Chapter 462: The Unnecessary Step

Chapter 462: The Unnecessary Step

Leaving the matter of the ‘reporters’ aside for now, after learning those people posed no threat, Zheng Yichen and Qin discussed serious business. The first topic was this magic potion… named the Attribute Transformation Potion. Its main effect was to temporarily change the user’s internal mana attribute or singularly strengthen the user’s existing mana attribute.

Most people’s mana was attribute-less. Even Irene’s mana… fell into this category. Zheng Yichen was the same. This type of mana was the most common, so calling it attribute-less wasn’t wrong. However, to be specific, so-called attribute-less mana did possess a certain attribute. It wasn’t an elemental affinity, but rather a personal attribute!

This included the traits of one’s soul and body. After all, once mana was cultivated, even without converting external elemental power , the body could generate mana on its own. This portion of mana naturally came from consuming bodily energy, soul energy, and similar forces. It definitely didn’t appear out of thin air.

The effect of this potion was to give this type of mana user’s mana a temporary ‘advanced’ change, granting those users mana with different attributes… through the method of potion infusion.

“Nice potion. What are the specific effects?” Qin asked. A magic potion that could temporarily change one’s own mana attribute had significant merits in its effects alone. This was especially true for warriors. Mana attributes didn’t affect them much. Except for using some special combat techniques that could produce effects similar to magic, most other combat techniques didn’t have attributes.

If a warrior’s own mana possessed an attribute, then their attacks would obviously carry that related attribute. The boost from this type of attributed attack wasn’t the same as the innate attribute attacks from magic arms. While the attribute damage from magic arms could also be increased by boosting one’s power output, it lacked the explosive nature of combat techniques!

“Under normal circumstances, it can infuse about half of a normal high-rank spellcaster’s mana. If the user consciously resists, the effect weakens to about one-third.” This potion functioned like an external add-on effect, so the body would exhibit a degree of ‘toxin alert’ when using it… Although it could be ignored, that was only for potions personally crafted by Zheng Yichen. The same type of potion made using a compatible formula wouldn’t have this effect. Others didn’t possess Zheng Yichen’s mana.

“As for production cost, once proficient, it can be stably categorized as a mid-to-high-end magic potion. If using an assembly-line production formula, the cost could be pushed down further, making it a genuine mid-range potion.”

“You already have an assembly-line formula?”

“The production of this thing is a bit special. Hmm… take a look at the formula.” Zheng Yichen first took out one formula, then pulled out a stack of formulas. The stack contained thirteen sheets of paper. Qin looked through them one by one. The first magic potion formula was a normal, complete formula. By following its steps and simply changing a few materials, one could influence which attribute the Attribute Transformation Potion would change into.

The remaining sheets were assembly-line potion formulas, involving quite a few more materials. Eight of them were assembly-line formulas affecting the final attribute of the finished Attribute Transformation Potion. The remaining five were the foundational part of this potion. After seeing the assembly-line formulas, Qin didn’t need to ask Zheng Yichen certain questions.

For example, since this potion had so many variations, researching it must have been difficult, etc. After reading the assembly-line formulas, she realized the so-called complexity and variety didn’t exist at all. Once the foundational part was done, the attribute part was merely an additive. Adding which one produced the related attribute change. It couldn’t be simpler… at least for this formula.

“As usual,” Qin said. She was quite satisfied with what Zheng Yichen brought out this time. At the very least, Zheng Yichen handled things impeccably. The assembly-line formula directly increased her profit returns. Although it was the same for Zheng Yichen, such mutual benefit naturally pleased both parties, strengthening their relationship.

“No problem.”

“Is there anything else you want to discuss together?” Qin asked Zheng Yichen. Now wasn’t the best time to present such a potion, yet he still brought it out, clearly having another purpose.

Zheng Yichen directly stated his real intention. Hearing it, Qin found it somewhat amusing. She shook her head slightly. “Our relationship doesn’t require such trouble. You could have said this matter directly.”

Her words weren’t a complaint, nor did she feel displeased. It was merely a reminder. The fact that Zheng Yichen acted this way proved he didn’t want their relationship to become one of simple exploitation, but rather an equal relationship of give and take. Given that, why would Qin complain or feel displeased? Zheng Yichen’s behavior was in itself an act of friendship.

“I think this way is fine.”

“It is good. But… well, that’s fine. I’ll keep an eye on this matter.”

