All of it.
Down to the muscular weakening, the slowed spiritual flow, even the dizziness.
Hao hadn’t taken the pill. Hadn’t refined it.
Hadn’t asked for ingredients. Just… touched it.
As expected of an omnipotent being.
A true existence from the upper realms. A divine alchemist whose understanding transcended mortal comprehension.
Just holding the pill had been enough for him to sense its entirety. The balance, the instability, the fine threading of conflicting properties.
He’d even named each ingredient without hesitation.
The truth became clearer in Ji Yunzhi’s heart:
The storekeeper had to be the creator of Cola himself.
Or, at the very least, involved in its production.
No wonder the concoction he tried to replicate had such bizarre and potent effects – he was trying to match something created by him.
The man before him was not merely talented.
He was beyond what could be called genius.
He was… a walking miracle.
Ji Yunzhi’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke. “…I see now. I was too narrow in vision.”
The rogue alchemist was still digesting that praise – eyes practically glazed over from the dopamine hit – while on the other side, Hao stood there arms crossed, one brow slightly raised, giving exactly zero clarification.
Internally?
’Bro, I just didn’t want to vomit blood in the bathroom.’
“I’ll do my best to improve it further, storekeeper!”
“I know it’s shameless to ask this, but… do you think you could give me even a single hint?”
“Just a nudge in the right direction?”
Hao’s left eye almost twitched.
He barely held it back.
’System, help me again. Just one tip to pass on. Make it sound wise or something.’
[It will cost 2 crystals, host. Proceed?]
Hao gritted his teeth. ’I already paid you 5 crystals. Why are you charging me for every breath like some mobile data plan?’
[Knowledge is not free, host.]
He exhaled slowly. Before the system could continue with one of its smug retorts, he snapped, ’Fine, fine. Start it. Just letting off steam. I know beggars can’t be choosers. Doesn’t mean I can’t complain.’
[2 crystals deducted. Recommend incorporating a stabilizing catalyst with harmonizing properties.
[Specifically, seek an ingredient that possesses dual-nature qualities – cooling without dampening energy, and invigorating without overstimulation.]
[For example, something that carries yin-based qi to cool the meridians, but with a trace of yang intent to maintain inner momentum. A spiritual herb grown under moonlight but nourished by morning dew may qualify.]
[It must be gentle enough not to override the main effect, but firm enough to smooth spiritual flow during peak activation. The key issue in the current formula lies in the abrupt energy spike.]
[Once the nervous system is triggered and physical reflexes heightened, the body enters an unsustainable high-alert state. Without a proper “buffer,” the crash afterward becomes severe.]
[By introducing a harmonizing agent, the pill can be made to ease into its peak instead of slamming into it, and taper down instead of collapsing.]
[End result: Reduced side effects. Prolonged effect duration. Improved safety margin.]
[Note: This adjustment will not weaken the main effect, but will stabilize its release. With smoother qi flow and reduced backlash, the pill will be safe to use more than twice per day with proper intervals.]
’At least the crystals were worth it this time… not that they ever weren’t – but still. Let me pretend I got a bargain for once.’
Hao turned back toward Ji Yunzhi, clearing his throat.
“I’ll only say this once, so listen well.”
“The force of the pill’s effect hits too sharp and too fast. You need something to anchor the transition – let it ramp up, not slam in.”
Which, of course, really just meant he was too lazy to repeat himself. If this was a sect lecture, he’d be the elder who gave one speech and left the rest to fate.
“Look for an ingredient with both a cooling and energizing nature. Something that doesn’t interrupt the flow, just eases it.”
“Gentle but stabilizing. That kind of harmony’s what’ll let it work more than twice a day without wrecking the user.”
No grand lectures. No over-explanation.
Ji Yunzhi stared.
Then slowly nodded, his eyes sharpening with every second. His mind already danced with possibilities.
“…A buffer without resistance… a yin-based energy with just a trace of active movement…” he muttered, chewing through the concept.
“It’s elegant. And stable.”
Of course he’d use the advice.
But that didn’t mean he’d stop at just what he was told.
Ji Yunzhi’s pride didn’t allow him to cling to someone else’s wisdom blindly. He’d build on it. Improve it.
Test multiple options. Layer the solution.
Turn it into something only he could craft.
He bought another can before leaving, holding it carefully in both hands like it was a sacred blueprint.
There were more treasures in the store – he could feel it. But Ji Yunzhi was the kind of alchemist who finished one obsession before chasing the next.
To him, alchemy was truth. Not politics. Not profit.
Truth and freedom.
And he’d rather burn alone in his furnace of discovery than follow anyone else’s fire.
Hao sighed in relief as Ji Yunzhi disappeared through the door. He rubbed his temples.
’Hopefully, he won’t come back every day asking questions.’
’At this rate, he’ll drain my entire earnings if I keep asking the system for answers.’
The next day, the reward for completing the previous side task arrived. Hao opened it to find three small octagonal badges.
The design was simple yet striking. The badges were matte black with a faint purple gradient that deepened toward the center, giving them a mysterious aura.
At the heart of each badge sat a small purple gemstone, slightly raised, its glow barely visible. It looked quiet for now, but something about it told Hao it wasn’t just for decoration – like it was waiting for the right moment to light up.
Silver engravings decorated the edges, and a dark chrome border completed the polished finish.
“Looks cool.” Hao muttered, inspecting them.
“But what exactly do these things do?”
[The Employee Safety Badges, host, are defensive artifacts designed to protect the wearer from powerful attacks. Each badge can fully withstand one attack from a cultivator within the Divine Monarch Realm once a day.]