Chapter 194

Yes, remember to follow the doctor's orders and take your medicine well.

For the time being, try to use your legs as little as possible; you'll recover faster.

It's fine, you can pawn your mother's belongings here; I'll keep them for you, I promise!

Scratching his head at the clinic entrance, Ji Ming returned to the lobby.

He used to be a pure Rejuvenation Liquid warrior; no matter what illness, a bottle of Rejuvenation Liquid was always the right choice.

But after reading many medical texts, he can now skillfully use ordinary, standard prescriptions to treat illness.

It's not that he wants to broaden his business to earn more money; rather...

Facing the twilight, he glanced at the cheap gemstone full of impurities in his hand and sighed.

The world is in turmoil; Inner City residents can barely make a living, but Outer City folks are so destitute they can't even afford to restart their production lines to sell the first-generation Rejuvenation for twenty copper coins.

After running through everything that happened during the day in his mind, Ji Ming felt a sense of urgency rise.

He was about to return to the underground city to harshly push the players' development, but when he turned around, he met AdaiEr's complex gaze.

... She seems to have been looking at me like this all afternoon; could it be that I look suspicious running upstairs in a hemp shirt, carrying a box?

Honesty is the first step in building any relationship, so he spoke up.

What's wrong? Do you have something to tell me?

AdaiEr wanted to speak but held back, finally uttering just one sentence.

Take care of your health.

???

One day's business ended, but for Ji Ming it was merely the start of another part of life.

He first went out to buy some needles and thread, then bought some materials from the medicinal tree shop across the way, and finally, under the pretense of replenishing potions, he slipped into the brewing room.

Following the principle that it's not hard anyway, so why not make a little, Ji Ming first tried out the few potions he'd learned that morning.

For him now, this is so simple it's almost lying; thus, each time he successfully brews a type, he gains the corresponding potion's skilled skill.

And at the moment the last auxiliary potion was successfully brewed, the system suddenly popped up a brand-new prompt.

【Detected host has acquired a full set of potion-making skills, with proficiency raised to 【Skilled】 across the board, auto-fusing】

【Fusion successful, triggering hidden set effect】

【Basic Healing/Magic/Strength/Agility Potion Making·Skilled】 → 【Basic Auxiliary Potion Making·Skilled】

In his mind, it was as if the clouds parted to reveal sunshine; the optimization idea that had been merely a hint of inspiration suddenly became perfectly natural.

But the system didn't let Ji Ming waste time testing the new skill's effects; it simply displayed the numbers.

【When potions are used together, the strengthening effect increases with the number of types used】

Below are the specific enhancements for each potion; healing and mana potions are fine to say, even triple enhancement still can't surpass Rejuvenation Liquid.

But the potency caps for strength and agility potions jumped directly from five to ten; given their low cost and simple craft, this amounts to a qualitative change.

However, these are merely appetizers; opening Svenidis's notes, Ji Ming began today's main production.

Who would have thought that after changing the water in the formula to splash potion, all auxiliary concoctions showed no reaction.

Only the low-profile damage potion not only underwent a skill change, but even came with an advancement!

【Damage Potion Making·Skilled】 → 【Alchemical Grenade Making·Excellent】

This...

Looking at the skill bar, the last entry shining with brilliant gold—【Poison Grenade Making·Perfect】—Ji Ming slapped his forehead.

Damn it, I have a bad feeling.

Sure enough, as the brewing pot let out a booming crack, he tremblingly lifted the lid, and what greeted him was a vivid scarlet like blood

——【Alchemical Toxic Gas Making·Divine Trace】!

He didn't want to touch this foul stuff at all, so he quickly bottled it and placed it alone in an isolated storage room to avoid any trouble.

After he tidied up the room and opened his current panel, the potions section had completely changed.

【Basic Auxiliary Potion Making·Skilled, Eyesight Potion Making·Skilled, SpiritGathering Liquid Making·Skilled, Rejuvenation Liquid Making·Excellent, Coagulant Powder Making·Skilled】

【Splash Potion Making·Skilled, Alchemical Grenade Making·Excellent, Alchemical Toxic Gas Making·Divine Trace】

The first group still looks like a decent apothecary, while the second group is outright an alchemy madman...

