Chapter 62: Holy Flame Alchemist
After consuming 1 million Paradise Coins, the formulas for ten portions of [Active: Strength] potions appeared on the test bench. The quality of these materials was impeccable, but quantity was the only issue.
Previously, when Su Xiao had concocted potions in the pirate world, the success rate was dismally low. First, the manufacturing environment was unsuitable; second, the materials were poor; and third, he wasn't skilled enough at mixing potions.
Now, with experience from brewing several hundred bottles, he wasn't exactly seasoned, but he had gained some insights—at least enough to avoid basic mistakes.
Su Xiao pressed the green button on the test bench, and the gravity inside the Alchemy Laboratory dropped significantly. He tried tossing a mixing needle into the air; the silver needle rose slowly, then fell like a feather.
The gravity in the lab was reduced by 63.7%, with pressure sealed, oxygen levels stable, and no wind.
After confirming the environment was suitable, Su Xiao placed his hand on a black metal lump. Blue spiritual flames ignited, and the concoction began.
Six hours later, seven potions sat on the test bench. Six had a pale green liquid, while one was clear with green patterns shimmering faintly inside.
Out of ten attempts, seven succeeded. This success rate came from Su Xiao pausing to think through each step before proceeding.
Six of the potions were [Active: Strength], which permanently increased Strength by 6 points (usable below 80 Strength). One was a perfect concoction named [Active: Strength Source].
[Active: Strength Source]
Origin: Reincarnation Paradise · Holy Flame Alchemist
Quality: Light Gold · Rare
Type: Permanent Enhancement Potion
Effect: After drinking/injecting, permanently increases Strength by 8 points (this potion is effective below 80 Strength; repeated use will cause Strength rampage).
Rating: 310+ (Alchemist-quality potions have a rating range of 260–310)
Introduction: The holy flame burns; hope is with you.
Price: 99,000 Paradise Coins
...
The effect of [Active: Strength Source] was astonishing. As for the origin's "Holy Flame Alchemist," this was Su Xiao's own label. As the creator, he could slightly alter the potion's data, as long as he didn't exaggerate its effects.
Su Xiao could only change the origin suffix and introduction. Previously, he hadn't bothered to modify them. This time, he wanted to build the reputation of "Holy Flame Alchemist."
At first glance, "Holy Flame Alchemist" clearly sounded like someone from a lawful-aligned faction—exactly the effect Su Xiao wanted. He needed fame to sell potions more effectively. Once the name spread, contractors might even place custom orders, specifying the type they needed. Naturally, the price would be higher and more profitable.
Manufacturing permanent enhancement potions was incredibly lucrative—so much so that it could attract envy from high-rank contractors. That's why Su Xiao chose a name completely mismatched with his aura: Holy Flame Alchemist.
Given Su Xiao's presence, even if he called himself the Holy Flame Alchemist, others would likely be skeptical, let alone trace the potions back to him.
Both the origin and introduction made the Holy Flame Alchemist seem approachable—exactly the image Su Xiao wanted.
A tall tree catches the wind. Su Xiao wasn't afraid of people coming after him, but that didn't mean he liked trouble. After seeing the existence of the Paradise Arena, he was no longer limited to selling enhancement potions only to Reincarnation Paradise contractors. When his potions became strong enough, places like the Void would also serve as sales channels.
Taking the seven potions, Su Xiao headed straight to the Trade Market. He planned to personally assess the mid-tier potion market.
The Trade Market was bustling with people. Countless stalls lined up, with contractors and workers weaving between them—some searching for abilities suited to them, others looking for business opportunities.
After securing a free stall, Su Xiao sat behind it and began pondering pricing. Excluding failure costs, each potion cost 100,000 Paradise Coins to produce. Including failure costs, it was around 140,000.
Adding material purchase limits, knowledge costs, and labor fees, the price reached about 200,000 Paradise Coins.
Using the rounding-up method, Su Xiao priced the regular [Active: Strength] at 500,000 Paradise Coins per bottle and the perfect version at 800,000. Since he made the potions, he set the prices. Whether anyone would buy them was another matter—he'd test the waters first. This time, it was no longer the "kind father" pricing.
Before leaving his Exclusive Room, Su Xiao had put on a white robe with gold patterns. The hood could cover most of his face. He suppressed his blood aura completely within his body. In the absolutely safe Reincarnation Paradise, the effect of the Charm attribute was somewhat reduced.
