Chapter 38: The Potion Library and the Zero-Dollar Shopping Spree (Please follow, please bookmark, please...)

Chapter 38

Inside the Nightshade Bunker, a thick concentration of negative energy permeated the air, filled with a bone-chilling, frigid aura.

Following closely behind, Lynn moved rapidly through the ancient bunker alongside his squad members.

Lynn hadn't expected to run into his enemies, Riley and his companion, here, but the two parties had temporarily separated.

Although he didn't need to worry about his immediate safety for a short while, Lynn still raised his guard to the highest level, remaining extremely cautious.

Along the way, they encountered very few living guards; instead, they ran into various magical beasts, puppets, and mechanical traps.

Fortunately, everyone remained highly vigilant and skillfully avoided those potential dangers.

Finally, the squad came to a halt before a massive, heavy door.

The squad leader stood before the door, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he whispered

"This should be the potion vault mentioned in the records! Setting everything else aside, the spatial storage items must be full. You guys know what that means..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the squad leader pulled an object resembling an identity token from his robe, placed it gently into a groove on the door, and began to chant a witchcraft incantation in a low voice.

The rhythm of the Wizard Tongue echoed through the air, the heavy stone door trembled silently, and dust drifted down from the crevices.

*Click!*

The heavy stone door slowly creaked open, revealing the scene within.

Before them was an orderly storage room, with neat cabinets filled with individual compartments, clearly designed specifically for storing potions.

Although the war had caused some supplies in the potion vault to be urgently requisitioned—with many potions being used for combat readiness—the remaining stock was still extremely precious.

In fact, one could say the remaining potions were even more attractive to the squad!

This was because the potions requisitioned for combat readiness were mostly recovery potions or short-term combat enhancers.

The potions left behind, however, were invaluable resources capable of improving cultivation effects, enhancing realms, and accelerating the progress of one's strength.

Surprise and joy flashed in the eyes of the squad members, and Lynn was no exception.

He rushed inside impatiently, his heart racing at the sight before him.

Ever since entering the Crucible, Lynn had stayed in the Potion Garden, so he had consumed some potions through internal channels.

While he could purchase certain potions at a discounted price, even so, potions that improved cultivation remained quite expensive.

The effect of a single bottle of potion was good, but far from significant; it required massive accumulation to produce a noticeable impact.

Furthermore, the price of potions that increased strength was staggeringly high, something Lynn simply could not afford.

Moreover, with the bonus of his talent, Lynn could achieve the same effects as potions through hard work, or even better, so he had consumed very few potions.

Yet now, the potion vault before him contained such an abundance of potions, almost all of them being top-tier agents capable of accelerating cultivation and boosting strength.

"A zero-dollar shopping spree! And it's my home turf!"

Lynn was ecstatic; the potion vault before him was nothing short of a massive treasure trove.

Furthermore, he had already maxed out the progress bar for the "Introductory Processing of Potions" course in the Potion Garden, so he was intimately familiar with the classification and effects of these potions.

As the saying goes, "experience makes a good doctor." Although he possessed more knowledge of potionology than the other apprentices, the others were not entirely ignorant.

After all, everyone purchased and used potions regularly; over time, they naturally gained some understanding.

"That side is for Level 3 Wizard Apprentices; the competition will definitely be fierce." Lynn saw many apprentices swarming toward that section.

He did not rush to follow them, instead choosing to first search for potions that could enhance the mental strength of a Level 2 Wizard Apprentice.

After all, his current realm was still only that of a Level 2 Wizard Apprentice.

"Daylight Tears—excellent for improving cultivation effects for a Level 2 apprentice. Grab it!"

"Mindy's Affection—essential for boosting the mental strength of a Level 2 apprentice. Grab it!"

"Secret of the Ocean—this works for both Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices. Can't miss this. Grab it!"

The spatial storage item assigned to him by the squad was roughly three cubic meters, providing ample space to hold a large quantity of potions.

Without hesitation, Lynn swept all the potions suitable for a Level 2 Wizard Apprentice from the shelves into his spatial item.

Since these potions were useful to him, others would surely prioritize them as well; it was better to grab them early for peace of mind.

Once his spatial item was nearly full, Lynn turned to take a look at the Level 3 Wizard Apprentice potion section.

However, by the time he arrived, those potions had already been snatched up by other apprentices.

Nevertheless, Lynn did not feel discouraged; instead, he walked toward a special shelf.

A few apprentices had paused here as well, but most had eventually given up and moved on.

While these potions were also precious, most of them were semi-finished products that required further processing to become effective.

Moreover, many apprentices had never studied potionology and could not discern the true value of these potions.

"Rather than relying on luck, it's better to pick things I recognize."

With this thought, Lynn continued to select carefully in front of the shelf.

"This... judging by the luster and color, it should be a healing-type potion. It contains components of the Three-Tailed Butterfly Flower. Correct, grab it!"

"This color and shape... should be a poison type... forget it, I won't take the risk."

"This should be an acceleration potion; it's just one step away from being a finished product. Definitely grabbing it!"

Relying on his knowledge of potionology, Lynn discovered many precious semi-finished potions.

Although they required further processing, they were enough to make him feel excited.

After all, these potions were not only precious, but once completed, their effects would undoubtedly be extraordinary.

However, the other apprentices had also finished gathering most of the potions they could take, and a tense atmosphere began to permeate the air.

The squad leader shouted loudly, "Withdraw! Leave immediately!"

Hearing the squad leader's command, Lynn's heart tightened, knowing he could no longer waste time.

He quickly scanned the remaining potions on the shelves, searching for any potentially overlooked precious items.

Suddenly, his gaze froze on a single potion compartment in the center of the second shelf.

That compartment held three bottles of grayish-brown liquid. From their appearance, they were unremarkable and even lacked any distinctive features.

Initially, Lynn, like the other apprentices, had ignored them.

However, suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck his mind. His eyes locked onto those three bottles, his gaze instantly becoming sharp.

He stepped closer, and after careful observation, his heart leaped violently. His eyes flashed with shock and ecstasy; he could hardly believe it was real!

He recognized these three bottles of grayish-brown potions!

These were exactly the special potions required by Level 3 Wizard Apprentices when they were sprinting toward becoming official Wizards, as detailed in the final section of "Introductory Processing of Potions."

"Even if they aren't finished products, the value of these potions is extremely high!"

Lynn's heart raced, and he almost subconsciously whispered to himself, his eyes filled with greed and excitement.

"Grab them, I must grab them!"

Without hesitation, he took some potions out of his spatial item to make room, stowing the three precious bottles into his storage device.

At this moment, Lynn's heart beat like a thunderclap, and his palms were drenched in sweat.

His mind allowed for no more hesitation; the value of these three bottles was simply too high.

If other apprentices discovered their purpose, they would likely ignore the Crucible's orders, and a battle for the Nightshade Bunker's potion vault would erupt.

Lynn hurriedly secured the potions. His spatial item was filled with the medicines he had just selected, and he had even stuffed many into the pockets of his robes; a "clatter-clatter" sound could be heard as he moved.

It wasn't just Lynn; the other squad members were also in a frantic rush, stuffing precious potions into their storage items or pockets.

The group hurriedly left the potion vault, rushing toward the exit through the complex corridors of the Nightshade Bunker.

However, just as they were preparing to evacuate, a heavy, dull pressure suddenly descended like a massive boulder, causing everyone's expression to change drastically.

The air was thick with heavy negative energy, an aura so suffocating it felt as if the entire space had been shrouded in a cold, dark gloom.

(End of Chapter)