“As Potion Hall’s Hall Master, it’s naturally my duty to look after you all. Besides, you disappeared while I was on duty. If I really can’t find you, it would be a disgrace to me,” Kaviz says. “Aaron, why don’t you come take a walk with me?”

  Last time, when he tried to “poach” Aaron in his office, Master Scott caught him red-handed. This time, Kaviz won’t make the same mistake again. He plans to take Aaron somewhere more secluded.

  “A walk? No offense, but my master is still waiting for me. I’m afraid I can’t comply. If you need me, just say so directly.”

  Aaron’s words leave Kaviz momentarily stunned.

  My master?

  What two glaring words.

  Kaviz winks at Aaron. “Oh, I see. I’ve got so many gold coins on my card that I can’t hold them all. Aaron, can you storage some for me for a while?”

  Aaron frowns. “Hall Master Kaviz, what do you mean? I don’t understand.”

  Kaviz looks surprised. Has this kid’s appetite grown again?

  “Aaron, no need to play dumb. Although we don’t meet often, we’ve been close for a long time. Last time we talked, it went well. Why are you so cold now?”

  “I only regard Hall Master Kaviz as a respected senior, nothing more,” Aaron replies with a cold expression.

  Hearing this, Kaviz grows even more suspicious.

  This kid... could it be that the robber knocked him senseless with a brick?

  Kaviz’s face hardens. “Aaron, I found a gold storage card with 500,000 coins. Do you think it’s yours?”

  He pulls out a coin storage card issued by the Hunter Union.

  Half a million gold coins—not something to scoff at.

  “Hall Master Kaviz, please don’t do this. I’m afraid Master will misunderstand,” Aaron steps back two paces, putting on an icy, unapproachable demeanor. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave to greet my master.”

  Kaviz stands frozen. “Alright...”

  Watching Aaron’s retreating figure, Kaviz hesitates.

  Something’s off.

  I remember he wasn’t like this before!

  Where is the Aaron’s greedy side?

  ...

  Night falls.

  Master Scott’s residence.

  “Are you sure you want to cultivate the Poison Technique?” Master Scott asks again, his expression serious.

  “Yes.”

  Aaron nods. Without the force to protect himself, he’s just a sitting duck, at the mercy of others. Besides, these days aren’t peaceful. He can’t spend his whole life hiding inside the Potion Hall, relying on others’ protection.

  “Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you. Do you know the stages about the force adept?”

  “The first stage of a force adept is divided into Vitality State, Awakening State, and Meridian Opening State. Beyond that, I don’t know,” Aaron replies.

  “That’s right. The force adept has three initial stages and three advanced ones. The first three are what you just mentioned. The advanced stages are Core Condensation State, Domain State, and Immortal State. But those are very hard to reach, so they’re rarely talked about.”

  Master Scott nods, then continues, “Vitality State means sensing the force, absorbing it into your body, and guiding it to circulate internally. During this circulation, it condenses your vitality. Each full cycle forms one unit of force values.”

  “The more vitality you condense, the stronger your combat power. Even within the Vitality State, the difference in strength can be huge.”

  “So, the Vitality State itself is further divided by force values.”

  Aaron asks curiously, “What’s the highest force values in the Vitality State?”

  “The human body can condense up to 120 force values, but that’s an ideal number. In reality, the Empire hasn’t seen a force adept with over 100 force values in a hundred years. Most ordinary force adepts max out at around 30 to 40 force values before advancing to Awakening State.”

  Aaron is shocked. “A Vitality State with 30 to 40 force values is already less than half the one with over 100 force values. Then after they advance, is their strength also twice as different?”

  “Far from it. The higher the force value, the harder it is to condense vitality, and the greater the power gap. A 40 force values’ Vitality State force adept can easily slaughter a 30 force values one.”

  ”And the difference with a 100 force values Vitality State is even more overwhelming. Generally, a Vitality State with 80 force values can fight against an ordinary Awakening State adept and hold its own.”

  “Master, what determines the limit of the force values?” Aaron asks next.

  Master Scott knows Aaron has only a basic understanding of the force adept path, so he patiently starts from the basics.

  “It comes down to talent, technique, and rare natural resources.”

  “Setting talent aside, take technique for example. The Thousand Weight Technique, which is widely spread throughout the Empire, has chaotic circulation points and a rough process. Its nodes don’t form a systematic whole.”

