My health recovery is incredibly fast.

Oddities are a branch of Oddity Alchemy.

The alchemy of artifacts is very different from the alchemy of potions, poisons, and oils.

Its alchemical operations, alchemical ideas, and raw materials are completely different from the other three alchemical disciplines.

Choosing to learn the study of magical objects at this point is equivalent to starting a new alchemy course from scratch.

From the perspective of efficiency in gaining experience, this is not worthwhile.

After pondering for a moment, Xia Zuo reached a conclusion:

"Professor, I would like to learn introductory poison alchemy."

Kurov nodded with a smile, "Your poison alchemy skills are quite good. In terms of the proficiency of alchemical operations alone, you are already close to the level of a skilled alchemist. However, let's still do a test according to the academy's regulations."

He took out a glass ball used for proctoring exams from his desk, placed his hand on it, closed his eyes, and meditated for a few seconds.

The glass ball detached from his palm, hovering in mid-air, emitting a white light.

Kulov turned to his students, pointed to the wall clock, and said:

"The head of the department is in charge of proctoring the exam. You will pass the test if you can concoct five different trainee-level poisons within two hours."

Xia Zuo thought to himself, "This is easy."

He bowed respectfully to the glass sphere, put on a mask to prevent venom from splashing, and walked to the front of the venom cabinet to get a dozen or so basic venom vials.

The alchemy table was ablaze with activity, the furnace spewing forth roaring flames, the overhead ventilation ducts whirring incessantly, and the pungent odor emanating from the crucibles permeating the alchemy chamber.

After two hours of busy work, Xia Zuo, whose mask was covered in various water stains, placed five bottles of freshly made poison on the desk in front of the glass ball.

Each bottle is 100% complete, completely free of any flaws, achieving perfect quality.

In the Elemental Horizon, you can see many dim points of light flowing within the poison through the glass bottle.

The glass ball circled the five vials of poison at close range before landing smoothly on the table, its white light instantly dissipating.

"You have passed this test with me and the head of the department as witnesses."

Kulov walked over and said:

"From now on, you are a novice poison alchemist. Give me your pendant, and I'll get you a new one."

Xia Zuo raised the corners of his mouth, took off the pendant from his robe and handed it over, while simultaneously looking at the information transmitted by the golden finger.

"A change in the host's identity has been detected. Character template updated."

..

Identity 2: Poison Alchemist

Identity Level

Trainee/Entry-level

Promotion requirements

By undergoing the poison-making trials under the guidance of mentor Kurov, one can become a skilled poison alchemist.

Everything else remains unchanged.

..

"Professor, what will I learn next?" Xia Zuo rubbed his hands together expectantly.

"For beginner-level conventional poisons, you can try to make them yourself."

"I will focus on teaching you the more difficult part of this stage: enhancing the toxicity."

Kulov took a book from his desk, opened it to the introductory section, and asked Xia Zuo to read it.

This book is called Enhanced Toxicity.

According to the book, there are two approaches to enhancing the toxicity.

One approach is to increase the explosive power of the poison's effects at the cost of reducing its duration, which means increasing the intensity of the poison's effects.

Secondly, it prolongs the duration of the toxic effect.

The alchemical process corresponding to the former is called poison refining.

The latter is known as toxic agent delay, which usually extends the duration of the toxic effect by increasing the dosage.

To simultaneously increase the intensity and duration of the toxicity, it is necessary to alternate between refining the toxic agent and delaying the treatment until the toxicity achieves the desired effect.

The book also mentions that the speed at which the poison takes effect varies depending on the method of application.

The fastest way to administer a poison is by injection.

Apply the poison to a sharp weapon, insert it into the target's body, and the poison will take effect almost instantly.

There's an awkward aspect to this method of application...

Under normal circumstances, if you can pierce the target's protective gear and skin, why bother applying poison? Just keep stabbing or bleeding them out.

Moreover, applying poison to a sharp weapon could harm oneself.

Therefore, special sword oil is generally used in combat instead of poison.

