Xia Chengfeng found a few underground burrows within the gnome cave. These were the living quarters of the gnomes.
The largest of the burrows was where the gnome apothecary lived. The place stank to high heaven.
Covering his nose, Xia Chengfeng looted a few items.
[Profession Enlightenment—Alchemist]: These are beginner information on alchemy. You will step on the path of an alchemist after you studied these.
[Plant Almanac (Special Item)]: An almanac that holds records of numerous plants.
[Rage Elixir Formula Lv2]: it records the formula for [Rage Elixir Lv2]. Required ingredients: [Blood Vapor Essence], [Toad Poison], [Magic Power Herb]. You can temporarily activate the potential of your body and increase your battle capabilities after using the rage elixir.
[Life Alchemy Array Lv1 (Skill Book)]: Using the Life Alchemy Array can strengthen your abilities.
[Small Bag of Magic Crystal Coins]: This bag holds 113 magic crystal coins.
Magic crystal coins are a currency that was made of magic crystal ores. These magic ores could be used to absorb energy or be crafted into magic elixirs and magic equipment. Players on any path would have to use these resources, and therefore, they are one of the most traded currencies in the Crypt World.
"Nice, I earned a lot from this!" Xia Chengfeng could not help shouting in joy. Not only did he obtain a Profession Enlightenment this time, but he also got the [Life Alchemy Array]. That was a fundamental technique that alchemists used to strengthen their abilities.
Within the Life Alchemy Array, alchemists could enhance the products they created.
Xia Chengfeng used the [Profession Enlightenment—Alchemist] immediately. Obscure pieces of information instantly swarmed into his mind.
He now wielded information regarding elements, the makeup of items, life energies, and much more. Most importantly, he learned the passive skill of an alchemist—Alchemy.
Alchemy was similar to the inner training techniques of the martial art path, the training techniques of a swordsman, or the meditation of the magic path. It could be used to absorb and control the energy of the outside world.
Unlike the rest of the paths, alchemy did not only allow him to control his abilities, but it also allowed him to control other items that contained energy.
System Notification: You have successfully become an alchemist. Your level will be increased to Lv2.
As he had already amassed enough experience before this, Xia Chengfeng's level rose immediately. His abilities improved once again.
Learn [Rage Elixir Formula Lv2]. Learn [Life Alchemy Array Lv1].
Xia Chengfeng learned another formula and technique. He instantly felt a little fatigued.
Learning too many techniques at once, of course, depleted his mental energy.
Xia Chengfeng had swept the gnome cave clean. He chose to take over this cave as well and obtained a [One Star Space Crystal]. He increased the area of his space bubble by another 10 cubic meters.
"It would be nice if I had someone to help me build a house." Xia Chengfeng cleaned up his space bubble. As an alchemist, he needed to have a fundamental alchemy room.
If he could, it would be best if he built an alchemy castle.
However, limited by his circumstances, Xia Chengfeng could only clear up a plot of empty land and pave the ground with stone blocks. This was his "outdoor" alchemy room.
"I need ten magic crystals, the juice of magic power herbs, and mental energy to carve the Life Alchemy Array." Xia Chengfeng carved the strange patterns of the Life Alchemy Array onto the ground. He set up magic crystals at the eye of the array to act as a source of energy.
As the last stroke was completed, Xia Chengfeng successfully created a level one alchemy array.
He sat in the middle of the alchemy array and felt a warm sensation. It was like the winter sun. It made him feel extremely relaxed.
This was the effect of the Life Alchemy Array strengthening his body. This ritual lasted over ten hours. The Life Alchemy Array would become one with his body after the ritual was over.
While the array strengthened his strength and mental energy, it also increased his defensive abilities and vitality!
As he was fusing with the Life Alchemy Array, Xia Chengfeng accessed the forum and read through the posts.
He found out that while he was exploring the One Star caves, the rest of the players had not been slacking either.
A few of the more confident players had already started exploring One Star caves. It was just that the process was extremely arduous for them.
The number of survivors in area 2222 had already dwindled. In just a few hours, the number had dropped by another 20. They must all have met with misfortune.
