The set up

The usually tranquil log cabin was filled with the cheerful whistling of one happy little mage.Wu Liang Hui could already taste all of the delicious foods he would buy with all of his new found riches. He had sent Bai Huya off on a mission to sell all of the pills and potions that he had made, to the warriors at the Eight Heavenly Peaks. Though he wasn't sure what the beastman got up to when they weren't together, he was sure that he was hanging around the department for warriors in the Lightning Sword Sect. His fancy new white robes, the same robes as the sect warriors and sword was evidence enough, the bastard was living a whole other life over there that he wasn't a part of. He was a little dejected that the beastman only saw him as a sex friend but at least now maybe they could be business partners. Liang Hui was reminded of the beastman holding him as he cried, his face heated, how pathetic. He couldn't imagine how low of an impression Bai Huya must have of him. Maybe, if he thought positively, his place in the beastman's heart had grown, although thanks to the man's aversion to anything aside from sarcasm, he could never tell how he truly felt. At least their relationship had made some sort of progress. Now they would be business partners.

Speaking of progress, he wondered about his own. He opened up the status window in the system. The glowing screen appeared in front of him once again and honestly he was impressed by how far he came. He had gone from being a regular human at grey level to a blue level mage. This was an amazing feat itself as Grey Level to Green Level was considered the limit of 75% of the population in this world. As a Blue Level mage he could now be considered as being in the middle class. He, Wu- no Chi Bai Cai, would no longer be looked down upon as he was now at a level of power to be a government official or a midtier soldier. He had also jumped past yellow and green levels using natural means and hence could be considered a genius. 

Status summary:

Name: Chi Bai Cai/ Wu Liang Hui

Age: body-21 mentality-46

Class: Mage blue lvl 

Type: Wood/ Earth

Skills: Ghost step technique, blue lvl

 God's eye, grey lvl

 Hermes Blessing, grey lvl

Weapon: Yamaraja's twin daggers

Not only that but he had gained a couple hundred experience points from all of his potions making. An ear splitting smile crawled onto his face, he was truly a rich man. Finally things were as they should be. He was once again getting paid to do what he truly loved. Now all he had to worry about was completing the quest to find his original body. It sounds simple but that was just the peak of the iceberg, the real challenge was to become a white level mage. It was obvious by the way the main quest came with some side quests. 

[Fail 500 times at making grey level potions...432/500]

[Fail 500 times at making grey level pills...…..278/500]

[Read 5000 books...........…..1082/5000]

[Formulate an original pill/potion for each level.....0/12]

[Complete 25 side quests.........…0/25]

It all seemed tedious at first but for each completed side quest the amount of time until his current body decayed would be lengthened. As things stood he had a little over nine years before he literally fell to pieces, but he didn't want to dwell on that thought now. Now, he was extremely happy. 

When he closed the quest window he noticed that the inventory button was blinking at him. Wu Liang Hui clicked on it, and the window popped open. The empty grid that filled the inventory window was now populated with vials of potions and pills. He selected one of them and it curiously materialized in his hand. It was really curious as this was a health potion that he had just made and given to Bai Huya to sell, how did it end up here? In the slot that the vial came from there was still an image of the potion so he clicked on it again and another vial of the potion materialized in his hand.

Wu Liang Hui couldn't believe his eyes, this couldn't be happening. It was an endless supply of potions and pills. This meant that from now on as long as he could successfully create it, it would then be available infinitely. 

".....it's like a cheat," he gasped, "Have the heavens finally decided to shine down on me," feeling himself start to choke up. Wu Liang Hui wiped the tears that were spilling out dramatically. He felt like a man that was stranded in the middle of the desert that had stumbled upon an oasis. Only this was a magical oasis that ensured that he would never go wanting again.

"Oh great and powerful system I thank thee for your merciful blessing!!"

Playing around more with the various potion and pill bottles he accidentally drops one tile with a low-rank grey level health potion over another. The tiles on the system window glowed yellow. When the glowing stopped he saw that the two tiles had merged together. He clicked on the newly formed potion bottle and it materialized into his hand.

|[Yellow Level Health Potion]|

|[New recipe acquired: 1/12 ]|

Wu Liang Hui felt his heart thump in his chest. This inventory wasn't just a limitless apothecary but it also had the ability to mix and match to create something new. This was truly a tool of the heavens that was gifted to him, a sorrowful mortal. He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, at this moment he truly regretted all of the times that he cursed this blessed system. He was so petty then, from this moment on he internally pledged to show it nothing but the respect and reverence that a heavenly tool deserved.

