Another World’s Versatile Crafting Master c1-1074

by Zhuang Bifan

  At this point, everyone had hoped from the bottom of their hearts that he would succeed.

  "Thank you everyone for your support!"

  The instant that the sunflower petals' flare flashed, Lin Li gently added the Moonlight Grass that had a silver shimmer. This was followed by a white smoke permeating the air. Lin Li stood within the white smoke and smoothly extinguished the fire below the crucible. He then turned around and bowed to the onlooking pharmacist. After that, he left the potion table without even turning back…

  The permeating white smoke had a tinge of sweet smell. It made the whole guild pharmaceutical lab blurry. The group of pharmacists were focused on the smoke.

  Balbo was the first to stand up. Because his actions were too intense, the vine chair under him had been knocked over. Although he looked very calm, both of his hands that were firmly placed on the sides had started shaking slightly. The next person to stand up was Grimm Burnside, and then it was the anxious Andoine. This was followed by all of the pharmacists in succession…

  They used this manner to pay respects to this young mage.

  Indeed, he'd really succeeded.

  Based on the description on the recipe, once the potion had been concocted, it would be in a dense and transparent state. A sweet smell could be smelt when near. It was like the smell of barley candy. Everything was exactly the same as the liquid in the crucible.

  This young mage that was not even twenty had solved a difficult problem that no pharmacist in the whole Felan could solve. Today's gathering would definitely allow this young man to be the brightest star in pharmaceutics.

  After a moment of silence, the pharmaceutical lab erupted with cheers. Hundred or more pharmacists, regardless if they knew each other or if they had any sentiments towards each other, were drowning in joy at this moment. What this young mage had solved was not a simple potion issue, but a difficult problem that had frustrated all of the pharmacists in Felan. The birth of this potion also signified a giant step forward for pharmaceutics!

  Chapter 234 - Book of Ten Thousand Spells

  This bottle of Void Power Potion had caused the whole Pharmacists Guild to be submerged in delight. Balbo announced on the spot that tonight, the Pharmacists Guild would host a grand celebratory banquet. He hoped that all of the respected pharmacist present would attend it.

  After the announcement, Balbo left the guild pharmaceutical lab with a smile on his face.

  After that, he called Old Grimm over.

  "Burnside…" Burnside sat on the chair and thought for a long while before he suddenly said, "I think I should speak to Felic."

  "When?"

  "Tonight's banquet."

  Old Grimm was immediately somewhat uncertain. "Wouldn't this be too fast?"

  "We can't afford to wait…" Balbo stood up and paced to and fro, circling around the room twice. His expression was unusually frustrated. "I am also left with no other choice. You have already seen it as well just now in the pharmaceutical lab. When that group of as*holes looked at Felic, was that any different from the look of a pack of famished wolves? If we do not act fast, it will be only a matter of time before this young genius is snatched away. By that time, it would be too late even for regrets!"

  "Which group of as*holes…?"

  "Who else…?" Balbo pouted, and counted one to ten with his stretched fingers. "Fatty Hoffman, dead man Sendros, Prince Lionheart Johnathan, Archbishop Englos. Oh, yes, and there is also Killer Rode. Aren't they cursed as*holes?

  "You're saying that they are also interested in Felic?"

  "Of course. Think about it. Behind Hoffman is the Glittergold trade union. Sendro is backed by the Darkness Shrine, and Mongraine is supported by the Brilliance Shrine. Oro controls Red Moon, and there this is still that bastard, Johnathan. He is the brother of the king. The powers behind all of them are all full of ambition. Who wouldn't want to control a genius pharmacist like Felic?"

  "Sigh, I really regret it this time. Why didn't I listen to you back then? If I'd made my move earlier, wouldn't there have been no issues now?" Once he spoke of this, Balbo's face was filled with distress. "It is a pity that it's too late for anything now. If I am not mistaken, Felic's pharmaceutical standard is already at the master, at the very least. Think about it, a master pharmacist below the age of twenty… how terrifying is this existence?"

  "Indeed…" Thinking about that young mage's pharmaceutical ability, Old Grimm could not help but nod.

