Chapter 392: Release

Chapter 392: Release

Dig, dig, dig. If you don’t dig, you’re no human being. The Potion Masters Association said they were all too eager for talented people like this. After all, deciphering and researching a magic potion is just painful. It involves endless testing, and all of it boring drudgery. It’s nothing like developing a new magic potion.

Every tiny new change felt like grinding in the Abyss—full of anticipation, the next moment might mean completion… Even if it wasn’t completion, just seeing a random drop could be thrilling. But what did deciphering a magic potion feel like? A simple comparison? Grinding for fragments. Grinding endlessly, tirelessly, with no random drops or surprises—just fragments. Could the feelings be compared?

So as long as they managed to lure over the Creator, nurturing the relationship while grooming him, was the formula really a problem? Beyond that, what they valued even more was Zheng Yichen’s research ability.

They wouldn’t even try to discuss if the second most-discussed potion on the boards—the Semi-Awakening Potion—was or wasn’t his invention. The simple series of new-formula magic potions he had created before were solid accomplishments. Even without a direct connection, a talent like him already had them salivating. Especially since he currently had no formal ties. He was effectively a lone talent! The urge to dig had been strong within them for a long time!

Besides, was the Potion Masters Association’s digging really “digging”? It wasn’t! A potion master seeking better prospects should willingly join… Okay, that wasn’t how they used to think. This change in attitude was largely because they had been struck by the thought behind the Fixation Potion formula. It blatantly challenged their knowledge and traditions, yet the other party succeeded brilliantly.

Initially, after seeing some findings from deciphering the Fixation Potion, the kneejerk reaction was absolute skepticism. It was a slap in the face when those who doubted had their faces slapped hard. Magic potion crafted from conflicting formula ingredients? Yes, it could truly produce special results. If traditional potion formulas were said to follow conventional development, Zheng Yichen’s approach could be described as growth through anomalous mutation. Just like certain modifications in the Life Domain—very rarely, the modified creature would mutate into something possessing greater strength than its “peers”.

No one thought such a phenomenon would appear in Potionology too. But it did. It wasn’t just a bit worldview-breaking either. It also opened a completely new path. The knowledge handed down by the ancients wasn’t absolute! More innovative approaches could produce new, ever more miraculous results. While some sought to follow this path, other potion masters strongly rejected this method. They saw it as a crooked path: misleading and detrimental to one’s future. Magic potions themselves fundamentally required stability. What kind of potion development relied almost entirely on highly random mutation?

Even if you had a finished product, the formula could be fixed to reliably produce that potion… But the whole process relied on luck. People with money could give it a try. Those without strong financial backing had virtually no chance. Potion research itself is expensive. This newer, even more wasteful method compared to the traditional approach? Those who might otherwise have developed new formulas via tradition would find their own prospects blocked.

This fierce debate included even the Association’s high-ranking members. For now, the arguments were temporarily suppressed. While this mutation research path was highly prone to misguiding people, and huge investments could end in total losses, undeniable, tangible results already existed. Moreover, Zheng Yichen had successfully created several magic potions; he must possess relevant experience. Should they understand said experience, whether this mutation research could be rolled out on a wide scale… Well, they could re-discuss that later.

Right. As an Association, they had to consider development priorities. Actions boosting their fame certainly couldn’t be passed over. In the past, the Potion Masters Association had frequently announced special findings. Though largely involving formulas they themselves had moved past, they were invariably “cutting-edge” by outside standards.

Releasing such findings had always aimed to secure their authority in related fields. But showcasing their strength to attract more people… Gay guys—cough, cough—potion masters was also crucial! This mutation method practically amounted to formula format evolution. Announcing it would absolutely create a seismic impact among potion masters, provoking shock and profound influence. However, such influence wasn’t guaranteed to bring positive renown. How they presented this method demanded careful thought—determining what results they still needed to fully understand.

If the mutation research wasn’t purely luck-based but contained controllable elements or directional choices… Then they could trumpet it far and wide. If it wasn’t controllable? Then frame its release as “theoretical possibility,” “untested,” “experimental concept”—just get it out first! Should a future rare genius create world-shaking results using this mutation approach someday… Well, voila! The Potion Masters Association would be hailed for their incredible foresight!

