[Skill: [Potions]]
[Level: Lv6 - Unique]
[Skill: [Herbalism]]
[Level: Lv7 - Expert]
[Skill: [Xeno-blood Potion Techniques]]
[Level: Lv4 - Mastery]

"This level of potion-making should be sufficient."

Before the potion-making table, Zhou Jing looked at the attributes of the No. 3 apostle on the panel and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

For months, he had been grinding performance quotas in the workshop, practicing with the resources provided by the empire. His potion-making skills had rapidly risen to a new level through repeated practice.

Among them, the techniques of Xeno-blood potions were a separate new skill, not included in "Potions." Zhou Jing used the merits accumulated from completing quotas to exchange for the open Xeno-blood potion knowledge within the workshop, self-learning to Lv4, but he had not yet actually made a single bottle of Xeno-blood potion.

Even with mental preparation, Zhou Jing was still a bit overwhelmed by the months of repetitive labor. Getting into the factory was indeed not a job for ordinary people.

Fortunately, there was the Placement Mode, even more addicted to work than his normal descent state. The placed apostle basically had no entertainment needs, and every day, besides eating, drinking, and relieving himself, he carried out the plan set by Zhou Jing. This was the real culprit who made his workshop colleagues want to vomit.

After [Xeno-blood Potion Techniques] reached the "Mastery" level, Zhou Jing took action. Amidst the strange gazes of many colleagues who looked at him like a god, he accepted a task to improve a Xeno-blood potion formula.

At this time, on the potion-making table, there was a formula list and two sample bottles.

"Swordtail Eagle Potion, there are five synthetic formulas in total, the last improvement was eleven years ago..."

Zhou Jing carefully looked at the species formula on the list, muttering softly.

The Swordtail Eagle was a low-risk xeno-beast that was farmed. Although low-level, the benefit was that there were enough materials to practice with. If he were to switch to a non-farmed xeno-beast, there wouldn't be enough materials. Zhou Jing had specifically chosen this potion to improve.

The main materials of Xeno-blood potions were divided into primary materials and supplementary materials. The former was naturally the different body organs of xeno-beasts, and the latter was miscellaneous things such as herbs and mineral powders. Therefore, there were different formulas for the Xeno-blood potions of the same type of xeno-beast, which affected the quality of the final product. Improving the formula was to enhance the potion's effect and success rate.

Which part of the xeno-beast to collect, what ingredients to use, what techniques to use to process it... The Xeno-blood potion link was far more complex than making normal potions, and the difficulty of improvement was very high.

The technical aspect was only one part, the most difficult part was actually testing.

Even the imperial workshops that mastered the "core technology" had rather rudimentary means of testing Xeno-blood potion products, and could only roughly judge the quality of the potion. The accuracy was not very high.

The specific parameters of Xeno-blood potions were even more difficult to analyze... because there were only so many people who used Xeno-blood potions every year, and the samples were quite scarce, unlike other potions that could be drunk casually.

Even if a Xeno-blood potion formula was improved, it would take a long time to observe and verify. Without enough samples, it was difficult to determine whether the new formula was better or worse—this was also the reason why most people were unwilling to improve Xeno-blood potions.

The current various Xeno-blood potions all adopted the optimal formulas that had been verified over time, many of which were legacies of the tribal era and had not been improved for a long time. Research was difficult.

"However..."

Zhou Jing's eyes darted around, he picked up a bottle of Swordtail Eagle Potion, and the item analysis function immediately popped up detailed information.

The ingredient ratio of this bottle of potion immediately appeared. Not only that, but the finished product quality of this Xeno-blood potion was also displayed.

For example, the success rate of use and the fluctuation probability of inheriting various characteristics after taking it were all displayed.

"Without drinking it, without needing samples, I can manually test the final effect of a bottle of potion, directly see the improvement progress, know whether each experiment is successful or a failure, unlike other potion makers, blindly fumbling around."

Zhou Jing played with the potion, his eyes flickering.

This kind of ability was completely a human quality inspection machine!

Jason's next enhancement could use this ability to screen out the best potions for him, instead of relying on luck.

In the imperial workshop, which lacked the means to detect Xeno-blood potions, he was definitely a scarce top-notch talent, whose importance could overwhelm all craftsmen.

"I can reveal this trick a little, others don't know about my auxiliary function, they will only regard it as my talent..."

"With my current level, it is enough to support this kind of amazing performance. This is a shortcut to get the empire's attention, skip levels to become an important member of the workshop, get closer to more confidential knowledge, and come into contact with the core of power faster."

Zhou Jing had such an idea for a long time, and after careful consideration, he felt that the feasibility was quite high.

