Grand Opening of Dongfang Secret Medicine
With the heavy, blood-stained but incredibly cute money pouch tucked in her arms, Ling Yao felt her back straighten considerably. The first step to survival in this other world: Having provisions means peace of mind. Although these "provisions" consisted of gold coins and glittering stones, anything that could be exchanged for food and supplies was good provisions.
As for the looks she received from the crowd around her, as if they were staring at a deity... or a monster, she selectively ignored them. A powerful figure in the cultivation world, she certainly possessed that much mental fortitude.
Old Dean Maurice watched as the wounded soldier was carried away by the mercenaries, who were expressing their profuse thanks. Then he glanced at Ling Yao, whose expression said, "I just threw a stone," and his white beard trembled repeatedly before finally settling into a long sigh. Things seemed to be spiraling further out of his control. This visitor from another world seemed…even more peculiar than he had imagined.
Professor Eleanor was completely engrossed in her academic frenzy. She surrounded Ling Yao, her eyes shining brighter than searchlights, and muttered rapidly and intricate magical terms: "...non-magical driven...unknown energy reaction...directly acting on the source of life...this violates Chapter 3, Article 7 of the Fundamental Laws of Potion Efficacy Transmission...must be studied in depth..." She even tried to tug at Ling Yao's sleeve, wanting to immediately pull her back to the laboratory for "more in-depth discussion".
Ling Yao felt a chill run down her spine from the woman's burning gaze and instinctively took a half-step to the side. This woman's eyes were even more frightening than her master's when he stared at the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir Furnace.
Inquisitor Silas's expression was beyond grim; it was the calm before a storm. He had witnessed a "miracle" (or rather, "evil magic") that defied explanation by the holy scriptures. This did not dispel his doubts; instead, it made him even more convinced that Ling Yao's power was some unknown, highly seductive, and malevolent heresy! It had to be completely purified!
But as soon as he took a step forward, the old dean blocked his way, his tone gentle but his attitude unusually firm: "Your Honor, it seems this... lady has no ill intentions. She has just saved a life. Until things become clearer, I hope the college will continue to handle contact with her."
Silas's icy gaze swept over the old dean, then fixed on Ling Yao. Finally, he let out a heavy snort, abruptly turned, his black robes billowing, and left with a chilling aura. He needed to immediately report the situation to the Holy See and request higher-level authorization and support. This otherworldly creature was more troublesome than he had anticipated.
Having gotten rid of the most annoying fellow, Ling Yao felt the air around her was much fresher. She patted the bulging money pouch in her arms and began to think about her next plan.
Living under someone else's roof, constantly at their mercy, is not a long-term solution. That Professor Yinrui's gaze is terrifying; who knows when she might dissect me for research? I need my own base, a place where I can recover in peace and continue making money... uh, I mean, gathering resources.
She pointed to the bustling street outside the college, then gestured with a "small house" and "open for business" sign, her gaze fixed on the old dean.
The old dean was taken aback for a moment before he understood her meaning: "You... want to rent a shop in the town of Academy?"
Ling Yao nodded vigorously.
The old dean pondered. Allowing an unidentified, unknown being from another world to open a shop near the academy? The risk was undoubtedly high. But on the other hand, keeping her under his nose seemed better than letting her roam freely and cause even greater, unknown trouble. And…perhaps it would be easier to observe and study her? This woman seemed to possess some kind of invaluable knowledge system, completely different from magic.
After much deliberation, the old dean finally nodded: "Okay. Finn." He called over the brown-haired boy who had been in a state of excitement, "You are more familiar with the town, take Ms. Ling to find a suitable shop, the rent... will be paid from the college's special funds." He decided to invest a little first to stabilize this "rare sample".
Upon hearing this, Finn almost jumped up with excitement: "I guarantee I'll complete the mission, Dean!" Being able to work as a servant for this mysterious big shot was a dream come true!
So, with Finn, her half-baked guide and translator (though communication relied mainly on guesswork and body language), Ling Yao quickly found a long-abandoned, somewhat dilapidated little shop in a quiet alley not far from the academy. The location was secluded and quiet enough, and the rent was cheap (the old dean paid for it), making it perfect for someone like her who needed to develop discreetly.
