The analysis and study of materials is a long-term and boring work, and it is impossible to produce results in a short period of time. However, Gong Hao believes that if he devotes himself to a certain aspect, it is still possible to make a breakthrough in a short period of time.

Especially when this kind of research is completely blank in the entire field of alchemy.

What he is now working on is the sap of dragon's beard, which is used to make corrosive potions.

This dragon's beard grass was originally cultivated in Sector 13. After Storm Fang and other monsters escaped from prison, Area 13 was the most damaged. Gong Hao suspected that all the demonic beasts might have gone around over there, why...... Eighty percent went to him to thank him.

As a result, Area 13 was the most severely damaged, and the Dragon's Whisker Grass was completely destroyed, and the materials used to make the corrosive agent lacked important raw materials, so it had to be temporarily stalled. At present, only a small amount of refined juice is in the warehouse, and after it is used up, it is completely gone.

Through research, Gong Hao found that the reason why dragon's beard grass can become the main material of corrosion agents is not because of how good its effect is, nor because of how high its compatibility with other materials is, but because the rhizome of dragon's beard grass itself can be used to make anti-corrosion agents.

Gong Hao knew that the application of corrosive agents has always been double-sided when he was in the library, not only to make high-efficiency corrosive agents, but also to make a protective film that can prevent corrosion. Otherwise, you won't be able to smear it on your own weapons - you won't be able to corrode someone else's armor, but you'll be able to rot your own weapons first.

Because it can provide a good material for separator film, it has become the most suitable main material for corrosive agents.

If this is the case, then it is not difficult to replace the dragon's beard grass with other materials, and it is rare to find the right separator.

Corrosion-resistant separator ......

Gong Hao remembers that when he was in the laboratory, he had been engaged in the research of acid and alkali resistance of the separator film, and he was completely familiar with the formula and processing methods.

Great! Gong Hao almost called out.

If he could do it, not only would he be able to resume the production of corrosive agents, but he would be sure that he would be able to further increase the efficacy of corrosive agents.

Despite the poor conditions, Gong Hao immediately said he would do it.

He follows Lancelot to the jungle every day, looking for alternative materials. After returning, various chemical materials are refined.

Although the Magical Continent is different from the Material Continent in many ways, there are also many similarities. They may be behind material technology in many ways, but they are also ahead of material technology in many ways.

Gong Hao made full use of all available means to make all the materials needed in his spare time.

Others don't know what he's doing when they see him crazy like this, but since Hines gave him this permission, everyone can't say anything.

Twenty-six days later, he finally finished making the first diaphragm.

Holding this isolation film, Gong Hao's excitement can be imagined.

On the same day, Hines heard that Gong Hao had completed a new corrosive agent and came to test the effect in person.

Looking at the excellent corrosive effect, Hines's expression was so surprised that he could almost swallow a large duck egg.

"I have to say, Gler, you are a brilliant genius. You've made the corrosive agent more effective while requiring less materials and crafting, which is unthinkable considering you've only been an apprentice for two months. Hines regained his image as a kind old man.

But Gong Hao will never forget the hideous expression on the face of this old bastard when he gave him an ultimatum a month ago.

It's as if he has two faces, one smiling that gives you an affirmative look when you're doing well, and one a fierce face, and that face is woven from the blood and skins of countless people.

"All thanks to your teachings and the help of Master Andrew. Gong Hao replied respectfully.

"Andrew? I know he admires you. His talent in alchemy is limited, but his ability to manage his subordinates is good. The old man nodded with the corrosive potion, "Well, I expect you to do better, Gler." ”

"I'm sorry, Master Hines, but I'm afraid that's all I can do. ”

"Why?"

"Because tomorrow the Liberty is coming. I think this time, they will send in new apprentices. When the time comes, I'll be back in my place. ”

Hines was silent for a while: "It's a pity, Gler, in fact, I'm not willing to let you go." ”

———————————————

Early the next morning.

The Liberty enters port.

They brought unfortunate news.

Two days after the Liberty went to sea, Chakle's chosen apprentice for Purgatory Island accidentally fell into the sea. By the time they found him, all he had left was his skeleton. Chakra told Hynes that it would be very difficult to find another good apprentice, as it took him a month to find one, and he died in an accident.

