Xianlu Magic Potion Shop had finally run into trouble.
The potion shop was the source of income for both Cluru and me, so there was no way I would just stand by and let its reputation collapse like this.
Fortunately… the trouble with the shop was completely within my expectations.
“They can’t find Luo Xian or Mu Qingyou, and can’t catch me or Cluru either, so now they’re taking it out on the potion shop… These losers really are pathetic!”
It seemed the Mu Family was desperate. Their act of venting anger on the potion shop only proved that their defenses had been thoroughly broken.
“What are the news reports saying about us?”
[Mainly that our ingredients have excessive heavy metals, and that we use highly toxic potion formulas that overstrain the body, causing permanent foundational damage to Immortal Spirits.]
“That’s all? Then what?”
[Now the whole world is demanding we disclose our potion formulas! If we can’t prove our innocence, Xianlu Magic Potion Shop will be shut down and sealed off!]
“Oh…”
I nodded.
After a brief moment of thought, I said to Master Lu, “Since you’ve come all the way to Tianhai City, let’s hold a press conference here to clarify the rumors online.”
[How do we clarify? Will the genius alchemist show up?] Master Lu was anxious. [At this moment, only that genius alchemist can prove the potions are safe.]
“I have a plan. We’ll release information externally and arrange the press conference… Just say that the behind-the-scenes boss of Xianlu Magic Potion Shop will appear to clarify everything.”
[Understood.] Master Lu hung up worriedly.
He couldn’t imagine how the boss would resolve this disaster.
The Sixth would have to open his own stomach to prove how many bowls of noodles he had eaten.
Facing the public’s distrust, Xianlu Magic Potion Shop would have to disclose its formulas to prove its potions weren’t toxic.
But that would mean losing all their advantages, and they would immediately be crushed by the heavy Capital.
This calamity was clearly a carefully prepared, decisive strike by the opponent—no matter how you looked at it, Xianlu Magic Potion Shop was heading straight for ruin!
After hanging up, I opened my phone and typed in “Xianlu Magic Potion Shop.”
Related searches immediately popped up: “Xianlu Magic Potion Shop uses toxic formulas,” “Xianlu Magic Potion Shop heavy metal overdose,” and other fatal keywords.
I clicked on them and took a look.
Suddenly, a bunch of Famous Influencers appeared. Each had millions of followers, and they all held up Xianlu Magic Potion Shop, analyzing it with a self-righteous tone.
[Has anyone thought about how Xianlu Magic Potion Shop’s prices are only half of other shops, but their effects are twice as strong? Aren’t they afraid of going bankrupt?]
[When something’s fishy, there must be a reason! I got info from some friends in potion research institutions—several toxic potion formulas that overstrain potential match exactly the effects of Xianlu Magic Potion Shop’s potions! And their cost is cheap!]
[No doubt, Xianlu Magic Potion Shop’s potions… are pure technology and ruthless tactics, my friends. You guys know alchemy better than I do.]
Watching this spectacle with a detached attitude, I kept scrolling through the comment section.
[How did such merciless potions get approved for sale? And there’s even a Gym Leader backing them!]
[Yazhe Gym Leader is in cahoots with these scoundrels; their conscience must have been eaten by dogs!]
[My Immortal Spirit drank a potion from Xianlu Magic Potion Shop and has been listless for a week now. I have no idea what to do… Everyone, don’t be fooled!]
Outrage was everywhere.
Netizens’ emotions were easy to manipulate, especially since Xianlu Magic Potion Shop seemed so abnormal—cheaper than others yet more effective. How could that be?
It defied all common sense.
Thus, all the self-proclaimed clever netizens joined the crusade.
[Please like and share! We can’t let these black-hearted merchants get away with this!]
They mobilized their sense of justice and, in less than a day, spread the news across the entire internet.
In the blink of an eye, the once well-known shop famous for quality and low prices was on the verge of a “scandal collapse.”
[I’ve arrived in Tianhai City. Where’s the press conference?]
“Set it at the hotel next to Egg University.”
[Got it. Invitations have been sent to all major media reporters.]
I nodded and changed clothes.
Standing under the spotlight called for something more formal… so I put on the face-covering night outfit.
Cluru went with the box suit.
Before long, the scheduled time for the press conference arrived—6 PM.
We arrived punctually at the hotel.
Just as we reached the scene, I spotted an old acquaintance.
Elder Mu?
The old man looked radiant with joy.
It seemed he was here to savor the thrill of revenge.
He wanted to watch Xianlu Magic Potion Shop collapse and close down.
He wanted to see the Sixth tear open his own intestines and die miserably.
That would help him ease some of the losses the Mu Family had suffered.
“Grandpa, I’ve been watching that Xianlu Magic Potion Shop for three months.”
Next to Elder Mu stood a gaunt man, pale enough to be skeletal, gritting his teeth.
His panda-like dark circles under his eyes stood out vividly.
“I’ve been watching for three months, three months!” The man, Mu Tianzhou, spoke wildly and trembled. “They’ve never raised their prices! Not even once!”
Elder Mu twitched his mouth corners. “Thank you for your hard work.”
“They don’t even have trucks delivering goods!” Mu Tianzhou’s expression grew excited. “With the flow of customers they have, the potions should sell out in half a day, but their stock seems endless. It’s like they never need delivery trucks for restocking…!”
“Hm, definitely abnormal.”
No matter how deep the secrets of Xianlu Magic Potion Shop were, today the truth would come to light.
Xianlu Magic Potion Shop! Yun Xian, Mu Qingyou, today is your death day!
A fierce gleam flashed in Elder Mu’s eyes.
Amid the flashing cameras, the main character of tonight finally appeared on stage.
I was dressed in the night outfit, tiptoeing, holding the microphone with both hands.
“I will be speaking on behalf of Xianlu Magic Potion Shop. Please feel free to ask any questions you have…”
The room instantly erupted into chaos.
The situation was too disorderly, so I raised both hands above the podium and pressed down slightly to signal for silence.
“Please ask questions in order of seat numbers. One question per person, starting with seat number one on the left.”
The first journalist hurriedly stood and asked.
“The current skill power potions on the market temporarily increase power by 10% and cost 100,000. But Xianlu Magic Potion Shop’s Berserk Potion improves effect by 20% and sells for only 50,000… Does the cost of your potions really fall below 50,000?”
This reporter was cunning.
He didn’t ask directly if the heavy metal overload was true, nor if toxic formulas were used.
Instead, he pointed out the absurdly low price and pressed on about costs.
If I answered honestly, those two questions would reveal the truth at once.
A single shot to the heart of the public opinion storm around Xianlu Magic Potion Shop.
“You’ve overestimated,” I said softly into the microphone.
“Overestimated what?”
“The cost of Xianlu Magic Potion Shop’s potions,” I replied.
“Are you saying the potion price is suppressed to 50,000 but you still make a profit?” The reporter quickly followed up.
He felt he was about to expose the shop’s secret!
“Actually, after several improvements, the cost of the Berserk Potion is extremely low now.”
I raised one hand and showed three fingers.
“How low? Is it only 30,000?” The reporter excitedly asked.
I waved my hand.
“Is it 3,000 then?”
The reporter was even more excited. Such a low cost would prove the toxic formula theory!
“No, it’s three.” I said.