Ling Yao took out a few gold coins (from her purse) and asked Finn to find someone to do a simple cleaning and repair. She also got a simple wooden sign. She tried to recall the writing system of this world (mainly by guessing from the academy and shop signs), then dipped her finger in some unknown paint and crookedly drew four extremely ugly, but roughly recognizable, symbols on the wooden sign.
Finn leaned closer, struggling to decipher the words: "Eastern...secret...medicine? Miss Ling, is this the script from your hometown? Does it mean...mysterious Eastern medicine?" He automatically completed the translation and filled in the blanks in his mind.
Ling Yao nodded mysteriously and hung the wooden sign at the door.
The "Oriental Secret Medicine" shop is now officially open for business.
There were no flower baskets, no firecrackers, no onlookers, only a brown-haired boy peeking in at the door, and a shop owner sitting in the empty shop, staring blankly at a few freshly picked "iron thorn grass" plants.
Business... was naturally quite slow.
Occasionally, passersby would glance curiously at this newly opened shop with its peculiar name, but upon seeing its bare walls, lack of even a single shelf, and the owner's expressionless, cold face that suggested he didn't know how to do business, they would shake their heads and walk away.
Ling Yao wasn't in a hurry. She was happy to have some peace and quiet, spending most of her time in the back room of the shop (which could barely be considered a rest area), trying to circulate her sluggish immortal power and adapt to the rules of this world, hoping to recover as much as possible. When she was hungry, she would nibble on a couple of "black steamed buns," which, although they tasted terrible, were enough to stave off hunger and provide a little bit of energy.
Finn, on the other hand, showed up on time every day, even more enthusiastically than when he was in class. He voluntarily took on the role of "shop assistant," although the main job of this assistant was: cleaning (which made the place dirtier), organizing items (which made the place messier), and... bombarding Ling Yao with questions.
"Miss Ling! Miss Ling! How did you make that black potion you gave the mercenaries yesterday? Why can't I sense any magical energy in it?"
"Miss Ling! Is that symbol you hung at the door some kind of ancient magical emblem?"
"Miss Ling! Are all the people in your hometown as amazing as you? Can everyone in your area heal without chanting incantations?"
"Miss Ling..."
Ling Yao's head was throbbing from his noise, and she almost used a silencing spell to shut him up several times. But considering that this kid was running around doing chores and working hard without complaint (even though he was mostly making things worse), and that he even brought his own food (bread he had taken from the cafeteria, which Ling Yao didn't like), she tolerated it.
That day, Finn presented Ling Yao with a pile of books he had bought from a secondhand bookstore, including books on continental herbalism and basic potion-making (bought with his saved allowance).
“Miss Ling! Look! These are all basic introductory books on potions! Maybe they will be useful to you?” His eyes gleamed, hoping to get some affirmation from the big shot.
Ling Yao casually picked up a thick book, "Grant's Potions: Beginner's Guide," with a cover featuring a glowing plant, and began flipping through it absentmindedly.
At first, she was just browsing casually, but as she looked at it, her expression became a little more serious.
The potion system of this world, though crude and rudimentary in her eyes, did have its unique aspects. It focused more on utilizing the elemental properties of the ingredients to create synergies and resonance, or on using complex magic circles and incantations to guide and amplify the potion's effects. The process was tedious and inefficient, but the underlying principles… were somewhat interesting.
In particular, the descriptions of some local herbs gave her a more concrete understanding of the energy substances in this world.
“Hmm…” Ling Yao put down the book, picked up the “Ironthorn” plant that Finn had mentioned, and pointed to an illustration of a plant in the book called “Earth Root Grass” that looked somewhat similar.
Finn leaned closer to take a look and immediately shook his head: "Different, different! Although Earthroot also grows in places rich in earth element, its roots are yellow and contain gentle earth magic, making it an ingredient in many stamina potions and potions for restoring strength. This Ironthorn is purple, contains almost no magic, is hard and difficult to process, nobody uses it!"
Almost no magic? Ling Yao raised an eyebrow. That's because you can't sense it or extract it.
A thought suddenly occurred to her. She picked up the "Grant's Potions Compendium: Beginner's Guide," flipped to the back where several basic potion recipes were recorded, pointed to one called "Basic Stamina Recovery Potion," and then pushed the "Ironthorn" plant in front of Finn.
