[This craftsmanship shows that the alchemist not only understood the ingredients but also mastered how to combine them for a much smoother experience, host.]
In the lower realms, where alchemy is often limited by scarce resources and basic techniques, this pill would easily rank among the very best ever crafted. Achieving a boost as high as this while keeping side effects so mild is almost unheard of.
These kinds of pills either push the body to its limits with dangerous aftereffects or fail to deliver such a consistent and stable enhancement.
Even in higher realms, replicating the unique properties of Cola is a legendary challenge. The rare herbs and nerve-activating compounds used here are incredibly difficult to source and refine properly.
To pull off a 21 percent boost without overloading the user’s body takes true genius and a level of alchemical mastery that few possess.
’So Ji Yunzhi pulled off the impossible once and now he’s done it again?’ Hao thought, utterly impressed.
He really went Plus Ultra with this one. Or maybe whatever’s past that. Ultra Max Deluxe?
Hao smiled. ’Damn. This bald dude’s got some serious OP traits.
’Just like that bald man from that anime you know, the one who beats everyone with one punch.’
Hao slowly closed his eyes.
Silently counted to five in his head.
Five seconds should be enough, right? That’s how long they pause in the shows before someone says something profound.
He opened his eyes again, as if some ancient wisdom had just descended upon him from the heavens.
Enlightenment achieved.
With a calm and serious gaze, Hao stared directly at Ji Yunzhi.
Eyes to eyes.
Ji Yunzhi’s back straightened a little. His fists clenched. His eyes were filled with anticipation.
’Did the storekeeper approve?’
He had poured his heart and soul into improving the Cola-Inspired Pill. Reworked the formula over and over. Even took inspiration from a shrew beast he once saw munching on some citrusy herb under a lightning-struck tree.
This was his peak creation.
And yet…
The storekeeper had been dead silent for nearly a minute. He had stared into the air, glanced once at the ceiling, and even squinted.
His expression barely changed.
Stone cold.
Ji Yunzhi prided himself on reading faces.
He did notice that Hao smiled briefly, but just as quickly, the smile faded and his face returned to that usual blank, unreadable expression.
There were no other visible micro-expressions – no twitch in the brows, no shift in the corners of the lips, no change in posture or breath.
Not even faint signs of inner excitement or disappointment that most people showed, consciously or not.
He tried to evaluate it the way he would approach a test subject’s reaction after taking a new pill.
Observe. Compare. Adjust.
But this time, there was simply no clear data.
Ji Yunzhi had never encountered someone whose baseline expression remained that steady, that neutral.
It wasn’t just difficult to read.
It was inconclusive.
Which, in his view, was worse.
He didn’t know whether the storekeeper approved, disapproved, or was just thinking about something else entirely.
Hao finally spoke, breaking the silence with a casual tone.
“You know, that’s actually pretty impressive work.”
“Compared to your earlier version, this pill’s a clear upgrade.”
“Good job.”
To Ji Yunzhi, those simple words carried more weight than any grand praise.
His lips curved into a wide smile – not a jump or an excited shout, but a quiet, proud smile that made his heart flutter.
Suddenly, Ji Yunzhi’s eyes shut as if his body was calming down from some inner storm.
He stood completely steady, perfectly immobile, still holding the pill bottle.
Hao blinked, surprised. ’Did he fall asleep from working too hard?’
’System, what’s happening to Yunzhi?’
[He has entered an enlightenment state, host.]
’What? Enlightenment? From where?’
’Is it because of my words to him?’ Hao said in his mind, trying to recall the specific compliment he gave.
He whispered the words softly to himself, like a secret spell.
But nothing happened.
’Do I have to say it properly, not just whisper?’ He looked around inside the store and noticed Lin Yijun, Xiao Lianfeng, and even Old Tiger Zhao were staring in their direction.
’Yeah… better not do that.’
Lin Yijun and Xiao Lianfeng had stopped browsing the shelves quite a while ago.
They weren’t even pretending to look anymore.
Both had been watching Hao and Ji Yunzhi with unblinking focus, their attention hooked the moment Ji Yunzhi asked Hao to inspect the pill.
And now, after hearing those few words from Senior Hao – they knew.
This pill was the real deal!
If someone on the same level as the storekeeper gave their approval, even in the mildest tone, it meant that Bai Chen’s alchemy wasn’t just passable.
It was top-tier!
And not just by low-realm standards.
Lin Yijun’s brows furrowed slightly in thought. For a sect, acquiring high-quality pills wasn’t just a matter of boosting strength. It was about stability, morale, and long-term growth.
Disciples who performed well could be rewarded with something like this. Even without knowing the pill’s precise effect, anything personally praised by the storekeeper was bound to be powerful!
Whether it boosted cultivation, stabilized foundations, or healed internal injuries – it would find use.
And if the price was even remotely within reason, then…
A strategic partnership had to be established.
They had tried to recruit Bai Chen before and failed, sure.
But trade? That was still on the table.
Better to act fast than let another sect snatch up this opportunity.
Lin Yijun sighed internally. Of course this would fall to them.
Bothering the elders, filing the proper reports, setting up a meeting – it was going to be such a hassle.
Still…
He could probably squeeze a few extra crystals out of the old geezers with this.
Maybe even a contribution merit bump.
After all, he’d be doing them a favor, right?
He turned slightly, and a slow, scummy smile began creeping onto his face.
Xiao Lianfeng saw it immediately.
That was Lin Yijun’s classic “how can I milk this situation for personal gain” face.
Still, he didn’t blame him.
This was a solid move for the sect. If they managed to secure a deal with Bai Chen, it would be a huge win.
And honestly?
He wouldn’t say no to a few bonuses from the elders either.
Without realizing it, Xiao Lianfeng’s expression mirrored his sworn brother’s.
A slow, approving grin.