  “By contrast, the consortium’s techniques are complete systems. Their nodes follow optimized force pathways. Given the same talent, a person using consortium techniques can circulate more cycles, circulate faster, and condense vitality quicker.”

  “That’s why many people see the Imperial Academy as the only legitimate path for ordinary folks.”

  “For ordinary people who don’t want to serve the consortium, the only way to get advanced techniques for free is within the Imperial Academy. Besides that, the Academy controls many unique cultivation resources, some of which can increase a force adept’s force values.”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  ...

  Master Scott explains the cultivation knowledge in detail. Aaron listens most of the time, occasionally asking questions when confused.

  Time quietly passes, and the mysteries of the force adept path start to unfold before Aaron’s eyes.

  Vitality State—condensing force values.

  Awakening State—awakening the orifices.

  Meridian Opening State—clearing the meridians.

  Vitality State is the foundation, and its upper limit determines the limits of the higher stages. Normally, a Vitality State with 36 force values qualifies to challenge Awakening State.

  But an Awakening State cultivated from just 36 force values is the weakest at that level.

  So, Vitality State almost locks in the upper limit of a force adept’s potential.

  “No wonder everyone rushes to the Imperial Academy, even some consortium heirs can’t resist.”

  In the House of the Bronze Tree, many remark how fiercely competitive this year’s Imperial Academy is, with many opportunities opening up.

  Those so-called opportunities probably refer to chances to raise a force adept’s force value limits.

  Seeing Aaron lost in thought, Master Scott asks, “How’s your force adept talent? Have you sensed the force yet?”

  Aaron pauses, “Not yet.”

  His force adept talent seems average.

  Just how average, Aaron doesn’t know yet.

  Master Scott nods, not surprised.

  Though pharmacist talent is rarer than force adept talent, that doesn’t mean the force adept path is easy.

  Aaron’s potion talent is exceptional, but that doesn’t guarantee a high force adept talent.

  They’re different paths, not comparable.

  Master Scott had already expected Aaron’s average force adept talent.

  “It’s okay. The force potion helps ordinary people sense the force. I’ve prepared three doses of Level 1 force potion for you, which should be more than enough.”

  Master Scott hands Aaron a box containing the force potions along with two books. “This is the Poison Technique. Once you sense the force and start drawing it into your body, follow the force nodes outlined here to cultivate. After completing the first cycle, come find me.”

  ”Poison Technique is different from ordinary techniques. It requires pairing with specific toxic potions. My cultivation insights are in the books; you can take them with you and study.”

  Aaron accepts the potions and books, then bows respectfully. “Thank you, master, for your guidance and answers.”

  “All right, I’m tired now. You may go.”

  Just as Aaron is about to leave, he suddenly speaks again. “Master, there’s one more thing I want to ask.”

  “Say it.”

  “I was attacked, and it seems Alex is behind it. I haven’t seen him in the Potion Hall. Do you know where he went?”

  “That was indeed his doing. And he’s dead.” Master Scott says flatly.

  Aaron is stunned.

  From what he knows, Alex has been disciple for three years. Aaron expected dealing with him would be complicated, but Master Scott shows no sign of sentiment.

  For a moment, Aaron is at a loss for words.

  “Do you think I’m heartless?” Master Scott sees Aaron’s silence and smiles faintly. “Alex and I only had the title of master and disciple, not the reality. I took him in casually, kept him around as cover, and paid him no mind. But he had no right to harm you.”

  At the last words, a sharp glint flashes in Master Scott’s eyes.

  In Bert City, he hides his identity and took in Alex and Bruce as cover, with no real attachment. Compared to Alex, Bruce earns a bit more of his care, but even Bruce, despite good pharmacist talent, is too naive to be a true disciple.

  Aaron, however, is the one he truly treats as his heir.

  Aaron’s talent for potion-making is extraordinary, combined with a ruthless and cunning nature, just right to inherit all his knowledge.

  Alex dared to harm Aaron, which is a death wish.

  Aaron’s expression tightens.

  A flicker of realization crosses his mind.

  His master might not be a good man after all.

  “Today, I teach you the Poison Technique. You’re now my only official disciple, apart from Bruce. If anyone claims to be your senior brother, take the chance to kill him. If you are not his match, be cautious.” Master Scott’s face turns serious as he warns.

  Aaron bows deeply, voice steady. “I will remember your words.”

