Chapter 114 - 97: Teaching and Helpers

Chapter 114: Chapter 97: Teaching and Helpers

[Extractable entry detected: Curse Catalyst (Green) — Source: Amy Green. Completeness: 67%. Extract?]

Extract. Two streams of power flowed silently into the panel, one blue and one green. Amy’s talent was surprisingly quite good; he certainly didn’t have any Blue-tier talents during his time as a First Level Apprentice.

Chen Shang’s expression remained unchanged as he continued to ask, "What is your area of expertise?"

Amy’s eyes lit up. "I’m good at Potion mixing and Curses. My mother is an Alchemist, and I’ve been learning to identify herbs from her since I was little.

"I learned Curses later on. My teacher said my Perception Power for Curse Catalysts is stronger than others my age."

She paused, then added, "I’ve also studied some basic Rune Carving, but I’m not very proficient. As for Elemental Witchcraft, I only know the most basic Energy Ball, and it’s not very powerful. In terms of combat... I might have to trouble you to take care of me, Senior."

Chen Shang leaned back in his chair after hearing this, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest.

Potions and Curses were both support-oriented abilities. In the early stages, Potions could provide buffs and healing, but the First Level Apprentice assessment was a solo combat test, meaning there was no way to rely on teamwork.

If she encountered someone like that guy from last time who could pull down meteorites, relying solely on drinking Potions and casting Curses would likely get her eliminated before she even had a chance to fight back.

He couldn’t just give Amy powerful equipment either, as that would lower her assessment evaluation.

Baal’s Protective Shield Device and Space Equipment were bought with the money he earned from selling Doll Seeds himself, rather than gifts from his mentor. Earning money through one’s own abilities was perfectly fine and could even improve the evaluation.

Seeing Chen Shang stay silent, Amy couldn’t help but worry. Twisting the hem of her robe with her fingers, she asked quietly, "Senior, is it going to be difficult to manage?"

Chen Shang shook his head. "It’s not difficult. I have some ideas." He stood up, walked over to the Recording Platform, took out a blank Crystal Plate from his Space Book, wrote a few lines on it, and handed it to her.

"Potions and Curses are both disciplines that require a medium. First, I will teach you how to combine Potions and Curses—by soaking a Potion Bottle in a Curse Catalyst to infuse the Potion with a Curse effect."

Amy took the Crystal Plate and quickly scanned it, her eyes growing brighter. "Can... can this really be done? I mean, won’t the Curse Catalyst conflict with the Potion’s ingredients?"

Chen Shang glanced at her. "It will. That’s why I need you to find a formula that doesn’t conflict. I’ll give you one month."

Setting the topic aside for the moment, he turned and walked deeper into the laboratory. Amy clutched the Crystal Plate and followed closely, her footsteps hurried.

Approaching a Recording Platform, Chen Shang stopped and stepped aside, allowing her a clear view of what was on it.

It was a body. At the Tier Three Peak, its bronze skin was covered in dense, fine Rune Carving marks that extended from its forehead to its toes, resembling an intricately woven net.

The body’s eyes were closed. It had a resolute face with a curly beard and wide, round eyes, exuding a commanding presence even without anger.

Beside the Recording Platform, a fist-sized Soul Core floated inside a transparent protective capsule. Dark gold light flowed slowly across the surface of the Soul Core, pulsing like a breathing heart.

Amy’s mouth fell wide open. Her gaze shifted from the body to the Soul Core, from the Soul Core to the Rune Carving marks, and then back to the body. Her breathing grew rapid, and she gripped the Crystal Plate so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"Senior... what is this..."

"I call it Zhong Kui. It can be considered a Demigod Level Armor," Chen Shang said in a flat tone. "Of course, it isn’t finished yet. It’s a work in progress."

Amy was speechless. Right in front of her was a Demigod Level Creation Armor crafted entirely by Chen Shang.

The most complex carving project she had ever seen at school was just an ordinary Mechanical Puppet. But the body before her possessed dense yet orderly runes and clearly visible Energy Conduits. Even unactivated, it emanated an overwhelming sense of oppression.

Merely lying there, it made one feel utterly insignificant.

Seeing Amy’s expression, the corners of Chen Shang’s mouth curled up slightly.

Back when Leia captured the collective consciousness of the Merfolk Race ancestors, he had probably worn the exact same expression.

"Since you are skilled in Potions and Curses, I will guide you through some relevant knowledge."

He walked over to the Recording Platform and picked up a rune pen, starting to write and sketch.

"Every Mechanical Armor consumes a massive amount of auxiliary resources—catalyst fluids, Stabilizers, Energy Conduit protective films... Many of these can be substituted with Potions.

"Furthermore, the inherent flaws of the Mechanical Armor itself, the energy buildup generated during the carving process, and the interference between runes can all be mitigated using Curses. Curses aren’t solely for killing; they can also be used to weaken the elements you don’t want."

He set down the rune pen and turned around to look at Amy. "Your tasks: First, within one month, find at least three combinations of Potions and Curse Catalysts that do not conflict with each other. Second, use these combinations to assist me in completing one sequence of carving for Zhong Kui."

He paused. "If you can accomplish these two tasks, the design portion of your First Level Apprentice assessment will be guaranteed. Moreover... you won’t need to worry about your combat capabilities either."

Standing before the Recording Platform, Amy tilted her head back to look at the Demigod Body that was significantly taller than her. She took a deep breath, then nodded emphatically.

"Senior, I will do my best!"

Chen Shang didn’t say anything more. He hadn’t taught Amy anything directly; rather, he guided her to observe and design on her own, allowing her to see a broader world and helping her realize which direction she needed to take—just like how Leia had taught him back then.

He had already decided what to teach her once she finished the tasks he had assigned. When the time came, he would let those little brats in the assessment witness a Curse from distant Eastern mythology... Hopefully, they would be able to withstand it.

Chen Shang looked at Amy, who was already getting into the zone, and a thought suddenly crossed his mind, "Perhaps this mandatory assignment won’t slow down my progress after all. Could it actually help me cultivate an assistant?"