His plan for the No. 3 apostle, Bill, from the beginning was to continuously climb to a higher position, come into contact with the core of imperial power, use the information he had to seek benefits, and know more about this world.

By the way, he would engage in technology and learn the most valuable Xeno-blood potion in the world of xeno-beasts, and then produce and sell it himself, making better potions for Jason and the apostles who might take the path of xeno-blood in the future.

Maybe he could even attract hidden extra-dimensional lifeforms.

Bill had been surviving in the world of xeno-beasts for about half a year, and his actions were quite high-profile. Although he did not reveal the words and deeds and knowledge of the main world, Zhou Jing felt that being a technical talent who stood out would more or less attract the attention of extra-dimensional lifeforms.

This matter had been weighing on his mind.

Zhou Jing always wanted to learn about the intelligence of extra-dimensional lifeforms, but he had no way to do so, so he could only attract people to take the initiative to contact him, and use the disguise of Star Realm Apostle to pretend to be a native and communicate with extra-dimensional lifeforms to inquire about intelligence.

Even if he couldn't get any intelligence... at least he could use it as bait to find the traces of these people and let Jason find someone to chop.

"Speaking of which, it's been half a year, why haven't I seen anyone who is suspected of being an extra-dimensional lifeform? There shouldn't be no one in such an important place as the royal capital, right? Didn't you say that Roman is in contact with these people..."

Zhou Jing was a little puzzled. He usually paid attention to the residents of the royal capital, but he didn't find any clues.

These people were too good at hiding, were they all moles?

It seemed that if he wanted to get relevant intelligence, he could only think of a way to get close to the knowledgeable Roman.

…

After researching for about five days, Zhou Jing finally came up with a new version of the Swordtail Eagle Potion formula and steadily produced several finished products.

Through the item analysis function for quality inspection, the new formula's potion had a 5% higher enhancement success rate and a 10% increase in enhancement effect compared to the original formula.

It didn't seem like much, but for Xeno-blood potions, it was already a leap forward.

The formula could continue to be optimized, but it was not necessary.

Zhou Jing took the new formula and planned to submit it.

But just as he walked out of the potion-making room, someone called out to him.

"Bill!"

Zhou Jing turned his head and saw that it was Sula, who had invited him before.

"Is there anything you need?"

Sula walked closer with a smile and said, "There's good news for you. The workshop's higher-ups have decided to certify you as an expert-level potion maker and give you another promotion. You can form your own team of craftsmen."

Yo, he was evaluated for a professional title and promoted to a small supervisor.

As far as he knew, many craftsmen had been working for more than ten years and had not become expert-level potion makers. He had done it in a few months... This would definitely make people hate him even more.

Zhou Jing nodded and said with a royal capital accent that he had mastered fluently, "Then thank them for me."

"This is all your ability. I didn't expect you to be so good."

Sula's attitude was friendly.

He was already an expert-level potion maker and had already obtained a lifetime position, so he would not be kicked out.

Moreover, Zhou Jing currently belonged to his team. The more this person worked hard, the more face he would have. Leaders liked to have a capable and hardworking officer.

"Are you free now? Come with me to see the workshop owner?" Sula asked.

"Wait a minute, I'll submit the newly developed formula first." Zhou Jing raised the note in his hand.

Sula was curious, "What kind of hunter potion is it this time?"

"It's not a hunter potion, it's a Swordtail Eagle Potion." Zhou Jing told the truth.

Sula was stunned, and suddenly widened his eyes:

"Wait a minute, I remember you only accepted this task five days ago, right?!"

"You're paying a lot of attention to me." Zhou Jing blinked.

Nonsense, who in the entire workshop isn't paying attention to you now...

Sula looked shocked and exclaimed, "You improved the Xeno-blood potion?"

His voice was quite loud, and it immediately attracted the attention of the nearby craftsmen, who cast surprised glances.

"What's so strange about this? It's not like no one has ever improved it before." Zhou Jing raised his eyebrows.

"No... you..."

Sula was incoherent and couldn't believe it.

In history, many people had improved Xeno-blood potions... But it had only been five days!

Although you have proven the efficiency of improving hunter potions, Xeno-blood potions are another kind of technology... Speaking of which, you only started learning Xeno-blood potion knowledge a few months ago, right?!

"You wait, I'll go inform the workshop owner!"

After Sula finished speaking, he left in a hurry.

Zhou Jing had no objections.

After waiting for a while, he saw a group of workshop executives running over in a hurry.

"Bill, you really improved the Xeno-blood potion? Where's the formula? Let me see!"

A deputy workshop owner spoke anxiously.

Zhou Jing didn't mind and handed the formula over. These workshop executives immediately put their heads together and read the formula.

