The Astonished Elder

"Instant noodles are only effective if you use the hot water provided in the store," Yao Ziyan reminded Old Bai gently.

As expected, moments later, Old Bai's exclamation echoed through the shop.

"Vitality Spring Water! This is actual Vitality Spring Water!"

Bu Lige chuckled at the elder's reaction. "Ahem, old man, the surprises in the boss's shop are endless. You might want to brace yourself."

Old Bai narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly a little offended. "Young one, I've traveled across Azure Continent for nearly a hundred years. I've seen my fair share of wonders—there's nothing that can faze me now!"

Bu Shiyi smirked and muttered under her breath, "Your reaction just now says otherwise..."

Old Bai's face reddened slightly as he coughed to mask his embarrassment. "Ahem, well, it's only natural for the things in the boss's shop to be extraordinary."

"Alright, Mr. Bai. You enjoy your noodles. We're heading back to the game." Bu Lige waved and walked off, eager to resume his interrupted battle.

Thankfully, the Tower of Trials allowed for an active pause. Otherwise, he'd be lamenting his untimely interruption.

"Go on, then. I'll join you after I finish eating," Old Bai replied with a nod.

Meanwhile, Gu Yunxi and Jiang Wanshang had reached their three-hour limit for gameplay that day. After bidding farewell to everyone, they left the shop.

---

Old Bai took his first bite of the instant noodles, and his eyes widened in astonishment.

"This flavor... How can something brewed so simply with hot water be this delicious?" he muttered, marveling at the taste.

Then again, the hot water is Vitality Spring Water, he reminded himself.

He quickly noticed the changes in his body. His spiritual power had become nearly ten times more active, and his cultivation speed increased exponentially.

Taking a deep breath, Old Bai suppressed the excitement welling up within him. Once he finished the noodles, he prepared to try the Tower of Trials.

As he turned toward the gaming area, something else caught his eye—a single, elegantly crafted cold jade bottle on a nearby shelf.

Unlike the rows of instant noodles, there was only one of these bottles. Its scarcity only made it seem more special.

"Um, Miss Ziyan," Old Bai hesitated before asking, "is this also one of the store's products?"

Initially, he had intended to address her as "Senior Ziyan," but he reconsidered. Yao Ziyan's choice to serve as a clerk in the shop suggested she didn't wish to emphasize her strength.

Yao Ziyan nodded, her tone calm. "Yes, that's Jelly Dew. The store sells one bottle every seven days."

Another unfamiliar name.

Curious, Old Bai approached the bottle labeled Jelly Dew and began reading its description.

As he absorbed the details, his breathing quickened.

"Vitality... This thing can restore vitality!"

Despite being a practitioner of Pathseeker, Old Bai's lifespan was still finite. Though he had far more time than ordinary cultivators, the years were catching up to him. If he couldn't break through to the next realm, the eventual exhaustion of his vitality and the inevitable decline of his lifespan would be unavoidable.

But now, here was something that could restore vitality! To him, it was akin to a lifeline for someone lost in a desert finding an oasis.

Although the Vitality Spring Water bore the word "vitality" in its name, it couldn't replenish lost vitality. At best, it revitalized bodily functions.

However, the description of Jelly Dew explicitly stated its ability to restore vitality.

An item like this wasn't just rare—it was legendary. Its mere existence would cause a storm across Azure Continent. Wars had been waged over far less!

"This... I must have it!"

Old Bai's eyes gleamed with determination. His mind was already made up. This was something he couldn't afford to miss.