  "Hence, we cannot wait anymore. Burnside, this time, we must pull him into the Pharmacists Guild." Balbo stood up from the chair vigorously, his eyes seemed to be filled with killing intent. "Pay no mind to expenses!"

  This time, even Old Grimm could not help but feel moved. He had known Balbo for tens of years, but in these tens of years, he had never seen Balbo so determined. Old Grimm hesitated for a moment before asking, "You're saying…"

  "Book of Ten Thousand Spells."

  "What the hell…" Old Grimm suddenly froze.

  "Let me finish…." Balbo pulled the chair, signaling Old Grimm to take a seat first. "I am clearer than you how precious the Book of Ten Thousand Spells is. To use it to trade for a master pharmacist may seem like making a loss, but, Burnside, don't you forget that that master pharmacists is only twenty years old. Based on his talent, I can guarantee that he will break through to the guru realm. At that point, even a hundred books would not make anyone bat a single eyelid, not to mention just one. Burnside, this is our last chance. If we miss this chance, we would have to pay hundreds of times the price in the future…

  "You've really made your decision?"

  "Yes." Balbo nodded his head.

  "Ok, I'll find you a chance to speak with Felic alone during tonight's banquet."

  "Oh, yes, Burnside. Just now, you mentioned that Felic needs some Leaf of the Origin Tree?"

  "Yes, looking at him just now, he seemed to be in a hurry…" After Old Grimm finished speaking, he looked at Balbo with doubt. "Why, are you really giving it a shot with this? Balbo, I need to advise you on this. This kid's character had always been be open to persuasion, but not to coercion. If you are trying to woo him with Leaf of the Origin Tree, it's better to call it off. Don't let your image be ripped apart before you have gained any advantage. What dignity would you have left when facing Andoine in the future?"

  "No, no, no…" Burnside shook his head. "Relax, I wouldn't push the limit. What is the Leaf of the Origin Tree to a master pharmacist? Then, Burnside, when the banquet starts later, help me pass some Leaf of the Origin Tree to him. Don't mention about buying or whatever, just say that it's a gift from me. After all, other than being rather rare, this thing is not worth a lot. It's rather suitable to use as a friendly gesture."

  …

  Pharmacists Guild had spent a lot of effort on this banquet. It was grand and magnificent. Almost of all the pharmacists from the gathering came. The only two absentees were the Amman master and disciple pair that had already left in the afternoon.

  Amman was wise as well. Once the gathering ended in the afternoon, he went to look for Balbo and said that there was something urgent that he had to attend to in the Thunder City Guild of Magic. Thus, he would not be attending the banquet…

  Balbo pouted. He thought to himself, I earnestly hoped that you wouldn't attend. This banquet is a celebration prepared for Felic. If you two, master and disciple, came along, wouldn't it make everyone uneasy….

  Of course, his face was wreathed in smiles. After pretending to persuade them to stay, he went with the flow and let them leave. As for whether they really went back to Thunder City, only heaven knew.

  When Lin Li walked into the banquet hall, there were numerous people seated already. A group of waiters were holding plates and served exquisite food continuously. Glasses of fine wine emitted a dream-like l.u.s.ter under the resplendent light. Those acquainted pharmacists were gathered together and conversing, just like in the guild hall back in the morning. The only difference now was that once the pharmacis
ts saw Lin Li enter, they would stand up and passionately greet this young mage that had shocked the whole Pharmacists Guild.

  "Good evening, Master Felic."

  "Master Felic, are you free to talk?"

  The group of pharmacists did not feel uncomfortable at all despite using "master" to address a youngster in his twenties. Just based on the pharmaceutical standards this young man had exhibited this afternoon, no matter how proud a person was, he had to admit that Felic definitely lived up to the word "master".

  Furthermore, everyone believed that the word "master" would only be use for a few years before it was changed to "guru"…

  "How's it, Master Felic. How do you feel?" Both master and disciple sat in a corner. Andoine was speaking to acquaintances beside him, and occasionally made some time to ask questions.

