CH 35 - 36

Chapter 35: Xiao Qingyang is a Tease

He had promised to tell him a secret, so how could he just start and not continue? Wasn't this intentionally teasing him?

"Ah-ah..." Where was the secret? Weren't you supposed to tell me a secret? I want to hear the secret. You can't go back on your word! Long Jingze extended his short little claws, grabbing onto Xiao Qingyang's clothes, trying to remind him.

Unfortunately, Xiao Qingyang couldn't understand the dragon language at all. He thought the little dragon wanted to play with him, so he patiently explained, "Big brother has work to do now. Little dragon, go and play by yourself for a while. When big brother is done, I'll accompany you, alright?"

Unable to hear the secret and forced to become a little brother, Long Jingze: ...

Xiao Qingyang was just a big tease. Who cared about hearing secrets? Hmph! I don't care at all.

Just now, Yangyang said, "I'm not..." Not what? What did Yangyang want to say? Why did they stop halfway? Why did the butler have to come in and interrupt them? Otherwise, he would have been able to hear clearly!

Long Jingze appeared indifferent on the surface, but internally, he felt like his mind was being bombarded with messages. It was an unbearable feeling like an uncomfortable itching and scratching his head!

...

Ever since Xiao Qingyang accidentally discovered the small white dots that could replace spiritual energy and turn into spiritual power within his body, he had been constantly attentive to his surroundings. Every day, he could find several glowing white dots around him, and it seemed that only he could see them. The little dragon and Grandpa Du couldn't see them.

Although the spiritual power formed by these white dots was much less compared to absorbing spiritual energy as before, it was still better than nothing.

If he could find the source of the white dots, he could absorb more of them and accumulate more spiritual power.

Unfortunately, after observing for many days, Xiao Qingyang still didn't know where the white dots came from, why they appeared, and there was no pattern to their appearance. It made him even more puzzled.

However, Xiao Qingyang didn't feel frustrated or dissatisfied because of it. In his initial plan, he had even prepared for the possibility that the spiritual power spring wouldn't be replenished and might always dry up.

But now, with the presence of the white dots, although the replenishment was slower, it was still much better than having nothing. Xiao Qingyang was already satisfied with that.

Since the first batch of strength enhancement potions was sold, the sales had been increasing. Even if Xiao Qingyang spent the entire day making potions, it still couldn't keep up with the speed at which customers bought them.

Moreover, Xiao Qingyang couldn't devote his entire day to making potions alone. He had many other things to do.

Initially, he started selling potions because he needed money to purchase higher-level spirit plants. He wanted to make higher-level healing potions to heal the little dragon.

Later on, he started to enjoy the feeling of earning money with his own hands. However, it didn't mean that he would sacrifice his time for other things just to earn money.

Rather than being cooped up at home making potions, he preferred to be outdoors, close to nature, taking care of flowers and spirit plants, which also enhanced his natural power.

Therefore, even though the two types of potions in his online store were selling like hotcakes, Xiao Qingyang continued to move forward at his own pace, not being greedy or lazy.

However, this caused frustration for those customers who eagerly waited in front of the store to buy potions.

***************

Chapter 36: Taking Advantage of the Crown Prince

Once they noticed that the pace of new items in the store had stabilized, customers started competing fiercely to grab the few available potions each day. Some even spent the entire day glued to the store's webpage, just to be the first to snatch up the newly stocked potions.

Moreover, many customers flocked to the store's discussion board, urging the owner to stock more potions and expressing their willingness to pay higher prices.

"Dear shopkeeper, could you please consider stocking more potent potions each day? The current supply is simply insufficient. I am even willing to pay double the price. Would that be acceptable?"

"Double? I'm offering five times the price, and the shopkeeper still won't increase the stock. If it weren't for this store being the only one carrying these potent potions, I would have left long ago."

"Are you new here? The shopkeeper already mentioned that prices won't increase, and the daily quantity remains limited. If you want to secure one, you have to arrive early."

"It's truly perplexing. Despite the high demand for these potions and the significant business they bring, the shopkeeper inexplicably refrains from maximizing profits and even turns customers away. It's quite..."

