"Right now?"

The black-robed old man noticed Merlin moving the glassware, looking as if he was about to make potions.

"Yes, right now. I've also done some research on potion-making during my time in the Dark Magic Region, hence it'll probably help in increasing the success rate."

Naturally, Merlin could not reveal his biggest secret – the Matrix – to anyone. Therefore, he could only mention that he had spent time researching potions in the Dark Magic Region to avoid suspicion from the black-robed old man.

In fact, Merlin had secretly activated the Matrix and began preparing Purple Stone Powder Potion according to the steps provided by the Matrix.

Merlin handled the potion ingredients with care and started preparing the potion step by step. The black-robed old man opened his mouth but said nothing although his eyes were filled with gratitude.

Potion-making was extremely important to a Spell Caster. If one acquired a potion formula, it would be much easier to prepare the potion again in the future if one had the opportunity to watch another Spell Caster preparing the potion.

Merlin was carefully preparing Purple Stone Powder Potion in front of the black-robed old man, one step at a time. In fact, he wanted to teach the black-robed old man the method to prepare Purple Stone Powder Potion.

The black-robed old man understood Merlin's intention. Therefore, he gave his full attention to each step that Merlin applied in preparing Purple Stone Powder Potion.

During the potion-making process, Merlin had followed closely every step provided by the Matrix. The difficulty in preparing the Purple Stone Powder Potion was almost similar to that of Coagulation Potion prepared by Merlin previously.

However, it was not Merlin's first time in potion-making. Therefore, he displayed much proficiency in preparing Purple Stone Powder Potion.

Despite that, an hour later, the first Purple Stone Powder Potion prepared by Merlin was nonetheless a failure due to a mistake in the temperature. Hence, Merlin commenced the process all over again.

Two hours later, Merlin's second attempt in preparing Purple Stone Powder Potion was a success. He immediately handed the favourable outcome to the black-robed old man.

Third attempt, fourth attempt, fifth attempt…

It was as if Merlin had no concept of exhaustion. Finally, when the color of the sky turned somber, Merlin stopped preparing the potion as he had depleted almost all the purple stone powder inside the black-robed old man's ring.

He had a high success rate despite spending long hours preparing the potions. In the end, he had successfully prepared eight Purple Stone Powder Potions altogether.

Merlin gave all eight Purple Stone Powder Potions to the black-robed old man.

"Wizard Hill, I'll head back now as it's getting late."

Merlin rose to his feet and bade goodbye to the black-robed old man. Then, he turned around and retreated from the black-robed old man's house.

Once he boarded the carriage, Merlin drew the curtain and took one last glance at the black-robed old man's residence. He had made his intention extremely clear when he deliberately prepared the Purple Stone Powder Potion in front of the black-robed old man. He wanted to pass on the knowledge of preparing the potion to the black-robed old man to prevent the latter from wasting precious ingredients while figuring the process to prepare the potion on his own.

This was also Merlin's way of returning the favor the Wilson family owed to the black-robed old man!

After that, Merlin ordered calmly, "Let's go and head right back to Wilson Castle!"

The carriage moved gradually toward the direction of Wilson Castle.

…

The carriage came to a halt in front of Wilson Castle. Merlin alighted from the carriage and moved his way into the castle.

Merlin noticed several knights dressed in shining armor within the compound of the castle. Apart from that, Merlin, with his sharp vision, also caught sight of a familiar figure standing not far away.

"Uncle Prat!"

Commander Prat turned around abruptly and a grin of joy immediately surfaced when he saw it was Merlin. He paced towards Merlin and called out in delight, "My lord? My lady had delivered us a letter earlier mentioning your return. I can't believe you've actually returned!"

Merlin could feel Prat's genuine joy which rose from the bottom of his heart.

After Merlin sized up Prat carefully, he realized a vague sense of oppressive temperament emitting from Prat. His physical attribute was also unusually powerful. Perhaps his strength was already comparable to that of a Third-level Elemental Swordsman.

Prat was merely a First-level Elemental Swordsman when Merlin left Prakash City. It was possible that the reason for his increased advancement was because Old Wilson had transferred the knowledge of strange postures on those mysterious relief sculptures to him.

Prat looked at Merlin in the eyes and said in a low voice, "Sir, hurry in. Your father is waiting for you."

Merlin nodded and the image of Old Wilson surfaced in his mind. Soon, he arrived at the main hall.

A faint yellow candlelight flickered in the hall. Seated there were Avril, Charise, and a figure of a burly man.

"Father!"

Merlin called out to Old Wilson.