  "It's nothing much…" Lin Li scratched his head, and spoke with a tone of annoyance, "I feel like I'm being watched."

  "Haha…" Andoine laughed and retracted his gaze. "This is normal. You'll get used to it after a while."

  "I hope so."

  "Oh, yes, Felic." The both of them chatted for a while before Andoine suddenly remembered something. "During the gathering in the afternoon, Hoffman looked for me."

  "Hoffman?" Lin Li thought about it before realizing. "Oh, you mean that fatty?"

  "Yes, it's Fatty Hoffman. He asked me to tell you that he had some difficult questions that he wanted consult you about. If you are able to help him solve it, he is willing to give you the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations."

  "What is this Book of Ten Thousand Incantations?"

  "It's something good!"

  "…"

  "Really, I'm not lying to you this time. The Book of Ten Thousand Incantations is something good!" When Andoine said this, his expression was unusually serious. "The Book of Ten Thousand Incantations is one of the treasures passed down since the Dark Ages. Its previous owner is the well-known Highlord Osric. Apparently, Osric took it from a demon's palace while leading the magic army on an expedition into the Abyss. After that, for some unknown reasons, it ended up with Fatty Hoffman. Don't think that that fatty has a dreadful appearance and he doesn't have much power. I told you that he was well-known in the Breezy Plains and he was a shareholder of the Glittergold Trade Union. He was somebody that nobody dared to provoke. What he relied on to get there was the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations. If you really can obtain it, it would a breeze to walk about in the Breezy Plains."

  "So impressive?"

  "It is that impressive." Even Andoine was moved when talking about the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations. "It's a pity. Back when Osric invaded the Abyss, he had obtained two books. One was the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations, and the other was the Book of Ten Thousand Spells. Although the fatty Hoffman was lucky, he only obtained one book. If he had both books at the same time, I'm afraid even I would be no match for him…"

  "Why would Hoffman bring it out, then?"

  "How would I know…" Andoine pouted his lips. He stretched out his finger and pointed at the fatty that was toasting about as though he was wearing butterflies. "If you want to know, why don't you ask him?"

  "You mean that you approve of me speaking with him?"

  "Yes." Andoine nodded his head. "It's fine to just talk. Anyway, other being good at stirring trouble, you do not have any major flaws. You're also too wise. I never worried about you making a loss with such things. After all, you should just decide for yourself when it comes to that point."

  "Then I'll go speak to him when I'm free later…"

  "Oh, yes, don't hurry back to the Guild of Magic once the banquet is over."

  "Why?"

  "Because I suddenly thought a way to improve magical power within a short period of time, and I was thinking of finding someone to try it out…"

  "…"

  Chapter 235 - Book of Ten Thousand Incantations

  Andoine was indeed correct. Lin Li was sitting there for less than ten minutes when the fatty Hoffman walked over with a coquettish smile while holding a wine glass.

  "Good evening, Master Andoine, Master Felic."

  "Good evening, Hoffman…" How could a seasoned old veteran like Andoine not know what was Hoffman here for? After greeting him with laughter, he stood up from the chair. "You guys have a good talk. I know a few people over there, I'm going over to greet them."

  "Then I shan't delay you…" After seeing off Andoine, Hoffman was smiling till his eyes were like two thin lines. "Master Felic, your performance in the afternoon was too wonderful. Tsk, tsk, tsk, I really dare not imagine that such intricate pharmaceutical skills would come from such a young person!"

  "You're praising me too much…"

  "No, no, no, this is definitely not flattery." Hoffman shook his head, and his fat face switched from being sheepish to abnormally serious. "I started studying pharmaceutics intensively since I was in my teens. During these past tens of years, I've seen countless pharmacists, but I have never encountered anyone that can be compared to you in terms of skill. To put it bluntly, even if it was President Balbo or Master Burnside who are recognized as people of authority in pharmaceutics, they are still behind you in this aspect just by a little…"

  "Mr. Hoffman, you are joking. How can I compare to them." Although Lin Li was being humble with his words, he had to admit that he was thoroughly enjoying the flattery Hoffman was giving him.

