Chapter 99 – The Phantom Demon Potion in Hand

At this moment, the vial held in Shi Lin’s hand was no longer the blood-red Phantom Demon blood from before, but a genuine Phantom Demon Potion.

It remained red, yet no longer carried the ominous crimson hue that evoked unease. Instead, it glowed with a vibrant, beautiful scarlet, giving an initial impression of having been purified into something sacred.

The instant Su Ming laid eyes on this Phantom Demon Potion, he felt as if every cell in his body stirred with a restless craving.

Just as a hungry person instinctively yearns for food, Su Ming’s body instinctively desired that potion, longing to gulp it down in one swift draught.

“Is this the Phantom Demon Potion of the Nightmare Species?”

Yun Langyue gazed at the Phantom Demon Potion in Shi Lin’s hand, her expression turning grave.

Though she was an ordinary person, she understood full well the value of this potion.

Without a doubt, it was a priceless treasure.

Beyond even being described as “worth several cities,” once revealed to the world, it would surely drive every faction and even Base Cities into a frenzy.

Suppressing his excitement, Su Ming lifted his gaze to look at Shi Lin.

Shi Lin could barely conceal his exhaustion, yet his tone brimmed with exhilaration.

“Indeed, this is the Phantom Demon Potion of the Nightmare Species. It’s my first time handling the refinement of an alchemical potion of this caliber. The process wasn’t flawless, but I succeeded in the end. Truly a valuable experience.”

With this experience under his belt, Shi Lin was confident that his skills would reach new heights in the future.

At the very least, in the realm of refining Phantom Demon Potions, unless it were the legendary, never-before-seen potion of the Terror Species, no other Phantom Demon Potion would pose a challenge to him again.

He had even conceived several improvement plans for the Phantom Demon Potion, which could raise the success adaptation rate by a few tenths of a percentage point after consumption.

It might sound insignificant, but this was only the beginning. With continued refinement and research, that percentage would keep increasing—a benefit Shi Lin could draw upon endlessly.

“It’s a shame there’s only this one opportunity. If I could have a second chance to refine a Nightmare Species Phantom Demon Potion, I’m sure I’d uncover even more issues.”

Amid his excitement, Shi Lin still felt a tinge of dissatisfaction.

“Such an opportunity is something others haven’t even had once, Great Master.”

Yun Langyue covered her mouth with a light laugh.

“True enough.” Shi Lin immediately relaxed, agreeing, “The blood of the Nightmare Species has always been something one can only yearn for but never obtain. The last time it appeared was decades ago, and after this occurrence, it might not be seen again for decades to come. Having one chance to refine it is already exceedingly rare. To desire more would be sheer greed.”

With that, Shi Lin turned his gaze to Su Ming.

“Mission accomplished. Your order is complete.”

Shi Lin handed the Phantom Demon Potion, which could be called a priceless treasure, to Su Ming without the slightest hesitation.

Su Ming reached out and accepted it with solemn reverence.

The vial felt warm to the touch, a stark contrast to its previous cold, lifeless sensation.

With this in hand, Su Ming’s grand development plan of dual cultivation as both a Hunter and a Sorcerer could truly begin in earnest.

“Thank you, Great Master.”

Su Ming expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Shi Lin.”No need to thank me, this is mutually beneficial.” Surprisingly clear-headed, Shi Lin said: “I’ve also gained immensely from this. Strictly speaking, I’m the one who got the better deal. If anyone should be thanking, it should be me.”

Shi Lin knew that if news of an opportunity to brew a Nightmare Species Phantom Demon Potion were made public, countless masters in alchemical potions would fight for it even at their own expense.

Just as he could identify numerous issues in potion-making through this brewing process, others might want to study Nightmare Species blood to develop new potion formulas, or solve certain puzzles and confusions regarding Phantom Demon Potions. A single practical opportunity like this could provide an alchemist with invaluable technical knowledge.

For an alchemist, knowledge is everything.

Those so-called renowned masters would spare no cost to obtain precious knowledge, no matter the price.

Understanding this, Shi Lin didn’t consider Su Ming indebted to him, but rather felt he owed Su Ming.

“If you ever need any potions brewed in the future, you’re always welcome to come find me.”

Shi Lin made this promise.

Hearing this, Yun Langyue nearby immediately tugged at Su Ming’s sleeve.

Su Ming didn’t hesitate either, nodding immediately.

“Then I thank the Great Master.”

A top-tier alchemist capable of successfully brewing a Nightmare Species Phantom Demon Potion was indeed worth Su Ming’s effort to build a deep connection with.

Even though he could obtain various extraordinary items by opening packages, including some precious alchemical potions with remarkable effects, the packages were ultimately random and might not contain the specific alchemical potions he needed.

On the contrary, Su Ming was bound to obtain numerous brewing materials from packages in the future.

Having an alchemical master handle these materials and brew them into potions would yield higher returns, whether sold externally or exchanged for crystal chips.

Therefore, maintaining good relations with an alchemical master offered nothing but benefits.

