Chapter 60: True Knowledge is a Heavy Burden, Wisdom is Often Accompanied by Madness

"I want to entrust you to configure some potions for me."

Trish said straight to the point:

"The well-known potion masters in the school charge extremely high fees, and those ordinary potion apprentices can't even make a decent refreshing potion. Since you can work at Lady Ailan's place, I assume your level won't be too bad."

Luo En raised his eyebrows: "What kind of potions do you need?"

"Mainly some potions to assist cultivation—refreshing potions, spiritual stabilization liquid, blood-qi potions..." Trish listed:

"Of course, if you can configure advanced potions like 'Sober,' I am willing to pay a higher price."

"Sober potion?" Luo En frowned and repeated.

He had seen this name in books; it is an advanced potion that can help meditators suppress spiritual pollution, usually only extremely seasoned potion apprentices or professional potion masters can attempt to refine it.

And Sober potion is also one of the important means for apprentices to resist spiritual pollution, and it can even be said that it is indispensable from the intermediate apprentice stage, so its value and production difficulty are self-evident.

"Sorry, that's not possible for the time being." He said truthfully about his refining level: "However, refreshing potions and spiritual stabilization liquid are no problem."

Trish nodded, not feeling disappointed: "Then let's start with those basic ones. As for the price, as a fellow villager, I won't treat you too badly."

Saying this, she took out a small money bag from her robe to show her financial strength:

"I signed a twenty-year service clause with the school, and in exchange, I can be considered to have obtained considerable advance resources."

Luo En heard Trish's implication; she had exchanged her current resources and status by signing long-term service, which was not uncommon in the school.

For apprentices with excellent aptitude, the school is usually willing to invest in advance in exchange for their future service and loyalty.

"I understand." Luo En nodded slightly: "If it's just some basic potions, I can prepare them for you. However, it will take some time, after all, I still have to work at the herb shop during the day."

"Time is not a problem." Trish said readily: "Quality is the key, is that a deal?"

The two quickly reached an agreement, and Trish paid dozens of Magic Stone Fragments in advance as a deposit, agreeing to pick up the first batch of potions in a week.

Before leaving, Trish suddenly stopped and looked back at Luo En:

"I have a feeling that your future achievements won't stop here. If one day, you can take that step..."

Speaking of this, she lowered her head somewhat awkwardly; after all, she was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, and it was really difficult for her to say these social pleasantries.

Luo En shook his head, feeling somewhat amused, and walked a few steps quickly to open the door for the girl very gentlemanly:

"I understand what you mean; we are all fellow villagers, of course we should unite, let's keep in touch more when we have time."

After sending Trish away, he returned to the workbench.

Lady Ailan had already disappeared, leaving only a note with some task lists that needed to be completed.

The morning time passed quietly in busyness, and Luo En thought about his next development route while completing the tasks left by Lady Ailan.

[Star-Eater's Babble] was undoubtedly a major breakthrough, but he couldn't ignore the improvement of other skills.

At this moment, the silver pocket watch in his bosom seemed to sense his thoughts, emitting a faint energy fluctuation, as if reminding him of its existence.

"Yes, there's also you, treasure." Luo En whispered in his heart, his heart full of expectation.

By the afternoon, Lady Ailan had already closed the herb shop door, first controlling the active vines at the entrance to form the characters "Closed."

Only a few magic crystal lamps were left in the shop, emitting faint light.

In this dim environment, Lady Ailan's silhouette appeared even more mysterious and majestic.

"Are you ready?" She asked, her voice low and solemn, completely different from her usual sharpness.

Luo En took a deep breath and nodded: "Yes, Madam."

"[Star-Eater's Babble] is not an ordinary meditation method." Lady Ailan emphasized again, seemingly wanting to ensure Luo En fully understood the risks:

"Ordinary meditation methods only guide the running path of spiritual power, but [Star-Eater's Babble] can change the essence of spiritual power, making it undergo a qualitative change. This change is irreversible; once it starts, there is no turning back."

Luo En nodded solemnly: "I understand the importance of this decision and am willing to bear the corresponding risks."

"Very good." Lady Ailan took down the ancient leather scroll from the bookshelf and opened it carefully.

The inside of the scroll was covered with dense runes, some of which were blurred, but the main part remained clear.

In the center of the scroll was a complex rune structure, looking like dozens of basic meditation runes intertwined in some strange way.

"This is the core rune of [Star-Eater's Babble]." Lady Ailan pointed to the complex symbol and said:

"It is far more complex and dangerous than ordinary meditation runes. If your spiritual power is not strong enough or your control is improper, it is easy to be backlashed, ranging from mental damage to complete madness."

"Of course, corresponding to its danger, it is much stronger than those advanced meditation methods in the school in all aspects. You will know its wonder after you get started."

Luo En observed the rune carefully, feeling the strange rhythm contained within it.

Unlike the simple and gentle fluctuations of basic meditation runes, this rune gave people a deep and mysterious feeling, as if staring at the endless starry sky, both beautiful and awe-inspiring.

"The focus of the first stage of cultivation is to stabilize the spiritual power field, preparing for contact with deeper levels of meditation." Lady Ailan explained:

"You need to fully understand and master this core rune, and then based on it, gradually expand more complex meditation structures. This process may take years, or even longer, with your current spiritual power aptitude."

In the time that followed, Lady Ailan explained in detail the content of the first stage of [Star-Eater's Babble]:

Including the order of rune construction, the trajectory of spiritual power operation, possible obstacles, and coping methods, etc.

Luo En listened intently, keeping every detail firmly in his heart.

He noticed that during the explanation, Lady Ailan's expression was abnormally focused, and she even fell into a special state several times, her eyes becoming extremely distant, as if recalling some distant past.

"That's about it; the next time you need my guidance on meditation methods, it will be when you become a high-level apprentice..."

When the sky outside was approaching dusk, Lady Ailan finally stopped explaining:

"After going back, remember to go over what I said today in your mind before trying, to ensure there are no omissions or misunderstandings."

Luo En nodded and bowed gratefully: "Thank you for your teaching, Madam."

"There is one more point." Lady Ailan looked at him, her expression becoming abnormally serious:

"Before you start practicing, you must ensure the safety of the surrounding environment. [Star-Eater's Babble] will cause fluctuations in the surrounding energy field, easily attracting some sensitive existences; it is best to prepare some magic arrays to isolate the aura before meditation."

"I will keep it in mind." Luo En promised.

When leaving the herb shop, his mind was still echoing with Lady Ailan's explanation.

That complex rune structure had been deeply branded in his consciousness, like a seed, waiting to sprout.

Returning to the dormitory, he took out the silver pocket watch.

After a day of rest, the number on the pocket watch had reset to "0/10", indicating that it could be reset again.

He got up and walked to the window, looking at the starry sky outside.

The moonlight was faint tonight, but the stars were exceptionally bright, as if there were countless eyes on the starry sky watching the earth.