Su Nan hadn't been particularly interested in the banquet to begin with. Now that he had found what he'd been longing for, he had even less desire to stay.
After exchanging a few words with Ke Yi, he left the banquet hall early and returned to his residence in the courtyard.
Upon entering, Su Nan noticed two boxes placed in the courtyard. He used Mage Hand to move them into his study and opened them to examine their contents.
One of the boxes contained more than ten books.
The dark, hardcover pages were covered with intricate and irregular lines, forming text that only wizard apprentices could understand. The titles included Touch of Fatigue, Detecting Toxins, Lockpicking, Charm of Humans, Shield, Analysis of Extraterrestrial Life, Necromantic Reincarnation, and The Principle of Negative Energy.
Of the twelve books, five were related to spell models, while the rest contained various types of professional knowledge.
Among the five spells, Charm of Humans and Shield were both first-circle spells.
"First-circle spells?"
Su Nan felt a pang of envy.
Both spells were extremely practical. Especially Shield, a life-saving spell that almost every wizard apprentice was required to learn.
Unfortunately, to learn a first-circle spell, one's mental strength had to reach at least 10 points.
He was still far from that level.
"Although the wizards abandoned this world, they left behind books, magical items, and even legacies."
"These things are useless to ordinary people who can't even understand them—but for wizard apprentices, they're priceless treasures."
Su Nan smiled.
With enough time and resources, any wizard apprentice could gather sufficient knowledge in this world to advance into a full-fledged wizard.
Of course, resources were another matter altogether.
While he couldn't learn first-circle spells for now, learning three zero-level spells wouldn't be a problem.
Su Nan put away the spellbooks, planning to study them gradually later.
He then flipped through the remaining professional knowledge books one by one. Unfortunately, none of them triggered corresponding skills.
Clearly, this knowledge didn't count as skill-type information.
"I'll keep them anyway. They'll broaden my horizons."
Slightly disappointed, Su Nan stored the books away and opened the second box.
This one was filled with many smaller boxes of various sizes.
He opened them one by one.
As expected, each contained well-preserved materials.
"Heart-nourishing Grass, Dragon Eye Mint, and Black-spotted Python Bone Powder… These are all materials for making Lesser Active Potions!"
After taking inventory, everything required was present—except for the sap of the Heart-nourishing Tree.
Moreover, the quantities were substantial enough to make forty or fifty potions.
"With this much material, it should be enough to research a new version of the Lesser Active Potion."
Excited, Su Nan immediately headed to the laboratory.
The progress bar of the Star Ring Meditation Technique was already more than halfway complete. With the assistance of Lesser Active Potions, forming his first Star Ring would only be a matter of time.
After arriving at the laboratory, he lit a candle and walked over to the long table covered with beakers and test tubes.
Over the past three months, Su Nan had brewed Lesser Dragon Blood Potions at least two hundred times. His potion-making skill had already reached Lv2—more than sufficient for zero-level potion experimentation.
From that point on, in addition to meditation and spell study, potion experimentation became part of his daily routine.
He continuously synthesized Silver Moonflower essence of varying purities and quantities, testing its compatibility with other materials and searching for the optimal ratio to serve as a substitute.
Star Calendar 1249—Resurrection Month (February)
With the Blackscale Lizardmen fully retreating to their lair in the Redhorn Wilderness, Blackrock City was finally free from danger and entered a period of peace.
Ke Yi shifted his focus back to territorial management.
Because Black Rock City lay in the south, the climate was warmer, and snow began melting at the start of the month. It was expected that planting could begin during the Spring Dawn Month (March).
Ke Yi ordered the militia to begin constructing irrigation canals early, diverting river water in preparation for spring farming.
With river irrigation in place, this year's harvest was expected to be abundant.
He also encouraged serfs to fish during the agricultural off-season, creating additional income for the territory.
After the battle with the Blackscale Lizardmen, Blackrock City's military strength had not declined—instead, it had increased.
Under the effects of the Lesser Dragon Blood Potion, the number of knights rose from nine to twenty-one.
This number was expected to continue growing over the next two months, until the stored Blackscale Lizardmen blood was exhausted.
As a result, meat consumption skyrocketed.
A knight could eat thirty to forty pounds of meat per day when eating freely. Blackrock City alone couldn't support such demand through livestock.
Fishing helped slightly, but it wasn't enough.
Ke Yi had no choice but to purchase large quantities of meat from neighboring cities.
Additionally, his younger brother's research was another enormous expense.
Just last month, antiques and materials alone had cost several tens of gold coins—nearly equal to a month's tax revenue. It felt as if his own flesh were being cut away.
Still, for the long-term development of the territory, Su Nan's research funding couldn't be reduced.
Recently, Lord Ke Yi had lost countless hairs worrying about increasing income and reducing expenses.
Meanwhile, Su Nan—fully absorbed in potion research—was completely unaware of this.
Mid-Resurrection Month
After tireless experimentation, Su Nan finally produced his first bottle of a new potion.
[Lesser Active Potion (Tier 0 / Low Grade)]
Increases mental activity for 15 days and 4 hours after consumption. Effects do not stack.
"Finally… it's done."
Gazing at the silver-blue liquid inside the vial, Su Nan let out a long breath of relief.
With the help of the Synthesis Cube, he was able to precisely control the invigorating effect of the Silver Moonflower essence, making it nearly identical to the sap of the Bright Heart Tree.
The entire process involved constant adjustment of material ratios and proceeded remarkably smoothly—allowing him to complete the potion far faster than expected.
Without hesitation, Su Nan drank the potion and sat down to meditate.
A refreshing, mint-like sensation spread from his abdomen and quickly enveloped his entire body.
For a moment, it felt as if he were floating at the bottom of a cool lake, surrounded by indescribable tranquility.
After an unknown period of time, he suddenly opened his eyes—his entire being radiant.
This was the effect of his mental strength increasing over a short period.
Su Nan immediately opened his personal panel.
[Su Nan·Yanest]
Human Male, 16
Mental Strength: 2.82
Constitution: 2.
[Skills]
Star Ring Meditation Lv1 (750/1000)
Potion Making Lv2 (289/3000)
"Mental strength increased by 0.03. Star Ring Meditation proficiency increased by 25."
Su Nan was ecstatic.
This efficiency was nearly five times better than before!
"Just as I thought—the potion works far better than simple plant essence."
At this rate, he would be able to construct his first Star Ring within ten days.