It wasn’t heavy, and it didn’t linger too long, making her want to grab another chip to relive that sensation.
Yue Xueyan thought about ginseng. If they could slice it this thin, cook it like these chips – would it taste like this?
She couldn’t help but smile at the idea.
Now that would be an interesting way to consume ginseng.
Yue Xueyan ate a few more potato chips, savoring each crisp bite. But after a moment, she realized that there was still no change.
Not even the slightest shift in her body, No spiritual qi disturbance. There was nothing.
She scanned her body using her spiritual sense, checking her internal condition. Her spiritual qi, her meridians – everything was exactly as it should be. There was nothing out of place.
’Hmm…’
Perhaps the effect wouldn’t show until the whole bag was finished. She couldn’t rule that out, so for now, she stayed vigilant, watching closely.
Hua Feixue couldn’t hide the envy in her eyes. She longed to try even just one of those chips again.
If only sharing food was allowed in the store, surely Senior Sister would have given her one, maybe two. Or even more!
Hua Feixue’s mouth watered, but she quickly swallowed her desire. She was tight on crystals, and besides, she could only buy one of each product per day.
Yue Xueyan glanced down at the bag. It was almost empty now. Yet still, nothing. No change. No sensation.
With a soft sigh, she finished the last of the chips and carefully licked her fingers – just the thumb and index finger she had used to pick them up.
She paused. One minute. Two. And the silence within her body remained.
Yue Xueyan turned to Hua Feixue.
“Feixue, do you feel any changes in your body now?”
Hua Feixue shook her head. “No, Senior Sister. Same as before.”
“You didn’t feel anything either?”
“Mhm.” Yue Xueyan replied.
“It’s strange… By now, the effect from the potato chips should’ve taken hold…” Hua Feixue leaned back.
Something about this wasn’t right.
“I really can’t tell what it’s supposed to do,” Hua Feixue said, poking her own cheek.
With a small huff, she stood up and walked over to the counter.
“Boss Hao!”
“We ate the chips and they were super delicious, but… what’s the effect? I mean, I know your products are always magical and all, so I was just wondering!”
“Senior Sister and I didn’t feel anything, so now I’m super curious!”
Yue Xueyan, still seated, didn’t move – but her ears were clearly locked onto every word. She also couldn’t figure it out no matter how much she thought.
Behind the counter, Hao rested his chin on one hand lazily.
’You heard that, right, system?’
[The effect of the Original Salted Potato Chips is simple, host.]
[It suppresses bloodlust, demonic impulses, and inner devils that can interfere with a cultivator’s clarity. For one hour, the user is granted a state of calm lucidity – allowing them to think clearly, avoid qi deviation, and better control unstable or dangerous techniques, especially those related to demonic paths or violent breakthroughs.]
[If a cultivator is going through a berserk transformation, bloodline awakening, or anything that stirs madness or hunger-driven rampage, eating a bag of these chips will instantly restore their reasoning and stabilize the flow of qi.]
[In short, it’s a snack that saves lives when your mind or body is on the verge of losing control.]
[As for those two… the reason they felt nothing is because the effect doesn’t apply to them. Their minds are calm, their qi is stable, and they aren’t undergoing any breakthroughs or demonic episodes. So of course, all they got was the taste.]
Hao repeated the System’s explanation to Hua Feixue. Of course, he butchered a few details along the way – his memory already fuzzy from how long the system’s answer had been.
But thankfully, both Hua Feixue and Yue Xueyan were clever enough to fill in the gaps themselves.
Rather than thinking he was being careless or joking around, they simply assumed Hao was testing them. It felt like he was giving them just enough to reflect and understand on their own.
Hua Feixue nodded slowly as the meaning settled in.
“So that’s why we didn’t feel anything…”
Yue Xueyan also understood now. The Original Salted Potato Chips had a purpose similar to the Peach Oolong Tea.
Both helped harmonize one’s internal qi, though in different ways. The tea soothed and nourished, while the chips grounded someone in the midst of chaos.
’Good combination.’
One prevents deviation before it begins. The other pulls you back when it’s already too late.
Even though they didn’t feel anything, neither Yue Xueyan nor Hua Feixue thought the chips were useless.
They understood clearly – this product just wasn’t made for their current state. Their minds were steady, their cultivation paths smooth.
Naturally, the effect wouldn’t trigger.
But in certain situations, this could be a true life-saving treasure.
Unfortunately, in Sovereign City, a place filled with righteous cultivators who emphasized clear hearts and firm dao, the need for this item was rare.
It wasn’t that the chips were bad. They were simply… out of place.
If this store’s door had opened near a demonic sect or an evil cult, the Original Salted Potato Chips would have become a best-seller in an instant.
Those who cultivated demonic arts, walked extreme paths, or wrestled with inner devils would fight over a product like this.
No doubt about it.
But for them, the chips were expensive. The flavor and texture were amazing, that was true. But aside from that, there was nothing else they could gain.
If they had extra crystals lying around, they might splurge once in a while. But when times were tight, practical choices mattered more.
Instant noodles, for example.
Besides, food in the store couldn’t be shared. Even if you had a bag of Original Salted Potato Chips, you couldn’t hand it to someone else in need. The moment you tried, its effects would vanish.
It couldn’t be used to save others – only yourself.
Even so, it had its value.
Kept in a storage ring, it could serve as a backup for emergencies.
Out in the wilderness, when things spiral out of control, having one on hand could make all the difference.