As for Zheng Yichen… Didn’t they have plans to dig him over now? Even if that didn’t come through, his current silence regarding the method meant… Well, they were within their rights to announce their findings! It was researched by the Potion Masters Association. Even if Zheng Yichen was the “Pioneer,” he hadn’t publicly claimed it first. Saying anything later would merely sound petulant. After all, the Association never stole anything directly from him. Their information came entirely through deciphering formula studies. The potion research life, right?

Therefore, the Potion Masters Association harbored zero worries about Zheng Yichen causing trouble later. Even if he tried, no loss would come to them. Instead, others would simply see him as petty. If he so cared about the theory, why hold onto it so tightly? What potion master didn’t know at least a little about the industry’s inside workings?

“Should we start reaching out now?”

“Make some initial attempts now. Formal recruitment comes later, after the Semi-Awakening Potions are out for sale, with finished products.”

Currently, that potion was just an advertisement—posted by the Purple Vine Guild. No actual info about its creator existed. Not unlike the Fixation Potion back then. Zero creator details initially. Within a while after release though, creator info gradually surfaces. The Potion Masters Association, possessing its own pathways, could gain such knowledge ahead of others. With deep influence throughout the potion master community… others usually gave them face, particularly powerful guilds. Know this: many guilds source their potions via direct links to the Association. Many guild-employed potion masters held Association membership. As to why choose recruitment after sales? Naivety? Hardly. The best timing had passed. Approaching before the Semi-Awakening Potion was researched? That would have incurred lower costs. Of course, this assumed Zheng Yichen was the creator of the Semi-Awakening Potion.

If he wasn’t? Then waiting later posed little harm. Ironically, mixed feelings existed within the Association. One part hoped Zheng Yichen did create this potion. Recruiting him then would save them burdensome deciphering efforts. Plus, if he created it, he absolutely possessed follow-up theories! Exactly! This thing currently bore the “Semi-Awakening” moniker. That title alone spurred imaginations. This potion assuredly possessed subsequent formulas or plans. Why else adopt a name suggesting incompleteness instead of simply “Awakening Potion”?

Housing an enormous compendium of magic potion types rendered the Association naturally curious about any novel potions—especially formula-shifting ones like this! Something so potent? Developing alone was taxing, and research might plateau thereafter… Wait, wasn’t the Association’s role providing benefits/opportunities for potion masters? Researching under such hardship? They could research together! Many hands make light work. What one researcher might achieve in decades, a group might conquer in mere years!

Hmm? Decades? For a new-formula prestige potion? That wasn’t remotely hyperbole. Quite commonplace, actually. Some researchers spent entire lifetimes producing nothing worthwhile, even in lower tiers… Maybe just some useless concoction. Another faction? Well, they wished Zheng Yichen wasn’t the creator… That would substantially lower recruitment costs. Once the contract was signed? Everything downstream became much smoother.

The Semi-Awakening Potion stirred fast. While beyond most wallets, leaving many as mere spectators, this didn’t dampen fervent public discussion. Magic potions, though consumables, served as inflation-proof assets—properties in this world, counterintuitively, weren’t incredibly valuable. Magic potions? Their prices held exceptionally stable, premium ones especially. Market turbulence? It barely impacted top-tier potion prices. Spectators spectated. Buyers tightened belts… or rather, bulging purses were itching to release funds! Acquiring a never-before-seen potion? Touted long-term value! Research purposes also applied!

Studying varied potions boosted a potion master’s mastery. This fundamental truth explained their perseverance despite soul-crushingly uneventful formula deciphering. Successfully cracking another’s formula revealed the original creator’s research train of thought! Matching that against one’s own skillset and knowledge? Huge gains awaited.

Official release? Exactly one day post-advertisement. It felt rushed… But the thoughtful understood: Given these circumstances? Reduced lead-time potentially hurt early sales less. Not everyone wielded a Magic Weapon Summoning Book! Magic Weapon Summoners received first news, yes. Non-Summoners? Getting timely updates became problematic. Securing a Magic Weapon Contract wasn’t impossibly hard, yet remained nontrivial. Summoners existed nowhere near universal prevalence. Attain such penetration? Consequences would mirror Loris’s words: stretching too far too fast invites disaster. The ramifications? Every power-wielder, however minor their abilities, gaining instant access to Magic Weapon Contracts? What kind of overarching strategy might that represent? Slower, steadier growth held optimal benefits.

