Chapter Fifteen: The Dragonblood Elixir (Seeking Votes, Seeking Support)

After mastering the potion-making technique, Murong Xun began to anxiously produce the elixirs. Thanks to the complete set of tools and the help of a puppet assistant, his speed was quite rapid.

This puppet was one of the three items he had chosen in his previous life, designed specifically to serve as his aide. Now, it swiftly processed various materials with professional precision, its speed far surpassing his own.

After the puppet assisted with part of the preparation, Murong Xun handed over the remainder to it and turned his attention to extracting the potion’s essence. This was the most critical step in crafting the Dragon’s Blood potion—first, the extraction of the liquid, followed by the addition of other ingredients to neutralize it.

The key ingredient was the Dragon’s Blood itself.

The Myth Squad’s relationship with the Dragon Hunters had deteriorated precisely because of this material. The other ingredients primarily served to create a neutralizer to dilute the Dragon’s Blood’s potency. Without such dilution, the energy contained in a single drop was overwhelmingly powerful. Direct use, while yielding the strongest effects, risked assimilation and a gradual transformation toward draconic form.

Dragon’s Blood was an extraordinarily potent energy, indispensable in many potions. In Murong Xun’s previous world, many finished products at Modo’s potion shop were crafted using Dragon’s Blood. Moreover, Dragon’s Blood had numerous applications. Although the potion he was making was called the Dragon’s Blood Potion, it was merely one type among many Dragon’s Blood elixirs.

Nevertheless, as a rare-grade potion, this Dragon’s Blood Potion held a high priority. Potions that could restore health completely were generally more expensive than ordinary ones. The higher their effectiveness on advanced tiers, the more valuable they became. This one was effective for second- and third-tier users, which was its most precious feature.

After producing the neutralizer, Murong Xun dripped it into the culture dish containing the Dragon’s Blood, observing the ensuing transformation. During this process, he activated his Dark Affinity talent. Unseen forces of darkness began to participate in the chemical reaction.

Any reaction altered by an additional variable was unpredictable—that was why Murong Xun’s previous concoctions had uncertain effects.

The liquid in the culture dish gradually changed and melded together. The crimson Dragon’s Blood slowly diluted into a pale red, dissolving completely into the neutralizer and becoming one with it.

At this stage, the reaction was nearly complete, and only the finishing touches remained.

Once done, a group gathered around to watch as Murong Xun revealed the potion’s attributes. As the sole expert present, if he failed to disclose the data, the others could do nothing but stare helplessly at the vial.

Without hesitation, Murong Xun announced the specifications:

[Dark Dragon’s Blood Potion: A product altered by dark corruption, resulting in unknown changes!]

[Star Rating: Four Stars!]

[Effect (Self-use): Instantly restore 6% health; for the next minute, damage received is reduced by 90%!]

[Effect (Others): Instantly restore 6% health; for the next minute, damage received is reduced by 90%! However, luck will be diminished for a period afterward.]

A collective gasp escaped the crowd. They were seasoned enough to recognize how terrifying the potion’s transformation truly was. Although the damage reduction lasted only a minute, that minute could decisively turn the tide of battle. Often, a single minute was enough to conclude a fight.

Additionally, the baseline health restoration increased by 1%, which was no small improvement. The higher the level and attributes, the greater the life pool, making even 1% a significant amount.

But it was the luck penalty that surprised everyone.

What did “luck deficiency” mean? Would the user become unlucky? Or cursed?

Despite the myriad thoughts swirling in their minds, none voiced their doubts.

Among them, Octin was especially pleased with the change. This new effect was far more powerful than before. Though it came with a minor side effect, that hardly mattered. The 90% damage reduction was the truly formidable aspect.

The only slight drawback was the inability to use the potion repeatedly in quick succession. Originally, the Dragon’s Blood Potion could be reused after ten seconds; now, the interval had increased to fifteen seconds.

“All right, this is it. This one’s the choice,” Octin declared.

“Don’t you want to consider the side effects?” Murong Xun asked, feeling uneasy about the potion in his hand. He couldn’t pinpoint what felt off. The potion was complete, its effects promising, and the employer satisfied. What else could be wrong?

