Chapter 85: Cooperation and Requesting Leave

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Cooperation and Requesting Leave

After complaining about the ignorant natives, Chen Shang suddenly changed the subject and asked Baal, "Since you sell Doll Seeds, do you also sell related... Potions?"

"Potions?" Baal froze for a moment, slightly bewildered.

"Yeah, something like this beverage of mine that enhances certain functions and stimulates biological activity. That way, your Demonic Puppet sales would increase too, wouldn’t they?"

For a Wizard well-versed in biological structures, creating a Potion with specific effects wasn’t difficult. If Baal could sell them, it would be a very impressive stream of income.

Baal smacked his lips to savor the lingering taste, set down the cup in his hand, and shook his head. "Brother, putting Wizard Potions up for sale requires passing strict inspections. It’s too much of a hassle. The Magic Potion Association isn’t something to joke about."

The Magic Potion Association Baal mentioned was one of the top-tier organizations in the Wizard World, mostly comprised of Secret Medicine Wizards. Together with six other major factions—such as Elemental Storm, Flesh Abyss, and Mechanical Throne—it formed the foundational framework of the Pan-Wizard Alliance.

The spheres of influence and the Energy these organizations could mobilize were unimaginably profound. They even possessed Concept Level Weapons as their ultimate trump cards in reserve.

Of course, setting aside such grand matters, Baal could certainly brew a Potion with specific functions, but his costs would never match those of professional Secret Medicine Wizards. Making them for personal use was fine, but selling them on the Celestial Net would lack competitiveness.

Chen Shang looked thoughtful. "Then don’t sell them as Potions... How about selling them as health supplements? That way, you won’t have to go through the Potion inspections."

"Health supplements?" Having received a Wizard’s education since childhood, Baal didn’t grasp this concept. He looked at Chen Shang, waiting for an explanation.

"These health supplements are special foods used to condition the body and assist in health maintenance... You can also call them nutritional supplements. It’s the same thing, anyway."

Chen Shang detailed the principles and mechanics of selling health supplements to Baal. It didn’t require any proof of medicinal efficacy—just a plausible theoretical foundation paired with exquisite packaging and a catchy name. Selling them to those powerful nobles who yearned for the Wizard World but couldn’t find a way in wouldn’t be a problem at all.

What they needed wasn’t medicine; it was the psychological satisfaction of enjoying the privileges of the Wizard World.

He even laid out the specific steps. "Remember, the taste must be good, the packaging exquisite, and the story captivating. Find a Crystal Bottle, make sure the liquid inside is a beautiful color, and include a beautifully crafted instruction manual. Just throw in phrases like ’secret ancient recipe,’ ’crystalized wisdom of Wizards,’ or ’ancient inherited formula’... And you’re all set!"

Finally, Chen Shang casually added, "By the way, this is my intellectual concept. If you’re going to sell this stuff, I want shares."

Baal was deeply shocked by what he heard, but relying on the sharp rationality of a Wizard Apprentice, he made the most accurate judgment. "So this thing is a product that doesn’t have much actual medicinal effect, but instead harvests emotions through marketing concepts?"

"An idiot tax, Baal. This is called an idiot tax," Chen Shang said frankly. "But it’s not completely useless. At the very least, it provides psychological comfort and emotional value, right?"

"An idiot tax? Harvesting other people’s wealth through intelligence? I like that name." Baal nodded, then hesitated. "But can something with no medicinal effect really sell?"

"Anyone who thinks about the problem this way isn’t the target demographic for health supplements." Chen Shang patted Baal’s shoulder.

"There’s definitely no market for this in the Wizard World. Those Secret Medicine Wizards would laugh you to death.

"But in other Planes, especially among those high-ranking Lords, kings, clan leaders, and other powerful figures, they eat this stuff up.

"Oh, and you should raise the price a bit. These people are snobs; the more expensive it is, the more they believe it’s a good product. If you sell it too cheaply, they’ll actually think you’re scamming them.

"Baal, you need to satisfy their desire for unique privileges. That’s also a kind of emotional value."

Baal hesitated repeatedly. "Alright... I’ll go give it a try?"

Chen Shang immediately said, "For this concept of mine, I’ll even throw in a thousand Wizard Coins. How about a thirty percent share?"

"Fifty-fifty!" Baal stood up and slammed his cup onto the table. "Besides, we don’t even know if this will succeed yet. Don’t be in a rush to hand over the money; wait until I produce a sample first."

Their verbal agreement felt more like a joke between friends, but Chen Shang figured it would probably work out. After all, there were plenty of races with a fanatical obsession with Wizards. He just wondered if any Secret Medicine Wizards would come looking for trouble... But surely he wasn’t violating any rules by using his wits to sell emotional value?

A few days later, Chen Shang submitted another comprehensive report. At the same time, he learned a lot from Hathaway about constructing an Energy Spring. Naturally, Hathaway was also very pleased; after all, it wasn’t easy to find an Apprentice so much after her own heart.

Taking advantage of her good mood, Chen Shang spoke up. "Master, I’d like to request two days off."

"Hmm?" Hathaway looked up.

"That Sub-dragon in the prison block previously confessed the location of a hidden treasure vault. I want to go take a look."

Hathaway didn’t ask further questions. As long as it didn’t delay the next report, she didn’t care about such trivial matters. "Go ahead. But be careful."

Chen Shang returned to the laboratory and began packing his things. Golden Crow hopped down from the operating table and landed on his shoulder. He was now able to control the Samadhi True Flame relatively stably.

"Boss, take me with you."

"Your body’s adaptation period hasn’t ended yet. I’m not taking you this time. You stay and watch the house with Luna Xiya."

Golden Crow had no choice but to fly back to the operating table. "Don’t worry, Boss! I’ll keep a good eye on the house!"

Chen Shang checked his equipment one last time. With the Space Book hanging around his neck, he went to the Temperature-Controlled District to wake Surtr.

"Let’s go. I’m taking you to broaden your horizons this time."

Surtr stood up from a prone position. The Magma Giant was already a head taller than Chen Shang. A blast of scorching air erupted from the cracks in his dark red skin, and the tangerine glow illuminated the entire Temperature-Controlled District like a miniature volcano.

"I’m ready, Boss!"

In the Balman Seventh Plane, across a wasteland that seemed forgotten by time, two silhouettes—one tall and one short—were leisurely advancing. It was Chen Shang and Surtr.

The sky above the wasteland was gray, and the earth was yellow. Fierce winds howled wildly, carrying fine grains of sand. Whenever the wind blew toward Chen Shang, it would consciously part to the sides, much like flowing water bypassing a reef. He didn’t appear to be walking fast, but because he used the Floating Technique, every step seemed to glide over the yellow sand. He left behind shallow footprints that were quickly erased by the blowing sand.

Surtr was much rougher. Although Chen Shang had cast the Floating Technique on him as well, every step he took left a smoking scorch mark on the sandy ground.

"Boss, how could someone popping out of a rock turn into a monkey?" Surtr’s mouth hadn’t stopped moving, completely unbothered by the sand he might swallow. His deep, resonant voice was blown into intermittent fragments by the wasteland’s wind. "It should be a Stone Giant or a Mountain Giant. Or a Magma Giant like me."