The Primal Hunter Chapter 1266 - Peak C-grade

Once Jake activated his Mega Soulflame Cauldron Secret Stratagem, he found himself completely immersed in the process. Actually, it wasn't just about brewing potions; there was another key benefit he aimed to extract from this large-scale production:

Experience points.

Jake's goal extended beyond merely experimenting with his Soulflame and exploring its applications—he had a solid purpose for pursuing alchemy like this. Although he wasn't entirely certain if it functioned that way, a swift consultation with Villy assured him that crafting larger quantities of poisons indeed yielded greater experience rewards.

Furthermore, this approach to potion-making proved much more challenging and lengthy than relying on a standard small cauldron, which boosted the experience earned even more. Each batch demanded several hours of Jake's time under this method, yet the rewards made it entirely worthwhile.

During this intense crafting session, time slipped by as Jake saturated the market with his potions. His main emphasis was on health potions, though he occasionally mixed in some for mana and stamina as well.

Potions for mana and stamina were typically seen as indulgent extras, since depleting those resources in battle rarely happened before a victor emerged. Additionally, the universal potion cooldown made it dangerous to forgo the option of using a health potion. Even those conducting fairly secure hunts found the notion of using potions to speed up their progress—instead of just resting longer to recover—utterly absurd.

This explained why the bulk of mana and stamina potions were actually used by fellow crafters. For blacksmiths and others engaged in labor-intensive creation, the risk of exhausting stamina midway could spell disaster for their work. In such moments, a swift stamina potion could step in to guarantee completion.

Likewise, while setting up a formation or practicing alchemy, a mana potion could work miracles to sustain momentum. Jake himself frequently downed potions to shorten his downtime, although he remained far more generous with their use than nearly every other crafter out there.

On the other hand, health potions stood as vital necessities for anyone stepping into combat. Such a potion might well determine survival or demise, particularly since they proved less effective on others compared to Jake, whose Malefic Viper Legacy skills greatly enhanced his potion efficacy.

Plenty of folks also swigged health potions just to heal up quicker, as wounds brought far from comfort. From an ordinary perspective, this made sense—exhaustion was tolerable for most, but a deep cut or lost appendage? Hardly.

Jake simply wished Miranda valued the flood of potions he forwarded through Lillian. He offloaded his outdated inventory too, figuring no point in hoarding them with B-grade so near. After all, his fresh brews outshone the previous ones, so he retained only a handful for emergencies. He anticipated needing a few during his true evolution push.

To recall, even reaching level 349 in class and profession left him needing that final grind to hit 350. Naturally, alchemy might deliver that last level, hinging on his Profession Evolution Quest details. Still, Jake favored snagging it via a brief hunt.

Regarding the Profession Evolution Quest... Jake's accelerated potion output via this tougher technique triggered it sooner than expected. He'd long recognized that churning out successful crafts offered the quickest path to profession growth... barring Legacy skill upgrades or bizarre exploits tied to gods or rival Chosen. In essence: massive cauldron, tons of potions, tons of levels.

Nevertheless, it spanned over a year of nonstop crafting, but ultimately, Jake claimed those final two profession levels, hitting the ultimate C-grade pinnacle for both class and profession.

The moment Jake caught that dual chime signaling his race and profession had maxed out, a grin spread across his face. He swiftly reshaped his Soulflame back to ordinary fire and drew it into himself. Thousands of potions awaited Miranda, but those could hold—he had a priority far greater.

Emerging from his subterranean alchemy workshop, Jake settled into his lodge and at last examined the initial of two fresh system alerts. A touch of anxiety hit as he unveiled the first, revealing his second C-grade Evolution Quest, this time centered on alchemy.

Profession Evolution Quest

Steadfast in your Path, you continue onwards as a Heretic-Chosen, claiming the power of your Patron on your own terms, yet with his complete acceptance and knowledge. Your Records remain supreme, your Path your own to define, with nothing off limits in your pursuit of power, no matter how heretical some might call your actions. Continue to invoke the power of the Malefic One, make his Legacy your own, and prove your Path.

Objective: Upgrade all nine skills related to the Legacy of the Malefic Viper (9/9). Upgrade at least one skill related to Legacy of the Malefic Viper to mythical rarity (2/1). Perform an alchemical feat worthy of calling yourself a Primordial’s Chosen (1/1). Perform a feat worthy of calling yourself a Primordial’s Heretic (1/1). Perform a feat worthy of calling yourself a Primordial’s Heretic-Chosen (1/1).

Quite a lot to digest in that description. Jake again savored the system's flattering words in the introductory text—who wouldn't enjoy praise from an all-knowing, all-powerful entity? On a practical note, it also validated that his C-grade endeavors had kept him on the correct course.

As Jake scanned the evolution quest's requirements, he immediately spotted more of them than his class had. Delving deeper, he grasped why the system had been so complimentary upfront. Though five tasks appeared, he'd already fulfilled them all. Regarding their completion... he held a few suspicions.

The initial pair were straightforward to address. He'd upgraded every Malefic Viper Legacy skill in C-grade and elevated two to mythical rarity, ticking those off nicely. The intriguing ones were the last trio, which appeared interconnected, except perhaps the initial among them.

