The Fendel Institute had a large number of staff members, and while Shi Jingxuan and others were waiting at the entrance, many pharmacists were coming in and out. When they saw a non-staff member standing there, they couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

One look, and someone recognized Shi Jingxuan. Although Ji Xuanran had left five years ago, he had already become an assistant at Fendel, and even now, many people still remembered him. Upon seeing Shi Jingxuan, they couldn’t help but feel both surprised and curious, with some even taking the initiative to greet him.

When they learned that Shi Jingxuan was there to find the divine pharmacist Fendel, some people’s expressions gradually became subtle. As one of the most experienced high-level pharmacists, the divine pharmacist Fendel enjoyed a great reputation across the continent. He was originally a guest of honor in the core nation, but he established a new research institute in Country A to study new high-level potions.

In addition to being able to create high-level potions that were extremely hard to come by, Fendel’s eccentric temperament was also well-known. He could refuse the requests of the king of the core nation without hesitation and could spend over half a year rummaging through the dirtiest garbage pits for a specific raw material.

Although geniuses are often not very sociable, a high-level pharmacist like Fendel, who could drive away all his colleagues and had scolded five apprentices away in a month, was truly one of a kind. When Ji Xuanran chose to leave, Fendel had scolded him for a full two hours in front of everyone at the institute. Those who recognized Ji Xuanran still remembered this incident, and upon hearing that Shi Jingxuan was coming to see Fendel, it was inevitable that some would click their tongues in amazement.

What courage! He actually dared to come back. Even former colleagues who had a good impression of Ji Xuanran were not very optimistic about his chances of seeing Fendel. Some even comfortingly patted Shi Jingxuan on the shoulder, saying, “The teacher hasn’t been in a good mood lately. If he’s not available today, you can come back in a few days, and you should be able to see him then.”

Shi Jingxuan just smiled and thanked them, patiently continuing to wait. After a while, a guard hurriedly ran out. “The divine pharmacist is currently making a high-level potion. He said he can’t be interrupted right now.”

Shi Jingxuan nodded, showing no signs of regret on his face. However, the former colleagues nearby heard this and advised him, “Making high-level potions takes a long time; you might have to wait a while.”

But the guard waved his hand, “No, no, the divine pharmacist said to let this Mr. Ji go directly to the potion room on the top floor to find him.”

The onlookers were stunned: “…What?”

Shi Jingxuan thought to himself: As expected.

Amidst the astonished and disbelieving gazes, he politely thanked the guard and then made his way into the institute, familiar with the route. He was still holding onto the brocade box, which contained the emergency antidote he had made the night before.

Although the emergency antidote was classified as a mid-level potion, it was actually one of the most difficult formulas to complete among mid-level potions and was a key potion for transitioning from mid-level to high-level. Once a pharmacist could independently complete the emergency antidote, they would be close to making high-level potions.

Shi Jingxuan was not just doing this formula to show off his skills; it was a task that Ji Xuanran had not completed before leaving the institute, and it was also the last assignment that Fendel had personally given him five years ago. Since he was coming to see his teacher, he naturally had to help Ji Xuanran submit the assignment.

Thanks to Fendel’s prior instructions, Shi Jingxuan had a smooth journey to the top floor. It was only when he stood in front of the last door that he paused for a moment.

“Knock, knock.”

“Come in!”

An impatient voice came from inside, and at the same time, Shi Jingxuan saw the task progress bar on the light screen in front of him start to flicker.

He pushed the door open and saw an elderly man with orange hair and single-frame glasses standing behind the experimental table, looking at him with an unfriendly expression.

Fendel put down the crystal vial in his hand and immediately sneered, “Oh, isn’t this the Marshal’s wife? What brings you to my shabby research institute?”

The fact that he could still make sarcastic remarks indicated that the other party’s anger hadn’t reached its peak yet.

Shi Jingxuan lowered his head submissively and obediently greeted him, “Divine Pharmacist, I apologize for disturbing you…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Fendel interrupted him with a glare, “What did you call me?!”

Shi Jingxuan bit his lip.

He softly said, “Teacher, I’m sorry I’m late.”

【Ding——Task repair progress, 10%】

The flickering task progress bar quickly filled up a segment.

Fendel’s mouth twitched a couple of times, but he didn’t say anything. He lowered his head to carefully adjust the crystal flame, temporarily halting the potion reaction at a suitable temperature, then activated the protective shield and placed the potion inside. Finally, he took off a pair of specialized gloves and carefully rolled up his neatly arranged cuffs.

Then, Fendel took two steps at a time, moving with a nimbleness that didn’t resemble that of an elderly person, and grabbed Shi Jingxuan by the ear.

“Weren’t you supposed to be at home embroidering and making soup? Huh? You still know to come back?!”

Shi Jingxuan lightly coughed, bending down to make it easier for the shorter divine pharmacist to reach his ear.

He sincerely said, “Teacher, I was wrong.”

I’m sorry.

In Ji Xuanran’s memories, Shi Jingxuan had seen the final outcome of this high-level pharmacist.

