Chapter 96: Encountering a Fellow Professional

The method for condensing the seed of space was called the "Dual Compression Technique of Magic and Spirit," and it was not difficult to carry out.

First, Rowland controlled his fire magic, driving that trace of ink-black spatial energy within his middle dantian into a specific meridian, one that directly connected the middle and upper dantian.

Then, he manipulated a portion of his fire magic to form a thin "membrane," wrapping all remaining fire, lightning, and dark magic within this membrane, linking it to the same meridian through which the spatial energy had passed.

In his upper dantian, Rowland used a similar method, forming a membrane from a small part of his spiritual power and enveloping all remaining spiritual energy within it, again connecting to that same meridian.

At this moment, that ink-black spatial energy was beset from both sides by magic and spirit. Because the membranes were formed from his own magic and spiritual power, they did not interfere with normal meditation. However, any increase in magic or spirit from meditation would be tightly bound within the two membranes. In other words, until the space seed formed, Rowland's mage level would not advance.

The ever-increasing magic and spiritual energy from his cultivation would exert dual compression on the spatial energy within the meridian until the energy condensed into a spatial seed. Misius had emphasized in his Space Notes that if one could not endure the pressure of being unable to advance as a mage and prematurely removed the membranes, all previous effort would be wasted. This was the final test Misius had posed for Rowland: if one's resolve was not firm, no matter how favorable the conditions, the space seed could not be condensed.

Additionally, the Space Notes mentioned that if one condensed the space seed under normal circumstances, all the accumulated magic and spirit could then be used to advance in rank. But if one gave up halfway, not only would the space seed fail to form, but all the hard-won magic and spirit would disperse, wasted and unusable.

In other words, if Rowland succeeded in condensing the space seed after years—or even more than a decade—he might break through multiple levels in quick succession.

Of course, these were Misius's conjectures in the Space Notes. When Misius condensed his space seed, he had already reached the peak of the Sanctuary rank; he did not break through upon forming the seed, for if he had, he would have become a god.

Rowland was different; he was only a third-level mage. This period was not only the golden time for condensing the space seed but also for advancing as a mage, with immense potential for growth. This was the basis for Misius's speculation.

After constructing the "model" for condensing the space seed, Rowland began his first cultivation. As time passed, his magic and spiritual power increased steadily. Because both were restrained by their respective membranes, two sources of pressure formed within, both pushing toward the only outlet—the designated meridian.

A faint sizzling sound arose as the increasing pressure caused the spiritual and magical energies within the meridian to merge, repeatedly impacting the thread of ink-black spatial energy.

"It's responding!" Rowland's heart leapt with joy, for he discovered that under the dual compression of magic and spirit, the spatial energy, which had always been as still as dead water, now showed a faint ripple.

Previously, aside from the multicolored flows at Little Black's home and the similar spatial energy within Misius's Great Hall, the ink-black energy within Rowland had always remained quietly in place. Rowland had tried to use his magic from the middle dantian to impact it, but it had never stirred like this.

Now, using Misius's method, his very first cultivation had produced a reaction in the spatial energy, filling Rowland with delight.

From the moment he began condensing his space seed, there was no turning back. He had to form the seed as soon as possible, then cultivate spatial energy, so he could pass through the spatial gate in Misius's Great Hall and enter the Plane Apothecary Valley to harvest the two main herbs needed for the activation potion.

At the same time, during this period, he had to rapidly improve his alchemical skills. The activation potion required seven-star alchemy to refine; although seven-star alchemy required a seventh-level mage, the three-star to six-star alchemy had no such restriction, so he needed to raise his alchemy to six-star quickly. Once the space seed was formed and he reached the seventh level, he could begin studying seven-star alchemy.

Between these two major tasks, he could also train as a warrior, for it was impossible to meditate and practice alchemy every moment. So long as his warrior training did not interfere with the other tasks, advancing as a warrior was essential.

...

The next morning, after breakfast, Rowland did not go to the back mountain to train. Instead, he rode his donkey out of Porter Academy, heading toward the imperial capital. His goal was to purchase the materials and apparatus necessary for alchemy.

The capital was as luxurious as ever. Walking down the wide avenue, surrounded by bustling crowds and roadside stalls, Rowland couldn't help but recall the scene from more than a year ago when he and his dorm mates from Room 2015 had first visited.

He had not gone far before he stopped in front of a tall shop—the destination of his trip: Cervantes Alchemy Shop, the largest alchemy store in the capital. On his last visit, he had bought many items here, including a staff and several low-grade potions.

He remembered that besides selling finished alchemical goods, Cervantes also sold various materials and purchased both finished products and ingredients. So he headed straight here.

Rowland stepped into the shop, and the female attendant did not dismiss him for being only twelve or thirteen. In the capital, there were many wealthy and powerful young lords and ladies—offending one could spell trouble. So she greeted him politely and asked what he needed.

At Rowland's request, she first took him to the shelves of empty crystal bottles. Potions must be stored in crystal bottles, or their efficacy would quickly fade, so Rowland needed to buy some for his own use. He checked the price: one gold coin each.

Next, he went to the counter for medicinal herbs. The ingredients for three-star potions were about as expensive as third-level magic cores—ten gold coins per plant.

Finally, guided by the attendant, he arrived at the finished potions counter, where each three-star potion cost twenty gold coins.

"Miss, do you buy finished potions here?" Rowland asked.

"Sir, of course we do. But the purchase price is lower than the sale price—like these three-star entry-level potions, we buy them for fifteen gold coins each." She explained in detail.

"That's steep!" Rowland thought privately. They made a five gold coin profit per bottle—a high margin indeed!

He calculated his finances. After returning from the Maya Mountains, he'd amassed a considerable number of magic cores, worth several thousand gold coins, but most were third-level cores meant for potion refining, so they could not be sold.

That left only the first- and second-level magic cores. After repaying Young Lord Monet with cores worth a hundred gold coins, he had only three hundred gold coins' worth of first- and second-level cores. In addition, his necromancy space held fifteen bottles of three-star earth potions, which could sell for over two hundred gold coins, giving him a total of over five hundred gold coins.

First, he needed to buy a hundred crystal bottles for storing potions, leaving four hundred gold coins. Each three-star herb cost ten gold coins; each potion required at least two herbs, or twenty gold coins per batch, so he could buy enough herbs for twenty batches. That seemed a bit scant...

As Rowland was pondering his limited funds, a familiar voice suddenly rang out, "Rowland! So, you can refine potions too? Perfect, we can have a little contest. Back at the grade competition, I lost to you in the finals—let me make up for it in potion making!"