Thus, the Purple Vine Guild’s expedited release held rationale within this particular context. Potentially even amplifying impact! Know this: the Semi-Awakening Potion barely clinched second place on the Magic Weapon Forum’s trending topics list. Number one remained firmly seized by news of the Undying Witch. Her recent plot? Ruined. Ongoing? A full-scale manhunt. Multiple empires declared public backing for the Sanctuary Church’s moves. New Witch updates? Anticipated possibly tomorrow, definitely no later than the day after!

Within these tense days? Prices on strategic combat goods naturally inflated somewhat. Magic potions? They ranked among vital battlefield consumables. Already, items like Mana Enhancement Potion or Paralysis Potion saw small yet distinct price jumps… What about the Fixation Potion? That remained an instant sell-out item! Goods materialized at guild counters? Instant emptying! When had this frenzy begun? Always been? Yes… but worsened recently. Initial Fixation Potion sales saw high demand? True, but supplies later stabilized. New batches weren’t instantaneously exhausted; portions remained…

Then… whispers. Whispers spread: The Fixation Potion benefited even those nearing natural life’s end. Skepticism existed? Yes… until empirical testing silenced doubters. The disbelievers flocked into purchasing waves! “Oh crap! It actually worked! Why dawdle? Buy! Buy now! Buy bulk! Stockpile! With such an effect, it became pure hard currency!” For the terminally ill? Absolutely. For Nobles? Royal family members? Supreme importance attached to it!

Truly, the Fixation Potion evolved into “buying time with gold”. Fortunately, Zheng Yichen’s original design focused on immediate combat utility. At that time, his prowess fell below current levels; sustained effects weren’t prioritized. Potion duration capped below a week: stabilizing physiological processes exacted constant tolls, even immobility required internal upkeep. Consuming food also consumed the potion’s essence…

Result? No world balance disruption occurred. Perpetual usage inevitably became wealthy exclusivity. Even “perpetual”? It merely maintained the body; Soul degradation proceeded untrammeled. Over-extending past Soul endurance? Death awaited… or being rendered vegetative. Zheng Yichen truly breathed relief. Lest the River Styx itself take undue interest in him.

In short: Supply for the Fixation Potion persistently trailed demand. Recently? Its price trajectory climbed steepest within the potion market. Black Market quotations? Absurdly higher… yet buyers materialized regardless! Within this market climate? Worries over Purple Vine’s Semi-Awakening Potion initial sales vanished. Its purchasers? Beyond individuals: confirmed potency guaranteed orders from the Sanctuary Church—their massive buying power poised to surge in! Verification? Swift. Administer samples to test subjects on-site! Market-released potions guaranteed baseline safety/stability unlike unstable experimental toxins producing unpredictable reactions.

Market-approved potions may exhibit varied efficacy, but safety profiles? Non-negotiable! Hence, once proven effective? Wallets opened wide! The Sanctuary Church, hotly tailing the Undying Witch and approaching imminent major conflict, wouldn’t hesitate. Not just them either. Various factions participated in trials. Their unanimous test results confirmed: the potion worked! Zero side effects afterward. Remarkably stable. Its potency levels? Entirely linked to personal fortune and ancestral legacy—meticulously matching advertisement claims. Initial impressions perceived advertising exaggeration perhaps… until respected confirmations silenced critics. Luck intertwined deeply with heritage potency!

Did you descend from truly potent ancestors possessing fearsome Innate Abilities? Your own generation turning out underwhelming didn’t matter! Your ancestors’ magnificence sufficed! One Semi-Awakening Potion likely summoned formidable Innate Abilities! Merely descended from one exceptional era amidst generally mediocre forebears? Luck became mandatory. Getting lucky might awaken a temporary ability modeled after your mightiest ancestor’s power. Unlucky? Getting stuck with something mediocre—or downright defective—meant effectively sidelined for its entire duration.

Crucially? During one Semi-Awakening Potion’s effects? Zero possibility existed for supplementary doses or resetting the ability. Therefore? Best prepare prior ingestion: prayers… or digging through genealogical records to locate those awe-inspiring forebears. Emphasis on the plural—’ancestors’ plural mattered greatly!