Beauty Pill Storm
The trip to the alchemy workshop yielded far more than expected. Finn's cart was not only piled high with top-quality purple floss and silverleaf, but also several packets of other rare scraps "friendly gifts" from Professor Eleanor, euphemistically called "exchange samples."
Ling Yao was in a good mood as she looked at the medicinal herbs, whose energy aura had become noticeably stronger. That very night, she went into the back room and used the newly acquired materials to prepare a batch of "Ling's No. 1 Enhanced Version." The effects were indeed significantly improved; the medicinal power was gentler and more mellow, and the recovery effect increased by about 20-30%.
After trying it, Finn slapped his thigh excitedly: "Miss Ling! The effect is amazing! If we launch this enhanced version, the price can at least double!"
Ling Yao shook her head. The quality of the materials had improved, but the refining techniques and core principles remained the same; it was merely a quantitative change, not a qualitative one. To her, this improvement was insignificant and not worth publicizing. She would still have Finn sell it at the original price, as a small benefit for her regular customers.
Although Finn felt he was getting a bit of a loss, he didn't dare disobey his boss. Looking at those top-quality materials, he couldn't help but think he needed to develop some new products, otherwise it would be a waste of such excellent materials.
The opportunity soon arrived in an unexpected way.
That day, while organizing materials, Finn accidentally knocked over a small paper package containing some shimmering powder called "Moonlight Dust," a gift from Professor Eleanor. This powder contained a faint amount of lunar energy and was usually used to create low-level light spell scrolls or decorative paints; it wasn't of much practical use.
Some of the powder was sprinkled into a pot of "Ling's No. 1 Enhanced Version" that was being simmered nearby. Finn was busy serving guests and didn't notice it at the time. By the time he realized it, the powder had already dissolved into the liquid.
"It's all over! This pot of medicine is ruined!" Finn was heartbroken, but dared not throw it away, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue refining it.
Surprisingly, the liquid did not undergo any adverse changes. Instead, it took on a more beautiful amber color with subtle shimmer, and the fragrance it emitted also had a cool and refreshing quality.
Finn hesitated for a long time before deciding not to sell the "accidental product" to the Mercenary Guild. Adhering to the principle of not wasting anything, he poured himself a small bottle.
The medicine seemed to have no effect, still restoring his strength. But after drinking it, he felt that his skin seemed... a little smoother and more supple? He wasn't sure if it was just a placebo effect.
Just then, his cousin, who worked as a maid in a noble household, came to visit him and complained that the mistress of the house had been in a bad mood lately because of the dry weather, which made life difficult for the servants as well.
Finn looked at the bottle of "accidental medicine" that was shimmering in his hand, and on a whim, he gave it to his cousin as "skin lotion" and told her to try it and see if it would work. He also mysteriously told her that it was an "Eastern secret recipe" and not to tell anyone.
His intention was merely to try anything as a last resort, and he didn't have much hope at all.
However, a few days later, when his cousin visited again, she was in a state of extreme excitement. She grabbed Finn's arm, so excited she was almost incoherent:
“Finn! Brother! Your potion is amazing! Madam only used it once, and the next day her skin was smooth, soft, and much more radiant! Even the fine lines around her eyes have faded! Madam was overjoyed and rewarded me with a whole month's wages! She kept asking me where I got it, and I… I couldn't help myself, so I said… I said my cousin got it from a mysterious Eastern pharmacist…”
Finn was dumbfounded. Such an effect? Moondust had this use?
He quickly found the packet of "Moonlight Dust" again and made several bottles of "Special Effect Moisturizing Water" using the same method, which he then had his cousin take back to the noble lady.
The result was predictable.
In that aristocratic circle that placed extreme importance on appearance and had too much free time, a "skincare product" with such remarkable effects, mysterious origins, and exotic Eastern charm was like a bombshell!
Within just a few days, news of a miraculous beauty elixir from "Oriental Secret Medicine" went viral at afternoon tea parties and salon balls for noble ladies and young women.
Initially, it was just a few noblewomen who were on good terms with Finn's cousin's mistress who, on a whim, secretly sent people to the shop to inquire about and purchase the item.
Finn was initially stunned, but he quickly realized—a business opportunity! A huge business opportunity!
He immediately took action, turning the mistake into an opportunity, and officially named the potion containing moonlight dust "Oriental Glowing Dew," packaged it meticulously, set the price extremely high, and sold it directly to aristocratic customers.
Results speak for themselves. Every woman who tried it was captivated by the visible improvements. Skin became smoother, more radiant, and even minor blemishes were diminished – the results were far superior to the expensive yet largely ineffective traditional skincare products they used!
As a result, "Oriental Skin Brightening Dew" became the most sought-after luxury item in aristocratic circles overnight. Every day, well-dressed butlers, maids, or even veiled noble ladies would arrive in luxurious carriages and quietly queue up at the entrance of "Oriental Secret Medicine" to buy it.
The atmosphere in the shop suddenly changed. Before, the rough-around-the-edges mercenaries were discussing the efficacy and price of medicines in loud, boisterous voices; now, the nobles' servants were whispering and cautiously inquiring about prices and making transactions. Finn had to divide his business hours into two parts: serving the mercenary guild in the morning and attending to these noble customers in the afternoon, keeping him extremely busy.
Ling Yao was utterly baffled by all of this. She had examined the so-called "Radiant Skin Essence," and it was nothing more than a cheap version of "Skin Nourishing Pill" with some added glowing powder—a counterfeit version with diminished effectiveness. In her opinion, this stuff was utterly useless except for making the skin look temporarily better; how could it possibly drive women in this world so crazy?