Having settled the potion matter, Ji Ming took out the two garments given by Bishop Ternis, preparing to start making the parchment talisman robe.

But having just picked up scissors and thread and mended halfway, he heard the familiar squeaking.

???

He looked up.

Mouse Kid!

After not seeing him for days, Mouse Kid looked a bit fatter, his black fur glossy and shiny, obviously doing well.

Although its size had increased considerably, it didn't look frightening or fierce; rather, it gave off a vibe like a real-world capybara.

With that clean little satchel, it practically had 'honest' written all over its face.

Lately it's truly become the otherworldly version of a traveling frog, too busy to return, only able to send lackeys back with loot every few days.

Opening the window, Ji Ming hurriedly let Mouse Kid inside.

As he approached the brewing room, its nose twitched, and its little eyes fixed on the few bottles of auxiliary potions Ji Ming had placed on the table.

No matter how you say it, it's been a longtime companion from his early startup days; Ji Ming was still generous, taking one bottle of each potion and stacking them into a little hill for it.

Take a look, the potions I've recently worked on are all reliable good stuff.

Mouse Kid wasn't polite either, grabbing a bottle of strength potion and gulping it down.

He threw a few punches in place, feeling his strength surge, and naturally beamed with delight.

Squeak!

As a return gift, he opened his small pouch, took out a tiny bottle of red potion, and handed it to Ji Ming.

"Where did you get this? Using an unknown-effect potion recklessly is dangerous..."

Ji Ming habitually shared related knowledge, turned the bottle over, and saw a large black mouse head drawn on it.

Unfortunately, Mouse Kid's drawing style is still somewhat abstract; at first glance it looked like a skull.

Ji Ming pondered briefly, then hesitated and said.

"This is… revival spring liquid… Mouse Kid, did you brew this?"

Mouse Kid nodded repeatedly, looking proud, and even struck a pose as if to test it.

Good grief, a potion brewed by a mouse—who would dare use it!?

However, Ji Ming also hated to ruin its dignity, so he picked up the bottle.

"Please wait a moment."

He quickly teleported to the Underground City and caught a lone Tortoise-back Beast.

Ji Ming slashed its calf, then splashed half the bottle of potion onto it, gripping its leg tightly so it couldn't retreat.

"Whooo!"

The Tortoise-back Beast's head swayed left and right, clearly in great pain.

— My turtle life is clearly wonderful, where did all these bastard humans come from? Are they all sick!?

Only after confirming the wound had stopped bleeding and scabbed did Ji Ming release the Tortoise-back Beast and return to the Clinic.

"Awesome, awesome, Mouse Kid, you've graduated!"

Although this bottle Mouse Kid brewed hasn't reached the drinkable standard of Revival Spring Fourth Generation, it has already reached the healing level of Revival Spring Third Generation—it's truly remarkable.

If Mouse Kid could become a Mouse Person, he could already rely on this potion-brewing skill to establish a sect and open his own clinic in Sunlight City.

So Ji Ming was not stingy; he took out the basic knowledge notes of the Potion Master.

"Take a look at this."

Mouse Kid sat up, used his tiny paws to flip a page, lowered his head, and glanced at it.

"Squeak!"

His eyes literally lit up with excitement; he almost wanted to devour the book whole.

But when he finished a page and prepared to turn to the second, his paw once again touched his own sling bag.

It seemed he suddenly remembered something, took out a very exquisite notebook from it, and placed it before Ji Ming.

With his head lowered, Ji Ming's inner feelings were more complex than AdaiEr's gaze.

…Could it be that I must become the first human to read a mouse potion-maker's notes?

But upon opening the cover, inside was not any potion experiment record, but a huge map cleverly folded.

Debt handlers' strongholds, mercenary groups' external liaison points, adventurers' usual info‑exchange taverns, even the altar I just demolished yesterday for summoning evil‑god creations…

This is absolutely the most detailed and precise map of Sunlight City Ji Ming has ever seen in his long time, even surpassing Eleanor's.

"You made this?"

Mouse Kid didn't look up, just calmly tapped.

It's so detailed that even the ancestral treasuries of the three beast‑men tribes are fully known here—perfect for me to go around visiting relatives and friends.