[Pricing completed.]
[Active: Strength, Price: 500,000 Paradise Coins.]
[Active: Strength Source, Price: 800,000 Paradise Coins.]
[Stall opened. As the Hunter has advanced to Fifth Rank, this stall can be used for free.]
...
The stall named [Holy Flame Alchemist] opened, and Su Xiao began silently waiting for a sucker... a customer to arrive.
"Sir, can the potion be cheaper?"
A female voice came from in front of the stall. It was a female contractor with a side ponytail, ordinary looks, and a few pimples on her face.
"Of course... not."
"Uh..."
The female contractor was momentarily speechless. She had thought this Holy Flame Alchemist would be easy to talk to, but it seemed he refused to haggle. Still, his tone was relatively "approachable," without any arrogance.
The female contractor clearly couldn't afford the potions on the stall, but her gaze lingered on [Active: Strength Source]. There was longing and helplessness. Anyone entering Reincarnation Paradise craved power—no reason needed. Once you tasted the feeling of growing stronger, no one could refuse it.
More and more contractors gathered around the stall. Clearly, the 500,000 Paradise Coin price tag had become a barrier on their path to strength.
Was 500,000 Paradise Coins expensive? Compared to the earnings of a Third Rank contractor, it wasn't. An average Third Rank contractor gained 5–9 attribute points per world. For a Strength-focused contractor, [Active: Strength] was equivalent to 6 attribute points—a medium evaluation of attribute gains in one world.
For most Third Rank contractors, attributes equaled combat strength. Expensive basic abilities weren't something everyone could level up high.
After a few dozen contractors watched the stall for a while, several hurried away. Some simply couldn't afford it and didn't want to see it; others went to sell everything they had.
Half an hour later, three bottles of [Active: Strength] were sold, bringing in 1.5 million Paradise Coins. Not only did it cover costs, but after excluding invisible expenses, the net profit was over 300,000 Paradise Coins. From now on, each bottle sold would net 500,000 Paradise Coins.
"Holy Flame Alchemist."
A magnetic male voice came. Su Xiao was still unaccustomed to the title "Holy Flame Alchemist," so his reaction was slightly delayed.
A man with gold-rimmed glasses, wearing a beige suit, crouched in front of the stall. When he noticed Su Xiao look up, he smiled, trying to maximize the effect of his 67-point Charm attribute.
"500,000 per bottle."
"Holy Flame Alchemist, it's like this—I'm a member of the Mingmen Adventurer Group."
Hearing the gold-rimmed glasses man's words, Su Xiao immediately thought: Mingmen—wasn't that the adventurer group of Sister-Controller Yan Chen and Taliban Player Black Blood?
"I've heard of it. What's the matter?"
"Since you've heard of our adventurer group, I won't hide my intentions. You may have heard some bad rumors about Mingmen, but I still want to invite you to join us. No contract needed—just a nominal membership. Consider it?"
"..."
Su Xiao looked at the gold-rimmed glasses man with some surprise. He hadn't expected Mingmen to invite him to join.
In reality, even the elite member gold-rimmed glasses man—let alone Mingmen's leader Yan Chen—wouldn't dare invite Su Xiao to join.
"I haven't considered joining any adventurer group for now."
"Is that so? What a pity. If you encounter any trouble, feel free to contact me."
The gold-rimmed glasses man smiled confidently, proud of Mingmen's strength.
After selling two more bottles of [Active: Strength] intermittently, Su Xiao determined the market situation through several hundred emails.
80% of Third Rank contractors hoped to buy at 100,000–150,000 Paradise Coins, 12% at 200,000–300,000, and 8% at 300,000–420,000. Clearly, the buyers were in that 8%. Given the number of Third Rank contractors, that 8% was enough.
Su Xiao handed the stall over to Beini. He took a large sum of Paradise Coins and headed straight to the Land of All Beings on the third floor of the Trial Grounds to perfect the Shadow Flash. The third floor cost 300,000 Paradise Coins per hour. With his current coin count, he couldn't stay there until returning to the real world, so he chose the first floor at 50,000 Paradise Coins per hour to find a feel. Once he gained some insight, he would immediately enter the third floor of the Land of All Beings.