A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 88 Blood-Burning Potion

Ji'an and Jiang Shuzhou tacitly avoided asking about the source of the information and instead casually brought up a few questions about magic to steer the conversation away from the topic.

The three of them started chatting enthusiastically again, changing the dishes on the table again and again, but none of them touched a single bite.

"Pack these up and take them with you."

Jiang Shuzhou gave instructions to the attendant beside him.

"Venerable Navis, if you are hungry, you can eat here."

"That's what Master Jiawei said from the side."

"I've already eaten, but my subordinates haven't. They're still waiting for me outside."

"Ha, that's good then." Master Jiawei said with an awkward laugh, realizing that what he said was a bit inappropriate, as if he were accusing Jiang Shuzhou of stealing vegetables.

"The people working under you are really well-treated. To be honest, I'm even considering becoming one myself."

Master Ji'an joked, subtly covering up Master Jiawei's embarrassment.

All I can say is that she has a good grasp of emotional intelligence.

Young people are more worldly-wise than old fogies; at least they won't say things that are offensive.

After the banquet, the three said their goodbyes, and Jiang Shuzhou returned to his carriage.

"My lord."

Hayes, who was talking with other drivers, saw Jiang Shuzhou arrive and quickly greeted him. Then his expression changed from relaxed to serious, as if he were a lazy bum caught slacking off by his boss.

Is it really that bad? Am I that scary?

Jiang Shuzhou considered himself to be a very kind and approachable person. He never deducted his subordinates' wages. For loyal people like Hayes, he even paid bonuses out of his own pocket. Couldn't he be called an exceptionally good leader?

"Why are you so reserved? You're not my slave. Just do what I tell you to do, and rest whenever you want. I'm not a demon."

After saying that, Jiang Shuzhou asked the waiter next to him to hand the packed food to Hayes.

"Eat these as a midnight snack. You've worked hard today."

After he finished speaking, the drivers around him looked at Hayes with envy.

Many of them, like Hayes, were followers of the mage. After all, it was common knowledge that the coachman and cook had to be trusted confidants, otherwise they wouldn't even know how they died.

The driver who drove for Jiang Shuzhou during the day doesn't count, since Jiang Shuzhou never used him unless it was for official business. Even if he did, Hayes would be watching him closely.

Where can I find a lord like this? Why doesn't my lord care about us at all?

Ignoring the resentful stares of the other drivers, Hayes accepted the food and quickly drove Jiang Shuzhou away.

Fortunately, they didn't know that they were paid for working overtime, otherwise some of them might have switched sides at the last minute.

He's genuinely afraid someone will steal his job; a follower of a quasi-alchemist—if he makes a statement, countless people will be watching.

"Tomorrow morning, you keep an eye on Alston McMillan. I'm going to get certified as an alchemist."

Just as they were away from the crowd, Jiang Shuzhou's words were like a bombshell, completely shocking Hayes.

"Sir, are you really...?"

Goodness, they've even changed the way they address each other back.

"Of course it's true. Keep a close eye on them and make sure those nobles don't cause any trouble."

Jiang Shuzhou added that he could never have a good impression of these feudal nobles. Putting aside whether they oppressed the common people, their low administrative efficiency and high expenses were enough to make Jiang Shuzhou think that these people were all good-for-nothings.

"My lord, rest assured, I will definitely complete the mission!"

Looking at Hayes, whose face was resolute and who seemed ready to die for his country tomorrow, Jiang Shuzhou swallowed the rest of his words.

He was just about to say that if things couldn't be done, it was wise to protect oneself first.

After all, the job belongs to the alliance, but life belongs to oneself. Moreover, Jiang Shuzhou currently only has this one loyal follower, and he can't afford to lose him because of this kind of trivial matter.

However, it's not too late to give these instructions tomorrow. Right now, morale is high, so let's not do anything that would dampen it.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Back at his residence, Jiang Shuzhou resumed his studies in alchemy.

Today he is preparing to refine a blood-burning potion, the main function of which is to assist warriors in their cultivation and increase their cultivation speed.

The material cost is 10 gold coins per set, and the finished product sells for approximately 200 gold coins per piece.

Jiang Shuzhou had previously sold all the healing potions on the game's trading platform at an extremely high premium—60 gold coins per potion, a 100% premium—and they're all gone now.

That's why Jiang Shuzhou is not short of money at all. With a wave of his hand, he directly bought fifty sets of raw materials, determined to secure them tonight.

First is the Blood-Burning Grass. This stuff is considered a poison. In the past, it was used by warriors when they were fighting for their lives. As long as you eat one, your battle qi will be temporarily increased by 30%, but the price is that your lifespan will be reduced. The more you eat, the more you lose, and the faster you will die.

Later, after research, the mages finally managed to transform this herb from a deadly poison into a spiritual herb for cultivation, which can be considered a benefit to future generations.

Crush the Blood-Burning Grass and let it sit in a container. Then, Jiang Shuzhou took out the Earth Flower and Water Bell Mushroom, mixed the two herbs together, crushed them, and added them to the boiling magic water. He stirred it twenty times clockwise and fifteen times counterclockwise.

Although Jiang Shuzhou didn't understand the difference between clockwise and counterclockwise mixing, that's what the textbook said, so he did it that way, since he had to listen to his senior's advice.

Only when he can replicate the standard potion with non-standard materials, or even create a new potion, will he be qualified to question the senior's actions.

After the solution turns gray, add the cooled blood-burning grass, then stir the solution quickly for three minutes until it boils on its own without flame, and then turns orange-red.

Incidentally, there's no need to filter the dregs this time, because without dregs, the Blood Burning Grass burned away all the herbs in the solution, including itself.

That completes the preparation of one bottle of Blood Burning Potion.

Looking at the freshly made, still-boiling potion in his hand, Jiang Shuzhou felt a moment of disorientation.

It was done in one go?

Is it that simple?

After admiring the potion for a while, Jiang Shuzhou looked at the raw materials piled up like a small mountain to the side, and a bold idea formed in his mind.

If you're going to refine them, refine more. What's the big deal about refining one at a time?

I want to practice ten!

Then he failed several times.

In this way, Jiang Shuzhou consumed all forty-nine sets of materials at an extremely fast pace.

However, the results were quite good, with ten bottles successfully produced. It must be said that the bottle-division method is really fast, although the raw materials are consumed quickly as well.

After listing the refined Blood Burning Potion on the trading house, Jiang Shuzhou chose to log off and rest. To be honest, he hadn't slept in a long time, spending every night practicing meditation. Today was the time for him to rest.

Nothing to do tonight, may you sleep peacefully.