While all the Celestials were busy with their recruitment, Vincent did not remain idle as well. He received a bunch of items from Lola who has now access to the treasures under the sea.

Since his fellow disciples haven't arrived yet, he decided to grind some more experience points as he knows that he will be busy once those two visited.

[ Midnight Sea Pearl ]

[ Quality: Unique

Number of Enhancements: 0/10

Durability: 45/65

Mind Break: 100

Corruption: 90

Description: A previous healing pearl tainted by corrupted energy. This item can be consumed for a large amount to have a painless death.

Remarks: Mind Break and Corruption attributes found. Durability and its attributes will be upgraded in every successful enhancement. ]

There were over fifty of these pearls and Lola gave them to him since she doesn't really have a use for them. Though it can be used to create some Magic Tools, none of her magicians would be able to use them since they are unable to handle corrupted energy.

It can probably be used to create destructive Formation Art but she felt that it would be too dangerous if it is not properly maintained.

In the end, she decided to offer it to Vincent since she knows that this man can handle any type of Magic Tool.

"What a high corruption energy…" Vincent muttered with admiration.

It must be remembered that even the Enchanted Bloodstone only has 16 points in the corruption attribute with zero enhancements.

After fully enhancing the bloodstone, it could only reach 220 points in its corruption attribute. The limit of the bloodstone is really low compared to this Midnight Sea Pearl.

The small black pearl already has 90 points even without enhancements!

'',

"I wonder where can I use this corruption energy… Is it only to attract Magic Beasts?" Vincent thought but he immediately shook his head.

There was no way that this menacing attribute was only for baiting Magic Beasts. Furthermore, the appearance of corruption energy has been very high recently. It was as if someone was telling him that his surroundings is being corrupted already.

In any case, he continued with the enhancement of the item.

[ No Enhancement Stones found. Do you want to Enhance this item with Mana? ]

"Yes…"

Vincent replied without hesitation.

[ Enhancement Successful. ]

He didn't even look at the changes in attributes before he decided to continue with enhancement. He had a few failures but he did not give up. In any case, he has plenty of Pseudo-Celestial Energy right now and he didn't mind losing some of them to get this into +9 or even +10 if he was lucky.

As soon as it somehow reached +10, he was finally curious about its attributes.

[ Do you want to Appraise the item? ]

"Yes…"

[ You have discovered a Midnight Sea Pearl. ]

[ Midnight Sea Pearl ]

[ Quality: Unique

Number of Enhancements: 10/10

Durability: 290/290

Mind Break: 550

Corruption: 405

Description: A previous healing pearl tainted by corrupted energy. This item can be consumed for a large amount to have a painless death. The pearl will corrupt the mind of nearby living beings and it can only be suppressed by stronger energy.

'.',

Remarks: This item can not be enhanced. ]

"A passive effect of corrupting mind, huh… No wonder my ring is taking effect…" Vincent muttered as he realized that the attributes is already too high that they have already formed a passive effect.

He's not unfamiliar with this since he has plenty of items with similar effects. However, he realized that only those with negative effects can actually create this passive ability. It is quite troublesome but he only needs to store them in his System Inventory or in his interspatial ring to resolve this issue temporarily.

Vincent then continued doing this to the other pearls as he had a hunch that these things will be very useful someday. Well, to be honest, he believes that like the Enchanted Bloodstone or anything that has a corruption attribute, would have its real value revealed someday.

Tap… Tap… Tap…

Vincent heard footsteps in his residence. It was light and unhurried. He then used his Mana Sense but failed to identify the person so he used his Item Sense ability instead

He then realized that it was Faviona who had come to visit him this time. It seems that she's really using a higher level of anti-detection lately.

'I guess she's about to tell the real reason why she came here…' He thought.

He already expected this much since he knows that this great alchemist wouldn't just come here to ask about the River Dragon and the Deity. There must be something else.

Vincent kept his things on his workbench and opened the door to welcome her. He didn't mind accommodating her since she has been really helpful over the past years during the construction of the city.

After all, when he needed some rare items that can't be found in the Tower and One Sea Merchant Union, the Alchemist Union is always there capable of providing them.

Clack…

Faviona was surprised to see that the door opened even without her knocking. It was as if Vincent has been waiting for her all along.

"Vincent… Is this a good time to talk with you? I hope I'm not interrupting you." Faviona politely asked. From her tone, Vincent can already tell that she was about to ask for a favor or make a request that only he can do.

"Yes… I'm not that busy… I can continue it later. Just be comfortable and tell me what I can do for you."

,m Vincent smiled as he gestured for her to enter his room. He then noticed that she was still wearing her Alchemist Robe and she seem quite tired.

She then looked around the room and realized that Vincent was checking his inventory. There are a lot of scattered magic tools and mystical objects on his workbench as if he was organizing them.

After she found a chair and seated comfortably, she finally stated her real concern.

"Vincent, I received another task from the Star Garden Peak… It's related to a Tier 5 potion that they want me to make… However, they told me that they are still preparing the ingredients needed for it and they might need four months to do that."