Chapter 26: New Formula
Seeming to notice Su Xiao's gaze, Bubu Wang, curled up by the heater, lifted his head.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang happily ran to the treasure chest and bit down on the purple chest.
"Ahem~, you open it. My luck has been a bit overdrawn lately."
Su Xiao brewed a cup of green tea. Since obtaining Fate Redemption, he rarely opened chests directly. Although he was reluctant to admit it, he had some self-awareness about his own luck.
Taking a sip of the hot, strong tea, Su Xiao exhaled a puff of white breath.
The further northwest he went, the lower the temperature. By conservative estimates, it was already minus 20 degrees Celsius, and this temperature would continue to drop as he traveled onward.
Mastan hadn't managed to get train tickets. It wasn't due to Mastan's incompetence, but because the entire railway line to the northwest was under martial law, with very strict surveillance. It seemed the Homunculi were planning to strike in the north.
To reach the northwest, one could only take the train or walk. Driving was completely impossible. Su Xiao couldn't imagine any vehicle that could climb the great snowy mountains.
Since he couldn't take the train, he would have to find another way. At most, it would delay his schedule, but this matter absolutely could not go wrong.
Just as Su Xiao was drinking his tea, a purple light shone on his face.
Su Xiao's hand froze. He was all too familiar with this light—it was a flash!
[You have obtained 12,000 Paradise Coins.]
[You have obtained Soul Crystal (Medium).]
[You have obtained Philosopher's Stone (Purple, Certified).]
[You have obtained Suffering of Envy.]
[Suffering of Envy (Set 1/7)]
Origin: Fullmetal Alchemist
Quality: Purple
Category: Pants
Durability: 49~49
Equipment Requirements: Strength 6, Agility 4, Intelligence 42
Equipment Effect 1: Envy (Active). Can consume 10% of maximum Mana to activate this effect, increasing casting speed by 20% for 7 minutes.
Note: Envy (Active) has a cooldown of 5 hours.
Note: Envy (Active) cannot stack with similar effects.
Note: Envy (Active) does not increase the casting speed of skills attached to equipment.
Rating: 150
Description: One piece of the Original Sin Set. Collecting all seven pieces will grant the set effect.
Set Effect 1: Original Sin (Passive), increases spell damage by 60%.
Set Effect 2: (Invisible)
Price: 37,900 Paradise Coins.
...
Looking at the item in his hand, Su Xiao was stunned. Paradise Coins + Soul Crystal (Medium) + Philosopher's Stone (Certified) + an Original Sin Set piece—what was going on?
He looked at Bubu Wang, whose dog face also showed a hint of confusion.
"Good job."
He had to admit, without using Fate Redemption, Su Xiao's luck was inferior to Bubu Wang's. But with Fate Redemption, it was a different story.
The effect of Fate Redemption was incredibly powerful. Bubu Wang sometimes had bad luck, but when using Fate Redemption, Su Xiao had never had a bad draw.
He had now collected two pieces of the Original Sin Set. Selling two pieces together would fetch a much higher price than selling one. If he could get another piece...
Su Xiao shook his head. The probability of that was too small. Getting two pieces was already beyond his expectations.
After opening the chest, Su Xiao began to concoct alchemical potions, while Bubu Wang lay down nearby and fell asleep.
He had four uncertified Philosopher's Stones in his possession. The total energy from the four stones was 2,000 points. The consumption for alchemical potions was higher than for alchemical bombs, requiring 20 energy and 40 Mana per batch.
Su Xiao's Mana had fully recovered, totaling 959 points. If he consumed 40 Mana each time, he could make 23 bottles of low-grade alchemical secret medicine at once.
Since he was in a derivative world, he couldn't deplete his Mana completely, so he could only make 20 bottles each time, leaving some Mana for emergencies.
He opened the skill list for Alchemy.