“Now let’s go fulfill another contract,” Shi Lin said. “The Poison Glue Demon’s toxin? It’s somewhat troublesome, but shouldn’t take much time.”For a top-tier alchemist like Shi Lin, what ordinary people considered extremely tricky Poison Glue Demon toxin was merely something requiring a bit more time to neutralize.”

“I’ll take you there.”

Su Ming stored the Phantom Demon Potion in his waist pouch before immediately transferring it to his Golden Finger backpack for safekeeping.

This was his most precious possession, crucial for his future, and he couldn’t afford any carelessness.

He wouldn’t feel secure unless it was stored in his Golden Finger backpack.

After securing the Phantom Demon Potion, Su Ming turned to Yun Langyue.

“Why are you looking at me?” Yun Langyue blinked. “Of course I’m coming with you. Are you trying to kill the donkey after it’s done grinding? Use me and then send me away?”

Her words made it sound like Su Ming had committed some grave sin.

“Follow if you want.”

Su Ming rolled his eyes.

“Let’s go.”

Shi Lin was already impatient to waste any more time.

He wanted to return and document tonight’s experiences, summarizing everything properly.

……

Frontline Camp, Residential Quarters.

“Why hasn’t senior returned yet?”

In the room, Yao Beibei’s extremely anxious voice rang out.She sat by the bedside, tightly clutching Jiang Wanyu’s hand, her face filled with such anxiety that even Lei Hao and Ye Bai, who were pacing restlessly around the room, couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“Wanyu, hold on a little longer.”

Tears glistened in An Zijin’s eyes as she wiped the sweat from Jiang Wanyu’s forehead.

Jiang Wanyu was growing increasingly weak, her complexion turning paler by the minute. Her breathing was so faint it seemed she might slip away at any moment. The blood flowing from her shoulder had completely stained the nearby washbasin red, a stark illustration of her critical condition.

“Zijin…”

Jiang Wanyu’s voice had become almost inaudible.

Yet she persisted and, as if having resolved herself, laboriously retrieved a small cloth pouch from her bosom.

“Take this…”

Jiang Wanyu seemed to want to press the pouch into An Zijin’s hand.

“What is this?”

An Zijin didn’t accept it.

“Something that can help protect you…”

Jiang Wanyu opened her eyes, gazing at An Zijin as if delivering her final wishes, hoping she would take it.

“No! I don’t want it!”

An Zijin shook her head repeatedly.

“Don’t be like this, Wanyu!”

Yao Beibei also began to cry.

Among those present, only she knew what Jiang Wanyu had taken out.

It was Jiang Wanyu’s treasured trump card.

It was because of this item that Jiang Wanyu had been chosen and sent here by the “Madam” to protect An Zijin alongside her.

Now, Jiang Wanyu intended to hand it over to An Zijin, meaning she had given up on continuing to protect her.

This was indeed no different from a final testament.

Even Lei Hao and Ye Bai couldn’t help but voice their objections upon hearing Jiang Wanyu’s words.

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

“It’s too early to give up now!”

Their voices grew exceptionally heavy.

“Cough, cough…”

Jiang Wanyu wanted to insist, but her body was too weak to speak forcefully.

Her shoulder began bleeding again, as if draining all the blood from her body, pushing her closer to the brink of death.

Everyone was frantic with worry.

“Brother Su Ming! Please come back quickly!”

An Zijin placed all her hopes on Su Ming.

And her plea wasn’t in vain.

“I’m back!”

When the door was pushed open forcefully, Su Ming finally returned.

“Brother Su Ming!”

“Senior Su Ming!”

“Su Ming!”

An Zijin, Yao Beibei, Lei Hao, and Ye Bai all stood up at once.

As they rose, they noticed the two people accompanying Su Ming.

“It seems I’ve arrived just in time.”

Shi Lin immediately spotted Jiang Wanyu lying on the bed. Adjusting his glasses without even greeting anyone, he strode directly toward her.

“You…”

Lei Hao and Ye Bai reacted instinctively, moving to block his path.

“Don’t stop him. Let him examine Junior Jiang.”

Su Ming intercepted Lei Hao and Ye Bai.

“He’s an Alchemist. He has a way to save your companion.”

Yun Langyue suddenly smiled and added these words.

Hearing this, the bewildered An Zijin and Yao Beibei were overjoyed and quickly stepped aside, allowing Shi Lin to approach Jiang Wanyu.

“This poison is quite potent.”

Shi Lin examined Jiang Wanyu’s wound for a moment and nodded.”Fortunately, while the toxicity is potent, it’s not complex. Its structure is quite clear—it prevents wound healing and accelerates blood loss, belonging to a type of chronic poison.”

Making this analysis, Shi Lin retrieved a medicine bottle and several materials from his toolbox. After tossing them onto the set-up alcohol lamp, he began concocting the antidote.

“First, halt the spread of the toxicity to stop the bleeding, then eliminate the poison itself.”

Shi Lin then set to work methodically.

(End of Chapter)