CH 77

Chapter 77: The Great Disparity Between Individuals

They never expected that the other's alchemy would result in an explosion. Clearly, this was the normal process for alchemists to concoct potions, but when it came to Xiao Qingyang, they were astonished.

And this was just the beginning. Every time Xiao Qingyang reached the step of mixing the medicinal fluids, explosions would occur. It sounded like firecrackers going off.

Everyone went from initial surprise to becoming numb. Their hair was blown into explosive hairstyles, their faces covered in soot, with only their eyes still shining brightly.

They all wanted to ask Xiao Qingyang what exactly was going on, but seeing his focused expression, they couldn't bear to disturb him, so they continued to keep watch around him.

After about a dozen explosions, Xiao Qingyang finally succeeded in concocting the potion in his hands. It was a new potion with a color different from healing potions and strength enhancement potions.

Only after witnessing the birth of the new potion did everyone suddenly realize why there were continuous explosions earlier. They almost thought that Xiao Qingyang would never be able to concoct a potion again. Unexpectedly, he was actually in the process of refining a new potion.

Every time an alchemist learns to concoct a new potion, they are bound to fail numerous times before becoming increasingly proficient, with their success rate also rising.

Compared to those who have failed hundreds of times, Xiao Qingyang's failure rate is incredibly low, causing envy among the others.

Before they had a chance to celebrate Xiao Qingyang's successful concoction of the new potion, Xu Kaiyang and others, who were out on patrol, hurriedly returned. Upon seeing the disheveled appearances of Lin Weiran and the others, they were even more shocked.

"What happened? Where are the enemies? Get ready for defense," Xu Kaiyang anxiously exclaimed as he quickly ran to the front of everyone, shielding them.

They were originally investigating the surroundings, but then they heard continuous "bang bang bang" sounds coming from the direction of their camp. They thought they had encountered another team, so they hurriedly rushed back, only to see everyone's faces covered in black, their hair in disarray, looking like they had been thoroughly beaten up.

"It's alright, there are no enemies," Lin Weiran grabbed Xu Kaiyang's arm and reassured him.

"What happened? How did you... end up like this?" Shen Yu carefully surveyed the surroundings and realized that there was indeed no one else nearby, finally feeling relieved.

Lin Weiran and the others glanced at each other, gaining a rough understanding of their own appearances, and helplessly explained Xiao Qingyang's process of refining the new potion to everyone.

"I see. It made me think enemies had arrived," Xu Kaiyang finally felt relieved upon hearing this and quickly approached Xiao Qingyang, saying, "Let me see what kind of potion you've concocted this time."

Coincidentally, Xiao Qingyang also wanted to see the effects of the newly refined ability enhancing potion. He handed it to Xu Kaiyang and said, "This is an ability enhancing potion. Take it and see."

"Ability Enhancing potion?" Xu Kaiyang and the other few who have supernatural abilities looked at Xiao Qingyang.

Before coming here, each of them had prepared several ability enhancing potions. However, the quantity was limited, and they were reluctant to use them, intending to save them for the most critical moments.

But unexpectedly, their team's alchemist had managed to produce ability enhancing potions, even if they were of the lowest grade. It was still better than having none at all.

For them, this meant a significant boost in their combat capabilities, and they no longer needed to worry about running out of supernatural abilities in the future.

"Well, it's my first attempt, and I'm not sure about the effects. Why don't you try it now?" Xiao Qingyang suggested again.

"Sure." Xu Kaiyang readily agreed, tilting his head back and consuming the potion in one gulp.

Everyone's gaze focused on Xu Kaiyang, preparing to see the results. Even Xiao Qingyang felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

"Qingyang, what grade is this potion?" Xu Kaiyang closed his eyes and carefully sensed the surge of supernatural abilities within his body, then asked in excitement.

"It has no grade. Right now, I can only make gradeless potions," Xiao Qingyang said somewhat sheepishly.

"Really, it has no grade? But I feel that the increase in supernatural abilities within me is even greater than that of low-grade ability enhancing potions," Xu Kaiyang exclaimed in surprise, and the others expressed the same astonishment.

The effects of the gradeless potion were comparable to low-grade potions. If this news were to spread, it would undoubtedly cause a huge sensation.

Although gradeless potions and low-grade potions both provided a moderate increase in supernatural abilities, they belonged to the lower level of potions. But if a low-grade enhancing potion was concocted?

Would its effects be comparable to mid-grade enhancing potions?

And if a mid-grade enhancing potion was concocted, would its effects rival high-grade potions?

