After exploring the Hunters markets for a while longer, Kai decided to head back to the inn.
After returning to his room, he picked the [Principles of Herb Weaving] and started going through it again.
After an hour or so, he put down the book and started practising.
Slowly guiding his Ki toward his hand, Kai forced it out from his finger and soon a tiny blue energy appeared on the tip of his finger.
However it quickly disappeared and Kai felt his Ki decrease a little.
"Why does it keep happening? I can coat my hand with it just fine."
Trying to coat his hand, Kai successfully covered his whole hand with Ki. However the moment Ki left the contact of his skin it started dissipating.
"Let's see, if I continue like this. There is no guarantee that I will succeed. However, if I put all my back into earning money, can I earn 50,000 gold coins in a month or two?"
Thinking about how he spent the last 15 days trying to figure out a way to use [Herb Weaving] with Ki. Kai started thinking about alternatives. Like for example buying a Knowledge Sea.
"In roughly two hours, I made around 15 Basic Vitality Pills. If I work four extra hours and sell each one at 50 copper coins each. I would make around 6 Silver coins every day.
If I continue at this pace, it will take me… More than 200 years to earn 50,000 gold coins."
Helplessly Kai put the [Principles of Herb Weaving] away, and laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Mom, Dad, Liam, Ella I miss you all." Thinking about his family, Kai slowly drifted into dreams.
[Ancient Calendar: 8 April 0001]
Waking up the next morning, Kai washed up and headed out to get some food. Today is Sunday, which means no work.
After getting his refill, Kai returned to his room and buried himself in books.
After an hour or so, he didn't have the mental capacity to continue. Reading same stuff over and over again was making his brain hurt.
So, he decided to roam around a little to unwind his thoughts.
Wandering the streets of Blue Wing Town and Kai saw children playing, hunters going to hunt and people training. Overall living life to the fullest.
"This is the reality now." Mumbling to himself, Kai relaxed a little and decided to head back.
Returning to his room, Kai once again picked up books related to [Herb Weaving] and started going through them one at a time.
Time flies by and in a blink of an eye. It was already evening and Kai felt a little hungry. So, he put the book down and left to get some food.
"Have you heard, today a Mayor was elected."
"Right, what's next? We will be taxed. It's just powerful people playing house nothing more."
The dining area of the inn was as lively as ever. Ordering his food, Kai found an empty table and sat down.
"You have heard, Tu Lang once again failed his Heavenly trial."
"What do you expect, you think passing Heavenly Tria and getting a C-rank Gift is easy."
"I feel sorry for the guy, this was his third try."
"Worry about yourself, you are almost nearing the threshold for the fourth Heavenly Trial."
"I am not aiming for a C-rank Gift, there is this D-rank Gift that I have been eyeing for a while."
"You mean, D-rank Prestige Growth."
"How do you….."
"Wait, it for real, hahah, hahaha, haha I am dying of laughter."
"Hahaha, I bet he really needs that."
Hearing about the Prestige Growth Gift, Kai couldn't help but smile. He knows about Prestige Growth, however he is gifted enough and doesn't need that Gift.
But for some this Gift can be more precious than D-rank Gifts.
Soon, Kai food arrived. Eating and paying the bill, he headed back to his room.
Coming back Kai cleaned his room, back on Earth, he was a messy person. However, learning Alchemy has developed this habit of keeping himself and his place neat and tidy.
Laying on his bed, Kai closed his eyes and started trying to feel the Ki around them. Activating the Innate ability [Devour], he started absorbing the surrounding Ki.
There are two methods of increasing Ki. First one is killing monsters and using the Innate [Devour] ability to absorb the Ki that is released when they die. Second method is absorbing Ki from the environment.
Both methods rely on the Innate ability [Devour] granted by the Emperor to everyone participating in the Ascension Program.
After absorbing the surrounding Ki for more then 10 minutes, Kai felt he had reached his limit. He stopped drawing in more Ki, instead guided his Source Ki to assimilate the newly acquired Ki.
"Stats!"
[User: Kai
Age: 19
Ki: 146.5
Profession: Apprentice Alchemist
Innate Ability: Devour
Heaven Gift: Clear Mind (F), Heighten Senses (E)
Skills: Fire control (F)]
"Let's continue for a little longer."
Seeing the increase of 0.5 in his Ki reserve, he continued.
After another cycle of absorbing Ki, Kai's Ki reserve reached 147.
"Should I continue?" Looking at the clock, Kai decided to continue refining Ki.
In the past two days, he hasn't been able to refine any Ki due to increase in his workload.
An hour later, Kai's Ki reserve reached 148. An increase of 2 points in less than an hour.
"Let's get some rest." Relaxing his muscles, Kai slowly drifted into dreams.
[Ancient Calendar: 9 April 0001]
Waking up, Kai freshed up at the inn, had breakfast and headed to work.
Along the way, he wanted to stop by Kato bakery. However, remembering his recent big purchase at the Hunters market, he led himself back.
"Here's your list." As Kai entered the Honey pill shop, Miya handed him, his brewing list and returned to her desk.
Taking the brewing list, Kia headed toward his Alchemy room.
[Brewing List
Name: Kai
Date: Year 0, Month 4, Day 9
Task: 50 Basic Vitality Pills.]
"50 Basic Vitality pills. I can make them in three batches." Reading the list, Kai startes refining.
After adding the elemental essence, he would rest a little and then once again start reading books related to [Herb Weaving].
After a full six hours of refining pills, Kai made a total of 51 pills. Two of which being mid-grade pills.
Cleaning the place and making the list of herbs used, Kai left the Alchemy room.
After Exchanging the extra pill for honey points, he left the Honey pill shop.