"Father, you probably knew a few things about Hosts. Currently, I need a Nourishment Pond formula. Do you know anything about this?"

Merlin did not expect Count Stanwin to have the Nourishment Pond formula. After all, this was the lifeline of every Host, so they certainly would not reveal it easily. Seeing how eager Heroult was to bring Merlin along with him and use him as a test subject, it showed how important this Nourishment Pond was.

Without a Nourishment Pond, the Hosts were completely unable to level-up and cannot enhance their abilities. This meant that they were forever inferior to those who possessed the almighty beast bloodline. Therefore, a true Host must have his own Nourishment Pond.

"Nourishment Pond? Of course, I've heard of it. The most important element for every Host is the Nourishment Pond. An almighty beast's will and a Nourishment Pond – those two are essentials for every Host."

After a pause, Count Stanwin appeared hesitant but seeing Merlin's expectant look, he sighed. "Oh well, since you're now a Host, you also want to have stronger abilities. If you don't obtain a Nourishment Pond, it would be dangerous for you too. I might as well help you grow your abilities faster. I have the Nourishment Pond formula!"

"What? Father has the Nourishment Pond formula?"

Merlin was stunned. The Nourishment Pond formula was the most closely guarded secret of every Host. Heroult, for example, would not share it with anyone else. Unless Merlin was willing to become his test subject, only was he willing to share the formula with him.

Even as a fourth-form almighty beast, it would be difficult for Count Stanwin to obtain the Nourishment Pond formula.

"This happened many years ago. Back when I was a third-form shifter, I encountered a Host, perhaps around the level of a second-form shifter. I had to use many tactics but finally killed him. Hosts typically have a plethora of tactics. In the end, if not for the almighty beast's will going berserk and taking over his body, it might be difficult to say who would've died that day. Hosts are truly terrifying… Leon, it was because I've seen a Host been taken over by an almighty beast's will and become a living corpse, that's why I vehemently objected you becoming a Host. I simply wanted you to have a peaceful life. I didn't expect that you'd be corrupted by Heroult into becoming a Host."

It turned out to be another long story. Merlin could not wait to get his hands on the Nourishment Pond formula. So, he hurriedly asked, "Father, can you still find the Nourishment Pond formula?"

"Of course, I can find it. Although I don't need the Nourishment Pond formula nor do I know how to prepare it, I know how precious it is. It would be a great fortune if I used it to trade in the future. Therefore, I've kept it safe all this time. Come with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Count Stanwin led Merlin into the underground chamber of the manor.

This underground chamber was not very secretive. However, the entrance was made of an extremely heavy slab of stone. Once there was any danger, the stone door would fall shut. Only someone with a strength-type almighty beast bloodline, at least at fourth-form, could break through it. Otherwise, it was impossible to break open the stone door.

A chamber like this was quintessential in every aristocrat's manor. The chamber also had a passage that connected the outside, and could be used to store important items.

Walking down the stairs, there was a musty smell. No one had been down here for a long time. Merlin followed behind Count Stanwin, and observed the chamber passageway carefully.

Soon, they descended the stairs, and lo and behold, the faint candlelight illuminated a spacious room. This was the underground basement. Count Stanwin lit the candles and the entire basement gradually glowed brightly.

The chamber furnishing was very bare. In a corner, there were a few big boxes with unknown contents.

At the forefront of the chamber was a stone table with a small exquisite box sitting on top. Count Stanwin retrieved the small box, and gently blew the thick layer of dust off. Then, he took out a key and opened the box.

"Creak."

The small box opened. Inside was a layer of black cloth. It looked quite mysterious.

Count Stanwin took out the black cloth, and gently displayed it. A foul, moldy air crept into Merlin's nostrils. Merlin frowned and looked closer. He discovered that it was not a piece of black cloth as he thought but an unidentified patch of black animal hide. Moreover, it seemed to have been treated with some sort of chemical to prevent it from decomposition.

This patch of animal hide was about the height of half a man, and was filled with some kind of writing. Merlin's heart thumped. Was this the Nourishment Pond formula?

"Yes, that's the Nourishment Pond formula that I took from the Host whom I killed. I've kept it all this time. Leon, I'm giving this formula to you in hopes that it'll be of help to you."

Count Stanwin handed the animal hide to Merlin, who excitedly began to examine it.

The animal hide was densely etched with almost two hundred exotic ingredients. Merlin had never even heard of most of them. They also needed to be precisely controlled, otherwise, the Nourishment Pond might lose its effectiveness.

After a brief look, Merlin had already committed the Nourishment Pond formula on the animal hide to memory. This particular Nourishment Pond formula was called "the Hermani formula". It was created by a Host named Hermani who had slowly refined it from other Nourishment Pond formulas.

Nourishment Pond formulas were not the same. They could be refined over time. However, such refinement required a lot of experience and extreme familiarity with the effects of the formulas.

This was a very long and meticulous effort, which also entailed an immense workload. At Merlin's current state, it would be impossible to refine it. Not only Merlin but even Heroult would not be able to refine a Nourishment Pond formula. It was simply too difficult and amounted to a fool's dream.

"So, the Nourishment Pond formula can be refined?"

Merlin was unexpectedly overjoyed to discover that. Theoretically speaking, the Nourishment Pond formula could be refined, however, performing it was a massive feat. For example, the Hermani formula had more than two hundred ingredients. Merely gathering them was already an arduous task, not to mention handling and measuring each ingredient accurately.

Therefore, it was not at all easy to refine a formula.

"Great, this is indeed a Nourishment Pond formula. With this formula, I can quickly enhance my abilities."

Merlin was very excited. The Nourishment Pond formula was essential for a Host. Without a Nourishment Pond formula, a Host could not be considered a true Host.

"Well, Leon, now that you've obtained the Nourishment Pond formula, you should prepare to leave Boulder City tomorrow!"

Count Stanwin had already made up his mind and would not be dissuaded. If they did not leave soon, it might be too late.

Merlin also knew the urgency of this matter, so he tucked away the formula. In a small place like Boulder City, it would be impossible for him to gather all the ingredients anyway. Therefore, he could only start pondering about the Nourishment Pond once when they arrive in Holy Dragon City.