The profound complexities of pharmacology in this world

"I don't know," An Keyi replied weakly, shaking her head. "Previously, I had a different hypothesis... The purpose of the Seven Star Grass in the potion you concocted is to enhance its final potency. However, during the phase of adding the Seven Star Grass, if too much is introduced, it may alter the overall properties of the potion. After extensive research through numerous ancient texts, I concluded that a smaller amount of Seven Star Grass would likely yield a higher success rate. Had I known it would ultimately fail, I would have simply added an extra thirty percent of the Seven Star Grass potion."

A spark of realization flickered in Lin Xi's eyes as he looked at An Keyi and promptly asked, "So, if we had the chance to start over, we could add an extra thirty percent of the Seven Star Grass? Perhaps there is still a chance for success?"

He had no desire to delve deeply into the intricacies of pharmacology, nor could he fully comprehend it; he simply wished to know how they could proceed if given another opportunity.

"What else can we do?" An Keyi, bewildered by Lin Xi's thoughts, felt a sense of disorientation, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If, over the next four years, I cannot produce more results, this is the only method we can attempt again."

Taking a deep breath, Lin Xi held the crystal dropper labeled "Seven Star Grass Liquid" in his hand, observing the shallow layer of emerald-green liquid within. He looked intently at An Keyi and asked, "Teacher, from what you just said, it seems the Seven Star Grass is not merely a supplementary ingredient, but rather vital to the two primary ingredients? Is that why there is so much left over?"

"The Seven Star Grass Liquid is precious yet not exceedingly rare; although it is quite valuable, it is still accessible to the academy. What is truly scarce is the Thyme and Spirit Ginseng potion that I personally formulated." Despite her innate reticence, An Keyi responded to Lin Xi's earnest inquiry.

Lin Xi gazed at her and said, "Since you trust me so much, let us try again."

"What did you say?" An Keyi exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. Her heart raced with anxiety; if Lin Xi were to speak irrationally out of disappointment, she would be at a complete loss for what to do.

"I said we should try again." Lin Xi looked at her with unwavering determination and reiterated, "Whether we succeed depends on whether adding that extra thirty percent of Seven Star Grass will be effective, but I can at least assist you in trying once more."

"What is wrong with you? Are you speaking nonsense?" An Keyi became thoroughly flustered, instinctively grasping Lin Xi's wrist. Yet, Lin Xi's temperature and pulse remained steady, showing no signs of distress.

Feeling An Keyi's soft fingers resting on his wrist and observing her panic, Lin Xi couldn't help but chuckle. "Teacher, I'm fine... Also, I know your blade is exceptionally flexible, capable of coiling around your arm, and I am aware of the small red birthmark on your arm."

"How do you know? That is not a birthmark..." An Keyi's eyes widened in disbelief, and then, as if realizing something, she exclaimed incredulously, "Lin Xi, when did you... manage to see that?"

"I didn't sneak a glance; I saw it openly, though you were unaware." Lin Xi smiled, but his expression grew serious as he looked at An Keyi and softly urged, "Let's return!"

In an instant, the familiar surroundings shifted, and everything reverted to the moment Lin Xi had just entered the apothecary, sitting across from An Keyi, engaged in conversation.

"Teacher, can other practitioners utilize the soul pills of cultivators?" Now that he had gained considerable knowledge, Lin Xi felt emboldened to ask different questions.

"No," An Keyi replied. "Once a soul pill is separated from its host, it quickly dissipates, becoming akin to bone or stone. Therefore, soul pills that retain their soul power, especially those from Inferno Mountain, are exceedingly rare. If you cannot return within a few days, I will indeed need to seek assistance from others."

"Then, there must be very few practitioners of national-level cultivation among the border troops, right?"

"National champions are true national champions... indeed, they are quite rare. They are typically found in small raiding parties, primarily for reconnaissance, and having even one soul master in such a group is already a significant advantage."

…

As their conversation drew to a close, the apothecary fell silent, and An Keyi and Lin Xi began to earnestly prepare the potion.

Trusting Lin Xi implicitly and not possessing the same acute sense of time, An Keyi focused entirely on the potion she was concocting, oblivious to the fact that, during the first two minutes, when mixing the three potions and adding the fourth—the Seven Star Grass Liquid—Lin Xi did not follow her earlier instructions but instead added a full nine drops of the Seven Star Grass potion.

The two potions still harmoniously completed their processes simultaneously, both handed over to Lin Xi. Once again, a bottle of deep red liquid was mixed with a deep green one, and after Lin Xi vigorously shook them, the two liquids reacted completely within two minutes, merging into a translucent, melted, azure gel-like substance. From its appearance, it was indistinguishable from the previous attempt.

