Chapter 251

Chapter 251: Commissioned Potion Crafting

The Lan’er Fruit appears pale blue with a subtle fragrance and an equally mild taste, carrying only the faintest hint of tartness.

Originally, the Ant Clan had little interest in cultivating this fruit tree—eating it revealed no special effects, Appraisal only revealed its name, and its bland flavor offered no appeal.

But after learning from Manfel that it served as the primary ingredient for Magic Recovery Potions, the ant colony began mass cultivation of these trees.

Now, the quantity of Lan’er Fruit Trees has nearly matched that of Red Fruit Trees.

…

"I’ve come to request your assistance in brewing Magic Recovery Potions."

Blue Face Grass, Lan’er Fruits, and Lan’er Fruit Tree bark were each stuffed into three large burlap sacks and tossed onto the Apothecary’s floor.

"Ask me to make Magic Recovery Potions?"

Manfel blinked in momentary bewilderment.

"Then these…"

As if struck by sudden realization, he hurried forward to untie the nearest sack.

Inside lay masses of blue-green Blue Face Grass, haphazardly packed like vegetables freshly plucked from a peasant’s field.

"This! Blue Face Grass?! Such quantity…"

The apothecary’s listless demeanor vanished, replaced by gleaming eyes fixed on the herbal bounty.

His trembling hands retrieved a specimen for closer inspection.

With each passing second, his excitement grew.

"Marvelous… simply marvelous! This texture! This grade! Equal to last time’s red fruits—premium materials!"

After reverently placing the first stem aside, he feverishly examined others in the sack.

"This one too… and this! Magnificent! Never have I seen such abundant, flawless Blue Face Grass!"

His enthusiasm suddenly pivoted as he lunged for the remaining sacks.

One bulged with oval, pale-blue fruits.

The other released an earthy aroma from its load of freshly stripped brown-green bark.

Another round of fervent scrutiny followed.

The man’s delighted exclamations echoed through the shop.

To his practiced eye, these materials rivaled the previous red fruit batch in excellence—though in truth, these represented only middling quality from the ant colony’s harvests.

"Can you produce the potions?"

Army Lady’s voice cut through his botanical reverie.

"Absolutely! But…"

His enthusiastic reply faltered as awkward realization struck.

"I’m currently researching advanced Life Recovery Potions. Might I complete that study before brewing your Magic Recovery Potions?"

His research was halfway done; if he switched to other tasks now, returning to his original progress might require significantly more time later.

But…

"That’s not my concern."

Army Lady decisively shut down the conversation.

"If you can’t assist, I’ll simply approach another apothecary."

"W-wait! Hold on! Very well—entrust this to me! I’ll prioritize brewing your Magic Recovery Potions!"

Manfel’s composure shattered, his agreement tumbling out in a rush.

Though crafting Magic Recovery Potions proved more challenging than Life Recovery Potions, success with high-grade specimens could catapult his reputation across distant realms!

Unlike previous occasions, Army Lady had arrived with all three premium-quality primary ingredients this time—materials so exquisite they made his palms itch.

Letting such treasures slip into rival apothecaries’ hands would haunt him eternally.

"Mmm."

Mother’s tactics remain effective.

Army Lady nodded imperceptibly, recalling Lin Yu’s earlier possession-induced negotiations.

This buyer’s market granted bargaining power solely to her faction, not the apothecaries. She’d chosen Manfel primarily for familiarity, though…

"Incidentally… Where did Miss Army Lady procure these materials? They far surpass the Adventurer’s Guild’s offerings."

Though initially ecstatic about the commission, Manfel’s analytical mind surfaced as excitement waned.

"The Monster Forest."

"Is that so… Heh. As expected of a Class B adventurer."

Despite lingering doubts, the pharmacist swallowed further questions. A frail man like him wouldn’t survive a displeased glance from this battle-hardened woman—he’d witnessed her prowess firsthand, and years of observing adventurers screamed this truth: never provoke her.

"How long will these herbs sustain production? Estimated output? Potion grades?"

"With this volume…" Manfel rubbed his chin. "Exact numbers elude me. The true challenge lies in perfecting formulas and techniques—replication becomes trivial after initial success."

"Approximations?"

The golden-haired warrior’s brow creased.

"Three months for quantity…"

His gaze swept over the bulging sack. At zero failure rate, these materials might yield three hundred high-grade Magic Recovery Potions. But perfection proved mythical—even legendary pharmacologists recorded losses. Being no prodigy himself…

"Roughly one hundred bottles. Regarding quality…" He steeled himself. "Perhaps thirty percent high-grade Magic Recovery Potions."

"And the remainder?"

"Medium Magic Recovery Potions, inevitably."

As he wondered if this satisfied her—

"Excessive duration."

"Pardon?"

"Three months is untenable. Prioritize speed—Medium-grade suffices if it hastens production."

Southern hills demanded conquest. Sisters awaited skill imbuing. Mother needed these potions yesterday.

"Medium-grade… regardless?"

"Correct."

Manfel blinked. Why provide elite materials for middling brews? At this rate, completion might require mere weeks given his Medium Potion expertise. But…

No—this bordered on sacrilege! Squandering such resources for haste? His aspirations of fame through high-grade elixirs evaporated like morning dew.

"Doesn’t Miss Army Lady consider this wasteful? These could birth exceptional potions!"