"This formula... can it be used?"

The workshop owner was a court minister and a half-expert, so he couldn't understand it at all, so he had to ask the technical executives around him.

"I don't know, it hasn't been tested yet." The deputy workshop owner told the truth, and couldn't help but add: "But it looks like a real thing. The combination of various ingredients is a new idea, and it may have an effect... But it's so complicated, is five days enough?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a few people couldn't help but look at Zhou Jing suspiciously.

You can come up with such a complicated formula in five days, are you just making it up?

Could it be that you think the effect of Xeno-blood potions is difficult to measure, so you just made up a new formula to deal with the task?

Noticing the distrust of the few people, Zhou Jing took out a few finished products and stuffed them into everyone's hands.

"I've already tested it. The effect is definitely better than the original formula. If you're not at ease, you can find someone to try it."

"Of course we will test it... but how did you test it? Why are you so sure?" The deputy workshop owner couldn't help but ask when he saw Zhou Jing was so confident.

"You'll know after taking a sip." Zhou Jing shrugged.

"What?!"

A few people were immediately dumbfounded.

Which Xeno-blood potion maker would taste their own works, isn't that courting death?

You're too hardcore!

"Did you successfully enhance it?"

Seeing that Zhou Jing was still alive and kicking, a few people were shocked and subconsciously came up with such a guess.

"What are you thinking? How could I drink it?"

Zhou Jing rolled his eyes, then picked up a bottle of finished product, poured a mouthful into his mouth, gargled it like he was tasting wine, and then spat it out to the side.

"Here, just taste it like this."

"...You call that testing it?"

A few people were dumbfounded.

It's really a long time to see, is this also useful?

"Didn't I say that as long as my tongue tastes herbs or potions, I can estimate the general situation, such as the ingredients, the ratio of materials, and so on." Zhou Jing deliberately showed a surprised look and pretended to confess.

The first reaction of a few people was disbelief.

Are you telling myths here?

But when they thought of Zhou Jing's work results over the past few months, a few people couldn't help but waver.

Perhaps, it was because he possessed such a special talent that Bill was able to violate common sense and improve various formulas with terrifying efficiency. Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain why this person was so young, yet his performance was so amazing.

Is this the solution to the case?

Such an unheard-of talent... The workshop executives looked at each other and saw the joy in each other's eyes.

We have discovered such a talented person, God bless the empire!

A few workshop executives couldn't wait to pull Zhou Jing to test, tasting a lot of potions, and then looked at him with hopeful and expectant eyes.

After he accurately said the ingredients and material ratios of various potions, the workshop executives truly believed that Zhou Jing possessed such a talent and were overjoyed.

Looking at the excited expressions of a few people, Zhou Jing smiled secretly.

He had thrown the bait, he wondered if he could catch a fish.

…

Somewhere in the royal palace.

A middle-aged man wearing a crown patiently listened to the report of the Imperial Hunter Workshop. The report was about Bill.

Becky Tarn, the current king of the Terra Empire, the second king of the empire, has been on the throne for more than ten years.

With a square face, thick eyebrows, a resolute appearance, a burly figure, and a majestic aura, the workshop executives who reported in front of him subconsciously lowered their voices.

After listening to Bill's situation, Becky tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers and slowly said:

"Prepare yourself, I want to see this person in person."

Hearing this, the workshop owner was stunned and couldn't help but say:

"Wouldn't this be a little inappropriate... I mean, although Bill is talented, he is just a foreigner who has joined the workshop not long ago, and he has been selling spring... cough, energy potions. If we see him, the king's reputation may..."

At this time, Becky interrupted him and said without a doubt:

"It is the empire's fortune to see such a talented person. There is nothing inappropriate."

If he was just an outstanding potion maker, he would be valued, but he would not have such an honor.

But the "talent" that Zhou Jing deliberately revealed filled a very important link in Xeno-blood potion research. The entire empire could not find a person who could replace him, and even in history, there was no such talented person.

If what he said was true, then the existence of this person would bring immeasurable convenience to the empire's overall Xeno-blood potion research!

Such a benefit even alarmed the king, and he developed a strong curiosity about Bill.

…

"There is such a talent?"

At the same time, somewhere in the royal palace, Roman heard about Bill's situation from his subordinate's report, and immediately remembered this name, his eyes shining brightly.

This person is talented, and his future achievements may be limitless. The Tarn royal family must have also learned the news.

Perhaps he should get to know him earlier while this person is still young, at least to make him familiar with his face.

If possible, it would be best to win over this guy named Bill... It seems that he made his fortune by making aphrodisiacs, so maybe he likes money?

Roman's eyes flickered.