"Potion Science, Potion Science..."
Chen Shu returned home and began to explore the new features of the system.
After his previous choices, the system had unlocked Beginner Level Potion Science.
Before his eyes appeared a new panel, resembling a tree.
[The branches of the tree were various potions: Strength Elixir, Flame Potion, Ice Potion, Gigantification Potion, and more, all available.]
But only the Strength Elixir was lit up; the rest were dim and dull.
The further down the potion tree, the more precious and rare the potions became.
With a thought, he focused on the Strength Elixir at the top.
Strength Elixir: Can permanently enhance the power of a Contracted Spirit.
[Proficiency: Control Level (Reduces materials needed for brewing by 30%)]
[Current materials insufficient, unable to brew!]
[Note: Each brewing increases proficiency, with levels divided into Beginner Level, Control Level, Mastery Level, and Grandmaster Level.]
Additional Note: Different proficiency levels provide different extra effects.
Chen Shu was exhilarated, continuously studying the functions.
As a major discipline among humans, the importance of Potion Science was self-evident.
If he could master it, it would be like gold falling from the sky.
"It seems I still need the materials for brewing; I can't create something from nothing."
Chen Shu finally concluded.
Others needed to concentrate and avoid any mistakes when brewing potions.
Even so, failures still occurred.
Though Potion Science had developed over hundreds of years, it still hadn't been industrialized, and instruments couldn't be used for brewing.
Every potion was brewed personally by a Potion Master, which was why they were so expensive.
But Chen Shu was different; he had the system. He just needed to add the materials, and the system would automatically brew the corresponding potion.
"Strength Flower, I need Strength Flower..."
Chen Shu lay on his bed, muttering to himself.
The materials needed for the Strength Elixir were quite common and easy to obtain,
except for the main ingredient, the Strength Flower, which was a medicinal material from a Dimensional Realm.
The big stores in the city center surely sold it, but he wasn't qualified to purchase it; he needed the identity of a Potion Master.
"I'll have to check out the black market."
Chen Shu murmured, eager to make money quickly.
Apart from advancing, the strength of a Contracted Spirit could also be greatly enhanced by consuming various potions.
The Contracted Spirits of large families were supplied with potions year-round, even allowing them to fight across levels.
"Zhang Dali seems to know the location of the black market."
Chen Shu opened Super Signal and found Zhang Dali.
His avatar was a prairie wolf, and his name was Lone Wolf.
"Dali?"
"Chen Shu, what's up? Why are you suddenly looking for me? After you left, I'm the only one left in charge of the Regular Class. It's lonely, so lonely."
"Your uncle just beat up the Class Monitor of Beast Class Three today. It was quite the scene."
"Tell me more."
"I'll tell you next time. Do you know where the black market is?"
"Why? You want to buy something?"
"I want to check it out."
"Perfect timing, I skipped evening self-study tonight. Let's go for a stroll together."
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"By the way, lend me some money."
"......"
"Dali?"
"......"
"Damn, pretending to be dead when it comes to lending money?"
Seeing no response, Chen Shu persisted, sending continuous messages to annoy him.
"We're the same age, if you don't have money, how could I?"
Zhang Dali finally couldn't stand the harassment and replied.
"By the way, can't you just use your credit? Don't you have a monthly limit?"
"No way, you have to pay that back."
Lone Wolf: "???"
Zhang Dali decisively turned off Super Signal.
The two lived in the same neighborhood, and Zhang Dali soon came to visit.
"Chen Shu, are you really broke?"
"Really, I'm as broke as can be."
"Alright, let's check out the black market first."
Although Chen Shu had no money, he might trigger a system option,
and if he could get some elixir and sell it on the spot, wouldn't he have money then?
The two rode their bikes, wobbling towards the outskirts.
"Speaking of the black market, I've had the chance to go a few times with my parents. It's a mixed bag inside, so we mustn't be too conspicuous."
Zhang Dali's parents were both Black Iron Grade Beast Masters, a wealthy family indeed,
but since he didn't have the Beast Talent, he could only be an ordinary person.
"As they say, a strong dragon can't suppress a local snake. I understand that."
Chen Shu nodded in agreement.
The two looked like they were about to stir up a storm in the black market.
But when they reached the entrance, they were dumbfounded.
"Sorry, without a Beast Master of level five or above leading, you can't enter."
"Come on, give us a break, we're people of status."
"May I ask, besides an ID card, what other status do you have?"
The staff at the black market entrance crossed his arms, looking indifferent.
He was also a Beast Master and could slightly sense the aura of the two, one just an ordinary person, the other at most level three.
The two hadn't expected the guard to be so unyielding.
Zhang Dali cleared his throat, realizing he needed to introduce himself properly.
"I am Zhang Dali, from Nanjiang City's Second Middle School, Regular Class Three, once served as the Material Class Representative..."
"Get lost!"
"Alright!"
Zhang Dali turned and left without a moment's hesitation, pulling Chen Shu along.
"Chen Shu, seems like we can't get in. Next time, let my dad bring you."
Chen Shu, however, stayed put, seeing three options appear before his eyes.
[Option 1: Use the Golden Slime to forcibly enter the black market and show your prowess. Completion Reward: Beast Master level +1]
[Option 2: Leave reluctantly and seek another opportunity next time. Completion Reward: Slime's strength doubles for three days]
[Option 3: Top-level provocation, lean close to the security guard's ear, and whisper: "I'm your daddy." Completion Reward: Skill Gigantification +1]
Chen Shu fell into thought until Zhang Dali's urging brought him back to reality.
"Dali, are you familiar with the terrain here?"
"Pretty much, why?"
"Get ready to run, and don't look back... take a photo!"
Before Zhang Dali could react, he saw Chen Shu approach the guard.
Chen Shu spoke softly.
"Brother, I know the secret code, can I go in?"
"Hmm? What?" The guard looked puzzled.
At that moment, Chen Shu slowly moved forward, gently leaning close to his ear.
"I'm your daddy."
In the next instant, Chen Shu turned sharply and bolted.
The guard was stunned for a moment before reacting, ready to chase after them, but the two were already out of sight.
Such speed was unprecedented, and the guard could only curse a few times before returning to his post.
***
"Chen Shu, what did you say?"
"Nothing, just tried the secret code."
Chen Shu panted heavily, feeling that this little prank was incredibly exhilarating.
The Golden Slime's skill Gigantification indeed increased by one level.
Gigantification: Temporarily increases body size by four times, slightly reducing speed.
"Looks like we'll need to think of another way to enter the black market."
"Let's talk about it next time. Want some ramen?"
The two looked up and found themselves in front of a ramen shop called La Da Mian.
"This name feels a bit gross?"
"Must be a specialty, and I haven't had dinner yet."
Zhang Dali didn't mind at all and walked straight into the shop.
"Boss, two bowls of ramen."
"Large size?"
"Large, definitely large!"
"It'll be ready soon, make sure to eat it while it's hot."
"......"
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