C8 Potions

Upon receiving the silver token, it appeared metallic yet had the tactile sensation of jade, its gentle warmth providing a comforting reassurance.

Liang Mu, token in hand, followed the direction indicated by the Old Steward.

A few steps in, Liang Mu sensed he had crossed some sort of barrier, feeling a slight vibration from the token.

His vision momentarily blurred, and he found himself in a vast white space, facing an endless two-meter-tall bookshelf.

Liang Mu recognized he had traversed a magical barrier akin to a screen.

Yet, he had no intention of delving into its mysteries at the moment. Regardless of whether he had the time to study it, understanding it wouldn't immediately enhance his abilities.

Surveying the numerous shelves before him, Liang Mu noted the absence of any categorization.

Was he expected to search slowly? That seemed unlikely; there had to be a quicker method to locate the desired books.

Perhaps it functioned like the archives of the Magic Department in France, where one could simply voice a command into the air?

"Poison."

No sooner had the word left his mouth than the bookshelves began to reposition themselves rapidly, like soldiers in formation.

Eventually, a lone bookshelf stood before Liang Mu, with the others arrayed neatly behind it, utterly still.

Indeed, it was as he suspected.

"The Compendium of Materia Medica, The Collection of Hundred Herbs…"

After a cursory review, Liang Mu nodded in affirmation. As he had surmised, the majority of the books pertained to Eastern Magic Medicine, likely brought over by his parents during their move.

He pulled out the Classic of Materia Medica and skimmed the index. It differed from the version he had previously encountered, focusing primarily on the introduction of Magic Medicine ingredients and formulas for practice potions.

For Liang Mu, knowing the effects of a Magic Medicine ingredient was sufficient to craft new formulas on the fly. Therefore, his current priority was to commit to memory the effects of various Magic Medicines.

The "Classic of Materia Medica" could fully meet his current needs, but if he could also tap into Prof. Snape's knowledge, that would be the icing on the cake.

Ultimately, Liang Mu chose both the "Classic of Materia Medica" and "Alchemy Notes." While he was ambitious, he also knew where to draw the line.

Over the next few days, Liang Mu settled into his research-intensive lifestyle. Perhaps due to the Eastern influence, he found the "Classic of Materia Medica," with its Eastern style, more comfortable to study than the Hogwarts textbooks.

*Ding*

New knowledge acquired: Potions: Level 1

As Liang Mu turned the final page of the "Classic of Materia Medica," a notification from the system chimed in his ears, snapping him back to reality.

He checked his panel:

Knowledge and Skills:

Ability: Potions

Level: LV1

(You now have a rudimentary understanding of Magic Medicine ingredients and basic potion-making skills.)

Liang Mu arched an eyebrow, feeling that the skill learning prompt was a bit delayed. After all, he had already crafted over a dozen unique potions in the past few days.

Could the delay be due to the lack of systematic instruction from a teacher?

Tapping on the table, Liang Mu glanced at his divination skill. Unlike the belated Potions notification, divination had prompted him on the very day he learned it. This reinforced his resolve to seek mentorship from Prof. Snape.

With this in mind, Liang Mu's eyes drifted to a folder beside him, containing information gathered by the Old Steward.

"Know yourself and your enemy before making a move" was Liang Mu's motto. To ensure a peaceful study experience at Hogwarts, he believed it was crucial to stay informed about the other players' activities.

He opened the file, and detailed personal profiles appeared before him. Spotting a photo of a girl with long green hair, Liang Mu smirked to himself. These people were far too easy to track down.

He counted the profiles—twenty in total, matching the number of players who had entered the Plane with him.

Three additional photos popped up, highlighting four players, including Liang Mu, who all possessed certain skills. Among them was a Gryffindor fourth-year senior who served as the guide for newcomers to this Plane and was also a prime focus of Liang Mu's attention.

Liang Mu was only under their watchful eye, and as long as they didn't interfere with his education, he was content to let them expend their efforts on him.

There were countless ways to eliminate these individuals, even in a world where magic existed. For instance, Liang Mu could instruct the Old Steward to hire assassins to take out these Players with a bullet to the head or an explosive demise, considering the current era of the Cold War.

If all else failed, food poisoning was always an option. There were plenty of methods at his disposal.

But he decided to play it safe.

With a sigh, Liang Mu stood up and summoned the Old Steward to escort him to the basement. He recalled a book titled "Secrets of Hundred Poisons" that seemed particularly fitting for the situation.

"Love is not strange," he mused. Poison was just another tool in one's arsenal.

He eyed the black box on the table, which emitted a faint glow. It was devoid of any intricate patterns, save for the embossed title "Secrets of Hundred Poisons."

Item: Secrets of Hundred Poisons

Quality: White

Type: Knowledge

Effect: Enhances Potions skill level and imparts knowledge of various poison formulas.

Requirements: Potions Level 1

Price: Not for trade

Origin: Kunlun Academy, Five Poison Institute

Note: Have you heard? This book whispers secrets!

Warning: This is a Black Magic tome. Studying it carries inherent risks.

Clearly, this was a tome verified by the Plane, allowing it to be brought into Paradise, though sadly, only Liang Mu could study it.

The box didn't feel like wood, nor did it resemble metal despite its black sheen. His extensive experience suggested it was likely made from some kind of insect exoskeleton.

Yet, Liang Mu heard no whispers from the book, indicating that its secrets would only be revealed upon opening the box.

The dangers of a Black Magic book were unknown, but the lack of dire warnings from the Plane suggested minimal risk.

Furthermore, the Old Steward's consent to his studying the book implied an understanding of its risks and, presumably, solutions to any potential problems.

At least, that was the hope.

Pressing down on the lid, Liang Mu cautiously released the lock. Next to him were two empty bottles, prepared with an antidote and a Magic Potion, just to be safe.

After checking his status and confirming everything was in order, Liang Mu gently opened the box.

A streak of black light shot out from the box, heading straight for the door of Liang Mu's shop.

Just as he thought!

Liang Mu's heart raced as he swiftly turned his head to avoid the oncoming light, eager to see what it actually was.

The black light settled on the ground, revealing a small three-inch snake coiled there, its black scales shimmering with iridescent colors in the sunlight.

The snake lifted its triangular head, fixing its gaze on Liang Mu, flicking its tongue continuously. Its upper body rose, poised to strike again.

Liang Mu remained still, his gaze locked on the vibrant black snake. He aimed his wand at the creature, feeling the magic within him surge rapidly towards the wand.

"Obstacles upon obstacles, so many to overcome."