An "alchemical feat" eluded Jake's full understanding, yet since it was marked complete, it couldn't have been overly demanding. Or perhaps it was tough, but he'd bypassed it using one of his Primeval Origins rituals.

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For these ambiguous goals, Jake remained in the dark, and he could only picture the irritation if he hadn't already achieved them. The subsequent two shared the same vagueness, urging feats befitting a Primordial’s Heretic and Heretic-Chosen alike.

Once more, what did any of it signify? How did one measure a feat's "worthiness"? What even defined a feat? Did Jake's cheeky jabs at Villy qualify him as a heretic? Or required more, like his deceptive act tricking Yip of Yore by pretending Valhal allegiance while mocking Villy? Or, given that aligned with the Viper’s scheme, might it instead suit a Heretic-Chosen feat?

Wow, Jake pitied anyone truly puzzling out these imprecise quests. It seemed like a torturous grind of trial and error until the system approved something. He now better saw why B-grade evolution stalled so many, with goals this peculiar.

Clearing his mind with a head shake, Jake pushed aside musings on these already-done tasks. Instead of dwelling on past actions, he pondered the absences in the objectives.

Jake had half-anticipated an element tied to the First Sage. If not a direct link to the Viper’s mentor, then something loosely connected. Sure, the Heretic-Chosen feat might involve encountering the First Sage, but Jake highly doubted it. Reflecting once more on those goals, he felt confident the whole Ell’Hakan and Yip of Yore mess had covered all three nebulous ones.

He inevitably wondered about B-grade peak objectives... yet ages remained before such concerns. Presently, one final system alert demanded attention, linked to another crucial topic:

Jake’s Race Evolution Quest.

Among the trio of quests for his B-grade evolution, this one sparked Jake's keenest interest. Oddities surrounded his race, as Villy had never encountered someone skipping a C-grade evolution quest. Back then, without it, they brainstormed theories but lacked the real cause. They'd also debated if a B-grade quest would appear... and now answers arrived.

Taking a steadying breath, Jake accessed the system interface and instantly... unease stirred.

Race Evolution Quest

Humanity. The enlightened race with the largest population in the multiverse, a race that can walk myriad paths, be found in all grades, and at all levels of power. Be it the Path of a creator, a destroyer, or anything in between, a human can be found who has walked it. Yet you have managed to create your own Path, claiming what you desire from the Legacies of others as your own while using your unique Origin as the foundation. An unshakeable will, an indomitable mind, an immutable desire, and an unrivaled Origin. Continue on your Path to supremacy, Primal Hunter.

Jake scanned the system prompt twice, pausing in surprise amid a wave of familiarity. It clicked after a beat, revealing the source.

This... felt downright bizarre at minimum. Jake often quipped about these descriptive texts, enjoying their acclaim and pats on the back, but they mirrored one's grade-long journey. Recycling the prior one without fresh insight struck him as deeply strange.

Nearly hesitant, he checked for genuine tasks before evolving, and the result failed to shock him.

Objective: N/A

Again, Jake confronted a void of a true Race Evolution Quest. Even feebler than before, lacking the courtesy of updated descriptive text.

For a stretch, Jake remained quiet, mulling over the implications. Theories bubbled up once more, but instead of solitary pondering, he connected with someone eager for news on these evolutions.

A mental outreach linked them, and his Patron's voice resounded within.

Villy said in a half-joking manner.

“I would hope you find it exciting,” Jake spoke out loud, knowing the snake god could hear him. “Last time, you were very curious.”

“Of course,” Jake confirmed.

the Viper theorized.

“Wow, right again,” Jake said, shaking his head with a smile. “Now for the big one. Thoughts on my Race Evolution Quest?”

the Viper said, acting all offended.

“Damn, he’s right on the money today,” Jake chuckled. “But you missed something else weird about this Race Evolution Quest.”

“I do know I’m awesome, yes, and also I’m a little offended that you assume my race is only comparable to those two. Who’s to say I’ll have a race evolution quest when evolving to A-grade? Or S-grade? Perhaps I’ll even make it all the way to godhood without seeing one!” Jake said playfully.

Villy returned the same joking energy.

Jake didn’t say anything but just motioned for the Viper to continue, as he would not let the snake god get away with just stating the obvious.

Villy ventured what Jake had to admit was actually a pretty good guess.

“I like your thinking, but no,” Jake shook his head. “It’s a lot weirder than that.”

the Viper asked, his tone suddenly more serious.

Jake shook his head. “Nothing related to anyone.”

“Close enough that I’ll give you the answer,” Jake finished joking around. “I got the exact same flavor text as when I evolved to C-grade.”

The Viper was silent for a while before speaking.

“Ever heard of that happening before?” Jake asked curiously.

the Viper answered.

Jake nodded slowly. “Speaking of my weird human race... any new interesting theories?”

the Viper said.

“I also have a pretty strong theory on the matter, so hey, let’s compare notes,” Jake said with a smile, knowing that while they couldn’t get any definite answers, it was still fun to make theories and guesses.