Chapter 8: Please Speak Human Language
After reviewing the properties of the [Ancient Secret Medicine (Improved Version)], Su Xiao was quite surprised. Considering the addition of spirit particles and manufacturing costs, he had drastically reduced the initial effects of the ancient secret medicine. For humans, drinking this potion would only restore 21% of their health, equivalent to a green-quality potion.
It was precisely this drastic reduction that significantly lowered manufacturing costs. Currently, for Su Xiao to produce one bottle of [Ancient Secret Medicine (Improved Version)], he needed about 80 to 100 mana points. With enough proficiency, the mana required per batch could even be reduced to around 60 to 80 points.
For Su Xiao, whose mana cap reached 6,076 points, as long as he had sufficient quantity and ample materials, he could produce nearly a hundred bottles of this potion in a short time.
Materials were indeed not the core issue; the core was the compressed semi-solid spirit particles. If the Devouring Core hadn't broken through its upper limit twice in a row, Su Xiao wouldn't have been able to achieve this.
When a Shinigami drank the [Ancient Secret Medicine (Improved Version)], the recovery effect was multiplied by four, which was already a considerable amount of healing. Not only that, but consuming this item could also permanently enhance spiritual pressure.
Although it only increased by 0.2%, it was still an improvement. No matter how subtle the enhancement, captain-level Shinigami could perceive it. As for the upper limit of a 3% increase, Su Xiao had no intention of letting the Shinigami know about that.
If handled properly, Su Xiao could even give the Shinigami the illusion that this potion could infinitely enhance spiritual pressure. In that case, he wasn't worried that the Shinigami of the Soul Society wouldn't take the bait.
Su Xiao hadn't expected the [Ancient Secret Medicine (Improved Version)] to be able to enhance spiritual pressure. He had merely followed the original formula for the ancient secret medicine. From the current results, this was due to the nature of the ancient secret medicine itself.
When he first obtained the formula for the ancient secret medicine, Su Xiao had seen a passage in its description: 'Those who master this formula must exercise caution. You will become a valuable talent sought after or fought over by many major forces in derivative worlds/war worlds/primordial worlds.'
Judging by the current effects of the alchemical secret medicine, its description was not exaggerated; in fact, it was somewhat understated.
"It seems... I need to adjust my plans appropriately."
Su Xiao stood up and walked to the sliding door. He pulled open the wooden door, and two Shinigami stood outside. These two Shinigami were nominally there for protection, but in reality, they were surveillance. Currently, Su Xiao was under house arrest, but he didn't mind this at all.
"Please inform Captain Unohana Retsu that the ancient..."
Just as Su Xiao was about to say 'ancient secret medicine,' a thought flashed through his mind: rename the [Ancient Secret Medicine (Improved Version)] to something more mystical.
"Tell her that the 'Soul Spirit Potion' has been prepared."
Su Xiao held a crystal vial between his two fingers. The vial looked exquisite, but in reality, it only cost 15 Paradise Coins to exchange in the Reincarnation Paradise.
A mystical name, high-end packaging, and exaggerated effects due to limited quantity—with this triple combo, Su Xiao didn't believe he couldn't fool the Shinigami of the Soul Society.
A slightly plump Shinigami at the door took the alchemical secret medicine. No, now it was called the Soul Spirit Potion...
After handing over one bottle of Soul Spirit Potion, Su Xiao continued manufacturing. He needed to ensure he had at least 50 bottles of this stuff on hand. As for how much to hand over, due to 'limited production,' 7 to 10 bottles per day was the maximum. Mass production? If mass-produced, the Shinigami would fully understand the characteristics of the Soul Spirit Potion, and its value in their eyes would drop significantly.
A potion that could save lives in critical moments and permanently enhance strength—Shinigami were not saints. They had desires just like humans. Su Xiao didn't believe they wouldn't be tempted.
As he repeatedly crafted the Soul Spirit Potion, Su Xiao became more proficient. When his mana dropped to only 400 points, he had already produced 16 bottles, all stored in his storage space.
After a full day and night of continuous research and potion-making, the mental drain was significant. Su Xiao lay down and went to sleep. The current Soul Society was very safe for him. Once the effects of the Soul Spirit Potion were announced, if any contractor tried to kill Su Xiao, the captain-level Shinigami wouldn't sit idly by. At least four captains wouldn't: Unohana Retsu, Aizen Sosuke, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, and Kyoraku Shunsui.
After a half-hour nap, Unohana Retsu came to visit. With her composure, even knowing what the Soul Spirit Potion represented, she remained calm.
Su Xiao yawned, looking somewhat drowsy, with a coat draped over his shoulders.
"That potion—I had someone test it. It's quite good."
Unohana Retsu got straight to the point, her gaze fixed intently on Su Xiao.
"Oh."
Su Xiao had just slept for half an hour before being woken up. He was clearly still groggy. Not sleeping was fine, but being woken up after a short nap only made him more tired.
"It can be mass-produced. I'll also arrange a new residence for you."
"Mass production is somewhat difficult."
Su Xiao spoke with a lazy expression. His act was becoming more refined, or rather, he had fully immersed himself in the role.
"Oh?"
Unohana Retsu frowned, the smile fading from her face.
"You should have tested the effects of that potion. To be honest, brewing the potion isn't difficult. The hard part is extracting semi-solid spirit particles. These spirit particles must retain their biological properties. Natural spirit particles are like stones. Even if you swallow a stone, you can't absorb it. But converting spirit particles from the H' form into a biological state and forming a semi-solid is like..."
After Su Xiao described it for at least five minutes, Unohana Retsu, who was proficient in healing abilities, was a bit confused. She understood the feeling Toshiro had experienced earlier.
"I don't understand. Please speak human language."
Clearly, the bewildered Unohana Retsu was the more straightforward type.
"From a theoretical standpoint..."
Hearing the word 'theoretical,' Unohana Retsu waved her hand. She had already guessed that the next few hundred words would be even harder to understand.
"Be direct. How many bottles can you mass-produce per day?"
"If I work hard, about eight bottles. I could consider abandoning this model. If we don't consider the spiritual pressure enhancement, mass production should be possible, but semi-solid spirit particles would still need to be mixed in."
Su Xiao's meaning was simple: no one else could make this potion except him.
And indeed, that was the case. His ability to create the Soul Spirit Potion was the result of alchemical pharmacology + the Devouring Core + research experience. As for the Devouring Core, not to mention the Shinigami world, across the entire void, only two people possessed it. One was Su Xiao, and the other couldn't make potions.
Hearing Su Xiao mention eight bottles, Unohana Retsu's head began to ache. A potion that permanently enhanced spiritual pressure without harming the body—this was the only one of its kind in the Soul Society.
"Come with me. Someone wants to see you."
Unohana Retsu stood up and walked out of the room. Su Xiao, with his coat draped over his shoulders and a lazy expression, followed at a moderate distance, occasionally taking in the scenery of the Soul Society along the way.
Soon, Unohana Retsu led Su Xiao to a wooden building. The building looked old and ancient but exuded a sense of authority. On the building was written the character 'One.' This was the power center of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, the headquarters of the First Division.
As for who Su Xiao was going to meet, there was no need to guess. It had to be Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, a being who had held absolute power in the Soul Society for a thousand years, almost equivalent to the Soul Society itself.