Chapter 123

Walking on the way back to the workshop, the dim light peculiar to the Black Fog Jungle spilled through the gaps between branches, forming mottled light and shadow on the ground.

Luo En couldn't help but touch the intermediate apprentice badge on his chest, feeling the faint magic fluctuation within it.

He seriously suspected that this thing was actually a locator; he just didn't know if it would have the function of clear recording and monitoring.

"Since I have entered the candidate wizard sequence, I must go all out."

He silently calculated in his heart: "The third-phase spiritual control and spell construction course is the top priority, and alchemy and elemental affinity courses cannot be left behind."

According to Solon's hint, the candidate wizard sequence had clear progress requirements and evaluation standards for members.

If one wanted to occupy a favorable position in the sequence and obtain more resources, one must demonstrate continuous and stable growth.

"Strive to climb to the very top within a year." Luo En muttered in his heart, a flash of determination in his eyes.

Returning to the workshop, Ailan was busy organizing various potion bottles on the medicine shelf.

Seeing Luo En return, she immediately put down the work in her hand and turned to welcome him.

"Congratulations to Master for advancing to intermediate apprentice." Ailan's vines swayed gently, and clear characters appeared on the leaf writing board:

"I saw the new badge on your chest."

Luo En nodded with a smile: "Thank you; it seems your perception is becoming more and more sharp."

"In fact, I can feel the magic fluctuation on the badge; it is completely different from an ordinary low-level apprentice badge."

Ailan responded, wisdom shimmering in those green eyes.

Since absorbing the residual energy of the Sun Flame Essence, Ailan's development had indeed exceeded Luo En's expectations.

She not only looked more and more like a human, but her thinking and emotional expression had also become more complex and delicate.

Luo En nodded, turning his attention to another important matter—the Potion Master gathering next Wednesday.

When Ma Genusi mentioned this gathering last time, he had suggested that he prepare some formulas he had improved for exchange.

Clearly, this was not just a social activity, but an important opportunity to demonstrate his ability and build connections.

Sitting at the workbench, Luo En opened his formula notebook and began to carefully screen potion formulas suitable for display at the gathering.

"Sun Flame Essence is too precious, and that was given to me by Master Ma Genusi, so it's not suitable to share with others at this gathering. The refreshing potion I improved, although the effect is not bad, can't be considered particularly outstanding..."

He weighed in his heart, his fingers constantly flipping through the notebook: "Perhaps 'Amber Thinking Liquid' would be a good choice?"

Amber Thinking Liquid was a spiritual auxiliary potion he had recently improved himself, capable of temporarily enhancing the user's thinking agility and memory, especially suitable for when one needs to absorb a large amount of information in a short time.

Compared to similar products circulating on the market, Luo En's version had lower side effects and would not produce dependence; its practical value was quite high, and it was also the main product of his workshop recently.

"And 'Gray Scale Protective Paste'." Luo En muttered to himself, "That is also a quite good improved product."

Gray Scale Protective Paste was an external potion capable of forming an almost imperceptible protective film on the skin surface, effectively resisting acid corrosion, toxins, and slight physical damage.

This product had a wide range of application scenarios in potion laboratories and field exploration.

Luo En's improved version not only extended the duration of the protective effect but also reduced the common skin stinging and discoloration side effects of the original formula.

After long deliberation, Luo En finally decided to bring the formulas for these two improved potions, plus a bottle of finished samples, as his "meeting gift" at the gathering.

However, attending the gathering was not just to show his results, but more importantly to obtain valuable information and formulas from other Potion Masters.

"Accumulating formulas and potion knowledge is of vital help to my job change to Potion Professor."

Luo En clearly knew that his long-term plan required continuous absorption and fusion of various extraordinary knowledge, and as one of the core pillars, potion studies must maintain continuous growth.

Carefully putting away the prepared formulas and samples, his thoughts turned to the study plan.

