Chapter 674: Disappearance

Ice Sculpture Capital.

Zi Di stared intently at the glass beaker in her hand.

“60ml of sorrow-dispelling red wine, paired with 15g of time ice cubes.”

“Requirement 1: The energy level of the time ice cubes must be between 400-560 magic power.”

"Requirement 2: The time ice cube must undergo pre-cooling, reducing its temperature to at least -20°C."

"Requirement 3: Monitor temperature after placing the time ice cube into the sorrow-dispelling red wine. If the temperature rises by 10℃ or more within 30 seconds, promptly add golden coconut oil. If it does not reach this level, do not add."

Following this, two alchemy paths diverged, corresponding to the temperature rising to the standard and failing to reach it.

Zi Di meticulously recalled every step while carefully inspecting the sorrow-dispelling red wine, time ice cubes, and other components.

After confirming all alchemy materials met specifications, Zi Di commenced the formal preparation.

After placing the time ice cubes into the beaker containing the wine, the temperature failed to rise to the required level.

She immediately switched to the second route.

“Lucky.”

The second route proved significantly less challenging than the first.

“Temperature detection is merely an observational dimension. The true standard lies in a specific critical data point.”

“Yet the content Ban Tu traded to me didn't include this core element.”

“It's likely tied to the divine power of the Intoxication God...”

Zi Di could only speculate silently.

It wasn't Ban Tu's fault for holding back during the transaction.

In fact, alchemy technology trades were generally conducted this way.

Ban Tu had already detailed every alchemy step, and the contract they signed largely guaranteed he hadn't deceived her.

Zi Di followed the instructions step by step and could achieve the corresponding alchemy results.

It was like buying a potion formula.

Zi Di wouldn't tell the buyer the reasons behind her design steps, the conceptual process, or the sources of inspiration for developing this potion.

That knowledge transcended mere alchemy, it resided on a higher plane.

Of course, such knowledge wasn't inherently unsellable. magic academies, alchemy schools, and similar institutions thrived on precisely this trade. Students paid tuition for the opportunity to learn such knowledge.

As for Zi Di, she hadn't yet grasped the underlying principles of this purchased alchemy technique, let alone reverse-engineered its design philosophy or conceptual framework.

Her original plan was to thoroughly master it, perhaps even attempt improvements (primarily relying on War Merchant's database and the tower spirit, as Zi Di's alchemy expertise alone was utterly insufficient), before applying it to the dragonman youngster.

But now, the situation was urgent. There was definitely no time for Zi Di to properly study and understand this technology.

After considering her options, Zi Di decided to use it on Zong Ge first.

“Long Fu” needed to make an appearance, especially after enduring Bing Yang's Frost Aura.

Zi Di alone was absolutely insufficient to handle the disguise and impersonation. She herself had crucial matters (the Wisteria Cache) to attend to.

Three hours later, Zi Di gazed weakly at the beaker, her eyes reflecting a flicker of delight.

Her first attempt at alchemy had failed midway.

This was her second attempt.

The ice cube heated significantly this time, exceeding 10℃. Following the protocol, Zi Di had no choice but to proceed with the first route.

Though the difficulty had increased considerably, she managed to complete the alchemy.

The finished product, the sorrow-dispelling red wine, revealed a vivid crimson hue, like blood. When the liquid swayed, it emitted a faint orange-yellow glow.

The time ice cube had transformed dramatically, no longer a solid block but a phantom-like presence.

It floated within the wine.

When the wine was perfectly still, the hidden ice remained invisible.

Only after swirling the wine could the pure white ice barely be discerned by the naked eye. These ice cubes resembled magic images, drifting up and down within the wine.

Zi Di glanced at the clock: “I only have 18 minutes.”

The Ice Cube Red Wine in this state couldn't last long.

Zi Di gave it her all, inspecting the finished product as quickly as possible. She found no issues.

Only 2 minutes remained.

Zi Di immediately began stirring.

During the stirring process, Zi Di did not draw upon her own spirit power.

This was quite unusual.

Typically, the brewing of potions required heavy involvement of the alchemist's spirit power.

Zi Di merely used an ordinary glass rod for stirring.

The stirring pace was not fast.

As the sorrow-dispelling red wine gradually formed a vortex, the magic phantom-like time ice cubes were also pulled into strands of white filaments, swirling continuously within the liquid.

“The aura has unified!”

Zi Di's eyes lit up.

Originally, the transcendent aura of the Ice Cube Red Wine was intermingled. But as the stirring reached a certain point, the multiple transcendent auras miraculously fused together.

“This is the moment.” Holding the beaker, Zi Di approached the bed.

She pried open Zong Ge's mouth and inserted a small glass funnel inside. Then, towering above him, she slowly poured the Ice Cube Red Wine into the funnel.

After being stirred, the wine became remarkably viscous.

Like honey, it dripped slowly, falling into the funnel and then flowing into Zong Ge's mouth.

The Ice Cube Red Wine emitted a faint, cold glow, occasionally revealing the outline of ice cubes.

The wine's aroma was intensely rich, filling the air. Even as an undead being, Zi Di sensed the wine's beauty, a deep-seated desire to drink it welling up within her.

An entire glass of wine was poured directly into Zong Ge's mouth.

He didn't need to swallow. The wine dissolved instantly upon touching his mouth, permeating his skin, muscles, blood, and bones.

About a minute later, Zong Ge slowly opened his eyes.

“It worked!” Zi Di exclaimed joyfully.

Zong Ge's blurred vision gradually sharpened. Recognizing Zi Di, he rasped out a thank you.

Zi Di exhaled a cloud of stale breath, relaxing. “That was perilous.”

“Fortunately, I struck a deal with Ban Tu earlier, acquiring the alchemy formula for Ice Cube Red Wine.”

"Afterward, I purchased two bottles of sorrow-dispelling red wine from the Li Jian Clan. That's what gave me the means to counteract the effects of the ‘Beautiful Future’ potion."

Zong Ge struggled to sit up. “The potion's effects overwhelmed me. I nearly couldn't maintain my defenses.”

"On its own, it wouldn't have been a threat. The problem is it acted like a fuse, igniting all the latent issues building up inside me."

Zong Ge raised his upper body, attempting to circulate his battle qi. A flicker of joy crossed his face.

“A blessing in disguise.”

“This time, I was pushed to my absolute limit, trapped in mortal peril, struggling on the brink of life and death.”

"My body underwent tremendous training. My battle qi now circulates at least twice as fast. The protective mechanisms for my internal organs have now stabilized, becoming one of my instincts."

“Hahahaha...”

Seeing Zong Ge laugh, Zi Di rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Glad you're awake. Get up quickly, it's time to make your public appearance.”

Zong Ge nodded, about to rise, when suddenly he too rolled his eyes.

But this time, his eyes rolled upward and stayed there.

Thud.

Zong Ge fell backward, the back of his head striking the bed frame with a soft thump.

Zi Di: ?!

She froze for a moment, then lunged forward like lightning. Her palm pressed against Zong Ge's chest as she probed with her spirit power.

Then, as if electrocuted, she jerked her hand back.

Zong Ge's body was enveloped in the Intoxication divine power that nearly injured her.

Zi Di's face paled dramatically as she gasped, "What's happening? His soul is gone!"