Knowing the outcome of the last experiment made Lin Xi even more anxious this time. Taking a deep breath, he opened the glass vial containing the essence and soul pill of the Inferno Mountain warrior and dripped three drops of the newly concocted azure potion into it.

"Fizz!"

A plume of green smoke erupted from the opening of the glass vial.

However, Lin Xi's eyes widened in astonishment, and his breath caught in his throat as he observed that this time, the black blood within the vial was nearly boiling, and as the three drops of potion dispersed, the black blood transformed entirely into a vibrant red!

An Keyi fell silent in an instant.

Yet, this time her lips trembled slightly, and a flush of excitement crept onto her face.

An Keyi's expression provided Lin Xi with the answer. Watching the dissipating smoke and the complete transformation of the blood within the vial, Lin Xi felt a surge of exhilaration and couldn't help but exclaim, "The intricacies of pharmacology in this world are indeed profound..."

After a long silence, An Keyi finally stood up and earnestly bowed to Lin Xi. "Thank you."

This left Lin Xi momentarily flustered; his upbringing in Deer Forest Town prompted an instinctive return of the gesture.

"Thank you... I have finally not let down the predecessors of the academy and those who have sacrificed for this research." An Keyi's next words left Lin Xi solemn.

It was evident that many had contributed to this research endeavor, not just An Keyi alone.

Fortunately, the project had ultimately succeeded.

"Although Vice Dean Xia mentioned that this vial of potion is a reward for you and undoubtedly has his reasons, it is extremely precious. Please do not waste it when the time comes." After a few more minutes of silence, An Keyi looked at Lin Xi and continued, "Based on the potion's potency, it should suffice to apply a thin layer onto a weapon; some of its effects should penetrate the opponent's skin."

"However, I wonder if we can replenish the energy lost from the Inferno Mountain experts' accumulated power used for their Demonic Transformation." After Lin Xi nodded and stored the crystal dropper, An Keyi added, "After all, like other cultivation realms, there are some secrets about Inferno Mountain that remain unknown to us. Therefore, it would be best to use this only against practitioners from Inferno Mountain. Moreover, once it is deployed, do not leave any survivors... Remember, this is a confidential matter for our Qingluan Academy."

"I understand, Teacher." Lin Xi thought about how his additional drops of the Seven Star Grass potion might be difficult to explain at this moment. After a moment's consideration, he looked at An Keyi and said, "Teacher, although we have developed this recipe, the materials are rare... It may take years to gather them again?"

Now that they had achieved success, An Keyi, after her initial excitement, returned to her usual demeanor and replied calmly, "Yes, it will likely take at least three to four years. During this time, our department's instructors will primarily focus on finding and cultivating several of the main ingredients... However, after a few years, we may be able to produce a considerable amount of this potion."

Realizing that this was a matter for several years hence, Lin Xi felt no need to rush. After a slight smile, he looked at An Keyi with utmost seriousness and said, "I have a request, and I hope you can grant it."

An Keyi frowned slightly, thinking, "I hope you aren't about to make any greedy demands, or my opinion of you will certainly change." However, she was taken aback when Lin Xi said, "This is of great significance to me, and I have experience, so when it comes time to refine this potion again, I would like to ask you to assist me once more."

"Very well." An Keyi pondered for a moment and replied, "Even when the materials can be successfully cultivated in the future, and we can produce more of the potion, the formula will always remain a secret of the academy. It is best that we refine it together, and I have the authority to agree to this."

Seeing An Keyi's current demeanor and recalling her earlier distress, Lin Xi felt a sense of clarity and smiled slightly. "Then I shall express my gratitude to you, Teacher. Since I now have authority over this potion, would you like me to share some with you first?"

An Keyi considered for a moment before shaking her head. "I do not have many opportunities to leave Qingluan Academy... This potion is primarily intended for students who go out for training and missions, to be used in times of peril... However, since we are still in the confidentiality phase, even if you encounter danger in the future, you must keep it secret from your companions."

Lin Xi nodded after some contemplation.

An Keyi also nodded and continued in her scholarly tone, "You will require considerable time for your cultivation... My course here has concluded, so starting tomorrow, you need not come by."

"I will report the success shortly, and you can immediately go claim the two credits as a reward. This time, I recommend exchanging them for a Soul Gathering Pill; it should significantly aid in your cultivation."

"In the future, if you have any questions regarding credit exchanges or pharmacology, feel free to come and ask me directly... Also, if I receive a new research topic and require your assistance, would you be interested in helping me again?"

Upon hearing the first sentence, Lin Xi felt a twinge of disappointment, but the following two sentences filled him with joy, a radiant smile spreading across his face. "Of course, I would be interested."