"Perhaps the shopkeeper isn't in dire need of money. The potion prices are reasonable, even affordable for ordinary individuals. Furthermore, despite the considerable customer base, the shopkeeper refuses to raise prices. This is a remarkably conscientious shopkeeper. I want to commend the shopkeeper. From now on, I'll be an ardent fan of the shopkeeper. Please grant me luck so that I can secure a strength enhancement potion tomorrow."

"Strength enhancement potions? I've never heard of such potions before. They can enhance physique without the need for training. Although they are only suitable for individuals with physique levels below C, wouldn't higher-level potions be appropriate for higher physique levels as well?"

"I implore the shopkeeper to swiftly stock higher-level enhanced potions. Perhaps... Perhaps I can apply to the Royal Military Academy."

The store's discussion board buzzed with activity as numerous customers gathered to vent and discuss the enigmatic shop owner.

Initially, everyone believed the shop owner was merely an agent selling potions, as there were several similar stores on StarNet. However, they soon discovered that the shop owner exclusively sold healing potions and enhanced potions, and the daily supply was considerably lower compared to other potion vendors.

Gradually, some individuals began to speculate that perhaps the shop owner was an alchemist themselves, and the potions in the store were personally concocted. This would explain the limited quantity available each day.

However, customers with knowledge of alchemists pointed out that even advanced alchemists could not produce such a substantial quantity of potions for the store daily, given the relatively high success rates of potion-making. Unless the potions had already been prepared in advance and restocked in fixed amounts each day, or alternatively, there were multiple alchemists working behind the scenes.

Regardless of the truth or whether the shop owner was an alchemist, the fact that the store consistently restocked potions each day indicated a definite connection to alchemists.

Establishing a good relationship with the shop owner would benefit everyone, particularly considering that the store housed the empire's sole potion capable of enhancing one's physique—the strength enhancement potion. It was an enormous blessing for individuals with lower physique levels, which happened to include the majority of ordinary people in the empire.

Therefore, everyone was curious about and respected the shop owner, patiently waiting beneath the store every day for the potions to be restocked.

Even after seeing the discussions and complaints on the store's forum, Xiao Qingyang did not increase the number of potions for sale. He continued living according to his own preferences. Apart from refining a certain quantity of strength enhancement potions and healing potions each day, his main focus was tending to his spiritual plants.

Almost every day, Xiao Qingyang would infuse natural energy into the spiritual plants. As a result, under his care, these spiritual plants thrived even more vigorously. If someone were to see the plants in his spiritual field, they would undoubtedly be amazed.

On this day, as usual, Xiao Qingyang supplied natural energy to the plants in the field, hoping that they would grow faster. This way, he could produce more types of potions.

Emerald-green natural energy flowed slowly from Xiao Qingyang's fingertips. The spiritual plants swayed their branches and petals fervently, seeking to please him and absorb more natural energy in return, ultimately giving back even more to him.

The green natural energy and small white specks of light interacted around Xiao Qingyang, like mischievous children. Sometimes they competed to enter his body, while other times they chased each other, neither willing to enter Xiao Qingyang's body first.

Xiao Qingyang had grown accustomed to this and let them frolic as they pleased.

After supplying the spiritual plants with natural energy, Xiao Qingyang prepared to continue searching for ores on the mountain.

His physique had already improved significantly compared to before, and he eagerly wanted to find some ores to enhance his earth power so that he could forge weapons and tools.

He had been itching to practice blacksmithing for a long time. Compared to potion-making, he preferred using his strength to forge various weapons and tools.

Of course, as he continued to cultivate more spiritual plants, he also needed convenient tools to assist him. Otherwise, merely caring for these spiritual plants every day was already exhausting.

Today, Xiao Qingyang seemed to have particularly good luck. Previously, he had been intermittently sensing the presence of ores, often unable to accurately locate their positions.

However, today, he suddenly felt the location of an ore crystal clearly, albeit only for a moment. But it was enough for him to remember the position.

Excited, Xiao Qingyang ran towards the location of the ore crystal with Long Jingze.

Ore crystals were mostly buried within the rocks, some reaching several tens of meters deep, requiring drilling and extraction. Without tools, it was difficult to carry out this task.

