Realm of Myths and Legends

...

'This time, we've been given six hours to craft the Demonic Suppression Pill. The ingredients this time are a bit troublesome to collect since it's something that can't be rushed. Otherwise, there is a high chance of ruining the materials and ending up with a subpar finished product.'

There were a total of four ingredients one needed to secure in order to craft the Demonic Suppression Pill. This small number of ingredients was virtually unheard of when it came to a grade four pill recipe. However, Izroth could tell that there were no hidden tricks in the Demonic Suppression Pill recipe as there was with the Spiraling Flames Pill recipe.

This was further reinforced by the quality of the four items listed on the pill recipe. Three of them were the ancient-ranked ingredients Stellar Jade Dust, Extreme Yin Evil Roots and Dark-Stilled Liquid. These were all materials that were well known for being challenging to cultivate, collect and use.

As for the fourth ingredient, it was a mythical-ranked herb called Demonic Heart Lotus.

Izroth had the fortune of coming across its name in one of the books he read in the Order of a Thousand Blossoms Holy Maiden Seina's private collection. After all, as a grade seven Apothecary, she collected many rare books that recorded information on all kinds of herbs and other materials.

'Unfortunately, there was not much information about the Demonic Heart Lotus.'

Besides its name, the book detailed a simple visual description, possible growth conditions and a unique effect it had on demonic creatures.

The book Izroth read described that once a demonic creature consumed a fully bloomed Demonic Heart Lotus, they would gain another life. Furthermore, it would significantly increase the demonic creature's chances of being reborn if they died for whatever reason.

In other words, it was akin to having a total of three lives before death. This was enough to tempt human and other races to consume it. Or, worse, turn themselves into a demonic creature through unconventional means in order to consume the Demonic Heart Lotus and obtain the benefits it provided.

"The Stellar Jade Dust and Dark-Stilled Liquid should be the easiest of the two to collect. I'll start with the Stellar Jade Dust since it shouldn't be too difficult to locate." Izroth said as he steadily moved throughout the garden that was more akin to a forest.

...

Approximately 20 minutes later...

Izroth lifted up a rock roughly the size of a small child from one of its sides to look at its surface underneath.

'It look a little longer than I anticipated. But, I finally found it.'

Under the rock's surface was a strange white dust with specks of silver gleaming lights scattered throughout.

Izroth held out the Franz's Special Garden Bag as the dust from the bottom of the rock flowed into it.

〈System Alert: You have collected x1 «Stellar Jade Dust»!〉

〈System Alert: You have collected x1 «Stellar Jade Dust»!〉

...

After half a minute or so, the flow of dust stopped as Izroth set the rock down and stood upright.

"Stellar Jade Dust only grows under rocks that contain some magical properties. Those rocks also have to bathe in moonlight over many years in a mana rich environment. Adding Stellar Jade Dust can help in stabilizing ingredients that one typically wouldn't use in the same pill recipe. In this case, the Extreme Yin Evil Roots is filled with cold energy, while the Demonic Heart Lotus is filled with fire energy. The Stellar Jade Dust should be able to help the two behave when they're around each other." Izroth said as he glanced to his side before returning his attention forward.

The next moment, Izroth began to move again. This time, in search of the Dark-Stilled Liquid.

...

10 minutes later...

"To come across it so quickly—I was lucky this time." Izroth commented as he stood before a tree.

The tree stood five meters tall and, at first glance, looked no different than the other trees around it. However, if one looked closely, they would see a thin white line less than five centimeters in length and no wider than one's finger. From the white line, a black liquid oozed out. And, every time the black liquid flowed past the confines of the white line, it would be absorbed into the tree.

"Judging by the length and width of the white marking, this Dark-Stilled Liquid is more than enough for the Demonic Suppression Pill." Izroth said as he carefully held the garden bag right at the bottom of the white marking.

"It's important to let the Dark-Stilled Liquid flow naturally as you collect it. If not, you won't see any immediate side effects. However, during the pill crafting process, poorly collected Dark-Stilled Liquid can cause the pill to become fractured and worthless."

〈System Alert: You have collected x1 «Dark-Stilled Liquid»!〉

As the Dark-Still Liquid fell into Izroth's garden bag, it formed into a small round bead that held its shape.

"Dark-Stilled Liquid flows from trees influenced by the light element during its early growth period. It works as a purifying substance and can withstand the tempers of the Extreme Yin Evil Roots and the Demonic Heart Lotus."

After patiently waiting a couple of minutes for a few more drops of the Dark-Stilled Liquid to Flow, Izroth continued on his way through the garden.

"Next up is the Extreme Yin Evil Roots. Compared to the Stellar Jade Dust and Dark-Stilled Liquid, it is a bit more troublesome to locate. It's also challenging to collect it without damaging it in the process."

...

One hour later...

'This garden is filled with many herbs and materials thought to no longer exist in the Mortal Realm. It's worthy of being the garden of a grade ten Apothecary. It's a shame I can't uproot this entire place and move it into the Resplendent Landscape Pocket Dimension Stone.'

Izroth could only sigh inwardly and shake his head in disappointment.

The Resplendent Landscape Pocket Dimension Stone was an SS-ranked magical item Izroth possessed. It contained a small pocket of isolated space with a vibrant landscape and filled with natural worldly essence. All plants in minerals in that place had their growth or mature speed increased by 500%.

While this alone did not come anywhere close to comparing to the benefits received from the pinnacle magic formations in the trial dungeon, additional effects would be unlocked as the Resplendent Landscape Pocket Dimension Stone reached higher stages. Furthermore, its stage was determined by the quality and quantity of materials that resided within it.

If Izroth was able to somehow move this garden into the isolated space with its bountiful high quality and quantity materials, it would no doubt evolve to a frightening stage.

Izroth set this thought to the back of his mind as he focused on the flower less than one meters before him.

The flower had beautiful white petals with a swirling blue center of energy. And, if one reached out to touch the flower, they would feel a chill course throughout their body.

The thing that made this flower a bit special was the fact that its stem was buried completely underground along with its roots. This flower was, of course, the source of the Extreme Yin Evil Roots.

"The reason why the Extreme Yin Evil Roots is so hard to find is because of this item that grows above it." Izroth said as he observed the flower.

He then conintuned, "The flower itself is a superior-ranked ingredient that is infinitely close to being comparable to an ancient-ranked ingredient. Due to this, most people would pluck the flower out of pure excitement of having found a good treasure. But, doing this will cause the Extreme Yin Evil Roots to burial deep underground in order to protect itself before it can grow another flower."

It was no different than a lizard cutting off its own tail to escape from predators.

However, the value between the flower of the Extreme Yin Evil Roots and the roots itself was vast.

Izroth activated his Energy Vision Sense as he examined the flower and its surroundings.

The next moment, the ground around the Extreme Yin Evil Roots carefully shifted as Izroth held his hand outward.

'It's a good thing the system didn't lock this skill. Is it because its related to the earth element? Either way, it makes collecting the Extreme Yin Evil Roots doable. Otherwise, I might have been forced to settle for the flower as a substitute.'

At the moment, Izroth was using the skill Molding Earth that allowed him to freely manipulate the surrounding earth. Doing it this way, as long as he was careful, he could collect the Extreme Yin Evil Roots without damaging it in the process.

Izroth, very carefully, shifted the bits of earth that encompassed the stem and roots of the Extreme Yin Evil Roots. His goal was to pull the entire plant out of the ground whole. However, if he rushed things and made a careless mistake, not only would he damage the roots, but even the flower would become useless.