Chapter Thirty-Nine: Potion of Magical Source

Starting today, each chapter will be over three thousand words. Thank you all for your continued support. If you’re enjoying the story, please add it to your bookshelf, and a recommendation vote would make Yaya even happier.

Xuanxuan stepped into the appraisal room. The S-grade appraisal room was quite different from the previous one; inside, there was only a set of sofas, a coffee table, and several bookshelves nearby. It looked more like a reception room than an appraisal room.

“Please, have a seat,” Wanqi Wu entered and guided Xuanxuan to one of the sofas.

Someone immediately brought refreshments and fruit, but they didn’t quite suit Xuanxuan’s tastes. She glanced at them briefly and did not touch anything.

Wanqi Wu sat opposite her. “Would you mind showing me the items you wish to auction?”

“Of course,” Xuanxuan nodded. She took out three vials from her bag and placed them on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

Two bottles of “Volcano Potion,” red as agate, and one bottle of transparent “Mana Spring.”

Wanqi Wu nodded to Xuanxuan, donned white gloves, and put on special glasses before opening one of the “Volcano Potions.”

The previous batch of Volcano Potion had been auctioned from this same Pearl Pavilion, so Wanqi Wu was familiar with it, and he had participated in its testing. Being the director of the Imperial Capital’s Pearl Pavilion, even if it was within the Star Network, his abilities were unquestionable.

He had worked as an appraiser for more than two centuries—back when people lived only about three hundred years, to have worked over two hundred was quite an achievement. Yet he had never been truly successful, always just shy of the central position, relegated to being a supervisor in the Star Network. But the Volcano Potion before him was his opportunity—a chance he had waited half his life for.

He gently rubbed the vial, noting some differences from last time. Wanqi Wu frowned, shook it, and observed the same sheen and color as before, though he wasn’t sure about the effects.

He smiled at Xuanxuan. “May I open it?”

Xuanxuan nodded, indicating she didn’t mind.

Wanqi Wu opened the vial, sniffed gently—same as last time. He took out a small testing device from his bag, something crafted after the last batch of potions. He placed a drop on it to gauge the energy level.

Squinting, he confirmed the result. Wanqi Wu placed a drop on his tongue—a bold move, given the unknown effects, but here in the Star Network, he felt safe.

His eyes brightened instantly—it really was Volcano Potion. Though he hadn’t tasted it before, he had seen the test reports. The effect matched the previous report, albeit at a reduced scale!

Wanqi Wu’s hands trembled with excitement. Just this vial would be enough to pull him out of his current predicament, not to mention the person before him. With Xuanxuan, he would finally be noticed by the Wanqi family’s main branch, and his own branch might catch Wanqi Yi’s eye.

“I apologize for my excitement—it truly is Volcano Potion,” Wanqi Wu said fervently.

Xuanxuan nodded, unsurprised.

Wanqi Wu’s gaze fell on the other vial, the transparent one. What was this?

“May I ask, what is this vial?”

“This is a mid-grade ‘Mana Spring.’ It can instantly restore thirty percent of an A-grade warrior’s energy, and continuously restore twenty percent more. It has some effect on S-grade, though not significant,” Xuanxuan replied.

“Are there any side effects?” To restore A-grade energy—Wanqi Wu felt today was his lucky day. If this potion was real, its value...

Xuanxuan shook her head. “None. It only restores energy; it doesn’t stimulate the body explosively like the Volcano Potion, so there are no aftereffects.”

Wanqi Wu clenched his hands tightly—no side effects! The Federation’s current potions could only restore a small amount of energy and couldn’t avoid aftereffects. “Your potion, does it target any particular aspect?”

“Both physical skills and mental strength. If it’s an esper, then all three!” Xuanxuan answered.

Wanqi Wu shot upright. The Volcano Potion was confirmed; if the formula became known, it could be produced in reality.

If not, why would they care so much about the Volcano Potion and its creator? Now, this “Mana Spring”—if it too could be made in reality, Wanqi Wu could hardly imagine the consequences.

He rubbed his hands vigorously. “Forgive me for my manners.”

Xuanxuan shook her head, unconcerned with etiquette.

“You know, the effects of your potions are truly astonishing. I may not be able to make decisions here. Please wait a moment; our Pavilion’s owner will come to meet you, if that’s acceptable?” Wanqi Wu pleaded, rubbing his hands.

He thought hard and decided to report upwards immediately. Even if it was fake, just the Volcano Potion could absolve him of any blame. But if it was real? Winning the lottery would pale in comparison.

He felt himself floating with anticipation, yet he steadied himself, sensing even greater surprises ahead.

Xuanxuan nodded. It seemed she was right; someone from the Wanqi family would come. She wondered if it would be her grandfather, her father, or one of her two uncles.

Wanqi Wu repeatedly instructed the staff to attend to Xuanxuan before logging offline, reviewing everything in his AI brain, then dialing a special number.