While clearing out the Core Nation’s Split-Tooth Fruit with Yuan Xiao, Ji Xuanran unexpectedly awakened healing skills, but due to overexertion, he quickly lost this extremely precious ability.

The higher the expectations, the heavier the disappointment. Overnight, a genius became a waste, and not only was there an uproar in the Core Nation, but Ji Xuanran also became a liar in Country A.

Everyone mocked and scolded him, except for Fendel, who hadn’t seen Ji Xuanran in five years and stepped forward to say that if anyone could awaken to become the legendary healer, it could only be Ji Xuanran.

The influence of a high-level pharmacist was self-evident, and the rumors in Country A were quickly suppressed. Even if some were dissatisfied, they didn’t dare to comment recklessly in front of a high-level pharmacist who held countless life-saving potions.

However, this teacher, who would still stand up to speak for Ji Xuanran five years later, was angered by Yuan Xiao, who destroyed the entire research institute that Fendel had poured his heart and soul into. In the end, he tragically died amidst the ruins.

Ji Xuanran felt both respect and deep guilt towards Fendel. Even before meeting him in person, the system had already clearly indicated the importance of Fendel in restoring Ji Xuanran’s spirit.

To see his living teacher again and gain his acknowledgment was the true beginning of this new life for Ji Xuanran.

—Thus, in order to welcome this true new life, Shi Jingxuan endured a full two hours of scolding from Fendel.

The fiery Fendel became more spirited as he scolded, starting from the first potion Ji Xuanran had made incorrectly to the uncapped crystal vial he had left behind, and even cursing Yuan Xiao until he was out of breath. After finishing, he huffed and asked him, “So, did your esteemed Marshal allow you to come back?”

Shi Jingxuan smiled, “I thought about it carefully and still feel that my path should be decided by myself. You don’t need to worry about the Marshal; he won’t affect my progress here with you.”

“As for the uncapped crystal vial you just mentioned…” He handed over the brocade box in his hand, “This time, I brought the finished product.”

Fendel’s anger gradually subsided. He looked closely at Shi Jingxuan through his single-frame glasses before taking the brocade box.

When the lid was opened, a clear and transparent potion lay quietly in the satin lining.

Fendel’s pupils constricted, and the usually steady hands showed a few veins.

“…Emergency antidote?”

“Yes.”

The brocade box was tossed aside, and Fendel raised the crystal vial, examining it from several angles, but he couldn’t find any trace of impurities in the potion.

This was a colorless potion that was not completely transparent.

Potion quality is generally divided into three levels: excellent, good, and poor, but higher-level pharmacists pursue an additional highest level—perfection.

The perfect quality of the emergency antidote is precisely colorlessness.

Fendel snorted lightly. The normal process for potion appraisal requires strict and meticulous steps, but as a high-level pharmacist, just the scent that wafted out after unsealing the vial was enough for him to make a judgment on the potion.

“It seems you weren’t just busy at home making soup; you haven’t forgotten how to make potions.”

Shi Jingxuan smiled, “I naturally wouldn’t dare to forget your teachings, Teacher.”

“Stop buttering me up.”

Fendel looked at him with disdain, placing the crystal vial down and turning to the bookshelf, pulling out the thickest box from the neatly arranged book boxes and tossing it to Shi Jingxuan.

Shi Jingxuan caught the book box, a heavy stack of books pressing against his chest, and he immediately saw the words on the box cover.

“Series on High-Level Potions and Formulas.”

“Take it, memorize all of it, and then come back to my experiment.”

Shi Jingxuan received another prompt about the progress bar flickering, and even the corners of his mouth began to rise uncontrollably.

He sighed softly, holding the book box tightly, “Thank you, Teacher!”

“If you get even one line wrong, don’t think about entering this research room again.” Fendel waved his hand, “Go on.”

“Then I’ll take my leave, Teacher.”

Shi Jingxuan bowed.

Before leaving, Fendel added, “By the way, I need ten bottles of emergency antidote. The materials are in the storage on the third floor. Have them ready within half a month, and the reward will still be the same. Any problems?”

Shi Jingxuan nodded, “Okay, I’ll go to the third floor to get them now.”

He opened the door with one hand while holding the book box, but unexpectedly, just as he pulled the door open, a visitor outside was about to knock.

The two bumped into each other, and the visitor’s descending finger directly knocked against the book box that Shi Jingxuan was holding.

The fair and well-groomed fingers seemed to have been meticulously cared for, with no flaws to be found. The long finger joints contained a perfect strength, and although they were slender and delicate, they somehow felt more dangerous than a fist with bulging veins.

As his gaze shifted from the fingers to the person’s face, Shi Jingxuan suddenly froze.

How could it be him…

In shock, Shi Jingxuan didn’t even notice the book box slipping from his hands.

Before the items fell, the uncontrollable weight was suddenly steadied, and a faint fragrance gradually became apparent as the other person drew closer. His presence enveloped Shi Jingxuan like an expensive woody aquatic fragrance, low-key yet tightly wrapped from all sides.

“Be careful.”