After becoming an intermediate apprentice, he would face brand-new course challenges, especially the third-phase spiritual control and spell construction course, the difficulty of which would be several times higher than before.

Luo En opened a new notebook and began to list the study plan for the next month in detail:

The third-phase course held twice a week is the main learning focus and must be devoted to with full effort;

Alchemy and elemental affinity courses, although lower in frequency, cannot be ignored, especially the experiments and practical parts involved;

Leisure time needs to be used for self-study in the library, focusing on high-level theories such as magic circuit construction, inspiration flow control, and spell model optimization;

Development and training of bloodline abilities must also be arranged for fixed periods, at least one hour every day;

Potion refining and order processing in the workshop should be arranged during the night and early morning hours as much as possible.

He arranged his schedule to be full, almost not leaving himself much sleep time.

But fortunately, after becoming a Bloodline Knight, his constitution had increased significantly twice in a row, so sleeping less didn't matter much to him.

Perhaps... after his constitution reaches a higher level, he can completely say goodbye to sleep? And then liver-bursting study 24 hours a day.

Shaking his head to end his reverie, Luo En opened several study reference books recommended by Eric and Lia and began to preview the content of the upcoming third-phase course.

As he read deeper, he gradually understood the essential difference between the third-phase course and the first two phases:

The first two phases mainly learned how to construct and stabilize single spell models, while the third phase began to involve the continuous construction and coordinated control of spell models in a short time.

"This is the first step toward becoming the complex combination spells of an official wizard in the future." Luo En felt deeply about this: "It is also a key watershed distinguishing intermediate apprentices from high-level apprentices."

It is said that apprentices who can proficiently master the continuous construction of more than three spell models in a short time will receive a special rating when advancing to high-level apprentices.

"Currently I have mastered two spells, Sonic Oscillation and Mucus Splash; the next step is to master a third one as soon as possible, preferably a defensive spell, so that the combination of the three will be more comprehensive."

He thought about various possible choices, his gaze falling on the book 《Fundamentals of Elemental Guidance》 on the bookshelf.

"Fire element or light element would be a good choice, especially considering my high affinity for these two elements."

Luo En recalled the evaluation of Mentor Laila in the elemental affinity class: "Resist Fire Ring or Light Shield might be an ideal starting point."

His plan was to attempt to construct and maintain all three spell models simultaneously after mastering the third basic spell, laying the foundation for future combination spells.

Of course, all of this required a large amount of practice and training, and the reset ability of the Time Guardian pocket watch would play a key role in this process, helping him complete a large amount of high-intensity training within limited time.

"Assuming I can reset the state ten times a day, it's equivalent to the efficiency of eleven people learning simultaneously..."

Luo En calculated silently in his heart: "Mastering all third-phase course content within a month and obtaining advancement eligibility should be completely feasible."

The night grew deep, and he was still immersed in study, without the slightest hint of fatigue.

It wasn't until Ailan gently touched his arm to remind him that it was past dinner time that he realized he was so engaged.

"Thanks for the reminder, Ailan." Luo En smiled and closed the book, "It seems I need to learn to arrange my time better."

Just as he was about to get up to prepare dinner, he suddenly remembered a matter that needed to be explained.

"By the way, Ailan. I need to attend a Potion Master gathering next Wednesday and might return late. You are responsible for watching the workshop; if any guests come, just say I went out on business and will be back soon."

Ailan's vines swayed gently, indicating understanding: "I will take good care of the workshop, please rest assured, Master."

Looking at Ailan's growing initiative and sense of responsibility, Luo En couldn't help but feel a trace of relief.

His gaze swept over the calendar on the wall; there were five days left until the Potion Master gathering next Wednesday.

Before then, he needed to complete the initial third-phase course study and prepare the potion formulas and samples for exchange.

He felt like a spinning top, constantly being whipped by various affairs, without a moment of rest.

However, all apprentices and even wizards seemed to be like this; everyone seemed to be chased by some terrible monster behind them, and if they rested slightly, they would be swallowed up...

(End of chapter)