Chapter 1239: Natural Energy

When Rozomius announced the start of the final test, the seal on the scroll dissolved.

In an instant, every participant had taken the scroll into their hands and carefully studied it.

’Heart Surging Pill, Bonesteel Reshaping Pill and Seven Element Change Pill... In terms of ease of crafting, the Heart Surging Pill seems to be the easiest among the ones listed here. While the most challenging is undoubtedly the Seven Element Change Pill. As for the Bonesteel Reshaping Pill—it’s a nice middle ground between the two.’

As Izroth read over the scroll, he made his judgments based on the ingredients required to craft each pill as well as the crafting technique he had to follow. He also paid close attention to the effect that each pill was said to grant.

The Heart Surging Pill was a fairly popular grade five pill. It was relatively easy to craft compared to other grade five pills. Additionally, if one consumed it, their ability to focus would increase alongside their mana and energy recovery rate, while also rising the lethality of their attacks. The effect would also massively increase when someone was in a dangerous situation.

The Bonesteel Reshaping Pill was all about reforging one’s bones into a state where they became as tough as steel. It improved one’s overall durability and made it difficult for normal attacks to harm them. It was extremely popular with those who engaged in close combat.

In a way, it was similar to the Earthly Golden Bones passive attached to Izroth’s Heavenly Golden Body.

And, finally, there was the Seven Element Change Pill. This was the first time Izroth had heard of this pill.

According to the information on the scroll, the Seven Element Change Pill required seven ingredients that contained seven different elements that included fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, ice, and poison.

’Hm? How strange. The crafting technique for the Seven Element Change Pill is listed as suggested. The effects are also spoken of in a way that seems to be more theory than fact. Why would they include a pill like this as a part of the final test?’

Based on the list of ingredients alone, Izroth determined that the Seven Element Change Pill would be the most difficult out of the three to craft due to how many clashing elements were a part of the crafting process. Furthermore, it had to be crafted using one’s Natural Energy, adding yet another layer of difficulty.

Managing multiple clashing elements, a suggested crafting method, a theorized effect, all while having no experience in using Natural Energy—it was a pill that only someone beyond arrogant would dare to select.

’Given my current circumstances, it’s better if I choose something like the Heart Surging Pill. After all, I still have no idea how the Natural Energy of Heavenly Lightning will react, but...’

Izroth made his choice as several ingredients on his table disappeared, leaving behind only the five sets of ingredients for that pill he chose.

’It’s hard to back down from a challenge before me.’

"Hm? That young man... What an arrogant choice you’ve gone and made." Varuu said as she observed Izroth; however, despite her words, her lips flashed a brief slight smile.

"That’s... Why would Apothecary Izroth choose that pill? With his level of knowledge, surely, he should realize that the Heart Surging Pill is the most suitable for him." Rozomius said as his brows furrowed in concern.

"Perhaps it is because of his depth of knowledge at such an age that he is overly confident in his ability. While it is not bad to aim high, one should know their limits and maintain a good understanding of their situation. With the Natural Energy of Lightning, it will already been a miracle if Apothecary Izroth can craft a single Heart Surging Pill, let alone the Seven Element Change Pill." Koralena stated with a sigh of disappointment.

"There is a thin line between being confident and being foolish. Since Apothecary Izroth has made his decision, it is too late to regret it now. We simply must sit back and see for ourselves which line he steps across." Po commented.

Most of the participants had chosen to craft the Heart Surging Pill, while a small handful went with the Bonesteel Reshaping Pill.

As for the Seven Element Change Pill—Izroth was the only participant to select it.

Bang!

The armlet on Izroth’s arm transformed into the Dark Abyssal Cauldron and slammed onto the ground before him.

’They are rather considerate when it comes to eliminating any disturbances.’

There was a thin transparent barrier around each participant that blocked outside sounds and obstructed the view of those looking inward and outward.

The only people who could see through the barriers were the judges and the Head of the Apothecary Guild. This was, of course, to protect the privacy of the Apothecaries and allow them to concentrate solely on the task before them.

’Back in the Seven Realms, there was a pill similar to the Seven Element Change Pill. Except, it used twelve elements instead of seven. Consuming it allowed one to gain immunity to all elemental attacks. They could freely transverse lava, walk unclothed through a blizzard, drink poison as if it were water—it was truly one of the miracle pills of the Seven Realms. Since the Seven Element Change Pill is only a grade five pill, I doubt it can compare to one of the miracle pills. But, maybe it has some similarities?’

"Since I have five batches, I can experiment a bit to gain a better understanding of my Natural Energy." Izroth said to himself as he began to grab one of each of the seven ingredients on the wooden table.

Each of the seven ingredients were ancient quality and gave off a strong concentration of their respective element.

"Firebeak Spiral, Submerged Lily, Razor Tempest Leaf, Roots of G’Apola, Electric Stem Orb, Chilled Twin Rose, and Silent Dreams... According to the suggested crafting technique, I should add the elements in one by one, starting with the elements that are suitable for one another. Once I have them under control, I can slowly start to add in the clashing elements and take my time integrating them, using my Natural Energy as a buffer to maintain the delicate balance. However, there’s one major issue with this approach..."

Rmmmmmble! Boom!

A puff of black smoke flowed up from the Dark Abyssal Cauldron as the ingredients Izroth placed within it had incinerated.

Despite following the suggested crafting technique, Izroth’s first attempt ended in failure the instant he added in the first opposing element.

Just as the scroll instructed, Izroth tried to use his Natural Energy of Heavenly Lightning to act as a buffer. However, it the ingredients were too fragile and could not handle the overbearing nature of the Natural Energy of Heavenly Lightning.

’It’s just as I thought. When it comes to acting as a buffer, the Natural Energy of Heavenly Lightning seems to be the worse. Perhaps if it were the Natural Energy of Water, it would be possible, but... If it were that simple, the crafting method would have been listed in greater detail than a mere suggestion.’

Izroth cleared the Dark Abyssal Cauldron out as he grabbed the next set of ingredients.

’Well, it’s fine. Now that I have a decent grasp on how the Natural Energy of Heavenly Lightning flows while crafting a grade five pill, I can start to approach things from my own perspective.’

Even though it was only for a brief moment, Izroth felt firsthand how the Natural Energy of Heavenly Lightning moved from his body into the cauldron and enveloped itself in the makings of the pill.

Compared to crafting grade four or lower pills, it was a completely different sensation. It was almost as if a part of him was being placed directly into the pill itself. During the process, Izroth could actually "see" every part of the ingredients that his Natural Energy brushed across.

More importantly, Izroth now understood why the Natural Energy of Lightning made Apothecaries despair. It was wild and acted in an untamed manner. Whenever Izroth tried to direct it to do one thing, as if it had a will of its own, it would move to do another.

The most troublesome part was that the Natural Energy of Lightning had no intention of letting anything it came into contact with survive. It was as if its only goal was to destroy everything it touched without leaving a trace behind.

’I’m curious if the original Natural Energy of Lightning is also this overbearing. Since it’s Heavenly Lightning, then its main nature should be to suppress rather than destroy. If that’s the case, I have to take advantage of its nature. I can’t allow it to isolate a single ingredient.’

Izroth closed his eyes as he sensed the traces of Natural Energy of Heavenly Lightning that still lingered within the Dark Abyssal Cauldron—as if it were a beast waiting for its next meal to be delivered.

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