Chapter 182: Discovery

Unlike the previous four times when the goal was to thoroughly absorb the Royal Family’s “Knight’s Baptism” Potion, this time, Dean tried to trigger the state of a “Flash” as much as possible, just like the Skill [Bandaging].

Therefore, Dean maintained the posture and breathing rhythm of the Secret Technique until the [Stamina] bar was completely emptied, only then did he finally stop.

However, unfortunately, even when his [Stamina] reached zero, he felt nothing.

Although his body remained in that warm feeling, Dean knew it was the effect of the Secret Technique itself, not the System’s approval—

“Last life, when I encountered this Secret Technique, it took about six weeks to gain the System’s approval and get an accurate rating… The time was a bit long. After all, this is an incomplete Secret Technique—Damn it, that guy actually said he didn’t know where the remaining Secret Technique manuscripts were…”

Remembering everything about this Secret Technique named [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique], Dean couldn’t help but curse the irresponsible Old Thief in a low voice.

If his respect for the Old Knight was pure, then Dean’s feeling toward the Old Knight’s partner was respect mixed with a trace of disdain; the respect was because of the opponent’s formidable Strength; the disdain was because of the opponent’s irresponsibility—In fact, many of the high-level Thief skills Dean learned were incomplete.

This had been verified during his future career as an Assassin.

Especially the [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique], which could only increase to level 3, and according to some of Dean’s knowledge, this Secret Technique, if complete, could at least reach level 12 or 13—Because he had once witnessed such an Assassin, although it was only a fleeting glance, the feeling brought by the [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique], Dean would never mistake.

“Is that guy still in the South? If so, I should be able to… No, it’s too dangerous!”

The moment such a thought appeared in Dean’s heart, he threw it out of his mind. He remembered the ruthless and cruel behavior shown by that person.

If his ruthlessness was because he had a goal and was unscrupulous, then the Old Thief could only be described as killing without blinking an eye—That person was now in a retired state, far removed from everything, and living quite well; therefore, anyone who wanted to drag him back to his original state would naturally meet a dead end.

If there was no introduction, going directly to see that person would be a dead end.

“I should find that Your Excellency first!”

Dean thought of that Old Knight, but when he thought of the fact that the man was still serving at a certain outpost in the Three Southern Counties, Dean sighed helplessly—Although the Three Southern Counties were not large, far inferior to the Four Northern Counties, it was still full of difficulties to find an unremarkable person among hundreds of outposts.

As for asking the Emerald Grand Duke for help?

It was likely that just explaining it to the Emerald Grand Duke would be a troublesome matter, let alone that as soon as there was the slightest movement, those two would vanish without a trace.

This was also Dean’s experience—he had tried more than once to find these two for help but had not found any trace at all.

“Better to focus on the present first!”

Helplessly, Dean picked up Oniedon’s notebook—It took ten minutes to recover 1 Stamina, and now after activating the remaining effects of the “Baptism Potion,” his five attributes increased again, causing the [Stamina] item, which was closely related to [Constitution], [Will], and [Perception], to reach 20.7, and it would take at least two hundred minutes, or more than three hours, for this number to recover completely.

And Dean absolutely could not do nothing for three hours.

Oniedon’s notebook retained the style of the hundredth year of the Emerald founding; it was not only thick but also large. To unfold it, Dean had to place it on the table and raise the height of the candlestick.

Under the candlelight, Dean carefully studied the entire book.

When he got this notebook, Dean had already carefully checked the cover, title page, and spine, finding nothing suspicious. Therefore, if this notebook really had a secret, it could only be in the content—

Today, I obtained the formula for the true Healing Potion.

Master Shiller taught it to me after I correctly completed two thousand bottles of Minor Healing Potions and one thousand bottles of Lesser Healing Potions.

Perhaps because of the previous foundation, I mastered the Healing Potion quickly, thus gaining Master Shiller’s praise.

…

I have brewed no less than three thousand Healing Potions, but I have never succeeded in brewing the Powerful Healing Potion. Master Shiller advised me not to rush.

However, I must speed up because I don’t want to be laughed at by others.

…

I succeeded! I succeeded!

I finally brewed the Powerful Healing Potion!

For this, Master Shiller held a celebration party for me. Everyone came to congratulate me happily, including those who had mocked me.

