My health recovery is incredibly fast.

The alchemical armor of the Church of the Otherworld uses toxins as carriers of nerve signals.

This is because the body's regenerative capacity can compensate for the losses, allowing toxins that are more stable than oxalool to exist in large quantities inside the body.

The Mage Temple can only use bait.

Because toxins can cause permanent damage and significant loss to non-flesh-based alchemical materials, erox was used as a carrier out of necessity to ensure the stability of the materials.

If we completely remove the toxic effects of the toxin while retaining the property that the toxin and its detoxifier can neutralize each other one-to-one, wouldn't we be able to use this non-toxic toxin as a signal carrier?

If this illusion can be realized, then there will be no need to consider the interference of energy fluctuations in the future, and we can directly use [Light Energy Repair] to repair damage.

Instead of studying how to remove the toxicity of other toxins, we should study elemental toxins and promote the meditation method of "highly toxic crystals".

Brilliant!

This is truly a win-win situation.

It turns out that Professor Kulov's deep meditation on elemental toxins had such a profound meaning. It's truly impossible to fathom the intentions of a master alchemist without reaching the level of a master.

Xia Zuo paced back and forth in the alchemy room, rubbing his hands excitedly.

He needed to refine expert-level elemental toxins to improve his resistance, so he took this opportunity to refine a sufficient amount of elemental toxins as a backup. He would then take a few portions of the elemental toxins and condense them into highly toxic crystals, utilizing the resources of the Emergency Response Department to enhance his abilities to a limited extent…

This can't be considered using public office for private gain... after all, it's related to a long-term mission.

hey-hey..

Xia Zuo sat down at the table, took out a blank notebook, and began to write a formal research plan.

He didn't pay much attention to the two research tasks that had to be completed within a time limit.

Finishing tasks ahead of time is a big no-no for slacking off at work... Why put yourself in such a difficult position? Just submit it before the deadline.

Moreover, those two time-limited research tasks were not difficult; they were simply to develop two types of proficient and other erogenous substances. It should be that the experimental center in Tambus State deliberately assigned two simpler tasks to Xia Zuo so that he could gradually adapt to the new work rhythm.

In short, improving your panel attributes in all aspects is the most important thing.

With this mindset in mind, from the moment Xia Zuo stepped into the alchemy room until he left work on time in the evening, he remained hunched over his desk writing plans related to elemental toxins.

He used [Bloodline Sensation] to chat with Anru, who had just finished get off work, and discussed visiting Janice over the weekend. Then he used Windwalk to arrive at the long-missed manor.

In the backyard, only the bald man was sitting by a tree trunk, drinking.

Xia Zuo transformed back into human form and stepped forward to greet him:

"Long time no see, Master Rexor. Where is Master Sereth?"

It wasn't that he was asking a question he already knew the answer to... he just had to be polite.

"He went to the territory of the Crystal Remnants, where the dimensional juncture was under attack by the Church of the Otherworldly Demons and needed assistance."

Rexor glanced at Shazo, his gaze seeming to say, "I know you know where Serites is..."

Xia Zuo pretended not to understand the other person's gaze and walked towards the weapon rack where chainmail and chain mace were placed. Suddenly, an idea flashed into his mind.

"Master, could it be that the Tambus State borders the territory of the Crystal Remnants? Otherwise, how could the plane connection point of these two places be under pressure at the same time?"

Xia Zuo's two questions can actually be broken down into several interconnected sub-questions. If the other party answers them, he can immediately make a series of deductions...

Rexor was already very familiar with the alchemist in front of him, and knew how strong the other party's curiosity about all kinds of unknown things was, as well as the way he tried to find out information in various ways, which could be described as cunning.

"No comment," Rexol replied expressionlessly.

After he finished speaking, as he got up and walked towards the training field, his expression changed slightly, as if he had thought of something.

