Grey Tower General Store, [Stamina Recovery Potion]

Luo Lin first strictly followed the original formula to brew a batch of [Minor Stamina Potion].

The finished product was a pale green, cloudy liquid.

[Item: Minor Stamina Potion (Inferior)]

[Effect: After drinking, slightly reduces the sensation of muscle fatigue for half an hour.]

As expected, the effect was weak. Because his technique was still clumsy, its quality was only inferior.

But this established a foundation.

Next came substitution and optimization.

He tried replacing part of the Vitality Root powder with a carefully processed Ironthread Grass extract.

Ironthread Grass was troublesome to process. Its fibers were tough and had to be repeatedly pounded and filtered before the effective juice could be extracted.

But for Luo Lin, who possessed [Efficient Scholar] and [Basic Potion Material Processing], it was not difficult, merely time-consuming.

On his first attempt, slight sediment formed as soon as the potion was mixed. It had failed.

Luo Lin cleaned the crucible and analyzed the cause. He believed the fibrous impurities in the Ironthread Grass juice had not been filtered out completely and had conflicted with the Vitality Root components.

On his second attempt, he improved the filtration process, using several layers of fine cloth to obtain a purer Ironthread Grass solution.

This time, the mixture did not fail immediately, but after heating, its color dulled, and testing showed that its medicinal effect had nearly vanished.

Luo Lin was not discouraged. He realized that the solution's potency might have dissipated during processing, or that the heating temperature and duration were wrong.

He adjusted the heating process, using a lower temperature and a longer, slow simmer.

Third attempt, fourth attempt... He constantly adjusted the material ratios, processing methods, heating temperature, and stirring technique.

[Efficient Scholar] allowed him to rapidly learn from every failure and precisely identify the source of each problem.

The mental energy expenditure was immense, but he sustained himself with meditation and herbal tea.

Finally, after using up most of his materials and suffering more than a dozen failures, he obtained a bottle of clear grass-green potion that gave off a faint scent of fresh grass.

[Item: Improved Minor Stamina Potion]

[Quality: Ordinary]

[Effect: After drinking, significantly relieves muscle fatigue for one hour and slightly increases the rate of stamina recovery.]

[Note: Partially replaces Vitality Root with Ironthread Grass solution, reducing costs by approximately sixty percent while producing roughly three times the effect of the original.]

It worked!

Luo Lin looked at the description on the panel and finally let out a sigh of relief.

The effect was roughly three times that of the original!

Though it still could not compare to [Greater Stamina Potion], its cost was extremely low, and its effect had already reached a practical level.

For the many First-Rank and even Second-Rank Apprentices struggling at the bottom and needing to complete all manner of physical tasks, this was undoubtedly an extremely cost-effective choice.

He named the potion [Stamina Recovery Potion], distinguishing it from that failed minor original version.

The problem now was finding a sales channel.

He could not sell this new potion in bulk through Black Rat. That would draw too much suspicion.

He needed a more official, more discreet method that could bring him a stable income.

Luo Lin thought of the counter in the mission hall.

The academy encouraged apprentices to innovate. If they developed improved and practical potion formulas, they could apply to the academy for a "patent" or sell the formula outright in exchange for a large one-time sum of contribution points or a share of the proceeds.

But that would require exposing the formula, which did not suit his need to conceal himself.

The other option was to find a shop willing to cooperate.

Within the academy were several shops run by forces under Official Wizards or by Third-Rank Apprentices themselves.

They collected all kinds of potions and materials.

If this low-cost potion could be mass-produced, the profit margin would be substantial.

Luo Lin chose the latter.

He needed to find a shop that was small, inconspicuous, and reasonably reputable.

After several days of covert observation and inquiries, he settled on a small shop called Grey Tower General Store.

The owner was a somewhat dejected and unkempt Third-Rank Apprentice named Mason.

It was said that after Mason failed to become an Official Wizard, he opened this shop to make a living. He was rather lazy and laid-back, but his business dealings were fair enough, and he never asked about the source of anyone's goods.

That afternoon, Luo Lin walked into Grey Tower General Store carrying a bottle of [Stamina Recovery Potion].

The shop was deserted, and Mason was dozing with his head on the counter.

Hearing footsteps, he lazily raised his head.

