Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 49 Lizard Alley Peeper Mushroom
In the following time, Ron carefully identified various strange materials for the dwarves, from pollen from plants in other worlds to body fluids of certain magical beasts, to some rare mineral crystals.

Each one is carefully analyzed through the [Herb Identification] ability and given an accurate evaluation.

[Successful in identifying a counterfeit! Herbal Medicine Identification Experience +1]

[Accurate Identification! Herbal Identification Experience +2]

……

[Current progress: Medicinal Herb Identification (Beginner 43/50)]

Before he knew it, his medicinal herb identification skills were about to break through to the next level.

This is much faster than the speed at which he improved his proficiency helping Mrs. Allen in the herbal medicine store. Perhaps it is because the authenticity of these materials is difficult to determine, which tests professional skills more.

Otto's expression gradually changed from the initial businessman's wariness to something that could almost be called appreciation.

"You know what, young man?"

After the last piece of material was identified, the dwarf said meaningfully:

"You are one of the most talented Potions apprentices I have met in all these years. Most of those so-called professional appraisers are not as accurate as you."

He took out a crystal bottle filled with silver powder and sealed it carefully:
"This bottle of Moon Shadow Bat Heart Ash and five Magic Stone Fragments are sold. It's half off the original price. This is the best discount I can offer."

Ron accepted the price with a smile, mentally calculating how good of a deal it was.

For the price of five magic stone fragments, I got a bottle of high-quality Moon Shadow Bat Heart Ash, which is indeed a good deal.

"Young man, it's good that you know not to trust others too much."

Before leaving the cubicle, Otto whispered to Ron, his blue eyes gleaming with shrewdness, completely breaking through the first impression of his rough appearance:

"If you really want to collect all the materials on the list, you have to go to Lizard Alley. It's a bit more dangerous there, but it's also where you can find more rare treasures."

He added meaningfully, "Remember, on the black market, no one will be held responsible for your losses. If you buy a fake, you can only blame your own poor eyesight. There will always be people trying to cheat you, just like I just did."

After bidding farewell to the gray dwarf Otto, Ron and Andre left through the narrow back door of the Sunset Tavern.

The sky outside has subtly changed. The already dim sunlight is filtered by the strange mist peculiar to the black fog jungle, forming a dark red halo.

These strange halos enveloped the entire gathering place, adding a touch of weirdness to this already abnormal place.

“The harvest this time is pretty good.”

Andre breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes fixed on the crystal bottle Ron was holding carefully. A satisfied smile appeared on his face. "I bought a genuine Moon Shadow Bat's heart ash for five magic stone fragments. I'm afraid no one would believe it if I told them that."

Ron nodded and carefully put the crystal bottle containing the silver powder deep into his inner pocket. He checked twice to make sure the cork was tight before he felt relieved.

Although this material is not easy to volatilize, it will quickly lose its efficacy if it gets damp or comes into contact with certain specific energy fields.

"Otto is right. We really need to go to Lizard Alley next."

He whispered, his voice a little tired, "I'm afraid only a very small portion of the items on that list can be found in a relatively 'safe' place like the Sunset Tavern."

"Lizard Alley is nothing like this."

Andre's expression grew serious. The blond boy's usual elegant and calm demeanor vanished, replaced by a rare nervousness. "There are all kinds of desperate criminals gathered there, including apprentices expelled from the surrounding major schools for committing crimes, and even more dangerous alien mercenaries."

The two of them walked through a chaotic marketplace, the air filled with a mixture of smells—boiling potions, baking bread, rotting fruits and vegetables, and some fishy smells that Ron didn't want to speculate about.

Vendors of various ethnic groups shouted their wares in different languages, creating a noisy background noise.

"Is there anything special I should pay attention to?"

Ron asked in a low voice, avoiding a one-eyed vendor who was loudly greeting them.

Andre was obviously much more experienced than him in this matter.

"Don't reveal your true identity easily, especially as a member of the school."

Andre also lowered his voice and guided Ron to a hidden path:

"Although those vendors usually don't deal directly with customers, it doesn't stop them from selling us specific information."

At the entrance to the path, a few crooked wooden boards were used to form a simple door frame, with a wooden sign written in an unknown language hanging on it.

The inability to discern its meaning, this deliberate ambiguity, already indicates the informal nature of this place.

Ron stopped and thought for a moment: "Do we need to disguise our identities?"

"No need to disguise yourself. Just don't wear the apprentice badge and wear the apprentice robes."

Andre pointed at his and Ron's casual clothes:

"Like now, it looks like they're just two young adventurers from the outside world, or perhaps the offspring of a minor noble trying to get some excitement. Such people are common in Lizard Alley, so they don't attract much attention."

He smiled slightly and tugged at his simple dark shirt. "However, just in case, we'd better avoid calling each other's names."

"I see." Ron nodded slightly in understanding. "If someone asks about my history... No, no one would be so boring."

The two reached a consensus, walked through the crooked wooden door frame, and set foot on the path leading to Lizard Alley.

The path was winding, with strangely shaped dark brown mushrooms growing on both sides.

When you look closely, you will find that their surface is covered with fine, fuzzy substances that continuously emit weak fluorescence, providing a small but sufficient amount of lighting in dim environments.

“It felt a bit like a route deliberately designed to attract attention.”

Ron observed the unnatural arrangement of mushrooms and commented quietly.

Indeed, the layout of the entire trail seems deliberate, as if it is trying to create a certain oppressive atmosphere.

"You're half right," Andre replied softly. "These are indeed artificially cultivated, but not to attract guests, but for surveillance."

He pointed to those ordinary-looking mushrooms:

"These 'peeker mushrooms' can sense the general situation of those passing by and transmit this information through the mycelial network. Lizard Alley's managers use them to screen visitors - if you are law enforcement or have hostile intentions, the mycelial network will quickly sound the alarm."

(End of this chapter)