Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1153 Essence of the Pinnacle

To someone like Pill Master, losing a level and some experience or dropping a piece of equipment was not that big of a deal. After all, he placed all his focus on being an Apothecary. Since that was the case, Izroth decided to strike him in a more meaningful way.

Even if those greedy top guilds saw that Pill Master was a grade three Apothecary, unless Pill Master suddenly became a grade four Apothecary, they would not dare get close to him. With their current means, they could not afford running the risk of offending the Mystical Realm Palace and losing their purchasing rights.

”If I catch wind of him having set up a business, I will hold you personally responsible, Haishe.” Izroth said in a straightforward manner.

”You can rest assured, Palace Master Izroth. This old man wonʼt be allowed to set up shop anywhere in RML. If he tries, Iʼll make sure he knows why Fatal Touch has the name it does.” Haishe replied as he looked coldly upon Pill Master.

He then continued, ”Since you only passed the first trial, I will give you 20% of the original amount we agreed upon. You can visit the Fatal Touch base in Kifa Karsts to collect it. Iʼll inform them of your arrival beforehand. You can go now.”

〈System Alert: Player Pill Master has been kicked from the party!〉

〈System Alert: Player Pill Master is not a member of the party! He will be automatically transported outside of the trial dungeon in 10 seconds!〉

Pill Master was momentarily speechless. Though it did not take long for his speechlessness to turn into unbridled rage.

Haishe kicking him out the party was no different than telling him to go die! After all, Pill Master was only level 35, while the weakest monster in Kifa Karsts was nearly twice his level at level 60!

”Good..! Very good! This is the first time I, Liu Tao, have been this humiliated and looked down on since the day I was born! Izroth, was it? Iʼll remember this humiliation! Haishe, I hope you donʼt regret choosing the wrong side today!” Pill Master said as a white light appeared around him.

The next moment, Pill Master was forcibly teleported out of the trial dungeon.

Blue Quill had a look of dejection on his face. Not only had he been eliminated before Iron Cauldron, but he also lost his chance to learn from a grade three Apothecary. After the remarks from Haishe and the overall atmosphere, there was no way Pill Master would take him under his wing.

”Leader, since Iʼve also failed, there is no point in me sticking around any longer. I will return first.” Blue Quill said respectfully.

”Even if heʼs been eliminated, it would be beneficial for him to stay and learn as much as possible. Be it from Palace Master Izroth or the trial dungeon left behind by a grade ten Apothecary. To willing give up on such an opportunity... Forget it. With everything thatʼs happened and give Blue Quillʼs strong headed personality, there wonʼt be much heʼll gain even if I force him to stay.” Haishe thought to himself as he released a helpless sigh.

Haishe nodded and replied, ”Iʼll send a message to the combat team to come escort you out of Kifa Karsts. The monsters in this area shouldnʼt respawn for another couple of hours. But, Kifa Karsts is still a place where the weakest monster is level 60. So, make sure you stay near the entrance until the combat team arrives.”

”Understood.” Blue Quill said as he left the party.

Not long after, Blue Quill was transported out of the dungeon.

The atmosphere had become somewhat awkward after everything the transpired these past few moments. Sensing this, Haishe cleared his throat to cut through the silence.

”We are down two Apothecaries. And, although fighting was not their strong suit, weʼre still lost two combatants. That being said, we shouldnʼt lose our momentum and keep pushing forward. If we can make it past the fourth trial, weʼll only need to complete one more trial to clear the dungeon. When that happens, Iʼll ensure that all of you are handsomely rewarded for your efforts.” Haishe said.

”The finish line is right around the corner. Down two or not, thereʼs no way weʼll give in now.” Steel Mountain commented proudly.

Mystic Lock and Autumn Winds nodded in agreement.

Haishe looked over at Iron Cauldron, whose mind seemed to wander off ever since he passed the second and third trials. He walked over to Iron Cauldron and placed a hand on his shoulder.

”Iʼm sorry, leader. If I had pushed a little more to warn them, maybe those two would have passed as well.” Iron Cauldron said with a tinge of guilt in his voice.

Haishe shook his head and responded, ”Blue Quill and the old man made their choices. We all saw from here what took place. You tried your best to warn them. Their failure isnʼt on your shoulders. Youʼve made it this far. At the very least, your future as an Apothecary is brighter than theirs.”

The mood around Iron Cauldron shifted from one of guilt to gratefulness. When was the last time anyone had complimented him on something he was working hard at? Honestly, Iron Cauldron could not remember the last time. Perhaps, thatʼs why he felt a sudden surge of motivation rush into him.

”Thank you, leader. I wonʼt let you down. Iʼll continue to do my best.” Iron Cauldron stated as he stood straight and cupped his fists respectfully.

ʼHaisheʼs luck isnʼt bad. While itʼs hard to say how far Iron Cauldron will make it on his path, at the very least, he should be able to become a grade four Apothecary. As long as he improves his strength and with a bit of luck, reaching grade five is also possible.ʼ

The gap between a grade four and grade five Apothecary was not small. This had to due with one of the requirements to become a grade five or higher Apothecary.

ʼGrade five... Worldly Skies has been making rapid progress. If she continues at her current pace, it wonʼt be long before sheʼs able to step into the realm of a grade five Apothecary. I will have to find time to help her improve her strength and take care of the requirement.ʼ

...

Time quickly passed by as an system alert went off for all those present.

〈System Alert: The fourth trial «Essence of the Pinnacle» has started!〉

〈System Alert: All stats will be automatically adjusted based on the trial!〉

Izroth, Haishe, and the other party members had already prepared themselves to experience another drastic change of environment. However, this time, they did not leave the garden and platform.

At the same time, a stream of golden text flowed above the platform.

[How did I rise to the peak of an Apothecary? Hard work? Being a natural genius? The answer is both. However, there is one hurdle that must be overcome for all Apothecaries if they wish to reach the place Iʼve stood. If one lacks the ability to fulfil this requirement, they can only settle for being a third or second rate Apothecary at best. Thatʼs why, I hope those who challenge this place will be able to look onward to a great future.]

As the text faded, Izroth and Iron Cauldron, the only two Apothecaries remaining, approached their tables with the cauldron next to it. At the same time, a scroll of rules appeared just as it had done in the first round along with a pill recipe.

ʼDemonic Suppression Pill?ʼ

Izroth had never heard of a pill by this name; however, he was not surprised considering the person this trial dungeon belonged to. Though the effects and crafting methods required to create this pill were infinitely more difficult than the Spiraling Flames Pill of the first trial.

The Demonic Suppression Pill was only a grade four pill. But, it required one unique ingredient that would be impossible for an ordinary Apothecary to secure.

Izroth glanced over at Iron Cauldron and could only release an inward sigh.

ʼTo have made it this far only to be met with such a pill recipe... It seems Franz Winsor has too high of standards.ʼ

The rules of the fourth trial were similar to that of the first trial. One needed to go to the garden and pick their own ingredients before crafting a pill. However, it where it differed was the second part.

There was no fight or battle that would take place once the pill was done being judged. Instead, there was only a short line that said, ”A test of current potential”. As for what this meant, given Franz Winsorʼs personality, it could be any number of things related to being an Apothecary. But, Izroth had a rough idea in mind as to what he wanted to achieve.

After reading over the rules and looking at the pill recipe, Izroth left toward the garden to gather the materials he needed for the Demonic Suppression Pill.