Chapter 160: Ring
Jessica jumped over and smiled, "You mean the Swan Potion? Yes, that’s one of the transformation potions. It really can temporarily turn a person into a swan, about ten minutes or so before automatically reverting back. Of course, if a transcendent being actively uses their magic power, they can revert earlier."
She elaborated carefully on the Swan Potion, explaining that this type of transformation potion altered only one’s outward appearance, nothing more. It was useless in combat and belongs to the recreational category of potions.
Carlotta was momentarily speechless, but still bought a bottle, saying she intended to study it.
Then she asked curiously, "Ms. Gray, you said this is one of the transformation potions, does that mean there are other transformation potions as well?"
Jessica nodded affirmatively, "The number of transformation potions will keep increasing, until they become common in every shop. Unfortunately, we only possess the method to produce the Swan Potion."
At this, Jessica shows a hint of regret. She believed this would be a highly profitable business for a long time to come.
"Is this a recent alchemical breakthrough?"
Amelia immediately grasped the situation.
Jessica nodded, revealing the details.
Actually, transformation potions were a type of alchemical concoction only perfected a few months ago. Through the efforts of numerous alchemists, they were gradually spreading and will soon become widely across the Northern Continent.
She emphasized seriously that besides transformation potions allowing one to become ordinary animals, there were also potions that transformed people into monsters. However, those were far more valuable and difficult to produce.
"In truth, if the Sky Island hadn’t unexpectedly appeared, the hottest topic in alchemy circles over these past few years would’ve been transformation potions. But now, the spotlight has shifted entirely to the sky castle, the transformation potions have been completely overshadowed."
Jessica spread her hands in resignation.
Carlotta immediately understood what Jessica meant, clearly referring to the changes brought by the appearance of the floating castle, Sky Castle.
"Brandon Kingdom must be bustling right now. Many alchemists must have gone there, hardly any alchemist could resist the urge to study that floating castle."
Carlotta sobbing.
"Exactly. All the skilled alchemists in our have already rushed to Brandon Kingdom."
Jessica confirmed this.
That floating castle was now the target of every alchemist across the continent.
Fortunately, the newly crowned Queen Olivia Garcia had no intention of opposing alchemists across the continent. Not long ago, she publicly announced her willingness to collaborate with alchemists continent-wide to research the floating castle, jointly pushing the limits of alchemical advancement.
In short, Olivia had broadened her path, any alchemist who got the chance to study the floating castle would owe her a debt of gratitude.
But only someone like Olivia, a queen of a nation, can afford such a move. If Carlotta had suddenly appeared and declared she’d research the Stellar Workshop together with everyone, she’d probably have been obliterated within moments.
Afterwards, Carlotta wandered around the Swan Guild a little more, hoping to find some alchemical items for anti-tracking purposes.
Intelligence reports mentioned that Alistair Carlisle had obtained a seer tracking artifact provided by the Seer magic practitioner, Selene Vire. That was definitely going to be a problem, she needed to figure out a way to deal with it.
’That Selene Vire is truly troublesome. She caused me immense trouble last time, and now again. Don’t let me find an opportunity to kill you.’
Thinking about this, Carlotta’s mood soured slightly, and she silently cursed Selena.
They had no prior grudge, yet she kept interfering unreasonably, really annoying.
After a full round, Carlotta actually discovered an alchemical anti-tracking item.
It was a ring. As long as it was worn, one’s magical energy fluctuations could be concealed, making it difficult for others to detect them. Naturally, it also had resistance against certain tracking alchemical items.
However, this was merely an alchemical item, effective only for Apprentices.
Without the Stellar Workshop, Carlotta would have left empty-handed. But now, she confidently purchased the item.
Then, she wandered around the Swan Guild a little more, casually buying a few common alchemical items before taking Amelia’s hand and leaving.
Crossing the street, they first returned to where their carriage was parked.
Inside the carriage, Carlotta carefully took out the fist-sized Stellar Workshop, placing all the alchemical items and the Swan Potion at its entrance, allowing the Stellar Workshop to absorb them.
