After the little episode in the early morning, the Snow Ash Witch brought Chu Yin back to the cabin and handed him the potions she’d made during the night.
Perhaps it was because Chu Yin had mentioned that he feared bitterness—the flavors of these potions had become much more diverse. Without affecting their efficacy, Aunt Witch had added all sorts of spices for flavor.
There was a chili flavor, a peppery one, and even a garlicky one. These powerful seasonings managed to suppress the bitterness of the potions.
Every time Chu Yin drank one, he wanted to say, “This is even worse than the original bitterness.” But he was afraid Aunt Witch would think he was being too picky and fussy, so he could only endure it.
…Seriously, how is this any different from drinking the leftover sauce from yesterday’s dishes?
Still, the effects of the potions were remarkable. The best example was his third leg, which had recently been bitten by a man-eating fish.
All the vicious beasts and monsters in the Demon Forest possessed their own [Innate Skill]. The man-eating fish, for example, had the [Steel-Tooth Bite] skill. When activated, it would emit a magical aura, and its teeth would transform into a peculiar metal for its attack.
The fish’s teeth themselves were a special forging material. The way to obtain it was to instantly kill the fish while it was using its skill—only then could you acquire that unique metal.
Just earlier, Chu Yin had come out of [Steel-Tooth Bite] entirely unscathed.
He’d only ever heard of the Iron Egg Skill before, but now Chu Yin had the Steel Tendon Skill by default.
That’s the power of taking potions!
The ancients didn’t lie—when it comes to body tempering, thirty percent is training, seventy percent is eating, steady and solid is the way to go.
“Milady Witch, what’s the effect of this potion I’m drinking today?”
“It strengthens your Magical Circuit, but there’s a certain numbing toxicity. It’ll just cancel out your recent run of bad luck.”
Since it’s all misfortune anyway, might as well have something to show for it.
This was the first time Chu Yin had ever heard of the term “Magical Circuit.” Despite being here for so long, he’d never inquired about the local power system.
He asked curiously, “Once I’ve strengthened my Magical Circuit, can I learn magic?”
“Perhaps you can.”
“Why only perhaps?” Chu Yin was taken aback.
Given the Witch’s level of mastery, it was strange for her to use such an uncertain word. It wasn’t a complicated question.
“For me, magic doesn’t need to be learned. It’s an innate talent—I just will it, and it happens.” Aunt Witch stated calmly.
Spider Sister knew her master was being too succinct and explained further:
“The various Kingdoms outside joined forces to establish a Magic Academy, where they teach all kinds of magic and sword techniques. But in the eyes of witches, magic is a manifestation of the heart. It’s like expressing the images in your mind onto paper. There’s no need to deliberately study it.”
Chu Yin finally understood.
Aunt Witch meant: even his Magical Circuit had to be strengthened by potions, so why bother learning magic at all? Even if he learned, it would be pointless…
“Then what’s the point of me drinking this potion?” Chu Yin felt a stab to the heart; it would be a lie to say he wasn’t discouraged.
“To learn magic and sword techniques, activating the Magical Circuit is the prerequisite,” Aunt Witch replied.
“But didn’t you just say I’m not suited to learn magic?” Chu Yin suddenly felt a flicker of hope. Could there be a turn for the better?
“Yes. Though you probably can’t become accomplished in it, at least it’ll give you something to pass the time,” the Snow Ash Witch said succinctly.
It sounded discouraging, but this really was Aunt Witch’s way of caring.
There was very little to do in the forest. Chu Yin couldn’t carve gemstones every day—he’d eventually tire of it. And with no companions his own age, he needed something challenging to keep him busy.
A single spell formation could keep him occupied for a whole day—how great was that?
“I’ll do my best…” Chu Yin encouraged himself.
“If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me, but whether you grasp it or not is up to you.”
The Snow Ash Witch didn’t continue the conversation. She turned away while examining the gemstone-feather pen in her hand, apparently intending to test its writing feel.
Spider Sister, meanwhile, was a bit more thoughtful. She smiled and said,
“You could try starting with sword techniques. You might not see any progress learning magic all day, but with sword techniques, at least you’ll have more strength for gemstone carving~”
Chu Yin had nothing to say. He waited for the numbing toxicity of the potion to fade before he began to try practicing swordsmanship and magic.
He had to admit, the sense of defeat was intense.
He suspected that the results of his painstaking practice here might be less rewarding than just drinking a couple more potions.
Back in Luoshui City, the improvements he gained from medicinal baths and pills remained after returning to reality. He figured the effects of these dreamland potions would be the same.
“Maybe this dream isn’t meant for me to cultivate at all—it’s just here so I can drink potions!”
Once he straightened out his thinking, Chu Yin’s sense of defeat faded away.
Why make things hard on himself? He’d rather trouble others. Let Aunt Witch whip up some potions—he really did enjoy this kind of bitter work!
After trying new potions each day, he’d go chat with Aunt Witch and Spider Sister, getting to know them better.
Reality, early morning in the bedroom.
As Chu Yin’s consciousness woke, he didn’t smell the forest’s greenery but the refreshing, intoxicating scent of a beautiful woman. He knew he was back in reality.
This dream had been particularly relaxing—specifically for paying off his debts and suffering retribution, and he could even rely on potions to boost his [Panel Stats].
How satisfying!
“That’s right, I need to check how much effect the potion still has!”
Chu Yin tried to sense any changes in his body, but the first thing that flooded his senses was pain!
The pain of the man-eating fish’s bite had actually carried over into reality. There were no wounds, but the phantom pain kept welling up, relentless.
Especially since it was morning—Chu Yin’s body was reacting, and the hardened muscle made the pain feel like his wound was being squeezed.
The more it hurt, the tighter his muscles clenched.
The tighter the muscles, the more intense the phantom pain.
An endless loop!
“Ugh…” Chu Yin gritted his teeth and curled up.
Wen Chunhan had been hugging Chu Yin in her sleep—she did so even in deep slumber, finding comfort that way. She was nearly awake, and Chu Yin’s curling movements roused her.
“Good morning, Chu Yin. Why are you curling up like a silkworm~?”
The voluptuous, mature beauty yawned, her lazy gaze exuding an enchanting charm. But Chu Yin had no time to admire her—he could barely manage a strained greeting.
“G-good morning, Aunt Wen…”
“What’s wrong? Is your stomach hurting?”
Wen Chunhan finally noticed something odd. Chu Yin was curled up, enduring something, his face flushed red and cold sweat beading on his neck.
Considering his recent misfortunes—high fever a couple days ago, then lingering low fever, and now waking up like this—
The beauty’s heart clenched, her expression tense. Not caring that her camisole had slipped, revealing some spring scenery, she anxiously asked, “Chu Yin, where does it hurt? Let Aunt Wen see. If it’s bad, we’ll go to the hospital!”
“I-it’s nothing… Ugh!”
Chu Yin tried to smile, to reassure Aunt Wen not to worry so much. But as soon as he lifted his head, he was faced with her soft, plump, snowy mounds, and the pain that had just started to ease surged back in full force.
Wen Chunhan glanced over him, and from the boy’s embarrassed demeanor, roughly deduced where it hurt. In an emergency, she set aside her embarrassment.
Taking advantage of Chu Yin’s distraction, her smooth, delicate hand slid over from his side and gently grasped the painful spot. The beautiful woman’s body tensed ever so slightly, but she quickly focused on Chu Yin’s abnormal reaction, checking him thoroughly.
“This, there doesn’t seem to be a wound… Chu Yin, where do you feel uncomfortable? Tell Aunt Wen, or else I won’t know what’s wrong with you!”