Rexor drew his chain mace from his waist, unchained it, and swung it a few times, saying:

“I know you’ve met Christo, which was supposed to happen after you joined the Crimson Council. However, I don’t intend to ask her why she suddenly met with you. I just want to train you well and get you where you’re supposed to go.”

Xia Zuo felt a sense of unease. It seemed that Rexor's identity wasn't just that of a messenger for the Crimson Council... it also carried a hint of oversight.

"Master, do you mean that Lady Crestor's early meeting with me violates the Temple's rules?"

“No, no, it’s just that she overstepped the agreement.” Rexol shook his head and picked up the shield on the wall. “You’re a member of the Temple now, haven’t you noticed the special functions of the four schools?”

When the bald man saw Xia Zuo's stunned expression, he knew that the other party definitely hadn't expected this.

"The Alchemy School and the Tower Scholars are responsible for researching alchemical tools and spells, respectively. The Warriors Guild is responsible for training elemental warriors and elemental energy warriors, who have low entry barriers and wide applicability."

"Our Demon Hunter School is small in number, and at the same time, it is the least likely to be corrupted by the Otherworldly Demons. Therefore, while fighting against the Otherworldly Demons, we will also act as the monitors of the Holy Temple. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to the Starry Night Kingdom to investigate a few years ago."

"Oh... I see..." Xia Zuo understood another function of the Demon Hunter School. No wonder both the bald man and the cold-faced man were so rigid and stubbornly adhered to the laws.

Rexol stretched his shoulders and said:

“If you fail to abide by the Temple’s laws in the future, or break the agreement with the Demon Hunter School and do anything outside of what we agreed upon, we will regard your actions as a potential threat.”

"Don't blame me and the other Witchers for being ruthless when the time comes. This cautious, even extreme, approach has saved the Temple no less than a hundred times."

"Alright, let's begin training." Rexor swung his chain mace and walked towards Shazo, who was already wearing his protective gear.

The two have been using real combat to help Xia Zuo improve his physical abilities.

But whether it was a misperception or because he hadn't trained for more than two months, Xia Zuo felt that his opponent's attacks were more aggressive today, and the angles of attack were more tricky... even using techniques like groin strikes.

Could it be that the bald guy didn't dare to look for Krestor's voice, so he came to vent his anger on this newly born pure-blooded mage?

Shazo raised his shield and blocked the heavy hammerhead with a bang, the chains of the chain hammer rattling against the shield.

"Focus!" Rexor shouted, raising his foot to kick the opponent's shield, knocking Shazo, who had been momentarily stunned, to the ground.

Xia Zuo rolled on the spot, took two steps back, and regained his balance in a standard shield-raising stance.

“I will be leaving Poseidon in 7 days, but you still have 3 doses of the official mage-level adaptation potion to take. Do you want to waste all your efforts?”

Rexol spun his chain mace twice and slammed it into the opponent's shield once more.

“You brat, I know you used your innate magic to disguise your blood pattern, and you were very careful not to use too much power to avoid exposing yourself.”

Hearing this, Xia Zuo sighed helplessly.

Wearing chainmail requires only 7 points of Strength, Agility, and Stamina.

Therefore, he deliberately controlled his exertion during training to 7 points of strength.

In fact, his [strength] is 10 points.

Don't be fooled by the mere 3-point difference; in reality, when calculated as a percentage, the difference is a full 40%.

Shazo had been worried about arousing Rexor's suspicion, which was why he hadn't used his full power.

But the other party already knows...

How did he know?

Oh! I understand.

It was Christor and Rexor who talked about the [Balance] trait of the Light element, which is why the bald man was so certain.

Xia Zuo understood the cause and effect, twisted his neck a couple of times to straighten up, and gripped the main hammer handle with his right hand even tighter.

“Alright, Master, it seems that Lady Christo has shared some information with you. In that case, you two are even.”

Xia Zuo swung his chain hammer, used a rudimentary life alchemy stone to consume several sips of a satiety potion, and refreshed the countdown to the end of his [Full of Energy] buff—he had originally intended to let the effect end naturally, squeeze out the remaining energy through training, and then enjoy a proper dinner prepared by An Ru'er when he was starving. Now it seemed that wouldn't be possible...