  It seemed like Andoine was indeed correct. Hoffman, this fatty that was born a businessman, was indeed interesting. When speaking to him, one would not feel uneasy. He would choose the best words to say and not point out your shortcomings. Furthermore, his praises were not superficial. His words always had substance. Even if one knew that he was trying to suck up to them, they would still be unable to resist it and want more…

  One was in a good mood, and one was sedulously praising. Naturally, both of them were enjoying themselves in the conversation. After a series of small talk, both looked like old friends that had known each other for a long time. A few pharmacists at the side could not help but turn over and look. They thought to themselves, This damned fatty Hoffman could actually hide it so well, how did we not know that he knew this Master Felic?

  After listening to Hoffman flatter him a few more times, Lin Li only then satisfyingly asked, "Oh, yes, Mr Hoffman. I heard Teacher Andoine mention just now that you are looking for me about something?"

  "Yes, yes, yes…" Hearing Lin Li bring it up by himself, Hoffman smiled brilliantly. "It's like this, Master Felic. Some time before, we the Glittergold Trade Union spent a fortune to purchase a potion recipe, but we only discovered that the content of this recipe was too obscure after we had obtained it. I spent more than two months, and I still could not comprehend it. After that, I visited many famous pharmacists such as Sendros, Johnathan, and Englos, but the results were almost the same. Nobody could help me solve this problem. I even thought this recipe was an impossible task all the way until I met you, Master Felic, today at the Pharmacists Guild…"

  "This… Mr Hoffman, you really are praising me too much. I'm not gonna hide it from you. Although I am able to concoct the Void Power Potion, it was only because I have encountered it before. Compared to Mr Sendros, His Highness Johnathan, and Archbishop Englos, I still have much to learn. Even if I wanted to help, I would be powerless to render assistance to a recipe that even they could not solve…"

  "Master Felic, you're too humble…" The smile on Hoffman's face was still as bright as ever. "How about this, Master Felic. I, in the Glittergold Trade Union's name, promise you that as long as you are willing to give it a try, the Glittergold Trade Union will still give you a handsome reward regardless of whether it's successful or not. The price would be at least a million gold coins. What do you think about that?"

  "This…" Even though Lin Li looked calm, he had a shock. The Glittergold trade union was really generous—a million gold coins could be obtained just by giving it a shot. Wasn't it to make ducks and drakes of this million gold
coins if he just did the work without putting in any effort should he not feel like helping?

  "As for the reward for being successful, I already spoke to Master Andoine about it…" Hoffman smiled confidently, and continued to tempt Lin Li with the generous rewards. "I have a Book of Ten Thousand Incantations on me. It was taken from a Greater Demon's palace back when the Highlord Osric led an expedition into the Abyss. Not only does it harbor great power, it's also said to contain a big secret. If you can help me complete this recipe, I will give you the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations."

  "If that's the case, Mr Hoffman, let me think about it…"

  "Ok, ok…" Seeing that the other party did not reject immediately, Hoffman's face could not help but show a trace of happiness. "Oh, yes, Master Felic. I will be staying at Alanna during this one month. After you are done considering it, you can tell me anytime."

  "Where can I find you?"

  "Oh, yes…" Hoffman took out a crystal card hurriedly. "This is the Glittergold Bank's VIP card. If you want to look for me, just bring this VIP Card to the Glittergold Bank—any Glittergold Bank would do. There will be people that will satisfy all your needs."

  "Ok." Lin Li did not stand on ceremony; he just took the card.

  "Oh, yes, Master Felic…" When Hoffman stood up, he smiled mysteriously, and said, "Standing in a pharmacist's point of view, I must tell you that this recipe is really interesting."

  "Is it?"

  "I swear!" Hoffman looked very serious, but he stopped short of the climax. "As for what's so interesting, you'll know once you see it."

  Hoffman didn't leave for long before Andoine sneaked back.

  "How did the talk go?

  "It's over. Actually, it's nothing much. Hoffman's motive for finding me was to help him solve a recipe. If it's successful, I will get the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations. If not, I will get a million gold coins…"