It was the number for the Wanqi family’s chief, Wanqi Yi. All supervisors had this emergency contact for the patriarch.

“Chief,” Wanqi Wu stood straight as the call connected.

Wanqi Yi squinted, thinking. “Wanqi Wu.”

“Yes, Chief. The ‘Volcano Potion’ has appeared again,” Wanqi Wu said, excitement in his voice.

Wanqi Yi set aside his papers, his eyes shining. “Where is the person?”

“Here as well,” Wanqi Wu replied.

“Treat them well, make sure to build rapport, and investigate their background thoroughly,” Wanqi Yi instructed. If Volcano Potion could be produced in reality, he might truly have reason to be excited.

Wanqi Wu nodded. “Yes, but she has also brought a new potion, ‘Mana Spring.’”

“‘Mana Spring’?” Wanqi Yi frowned. “Are you certain of its effects?”

“Not entirely, but the owner claims it can restore thirty percent of an A-grade ability user’s power, and recover another twenty percent over twenty minutes.”

Wanqi Wu paused, then added, “And it targets both mental and physical strength. According to the girl, it also boosts the abilities of espers.”

“What?” Wanqi Yi’s voice rose. “Has it been confirmed?”

“This is a major matter. I dare not decide without reporting to you,” Wanqi Wu replied respectfully.

Wanqi Yi nodded. “Very good. You’ve done well.”

“Thank you, Chief. It is my duty,” Wanqi Wu said.

“Go back to the Star Network and attend to her. I’ll send someone immediately,” Wanqi Yi said, then hung up and quickly contacted Wanqi Lianhao.

“Father?” Wanqi Lianhao asked, puzzled—he’d just met with his two brothers, and now his father was calling so soon.

“The Volcano Potion has appeared again, and so has a new potion, ‘Mana Spring,’ both at the Pearl Pavilion,” Wanqi Yi relayed Wanqi Wu’s report.

Since this matter involved Xuanxuan, he felt it best to send Wanqi Lianhao, which reassured him.

Wanqi Lianhao’s brows twitched. If the potion’s effects were real, his father’s earlier words must have been true—the family had no reason to tamper with Xuanxuan, and perhaps their vision had simply been too narrow.

“My suggestion is you go take a look,” Wanqi Yi said.

“Naturally,” Wanqi Lianhao nodded. “Rest assured, Father, I know what to do.”

Wanqi Yi nodded.

Xuanxuan lowered her head, fiddling with the pastries in her hand. They didn’t taste good, but they looked pretty.

She hoped it would be her grandfather who came; then she wouldn’t feel so pressured and could get a sense of his personality in advance.

Of course, the worst news would be if her father came.

She thought it unlikely, since her father wasn’t at the Imperial Capital’s home, so it was improbable he’d be the one.

She had no idea her father, just after hanging up, glanced at her curled up under the covers, felt reassured, and logged into the Star Network, heading straight for the Pearl Pavilion—his destination was her.

If Xuanxuan knew, she might pack up and flee.

But Xuanxuan had no idea. Looking at Wanqi Wu, she thought she should tell her father—the Wanqi family was terribly inefficient.

Bored, she toyed with the pastry and tossed it back onto the plate.

Wanqi Wu’s heart trembled; he wondered why it was taking so long.

Still, he forced a smile. “Please try this tea—it’s a heritage from the Huaxia nation, Biluochun. Legend has it that back on Earth, West Lake Biluochun was the finest. The tea leaves are slender, curled like snails, covered in fine fuzz, and a vibrant green. Look—even if it lacks the old tradition, it’s still silvery green and enticing.”

Wanqi Wu was nearly desperate, scraping the bottom of his knowledge; how was the guest not here yet?

Seeing his expression, Xuanxuan graciously took a sip. The aroma was mellow and pleasant. Though it wasn’t her favorite, she didn’t dislike it.

People in this world were gourmets, and it seemed the Wanqi family had a fondness for Huaxia traditions.

“Would you like to try the fruit?” Wanqi Wu offered. “It’s unique to the Star Network, crisp and refreshing, unavailable in the real world.”

Xuanxuan raised her brows but didn’t touch it. Her father had her eat plenty of fruit to cut down on meat; she had little interest in fruit and picked up another pastry to play with.

Xuanxuan’s silence made Wanqi Wu anxious.

He considered asking the staff to bring something more exotic, hoping to pique her interest. If Wanqi Yi learned he’d neglected her, it would be a failure, not an achievement.

Just as he worried, the door opened.

His heart skipped—a guest had finally arrived.

Wanqi Wu looked up and his heart jumped slightly. Was it the third young master? He quickly stood. “Greetings, Third Young Master.”

PS: Here are two book recommendations for everyone~

Guoguo’s book: “The Noblewoman of the Tea Garden” is about to be launched, please support it.

Little A, a newcomer—please show some love. “Space in My Hands”