Then, two new pages appeared on the wall screen of the Stellar Workshop... Well, this was also the result of Carlotta’s deliberate control, ensuring the extra purchased alchemical items wouldn’t generate crafting recipes, just materials thrown into the furnace.
"Let me see... the upgraded version of the Transformation Potion... No upgrade? Only the Swan Potion can be produced?"
Carlotta couldn’t help but feel disappointed. It seemed she couldn’t produce transformation potions that turned people into monsters.
Like other alchemical potions, it can only be replicated straightforwardly.
That’s how alchemical potions were, unlike alchemical items, they couldn’t offer upgraded versions.
Carlotta then looked at the alchemical item for concealing oneself. This time, an upgrade appeared. She could now craft an alchemical with stronger concealment effects, and the corresponding materials were sufficient.
Without hesitation, Carlotta immediately crafted two.
With two clangs, two rings dropped out from the Stellar Workshop.
Both rings were silvery-white with faint patterns. Carlotta picked them up and examined them, and she was fairly satisfied.
She named both rings "The Concealer."
After putting one on her own finger, Carlotta began casting her card techniques and asked, "Amelia, can you feel my magical movements now?"
Amelia concentrated for a moment, then said, "I can still feel your magical fluctuations, but they’re much weaker. If you’re far away, I won’t be able to detect them at all. Also, although I can feel the fluctuations, I can’t determine your exact tier anymore."
"That’s acceptable."
Carlotta nodded.
Her main goal was to render the tracking artifact held by Alistair ineffective. He was currently very far from her, surely he couldn’t still detect her location?
At once, Carlotta grasped Amelia’s hand and picked up the other ring, beginning to slide it onto Amelia’s finger.
This scene caused Amelia’s pupils to instantly contract, her face involuntarily flushing red.
Carlotta was putting a ring on her...
Of course, she understood Carlotta’s intention, to simply provide her with protective concealment via this alchemical. Yet... yet putting a ring on a girl’s finger often carries another, blush-inducing meaning. Did Carlotta not know that?
Carlotta certainly understood that implication, but right now she wasn’t thinking about it at all, it was purely out of safety concerns.
However, after placing the ring on Amelia’s finger, Carlotta looked up and saw Amelia’s flushed face. A moment’s thought made her realize exactly what was going on.
A sudden impulse stirred within her, a desire to propose to Amelia. But the two of them had only just established their relationship; wouldn’t a proposal be too sudden?
More importantly, she wanted to propose to Amelia under absolutely safe conditions. Right now, too many enemies still remain unaddressed, it wasn’t the right time.
"Let’s go, let’s take another walk. Although it’s late at night, for us it’s just like morning."
Amelia spoke first.
"Alright, let’s keep walking."
Carlotta immediately stepped down from the carriage.
The two naturally held hands and began wandering around Swan Bay.
Although it was a port city, Swan Port was truly bustling. The large number of stranded travelers had brought unprecedented vitality to the area.
Many people originally intended to sell their goods in the Bass archipelago, but since so many people had chosen to stay here, perhaps conducting business locally wasn’t such a bad idea, it might even be more efficient.
Seeing this, Carlotta took the opportunity to purchase some alchemical materials, hoping to slightly advance the construction progress of her first-tier ship. If completed, this vessel will allow her to dominate the seas, rendering 95% of maritime enemies irrelevant.
As for a second-tier ship... that would be even better. Unfortunately, the demand for various alchemical materials was enormous, and she still had a long way to go.
When they reached the seaside, Carlotta suddenly had an idea. She took out the Swan Potion and said to Amelia, "Want to try turning into swans? I’ve never used a transformation potion before, I’m kind of curious."
Sure.
Amelia was curious about it too.
Transformation Potions were a relatively recent research breakthrough, fresh and intriguing to anyone.
Immediately, Carlotta took out a bottle of Swan Potion, opened it, and drank it down.
Just a few seconds after drinking the Potion, Carlotta felt her vision beginning to shift.
Amelia, watching closely, saw Carlotta’s form rapidly changing. In a short moment, right before her eyes, Carlotta transformed into a large white swan, flapping its wings.