“Then I’ll head back.” Zheng Yichen glanced at the onlookers gathered around, their eyeballs somewhat reddened. He decided not to stay… especially with those two ‘reporters’ looking eager. Hmm… In short, it was better to avoid having any gossip information dug up about himself. Who knows how those people in the forum’s tall tales would weave stories.

On the way back, Zheng Yichen remembered to take out the Magic Weapon Summoning Book to check the forum. One post was Red Dragon Augusta showing off a photo of his super-large bed, while also expressing his rage below. His lair had actually been ransacked while he was away!

Although he had taken the important things with him, the fact that his dragon lair was pillaged still rankled Red Dragon Augusta. Faced with choosing between showing off and venting anger, he chose to do both at once!

“Huff! Who is so bold, daring to steal while Lord Augusta was away!!” Augusta scanned his dragon lair in fury. He had just returned! Originally in a joyful mood, planning to try out this dragon bed that promised new experiences, he had even considered whether to put in some effort himself to expand the lair, at least upgrading the decorations. Otherwise, how could it match the splendid, luxurious dragon bed Zheng Yichen made for him, with its gold and red brilliance… Yes, this thing, both in color and design, satisfied Augusta immensely.

But this happy mood was now ruined by the sight of his lair being utterly trashed. He had left powerful trigger magic here when he departed… Why did this still happen? Everything visible in the entire lair had been scraped away. Even the few mutated glowstones Augusta once collected, different from ordinary glowstones as they constantly shimmered.

The light from these glowstones was constant. They were (for the dragon clan) not particularly precious things. Back in the Dragon Realm, one could find a few just by running around a bit. Yet someone actually pried these away!?

Even several layers of the ground had been scraped off. The sleeping area, of course, wasn’t spared. In short, the dragon lair Augusta had meticulously (in his own opinion) kept tidy was destroyed like this. Simply unbearable!

Alright, even if unbearable, he must show off first, then investigate the problem. Augusta, who originally planned to photograph the entire lair along with the bed, ended up only taking a picture of the gorgeous dragon bed. The rest? Forget it. If others saw his lair in this state, wouldn’t they laugh their heads off?

“Hmm… This hole… Oh heavens, how despicable, using a tunneling method!!” After taking the photo, Augusta looked at the several new holes in the cave wall with a stunned expression. He thought for a moment. He indeed had set up protective magic to prevent anyone from entering through the entrance and doing something to his lair. But he never expected someone would choose a detour.

Because he found it bothersome to clear those protective magics after setting them up, Augusta hadn’t set up any trigger-type protective magic inside the cave itself.

After plugging these holes, Augusta somewhat gloomily packed up his dragon bed and left the cave, intending to ask the nearby residents who had the audacity to dismantle his lair while he was away. During the flight, his attention shifted to the alchemical puppet avatar left in Kaja. This avatar was left by Augusta in a house he bought not long ago. Zheng Yichen bought one here, so as a fellow clan member, he couldn’t fall behind, could he? Buy, buy, buy.

Moreover, having a house to place the alchemical avatar was more convenient. Unlike Zheng Yichen’s house, which leaned towards a secluded area, he bought one in a populated place. Stepping outside, one could see the most bustling part of Kaja. The problem of distraction while flying? Flying was an instinct for the dragon clan. Even with attention shifted to the avatar, he could maintain an ‘auto-navigation’ state. Just flew a bit slower. No big problem.

He wasn’t so furious that he couldn’t do other things, and the reason was simple. The damage from losing those things was basically equivalent to a normal household losing a few unused chairs sitting at home. But even if they were ordinary chairs, discovering they were stolen still left one feeling displeased.

“Oh! Roar! You’re here too!” Zheng Yichen, walking with his head down looking at the Magic Weapon Summoning Book, twitched the corner of his mouth upon hearing Augusta’s vigorous voice. He instinctively wanted to quicken his pace. He had more important matters now and didn’t want to waste time arguing with this red dragon!

Go post on your forum properly, show off your wealth, and attract thieves properly. What’s wrong with that!?

“Uh, is the bed comfortable to use?”

“Don’t mention it. My dragon lair was robbed. Damn it, I must catch those thieves.” Red Dragon Augusta shouted with a face full of anger, then lowered his voice and leaned closer to Zheng Yichen. “By the way, could you make some alchemy tools specifically for tracking petty thieves? What’s with that look? This time, I’ll definitely give you a reward!”