Elric never expected that making money could be so smooth.
With silver coins in his hand, he felt his future becoming clearer.
That night, he spent forty copper coins to stay in a simple inn.
For someone who had once wandered the streets, this was an unprecedented luxury.
It was Elric's first time staying in an inn, and he felt both nervous and excited.
He asked the attendant to bring him a large wooden tub filled with hot water, steam rising gently from it.
He took out the bottle of bone-tempering elixir and, without hesitation, poured it all into the hot water. A faint medicinal fragrance instantly filled the air.
After undressing, he cautiously entered the hot water.
The water was scalding, and Elric almost cried out in pain as his skin turned red from the heat, but he gritted his teeth and endured.
The bone-tempering elixir needed to be activated in high temperatures, though the process would be excruciating.
As his body gradually adjusted to the water temperature, Elric began to feel a powerful force seeping into him.
It slowly permeated his limbs and bones, which began to heat up.
This was the elixir taking effect, strengthening his body.
Elric closed his eyes, feeling the heat and the power of the elixir spread through his body.
As he endured the pain, Calista floated out of the jade pendant, gently hovering above the hot water.
"If you can endure tonight, by tomorrow morning, you'll be a First Realm psychic," Calista said.
Hearing this, Elric clenched his teeth and held on.
As time passed, the medicinal power in the water grew stronger, his skin turned even redder, and his body temperature continued to rise.
Every minute felt like an ordeal.
Gradually, Elric's body began to exude a dark, foul-smelling liquid.
These were the impurities in his body, forced out by the power of the elixir.
After enduring the torment of the elixir all night, the next morning came.
Elric finally crawled weakly out of the wooden tub.
He felt utterly exhausted, his legs wobbly and barely able to support him as he walked.
Despite his physical fatigue, he felt an unprecedented clarity.
His mind was sharper than ever, and his senses had greatly improved.
He could now hear, see, and even smell things he had never noticed before.
This was the first obvious change after stepping into the First Realm as a psychic.
"Congratulations, you are now officially a psychic," Calista reappeared from the jade pendant, her eyes filled with a satisfied smile.
Elric forced a weak smile, but his body had reached its limit.
As soon as Calista finished speaking, he finally succumbed to the overwhelming fatigue and blacked out.
Calista, watching over his weak body, smiled gently and carefully lifted him.
She placed him on the bed, letting him rest properly.
Elric slept for an entire day and night.
When he woke up, it was already the following day.
He stretched, his bones cracking with a series of satisfying "pops."
All his exhaustion had disappeared, and he couldn't help but let out a shout of comfort.
After completing this routine, his stomach started growling, reminding him that he hadn't eaten in a long time.
He quickly dressed, noticing that his clothes seemed to fit better than before.
When he stood up to take a closer look, he was surprised to find that he had grown taller.
The bone-tempering elixir not only strengthened his body but also allowed him to grow significantly without him realizing it.
After heading downstairs, Elric immediately ordered a large bowl of meat soup and two loaves of bread, devouring them ravenously.
Only after finishing all the food did he feel truly alive again.
It had been so long since he'd eaten his fill, and this meal left him immensely satisfied.
Just a few days ago, he had been sleeping on the streets, starving and freezing, but now he was sitting in an inn, enjoying hot soup and bread.
Thinking of this, a pang of sorrow struck his heart, and the image of Toby flashed through his mind.
He had to become stronger; only then could he avenge Toby.
After leaving the inn, Elric already had his plan for the day in mind.
He intended to go to Blackstone City's bustling commercial street to buy some tools for herb gathering.
This commercial street was famous throughout the city, where almost anything could be found.
It not only sold various low-level psychic skills and weapons but also offered potions and even psychic beasts for sale.
As long as you had enough money, this place could fulfill all your needs.
Elric quickened his pace toward the street.
Even from a distance, he could already hear the bustling noise of merchants shouting, creating an overwhelming atmosphere.
When he finally stepped into the commercial street, the sight before him left him stunned.
Both sides of the street were lined with stalls and shops, displaying an array of goods.
The streets were packed with people, and the air was thick with the spirit of commerce.
He had never dared to enter such a place before, as he simply didn't have the money.
Today was the first time he had set foot in this area.
Elric wandered past various stalls and shops, his eyes dazzled by the overwhelming display of items, almost forgetting why he had come here in the first place.
He couldn't help but stop and stare at the variety of rare and exotic goods, his curiosity piqued.
Just as he was still looking around curiously, Calista's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"There's something good to the left."
Elric immediately stopped in his tracks and quickly turned to the left.
He saw a stall displaying various old-looking items.
The stall owner was a chubby man, smiling warmly with squinted eyes, appearing very enthusiastic.
"Come and take a look at my goods.
These are all valuable antiques," the man called out cheerfully as soon as he saw someone approach.
He didn't care about Elric's age—business was business, after all.
"Hey there, kid. Looking to buy something?"
The fat man rubbed his hands together, his eyes scanning Elric as if trying to gauge whether this child was ready to make a purchase.
Elric didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he quietly examined the items on the stall, waiting for further guidance from Calista.
"Are these really all antiques?"
Elric asked, pretending to be puzzled.
The fat man beamed and eagerly began introducing the items on his stall, trying to make each one sound priceless.
Calista's voice spoke again in Elric's mind.
"That purple stone is something good."
Upon hearing this, Elric didn't show immediate interest. Instead, he remained cautious, maintaining a calm facade.
He casually inquired about a few other items, acting as though he were just browsing without urgency.
When he felt the timing was right, he pointed at the purple stone, pretending to ask nonchalantly.
"What's this purple stone?"
A sly glint flashed in the fat man's eyes as he chuckled.
"Oh, this purple stone? It's a rare item! I didn't even want to sell it, but since you've taken an interest, I can give you a good price."
He held up five fingers.
"Five copper coins?"
The fat man shook his head.
"Five silver coins."
Hearing the fat man quote five silver coins, Elric cursed him inwardly for his greed.
He only had four silver coins and fifty copper coins on him, the rest stored at the inn.
Elric took a deep breath, staying calm, and nonchalantly replied.
"Five silver coins? That's way too expensive.
You say this stone is worth five silver coins, but it doesn't look like much to me.
At most, I can offer one silver coin."
He tried to bargain and bring the price down as much as possible, hoping to buy the stone without going over his budget.
His expression remained casual, ensuring that the fat man wouldn't realize just how interested he really was in the stone.