With a smile on his face he merged more of the grey tiles together, over and over again. He did so they all turned blue. When he tried to merge the blue tiles an error message popped up.

|[Unable to process!]|

He tried to merge two other blue tiles on the screen.

|[Unable to process!]|

|[Unable to process!]|

|[Unable to process!]|

He sneered at the screen, a vein bulging on his temple, "What do you mean, you did it so well a couple of seconds ago!" He stubbornly tried again.

|[This action exceeds current level]|

"Then why didn't you say exactly that sooner you dumb piece of @#&!"

|[It was assumed that it would be obvious]|

|[Sorry this system will adjust to the users mental level]|

"#$$%%"

"Obvious, your face!" He huffed before his eyes went wide. Wu Liang Hui growled angrily as realization hit him. "You can talk! All this time I was struggling and you could have helped me!?"

….

"Say something you piece of shit!" He reached out to grab the screen but his hands went right through it. "I said answer me you translucent bastard!"

He clicking and merging tiles like a lunatic.

|[Congratulations you have a mid-grade blue level health potion!]|

….

Wu Liang Hui didn't know what to say. He had no words. What even was his life? Should he be angry that the system evaded his question or happy about the free level up? Most of all he couldn't help but admit that he was curious about this upgrade. It seemed as if there were different tiers in the level of a potion as well. His hands started to twitch with the need to research this. 

At the library doors he waited at the very back of the crowd until he saw the doors creek open. Liang Hui darted around the disgruntled mages and slid through the slight gap of the doorway much to the shock of his fellow disciples and the astonished librarians. They wanted to reprimand him but he moved so fast they couldn't tell who he was or where he was headed. Liang Hui himself was unaware of how fast he was moving. Since unlocking his mana his ghost step technique had leveled up to the point that he was able to reach speeds that could rival a blue level agility warrior.

He zipped past that embarrassing statue and made a beeline for the mana wing. He needed to know once and for all how the magical component to apothecary worked. He buzzed around pulling books off the shelves and by the time he was done ransacking the shelves and holed himself in an isolated corner of the library the other disciples were now wearily trudging in, their eyes soulless and surrounded by heavy bags. It was less than a day before the exam and they were all practically living in the library.

As he sat on the floor consuming everything he possibly could about mages and mana. He read all of the books on mages first to see what he could find on mage classes, specifically wood mages. Bai Huya had mentioned it before but none of the books seem to have anything on it. Maybe the beastman was wrong for once. He decided to shelf the thought for now and get into what he really came for, apothecary grades/tiers. 

It seemed like the grade of a pill or potion was decided by the quality of the materials and by it's handling throughout the process. One could use the finest ingredients and still end up with a low tier product, or in Liang Hui's case, a failure. It was all about guiding the natural qi in the ingredients so that they smoothly fall into line and don't escape. Helping them expand or contract to conform to their new shape or form.

As he was completely lost in his research, a pair of sharp eyes were on him. On the second floor balcony a familiar old man was seated, sipping on a cup of tea. The Sect Chief had arrived early that morning to discuss with the 4th Elder, about the arrangements for the upcoming mage exams. He was especially interested in this year's batch of mages, so much so he could barely sleep. He cursed that little cub every night that sleep evaded him as his mind was consumed with worry. He sometimes longed for the days that he was oblivious to everything and was just being a good friend taking in a stray mage. Now he was finding himself making up excuses just to come over to the Mage Department. 

However that changed in a matter of a few minutes, no seconds. He held his forehead as his laughter shook his whole body, his armor clanking with the slight vibration. He didn't know how but it was as though a serge of hope for the future flooded his body. Yes, hope that his king would not only become a tall tree but a towering mountain whose peak was higher than the clouds. Though that excitement didn't last long as he remembered a certain white fur ball. He had no doubt that little Hu knew about his Majesty's abilities. There was no way that sticky rice ball who stuck to his Majesty like glue wouldn't notice that he not only was a mage but somehow also had the ability of an agility class warrior. Little Hu had some nerve hiding things from him. He had no problem reporting all his Majesty's mishaps as a mage, but this he hides. Old Bai considered himself a patient person but somehow that little cub always found a way to cause trouble from the beginning. Perhaps he didn't hold him enough as a child. He sighed as he remembered when he first noticed that his cub might have a strange attachment to trouble.

"AAA-CHoo!!"

The loud sneeze echoed throughout the office of Bai Wei Bing, General of the West and current head of the Great White Tiger Clan. He had spent the night before running through the rain searching in vain for one of his silly little cubs that had run off and gotten lost. Luckily His majesty had found the cub before anything bad could have happened. Bai Wei Bing wiped his nose on the white sleeve of his robes and continued writing. They had an upcoming trip to the Rainforest and he wanted to get some of the more urgent reports off his desk before then.