Comparing with his memory of the route, Ji Ming took screenshots while looking, and finally discovered another mouse head in the map's lower‑right corner, with … written after it.

He counted carefully, digit by digit, and finally arrived at the conclusion—1115687!

Turtleturtle, have over a million mice become Mouse Kid's helpers?

Ji Ming rubbed his temples, recalling how this morning in the church hall he was besieged by countless violent creatures.

Dark and swarming, inside and outside the city, almost every kind of animal appeared—but not a single mouse.

Now taking another glance at Mouse Kid earnestly reading the book, his rotund figure actually gained an air of solemn dignity.

In the candlelight, its fatty flesh seemed plated with a golden sheen.

— Mouse Kid, are you protecting everyone?

Wait, this feeling!

Ji Ming suddenly realized, hurriedly opened Mouse Kid's panel and took a look.

Sure enough, it is no longer an ordinary mouse, but a bloodline‑evolved Mouse Tribe Chieftain!

So…

Since even a mere Wendigo can be titled God of Shadows and set foot on the evil‑god path,

if Mouse Kid followed the same path, could he also achieve sanctity through merit and become… a God of Digging or something like that?

Exactly!

What damn Wendigo God of Shadows—can it beat me, who can both pound and refine, and still rake in money, the invincible Mouse Mouse?

Looks like we really need to add some investment!

So Ji Ming reached out and rubbed its fluffy, smooth back, which felt fantastic to the touch.

"Don't go tonight—I'll take you to a nice place; maybe it'll be the future of your Mouse Tribe!"

"Squeak squeak?"

Making the sheepskin talisman garments, from alteration to sewing, is a huge project.

Thus Ji Ming had only gotten halfway when the time reached eight or nine; he had to pause his work and go back to the second floor.

However, after entering the game, the first thing he did was not anything else—he first summoned Cloi to the Northern Defense Line.

Who would have thought that before he could even speak, Cloi threw himself to the ground and began kowtowing.

"I admit I've been slacking off terribly lately, always thinking about eating tasty, spicy food and chatting with players, but I still have the drive to work properly—please don't send me back here!"

Ji Ming: "Huh?"

What kind of logic is that? This werewolf is obviously seriously ill!

But seeing them sobbing with tears, their big head bobbing like crushing garlic, Ji Ming hurried to explain.

"No, no, I'm not trying to tell you about this matter; I have something else to discuss with you."

He modulated his tone and became serious again,

"Cloi, you're a bizarre werewolf, where is your dignity?"

"Haven't you noticed that those players treat you like a dog!?"

Cloi lifted her head, looking as surprised as a husky.

What? So I'm still a bizarre werewolf; I thought I'd already become a dog…

"Cloi, I assigned you to guard the city gate partly to maintain the closed‑beta security, and also to serve as the dungeon's face."

"Do you werewolves even know shame? You flop over there, sticking out your tongue, wagging your tail like a dog—what do others think of us when they see that?"

Ji Ming was heart‑broken and spoke earnestly.

"Do you want them to think I'm some kind of villain?"

"Don't you…"

Cloi cut off the words just in time and asked hastily,

"I mean, if I fail to do it, what punishment will there be?"

She widened her eyes, clenched her tail, and raised her tone.

"Do you… want me to…"

"Stop, stop, stop!"

But this time she didn't even finish the weird sentence before Ji Ming cut her off.

"So you only remember the eating, not the fighting, huh? This morning Shen He GANKed you, and just a few hours later you can't help but cause trouble again?"

"Besides, I'm not that monstrous and violent; I'm a very traditional and righteous good person!"

After a loud scolding, Ji Ming unleashed the mastiff‑human's Lego‑like dead pose.

"Watch others and watch yourself; just have a sense of where you stand, stay alert, that's all."

Having solved the dungeon's face issue, Ji Ming headed to Dog Village again.

This isn't his first time pulling people from Sunlight City down underground; the dogs are already familiar with how to receive outsiders.

Thus, after learning everything from Elder Da Huang, Fei Er Luo, upon seeing Ji Ming, respectfully bowed.

"Great divine messenger, I am the humble Fei Er Luo."

Ji Ming didn't rush to greet him; instead, he sized him up from head to toe.