That same evening.

In Hines's lab.

"Mentor, I think we should let Siegler stay in the Alchemy Tower. He's a genius and he can help us solve a lot of problems. In the two months he's been here, everyone has seen what he's done. He did better than a real apprentice. "It was Andrew who spoke.

Pierre objected: "I don't see it that way, Mentor, Huygliel is getting closer and closer to our secrets. If this continues, one day he will find out all this. ”

Andrew sneered: "Piye, I respect you as an excellent alchemist, better than me in alchemy, but you obviously don't know how to manage and how to use people. Huey Glyre is a genius. And we need such geniuses. ”

Hines asked, "Andrew, do you really think that kid can help us?"

"Yes, Mentor. Our research on the Troll God has been stagnant for many years, and His Majesty is not satisfied. But I think he might give us hope...... We need some fresh ideas. And the alchemist also needs fresh and energetic blood. Look at his achievements, in just two months, he has already proven what he is capable of. No, perhaps it should be said that he had already proven himself when he was still a servant and still fiddling with the flowers. Oh my god, if it were someone else, his performance from a year ago alone would have made him an apprentice. He had worked ten times harder than anyone else, and had done things that other servants and apprentices could not do. He's even improved the recipe!" Andrew exclaimed.

Pierre glared at Andrew: "Andrew, you shouldn't yell at your mentor. ”

Andrew craned: "I'm sorry, mentor. ”

Hines waved his hand to show that he didn't mind: "Then you mean ......"

"Open the alchemy pagoda below the fourth floor, allowing him to enter and study freely. Andrew said.

Piemonster cried out, "What we're discussing is whether we should keep him in the Alchemy Pagoda while you want to give him more power?"

"We can take the information of the flesh golem, the undead golem and the demon spirit, and put all the crafting in the valley, and give the rest to him. Maybe he can make a flesh puppet that doesn't need to be refined?"

"If that's the case, you'll need to give him that thing......" Hines hesitated.

Pierre shouted: "It must not be given to Huyglaire, he is only a servant!"

"We can first transcribe a copy of the information of the flesh puppet and the undead puppet to him, if he can restore the technology of Electra and create a real flesh golem, then we might as well consider letting him join the research of the troll god, and even the engraving of the magic pattern, the space ring, the teleportation array, and so on. ”

"Oh my God, Andrew, are you crazy? You're raising yourself the most formidable enemy of the future. Probably even the most terrible enemy of the entire empire. I can't imagine what kind of revenge he will take on us if he learns of the spirit seed in his body. Pierre shook his head.

"Pierre, you're always so alarmist. If that's the case, we can kill him as soon as possible. Don't forget that because he has a spiritual seed in his body, his life is in our hands, and he has no right to resist. I just want to use his potential as much as possible before he discovers the truth and decides to betray us. ”

Hines stopped the argument between the two apprentices and said, "Let's let Chakra continue to look for a new apprentice." ”

Andrew was discouraged that Hines did not take his advice.

A month later, when the Liberty re-entered the port, Chakra looked helpless.

He told Andrew that the second apprentice, whom he had worked so hard to find, had fallen ill and died on the way.

——————————————————

"Master Hines, are you looking for me?"

Gong Hao shouted respectfully at the door.

Hines looked at Gong Hao playfully: "I have to say, you are very lucky, little one. ”

"Yes, Master, it is the luck of my life to meet you and follow you. ”

"No, that's not what I mean. Hines shook his head, and he asked Gong Hao to come and sit down, and he sat next to him.

Then he looked at Gong Hao and said, "This month, you have improved the formulas of the two potions, and in just three months, you have achieved a contribution that most apprentices can't do." Tell me how you did it?"

"Hard work, Master Hines, Master Lancelot has taught me that there is no more important talent than hard work. I think that's true even for alchemy, with a little bit of luck and the Master's guidance, of course. ”

"Well said, you're really ashamed of me, because I barely taught you anything. Hines stood up, and he said, "I heard that you asked Andrew to do some interesting tools and use those tools to do those things, right?"