  It seems Master Scott’s killing of Alex wasn’t just because he didn’t value him, but likely because his other disciples once betrayed or hurt him.

  However, back when Aaron was in Hall Master Kaviz’s office, Master Scott never lost his temper. Compared to that, he really does show excessive favoritism toward him.

  And Aaron doesn’t mind Master Scott’s way of handling things at all.

  His master isn’t exactly a good man? Well, funny enough, neither am I.

  “Alright, you may leave now.”

  Mentioning his disciple, Master Scott waves his hand listlessly.

  “Yes, master.”

  Aaron leaves Master Scott’s home, pondering the “senior brother” his master mentioned.

  It seems there’s a true senior brother above him.

  But that brother apparently angered their master and was expelled from the sect.

  Better keep an eye out in the future.

  After sprinting all the way home, Aaron eagerly flips through the Poison Technique.

  Over two hours later, after a quick but thorough read, Aaron can’t help but admire the genius of the Poison Technique’s author.

  Ordinary techniques, like the Thousand Weight Technique, absorb the force into the body and use the force’s circulation to promote vitality growth.

  During cultivation, to quickly condense vitality and increase force values, practitioners need to consume large amounts of fierce beast meat.

  Compared to the usual method of supplementing with meat to strengthen vitality, the Poison Technique involves swallowing highly toxic substances to accumulate poison within the body.

  Starting with potions of mild toxicity to build the body’s immunity, the poison level gradually increases step by step.

  The vitality cultivated this way can no longer be called mere vitality—it’s poison vitality.

  As cultivation deepens, the force inside carries deadly toxins. Ordinary force adepts will die at a mere touch. The power is terrifying.

  Aaron recalls the pools of rotting flesh underground when Master Scott saved him—that was because Master Scott’s force is toxic.

  But despite the incredible power, the pain endured during cultivation is unbearable for most.

  Moreover, the Poison Technique’s potential is astonishing. In theory, if one can endure the pain, he can condense hundreds of force values.

  Aaron glances over the poisonous herbs required for cultivation in the Poison Technique and can’t help but feel a chill crawl up his spine.

  Sea Spicy Grass, Gray Thorn Vine, Sky Sunflower Grass...

  Are these really meant to be eaten by people?

  On the earlier pages of Poison Technique, the herbs he recognizes are already the deadliest of poisons, and that’s just for the Vitality State. The herbs for the later state must be even more formidable.

  Aaron feels a surge of unease.

  After the shock, he quickly adjusts his mindset.

  Everything in this world comes with a clear price tag.

  Since he chooses this path, he must accept its cost.

  Besides the cultivation technique, the Poison Technique also includes some original secret techniques.

  The secret techniques Scott included in the Poison Technique are quite extraordinary.

  One of them is a disguise technique that’s especially remarkable. With deep practice, it can completely change one’s appearance.

  Seeing this, Aaron can’t help but wonder if the current “Master Scott” is really his true face.

  After skimming through the Poison Technique, storing the content in his mind, Aaron takes out a vial of the force potion.

  Every state has its corresponding force potion, one of the most famous potions in the pharmacist system.

  It’s also a potion every pharmacist must master.

  Back at Mystery Tungsten Mine, Aaron brewed the force potion before, but compared to this vial in his hand now, what he made then was at best a half-finished product.

  Aaron drinks the entire force potion in one gulp, then closes his eyes to sense the force.

  Before the creation of the gods, there was no force in the world.

  All living beings were weak, unable to cultivate, tightly controlled by the gods.

  When the god died, his blood spilled into the sky and transformed into the force.

  From then on, all living beings broke free from their shackles, able to absorb the force into their bodies, strengthen themselves, and wield divine power.

  The force is the gods’ greatest gift to the world after their fall.

  Minutes later, Aaron channels the mantras from the Poison Technique and senses the force thick in the air around him.

  The force feels like mist, and he’s like a person standing in a steam-filled bathhouse.

  A massive amount of force swirls around him.

  He can clearly feel the force all around.

  Following the technique, Aaron carefully draws the force into his body.

  Two hours pass, and Aaron senses a faint ripple of force within him.

  A bitter smile crosses his face.

  With the help of the force potion, he completes about one-thirtieth of the force node circulation inside his body.

  But Aaron clearly senses the potion’s effect has greatly weakened, and the force around him is dissipating rapidly.

  Soon after, Aaron can no longer sense any trace of the force.