Old Wilson quickly turned his head around. His eyes locked with Merlin's. Although there had not been any exchange of words, Merlin could feel the affection and loving care emitting from the old man's eyes.

After a long while, Old Wilson finally replied, "It's good to see you home!"

The short sentence spoke volumes.

Then, Old Wilson and Merlin began discussing affairs regarding the territory. Although it had only been a year, massive changes had happened in Merlin's territory, Conxion. It had prospered largely from its initial deserted state after Old Wilson took control over the territory.

However, in recent months, ever since the relationship between Prakash City and Lebis City became tense, Conxion became cold and cheerless again.

"Oh right, Merlin, what was the reason for Count Selin's previous visit? Did you meet Wizard Baires?"

Old Wilson tensed up a little at the mention of Baires.

Merlin gave a faint smile. "I've killed Wizard Baires, so he'll never trouble Wilson Castle again. As for the reason of Count Selin's visit, it was because of affairs regarding Lebis City. Count Selin is also intending to keep Prakash City. I'm afraid there's going to be a great war in the future!"

"Baires is dead? Good, well done, he deserved it!"

The corner of Old Wilson's mouth curled into a smile as he learned that Baires was killed by Merlin. Then, he continued, "Merlin, Prakash City cannot fall. When it comes for time to be at war, you should also contribute to protecting Prakash City. After all, we've escaped once. I don't wish for the Wilson family to have to escape like fugitives ever again."

Old Wilson's fists were clenched tightly as a determined expression washed over his face.

Merlin nodded in agreement. "I agree with you. The Wilson family has gradually rooted in Prakash City so we'll never leave here easily. I'll try my best to assist Count Selin."

"Haha, if the war really breaks out, my heavy armor knights will have a chance to shine!"

Excitement filled Old Wilson's face as he rubbed his palms together eagerly. Merlin knew that whenever Old Wilson appeared this keen, there was nothing he could do to try to change his father's mind.

"Alright, you've just returned, why not spend more time with Avril and Charise?"

Old Wilson stood to his height and glanced sideways at Charise and Avril. A playful grin appeared on his face before he turned around and headed upstairs.

Merlin was slightly stunned, but he also nodded when he noticed Charise's passionate gaze. "Let's get some rest too."

After that, accompanied by Charise and Avril, the three of them headed upstairs together.

…

In the spacious and cozy room, heavy breathing rose and fell one after another. After a long heave of sigh, the entire room fell into a complete silence.

Merlin propped himself up against the bed. A satisfied smile crept over his face as he turned to look at his two beautiful wives beside him. He had been away from Prakash City for a year and he was definitely delighted to reunite with Charise and Avril again.

Perhaps they had been separated for too long that even Avril who had always been shy and reserved took initiative many times. The three of them indulged themselves in the joy of reunion for almost half the night.

However, Charise and Avril were still not comparable to the wild Laurinka.

Merlin immediately shook his head to dismiss the thought. He believed that he practised good restraints in bedroom affairs. Instead of succumbing to the coitus temptation between a man and a woman, he would rather enjoy the fuzzy, warm feeling that only existed between loved ones.

Nonetheless, it was an indisputable fact that he had three women in a very short period. Merlin felt helpless whenever he thought of this.

Perhaps out of exhaustion, both Charise and Avril had already fallen into a deep slumber. On the other hand, Merlin was still pumped with energy.

He knew that this was a result of his continuous enhancement of physical attributes. In fact, although Merlin had not deliberately practised the strange posture on the mysterious relief sculptures throughout the past year, his physical attributes still achieved a level comparable to that of a Third-level Elemental Swordsman.

Merlin possessed four relief sculptures. He had begun to practice the fourth relief sculpture more than a month ago. Merlin had a hunch that once he mastered the posture on the fourth relief sculpture, it would be possible for his physical attributes to reach the level of a Fourth-level Element Swordsman if he persisted for a long time.

This would be a qualitative advancement! However, it would take a correspondingly long time to achieve so.

A greater physical attribute allowed a greater chance to save oneself. If it was not for Merlin's strong physical attributes, he could not have endured so long after being attacked by Vyksa's Corroding Potion during their last match – he would have long been dead.

Therefore, even if it took a lot of Merlin's time to meditate his Mind Power and preparing potions, he would still arrange time each day to practice the strange posture on the relief sculpture.

Currently, Merlin was practising the posture of the fourth relief sculpture. Gradually, his mind turned into a total blank. He laid down on the bed in the position of the fourth relief sculpture and stayed completely motionless...