The second fastest way for a poison to take effect is by ingestion.

Poisons all have a smell, which ordinary people can detect, let alone mages. Even a mage's servants can see the faint glow within the poison.

Although the conditions for carrying out this method of poisoning are somewhat stringent, mixing poison into strongly flavored dishes is a common method of poisoning.

Other methods of poisoning are not very effective and take effect very slowly, such as skin application and inhalation of odors.

Once the target notices the anomaly, there is sufficient time to withdraw from the area affected by the toxic agent.

When learning to enhance the effects of poison, unless otherwise specified, ingestion is the method of poisoning.

The book on enhanced toxicity is very thin, only a dozen pages long.

Xia Zuo added the book to his knowledge base in less than 20 minutes.

There is a term that is repeatedly mentioned as "refined poison powder," but no detailed explanation has been seen.

Xia Zuo scratched his head:

"Professor, what is the refined poison powder mentioned in the book?"

Kulov took another book out of the drawer and waved it in his hand:

"As usual, if you don't make any mistakes for four consecutive months, I'll hand you this guide to refining poison powder."

Xia Zuo's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, eager to try a more potent poison.

A stronger poison effect means more experience and willpower attribute rewards.

As long as the poison doesn't kill him, he can always recover thanks to his immortal body and high health regeneration.

Seeing the students' enthusiasm, Kulov smiled with what appeared to be appreciation.

He told the other person to stand by the alchemy table and wait, while he went to the poison cabinet and took a tray of glass bottles.

"A real poison powder is a very complex compound toxin."

"It is the product of master-level poison alchemy. At the beginner level, you only need to learn its simplified formula."

Kulov counted the glass bottles in front of him. "There are 16 basic toxins here."

He separated four bottles and placed them on another tray. "These four basic toxins are all related to the element of fire and are auxiliary materials for refining poison powders."

Next, he divided the remaining 12 bottles of basic toxins into three equal parts and placed them on three trays.

"Each of these four trays contains four basic toxins. Each tray corresponds to one element type."

"The four basic toxins on the tray each correspond to one of the characteristics of the element."

The characteristics of elements.

Xia Zuo keenly grasped the key information.

This new name has never appeared in any of the books I've read.

According to the mentor, if there are 4 basic toxins on a tray, then each element has 4 properties, and the 4 elements have 16 different properties.

What would their special characteristics be?

Xia Zuo suppressed his thoughts and continued listening to his mentor's lecture.

Kulov spread his arms, making a large circle in front of him, encircling the four trays within it:

"If you can understand the relationship between these 16 toxins and elemental properties, you can become a skilled poison alchemist."

"Your memory and comprehension are quite good. You can memorize these 16 toxins first, and while refining the simplified poison powder, you can also try to understand the relationship between the toxins and the elements."

Kurov watched as Shazo intently memorized the toxins, sensing the other's passion for poison alchemy.

He patted Xia Zuo on the shoulder:

"Advancing in any form of alchemy requires both talent and experience."

"The products of poison alchemy are highly toxic."

"Accumulating experience in this branch is like accumulating toxins in the body that are difficult to remove."

"Therefore, in the alchemy school, there have always been very few people in our branch. Those who can reach the expert or master level all rely on their outstanding alchemical talent."

Kulov, meeting the students' flickering gazes, solemnly said:

"The course that helps you to visualize the characteristics of elements will be placed at the end of the introductory course."

"If you can figure out all the elemental characteristics on your own before I formally teach this course."

"I will teach you the beginner-level meditation method ahead of time after you become a skilled poison alchemist."

"Really!?" Xia Zuo exclaimed excitedly in a low voice.

Kulov nodded. "Of course it's true."

Wow

Xia Zuo felt as if an incredibly wide and smooth path to advancement had suddenly appeared before him.

According to the normal procedure, one must become a skilled alchemist in all four alchemy arts before one can obtain the beginner-level meditation method from a mentor.

Kulov's promise undoubtedly provided a shortcut, saving him years of time.