Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1200: Wall of Pills

”Hydra’s blood is too dangerous to take out without some preparations beforehand. Perhaps another time.” Izroth replied casually.

If he really took out the Blood of Immortal Hydra in the middle of the Apothecary District, it may be mistaken for an attack due to how potent even the scent alone was. Not only that, but there were bound to be experts hidden away within the Apothecary District who would be able to tell that it was hydra’s blood. Once that happened, Izroth would have to deal with another headache entirely.

Celia frowned and said, ”Alright, but you really have to show me next time.”

Celia was disappointed that she could not see the hydra’s blood for herself; however, she also trusted Izroth’s words that it was dangerous. After all, he was someone who cured the Holy Maiden and crafted a grade five pill.

...

A few minutes later...

Izroth and Celia made their way toward the center of the Apothecary District. The closer they approached to the center, the stronger the medicinal scents became. However, when the two arrived near the actual center, a drastic change in the atmosphere took place as all traces of medicinal scents vanished and was replaced by the calming smell of nature.

Even the environment itself seemed to have underwent a shift as the temperature was stable without fluctuation.

Izroth examined the area with his Energy Vision Sense.

’Oh? There are more than ten large magic formations that cover this entire area. It must have taken a fortune to build it and a high price to constantly maintain it. Fortunately, when it comes to one thing Apothecaries do not lack, it’s money.’

Danaharpe was a place where high grade Apothecaries resided. It was also one of the major professions that received direct funding from the kingdom of Amaharpe and many other organizations across the Mortal Realm who wanted to maintain friendly ties. Although these magic formations were costly in the eyes of others, it was not even worth a drop in the bucket compared to the actual funds poured into the Apothecary District.

”Hm? This direction... Ah, can it be that you’re planning to challenge the Wall of Pills?!” Celia inquired with a look on anticipation.

’Wall of Pills—the guard mentioned something about it earlier.’

Back when he was still near the entrance of the Apothecary District, Izroth heard one of the guards instructing some people to fill out paperwork if they wanted to place a pill request on the Wall of Pills. At the time, Izroth did not pay much attention to it since that was not his purpose of coming to the Apothecary District, but he still kept it in the back of his mind.

”Have you challenged the Wall of Pills before?” Izroth asked.

”I’ve been there a few times now, but the problems aren’t simple. I did manage to solve a few. The best reward I’ve gotten so far is a grade six pill recipe, while the worst is some ancient quality herbs. A grade six pill recipe is still too much for me right now, especially since I don’t have any Natural Energy. But, once I obtain my Natural Energy and pass the promotion test, I’m confident that I’ll be able to craft it soon or later.” Celia said confidently.

’High grade pill recipes are precious. In terms of cost, it’s hard to put a price on it without seeing the pill recipe itself, but it shouldn’t be worth any less than 50,000,000 RMB.’

50,000,000 RMB may seem like a lot for a pill recipe; however, it would not take long for one to make that money back through selling the grade six pills and start to profit. In fact, even 50,000,000 RMB was more on the reserved side.

’These are the coordinates that Worldly Skies sent me to her current location. Then, is she currently challenging the Wall of Pills?’

”Using a grade six pill reciple as a reward—it’s no small price to pay. Just what kind of requests on the Wall of Pills?” Izroth questioned.

”The range of requests vary from asking for a specific pill to be crafted, to completing an incomplete pill recipe or even asking for guidance. The requests can also come from outsiders, fellow Apothecaries, or other kingdoms. However, not just any request can be posted on the Wall of Pills. Typically, a request is reviewed by three grade four or higher Apothecaries. If none of them can solve it, it is then sent to the Wall of Pills. If it can be solved, then the task is usually passed on directly to the Apothecary Guild. There, lower grade Apothecaries can accept it as a profession quest to gain some experience and rewards. Because of this, only grade four and higher Apothecaries can challenge the Wall of Pills.” Celia explained.

She then continued, ”This is a good opportunity for you. Since you’ve never heard of the Wall of Pills, then it’s a good thing we’re headed there now. Without earning a certain number of achievement points through clearing requests on the Wall of Pills, you won’t be able to participate in the promotion test that’s coming up soon.”

’Oh? Was there such a requirement?’

”You... When’s the last time you visited an Apothecary Guild building? They changed the format and requirements of the promotion test due to holding it twice a year instead of once. This information should’ve been all over the place no matter which city or town’s Apothecary Guild you visited.” Celia said with furrowed brows.

Izroth had not visited an Apothecary Guild building for long ever since the last time he became a grade three Apothecary. After that, he did set foot into an Apothecary Guild building a few times; however, he just went straight to the library and left immediately afterward. And, of course, since people were not talking idly in the library, Izroth did not hear of the recent changes.

As for why none of the Apothecaries in the the Mystical Realm Palace said anything, how did they view Izroth? In their eyes, he was someone far ahead of them on the path of an Apothecary. Naturally, they must have assumed someone like him was already well aware of the changes to the promotion test.

”No, that doesn’t matter. There is only around an hour or so until the promotion test starts. Not only is the Wall of Pills crowded around this time, but all the easiest requests will have already been snatched up! If it’s you who solved the Holy Maiden’s problem, I’m sure that you can still somehow manage it, but it’s time that’s the main issue! We have to hurry!” Celia said in a concerned and urging tone.

’Having to wait another six months before I can take the promotion test would be troublesome. While I’ll still be able to craft pills, without Natural Energy, I will have to rely on skills like Unparalleled Craftsman if I want to create higher grade pills.’

”Then, there is no time to waste. Once I finish my task, I will have to take the grade four Apothecary promotion test and then challenge the Wall of Pills to earn enough achievement points.” Izroth stated.

”Haha, like I said, you have to challenge the Wall of Pills before you can take the grade five promotion test.” Celia reminded.

”You said it yourself. Only grade four or higher Apothecaries can challenge the Wall of Pills. Since there’s no way around it, I’ll have to first get rid of my rank as a grade three Apothecary.” Izroth said nonchalantly.

”...”

Celia fell silent as her mind was still trying to comprehend whether or not she just heard Izroth properly. A grade three Apothecary? The person who cured the Holy Maiden and crafted a grade five pill—he was still a grade three Apothecary?!

No, more importantly, Izroth’s words made it sound like he was aiming to do the impossible.

”You... Don’t tell me—are you still a grade three Apothecary...?” Celia asked in disbelief.

”I am. But, since the timing has lined up well while I’m in Danaharpe, I figured I might as well become a grade five Apothecary. Though it’d be convenient to be promoted as high as possible since I’m already here.” Izroth stated in a carefree manner.

Celia nearly fainted from shock at Izroth’s words. He made being promoted sound like he was just going out for a casual walk! If it was so easy to be promoted, wouldn’t everyone just be grade ten Apothecaries?!

”Hey, can I smack you on the head just one good time? I swear, I’m doing it for the good of all the normal people in the world.” Celia wanted to say those words to Izroth with every fiber of her being.

”Why did he have to be an Honorary Saint? Where is justice in this world?” Celia thought to herself as she lamented.

Izroth’s status was similar to that of the Holy Maiden. Asking to smack him on the head was equivalent to saying that she would do the same to the Holy Maiden. Of course, Celia was not brazen enough to say such a thing out loud.