Because he couldn’t articulate the source of his unease, he decided to resume production.

Since he was now capable of mass production, he abandoned the painstaking, incremental approach of the beginning, instead producing in batches.

The process was a joy to watch, executed with fluid precision.

Soon, fresh batches of the potion rolled off the line.

Failures occurred, of course. Murong Xun was only a mortal alchemist, not a deity; his success rate wasn’t as high as one might hope. Yet, thanks to the Dark Affinity talent, his success rate was bolstered, reducing the number of failures.

Octin was quite satisfied to see fewer failures than he had anticipated. Initially, he had expected only a one-third success rate, yet the actual number of failures was far less.

The production of Dragon’s Blood Potion wasn’t overly complicated, but it did consume substantial time and, more importantly, a great deal of energy.

“Finished?” Zeus asked dumbfoundedly, seeing Murong Xun pause.

“But there’s still so much material left,” he added.

“Are you stupid?” Octin sighed, giving Zeus a light tap on the head.

“Good job, little brother. Take a break!” Octin said kindly.

After so long a stretch of focused effort, Murong Xun was no machine; fatigue was inevitable.

“Okay,” Murong Xun nodded, finding a spot to sit and close his eyes, resting.

He truly was exhausted.

Crafting required intense concentration; even a moment’s lapse could lead to accidents, causing delays and failures.

He wasn’t one to feign strength or refuse rest. Given the circumstances, he needed to rejuvenate, maintain mental clarity, or risk compromising the quality of his work.

Zeus watched Murong Xun sit down without protest, his heart heavy with discontent.

He looked to Octin as if to say something but was shot down by a sharp glare.

Not fully understanding the situation, Zeus was indeed a little dense.

Right now, they were indebted to Murong Xun. Was it wrong for him to rest?

Poor state, mistakes—any losses would be their burden. There was no rush. They had ample time to wait.

Besides, Zeus understood another reason for Murong Xun’s pause: energy.

Crafting the Dragon’s Blood Potion was incredibly draining. Murong Xun’s reserves were nearly depleted.

Octin rummaged through the squad’s warehouse and finally found a piece of equipment he remembered.

After Murong Xun rested and reopened his eyes, Octin handed it over.

“Little brother, none of us need mana potions, so we didn’t prepare any. We can’t help restore your magic, but you can make do with this. Take your time; no need to rush.”

“Oh?” Murong Xun was surprised but accepted the gear. He was indeed low on mana.

[Blue Domination Talisman: Originating from the Rune Lands, favored by mages.]

[Quality: Legendary Supreme!]

[Attributes: -20% skill cooldown time.]

[Attributes: -20% skill mana consumption.]

[Attributes: +50% mana regeneration speed.]

[Skill 1: Focus—restores 1 mana point per minute.]

[Skill 2: Meditation—enter a meditative state, increasing mana regeneration by 500%; cooldown 24 hours.]

[Skill 3: Divine Thought—while seated in meditation, restores 0.1% mana per minute.]

Seeing the talisman’s effects, Murong Xun was at a loss for words. A golden-quality item so casually produced—truly befitting a master. The equipment was incredibly potent, especially for mana recovery.

For a mage, the sole constraint in battle was always mana availability. With this talisman, victory would be nearly assured.

Only one of its three skills was active, but it was powerful enough.

For Murong Xun, the talisman’s most impressive base attributes were useless; only the mana regeneration mattered.

He equipped it immediately, filling both his accessory slots.

If he revealed his gear’s special effects, it would astonish many—a novice with two legendary items and several purple-grade pieces.

Alas, the equipment was only lent to him. Legendary items were not simply given away.

With this talisman, his mana recovered at an astonishing rate, eliminating the need to wait or consume potions.

Yet, a phrase lingered in his mind:

The four members of the Myth Squad did not require mana.

They did not even need energy.

Mana potions were universal, regardless of whether the energy was called mana, spiritual power, or something else—the essence was the same, only the names differed.

With focused dedication, time flew swiftly. Fortunately, before night fell again, Murong Xun had completed crafting all the materials they had brought.