Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Body-Tempering Potion

Chen Nan, Luo Sen, and the others blocked the onlookers trying to barge into the Earth Fire Room. Although the crowd was restless, Chen Nan’s group was powerful, and no one dared to force their way in.

Ning Xuan gazed at the ten Long-necked Energy Bottles arranged in a row. The liquid inside was a clear, golden color and radiated powerful waves of energy. Each bottle held about 200ml. This was the fruit of her labor over the past half-month: a custom-modified Body Refining Potion!

Ning Xuan inserted the energy-insulating stoppers into each bottle, and the surging waves of energy in the room gradually subsided. She stored the ten potions in her Space Button, then pushed open the door. Seeing the two groups outside in a standoff, she couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. "Everyone, what are you all doing gathered here?"

The successful Alchemy had put Ning Xuan in a great mood. She wasn’t even angry, despite knowing some people coveted the potions in her possession.

"Miss, may I ask what kind of potion you were making? The Earth Fire in the nearby Earth Fire Rooms just went out. Did that have anything to do with you?"

"Miss Ning, are you an Advanced Alchemist? What’s your success rate for creating High-level Compound Potions?"

"Miss Ning, can you create a High-grade Antidote Potion? My teammate was struck by a strange poison during an expedition and has been unconscious ever since. Could you please take a look?" the people crowded at the door asked all at once.

There were other Advanced Alchemists in the crowd capable of creating High-level Compound Potions, but even among them, skill levels varied. Some could only make simple High-level Compound Potions, while others couldn’t guarantee success with every attempt. However, the potion Ning Xuan had just created emitted an unusually distinct energy fluctuation, with even a surge of starlight power. This was enough to prove that even among Advanced Alchemists, Ning Xuan’s abilities were top-tier.

Luo Sen saw the longing and anticipation in their eyes. ’He wished he could personally attest to how effective Ning Xuan’s potions were, and how miraculous her acupuncture technique was!’

However, he held back. He glanced at Ning Xuan. ’If she finds these people too noisy, I’ll get rid of them immediately.’

"I was indeed performing Alchemy. I got so absorbed that I didn’t realize I was disturbing everyone, and I’m very sorry for the trouble. As an apology, I have some Suppressant Potions, Calming Potions, Healing Potions, and Antidote Potions here. I’ll sell them all at half price, limited to one per person. Please purchase what you need!" Before her trip to the Black Water Ice Prison, Ning Xuan had already sold most of her potions. The ones she had left were her proudest creations, plus some she’d made for practice over the last few days. She was selling her accumulated stock today, partly to build her reputation. More importantly, after her recent success, her Alchemy had ascended to a new level. Potions she had once treasured as masterpieces now seemed ordinary. She was confident she could make even better ones.

"They’re all High-level Compound Potions! I want this bottle of Antidote Potion!" The onlooker who had mentioned his poisoned, unconscious teammate had already pushed his way to the front the moment he heard Ning Xuan announce the half-price sale. As soon as the potions were laid out, he eagerly lunged forward and grabbed a bottle.

The man had snatched the potion without hesitation because he was acquainted with a mercenary from Mo Sen’s team. That mercenary told him that after being bitten by a Black Water Monster Snake and falling into a poisoned coma, he drank an Antidote Potion from Miss Ning. The effects were immediate, and he recovered that very same day. It was far more effective than any High-grade Antidote Potion available on the market.

’Too bad the limit is one per person. By the time I get anyone else over here, they’ll probably all be gone!’

"I’ll take this bottle of Suppressant Potion!"

"A Calming Potion? I’ve never heard of one before! What does it do?"

"It soothes restless spiritual power! It’s only effective for A-level individuals and below," Ning Xuan explained. She had created this potion herself after discovering calming wood, and its efficacy had been both tested and proven in practice.

"I’ll take one!"

"I’ll take one!"

As the potions sold out one by one, the onlookers scrambled to purchase them. At that moment, they were unaware of the potions’ true effects, simply rushing to grab a bargain at half price. By the time they tried to buy more later, potions made by Miss Ning would be priceless and impossible to find, with no channel through which to purchase them.

At this time, Ning Xuan was still relatively unknown. By diverting the topic, she made the crowd forget about the anomaly with the Earth Fire Room. Having bought their potions and enjoyed the spectacle, they all dispersed.

Once the crowd dispersed, Ning Xuan packed her things and told Chen Nan it was time to hurry home. The process of creating the Body Refining Potion had given her a great deal of inspiration, and she needed a considerable amount of time to process it all. For now, the most important task was to test the potion’s effects.

"Vice Admiral Chen, my young master has a message for you!" Jia Shiyi blocked Chen Nan’s path.

"Me? And where is your young master?" Chen Nan frowned. Ning Xuan was in seclusion, and he had stepped out to ensure the area was secure, only to be blocked by a servant of the Lin Family.

Jia Shiyi played a video recording for Chen Nan. In it, Lin Mo, dressed in a crisp lieutenant general’s uniform, explained to Chen Nan that he had been able to locate Extreme Cold City because he had gone to Chen Hui and gotten the information from him.

He stated that the Slaughter Pavilion assassins had nothing to do with him and that he was currently investigating who had sent them to assassinate Ning Xuan. He already had a few leads that required further verification. Furthermore, he had discovered that Chen Nan’s father, Wang Mu, had dispatched two A-level mercenaries to Ning Xuan’s school. They had been digging up information on her and spreading malicious rumors that she was promiscuous and a social climber, all in an attempt to harm her.

Finally, Lin Mo offered to help Chen Nan deal with Wang Mu’s underhanded schemes. In return, he hoped Chen Nan would put in a good word for him with Ning Xuan. If Chen Nan could convince her to come out and finalize their contract soon, Lin Mo would owe him a favor and would be sure to repay it in the future.

After watching the video, Chen Nan was filled with a mixture of feelings. He could sense that Lin Mo was genuinely growing anxious. ’For a heaven-blessed favorite like him to lower himself and speak so placatingly to a minor figure like me is unbelievable.’

But Chen Nan just shook his head. "I’ve heard your young master’s message. Please inform him that he needn’t concern himself with my father’s affairs. As for Young Master Lin’s request, I am powerless to help."

With that, Chen Nan entered the small courtyard. Ning Xuan was in seclusion inside the house. She poured three bottles of the Body Refining Potion into a hot spring pool about a meter in diameter. The once-clear water instantly began to shimmer with flowing light. She disrobed and slipped her naked body into the pool. A Body Refining Potion was meant to temper the flesh. Ning Xuan sat down, submerging her entire body in the water, leaving only her head above the surface.