Chapter Seventy-Four: Spiritual Blood Fusion Elixir

The pods of the radish fruit were originally colorless and tasteless, yet their texture was quite pleasant—much like jelly, with a unique sensation when chewed. These fruit trees typically grew by the lakeside; several of them had been planted on the central island of the lake. Perhaps due to absorbing the nutrients from the colorful waters of the Röntgen Sea, the flesh of the fruit was no longer as transparent as before but had taken on a hint of iridescence. While the taste remained unchanged, who could say whether toxins had developed? Yet, Raymond still picked and ate them at every opportunity. Eve had scolded him several times, but her words fell on deaf ears, so whenever she found a chance, she would make a sarcastic remark or two.

Qi Xiao was well aware of the whole story. He chuckled softly and returned to the alchemy laboratory.

Following his guessed formula, Qi Xiao prepared a set of ingredients, measured them out proportionally, and began his first attempt at concoction.

Unsurprisingly, he failed. With a calm expression, Qi Xiao took the residue of the potion for analysis and comparison. He had intended to proceed step by step, believing that this methodical exploration and deduction of the formula would allow for a deeper understanding of the potion’s crafting logic. It seemed that the old woman’s decision not to give him the formula directly, but instead to present him with a finished sample, was motivated by the same reasoning.

After two days of this, Qi Xiao had made rapid progress in deducing the potion’s formula, but he was compelled to halt his experiments for the time being.

The reason was simple: it was simply too costly. In just two days, not counting the value of his time, Qi Xiao had burned through nearly three thousand magic crystals. Even with his wealth, such wastefulness was unsustainable.

Fortunately, his efforts had not been fruitless. These costly experiments had given Qi Xiao many unique insights into soul-related potions, a field in which he had previously been almost entirely ignorant. Still, he decided to pause the hands-on research and immerse himself in relevant literature to consolidate his understanding.

A gentle knock sounded at the door as Qi Xiao was preparing a coffee-flavored beverage.

“Come in,” he called.

A small blood servant entered, carrying a letter with both hands and walking with utmost respect. Qi Xiao could now easily distinguish the two young blood servants by their features.

“Xue Ruo, just leave it on that table, please. Thank you,” he said.

Obediently, Xue Ruo set the letter down and was about to leave when Qi Xiao casually asked, “Has Steward Merck not returned yet?”

Xue Ruo bowed deeply. “The Patriarch went to the Scarlet Manor on behalf of Lord Midiel. He should be gone for several more days.”

Qi Xiao nodded. Just then, the coffee was ready. He poured two cups and called Xue Ruo over, handing him one.

“This… sir, there’s no need…” Xue Ruo declined repeatedly.

Qi Xiao spoke gently, “Try it for me, just as an experiment. I’ve heard that the blood servant clan’s sense of taste for liquids is similar to humans’, perhaps even more discerning. If you can drink it, then it’s presentable.”

At this, Xue Ruo quickly accepted the cup and drank it all in one gulp, seemingly unfazed by the heat.

Qi Xiao was a little helpless; he wouldn’t even water his plants that quickly. “So, how does it taste? Just tell me honestly—no need to flatter me. This is for an experiment. If you praise it too much and I confidently serve it to guests only to embarrass myself, that wouldn’t do.”

Xue Ruo swallowed the words of praise that had risen to his lips and hesitated. “Well… It’s definitely not unpleasant, just a bit bland—not bitter, not sweet, and the aroma isn’t rich. Perhaps adding some milk and sugar would improve it?”

After thinking for a moment, Xue Ruo added, “Of course, that’s just my personal preference for sweeter things. Please do as you see fit, young master.”

Qi Xiao acknowledged his comments and, after letting Xue Ruo go, took a small sip of the coffee himself.

The coffee was neither excessively bitter nor lacking in the authentic flavor of coffee. Its fragrance was not strong but lingered gently on the tongue and in the throat.

Originally, Qi Xiao had aimed for a balanced flavor, but after Xue Ruo’s remarks, he realized it was indeed somewhat bland.

The ingredients for his coffee were simple: Nether Valley coffee beans, Morning Dew water, and Phantasmal Herb—nothing more.

These coffee beans, grown in shadowy mountain valleys, carried a faint, unique aroma. Qi Xiao had recently obtained a fresh batch and, as he was learning to make beverages, had ground some for himself.

He opened the envelope; it was Yara’s resignation letter. Her nominal mentor had returned to the organization, and she was to leave the island the following day.

Reading Yara’s thoughts on the Heaven’s Craft Alchemy Shop, Qi Xiao fell into contemplation.

After two months, his small shop was already well-known and no longer dependent on the foot traffic of the commercial street. It might be time to move to a more spacious location, which would also allow for expansion.

By now, brewing basic potions had become as effortless for Qi Xiao as eating or drinking; he could fully meet his customers’ demands.

At the same time, he wanted to modify the weekend auction system. Now that all the popular weapon blueprints had been produced, Qi Xiao had resorted to mixing popular and unpopular alchemical weapons at auction; otherwise, too many obscure items would lead to failed sales. His plan was to reform this: ordinary weapons would be openly priced, and only the monthly auction of fine-grade items would receive heavy promotion.

As for improved or self-created blueprints, Qi Xiao had tried them. If the changes to an alchemical weapon were minor, the system did not acknowledge them; but major revisions or original designs were too time-consuming—sometimes taking three or four days to develop a single one, and inspiration was becoming scarcer. Thus, he abandoned the idea.

“But I can start selling some potions I haven’t offered before…” Qi Xiao mused. Previously, to avoid drawing too much attention to his talents, he had emphasized his identity as an enchanter-alchemist and only produced the most basic potions. Now that he had inherited a new potion legacy, it would not seem out of place to display some skill. There was still much profit to be made from the lower-tier potions.

He wrote a sincere letter of thanks and well-wishes in reply, then took out the formula Mili had given him and began concocting the Soulblood Fusion Potion.

The potion was not difficult to make, but some of the ingredients were rare and precious. No wonder Mili had not promoted it widely. Qi Xiao understood well that his current research into the blood plague was not as advanced as Mili’s, so he didn’t make any arbitrary changes to the formula. He followed the instructions exactly, preparing three bottles.

Qi Xiao held up one bottle, leveling it with his gaze. The potion was a deep, profound crimson, as if it contained the essence of life itself, shimmering within the glass like a ruby.

Under the crystal ceiling lamp, a faint luster glimmered on the potion’s surface, reminiscent of the subtle glow of blood flowing through veins.

The Soulblood Fusion Potion appeared exceedingly viscous, moving with a sluggish, almost congealed flow.

Qi Xiao sealed the bottle with wax to ensure the potion’s purity and potency, and to protect it from any external interference.