Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1204: A Meeting of Kindred Spirits

"Using Turenga Powder, known for its rapid solidification effects when it comes into contact with substances at high temperatures, to act as a stabilizing agent during the emergence point of the pills is a stroke of brilliance. You’ve improved a lot since we’ve last crossed paths." Izroth stated as he walked forward.

Worldly Skies snapped out of her deep thoughts as she looked up at Izroth. She quickly approached him.

"Palace Master—your timing is perfect. It’s just as you said—I used Turenga Powder as a stabilizing agent in this new grade four pill recipe I’ve been working on. Unfortunately, this pill also requires Ura Seeds as one of the core ingredients, which breaks down solid materials. I’ve been trying to find a way around it and Turenga Powder seemed most feasible, but the quality is not quite there." Worldly Skies said with a thoughtful expression.

"Do you have the pill recipe written down?" Izroth asked.

"Yes, see for yourself." Worldly Skies replied as she removed a scroll from her inventory and handed it over to Izroth.

Izroth reviewed the pill recipe written on the scroll before he returned it to Worldly Skies.

"In principle, I see nothing wrong with the pill recipe itself. If that’s the case, the issue may lie in the crafting technique, quality of the ingredients used or the cauldron." Izroth stated as he walked over to examine Worldly Skies’ cauldron.

"I use the same crafting technique that I’ve always used with a few improvements thanks to your guidance. I have not adjusted the crafting technique since I last showed you. As for the ingredients I used, they were secured by Metronome. That man is rather thorough when it comes to ensuring quality." Worldly Skies commented.

"If it’s Metronome, then there shouldn’t be any problem with the quality of ingredients. Then, that just leaves the cauldron and fire core." Izroth said as he activated his Energy Vision Sense, along with Deep Insight.

’Oh? It looks fine on the surface, but...’

Celia cleared her throat and said, "Saint Izroth, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?"

Celia had been quietly standing off to the side. She could not hide the excitement in her eyes as she listened in on Izroth and Worldly Skies’ conversation. She wanted to jump into the discussion immediately; however, she held herself back and waited for Izroth to make a proper introduction.

"Saint?" Worldly Skies glanced over at Izroth curiously.

"I’ll tell you another time. For now, Apothecary Worldly Skies, Apothecary Celia. Apothecary Celia, Apothecary Worldly Skies." Izroth said as he kept the introductions short.

"Ah, I apologize for my rudeness. I got too caught up in crafting and forgot my manners momentarily. I am called Worldly Skies. It is a pleasure to meet you, Apothecary Celia." Worldly Skies said as she gave a respectful greeting.

"No no, I get it. When it comes to crafting, it’s easy to get lost in the moment. Besides, I’m the one intruding upon you. You can just call me Celia. It’s nice to meet someone else who gets lost in the passion of crafting, Apothecary Worldly Skies." Celia said with an eager smile.

"Since you accompanied the Palace Master, how dare I consider your presence an intrusion. As far as I am concerned, a friend of the Palace Master is a friend of mine. Even more so if that friend is a fellow Apothecary." Worldly Skies stated with a light warm smile.

"Heh, I like people who are easy to get along with and you seem like one of them. Ah, that’s right! More importantly, I overheard that you were crafting a new grade four pill! Hey, what kind of pill is it? What are the effects? C-can I sniff it?" Celia said as she stepped closer to Worldly Skies and with each passing word, her excitement seemed to rise to new heights.

"T-This..." Worldly Skies was caught off guard by Celia’s sudden shift in behavior as she instinctively took a step back.

"The Palace Master certainly keeps interesting company..." Worldly Skies thought to herself as she smiled weakly.

"R-rather, you can just see the pill recipe yourself if you’d like. The effects are listed on there as well." Worldly Skies said as she held out the pill recipe.

This time, Celia was taken aback as she stood momentarily dazed.

Celia quickly snapped out of her stupor and asked with furrowed brows, "Are you really letting me see this so easily? Aren’t you afraid I’ll memorize it and steal it?"

Celia had met numerous Apothecaries. However, excluding her master, they were all extremely secretive when it came to their pill recipes and crafting techniques. This, of course, came from the fear of having it stolen by someone else. It was to the point that even merely asking casual questions about it could be seen as rude and offensive.

