My health recovery is incredibly fast.

Now... the Temple of the Mage strictly restricts the movement of people between regions, as well as the dissemination of knowledge between different regions.

People living in a certain region may never be able to go to other places in their entire lives unless they become high-ranking mages and are qualified to serve as advisors, in which case they will have the opportunity to work in other places.

In this situation.

Cross-regional tourism cannot become a reality.

Unleashing blood magic to kill monsters with bare arms is a pipe dream.

Despite possessing a great deal of blood magic talent, Xia Zuo was like a caged bird, confined to a safe and comfortable environment.

Fortunately, the Blood Elemental servants were deep inland, giving him a glimmer of hope to grind monsters and gain experience.

Rexor took out a secret communication ring, sent a secret message with his finger, and said after receiving a reply:

"Xia Zuo, let me tell you something."

Rexor sat back down on the recliner, patted the wooden stool next to him, and gestured for Shazo to sit down.

“I’ve mentioned to you before that the power of bloodlines appeared in the Second Era. The Temple of Mages collected all historical documents related to bloodlines from the world and sealed them in the Temple’s library. This meant that the vast majority of people in the Temple’s territory were unaware of the existence of the power of bloodlines. For them, the only way to cross social classes was to learn alchemy after acquiring affinity and, if they were lucky, become mages.”

“But to be honest,” Rexor pointed to himself with his thumb, “we Witchers are products of bloodline power. In the 10th century of the Fourth Age, we were called [mutants].

Rexol pulled out the No. 5 Adaptation Potion from his potion bag and waved the golden bottle in front of him.

"You've been drinking this potion for a few days now, so you must have felt its benefits. It strengthens your body painlessly and without side effects. All you have to do is swing your hammer and shield and engage in combat training with me."

Xia Zuo stared intently at the bald man nodding his chin.

"But you must understand, in the Fourth Age, before the adaptation potion was improved to what it is today, it took the lives of the vast majority of those who took it. They breathed their last in helpless struggle, collapsing in the basement of the Witcher's camp, bearing the indifference and contempt of the world. Only we mutants know how much pain and resentment they endured."

A trace of pain flashed in Rexor's eyes, as if his past experiences had wounded him deeply, and even after a thousand years, they still stirred his thoughts.

“Let’s get back to the main topic.” Rexol took two metal boxes out of his alchemy pouch, opened the lids on the recliner, and showed the 20 vials of potion inside.

"Adaptive potions numbered 1 to 10 were improved from a trial potion called [Green Herb Decoction]".

"In the Fourth Age, the main ingredients of the herbal decoction were forktail spinal fluid, lemur venom glands, albino vampire tongues, yam, plantain, datura root, and optional ingredient albino giant centipede protein. Its base was a mixture of mother's tears, wild rye juice, and thatch juice."

Rexol pointed to the metal box containing the adaptation agents numbered 11 through 20.

"In those days, after drinking the herbal decoction, the apprentice demon hunters would be given four different decoctions and then thrown into a swamp full of monsters to stay in for a whole night. This trial was called the Dream Trial."

"It can activate the effects of the werewolf's rage, granting witcher apprentices darkvision and causing mutations in their bone marrow and hormones, greatly enhancing their physical advantages. However, it will also cause them to lose their fertility."

“Bone marrow…” Xia Zuo repeated the word.

There is a book in the field of bone sac alchemy called "The Making and Storage of Bone Sacs".

Xia Zuo has only seen the title of the book so far and has not yet read the detailed contents on the pages.

However, considering the role of bone marrow in the skeleton, it is not difficult to speculate that the core of the bone sac is likely related to bone marrow.

Rexol also mentioned bone marrow.

From what he said, the Demon Hunter school uses potions to modify a person's bone marrow and improve their physical attributes.

Since both the Demon Hunter School and Bone Sac Alchemy are related to bone marrow, they must have something in common, and perhaps even a very profound connection.

Xia Zuo immediately grasped the key point, took a deep breath, and asked, "Master, what are the medicinal decoctions for the Dream Trial?"