The dangers of the Crypt World were unimaginable.
Xia Chengfeng saw a post in the forum that was published by the Sector 2222 Mutual Assistance Association.
"Hearty congratulations to the chairman of the Sector 2222 Mutual Assistance Association, Yu Pengfei, for becoming a Superb Individual!"
"Friends who wish to understand more about becoming a Superb Individual and the art of survival, please join our growing family…"
There were thousands of replies under the thread.
"Impressive, what does being a Superb Individual feel like? Is it the same as what the web novels describe in the past?"
"I want to join you! Really. I've been starving for three days. I don't dare to dig outward!"
"Congratulations, Chairman! You are impressive!"
"The chairman should be the first Superb Individual in the Sector 2222 Mutual Assistance Association, right?"
"I feel that I will die at the hands of a monster sooner or later if I don't become a Superb Individual. Please help me!"
"To think that someone else has already become a Superb Individual!" Xia Chengfeng exclaimed, but he was not surprised. The core members of the various factions must have received many resources from other members.
Besides, they also had a team behind them to come up with plans. It was easier for them to deal with monsters or set traps. It was natural that these factions would have Superb Individuals.
Xia Chengfeng saw that there were many more posts on the trading channel asking to buy Profession Enlightenments, equipment, and resources.
They would buy anything that was put up for sale in seconds.
A new announcement appeared on the trading channel. It read: The trading channel has been upgraded. There will now be a three percent service fee on every trade. We have set an auction house up. A player can display their items there if they pay the fees.
Xia Chengfeng immediately listed his items. He put the hemostatic elixir and corrosive poison up for sale.
Breeze: Sales post. Selling a premium healing product [Hemostatic Elixir Lv1]. I've tried it personally. It stops the bleeding in an instant! One magic crystal coin per bottle. I only have ten bottles for sale.
Breeze: I also have [Corrosive Poison Lv3]. Smothering this on your weapon will allow you to deal with monsters at this stage. It is a necessary item if you wish to explore the outside world and survive! Three magic crystal coins per bottle.
Breeze: Also, I am buying medicinal herbs, equipment, Profession Enlightenments, and other items in bulk quantities. Equal exchange!
A few players replied instantly after Xia Chengfeng published his post.
Little Zuanfeng: Boss, you found something good again! That [Corrosive Poison Lv3] is impressive. I'll take a bottle!
Not many people had Magic Crystal Coins at this stage of the game. There were not many of the coins in circulation. The players who could pay the magic crystal coins were all players who had explored One Star caves.
Bai Yuwei: Hello, boss.
Feifei: "@Breeze (Spiteful emoji) You doomed me! I now… Urgh!"
Feifei was the person who picked up the "rod of divine light" previously. Xia Chengfeng did not know what kind of superb individual he became.
He did not care about him as other players had already approached him for trades.
He sold off the ten bottles of [Hemostatic Elixir Lv1] very quickly. He also sold a few bottles of [Corrosive Poison Lv3]. However, most of the players did not have magic crystal coins and could only trade for them using items of equivalent value.
Xia Chengfeng obtained a few more daily necessities and herbs. The most useful of the things he got was a design.
[Stone Building Design Lv1]: A design for a small-scale stone hut. You can build a small-scale stone hut after you study this.
The stability and defensive capabilities of a stone hut were higher than that of a wooden hut. Xia Chengfeng intended to find time to learn and build one.
Finally, Xia Chengfeng paid a fee of three magic crystal coins to put his [Profession Enlightenment—Swordsman] on the auction house. (The fee would increase gradually)
At this time, there were not many items in the auction house. The system would notify every trader in the trading channel whenever there was an auction.
System Notification: We are now auctioning the item [Profession Enlightenment—Swordsman] listed by Breeze. Starting price of 100 magic crystal coins.
This system notification caused the trading channel of area 2222 to burst into commotion!
Presently, every other player was still thinking about how to deal with monsters. Any player who became superb individuals were regarded as celebrities in the channel. There was a scarcity of Profession Enlightenments. To think that someone would post it on the auction house! Who would not be envious? Who would not be moved?