"If only I had the small hammer my mother gave me," Xiao Qingyang couldn't help but sigh and murmur.

Ever since he could start practicing earth power, his mother had given him a small hammer.

The hammer was the most important tool for dwarves. It could be said that from birth, every dwarf's parents would prepare a hammer for them. When they were able to wield the hammer, they would begin learning the art of forging.

Dwarves typically use the same hammer throughout their entire lives because the more they use it, the more comfortable it becomes in their hands. Changing hammers can easily affect a dwarf's grip and compromise their forging skills.

Moreover, dwarven hammers are crafted from a special material that can only be found in the Annabel Mountains where the dwarves reside.

When Xiao Qingyang's mother traveled through the realms, she carried several pieces of hammer material in her storage bag. It happened to be just enough to forge a small hammer, which became a cherished "toy" for Xiao Qingyang during his childhood.

From a young age, Xiao Qingyang had been fascinated by blacksmithing, and the small hammer was one of his most treasured possessions. He always kept it by his side. However, this time, when he traveled to this world, he couldn't bring it along, leaving him feeling regretful and disappointed.

Just as Xiao Qingyang was reminiscing about his small hammer, an exact replica of it suddenly appeared in his sea of consciousness. It hung there, shining brightly, tempting him.

Overjoyed at the sight of the familiar small hammer, Xiao Qingyang couldn't help but reach out his "hand" to grab it.

Something even more astonishing and unexpected occurred—Xiao Qingyang, who only intended to touch the hammer with his consciousness, actually made contact with it. It felt as if he held the small hammer in his hand, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

"Roar..." Long Jingze was surprised by the sudden appearance of the strange object out of thin air. He couldn't help but let out a growl and became vigilant, staring intently at the peculiar item, ready to protect Xiao Qingyang in case it posed any threat.

Xiao Qingyang's thoughts were interrupted by Long Jingze's reaction, and he then noticed the peculiarity in his hand. Subconsciously, he examined it closely, and he froze once again.

However, this time, he regained his composure faster than before. He picked up the object in his hand and examined it meticulously. The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed, especially the feeling it gave him. He couldn't be more acquainted with it.

"My small hammer, it's back!" Xiao Qingyang exclaimed in excitement, almost jumping with joy.

Yes, this was his small hammer, the one his mother had given him. It was the same small hammer he had used from his childhood until now—the one he had felt regretful and longing for, hoping it could have traveled with him.

How could the small hammer suddenly appear here? Could it be that it heard his call and followed him through the realms?

Xiao Qingyang couldn't find words to describe his current emotions; he was genuinely ecstatic.

However, the small hammer, which used to feel light in his hand, now felt heavy, making him exert effort just to hold it for a moment.

Xiao Qingyang confirmed repeatedly that it was indeed his small hammer. The sensation it gave him couldn't be wrong. As for its newfound weight, he quickly found the reason.

The cause was his current body.

His current body was still too weak. He lacked the strength even to wield a hammer properly. If that were the case, wouldn't it be even more challenging to mine and forge once he found the ores?

Xiao Qingyang once again felt the urgency to train his body. He wished he could instantly restore his original physique so that he could wield his beloved small hammer and forge various things he liked.

Even though it was strenuous for Xiao Qingyang to hold his small hammer with his current physical strength, he couldn't resist the temptation to use it for mining ores. Ideally, he wanted to forge something right away. He was truly impatient.

He knew that the forging process this time would be more difficult than ever before, but he wasn't afraid or worried. He saw it as an opportunity for training.

Moreover, today he was fortunate to have found the location of the ores, and his small hammer was back in his hands. Wasn't it a sign for him to start mining?

"Xiao Long, I'm so happy! We'll go mining later." Xiao Qingyang hugged Long Jingze tightly, embracing him with all his joy. He even planted a big kiss on Long Jingze's forehead.

A distinct "smack" echoed through the mountains, and Little Golden Dragon's body quickly turned red again, as if it had been cooked.

This person is truly shameless! How dare he take advantage of this Crown Prince again? This human is too audacious! If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't restore his human form at the moment, he would surely make him understand the consequences of daring to take advantage of this Crown Prince!