"Giant Mantis Eye Drops, Dagon Essence made from Dagon secretions, Mutant Crab Demon Core, and Worgen Fury made from the fur of High Worgen. These things have long since disappeared, lost to the annals of the Fourth Age. I might as well tell you."

Rexol added, "However, you'd better not tell anyone."

“Yes, Master.” Xia Zuo nodded.

Rexor held up his fingers and gestured over the No. 1 to No. 20 adaptation potions. "Look at these ingredients. Just from their names, you can tell that none of them are non-toxic. Boiling them into a decoction and having trained Witcher apprentices drink it is tantamount to killing them."

Rexor pressed down on Shazo's shoulder and said with some regret:

"Trial decoctions are something we've developed based on experience. Because of the extremely high rate of injury, our decoctions have always been neglected and even looked down upon by alchemists."

"At that time, the Witcher school did not have the help of alchemists."

"This led us to naively believe that the toxicity of the decoction caused the mutation in the body."

"For a long time, we believed that the toxicity of the decoction would cause mutations in the flesh and organs when the body was damaged."

"Just like destruction before construction, the process of decocting medicine destroys our bodies while simultaneously reshaping them."

"As long as you have a strong will, endure the excruciating pain, and see the sun rise tomorrow, you can complete the mutation. But if your will weakens and you give up the desire to live, you will immediately faint and lose your life in a short time."

Rexol paused, sighed helplessly, and continued:

"In the 12th century of the Fourth Age, for several decades no Witcher apprentices passed the Trial of the Grass and the Trial of the Dream. Monsters continued to ravage the land, the Witcher school gradually declined, and the mages were also entangled by powerful demons."

A hint of confusion flashed in Rexol's eyes.

"Just when the Demon Hunter school was about to die out, a group of alchemists suddenly appeared out of nowhere, approached us, and bought the potion formula for the Demon Hunter apprentice trial at a high price."

"They have mastered alchemy to remove the toxicity of monster materials while preserving the essence of the monsters."

"Humans who consume the essence of monsters can possess monster-like physical attributes without experiencing pain, with strength, stamina, and reaction speed far exceeding those of ordinary people."

These people are known as second-generation mutants.

"At that time, the few remaining old demon hunters in our demon hunter school realized that it was the essence of the demon that caused the mutation in the body, rather than the toxicity of the demon materials."

"Those alchemists fitted the second-generation mutants with monster limbs, making them incredibly powerful. However, because they lack elemental affinity, they cannot use elemental magic and are always a little inferior to us first-generation mutants, the Witchers."

Rexol closed the metal box containing the potion and put it back into his alchemy pouch.

"Later on, those alchemists were no longer satisfied with wielding the limbs of monsters, but wanted to create the 'perfect' body."

"They used monster limbs to construct human bodies, but in the end, they only got a bunch of non-human monsters. Some of them changed their research direction and used metal to create humanoid shells... This gave rise to two branches of limb-splitting armor - alchemical bio-armor using monster limbs, and mechanical prosthetics using steel."

Rexor pointed to his forehead. "Both branches have encountered a problem, and that problem lies here: our brains. The alchemists discovered that the brain is the only part of the human body that cannot be replaced with monster materials or alchemical products."

"The brain is very fragile; it will rot if you stir it with a knife even slightly. It is also very delicate, as it can only survive inside our skull. Most importantly, those alchemists discovered that if a person loses an arm, a leg, or even internal organs, that person can still survive, but if they lose their brain, they will definitely die. Even if they survive, they will only be a walking corpse."

Rexol stared directly at Shazzo.

"You should know what happens next."

"Those alchemists believed that souls residing in the brains were controlling humans. They desperately wanted to know where the souls were so they could transfer them to monster materials or mechanical prosthetics... They conducted numerous live experiments, creating the turbulent and bloody Years that were filled with evil."

Chapter 20 Prediction

In the backyard of the Demon Hunter's manor.

A quiet, cold wind swept across the training ground.

Rexol patted Shazzo on the shoulder.

"After you went to Yingrui Academy the day before yesterday to buy the textbook on bio-alchemy, the inner sanctum of the temple discussed it and they believed that with your alchemical aptitude, it would not be a problem for you to grasp the key points of the Limb Split Armor."