[Alchemy Second Layer: Alchemical Pharmaceutics Lv.1 (Proficiency has met the requirements for upgrade. Upgrade? Each upgrade will consume 500 Paradise Coins and the corresponding proficiency.)]
After a moment of hesitation, Su Xiao chose to upgrade.
[Alchemical Pharmaceutics has been upgraded to Lv.2.]
[Alchemical Pharmaceutics has been upgraded to Lv.3.]
[Alchemical Pharmaceutics has been upgraded to Lv.4.]
[Alchemical Pharmaceutics has been upgraded to Lv.5.]
[Alchemical Pharmaceutics has been upgraded to Lv.6.]
[Due to the level increase in Alchemical Pharmaceutics, you have unlocked the following formulas.]
[Unlocked: Intermediate Alchemical Secret Medicine Formula.]
[Unlocked: Shade Potion Formula.]
...
Alchemical Pharmaceutics had been raised to Lv.6, unlocking two new formulas.
Su Xiao was always a bit confused about the unlocking of new alchemical formulas. Sometimes, a single level increase in Alchemy would unlock a new formula, sometimes it took two levels, sometimes three—there was no fixed pattern.
Su Xiao tried to concoct a bottle of [Intermediate Alchemical Secret Medicine]. The consumption of Philosopher's Stone energy and Mana increased noticeably.
With a flash of light, a 10-centimeter-long red potion appeared in his hand.
[Intermediate Alchemical Secret Medicine]
Origin: Fullmetal Alchemist
Quality: Green
Type: Recovery Item
Effect: Restores 25% of Health Points after consumption.
Rating: 16
Description: A product of Alchemy. Not certified by Reincarnation Paradise.
...
The recovery amount of [Intermediate Alchemical Secret Medicine] had increased slightly, which was decent. If the level of Alchemical Pharmaceutics continued to rise, Su Xiao would be able to create a 'big potion.'
After making one bottle of [Intermediate Alchemical Secret Medicine], Su Xiao tried another formula, [Shade Potion].
As soon as he started making the [Shade Potion], Su Xiao noticed something was wrong. Both his Mana and the Philosopher's Stone's energy dropped by a large amount.
[Shade Potion is being concocted. Interrupting this process will result in a failed concoction.]
The process took longer than Su Xiao had imagined. He had to concentrate fully during this time.
After twenty minutes, the concoction was complete. A thumb-sized crystal vial appeared in his hand.
Su Xiao felt this looked more like an ornament than a potion.
The [Shade Potion] was shaped like a diamond-shaped crystal vial, very small, and filled with a vibrant green liquid.
This small crystal vial was almost completely sealed, with only a pinhole-sized opening at the top.
It was obvious, even without thinking, that this thing was not meant to be drunk.
[Shade Potion]
Origin: Fullmetal Alchemist
Quality: Green
Type: Consumable
Effect: Carrying it slowly restores Stamina (Stamina is fatigue level) and has a refreshing effect.
Rating: 21
Description: Who says potions have to be drunk? — Boken Sa. (Not certified by Reincarnation Paradise.)
...
Su Xiao examined the potion in his hand with curiosity. The liquid inside the crystal vial was slowly evaporating, colorless and odorless, yet Su Xiao felt a sense of refreshment, as if he were in a deep forest.
[Shade Potion remaining: 99%. Can be maintained for 120 hours.]
This potion was quite good. Not only could it slowly restore Stamina, but it also provided a boost.
Tucking the [Shade Potion] into his bosom, Su Xiao continued to make [Intermediate Alchemical Secret Medicine].
If he were to sell it, the price of [Shade Potion] would be higher than [Intermediate Alchemical Secret Medicine], but this item was definitely not for sale.
[Shade Potion] was different from other potions. Making it had a cooldown. After making one bottle of [Shade Potion], he had to wait five days before making another. It was barely enough for his own use, making it impossible to sell.
After making a few bottles of [Intermediate Alchemical Secret Medicine], Su Xiao's Mana was running low, so he stopped.