84: Level 5 pharmaceutical preparation

Blue Silver Merchant Guild!

He had an in-depth and harmonious meeting with Lilith. Based on their solid Foundation of cooperation and mutual interests, both parties quickly finalized a closer alliance. Star Sea Territory would continue to provide exclusive high-quality potions, while the Blue Silver Merchant Guild would use its vast network across the kingdom and beyond to open up high-end markets for these potions, returning profits and some rare resources to Star Sea Territory at an agreed-upon ratio.

After staying in Haige City for seven or eight days, handling all affairs there, and delegating all subsequent trade details to Barton, Linn did not linger. He took the core harvest of this trip—nearly ten thousand Slaves of various races purchased through Payson's newly controlled channels and with the assistance of the Blue Silver Merchant Guild—and, under the protection of the Star Sea Guard Army, set sail back to Star Sea Territory.

On the vast blue waves, the fleet cut through the water. On the deck of the flagship, Linn stood side by side with Elise, Clay, and Ocean Jack, looking at where the sea met the sky in the distance.

"My Lord," Clay spoke first, his voice carrying a hint of emotion that didn't quite match his resolute face. "Sometimes when I sit back and reflect, it still feels like a dream. In just a few years, I've gone from a squad leader struggling to survive to a Gold Rank, commanding the most elite troops of Star Sea Territory and participating in games that can influence the regional landscape... This is something I never dared to imagine before."

Linn smiled slightly, the sea breeze ruffling the black hair on his forehead. "You didn't dare to imagine it because we were limited to a small space in the past. The world is huge, Clay; our stage has only just been set up."

Ocean Jack nodded vigorously beside him. His young face was always brimming with vitality, but his eyes were exceptionally serious now. "The Lord is right! If Boss hadn't... cough, if you hadn't pulled me out of the Blood Claw Pirate Group back then on Blood Claw Island, I'd probably have been fed to the Sea Monsters by now. Now, following Boss, I've not only reached High Gold Rank but can also do so many satisfying things! This sea, and the land over there," he pointed to the faint, long coastline to the north, "will have to listen to our Star Sea Territory in the future!"

Elise listened quietly, her golden hair shimmering in the sunlight. Although she didn't say much, the admiration for Linn in her eyes was undisguised.

Linn's gaze swept over his three capable subordinates, then looked out at the vast ocean and the transport fleet carrying nearly ten thousand "future subjects." His voice was steady and powerful: "Clay's army, Ocean Jack's fleet, Elise's loyalty, and the efforts of everyone in the territory are the confidence I have to negotiate cooperation with Count Loren and the Blue Silver Merchant Guild, and to plan for the Northern Border and the Great Wilderness Forest. Resources, military power, and the hearts of the people—we are grasping them one by one. The road ahead requires faster accumulation and stronger power. While I am in seclusion, the safety and development of the territory will depend on all of you."

"We swear to defend Star Sea Territory to the death!" the three replied in unison, their solemn expressions showing a determination that needed no words.

With the travel and the busy handovers on shore, a month passed in the blink of an eye.

When the iconic tall lighthouse and the increasingly majestic harbor silhouette of Star Sea Territory came into view again, a familiar sense of belonging and urgency rose in Linn's heart.

But Linn didn't have much time for a detailed inspection. After returning to the Lords Mansion, listening to brief reports from core officials, and confirming that everything was running normally, Linn went straight into the secluded meditation room deep within the mansion, which had been prepared and was protected by multiple magic circles.

He flashed into the breath of life. His goal this time was to refine a Level 5 potion to Breakthrough to the Earth Rank.

The little elf Dolia fluttered around him joyfully, conveying clear support and anticipation. Refining a Level 5 potion was an unprecedented challenge even for Linn, who had the breath of life and Dolia's assistance. It required not only extreme precision and massive Mental Energy support but also a deep understanding, Fusion, and guidance of the Materials' Origin energy.

His days of seclusion began, and time slipped away quietly amidst repeated attempts, failures, summaries, and more attempts.

On the workbench, discarded Materials gradually piled up, but the light in Linn's eyes grew brighter and brighter. Every failure brought him one step closer to success. His cooperation with Dolia also became more seamless; often, with just a thought, she could understand and provide the most appropriate assistance.

A month passed in a flash of near-total focus.

On this day, the energy at the core of the breath of life suddenly became exceptionally active, only to be quickly restrained and compressed by a powerful Mental Energy. Before Linn, on the Cold Jade Alchemy Table, various rare Materials transformed into pure energy flows. Under a series of complex and dazzling maneuvers, they followed a certain mysterious trajectory, slowly converging toward a central point. Dolia's spiritual form emitted an unprecedented soft glow, enveloping the entire refining process and smoothing out the last possible energy ripples.

Time As if frozen, It also seemed to accelerate..

Finally, when all the light was withdrawn, a potion that looked like liquid emerald with a nebula-like rotation inside floated quietly above the jade table. A refreshing fragrance filled the air.

Level 5 potion—it's done!

Linn let out a long breath of turbid air, an uncontrollable joy blooming on his tired face. This was not just a bottle of potion; it was a sign that his potion-making skills had entered a completely new realm, and it was also the strongest ladder leading him to the Earth Rank.

Without resting much, Linn left the breath of life with the successful potion. The first thing he did after coming out was to summon the administrative official Morton and Ocean Jack.

In the Lord's study, Morton was as steady and capable as ever, while Ocean Jack's eyes were eager, clearly having heard the news of the Lord's successful emergence from seclusion.

"My Lord, congratulations on your emergence!" the two said in unison.

Linn nodded and gestured for them to sit, getting straight to the point: "This successful refinement is a key step for me. But next, I need a longer period of seclusion to completely Breakthrough the Bottleneck." He looked at Morton, "Morton, during this time, all daily administrative affairs, development planning, and resource allocation of the territory will still be decided by you. In case of major or urgent matters, you can discuss them with Clay, Elise, and the others."

"I will certainly not fail your trust, My Lord." Morton solemnly accepted the command, his eyes showing absolute support for Linn's decision and a clear awareness of his responsibility.

Linn then turned his gaze to Ocean Jack. With a flip of his palm, two specially sealed crystal bottles appeared on the table. Inside the bottles was the newly refined, shimmering "Star Vitality Essence."

"Ocean Jack," Linn pushed the potion toward him, "this is the newly made Level 5 potion, far more potent than what was used before. You have been stuck at High Gold Rank for some time, and your Foundation is solid. These two bottles will help you strike at the Earth Barrier."

Ocean Jack stood up abruptly, his face full of excitement and disbelief: "My Lord! This... this is too precious!" A Level 5 potion was a rare treasure that couldn't be found even in the royal capital, enough to attract the attention of Earth Rank experts.

"You are the sharp sword of my Star Sea; your strength is the power of the fleet and the guarantee of our territorial waters." Linn's tone was beyond doubt. "Take it, find a quiet and safe place, and take it to Breakthrough as soon as possible. I hope that when I emerge from seclusion, I will see that you have already stepped into the Earth Rank."

Ocean Jack took a deep breath, suppressing his churning emotions. He knelt on one knee, took the potion with both hands, and said decisively, "Ocean Jack will not fail your expectations, My Lord! I will break through the barrier and level the waves for you and for Star Sea!"

Having finished his instructions, Linn said no more. He returned to the breath of life once again. Although the breath of life only had a ripening effect on magic plants, the elements in the space were much denser than outside!

This seclusion would be his most important transformation to date. The future of Star Sea Territory depended on this Breakthrough.