Chapter 34: Thirty-Eight Errors Exposed

“Want to know?” Lu Yuan asked, sprawled lazily in his seat, utterly nonchalant. Upon hearing Risdo’s question, he didn’t bother to rise, merely lifting an eyelid.

Risdo’s expression slightly chilled. “Speak,” he said. “Everyone is listening.”

“In Ruolin’s recent potion-making process, I’ve already identified thirty-eight errors,” Lu Yuan stated unhurriedly. “I’m concerned that if I mention them, and you fail to see them yourselves, you might dismiss my words as mere fabrication.”

“Thirty-eight errors?”

Even Risdo couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. “If you genuinely spotted that many errors, then by all means, speak your mind,” he challenged. “Whether it’s fabrication or truth will be judged collectively by the elites present here.”

Until now, there had been lingering doubt about whether the other party had truly noticed anything. However, upon hearing this assertion, that doubt instantly vanished, replaced by outright disbelief.

Though Risdo was advanced in age, his eyesight remained sharp. While he hadn’t observed Ruolin’s entire potion-making process, only catching glimpses, he could still discern a few details.

Ruolin’s pharmaceutical skills, though not exceptionally brilliant, were undoubtedly highly proficient, far from being merely a decorative facade. Perhaps, Risdo mused, Lu Yuan might have spotted one or two minor discrepancies, which would have been marginally acceptable.

But over thirty?

‘What kind of joke is this?’

There had to be a limit to grandstanding. Such a blatant disregard for truth was utterly shameless!

“Do you truly wish to hear?” Lu Yuan asked, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd. He offered a faint smile. “Since you’re all so eager to know, if I were to remain silent, you might accuse me of deliberately causing trouble.”

“Before I begin my explanation, permit me to ask you something.” Lu Yuan slowly, deliberately, rose to his feet.

He strolled over to Ruolin, then reached out and gently took her delicate hand in his.

Ruolin’s pretty face immediately flushed crimson. In all her life, this was the first time an adult male had held her hands.

She froze for a moment, so stunned that she didn’t even think to withdraw her hand. By the time she registered what was happening, her cheeks were already aflame with a deep blush.

Just as she was about to pull her hand away and scold Lu Yuan,

Lu Yuan’s faint voice drifted over.

“You, did you wash your hands?”

Ruolin looked utterly bewildered. “Huh?!”

“You didn’t wash them?” Lu Yuan’s brows furrowed in a semblance of disgust.

“I did! Of course, I did!” Ruolin’s face alternated between crimson and pale. She felt an overwhelming urge to smash the vessel containing her potion directly into Lu Yuan’s face.

As a beautiful maiden, adored by all and the center of attention, how could she possibly not wash her hands? Was this man deliberately trying to ruin her image as a pristine beauty?!

Lu Yuan, of course, knew Ruolin had washed her hands; he was merely asking deliberately. “What did you use to wash them? Was it Lihua fragrant wood water?”

“It was Vitass Herbal Essence!!”

“Oh.” These two substances were, in fact, the same thing, merely known by different names in the cultivation world and the other world.

Having received the answer he sought, Lu Yuan stated indifferently, “That is the first error!”

Ruolin remained utterly perplexed.

Risdo paused for a moment, startled. However, a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes, and his expression darkened. He had already grasped the reason.

“Vitass Herbal Essence is mild in nature, making it a favorite cleansing and bathing product among many young women.”

“After use, it not only provides a refreshing sensation but also leaves a lingering, delicate fragrance, making it almost universally beloved by women who value beauty.”

“But what does that have to do with my potion?” Ruolin couldn’t help but ask.

“However, among the ingredients in the medicine you refined, there is an auxiliary herb named Dragon-Mark… no, named Zoglin Demon-Patterned Grass.”

“This herb is usually harmless, but when its medicinal properties are being extracted, it clashes with the scent of Vitass Herbal Essence, neutralizing the potion’s efficacy.”

“And you added the Zoglin Demon-Patterned Grass to the potion specifically to neutralize the properties of another ingredient…”

Lu Yuan meticulously elaborated on each point, occasionally detailing mixing techniques and the rationale behind combining specific medicinal properties. His explanations were logical and well-substantiated.

Unbeknownst to them, the surrounding crowd had gradually become completely engrossed, listening with rapt attention, nodding frequently in understanding.

Even Risdo’s face showed a thoughtful expression. He had dedicated decades to the study of pharmacology, yet many of the concepts Lu Yuan articulated were things he had never considered before.

Listening to Lu Yuan’s eloquent exposition, he found himself gaining considerable insights.

“…The ultimate outcome, however, was a significant reduction in the potency of this particular magic potion, rendering it an utter failure.”

After a long pause, Lu Yuan finished speaking.

Only then did the crowd awaken from their deep contemplation.

Including Dutaine, his face was now contorted as if he had eaten something vile. Lu Yuan was the person he usually despised the most, yet he found himself utterly captivated by Lu Yuan’s lecture. This brought with it an overwhelmingly nauseating sense of indignity.

“That concludes the first error I wished to discuss.” Lu Yuan gave his sleeve a slight shake.

“Now, for the second error…”

“The third error…”

…

As Lu Yuan continued his exposition, Ruolin’s face grew progressively redder. She had never imagined that her proudly developed new potion harbored so many flaws.

Listening now, it became painfully clear that her reputation as a “genius pharmacist” was nothing but an empty title, utterly worthless!

Having all these shortcomings exposed by Lu Yuan in front of everyone was akin to having her veil of modesty stripped away, leaving her utterly exposed.

Lu Yuan recounted over a dozen errors in quick succession before finally pausing. “Shall I continue to enumerate the remaining mistakes?” he inquired.