"Potion-making, potion-making..."
Chen Shu returned ho and began exploring the system's new function.
After his previous choice, the system had unlocked Basic Pharmaceutical Studies.
A new panel appeared before his eyes in the form of a tree.
The tree's branches displayed various potions:
Strength Potion, Fla Potion, Ice Potion, Gigantification Potion, and more — everything imaginable.
But only the Strength Potion was lit up. All other potions remained dim and inactive.
The further down the potion tree, the more precious and rare the potions beca.
With a thought, he examined the Strength Potion at the top.
Strength Potion: Permanently increases contract spirit's power.
Proficiency: Control Level (Reduces required materials by 30%)
Current materials insufficient, cannot craft!
Note: Each crafting attempt increases proficiency. Proficiency levels are: Entry Level, Control Level, Mastery Level, Grandmaster Level.
Additional Note: Different proficiency levels provide different bonus effects.
Chen Shu's face lit up with excitent as he studied the function.
As one of humanity's major disciplines, pharmaceutical studies was imasurably valuable.
If he could master it, it would LITERALLY be like gold falling from the sky.
"Looks like I still need crafting materials. Can't create sothing from nothing."
Chen Shu ca to a conclusion.
For others, crafting potions required intense concentration with no room for error, yet failures still occurred despite centuries of pharmaceutical developnt. The field remained unindustrialized since machines couldn't replace the personal touch required for each potion, which explained why Potion Masters could charge such exorbitant prices for their work.
But Chen Shu was different. He had the system! He just needed to add the materials, and it would automatically craft the potion.
"Power Mushroom, I need a Power Mushroom..."
Chen Shu lay on his bed, muttering to himself.
Strength Potions required extrely common herbs that were easy to obtain.
Except for the main ingredient called Power Mushroom — this was a herb from dinsional spaces.
The big shops downtown definitely sold it, but he didn't have the qualifications to buy any since you needed Potion Master certification, which ant "I'll have to check the black market."
Chen Shu muttered. Right now, he wanted to make money as quickly as possible.
Besides leveling up, contract spirits gained massive improvents from consuming various potions, with wealthy families providing all year-round potion supplies that even allowed their spirits to fight above their level.
"Zhang Dali seems to know where the black market is."
Chen Shu opened ChaoXin and found Zhang Dali.
Profile picture: a grassland wild wolf. Userna: Lonely Wolf.
"Dali?"
"Ah Pi, what's up? Why are you suddenly ssaging ? After you left, I'm the only one ruling the regular class now. So lonely, so lonely..."
"Your uncle here just beat up Beast Taming Class 3's monitor today. The scene was absolutely wild."
"Quick, tell !"
"I'll tell you next ti. Do you know where the black market is?"
"What? You want to buy sothing?"
"I want to go check it out."
"Perfect, I'm skipping evening study hall tonight. Let's go together."
"By the way, lend so money."
"..."
"Dali?"
"..."
"Damn, you go silent as soon as I ntion borrowing money?"
Seeing Zhang Dali had stopped responding, Chen Shu persisted relentlessly with continuous harassing ssages until Zhang Dali finally couldn't stand it and replied, "We're the sa age. If you don't have money, how would I?"
"Hey, can't you use 'Huan Bei'? Don't they give you a monthly credit limit?"
"No way, you have to PAY that back."
Lonely Wolf: "???"
Zhang Dali was Completely dumbfounded and closed ChaoXin.
Since they lived in the sa neighborhood, Zhang Dali soon ca knocking.
"I'm saying, Chen Pi, you really have no money?"
"Really don't. Right now my pockets are Cleaner than my face."
"Fine, let's go check out the black market first."
Though Chen Shu had no money, he might trigger system options, and as long as he could get so potion and sell it on the spot, wouldn't he have money then?
The two rode their bikes leisurely toward the suburban area.
"Speaking of this black market, I, Zhang Dali, have been fortunate enough to go a few tis with my parents. It's a real mix of fish and dragons¹ in there. You and I must rember not to be too high-profile."
