Chapter 130 : Advancement in Alchemy!
Chapter 130: Advancement in Alchemy!
All in all, it took less than half a day.
The speed at which he entered this Breathing Technique far exceeded Leo’s expectations.
After all, he had done it entirely through self-exploration, without any guidance.
The main reason was the foundation he had built with Furnace Breathing Technique.
At this moment, as Leo circulated the technique, he felt a new power emerging within his body.
Compared to the black aura of Furnace Breathing Technique, this power was like a freshly sprouted seed—weak, but Leo knew it was only the beginning.
He tested it and found it matched his understanding.
Although the Energy Factors absorbed by different Breathing Techniques could coexist within the same body—
They could neither be cultivated simultaneously nor used at the same time.
This was troublesome.
“If they can’t be used together, then compared to the Tier 2 Furnace Breathing Technique, this newly learned Lightning Breathing Technique is quite useless in actual combat.”
It could only serve to temper the body.
But with one Breathing Technique already in place, the stimulation from a second was significantly reduced.
If there were a third, the effect would be even weaker.
This was why very few people cultivated a third Breathing Technique—the return on investment was too low.
With the panel, Leo’s training speed was already at a genius level.
For ordinary people, mastering even two Breathing Techniques was the limit—there was no point in pursuing a third.
After roughly understanding the relationships and logic between Breathing Techniques—
Leo still spent another half day recording the third one, Rock Breathing Technique, into his panel.
He treated it as storing it in his mind for future use.
Before he knew it, the day had passed.
Leo sat at a table covered with a white tablecloth as a maid named Sophie brought over a large pot of stew made from Level 3 Beastkin meat.
Cooking had little effect on the meat’s cultivation benefits.
Now that Leo had servants, he no longer needed to chew dried Beastkin meat.
Moreover, these servants were said to be quite skilled.
He planned to have them prepare Beastkin meat in different ways in the future.
Better taste meant better appetite—and thus more consumption.
And stewed meat was easier to digest.
“With better conditions, I should naturally eat better. Eating is one of life’s great pleasures.”
Leo activated Hunting Moment and carefully sniffed to confirm there was no poison.
Then he dug in, devouring the stew voraciously.
Sophie’s cooking was indeed excellent.
With spices and slow cooking, the meat was rich and fragrant.
While eating, Leo didn’t waste time.
He began studying his Beast Taming skill.
Currently, he had contracted two creatures—
One was the Dragonblood Horse outside Blackstone City.
The other was a fat mouse heading toward the dungeon.
Recently, his Hunting and Tracking skills had both reached max level.
Under such circumstances, his eagle Fulei had temporarily stepped back.
It was now kept in a large iron cage in the courtyard, well-fed by a servant and living comfortably.
Leo stuffed another chunk of meat into his mouth and entered Shared State.
Switching perspectives, he saw the Dragonblood Horse being led by a clueless Goblin in the forest.
Surprisingly, these Goblins took good care of horses.
Though their food choices were strange, grooming, hoof maintenance, and exercise were handled meticulously.
From Leo’s professional perspective, their skill even surpassed his current partners.
“Maybe I could tame a Goblin to raise horses for me…”
Leo’s thoughts wandered.
But soon, he formed a new plan.
Since the horse was kept in the Goblin nest—
He could use this time to map out the nest and surrounding terrain.
Essentially turning the horse into an undercover agent or mobile probe.
As long as he issued commands and left it in Autonomous Mode—
With its noble bloodline, the Goblins wouldn’t harm it.
It might even dominate the entire stable.
After checking the horse, Leo switched perspective to the mouse.
The fat mouse had already reached the dungeon area.
Green lacked vigilance, so Leo easily had it dig a palm-sized hole near the dungeon.
Squeak—
The mouse wriggled in.
Compared to Fulei, the mouse had advantages in complex environments—
It could dig, was small, and inconspicuous.
Its only weakness was the risk of being stepped on.
Leo planned to slim it down next.
Of course, he wouldn’t use it for petty theft.
After all, he had studied the Knight’s Code.
His plan was to build an underground intelligence network within Blackstone City.
Previously, he relied on horses’ memories.
But horses couldn’t access enclosed environments.
With the mouse’s mobility, he could expand his network.
The dungeon would be his first intelligence node.
It housed Beastkin prisoners.
Leo wanted constant updates on their status.
But just as the mouse entered—
Its nose twitched.
It smelled medicinal herbs.
Coincidence—or something more?
At that exact moment, as Leo exited Shared State, a familiar figure appeared outside the courtyard.
A middle-aged man in robes.
Green?
Shouldn’t he be in the dungeon managing Beastkin for Lady Manta?
“My Lord Leo.” After being announced, Green met Leo and bowed respectfully.
“What is it, Green? We’re both Lady Manta’s students—no need to be so formal.”
“Lady Manta asked me to invite you.”
Leo didn’t hesitate and followed him to the dungeon.
They went straight to the Alchemy room.
Seeing Leo, Lady Manta finally smiled.
But Leo noticed something off about her today.
“What’s wrong, Madam?”
“Little Leo, you’re now a Formal Knight of Blackstone City. However… there’s something I’d like your help with.”
Manta hesitated.
Leo’s identity had changed. He now had duties and training.
Previously, she could freely command him as her student.
But Laforin had instructed that Leo, now the seventh knight, should not be disturbed without necessity.
Still, she had no better option.
Leo bowed respectfully. “You are my Alchemy teacher. Please speak freely.”
He wasn’t being polite.
When he didn’t even know Alchemy, she had been willing to teach him.
That was a great favor.
And she had always treated him kindly.
He would not forget that.
“I plan to resume preparing Tier 3 Body Tempering Potion. I’d like your assistance,” she said, then added, “Green will handle basic tasks, but I want you to assist me in the critical steps.”
“Of course, Madam.” Leo agreed without hesitation.
This was also an opportunity to improve his Alchemy skill.
Manta’s eyes lit up slightly. “Thank you, Leo. Let’s begin.”
She had already prepared the materials.
“At the start, Green will handle things. I’ll call you when needed,” she said apologetically.
She knew knights like Laforin and Eve were obsessed with training.
Leo showed no hesitation. “I’m at your disposal.”
“If you wish to train, you can stay in the dungeon. If you need anything, I’ll have Steward Dover—”
Leo smiled and interrupted. “No need, Teacher. I’m familiar with this place.”
He glanced at the Beastkin in the cells—
Unaware of what was coming.
Perfect training targets.
Manta seemed slightly off today—rushed and anxious.
Something felt strange.
But Leo wouldn’t interfere.
An Alchemist needed a calm mind.
His role was to assist.
Manta said no more and entered the lab with Green.
Once the door closed—
Leo knew it was time to begin.
First, as usual, he activated Hunting Moment to scan the surroundings.
Hunting Moment! Level 5!
Like a radar, he detected all movement.
After confirming no one nearby, he drew his Starfall sword and walked toward the cells.
The first cell—
A newly arrived Gnoll.
It bared its teeth aggressively, unaware of what was coming.
Across from it, the Centaur remained quiet, watching.
Leo opened the Gnoll’s cage.
“You seem eager. Let’s start with you.”
“Grr… ROAR!”
Dark Extinction Cross Sword!
Black Marsh!