"As it turns out, that's indeed the case. What you said about the Limb Split Armor not needing elements is correct, because its theoretical basis is the mutation brought about by the essence of monsters."

"In your alchemical school's terms..."

The bald man rubbed his smooth forehead, reviewing the difficult words and phrases in his mind.

"【Using monster essence to guide a specific mutation in the human body, and then further strengthening the human body with monster limbs or mechanical prosthetics that match the mutation.】This is the core of the Limb Dismemberment Armament."

Xia Zuo carefully noted down what the bald man said and patiently waited for him to reveal the purpose of the conversation.

Rexol picked up the ring from which he had previously received and sent secret messages and shook it.

"The Temple of the Mage has new arrangements."

"Since your alchemy aptitude dictates that you will inevitably discover the existence of demonic essence, then why not open up the relevant teaching materials and alchemy room to you?"

"However, it won't be free. You will enter the advanced biological laboratory in the Posing Building as a researcher, where you will complete research work and learn relevant knowledge at the same time."

Xia Zuo raised an eyebrow and smiled, "That would be perfect."

Ultimately, the knowledge of the alchemy school is definitely more reliable than that of the bearded alchemist Aganna. With the teaching materials provided by the alchemy school, Aganna's collection of books can at most be treated as reference books, rather than theoretical books to guide experiments.

“Before that…” Rexor stood up and said, “you have to advance to the Master-level Poison Alchemist first. And that’s not all. After you pass the advancement test, you will have to go to the outer hall of the temple for further study. Only after you have completed the teaching content of the Master-level Poison Alchemy can you officially start your research work.”

To qualify for the Master-level Poison Alchemist exam, you need to exchange 1000 Citizen Points at the Elite Academy.

There is no set time for this assessment. Once you have redeemed your assessment qualification, you can take an airship to Silvermoon City to participate in the assessment.

Xia Zuo has prepared almost everything needed to participate in the assessment. All he needs to do is exchange for the assessment qualification and buy an airship ticket.

With the number of alien demons within the Silvermoon Federation decreasing sharply, the Category 3 Disaster Emergency Response Department has little to do and can use this relatively free time to complete its promotion assessment and further education.

“Master, let me plan this out carefully, and hopefully we can depart within the next week.” Xia Zuo took out Vickers’s coded communication ring. “Should I inform Director Vickers?”

“Of course.” Rexol nodded. “He will still be your supervisor after you join the biological research group.”

After Xia Zuo finished sending the secret message, Baldy clapped his hands and walked towards the weapons rack. "Alright, let's start training."

...

Before heading home that evening, Xia Zuo stopped by Yingrui Academy to exchange for a promotion assessment qualification certificate.

When redeeming the certificate, a booklet containing important notes was also provided.

The manual states that the promotion assessment is divided into three stages. Only after passing the test in the current stage can one proceed to the next stage. Only by passing all three rounds of tests at once can one be considered to have completed the promotion assessment.

Depending on the candidate's ability to refine drugs, the promotion assessment will last from one to two months.

During this period, candidates are not allowed to use magic or personal alchemical tools.

Items such as alchemy pouches and life alchemy stones must be stored in designated locations and can only be retrieved after all assessments are completed.

It is worth mentioning that every newly promoted master alchemist will have the opportunity to enter the temple for further study.

If Xia Zuo successfully advances to become a master-level poison alchemist, he will have two opportunities for further training.

If they pass other master-level advancement exams in alchemy in the future, they will be able to get additional opportunities for further study.

During dinner, Xia Zuo discussed the promotion assessment with Anruer and Janice.

He explicitly stated that he might be away from home for about a month.

When Janice heard that Xia Zuo was going to "participate in the promotion assessment", her eyes widened immediately! Her eyes were full of admiration.

"Study hard, Janice, especially the practical courses in Poison Alchemy. You must study diligently and develop good habits such as previewing before class, concocting poisons seriously during class, and summarizing and reflecting on your own after class," Xia Zuo said with a smile, looking at her dazed expression.

The Poison Alchemy program at the Elite Academy also emphasizes alchemical potential.