Chapter 84

Andre looked around and lowered his voice:

"Cynthia has suddenly become unusually quiet recently, which is very abnormal. As far as I know, she has always been someone who holds a grudge."

Luo En let Andre into the room and closed the door: "Are you worried that she is planning something in secret?"

"Very likely." Andre nodded, "What worries me even more is that it is said she has been very close to Ao Li Fu recently."

"Ao Li Fu?" Luo En's brow furrowed even tighter, "Ma Kusi's brother who is good at curse spells?"

"That's right." Andre took a note from his bosom: "This is the news sent by my eyes and ears last night. Cynthia went to Ao Li Fu's laboratory and didn't return all night..."

Luo En took the note, browsed it quickly, his expression solemn: "This is indeed not good news, but for now, all we can do is speed up our own pace."

Andre nodded: "Of course I understand. Recently, I have also been stepping up preparations for the Bloodline Awakening Ritual. By the way, how is your exam preparation going?"

"It's going smoothly." Luo En pointed to the notes and formulas spread out on the table:

"Lady Ailan provided some key suggestions, and I can already skillfully prepare most of the potions that might appear in the exam."

As he was speaking, there was another knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Luo En asked vigilantly.

"It's me, Nuo Li Si." The voice outside the door carried a hint of urgency: "Captain Huo Huo Erte asked me to deliver a letter to you."

Luo En and Andre exchanged a look, then carefully opened the door.

Nuo Li Si stood at the door, holding a tightly sealed letter in his hand: "This is what the captain asked me to hand to you personally, saying it's about your potion master certification exam."

Luo En took the letter, thanked him, closed the door, and quickly tore open the envelope.

"From Lord Huo Huo Erte?" Andre leaned over curiously.

Luo En nodded, quickly reading the contents of the letter, his brow first furrowed, then slowly relaxed:

"Huo Huo Erte told me he received news that my examiner is likely to be Master Ma Genusi, who is good at identifying the purity and stability of potions."

"That's good news!" Andre patted Luo En on the shoulder with some excitement: "Master Ma Genusi is known for his fairness and will not be influenced by external factors."

Luo En nodded, silently noting Huo Huo Erte's help again in his heart:

"Yes, this means that as long as I ensure the potion quality is excellent enough, I don't have to worry about other interfering factors."

"Then I should take my leave and not disturb you from continuing your exam preparation."

Andre stood up and added before leaving: "By the way, if you need any auxiliary materials, just ask. The favor I accumulated with the gray dwarf Ao Tuo hasn't been used up yet, and I can exchange it for some hoarded medicinal herbs at a low price."

After seeing Andre off, Luo En carefully put away the letter and took out a list of materials, preparing to go to Lady Ailan to ask for advice on some questions that had been piling up recently.

When he pushed open the door of the herb shop, the wind chimes made a crisp sound, but he did not see Lady Ailan's hunched figure.

The light in the shop was dimmer than usual, and the air was filled with a slightly familiar rich fragrance, somewhat like night-blooming jasmine, but with a sweeter and more cloying scent.

"You've come at a really good time, Luo En kid."

A female voice that sounded a bit strange compared to usual came from the inner room, the tone carrying Lady Ailan's characteristic hoarseness, but with a bit more lightness.

Luo En followed the sound and saw the beautiful witch in a silk nightgown again, who was standing behind the counter organizing herbs.

Her pink-purple hair, which cascaded down like a waterfall, shimmered with a dreamlike luster under the light, her skin was as white as jade, and her large, bright eyes were as brilliant as gemstones.

"My lady, are you having those few days again this month?"

Luo En couldn't help but blurt out. Although he already knew that Lady Ailan would restore her youthful appearance when her magic power fluctuations were strongest each month, seeing this contrast with his own eyes again still made him feel slightly surprised.

The pink-haired witch chuckled, which was exactly that characteristic, slightly mean, aged laugh of Lady Ailan: "Why, are you surprised every time you see me like this?"

She took off a small flower hanging on her hair and tucked it behind her ear. This unconscious action made the youth look twice involuntarily:

"Alright, let's talk about business. Coming to see me at this time, it must be for the exam."

"Yes, my lady." Luo En came back to his senses and placed the material list on the counter: "I want to ask a few questions about the stability of the sobering potion."

Lady Ailan put down her work, walked a little closer, and examined Luo En's eyes carefully.

At this distance, although he was stung by the radiation from the other party, he could smell a strange fragrance that was like flowers yet not flowers.

"You haven't slept much for several days, have you?"

She frowned slightly and unobtrusively restrained the strong radiation field she was unconsciously emitting:

"Although your spirit seems pretty good, that kind of fatigue from the inside out can't fool anyone."

Luo En was slightly stunned, then gave a bitter smile: "You saw through me. I've been practicing various formulas these past few days, and I really haven't rested much."

Lady Ailan was silent for a moment, her slender fingers tapping on the table. After thinking for a few seconds, she turned and walked toward the inner room: "Follow me."

Luo En followed her into a small, exquisitely decorated room, which was furnished with a coffee table and several lounge chairs.

Lady Ailan motioned for him to sit down, while she skillfully opened an engraved wooden box and took out a small crystal bottle.

"Drink it, it will make your thinking clearer." She handed the small bottle to Luo En through the air, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her exquisite face:

"But remember, this is not a long-term solution. Overdrawing spiritual power always has a price to pay."

Luo En took the small bottle gratefully: "Thank you, my lady."

After identifying it, he took a careful sip and immediately felt a cool energy reach his brain directly from his throat. The original fatigue dissipated instantly, and his thinking became exceptionally sharp.

"This is..."

"A composite potion of moonlight extract and soul flower, a formula I improved myself."

The witch gently curled a strand of pink-purple hair with her fingertips: "Alright, tell me your question."

"About the stability of the sobering potion," Luo En found the relevant page in his notes:

"I noticed that when stardust pollen is added, if the temperature is slightly high, it will cause the potion to deteriorate. Is there any way to improve its heat resistance?"

Lady Ailan nodded slightly, a trace of approval flashing in her eyes:

"Very good question. The traditional formula does have this defect, but if you pre-mix three drops of moon dew into the stardust pollen, it can significantly improve its stability."

"Moon dew..." Luo En was thoughtful and quickly wrote down this key hint in his notes.

"There is one more point." Lady Ailan continued, leaning forward, her beautifully lined collarbone faintly visible:

"Ma Genusi should prefer potions with uniform color. You can consider the characteristics of silver tree roots."

Luo En looked up in surprise: "You also know that Master Ma Genusi will be my examiner?"

The corners of Lady Ailan's mouth rose slightly, revealing a mysterious smile:

"There are no real secrets in the Black Fog Jungle, child, especially for those old people who are sharp-eared and sharp-eyed."

She stood up and walked lightly to the medicine cabinet on the side, her slender fingers moving flexibly between the various drawers.

"These are prepared for you." The pink-haired witch placed several bags of carefully selected materials on the coffee table:

"Each one is of top quality, enough for you to practice until the exam."

Luo En took the medicinal herbs, feeling moved and ashamed at the same time: "This is too expensive, my lady."

"Don't be so polite." Lady Ailan waved her hand, revealing a soft smile:

"You are the most talented student I have ever seen, and I have high hopes for you. Besides..."

She paused, and a satisfaction Luo En had never seen before appeared in her dark green eyes:

"You may not have noticed, but your growth during this period has already begun to feed back some 'favors' to me."

(End of chapter)