A cool hand gently touched his forehead, brushing away his silver bangs from his face then gently trailed down to his cheek. Bai Wei Bing couldn't help but rub his fever heated face against the cool smooth skin of the dragon, a soft pur rumbling in his chest.

"See, I told you that you were dressed too lightly," Brother Li placed a cup of tea on the desk in front of him. Bai Wei Bing wrinkled his nose at it, it reeked of the usual herbal medicinal sludge that Brother Li was always trying to shove down his muzzle. 

"Come now, drink up!" The general of the East ignored his clear distaste for the bitter liquid as he casually wrapped the grumpy tiger in a warm fluffy blanket made of some poor animal's pelt for good measure, "there, don't you feel better."

Brother Li's bright smile once again stifled any complaints that the grumpy Western General could ever have. Bai Wei Bing just sighed as he picked up the delicate porcelain cup and brought it to his lips. No sooner had he taken a sip did mocking laughter reach his ear. 

"You're so hen pecked for someone called the beast of the Western forest," Lin Guang Xu waltzed into the office, his heels click-clacking with each step, and plopped down onto the large blue camelback styled couch in the seating area, his most cherished guzheng gently rested on his lap. "I hope your wives never drop in as I've seen them both and neither would look well in green." The man laughed at his own joke so wildly that the instrument on his lap almost slipped.

"W-what are you talking about?" Brother Li took five steps away from Bai Wei Bing, his face flushed bright red, his light blue robes swished with his frantic movements.

 Hurt briefly flashed on Bai Wei Bing's face before being replaced with a mocking smirk. "Why don't you focus on practicing, we wouldn't want you sitting center stage at the banquet and losing face for your whole clan now do we."

"Just say that you are jealous of my talent and be done with it," General Lin casually dusted non-existent dirt off his instrument.

"Who,me?" General Bai pointed to his own nose, "Jealous of a midget that wears heels just to pretend to be of average height?"

"M-midget! You overgrown ball of fleas, who cares about height when they have everlasting youth," General Lin roared, tossing his precious guzheng to the side so he could storm over to Bai's desk to continue, his heels furiously clicking on the tiled floor, "unlike you who acquires new wrinkles with each passing day!" He flipped his beautiful, long, fiery auburn locks over his shoulder. His drizzling orange, golden embroidered robes swishing with each exaggerated movement, like glittering flames. 

"Please you two, there's no need to fight," General Li stepped forward to calm the heated General. The hot headed Lin Guang Xu turned to glare at him. While the two were having a stare down Bai Wei Bing ducked under his desk.

"Whew, still handsome," Bai Wei Bing sighed in relief before sheathing his sword and sitting up straight to find the two generals staring at him strangely, "What?"

"...." Li QingYun.

"Heh" Lin Guang Xu. 

The door to the Western General's office slammed open suddenly, "One of you needs to go talk to that joker or so help me....!" They all turned to see the General of the North, Xiang YiKao stormed in. The large sleeves of his green and black brocade robes fluttered after him as if they too were surprised by the sudden outburst of the usually calm Northern General.

"Who?" Bai Wei Bing.

"What happened?" Li Qing Yun.

"Who has the nerve to cause a scene on His Majesty's castle grounds?" General Lin roared, readying for a fight, fire sparking in his eyes.

"Who else," General Xiang scoffed, "It's your uncle, not only did he show up three weeks early he has the nerve to demand that his Majesty leaves for the Rainforest immediately."

General Lin went pale then rushed out of the room to greet his uncle, the Regent and current head of the Phoenix clan. Bai Wei Bing and Xiang Yi Kao rolled their eyes. Li Qing Yun sighed then suggested that they go out and search for their King.

When they eventually found him he was out in the garden surrounded by flowering herbs and wrapped tightly in his arms was a small fuzzy white ball. The three had searched inside the castle, his office, library and all of the other nooks and crannies that his Majesty usually frequents but not once did it cross any of the generals minds to check outside. If they hadn't bumped into Li ZhiXi while they were running around like headless chickens they might still be looking for his majesty to this day. Little Li, the King's assistant and General Li's sickly son happened to spot his Majesty from the window overlooking the garden while he was carrying out his duties and thought it strange so he noted it.

"Your Majesty!" They called out to him in unison as they raced towards him.

"Be still my Dajiang, one might think heaven and earth have flipped," he chuckled as he scratched on a fuzzy pink tummy. 

General Li was the first to pause, he bowed, his face heating in embarrassment. He smoothed his robes then continued, "Regent Lin Cao Cao has arrived, your majesty."