…

Soon, this notebook, which looked thick but had limited actual content, was finished by Dean.

The first half of the notebook was all such trivial matters, describing a Wizard’s growth in Potionology, while the second half listed many Potion formulas.

Starting from the basic Minor Healing Potion and Antidote Potion, up to the more valuable Powerful Healing Potion and Antidote, it was very complete, enough to be the first choice for some Potion Apprentices to enter and advance.

However, these were not what Dean wanted.

These formulas were all in his memory, and he needed the hidden secret in this notebook.

“Is it a text code?”

Dean guessed, and then began to test it according to the several text codes he was familiar with.

However, the text obtained in the end was fragmented. Obviously, it was not one of the text codes he was familiar with.

“The text codes I am familiar with should be the most commonly used ones by the Brotherhood. If not, it could only be a more advanced text code, or something like a secret language…”

Thinking of the secret language, Dean couldn’t help but frown.

After all, compared to text codes with patterns, the secret language with huge changes and no pattern to follow was like finding a needle in a haystack, with no way to start.

“It shouldn’t be a secret language! Although Oniedon’s secret identity was one of the leading figures in the Brotherhood, his style of acting was more inclined to that of a Wizard… Wizard…”

Dean shook his head and began to shift his thinking.

He recalled the habits of those Wizards on Secret Spell Island, and then put himself in their place.

“I am a Wizard, wanting to hide something in my notebook. It’s not a text code, nor is it a secret language, but a code belonging only to Wizards… A code belonging only to Wizards…”

Dean muttered to himself as if in self-hypnosis, while flipping through the notebook in front of him.

Suddenly, Dean’s finger trembled, and he stopped there.

His gaze stayed on one of the pages, and then he quickly flipped back and forth.

About ten minutes later, the corners of Dean’s mouth tilted up slightly—

“The handwriting in the earlier notes was messy, varying in size, but the length was controlled well… Each page only talked about the success and failure of a potion, so… an alternative display for Potions?”

Such a guess naturally appeared in Dean’s heart.

Although he had not finally confirmed it, Dean already had some confidence, and what was lacking now was the potion—Subconsciously, Dean flipped the notebook to the latter part where Oniedon’s Potion formulas were listed.

Looking at several formulas that were slightly different from the current Healing Potions.

Dean gained a bit more confidence.

It had to be said that Oniedon’s way of hiding was very clever—Most people would not think anything was suspicious when they saw the notes later.

After all, this was just a notebook left by a Wizard Master when he was young, and a slight error was inevitable at that time.

Moreover, at that time, such Healing Potions were not considered errors.

Even now, after repeated modifications, such Healing Potions were still widely used in some places, and only on Secret Spell Island were they truly out of the historical stage.

“So I need to brew some Healing and Antidote Potions… The vessels and medicinal materials prepared by Lord Marquis should be enough. After returning to the Ferrchelen Knight Order, I will be able to see the true face of this notebook!”

Dean thought expectantly.

Then, Dean rubbed his neck and back, stood again at the place where Moon and Shadow intersected, struck the posture of [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique], and began a new round of cultivation.

However, unfortunately, this time he still did not get the System’s approval—

“Is it because it involves bodily changes, and I must reach the point where quantitative change causes qualitative change?”

After [Stamina] cleared to zero again, Dean stood in the Moonlight and couldn’t help but guess.

And such a guess instantly weighed down Dean’s mood, which had previously been excited because he found the secret of Oniedon’s notebook; because, if his guess was correct, he would have to spend six weeks to make [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique] appear in the Skill list, and even with considerable experience, this time would take about five weeks.

“Five weeks? Then, the [Body Forging Technique] of the Emerald Military Camp could also be added. When [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique] is approved by the System, the [Body Forging Technique] of the Emerald Military Camp could also be approved!”

Dean pondered, subconsciously considering the gains and losses in between.

Finally, after a slight adjustment, he came up with such a plan.

After all, for Dean, a month’s time absolutely could not be delayed just for [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique], even though after it was approved by the System, leveling up would be very easy for him now.

However, its incomplete nature predetermined its own value.

As for [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)]?

It was also a technique that consumed a lot of time and energy, but like [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique], it was very easy for him to increase its level now.

Only in this way, after the two overlapped, the ‘benefit’ derived could justify these five weeks of time.