"I’ve changed?"
The large white swan spoke.
"Can we still talk?"
Amelia curiously reached out a finger and poked the swan in front of her.
"Yes, we can still talk. But other than that, I feel so weak, truly like a swan now."
Carlotta said.
She could feel the dormant magic within her body. She could forcibly use magic, but Jessica from the Swan Merchant Guild had warned her: if magic was used, the transformation effect would be forcibly broken, and she’d revert back immediately.
"I’ll try too."
Amelia, now interested, also took out a Swan Potion and transformed herself.
In an instant, two fluffy white swans appeared by the seaside.
They could still speak. Chattering as they played by the shore, the ocean at midnight no longer seemed so afraid.
This moment lasted about ten minutes before ending.
Carlotta naturally reverted back to her original form, her clothes perfectly arranged just as they were before she drank the Potion.
"If we pretend not to speak, pretend to be ordinary swans approaching others, couldn’t we use it for surprise attacks?"
Carlotta mumbled.
Although the Swan Potion was considered a recreational alchemical potion with no combat use, whether it could actually be used in battle was something she had her own judgment about.
The Swan Merchant Guild had the Swan Potion, didn’t other merchant shops in the port also have similar transformation Potions?
Carlotta immediately took the reverted Amelia by the hand and walked around Swan Bay. Sure enough, she soon found several transformation Potions and bought them.
Cat Potion, Dog Potion, Boar Potion, Horse Potion, Ram Potion.
Five types in total.
Of course, these names were just general terms. In reality, the Potions had more detailed classifications. For example, the Cat Potion included distinctions such as calico cat, tabby cat, orange cat, and so on.
Carlotta tested them with the Stellar Workshop. As long as one type of cat transformation Potion exists, say, the Calico Cat Potion, the others, like Tabby Cat Potion or Orange Cat Potion, didn’t need to be purchased separately. The Stellar Workshop could provide them.
"These Potions could actually be used to ambush people."
Carlotta told Amelia.
If you transform into a harmless little kitten and approach someone, who will be heavily on guard?
And if the target knew about transformation Potions? That’s fine too, just transform using a type not currently for sale, such as a Golden Shaded Cat Potion. When others see there’s no such Potion being sold, they’ll assume it’s just an ordinary cat.
Amelia listened to Carlotta, her odd expression. "Why are you suddenly thinking about ambushing others? Who exactly do you want to ambush?"
The ones Carlotta wanted to ambush were naturally people like Alistair from the Carlisle family. Although she had used the concealment ring to block their tracking, the fact that they had pursued her from Wales all the way here was still quite annoying.
She felt she couldn’t keep being passively chased. Sometimes, she should seize an opportunity to strike first.
Ambushes were a very good method.
Although the Carlisle family members who came were all Resonators, at least those early tier Resonators might be managed?
"Just something to prepare for in advance. Besides, if we master the art of ambush, others won’t easily ambush us with the same method."
Carlotta smiled.
She thought that from now on, whenever she saw animals approaching, she should be cautious, just in case.
Amelia, after hearing this, also found it reasonable. "At present, it seems the ordinary animals that transformation Potions can turn into all require a certain body size. Cats and dogs are probably the smallest possible forms, transforming into insects isn’t possible. However, this is just the known situation on the market. We don’t know whether alchemists have already developed transformation Potions capable of turning into insects. So we should be wary of insects too."
Carlotta nodded deeply in agreement.
Being cautious was never wrong.
After walking around, the two returned to the carriage and began practicing cultivation during the latter half of the night.
Carlotta no longer had anything left to practice regarding Elven Knight Path, so she focused on Card Magic.
She looked through the "Complete Guide to Card Magic" and crafted several new cards.
For example, the Soundproof Card, which, when activated, enveloped the carriage, no matter what sounds or noises occurred inside, they wouldn’t leak outside.
Then there was the Anti-Vibration Card, which, when activated, could suppress vibrations within a certain area.
And the Dark Night Card, which could plunge an area into darkness, making it impossible for someone standing right beside it to see anything but pitch blackness inside.