"Oh, is it that time already?"

"No, your majesty," General Xiang stepped forward and bowed, "he is three weeks early."

"Yes, that bast-," General Li coughed, "I mean, Regent Lin suddenly showed up and demanded that you leave for the Rainforest immediately," General Bai adjusted his wording. 

"Is that so," the king smiled as the cub nipped at his finger, "I guess we should go meet with him then."

The King stood up and handed the cub to his father, Bai Wei Bing before dusting off his red robes. The sunlight danced as it hit the golden dragon embroidered robes as he led the way inside the castle.

"Oh, there you are," Lin Cao Cao exhaled, the whole lounge was covered in smoke. "You kept us waiting so long." The man took another puff of the cigar, not even bothering to stand.

Bai Wei Bing's blood boiled. This was blatant disrespect to the king. Not just his behavior but the man also had the nerve to show up wearing red. Even Li Qingyan at his side was now sporting a glare. No wonder Xiang Yikao came to them so pissed. Though it was not a hard law everyone knew that Red was reserved for the king! Who did this over cooked pigeon think he is!? 

General Bai glared at Lin Guangxu, who was quietly standing behind the couch that that bastard Lin Cao Cao was sprawled on. He was standing with his head bowed alongside the delegates that came with the Regent Lin. Where was all of his obnoxious attitude now or was it just reserved for his fellow Generals. Bai Wei Bing tsked.

"Is there something wrong with my fiancee?" His majesty asked as he graciously ignored the disrespect.

Shen Meihua, all that was known was that she came from a long line of ancient trees that could be traced back to the oldest living tree on the entire planet, known as the tree of life, Mother Nature, as she is called in some circles. Old Bai felt like it was a loss that the two never got married in the end. He sighed at the long lost days. He brought the teacup back to his lips once more only to realize that it had gone cold while he was lost in thought. He placed the cup back onto the table and looked down to find that the little mage was leaving.

Wu Liang Hui shielded his eyes as he was about to once again pass by the statue of himself. Suddenly someone cleared their throat behind him. He turned around to see that strange old man that he had met before in front of his room. The old man was smiling up at the statue of the previous king. His eyes looked glassy as if filled with unshed tears. Liang Hui hurriedly bowed to greet him. He wasn't sure about who this old man was but he could tell by the way that he dressed that he was important.

"Embarrassing isn't it?"

"H-heh heh, is it?"

"I mean for the king," Old Bai's eyes were still locked on the statue, "I imagine that's how he'd feel seeing a statue of himself, he was a humble man."

"O-oh really did you know him?" The Old man eyed him, Wu Liang Hui blushed when he caught his mistake, "Right he's been dead for hundreds of years, of course you don't! I'm not calling you old!" Liang Hui mentally face palmed. 

"Hmmm" The man didn't agree or dispute anything Liang Hui had just said.

Bai Wei Bing looked down at the mage out of the corner of his eyes. The old general now sect head felt maybe he'd been too nice to his little brat. So nice that he thought that it was ok to hide things about the king from him. The thought occurred to him that he should play a little trick on him, besides it would help his Majesty in the long run, two birds with one stone. Wu Liang Hui felt unnerved, this old man looked at him as if he could tell that he was a fake. It was as if this man knew that he, Wu Liang Hui didn't belong. It was the same feeling that he got from Bai Huya but at least the beastman was clear about what he wanted in exchange for his silence. This old man however was weird. Liang Hui felt as if the old man was here to once again test him and he wasn't even sure if he passed the last test. 

"He wasn't the type to like this sort of thing." The old man continued, "Heh, he was more of a bookworm than a king," he turned to the mage fully, "what about you?"

"I like them too I guess?" What is he trying to get at, what's up with this weird old man?

"Hmm," he turned back to the statue, a smile on his lips somehow pleased with Wu Liang Hui's answer, "You know there's a legend amongst the disciples about this statue."

"Oh?" Liang Hui looked back up at the statue curiously.

"They say he grants the wish of anyone brave enough to take his hand."

"Ha, I doubt anyone really believes that or this place would be crowded, especially now with the exam tomorrow!"

"Oh, so you think just anyone would have the face to publicly grab his hand?"

The old man chuckled. The little mage's cheeks turned pink, how did he miss such an obvious point. No matter if it was true or not one would first have to take the fallen king's hand, just the statue's existence was treasonous. While the mage was contemplating the old man misted away. He was left on his own with himself standing in the lobby of the library. Looking at the saint-like face that he once called his own, he felt a little curious. Finally curiosity got the best of him and he couldn't help but reach out and took the outstretched hand of the statue.