"You looked a bit disheveled the first time we met… so you're a white wolf."

"To be frank, I'm not an ordinary gray werewolf; my race is the prairie werewolf."

As if hearing a compliment, Fei Er Luo slightly puffed out his chest.

"Indeed, we belong to the same family as the Wolf King Court on the current wasteland, basking in the glory of the silver bloodline."

"Huh, no wonder I could spar with a twenty‑plus level strongman for a couple of moves; it's because of the racial advantage…"

Thinking to himself, Ji Ming took a skull from the storage room and tossed it in front of Fei Er Luo.

"This is the thing I promised you; let's verify— is it him?"

After more than forty years of life, Fei Er Luo dared to say that he'll never forget this mastiff‑human, this bizarre being who gave him an unprecedented taste of crushing defeat.

So he gave it only a glance, flames blazing in his eyes, and immediately nodded, saying,

"Exactly, it's him!"

"Since that's the case, I've already taken care of my promise to you; now you must do something for me."

After wandering the dungeon for half a day, Fei Er Luo had a clear understanding of the other's strength and realized he had no room for choice.

Or rather, worship of the strong is the nature of prairie wolves; they need no other options, only zeal.

"Please feel free to command; whatever you ask, I will definitely do!"

"Heh, it's not that exaggerated…"

From the situation the next day, it was clear that the players would roughly split into three camps.

One side focuses on hard power—Gunblade; another side focuses on soft power—Starry Sky.

The third side might side with A or B, but most likely just watches from the middle, a laid‑back player led by justice.

Although such competition benefits both players and the dungeon's development, without an absolutely powerful referee to balance conflicts and call a halt in time, unchecked tension would only lead to mutual ruin.

The current Production Team truly achieved "absolute strength"; one could even say that any beatable entity is in absolute surplus.

But…

This is a magic‑skilled silver dragon; she's been goofing off in the attic for a long time without appearing.

This is a snow leopard who periodically goes into a manic inspiration‑recording mode, spending all day in the library muttering to himself.

This is a treefolk druid who is strong at maintaining the status quo but lacks adaptability, and this is a holy angel whose loyalty is maxed out yet meets an unfavorable end.

In short, there are many with high intelligence, but true "wisdom"—those who can skillfully create opportunities, unite players, and strike at the right moment—is exceedingly rare.

After much thought, the only one in the team who can actually think on their feet is Da Huang, at best half a person.

But that old dog is extremely cunning; he can handle some logistics, just greedily snatching a few baskets of jerky. If he truly held the reins… Ji Ming feels uneasy!

And now, Fei Er Luo's presence undoubtedly fills that gap.

Their strength is neither high nor low, but their initiative is strong—perfect for being a frequently appearing player observer.

Having finished stating his needs, Ji Ming opened the map and shared a location.

"Tonight at midnight, bring the village guard here; I'll authorize you to launch a brand‑new world quest, just to greet the players…"

After swiftly finalizing the Production Team's tasks for tonight, Ji Ming checked the players' current status once more.

Except for the final three‑day war, players in the closed beta usually had no major actions during the day, but the more professional and complex internal test obviously went beyond that.

After three days of evolution, the players had gradually formed three "settlements": Dog‑Dog Village, which focused on leisure farming; High Tower Castle, which focused on livestreaming to earn money; and the Pioneers Market, which focused on game development.

No wonder, the originally designed forward base actually became the most 'entertaining' one in the game...

Silently complaining to himself, Ji Ming teleported to the market.

He had originally wanted to scout the players' overall movements for tonight, but seeing stall after stall around him, he turned his head and asked.

"Friend, do you have a lot of resources on hand? What are you all selling here at your stalls?"

He adjusted the unmanned camera in front of him, and the man patted the blackboard behind him.

"You didn't notice? I'm giving a lecture on advanced mathematics in my livestream."

"Ah?"

Hmph, after thinking it over, what's the big deal about adding two thousand words just because I received a tip? Starting today, the book returns to a schedule of five chapters per day, with continuous updates! Continuous updates!

By the way, to reward the readers who keep up, I'll quietly tell you a piece of good news: the book will be free for a limited time on the twelfth, so at least for the next few days, everyone can look forward to reading it for free()