It was worth noting that reaching the mid-grade level was a significant threshold. Many alchemists could concoct low-grade potions but might struggle throughout their entire lives to create mid-grade potions.

The difficulty of refining low-grade potions was much simpler compared to mid-grade potions. If the effects of low-grade potions could surpass mid-grade potions, they couldn’t imagine how ecstatic alchemists would be. It would also bring immense benefits to the empire.

"I used gradeless spiritual plants," Xiao Qingyang truthfully replied. However, based on Xu Kaiyang's earlier reaction, the effects of the ability enhancing potion seemed to be quite good, which put Xiao Qingyang's mind at ease.

The gazes of the others towards Xiao Qingyang were indescribably complex. Initially, they were already amazed and admired Xiao Qingyang. But the more they interacted with him, the more surprises he brought them, like a treasure with new discoveries every time they dug deeper.

Why was there such a significant difference between people, even though they were all newcomers?

"Qingyang, having you in our team is a huge advantage. The alchemists in other teams are just for show, while our team is incredibly powerful. In this trial, our team might even strive for a top-three position," Xu Kaiyang laughed like a fool.

In the past, others would have mockingly responded to Xu Kaiyang, but now everyone wholeheartedly agreed with him, secretly delighted in their hearts.

Achieving good results in the New Student Experience was undoubtedly a good thing. What was more important was that such a formidable alchemist was their teammate, giving them an advantage over others.

With this experience of participating in the team for the New Student Experience, the possibility of becoming friends with Xiao Qingyang became even greater. If Xiao Qingyang were to create higher-grade potions in the future, they would likely have priority purchasing rights.

And that was more important than anything else.

Little did they know that not everything in this world could be bought with money. Some things, especially higher-grade potions, were priceless. Even if you had all the money in the world, without a way, you simply couldn't buy them.

That was why many people would establish relationships with alchemists in advance, especially those with potential. They would spare no effort to establish connections, just to secure a priority purchase opportunity.

Although Xiao Qingyang was currently just a freshman, his abilities and potential warranted immeasurable future achievements. Establishing a good relationship with him was like having an extra lifeline.

"It's not as exaggerated as you make it sound. I can only produce gradeless potions for now," Xiao Qingyang felt a bit embarrassed by Xu Kaiyang's excessive praise.

He wasn't being modest. Even with his current level, he hadn't reached one percent of his abilities from his previous life. There was nothing worth being proud of.

Moreover, his method and formula for refining potions were different from the alchemists of this world. It was much more difficult for him to refine a potion for them. Currently, he had only created gradeless potions. As the potion grade increased, the difficulty would multiply.

Xiao Qingyang didn't know what the future held, but he would continue to work hard. Even if the path of an alchemist didn't take him far, he still had magic, spiritual power, and the ability to forge and refine pills. He would surely find a way to survive in this world.

The excitement brought by the ability enhancing potion subsided, and Xu Kaiyang led the team to patrol the vicinity again. Xiao Qingyang continued to refine more enhancing potions, as it was better to have more of them on hand for the occasional needs of his teammates.

Because Gu Xiaotian and Zheng Kainan didn't have particularly strong combat abilities, they were assigned to keep watch in the vicinity before nightfall. The rest of the team entered the tents to rest, taking turns to keep watch during the night. This way, everyone could get sufficient rest.

Xiao Qingyang continued refining potions until nightfall, and the surrounding area was already filled with ability enhancing potions by the time Xu Kaiyang and the others returned. He distributed the potions to them.

"For us?" Gao Lingqi looked at the ability enhancing potion in his hand, his eyes gleaming.

"Yes, although it only restores a small amount of supernatural ability, it's better than nothing. I hope you don't mind," Xiao Qingyang said with a smile.

"We don't mind at all. How could we? But it's a bit embarrassing for us to receive so many potions from you at once. Why don't we pay you according to the market price?" Gao Lingqi said apologetically.

Although they were teammates, Xiao Qingyang wasn't obligated to provide them with potions for free. If it were just one or two vials, they would have accepted them, but now each person had more than a dozen. If they were to sell them outside, they would be worth a considerable amount of money.

While they carried some potions with them, the quantity was limited, and they had to use them sparingly. Xiao Qingyang's potions were like timely rain, and who would complain about having too many potions?

Xiao Qingyang quickly waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. We're all teammates, so it's nothing. I can't help much else, so I can only refine potions."

"But this is too much..." Shen Yu looked at the ability enhancing potion in his hand, with thoughts similar to Gao Lingqi's.

Although they wanted to establish a good relationship with Xiao Qingyang to be able to purchase potions from him in the future, they didn't have any intention of taking advantage of him.