackwood earns some good karma, Spiritual Tribute +1."

Besides special events, descendant worship, and births, Ethan found another way to rack up Spiritual Tribute!

He glanced at his Spiritual Tribute tally.

Over time, it had ballooned to over 3000 points.

Soon, he'd be able to control the war AI Bionic Robot!

...

"Year 25 in Blackwood, a 'black iron' ore vein was discovered in the Silver Iron Woods, just when it was about to be developed, a Gratitude Village Psychic and three guards were killed!"

Special event!

"Dang it!"

When the vein was discovered, Ethan was thrilled.

Black iron, though a common type of iron, was super resistant to rust and perfect for making weapons and tools in the game world. Ethan had even hashed out plans with Nathan on how to use the black iron, but in a blink, it was snatched away!

In the Blackwood shrine.

"Forebearer, cool it, Nathan didn't guard the black iron mine well, letting folks from Tai Lin Town, led by Gonzalez, snatch it and even got people from Gratitude Village killed. It's Nathan's fault, please punish him, Forebearer!"

"It's not your fault."

Ethan had the Purple Thunder Python relay the message.

He squinted his eyes, "Tai Lin Town folks again?"

It seemed like Blackwood folks had always run into people from Tai Lin Town, and aside from Heath, other families generally kept the peace with Blackwood.

But when interests clashed, friction like this was inevitable.

And this time, for the black iron mine, blood was shed!

"As Blackwood grows stronger, Tai Lin Town will see us as a thorn in their side, a pain in their neck, and that's just unavoidable."

Ethan remained cool as a cucumber, tapping away at his keyboard.

"Head to the black iron mine, take out four of their guys too, leave the rest of Gonzalez's folks alive, send them back with a message for their chief to come talk. We might just make a big deal."

"Talk... business?" With his wife translating, Nathan got the gist of Ethan's plan, puzzled.

Then Ethan filled Nathan in on more details, and Nathan's eyes lit up.

Soon.

He walked to the gates of Blackwood, where the relatives of those killed at the black iron mine had already gathered, weeping.

Nathan looked at the villagers of Gratitude Village.

"For years, we at Blackwood have sheltered Gratitude Village, and I hope Gratitude Village can always be happy and safe, because we're all honest, well-meaning folks."

"But things in this world often go against our wishes, and we can't predict who might bring disaster or bad news our way."

"But what I can assure you is, whoever it is, they'll pay a price they can't handle!"

"Maybe today, maybe tomorrow."

"I, Nathan, promise you, their nightmare..."

"Has just begun!"