Chapter 84: Lixuan Grass Research Restart

"Lin Ke, a great beauty is looking for you."

Upon entering the lab, Mo Li set down the documents in her hands and came forward, enthusiastic as fire, her smile like a blossom,

"She couldn't find you, so she came to find me. I said you weren't here, so she followed me, determined to find you. I said I wasn't sure I could wait, but she insisted on waiting."

Lin Ke seemed to smell a sour note.

He chuckled and replied, "Even with a veil, one can't see the face clearly—how do you know she's a great beauty?"

"Pah!"

Mo Li gave Lin Ke a sideways glance, her lips pursed, and dissatisfiedly spat, "You actually still want to lift her veil? Pervert!"

Lin Ke's smile widened, but he stopped teasing: "No matter how beautiful she is, if she comes with ill intent, I've already sent her away. Don't worry about her."

"Really?"

Mo Li, half-believing, didn't continue the topic and asked, "How come you're back so early today? Have you eaten lunch?"

"Yes."

Lin Ke nodded, "Once the work is done, I can leave—it's quite free. Besides, I already have a rough plan for the further development of the Lixuan Grass leaf extract."

"Is that so?"

Mo Li instantly jumped up with joy.

Regarding the series of research and speculation on Lixuan Grass, Mo Li participated throughout.

Moreover, the discovery that Lixuan Grass leaf extract has a calming and soothing effect is closely related to Mo Li.

One day, she inadvertently sighed, "The air in the lab today is truly fresh; I feel my heart instantly calm down."

Only then did Lin Ke gain inspiration and discover the effect of the Lixuan Grass leaf extract.

In the series of R&D on Lixuan Grass, Mo Li may not claim the greatest merit, but at least she has labored greatly.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get moving!"

Mo Li waved her little hands, excited and eager.

In study, research, and experiment, Mo Li has become Lin Ke's shadow.

To do good work, one must first sharpen one's tools.

Lin Ke needs to go to Selin Witch Pharmacy to compete for a position; the main force conducting research in the lab is Mo Li.

As the main force, how could one not have a comprehensive and deep understanding of the research about to be undertaken?

Lin Ke detailed to Mo Li his inspiration, development plan, and expected results for turning Lixuan Grass leaf extract into aromatherapy essential oil.

Collecting and reading relevant literature on aromatherapy and essential oils is also very important.

Doing research and development with references can save many detours.

Aromatherapy refers to any fragrance therapy that delivers medicinal effects of essential oils etc. through the skin and respiratory systems.

The research and experiment that Lin Ke and Mo Li are about to undertake consist of blending and proportioning Lixuan Grass leaf extract to finally form a complete aromatherapy essential oil formula.

The aromatherapy essential oils available on the market are numerous and varied in function.

The aromatherapy essential oils that Lin Ke can currently access, which have calming and soothing effects and promote meditation, suitable for witch apprentices, number no more than ten.

The price is uniformly three standard first-grade Magic Stones per bottle.

One bottle of aromatherapy essential oil can be used only eight to ten times.

A witch apprentice, if financially well off, who uses aromatherapy essential oil to assist each meditation session, would spend at least ten Magic Stones per month.

This market scale and projected returns are quite substantial.

Although Lin Ke has not yet used any meditation‑aiding potion, this does not hinder his optimism about the future profits of Lixuan Grass aromatherapy essential oil.

It's not that he previously didn't know such potions existed or that he disdained to use them; rather, he simply cannot afford them.

When he can finally afford them, in order to maintain the purity of his spirit and magic and prepare for a swift promotion to third‑rank witch apprentice, Lin Ke is again not well suited to use such potions.

Mo Li, on the other hand, would be suitable, but her Magic Stones cannot support such expense, and she is unwilling to borrow a large sum from Lin Ke.

Moreover, once the product is produced and launched, it will certainly not be sold only at the Ruwo Si Thinking Academy and Ruwo Si Thinking City.

The entire Michelle District, the entire Duoduo Big Region, and even the whole West Coast—anywhere the academy's commercial channels can reach—can be a sales outlet.

Speaking of which, if Lin Ke wishes to quickly transfer or sell the patent after achieving results, he must possess a differentiated competitive advantage.

Either lower the cost, or raise the efficacy, or have both.

The research results must not be limited to the laboratory‑product stage; at the very least, they should point out the development direction for industrial‑scale production processes, even if a feasible large‑scale production plan is not yet formulated.

Only then can the patent be quickly monetized.

This is no trivial matter; the research process must be sufficiently rigorous, the experimental data sufficiently reliable, and the resulting formula sufficiently potent.

The workload is large, and the experimental items are numerous.

Results cannot be obtained in a short time.

Busyness will be the baseline for the coming lengthy period.

……

Without any troubles, the remaining five days of the first week of vacation passed quickly.

During these five days, Lin Ke's life was very regular.

Every morning he woke up early, washed up, ate, and took the urban rail to the eastern district of Ruwo Si Thinking City, to Selin Witch Pharmacy;

Upon entering the store he clocked in, changed clothes, and verified the types, quantities, and weights of the plants and herbs awaiting processing;

After confirming everything was correct, he carried out the pretreatment of the plants and herbs;

Once the plants and herbs were fully processed, he handed them over to Tina the Witch, who handles the fine processing;

At that point, it was usually lunchtime, and he would grab an employee meal at the shop's cafeteria;

During that time he could occasionally overhear chats among the three regular staff members, gaining some insight into official witches, advanced academies, or the front lines;

After a brief rest after the meal, he would bid farewell to the Selin Witch and clock off;

Taking the light rail train back to the academy, conducting research and development on the extract of Lixuan grass leaves;

Going to the cafeteria to settle dinner, filling his stomach;

After the meal, he went to the Library for self-study, entered the advanced literature repository to search for materials and documents, focusing on potion-related studies.

What? Mina Hafchek?

The gap was too great, and she couldn't withstand Tina the witch's cold violence, so she voluntarily gave up the next day.

Originally expecting a fierce contest, it turned out to be thunderous but with little rain, completely calm.

Lin Ke increasingly looked down on the current Newblood Mutual Aid Society.

Besides the above schedule, Lin Ke also continued to deepen his expertise in witchcraft.

The newly acquired four 0-ring witchcraft spells reached the proficiency level.

The previously eight 0-ring witchcraft spells all reached the perfection level, enabling instant cast (completed within 1 second).

"Lesser Mist Rain Technique", "Thorn Entanglement", and "Water Shield Technique" are also very close to the Innovation level.

However, Lin Ke always felt there was a thin but extremely hard-to-break membrane obstructing him.

After several attempts to break through, they all failed.

After deep reflection, summarizing lessons learned, and analyzing the causes of failure.

Lin Ke guessed that he perhaps needed an opportunity, a flash of inspiration, to make any breakthrough.

Ascetic practice and gradual realization are useless for advancing from Perfection to Innovation in witchcraft; enlightenment is needed.

So, Lin Ke also didn't dwell on this, peacefully enjoying the long-lost tranquil life.

Comfortable and happy, extremely content.

p!

(End of chapter)