"What do you need? Materials and potions, look for yourself. The prices are clearly marked."

Mason yawned.

Luo Lin walked up to the counter and set the grass-green potion on its surface.

"Boss, do you buy potions?"

Mason glanced at it. Both its color and scent were unfamiliar; it was not one of the common varieties.

"What potion is it? Did you make it yourself? How effective is it?"

His tone remained lazy.

"Stamina Recovery Potion. It significantly relieves muscle fatigue, speeds up stamina recovery, and lasts for an hour."

"The cost is very low."

Luo Lin kept his answer brief.

"Oh?"

Mason showed a little interest. He picked up the potion, removed the stopper and sniffed it, then held it up to the light to inspect its quality.

"Never heard that name before."

"Is the effect really as good as you say?"

"How low is this low cost?"

Luo Lin spoke calmly. "The effect can be verified."

"As for the cost... it is probably only one-third to one-quarter that of potions on the market with similar effects."

The similar potions he referred to were [Greater Stamina Potion], which had slightly stronger effects but was expensive. Its official price was usually around eighty contribution points.

Mason sat up straighter, and his eyes sharpened. "Kid, don't talk nonsense. How do you prove it?"

"I can leave this bottle as a sample. You can have someone you trust test it."

"As for the cost, if we cooperate, I can supply finished products steadily. You can decide the retail price, and my supply price will be very cheap."

Luo Lin had no intention of revealing the formula. He would only provide finished products.

Mason stared at Luo Lin for several seconds, seemingly judging how much of his words he could believe.

Could a First-Rank Apprentice really produce such a cost-effective potion?

But judging by Luo Lin's composed demeanor, he did not seem to be spouting nonsense.

"What price are you asking? How much can you supply?"

Mason asked.

"Twenty-five contribution points per bottle."

"I can provide at least twenty bottles a week."

Luo Lin named his price.

It was far below the market price of [Greater Stamina Potion], but with material costs of only around five contribution points per bottle, he would still make a profit of twenty contribution points each.

And twenty bottles a week both demonstrated a certain supply capacity and avoided appearing too shocking.

Mason calculated quickly.

If the effect was really as good as the other party claimed, then even at fifty contribution points a bottle, it would be nearly half the price of [Greater Stamina Potion]. There would definitely be a market for it, and he could earn twenty-five contribution points per bottle.

Twenty bottles a week meant a stable gross profit of five hundred contribution points.

"I'll keep the sample for testing."

"If the effect is genuine, I can accept that price and quantity."

"What should I call you? How will you deliver the goods afterward?"

Mason made his decision.

"Just call me Lin. I'll come back at this time in three days."

"If we reach an agreement, I'll bring the first batch of ten bottles then."

Luo Lin chose to use an alias.

"Fine."

Mason nodded without asking further questions.

After leaving Grey Tower General Store, Luo Lin felt reassured.

If this channel opened up, he would have a stable and relatively safe source of income and would no longer have to rely entirely on Moonlight Moss and the black market.

At a supply price of twenty-five contribution points per bottle and twenty bottles a week, that was a gross income of five hundred contribution points. After costs, his net income would be around four hundred contribution points.

That was enough to support his daily cultivation and the purchase of some less expensive resources.

Three days later, Luo Lin returned to Grey Tower General Store.

When Mason saw him, a rare smile appeared on his face.

"Your potion works quite well."

"Though it can't compare to [Greater Stamina Potion], its price is its advantage."

"I tested it. At fifty-five contribution points a bottle, it should sell very well."

"Here is the payment for the first batch of ten bottles."

Mason spoke directly and transferred Luo Lin two hundred and fifty contribution points.

The deal was complete.

Luo Lin had secured his first stable order income.

At the same time, he did not abandon his other avenues.

Although the Moonlight Moss mission had been monopolized by Frack, he discovered that the mission hall occasionally posted sorting missions for other obscure materials.

These missions either paid poorly or were difficult to process, so few people showed any interest.

Relying on [Efficient Scholar] and his professional material-processing ability, Luo Lin began selectively accepting these missions.

Although the income from these missions was not as good as Moonlight Moss, small gains added up. Moreover, they allowed him to come into contact with different materials and expand his knowledge of [Basic Magical Botany].

At the same time, he began paying attention to the academy's long-term commissions.