“Come on, kid, don’t hold back. You’re as good at hiding as a rock-backed crab in a swamp. If I didn’t know a little about you, I would have been easily fooled.” Rexor’s face showed a strange smile, as if he was happy to have discovered Shazo’s little secret.

Xia Zuo swung the chain hammer in his right hand around his side a few times. The heavy hammerhead had considerable inertia after it started spinning, but his right arm remained completely still.

One technique in chain hammer slewing is changing the direction of rotation.

At this moment, the chain hammer in Xia Zuo's hand was rotating clockwise along the horizontal axis, which meant that he intended to launch an attack from bottom to top, in the direction of the hammer's rotation.

A seasoned opponent will see through this very easily.

However, as soon as you move your right hand horizontally to the left, the clockwise rotating hammer head will immediately turn counterclockwise.

This is a commonly used change-of-direction technique, used to temporarily alter the direction of an attack.

As Xia Zuo approached the bald man, he moved his right hand back and forth between his sides, constantly switching the direction of his attack to confuse the opponent's vision.

"Good control. Your wrist strength is better than that of a Witcher Apprentice," Rexor commented, letting his chain mace hang naturally, raising his shield in front of him, forgoing the opportunity to attack first, and intending to respond to Shazor's attack with a defensive counter-attack strategy.

"It is an honor to receive your recognition."

Xia Zuo smiled slightly, his right hand instantly flipped twice, the hammerhead of the chain hammer quickly drew an "8", changing from rotating along the horizontal axis to rotating along the vertical axis. His right arm, using the inertia of the hammerhead, swept horizontally towards the opponent's shield.

"Bang!" The impact of the metal colliding was partially mitigated by the lining of the shield, but the loud noise still echoed throughout the entire manor.

As soon as Rexol blocked the hammer, he swung his right hand forward and launched a swift counterattack.

Xia Zuo always remembered the lesson he learned during his first training session:

Never retreat when using a chain hammer, because this weapon is only threatening when it is being swung.

He anticipated the bald man's counterattack, raised his shield to block the path of the hammer, raised his right hand high above his head, his forearm drawing an arc to taut the chain of the hammer, the hammerhead swirling around once before crashing down again.

Rexor knew that a hammer that hadn't been poised and charged was no threat to Shazor, and a hasty counterattack would be futile. The experienced Rexor kept his attention focused on Shazor's next attack.

As Shazor raised his chain hammer, ready to strike, Rexor knew his chance had come.

Before he could snatch the hammer from his opponent and bring it down, he turned sideways to minimize the exposure of his body parts, while simultaneously using his shield to protect his vitals in case he failed to dodge the attack. Finally, he raised his leg and kicked forward.

He kicked faster than ever before, his leather-booted feet striking the shield with lightning speed.

"Oh!"

Xia Zuo was kicked away like a piece of paper, rolling two meters away before hitting the wall and coming to a stop.

"Cough cough..." Xia Zuo groaned and stood up. "You cheated, Master."

“This isn’t cheating,” Rexol snorted. “It’s teaching you to always be cautious. I’m putting you under appropriate pressure to prevent you from becoming too complacent in your training and losing your life on the battlefield in the future. If you don’t figure out how strong the enemy really is and keep attacking with a strategy of building up momentum, you’ll end up like this, defeated by a simple but swift kick.”

Okay, you're right because you have the bigger fist.

Xia Zuo's lips twitched, and after catching his breath, he raised the chain hammer again.

Rexol was a very competent teacher.

His words can be a bit harsh at times, but they are all based on solid, practical experience.

When it comes to a decisive battle for survival, unless you are 100% certain that the opponent has no more tricks up their sleeve, it is best not to launch a full-scale attack.

It is especially important to probe the opponent's strengths and weaknesses.

If the opponent's trump cards are far greater than expected, then the battle will be more passive.