Finn looked completely bewildered: "Miss Ling...you mean...to use Ironthorn instead of Earthroot?" He shook his head vigorously, "No! Absolutely not! Earthroot provides a gentle and sustainable replenishment of earth magic, while Ironthorn provides nothing! Moreover, their properties are completely different. Randomly substituting materials is a major taboo in potion making! It will cause a huge uproar!"
Ling Yao ignored his fuss and simply gestured with her eyes: Go get a set of the most basic potion-making tools.
Although Finn thought the idea was crazy and dangerous, out of blind trust in the big shot (and intense curiosity), he still ran back to the academy and used his student ID to rent a set of basic potion-making equipment—a small copper crucible, an alcohol lamp (the magic lamp required magic to operate, and he was afraid Ling Yao wouldn't know how to use it), a few crystal bottles, and a stirring rod.
Having obtained the tools, Ling Yao glanced at the equipment, which she considered pitifully rudimentary, and pursed her lips. "Oh well, I'll just have to make do."
Following the recipe, she first placed several basic ingredients (brought by Finn) into the crucible one by one and heated them, the process so precise it was as if she had measured it with a ruler. Then, under Finn's horrified gaze, she unhesitatingly threw in the "unwanted" ironthorn plant, replacing the original "earthroot".
"Oh no, oh no, it's going to explode..." Finn instinctively crouched down, covering his head in defense.
However, the expected explosion did not occur.
Ling Yao stretched out her finger, and once again gathered that thin but incomparably pure immortal power at her fingertip. Through the air, she gently touched the medicinal liquid in the crucible!
There were no incantations, no complicated magic circles to guide it.
Only an invisible yet powerful force forcibly intervened, brutally stripping away the pure yet restrained life essence from the Ironthorn in a way that Finn could not comprehend, and forcibly merging and suppressing it with the medicinal properties of other auxiliary ingredients!
The liquid in the crucible churned and changed color violently, but eventually calmed down slowly, emitting a strange medicinal fragrance that was more mellow and mild than the original stamina potion.
Ling Yao picked up a crystal bottle, poured the pale amber-colored liquid from the crucible into it, and casually handed it to Finn, who was still squatting on the ground with his head in his hands.
"Test...test the medicine?" Finn took the bottle, his hands trembling slightly. He looked at the beautiful color inside, smelled the enticing aroma, and was torn between two conflicting thoughts. The medicine concocted by the big boss...shouldn't kill anyone, right? But using ironthorn to make a stamina potion...that's too far-fetched!
Ultimately, blind trust in the big shot (and a reckless curiosity) prevailed. He closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and downed the entire bottle of liquid!
As the medicine entered my throat, a warm current instantly spread throughout my body! Unlike the short-lived, adrenaline-pumping stimulation of ordinary stamina potions, this warm current was more persistent and solid, as if the vitality was awakened from within my body, sweeping away fatigue and even invigorating my spirit!
"Whoa—!" Finn suddenly opened his eyes, his face filled with unbelievable joy. "This effect... is even better than the standard beginner stamina potion issued by the academy! And it feels much better! There's no feeling of exhaustion after drinking it! Miss Ling! You're amazing! You actually managed to make such a good potion using ironthorn grass!"
He jumped up and down several times with excitement, looking at the empty crystal bottle in his hand as if it were a priceless treasure.
Ling Yao wasn't surprised at all. It was just basic stuff. Although the life essence of the Ironthorn Grass was weak, its quality was pure, making it more suitable for nourishing the body than the scattered earth-elemental magic of the Earth Root Grass. It was just that the potion-making techniques in this world were too crude to utilize it effectively.
After Finn's initial excitement subsided, looking at Ling Yao's still indifferent expression, a thought struck his mind like lightning!
He suddenly grabbed Ling Yao's arm (which Ling Yao shook off in disgust), his voice trembling with excitement: "Miss Ling! This potion! This potion will definitely sell! It will definitely sell better than the basic stamina potions on the market! We're going to be rich!!"
Ling Yao blinked as she looked at the brown-haired boy in front of her who had suddenly become excited.
Opening a shop...to sell medicine?
It seems like... a good idea?
At least it's better than eating black bread every day.
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