"Potion-making, potion-making..."
Chen Shu returned home and began exploring the system's new function.
After his previous choice, the system had unlocked Basic Pharmaceutical Studies.
A new panel appeared before his eyes in the form of a tree.
The tree's branches displayed various potions:
Strength Potion, Flame Potion, Ice Potion, Gigantification Potion, and more — everything imaginable.
But only the Strength Potion was lit up. All other potions remained dim and inactive.
The further down the potion tree, the more precious and rare the potions became.
With a thought, he examined the Strength Potion at the top.
Strength Potion: Permanently increases contract spirit's power.
Proficiency: Control Level (Reduces required materials by 30%)
Current materials insufficient, cannot craft!
Note: Each crafting attempt increases proficiency. Proficiency levels are: Entry Level, Control Level, Mastery Level, Grandmaster Level.
Additional Note: Different proficiency levels provide different bonus effects.
Chen Shu's face lit up with excitement as he studied the function.
As one of humanity's major disciplines, pharmaceutical studies was immeasurably valuable.
If he could master it, it would LITERALLY be like gold falling from the sky.
"Looks like I still need crafting materials. Can't create something from nothing."
Chen Shu came to a conclusion.
For others, crafting potions required intense concentration with no room for error, yet failures still occurred despite centuries of pharmaceutical development. The field remained unindustrialized since machines couldn't replace the personal touch required for each potion, which explained why Potion Masters could charge such exorbitant prices for their work.
But Chen Shu was different. He had the system! He just needed to add the materials, and it would automatically craft the potion.
"Power Mushroom, I need a Power Mushroom..."
Chen Shu lay on his bed, muttering to himself.
Strength Potions required extremely common herbs that were easy to obtain.
Except for the main ingredient called Power Mushroom — this was a herb from dimensional spaces.
The big shops downtown definitely sold it, but he didn't have the qualifications to buy any since you needed Potion Master certification, which meant "I'll have to check the black market."
Chen Shu muttered. Right now, he wanted to make money as quickly as possible.
Besides leveling up, contract spirits gained massive improvements from consuming various potions, with wealthy families providing all year-round potion supplies that even allowed their spirits to fight above their level.
"Zhang Dali seems to know where the black market is."
Chen Shu opened ChaoXin and found Zhang Dali.
Profile picture: a grassland wild wolf. Username: Lonely Wolf.
"Dali?"
"Ah Pi, what's up? Why are you suddenly messaging me? After you left, I'm the only one ruling the regular class now. So lonely, so lonely..."
"Your uncle here just beat up Beast Taming Class 3's monitor today. The scene was absolutely wild."
"Quick, tell me!"
"I'll tell you next time. Do you know where the black market is?"
"What? You want to buy something?"
"I want to go check it out."
"Perfect, I'm skipping evening study hall tonight. Let's go together."
"By the way, lend me some money."
"..."
"Dali?"
"..."
"Damn, you go silent as soon as I mention borrowing money?"
Seeing Zhang Dali had stopped responding, Chen Shu persisted relentlessly with continuous harassing messages until Zhang Dali finally couldn't stand it and replied, "We're the same age. If you don't have money, how would I?"
"Hey, can't you use 'Huan Bei'? Don't they give you a monthly credit limit?"
"No way, you have to PAY that back."
Lonely Wolf: "???"
Zhang Dali was Completely dumbfounded and closed ChaoXin.
Since they lived in the same neighborhood, Zhang Dali soon came knocking.
"I'm saying, Chen Pi, you really have no money?"
"Really don't. Right now my pockets are Cleaner than my face."
"Fine, let's go check out the black market first."
Though Chen Shu had no money, he might trigger system options, and as long as he could get some potion and sell it on the spot, wouldn't he have money then?
The two rode their bikes leisurely toward the suburban area.
"Speaking of this black market, I, Zhang Dali, have been fortunate enough to go a few times with my parents. It's a real mix of fish and dragons¹ in there. You and I must remember not to be too high-profile."
Zhang Dali's parents were both Black Iron rank Beast Tamers — a wealthy family indeed.
But since he lacked beast taming talent, he could only remain an ordinary person.
"As they say, a strong dragon doesn't suppress the local snake. I understand this principle."
Chen Shu nodded knowingly.
The two looked like they were about to stir up MAJOR chaos in the black market.
But when they arrived at the black market entrance, both were instantly dumbfounded.
"Sorry, without a Level 5 or higher Beast Tamer escorting you, you cannot enter."
"Big brother, be flexible. We're all people with status here."
"May I ask, sir, besides your ID card, what other status do you have?"
The guard at the entrance, also a Beast Tamer, crossed his arms with an air of complete indifference. He could vaguely sense that one of the boys was an ordinary human and the other a Beast Tamer of Level 3 at best, which explained why he was so dismissive of their request.
Zhang Dali coughed. It seemed he needed to formally introduce himself.
"Allow me to introduce myself. This lowly one is Zhang Dali from Nanjiang City Second High School, Regular Class 3. You may also know me as the former Materials Class Representative..."
"Get lost!"
"YES SIR!"
Zhang Dali turned and left without hesitation, pulling Chen Shu along.
"Chen Pi, looks like we can't get in. Next time I'll have my dad bring you."
But Chen Shu stayed in place as three options appeared before his eyes.
[Option 1: Use the golden slime to force your way into the black market and show your might.]
Completion reward: Beast Tamer level +1
[Option 2: Leave helplessly and look for another opportunity next time.]
Completion reward: Slime strength doubles for three days
[Option 3: Ultimate provocation — lean close to the guard's ear and whisper: "Wo nen die."]
Completion reward: Gigantification skill +1
Chen Shu fell into deep thought until Zhang Dali's urging snapped him back.
"Dali, are you familiar with the terrain here?"
"Pretty much. Why?"
"Get ready to run. Whatever you do, don't look back... to take photos!"
Zhang Dali hadn't processed this when he saw Chen Shu approach the guard.
Chen Shu spoke in a low voice:
"Big brother, I know the secret code. Can I go in?"
"Huh? What?" The guard looked confused.
At that moment, Chen Shu slowly moved forward, gently leaning close to his ear.
"Wo nen die..."
In the next instant, Chen Shu spun around and bolted. The guard stood stunned for a moment, and by the time he reacted to give chase, the two had vanished with unprecedented speed. Left with no one to pursue, the guard could only mutter a few curses before returning to his post.
"Chen Pi, what the hell did you say?"
"Nothing much, just tried a secret code."
Chen Shu panted heavily. He had to admit, this feeling of causing trouble and running was incredibly thrilling.
The golden slime's Gigantification skill had indeed leveled up.
Gigantification: Temporarily increases size by four times, slightly reduces speed.
"Looks like we'll need to figure out another way to enter the black market."
"Let's talk about it next time. Want some ramen?"
The two looked up and happened to arrive at a ramen shop called La Da Mian.
"Is it just me, or does that name sound... disgusting?" Chen Shu muttered, raising an eyebrow. The shop was called Lā Dà Miàn, which sounded dangerously close to lā dà biàn—to take a dump.
"Shows it's special! Perfect, I haven't had dinner yet."
Zhang Dali didn't care at all and went straight into the shop.
"Boss, two bowls of ramen."
"Want large portions?"
"Large, definitely large!"
"I'll bring them out right away. Make sure to eat them while they're hot."
"..."