CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 104: SUNFLAME ESSENCE (PART 2)

"It’s okay, I know these requirements are quite high," Ron said slowly, his tone a bit more relaxed:

"But, I have another demand that might be easier to meet."

"Go on!" The merchant’s eyes lit up, as he was eager to facilitate every deal.

"I’m very interested in Bloodline Modulation lately, and I’m looking for some young embryos for research. If your guild can bring some experimental embryos next month, I will consider making a bulk purchase."

"Embryos?" The merchant’s eyes instantly brightened, and the smile on his face became much more sincere:

"That’s much simpler! Our guild regularly collects various Alien Race embryos from different regions for trading. Naturally, the price will be more favorable for bulk purchases."

He rubbed his hands excitedly, leaning forward with obvious enthusiasm in his tone:

"For bulk purchases, the price of each non-rare race embryo can drop to about fifteen Magic Stone Fragments, at least thirty percent cheaper than buying them individually!"

"Then you can send someone to notify me once your stock arrives next month." Ron nodded, already having a plan in mind.

After sending off the merchant, Ron returned to the laboratory and found that the tree spirit was quietly standing in a corner, just as it was when he left, with vines gently swaying as if silently welcoming his return.

He recalled the information he read yesterday in the library about the tree spirit’s habits and decided to improve its living environment as suggested.

He first loosened the soil in the small garden of the workshop to allow the tree spirit’s roots to extend more comfortably.

Then he watered it, and finally, he poured some special Nutrient Solution into the water.

These were all prepared according to the book’s description, containing various trace elements and Magic Power factors needed by the tree spirit.

"This should make you feel more comfortable."

Ron said to the tree spirit, watching its vines stretch slightly in the sunlight, like someone stretching lazily, seemingly expressing some kind of contentment.

The tree spirit gently touched Ron’s arm with its vines, like a silent gesture of gratitude.

Then it used its vines to form several words in the air: "Thank you, Master."

"Can you speak?" Ron asked in some curiosity, as he had never heard the tree spirit make any sound.

The tree spirit shook its head, and the vines spelled out again in the air: "Cannot speak, only communicate like this."

"Understood." Ron nodded and thought for a moment before asking: "Do you have a name? Or how would you like me to address you?"

The tree spirit seemed a bit hesitant, its vines trembling slightly as if pondering, before finally forming a word: "Ailan."

"Ailan, sounds very gentle, suits you well." Ron nodded, speaking gently: "From today forward, I’ll call you Ailan."

The tree spirit—now to be called Ailan, nodded lightly, its vines trembling slightly, seemingly expressing some kind of joy.

Just as Ron was about to turn and leave, Ailan formed another line of words: "Can I help with Master’s experiment?"

Ron paused, looking back at Ailan.

He knew that the tree spirit had a special Perception Ability for plants, able to directly feel the Life Energy and Traits of the plants, which was an invaluable ability in Magic Potion Refining.

"Of course you can." He replied with a smile, eyes filled with expectation and appreciation: "We’ll continue that experiment later. With your help, I believe it will be twice as effective."

......

Ron is currently frowning, looking at the sample of the Bloodline Activation Potion on the table.

"No, not right... this still won’t work."

The liquid showed a strange orangish-red color, with tiny golden particles floating on the surface, emitting occasional faint glimmers, quite beautiful.

But beauty doesn’t signify success, judging by the instability of the Energy Fluctuation, this formula still has a fatal flaw.

Although much progress has been made, the preliminary principle of Bloodline Modulation indeed improved the specificity.

But the most critical step—how to accurately guide the direction of bloodline activation, still hasn’t been fully resolved.

"If used like this, the activation direction is much better than before, but still not precise enough."

Ron muttered to himself, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making rhythmic sounds:

"And stability is still an issue, the higher the activity, the greater the risk of mutations."

Just as he was pondering, Ailan’s vines began to sway gently, interrupting his thoughts.

A line of words appeared in the air: "A very distinguished guest has arrived; it’s an elder."

Ron immediately realized that Ailan could not only sense a guest’s arrival but also identify some basic traits.

This special Perception Ability was extraordinarily valuable, perhaps the tree spirit’s value far exceeded his initial estimation, indeed making the investment worthwhile.

"I’ll go greet them, you help me watch over these experimental items."

He carefully placed the test tube back on the rack to ensure that nothing would be wasted due to negligence, then walked quickly towards the parlor.

Upon opening the door, Ron saw Magnus standing outside, his white beard gently swaying in the breeze.

"Master Magnus!" Ron looked at the Elder Alchemist in surprise, quickly greeting him: "I didn’t expect you would come personally, truly a great honor!"

He indeed hadn’t expected such a highly respected Alchemist within the School would personally visit him, a newly independent newcomer; this kind of treatment evidently surpassed the usual courtesies extended to any Professional Alchemist.

"Haha, young man, there’s no need to be so formal."

Magnus waved his hand and stepped into the parlor, his voice carrying the steady kindness characteristic of a senior: "I just came to congratulate you on your new place, and I brought a small gift as well."

After taking a seat, Magnus took out a small wooden box from his chest.

He opened the box, revealing a roll of yellowish parchment scroll, faintly showing complex Rune borders—a characteristic of advanced Magic Potion Formula.

"This is a new formula for Qi Blood Potion, some of my research results from my youth."

The elder pushed the scroll toward Ron, a sly glint in his eyes:

"I heard you are quite interested in Knight Cultivation, and your friend Andre is also an excellent Knight talent; I imagine this formula should be helpful for you."

Ron, surprised, received the scroll and carefully unfurled it.

The parchment had a special texture, seemingly treated to make it durable without rotting.

This was an extremely detailed formula, recording an advanced Qi Blood Potion called "Yang Flame Essence."

Not only could it enhance physical attributes, but also increase the flow of Positive Energy within the body, especially suitable for those practicing Yang Attribute Breathing Technique.

"This... is too precious." Ron said sincerely, a bit astonished.

He knew that such private research results are treasures the Alchemists highly value and would not easily be shared: "I don’t know how to thank you."

"No need to be so polite." Magnus sipped his tea, nodding toward him:

"Your talent shown during the certification assessment deeply impressed me. Moreover, knowledge only gains value through dissemination; we, the old folks, must offer some support to the new generation."

"Besides," the elder continued, his voice tinged with nostalgia: "I too was guided by others when I was young, and now it’s just passing on this concept of mutual assistance..."

Ron understood the elder’s meaning, this encapsulates the essence of the ’Favor’ principle, preventing the Wizard World from evolving into a Dark Forest...