When evil gods hold a meeting in my head

Richard asked, "I've heard... some potions are very difficult to ingest! Is that related to the method of administration?"

Upon hearing this, Nolan adopted the demeanor of a professional blender.

She explained with certainty, "Of course there are. Do you think potions are like plain water? I can tell you that some potions have serious psychological side effects! Some potions even require a specific ritual to be consumed and digested. And the core of the ritual is 'compatibility'."

She stretched out her finger and tapped lightly on the table:

"Simply put, a ritual requires the user to take the potion at the right time and in the right environment. For example, some combat potions for the Knight rank are best taken at dawn or in an environment filled with fighting spirit, which maximizes the potion's properties. On the other hand, some mental potions for the Spirit Toucher rank are best taken at night in an absolutely quiet environment, which avoids external interference with the fusion of mental power."

Richard listened intently, and couldn't help but ask, "What are the consequences if the ritual isn't followed?"

Nolan's tone turned serious: "At best, the potion's effect will be halved, requiring several times the time to master the ability; at worst, the side effects will be amplified, such as with mental potions, which could plunge you directly into the abyss..."

These words sent a chill down Richard's spine!

He recalled Lu Ke's madness after using the "I Am the Emperor" potion.

This is a classic example of a failed potion attempt...

He shrank back slightly and continued, "Besides the ceremony, are there any other things I need to be aware of?"

Nolan nodded, seemingly expecting him to ask this, and continued his explanation:

"Of course, the trend of potion consumption can be divided into two schools of thought: one is 'following one's emotions,' and the other is 'going against one's emotions'! This is a choice that all extraordinary individuals must make before entering the field. There is no absolute good or bad, only what is suitable or unsuitable..."

"The 'emotional resonance' approach involves taking the potion based on its inherent emotional properties. For example, if you naturally possess a strong sense of fear, then you're suited to taking potions that strongly evoke fear. The advantage of this method is that it allows the user to seamlessly integrate the potion's power and quickly master its abilities. Initially, there's almost no chance of failure."

Fear again... Do I look like a coward? Why does everyone in the chat have to bring up this topic... Richard thought to himself.

Nolan, oblivious to Richard's subtle expression, changed the subject: "But the drawbacks of this method are also obvious... It amplifies your inherent extreme emotions infinitely, which increases the probability of the user losing control later..."

"What about the rebellious school of thought?" Richard wanted to know more!

Nolan replied:

"It means exactly what it says: when taking a potion, the user must have an emotion that is the opposite of the potion's properties. Actually, you can probably guess what I mean... If you want to take a potion that evokes fear, you'd better be someone who is normally fearless... Doing so will neutralize the extreme emotions brought about by the potion to the greatest extent possible."

"The downside is that the speed at which the ability is mastered will be very slow! The digestion time will be very long, and the user may need several years to fully utilize the potion's effects. More importantly, after the emotions are neutralized, it may cause a disease called 'emotional confusion'! This residue will affect the effect of the next potion, and may even cause rejection reactions when taking it in a different sequence, which is also very risky."

After hearing these words, Richard fell into deep thought. He suddenly remembered what the voice inside him had said... It mocked him for being a coward, someone suited to taking potions from the Puppet Master sequence...

Despite my reluctance to admit it, whether it was the fear I felt when I first arrived in this world and discovered the box in the fireplace, the wariness I felt when facing Anna's illusions, or the panic I felt when confronting the smiling dog in the abyss...

All of this confirms that timidity and caution are indeed traits ingrained in his very being...

Richard considered his own situation and muttered to himself, "Perhaps my situation is more suited to indulging my emotions and consuming the substance... Putting aside the curse that could erupt at any moment, I also need to investigate Luke's condition, and the experiments and the investigation into Alice's death both require the assistance of supernatural powers!"

I don't have the time to slowly refine my potion abilities, nor do I have the resources to bear the subsequent risks brought about by "emotional residue"...

What he needs now is a force that he can quickly acquire and immediately use to protect himself...

Even if this power amplifies his cowardice!

With that thought in mind, Richard stopped worrying and decided to become a true superhuman by taking the puppeteer's potion recipe!

Since the alchemist is right in front of us, why not just hand over the recipe to this only trustworthy person in the realm of the extraordinary...

He carefully took out the potion recipe for the Puppet Master sequence from his inner pocket. The paper was already a little wrinkled from being handled, and there were several ingredient labels that he had repeatedly revised on it...

He spread the recipe paper out on the table and pushed it in front of Nolan: "This is a recipe I stumbled upon... Could you take a look at it for me?"

Nolan then looked at the formula paper.

Her previously somewhat languid expression instantly transformed into fervor!

She suddenly leaned close to the table, her face almost touching the formula paper, as if she had developed a professional habit... entering a state of excitement whenever she saw a potion formula... Nolan immediately noticed that something was wrong with the formula: "You changed the proportions of the ingredients."

Richard clicked his tongue and nodded guiltily, admitting his "crime".

One has to admire the potion concoction master's professionalism! Even Naansanho didn't notice that he had modified the potion recipe... yet the other party saw through it at a glance, it's truly amazing...

"Speaking of which, is this skill of fully understanding potions a supernatural ability bestowed by some sequence?" Richard secretly wondered.

Nolan continued his research on potion recipes.

At this moment, nothing could excite her more than a rare puppeteer's recipe! Especially since she had never seen such a recipe before!

This novel feeling immediately captured her heart and compelled her to run forward!

Although Richard seemed a little anxious, she couldn't care less about him for the moment, completely absorbed in the world of the potion...

"I have great news for you! I have all the herbs listed in this recipe!"

Nolan excitedly grabbed the recipe paper from the table: "I'll concoct this potion for you right now! Trust me... I can definitely concoct a perfect 'Dread Undead'!"