She couldn't understand the noblewomen's obsession with appearance, but that didn't stop her from happily collecting money. These nobles were far more generous than mercenaries, spending lavishly without batting an eye, paying with high-quality gold coins or high-level magic cores brimming with energy.
The shop's revenue skyrocketed, and Finn even hired a second apprentice to handle packing and customer service.
However, fame doesn't bring only benefits.
First, there were the traditional cosmetics chambers of commerce whose business was being stolen. Several chambers of commerce that originally monopolized the high-end skincare market saw their sales plummet. They were furious with this suddenly appearing, unruly "Oriental Secret Medicine" and began secretly investigating the small shop's background, while also trying to put pressure on the academy.
Secondly, there was some dissatisfaction from the Mercenary Guild. Some mercenaries noticed that the supply of "Ling's No. 1" seemed less abundant than before, and the production of relatively inexpensive "useful gadgets" had also decreased, inevitably leading to some complaints.
Finally, and most importantly, there was the omnipresent surveillance from the courthouse.
Judge Silas's face darkened considerably as he looked at the newly added entry in the report: "A new type of potion with a suspected bewitching effect has been developed and is widely circulating among nobles, bewitching people."
A charm potion! This is definitely a charm potion! Otherwise, how can you explain the frenzied pursuit of those noblewomen? This heretic, her methods are becoming increasingly despicable! From mercenaries to scholars, now she's even targeting the nobility! Her intentions are utterly despicable!
He ordered increased surveillance, focusing on recording changes in the mental state of all noblewomen who had purchased and used "Yingjilu" in an attempt to find evidence of being bewitched and controlled.
This surveillance did indeed reveal some "abnormalities": several noble ladies who had been using "Radiant Skin Dew" for a long time had become more radiant, energetic, and even seemed to have become more cheerful and confident...
In his view, this was undoubtedly irrefutable proof that his mind had been influenced and controlled! Otherwise, how could his personality have changed?
Silas became even more determined to eradicate this cancer as soon as possible. Project Catalyst must be accelerated!
Ling Yao, at the center of the storm, was completely unaware of it, or rather, she didn't care at all. She was busy cultivating with the large number of magic cores she had just earned, and she felt that her stagnant cultivation was finally showing signs of loosening.
Finn, meanwhile, was counting money until his hands cramped, while simultaneously dealing with inquiries and pressure from all sides—a bittersweet experience. He even started fantasizing about developing a deluxe version of "Oriental Radiant Skin Essence" and doubling the price.
On this day, a young noblewoman, dressed in exceptionally finery and exuding an air of haughtiness, accompanied by two guards, personally arrived at the small shop. She was the daughter of a marquis in the city, and had come specifically after hearing about the effects of "Radiant Skin Dew."
The young lady was clearly disgusted by the shop's environment. She covered her nose with a handkerchief, looked Finn up and down, and said arrogantly, "You're the one who sells the Brightening Lotion? Give me ten bottles, the best ones."
Finn quickly smiled apologetically: "Hello, Miss, the Brightening Essence is currently limited to two bottles per person, and pre-orders are required..."
"Purchase restrictions?" The noblewoman's eyebrows shot up. "Do you know who I am? You dare to impose purchase restrictions on me? Believe me, I'll make sure your lousy shop goes out of business tomorrow!"
Finn immediately broke out in a cold sweat; this guy looked like someone not to be trifled with.
Just then, Ling Yao came out from the back room, holding a few pieces of spent magic cores, which she was about to throw away. She saw the arrogant noble lady, but only glanced at her indifferently, without any reaction.
The noble lady spotted Ling Yao immediately. Although Ling Yao was dressed plainly, even somewhat unkempt, her exquisitely beautiful and flawless face, and her deep, bright eyes that seemed indifferent to everything, instantly made the noble lady, who was proud of her appearance, feel extremely threatened and...jealous.
"Who is she?" The noblewoman pointed at Ling Yao and asked Finn in a sharp tone, "Why is her skin so good? Does she use all the best skin brightening lotion for herself?"
Finn felt a chill run down his spine and was about to explain.
Ling Yao frowned slightly at the other person's rude fingers and sarcastic tone. She couldn't be bothered with this spoiled child and casually flicked a dull, grayish-white piece of magic core waste into the trash can by the door, making a soft "clink" sound.
The noblewoman was thoroughly enraged by this dismissive attitude. Just as she was about to lash out, her gaze inadvertently swept over the piece of magic core scrap in the trash can. She suddenly exclaimed, "Huh?"
The seemingly dull and lifeless piece of magic core material flashed with an extremely faint light, remarkably similar to the shimmering light in "Radiant Skin Dew," the moment it fell into the trash can, but it vanished completely in an instant.
Although this noblewoman was arrogant, she came from a family of alchemists and had some discerning eyes. She suddenly realized that the source of the shimmering powder that drove the noblewomen crazy might be related to these magic cores that had run out of magic power!
A startling guess popped into her mind.
The anger on her face vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of shock and greed. She stopped pursuing Finn, gave Ling Yao and the trash can a deep look, then without a word, turned and quickly left with her guards.
Finn was bewildered by this sudden change. He breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he felt a vague sense of unease.
Ling Yao didn't take this little incident to heart at all. She just hoped that there would be fewer of these noisy guests so as not to interfere with her cultivation and... counting magic cores.
Little did she know that the noble lady's unexpected discovery would bring about an unforeseen and enormous upheaval to the "Eastern Secret Medicine."
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