"Yes, master, that's all from the folk practice, some tricks. But if you're interested, I'll show you. ”

"Without that, I wouldn't be interested in them, and they don't mean anything to me. ”

Gong Hao looked at Hines with some confusion, and Hines said, "I think it's time for me to teach you something." Gler, do you know what the true meaning of the existence of an alchemist is?"

Gong Hao shook his head.

"Yes, you don't, because you never thought you were an apprentice in magic, did you?"

"Magic apprentice?" Gong Hao was a little surprised.

When did you become an apprentice in magic? It's a joke.

Even when Ivo threw him the mage's meditation manual, he hadn't really made any effort to cultivate. For him, it is imperative to achieve results in his work first. But now, Hines tells him that he is already an apprentice of magic.

"Yes, a magic apprentice, it's just that you never realize it. You see yourself as a craftsman. Siuegler, an alchemist, is not an architect, not a craftsman, not any ordinary profession. It is the same as the magician, noble, great, and mysterious. In fact, it's magic. Therefore, the alchemist is not a craftsman, and the alchemist does not use ordinary power, but the power of magic. The methods you use are only suitable for the folk, not for the magical realm. You may be able to achieve great things with potions in some clever way, but you're likely to stop there. You must know that the field of alchemy is very vast, and the power of magic must be used in almost every place. And you can't put magic in a bottle and study it. ”

"Whether it is the refining of potions, the enchantment of weapons, or the production of puppets, or even the production of high-level items such as space rings, they are all inseparable from the power of magic. Alchemists may not be able to use all kinds of magic as freely as magicians, but our purpose is the same. Alchemists only use different means to achieve what the magician wants to achieve. Think about it, an earth-based mage can whip up a sandstorm and make a piece of land weed-less and unable to produce food, but they can't create waves like a water-based mage. However, the water mage could not control the flames as freely as the fire mage, and it rained fire all over the sky. For alchemists, we can't do it with the same wave of our hands as they do, but in the same way, we can achieve our goals through the objects we make. All the things that magicians can do, we alchemists can do, but the methods are different and the effects are different. This is the biggest difference between an alchemist and a magician. Why do you think we make potions? Because alchemists aspire to have healing powers like the Light Priest, but we also love the terrible curse of the Cursed Mage. They can do it all with spells, and we can do the same with potions. ”

"Therefore, what alchemists are looking for is actually the power of magic, not making effective tools. Rather than inventing a lens that can replace microvision, I prefer to invent a way for me to own or use microvision, which is the difference and the meaning of the alchemist's existence. If you can't make magic your goal, you'll never reach the pinnacle of alchemy, and you'll be a good craftsman at best. ”

Gong Hao was sweating profusely when he heard this, he never dreamed that the true meaning of the existence of the original alchemist lay in this. It seems that many of his previous ideas about alchemy were misunderstood. And what Hines is telling him now is exactly what Gong Hao has overlooked.

It's just that he doesn't understand, how can the old thing have the heart to teach him these things today?

He didn't think Hines had a moment of kindness.

He suddenly remembered what Hines had said when he first entered the door: "You're lucky." ”

I see.

The hard work he has been putting in, all kinds of adventures, I am afraid that now it has come to fruition and officially rewarded him.

Sure enough, Hines said, "Of course, I'm very satisfied with your performance in potions, you're a smart kid who always thinks differently about how things come to your problems. This is exactly what we are lacking at the moment. Chakra sent two apprentices, but both died. For the past three months, you've been here to replace Neil, and I think you're more than capable of being an apprentice, so I've asked Chakra to stop bothering to find a new apprentice, and from today onwards, you're an official member of the Alchemy Tower's apprenticeship. Below the fourth floor of the Alchemy Tower, you will be open to you, and you can learn whatever you want. If you don't understand anything, you can always come and ask me. I hope you can continue to use your genius, and maybe it won't be long before you become my right-hand man. ”

This long-awaited sentence finally sounded in Gong Hao's ears.

At that moment, he let out a long sullen breath in his heart, and he said respectfully, "Thank you very much, Master Hines. ”

"Thank fate, think about the death of those two new apprentices, and the death of Neil, this may be the choice of fate. Fate is destined to keep you working here. Hines replied.

Is it fate? Gong Hao smiled slightly.

So if fate is destined to send you murderers to hell, will you accept it?

He walked out of the alchemy pagoda with ease.