But, it was even worse among players who were Apothecaries. Every last one of them wanted to come up with the next big pill or crafting technique that would make them a fortune.

While Celia never blamed them for not wanting to share and reveal their secrets which was often connected to their livelihood, a part of her could not help but feel disappointment every time.

That’s why, for Worldly Skies to let her see a new grade four pill recipe so casually without batting an eye, caused Celia to be genuinely stunned.

"It’s just a pill recipe. Besides, I do not think that you are that kind of person. The Palace Master would never allow someone untrustworthy to accompany him. And, seeing as how he still has yet to object to my actions, it would seem that my thoughts are not wrong." Worldly Skies stated calmly.

Celia’s cheeks flushed a light shade of pink as she accepted the pill recipe scroll from Worldly Skies.

"Then... T-then, let’s make it an exchange of knowledge as fellow Apothecaries. This is a grade five pill recipe that I’ve been working on, but since it requires Natural Energy and the ingredients needed are precious, I haven’t had the chance to attempt crafting it yet. Perhaps you can provide some insights." Celia said as she gave Worldly Skies a scroll that contained her own pill recipe.

"A grade five pill? This—are you also a grade four Apothecary?" Worldly Skies questioned as her brows rose in surprise.

"I am!" Celia responded without hesitation as she pulled on her sleeve. She slightly adjusted it to reveal her grade four Apothecary badge to Worldly Skies.

Celia was the first grade four Apothecary player Worldly Skies had come across. As for Izroth, he was still a grade three Apothecary. However, Worldly Skies knew that it would not be long until he shed off that grade and rose to greater heights.

"With his talents, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Palace Master becomes a grade five Apothecary before leaving Danaharpe. Regardless, if she ends up joining the Mystical Realm Palace, the top guilds might just lose their minds in a fit of jealously of the Palace Master. After all, it will be the birth of the third Pill Emperor." Worldly Skies contemplated inwardly.

It did not take long for Worldly Skies and Celia to open up to one another as they discussed each other’s pill recipes. Each offered their own unique insights and bounced ideas off one another. The two even started to discuss theoretical pills—pills that could, in theory, be crafted, but required theoretical materials that simply did not exist. At least, not to their knowledge.

"I found-" Izroth was about to speak, but as he turned to face the two after he completed his examination of the cauldron and its fire core, Worldly Skies and Celia had already moved closer to him.

"You should’ve told me sooner that big sis Worldly Skies was such an insightful person! I say one thing and she understands ten! I’ve never felt this refreshed talking to anyone about pills! I always thought I wouldn’t lose to anyone when it came to insight regarding pills and crafting techniques, but... Ugh, even though I hate to admit it, big sis Worldly Skies is much better at it than I am." Celia said with an ignited passion in her eyes.

"Palace Master, I’ve taken a liking to this little sister. Not only is she passionate about crafting, but her understanding and depth of knowledge when it comes to ingredients surpasses mine. What do you say we invite her to the Mystical Realm Palace?" Worldly Skies mentioned.

’These two certainly wasted no time getting along. I suppose it’s to be expected. After all, the two of them probably never got the chance to have an open discussion with someone they can consider their equal as an Apothecary.’

"I’m glad to see you two are in high spirits." Izroth said in a carefree manner.

He then continued, "The matter you mentioned—I plan to bring it up another time. As for your pill’s quality, it seems that the problem lies in your fire core. It’s fine on the surface, but there are numerous microfractures on the inside. Typically, this wouldn’t be a big issue; however, using Ura Seeds and agitating it further with Turenga Powder caused the fire core to leak, for lack of better words, ’tainted flames’."

"Tainted flames? I’ve never heard of such a phenomenon before, but if the Palace Master is saying it’s so, it must be true. Is there any way to correct the issue at hand?" Worldly Skies inquired.

"I’m sure there is. But, the easiest way is just to get a new fire core of a higher grade. Which brings me to the true purpose of my visit. How do you feel about becoming the successor of a grade ten Apothecary?" Izroth asked casually.