Chapter 112: The Cadagan Family

Qi Xiao looked surprised at this. "Oh? Given that your family has been in the business of selling extraordinary materials for generations, you must know quite a few alchemists. Why come to an alchemist like me, whom you’ve never met, to commission a potion?"

Aubremas gave a wry smile. "The Kadagan family certainly has extensive connections... but my mother is, after all, only a mortal. My father would never agree to me using those connections for her sake. To be honest, coming to you was something I did in private. If the rest of my family found out, there’s no telling what kind of rumors would spread, even though I am only using my own share of resources."

No sooner had Aubremas finished speaking than his features shifted slightly. Though it was merely a subtle movement of his facial muscles, he looked like a completely different person.

His voice, however, remained unchanged as he said apologetically, "Although our family is far away in the Seran Kingdom and, logically speaking, no one should know my identity, it is better to be cautious. I apologize for having deceived you..."

Qi Xiao did not mind. He had never really cared about who he was brewing for; he had even readily handed over a lethal poison like the Spirit-Severing Potion to a hooded stranger. Everything was sold within the Vault of All Souls, where every entrant was strictly vetted. If someone with ill intent were to buy his alchemical creations and commit some great atrocity, the responsibility would certainly not fall on him.

However, Qi Xiao was now a bit interested in Aubremas. "You were able to acquire the Night-Whisperer so quickly; I presume your family also has operations here in the Terry Kingdom?"

Aubremas paused for a moment before answering, "Yes. Seventy miles to the west, past the Savage Jungle, one of our family's branches is established in the city of Lynn."

Qi Xiao nodded in satisfaction and gestured for his guest to leave. "Then I look forward to our future cooperation. It is getting late, so I won't keep you. You should find time as soon as possible to bring this potion to your mother."

Aubremas was somewhat moved. Competition within his family was fierce, and although his status had risen rapidly since joining the Vault of All Souls, being a material supplier meant that befriending an alchemist who was not only brilliant but also a disciple of the famous Shadow of the World would be nothing but beneficial to him. He placed his left hand over his chest and promised, "If you need any materials in the future, please feel free to come to me. I will do my utmost to procure them for you at market price. Please rest assured."

Qi Xiao laughed. "There is no need for significant discounts on the price. As the saying goes, 'Good accounts make for good friends.' If I need materials, just calculate the cost of labor and resources involved. I am not short of such petty cash."

Although he did not know where that saying came from, Aubremas nodded and bid farewell to Qi Xiao.

This counted as an unexpected gain. After Aubremas disappeared from sight, Qi Xiao closed his eyes to observe the feedback from the system.

[Congratulations on successfully completing an alchemical supply. Reward granted: "Potion Simplification Formulas, Vol. 1."]

The book was quite interesting, providing several general formulas for simplifying potions, along with different specific formulas for various types. After mentally calculating a few, he discovered that indeed, most of the potion recipes he already knew could be substituted into these formulas.

For an alchemist, simplifying a recipe was synonymous with weakening the final effect. Generally, this was only done for three reasons: first, to reduce production costs for large-scale manufacturing; second, to reduce the difficulty of refinement, which usually served the same purpose as the first; and third, just like the principle behind the degraded Beauty Potion Qi Xiao had made, it was for when a potion's potency was too strong, making it unusable for some without dilution. This was not necessarily just for mortals; there were plenty of recipes simplified from legendary potions.

These formulas were naturally valuable. After reviewing them, Qi Xiao had even more ideas and insights regarding an antidote for the Blood Plague. Now, he only lacked the opportunity to synthesize these thoughts.

It was a pity that while the book was excellent, its value was hard to gauge. Qi Xiao wasn't sure what kind of feedback he would receive if he put great effort into selling simplified potions. After all, while theoretical knowledge is priceless, it was hard to put a specific number on such formulas. He would have to test it another time.

Qi Xiao sat cross-legged on his bed to meditate and rest. During this period, he had sold most of the basic types of potions he hadn't offered before. Aside from a large number of useless Level 0 cantrips, there was also some Pure Mana. Though the quantity was pitifully small, every little bit added up. His overall cultivation progress had reached fifty percent. He estimated that if he continued to cultivate with this hit-or-miss attitude, in about three more months, his mana capacity would be full.

At dinner time, he saw his teacher for the first time in a while. At Midir's level, he would feel no hunger even if he didn't eat at all, though, of course, he wouldn't feel full either.

However, ingredients of such a grade likely had little effect on his teacher's cultivation or physical improvement. If it was just for the pleasure of eating... to put it bluntly, the food Yayak cooked was just okay, but there was no delicacy Midir hadn't tasted before; it was unlikely he would care for this.

Midir said nothing, so Qi Xiao simply bowed and sat down to wait for the meal.

Perhaps because Midir was present in person, Yayak was trembling, too terrified to sweat, as if facing a formidable enemy. The few dishes he served utilized every skill he had ever learned. Qi Xiao hadn't eaten anything this delicious in a long time, and he chewed slowly, savoring every bite.

Midir did not speak and left after only a short while, not even lifting the silver cover of his plate.

Yayak walked out of the kitchen with trembling, thick legs, his eyes vacant as he slid down against the wall.

"It's over... what did Lord Midir mean... the Master never does anything without purpose. He came to the dining hall specifically, yet didn't touch a single bite... was he dissatisfied with my cooking? This..."

Qi Xiao smiled and comforted him, "Don't worry, Mr. Yayak. The Master hired you to cook for us. A big figure like him certainly doesn't need your services; his visit here likely had nothing to do with you. If he were truly dissatisfied with you, you wouldn't be standing—or rather, sitting—here right now."

Qi Xiao chuckled softly and whispered, "If you continue to slump on the floor like a master chef, he might actually take notice of you. You know, he is an old-fashioned man who values etiquette above all else."

The clarity returned to Yayak's eyes instantly. He scrambled up from the floor, embarrassed, and said, "Please enjoy your meal, Master Qi Xiao! I'll go clean up!"

With that, he trotted back to the kitchen on his thick hooves.

Qi Xiao finished the last spoonful of crystal vegetable soup and rose from the dining hall, feeling satisfied. "Hmm, what was the teacher here for? Was he waiting for someone? If so, why arrange to meet in his own dining hall? And who would dare to stand the teacher up?"