Zhang Dali's parents were both Black Iron rank Beast Tars — a wealthy family indeed.
But since he lacked beast taming talent, he could only remain an ordinary person.
"As they say, a strong dragon doesn't suppress the local snake. I understand this principle."
Chen Shu nodded knowingly.
The two looked like they were about to stir up MAJOR chaos in the black market.
But when they arrived at the black market entrance, both were instantly dumbfounded.
"Sorry, without a Level 5 or higher Beast Tar escorting you, you cannot enter."
"Big brother, be flexible. We're all people with status here."
"May I ask, sir, besides your ID card, what other status do you have?"
The guard at the entrance, also a Beast Tar, crossed his arms with an air of complete indifference. He could vaguely sense that one of the boys was an ordinary human and the other a Beast Tar of Level 3 at best, which explained why he was so dismissive of their request.
Zhang Dali coughed. It seed he needed to formally introduce himself.
"Allow to introduce myself. This lowly one is Zhang Dali from Nanjiang City Second High School, Regular Class 3. You may also know as the forr Materials Class Representative..."
"Get lost!"
"YES SIR!"
Zhang Dali turned and left without hesitation, pulling Chen Shu along.
"Chen Pi, looks like we can't get in. Next ti I'll have my dad bring you."
But Chen Shu stayed in place as three options appeared before his eyes.
[Option 1: Use the golden sli to force your way into the black market and show your might.]
Completion reward: Beast Tar level 1
[Option 2: Leave helplessly and look for another opportunity next ti.]
Completion reward: Sli strength doubles for three days
[Option 3: Ultimate provocation — lean close to the guard's ear and whisper: "Wo nen die."]
Completion reward: Gigantification skill 1
Chen Shu fell into deep thought until Zhang Dali's urging snapped him back.
"Dali, are you familiar with the terrain here?"
"Pretty much. Why?"
"Get ready to run. Whatever you do, don't look back... to take photos!"
Zhang Dali hadn't processed this when he saw Chen Shu approach the guard.
Chen Shu spoke in a low voice:
"Big brother, I know the secret code. Can I go in?"
"Huh? What?" The guard looked confused.
At that mont, Chen Shu slowly moved forward, gently leaning close to his ear.
"Wo nen die..."
In the next instant, Chen Shu spun around and bolted. The guard stood stunned for a mont, and by the ti he reacted to give chase, the two had vanished with unprecedented speed. Left with no one to pursue, the guard could only mutter a few curses before returning to his post.
"Chen Pi, what the hell did you say?"
"Nothing much, just tried a secret code."
Chen Shu panted heavily. He had to admit, this feeling of causing trouble and running was incredibly thrilling.
The golden sli's Gigantification skill had indeed leveled up.
Gigantification: Temporarily increases size by four tis, slightly reduces speed.
"Looks like we'll need to figure out another way to enter the black market."
"Let's talk about it next ti. Want so ran?"
The two looked up and happened to arrive at a ran shop called La Da Mian.
"Is it just , or does that na sound... disgusting?" Chen Shu muttered, raising an eyebrow. The shop was called Lā Dà Miàn, which sounded dangerously close to lā dà biàn—to take a dump.
"Shows it's special! Perfect, I haven't had dinner yet."
Zhang Dali didn't care at all and went straight into the shop.
"Boss, two bowls of ran."
"Want large portions?"
"Large, definitely large!"
"I'll bring them out right away. Make sure to eat them while they're hot."
"..."
¹ "Mix of fish and dragons" - In Chinese, this was "魚龍混雜" (yú lóng hùn zá), literally "fish and dragons mixed together," aning a place where both good and bad people congregate.
**Translation Note:**
"Wo nen die" (窩嫩跌) originated from Kuaishou livestrear "Tieshan Kao" whose dialect made this phrase viral. It's a vulgar way of saying "I'm your daddy" in Chinese internet slang — the kind of childish taunt that gets imdiate reactions and is popular among youth for its provocation.
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