43: Level 4 pharmaceutical ingredients

Time flew by, and when the sea breeze once again brought the scorching breath of midsummer, it had been almost exactly a year since Linn first stepped onto the soil of Iron Sand Island. As the July heat flared, Iron Sand Island was everywhere brimming with vigorous vitality and orderly discipline.

Over the past three months, the territory had operated efficiently under Morton's overall management. Newly absorbed populations gradually integrated, reclaimed fields produced precious grain, and the workshop area echoed day and night with the sounds of forging and woodworking. Militarily, various units had completed their expansion and integration, practicing tirelessly under the strict supervision of Clay, Ocean Jack, and others; morale was high, and formation coordination grew more refined by the day. Particularly noteworthy was the "Divine Arrow Army" led by Angus; under the careful guidance of Elise, who combined elven archery with human Physique, it had begun to take shape, with the accuracy and coverage of their arrows significantly improved.

Everything seemed to be stepping steadily toward a bright future.

However, Linn did not slacken in the slightest. He knew well that personal strength would always be the territory's most solid foundation. At this moment, he was fully immersed within the breath of life space, facing a new challenge—the fourth-level potion!

By the spring, several strangely shaped magic plants circulated with dense elemental brilliance on the experimental table. Their branches and leaves were translucent, as if containing stars within; they were the key Materials that had been matured by the energy of the breath of life, just reaching the ten-year medicinal age standard. The fourth-level potion had already stepped into the peak Domain of intermediate potions, and its refining difficulty was not to be compared with a level three potion.

Linn took a deep breath, silver light flashing in his eyes, as his powerful Gold Intermediate Rank Soul power wrapped and lifted a "Star Grass" like invisible tentacles. Simultaneously, he mobilized his own High Silver Rank Battle Qi, cautiously separating pure Fire Element and Wood Element power to begin extracting the medicinal liquid.

The process was quite smooth at first; under the control of Soul power far exceeding that of ordinary people, the Star Grass slowly melted, precipitating droplets of essence as brilliant as silver sand. However, when the second plant, the cold-attribute "Moon Shadow Flower," was thrown in and Fusion was attempted, a sudden change occurred!

The moment the two medicinal liquids with clashing attributes touched, a violent energy repulsion occurred. "Buzz—" A groan of being overwhelmed issued from inside the Fusion light sphere, and the originally stable structure collapsed instantly. A turbulent flow of violent energy swept out, not only completely evaporating the precious medicinal liquid but even severely jarring the Mental Energy Linn used for control, causing his brow to furrow and his face to turn slightly pale.

"Failed again..." Linn rubbed his temples, feeling the slight stinging sensation from his Soul power, and sighed softly. This was already the fifth attempt this month. The complexity of the fourth-level potion far exceeded his expectations, and the requirement for energy balance had reached a freakish level; relying solely on powerful Soul power for forced control always seemed to lack a crucial bit of "spirituality."

"Master, you are too impatient." Dolia flapped her crystalline wings and landed lightly on his shoulder, her voice ethereal and full of concern. "Your Soul power is sufficient to support the refining, but a fourth-level potion requires not just 'control,' but 'guidance' and 'resonance'."

"Guidance? Resonance?" Linn looked at the little elf, seeking her advice humbly. In the field of potion-making, Dolia, the elf born from the breath of life, possessed an instinctive understanding far beyond that of an Apothecary who had started halfway like him.

"Yes," Dolia nodded vigorously, gesturing with her small hands. "See, these magic plants all grew under the nourishment of the breath of life; they inherently contain the life energy of the space. You are using Soul power to 'command' them to fuse, but perhaps you could try to 'listen' to the rhythm of their energy. As the master of the breath of life, use your own life aura to guide them, letting them blend naturally like streams flowing into a river. Forcing them down will instead provoke their 'resistance'!"

A single word woke the dreamer!

A light of realization flashed in Linn's eyes. He had always relied on his powerful Soul power for fine yet somewhat crude manipulation, but had neglected the unique "vitality" possessed by the potions themselves, especially these magic plants grown in the breath of life environment.

He closed his eyes, not rushing to start the next refinement, but instead emptying his mind and attempting to use his Soul power to carefully perceive the internal energy flow of the remaining magic plants on the table. It was a subtle and unique fluctuation, like breathing, with a natural rhythm.

After a long time, Linn opened his eyes again, his gaze clear and peaceful. He took out another set of Materials, and his Soul power surged out once more, but this time, it was no longer a forceful constraint. Instead, it was like warm flowing water, gently wrapping the magic plants, sensing their energy pulses, and then using them as a guide to slowly permeate the powers of the Fire Element and Wood Element, simulating a similar vibrational frequency.

Extraction, purification... the process was still slow and mentally taxing, but the resistance was noticeably less. When it came to the most critical Fusion step, Linn held his breath; his Soul power no longer tried to force a blend but acted like a master conductor, guiding the different attributes of medicinal energy to slowly approach, touch, and probe along "channels" they could mutually accept... Time passed bit by bit, fine beads of sweat broke out on Linn's forehead, and his Gold Intermediate Rank Soul power also felt a huge drain. But he persisted in that state of "guidance" rather than "control."

Finally, just a moment before a delicate balance was about to be broken, the energies of the several medicinal liquids found a marvelous point of resonance! They no longer repelled each other but, as if finding the missing pieces of a puzzle, actively and harmoniously intertwined, bursting into a soft and stable four-colored brilliance!

An energy fluctuation several times more majestic and pure than a level three potion, accompanied by a refreshing fragrance, diffused from the successfully fused medicinal liquid, even triggering a slight resonance from the surrounding breath of life energy!

Success!

Linn carefully poured the medicinal liquid, which emitted a charming halo, into a crystal bottle prepared beforehand. Looking at the potion in the bottle, as magnificent as a liquid gem, a tired but incredibly gratified smile finally appeared on his face. At this point, he had officially stepped across the threshold of a fourth-level Apothecary!

"Congratulations, Master! You succeeded!" Dolia circled happily in the air, scattering bits of joyful life light.

Feeling his Soul power nearly drained and holding this fourth-level potion that represented a huge Breakthrough, Linn knew that the enhancement of Iron Sand Island's high-end power would welcome a new opportunity. He had taken another step forward on the path to becoming a true powerhouse.

"Master, you have not yet broken through to Gold Rank. You must not refine in large batches, otherwise your Soul power will be damaged and collapse, causing a backlash," Dolia cautioned from the side.

"Understood!" Linn couldn't wait to drink the potion and sat cross-legged, beginning to absorb the massive energy within it.

As it grew late, Linn got up and exited the breath of life, feeling the barrier between himself and the Gold Rank becoming thinner and thinner. "It won't be long before I become a Gold Rank Mage!"

"Young Master, a messenger from Baron Nocturne has arrived." Just as Linn was becoming familiar with his power, Elise's pleasant voice came from outside...