Hua Feixue’s eyes widened in curiosity. “But… if you’ve had two already, does that mean you didn’t experience enlightenment, master?”
“Or maybe… did it only last for a short while?”
She blinked, tilting her head slightly as she tried to understand how the elders could stay awake after eating so much of the Instant Noodles.
Elder Feng Yuhan gave a short nod.
“We didn’t enter enlightenment.”
Hua Feixue’s smile faltered. “Oh…”
The other three also fell silent, their expressions thoughtful.
Why? The elders had eaten the same thing – so why hadn’t they experienced enlightenment like them?
Was something wrong?
Elder Tang Sheng let out a low laugh.
“Junior Hua, there is no need for concern. The effects of such things naturally weaken at our level due to the depth of our cultivation.”
He folded his arms. “However, that does not mean it is without value to us.”
“With sufficient consumption, even we can enter enlightenment – though it may take two or more cups.”
His lips curled into a faint smile. “And for cultivators at our realm, to have even a sliver of such an opportunity is already beyond what we could have hoped for.”
Elder Tang Sheng’s reassuring words lifted the mood.
Hua Feixue’s eyes brightened again.
“So it still works! Just takes a bit more.”
Elder Feng Yuhan and Elder Tang Sheng nodded.
The four young cultivators busied themselves, preparing their Chicken-Flavored Instant Noodles once again. Meanwhile, the two elders remained seated, closing their eyes to cultivate and refine the spiritual qi they had absorbed.
Time passed, and soon, the four once again entered enlightenment.
Elder Tang Sheng and Elder Feng Yuhan opened their eyes, exchanging glances.
Elder Tang Sheng’s gaze shifted toward the table, where a can of Lime Fizz rested in front of Lin Yijun. He gestured toward it.
“Elder Feng, should we try that one next?”
Elder Feng Yuhan followed Elder Tang Sheng’s eyes.
So far, everything from this store had shown… remarkable effects. First, the Instant Noodles, and then the Cola – both had benefits that defied common sense.
There was no reason to believe the Lime Fizz would be any different.
Without further hesitation, they purchased a can each.
The container was nearly identical to the Cola – same solid metal, same smooth design. But instead of the deep, dark red, the Lime Fizz had a bright jade green and misty blue pattern, giving it a refreshing, crisp appearance.
Elder Feng Yuhan glanced at her can, excitement flickering in her usually cold eyes. Unlike Tang Sheng, she hadn’t tried the Cola yet.
This would be her first taste of a refreshment from the store.
They both hooked their fingers under the tab and popped the cans open at the same time.
Pssht!
A sharp hiss escaped as the pressurized seal broke, followed by a burst of fizz. Tiny bubbles surged up to the opening before quickly settling.
A fresh, citrusy aroma filled the air.
Elder Tang Sheng’s brows raised.
“The scent is… sharp.” he murmured.
Elder Feng Yuhan brought the can closer, inhaling deeply. The scent was familiar, yet different – like a refreshing herbal drink but with a sharper, more energizing twist.
There was a tangy kick to it, with a slight sweetness that reminded her of some rare spiritual fruits, though she couldn’t quite place which ones.
It wasn’t too strong, but it wasn’t too light either. The mix of sharpness and sweetness made it pleasantly revitalizing. It felt like breathing in fresh mountain air after a storm – clean, cool, and full of life.
Her fingers curled tightly around the can.
’Interesting.’
They both brought the cans to their lips and took a sip at the same time.
The liquid flowed smoothly, cooling their throats with a sharp, citrusy bite.
Elder Tang Sheng felt a shift. The bold citrus flavor hit him first, followed by a soft sweetness. His thoughts seemed to sharpen, a newfound clarity settling into his mind.
Elder Feng Yuhan closed her eyes for a moment, letting the flavor linger. The tang jolted her senses, while the sweetness eased the intensity.
It wasn’t overwhelming, but her attention tightened, her mind becoming more focused.
They exchanged a brief glance. There was no mistake – the Lime Fizz was honing their concentration, clearing their thoughts and giving them a clearer perspective.
Elder Tang Sheng and Elder Feng Yuhan drained their cans in seconds. The cool liquid sank into their bodies.
They could feel the effects way better now.
It was the perfect boost for cultivating!
The Lime Fizz helped them control their spiritual qi with more precision, letting them cultivate more efficiently. They couldn’t waste any time.
They locked in and started cultivating once more.
Time passed, and soon Lin Yijun, Hua Feixue, Yue Xueyan, and Xiao Lianfeng awoke from their enlightenment.
They had all broken through!
The two elders also felt progress. What would normally take a week to achieve through continuous cultivation had been done in minutes thanks to the Lime Fizz’s influence.
Elder Tang Sheng turned to the disciples with a smile.
“Juniors, I recommend you purchase the Lime Fizz, as Lin Yijun did. Its effects are highly beneficial for cultivation.”
“It’s good.” Elder Feng Yuhan added.
The four disciples exchanged curious glances, all wondering how the Lime Fizz could help them specifically with their cultivation.
Lin Yijun stared at his can of Lime Fizz, while the others purchased their own, earning Hao another 9 crystals.
Elder Feng Yuhan spoke again. “Consume it in your sects, then cultivate in your private chambers or spirit pools. That will maximize the effects.”
The three disciples couldn’t hide their eagerness. Xiao Lianfeng, especially, was practically vibrating with anticipation.
He loved nothing more than the grind of cultivation, and the idea of using this drink to accelerate his growth made his blood race.
Xiao Lianfeng thrived on effort, pushing his body to its limits and relishing the process of progress through hard work.
While he couldn’t deny the appeal of the instant enlightenment the noodles offered, a shortcut didn’t fully satisfy him.
His body, more accustomed to hard training, seemed to prefer the raw effort of cultivation – straining his muscles and focusing his mind to push forward.
The idea of instant breakthroughs felt too easy for him, though he wouldn’t pass up on using the noodles for some quick results.
But deep down, he knew that lasting success came from consistent effort, not just relying on easy routes.