Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 241 Because of Coke
When Zhang Chengdao saw the bowl of bubbling, unidentified liquid that looked like the liquid in a witch's cauldron, he initially wanted to refuse.

But when Murong Ruyan said it was "very sweet" and "like sugar water," a thought suddenly struck her.

This inexplicable sense of déjà vu, isn't it just like Coca-Cola?!
It's worth noting that the earliest "cola" was actually a medicinal syrup used to treat headaches and refresh the mind. It was mainly extracted and blended from coca leaves and kola nuts, and its color was dark green.

Of course, the original "cola" didn't have bubbles. It was only later that some genius mixed sparkling water with cola syrup, which gave birth to the classic "fat man's happy water".

However, Zhang Chengdao only thought of cola and did not actually believe that this thing was cola.

Putting aside other things, Coca-Cola, although it may seem like something that's only good for a refreshing summer drink, is actually something that requires modern industrial infrastructure to mass-produce. It's definitely impossible to supply it in large quantities and stably right now—the technology for pressurizing and producing liquid carbon dioxide alone is an incredibly high industrial barrier.

but……

This stuff really does look a lot like Coca-Cola!
Several thoughts raced through his mind, but in reality, it only took a few breaths before Zhang Chengdao took the bowl.

Whether it's the apprentices' good intentions or their first time independently developing and creating something, we should at least give them a try. If they really develop something good, we'll be the ones who benefit!
Besides, he was now a Nascent Soul cultivator. Even if this thing was poisonous, in this martial arts and cultivation world that was still in the stage of spiritual energy revival, he really didn't believe that there could be any deadly poison that could poison a dignified Nascent Soul cultivator like himself!

Thinking of this, Zhang Chengdao brought the bowl to his lips.

A sweet and unique fragrance wafted over, and tiny bubbles tumbled in the liquid like those in a sugary drink. Occasionally, small fragments of liquid would pop out and splash onto your face, and you could even hear the hissing sounds of these bubbles as they popped and burst.

Zhang Chengdao took a small sip—

It really does taste like sparkling water!
However, it's not as stimulating as truly modern sparkling water; instead, it's more like some naturally fermented beverages, milder, and has a quirky, but not unpleasant, rich aroma.

He remembered drinking some old coconuts when he was traveling in Hainan. The coconut water inside had been fermented and produced a slight bubbly texture. This green liquid was somewhat similar to the coconut water from those old coconuts, only slightly more volatile.

Especially its sweet taste, it does indeed resemble cola somewhat—

Or, to put it another way, cola with special plant flavors like lemon or kale juice (definitely not cherry cola) naturally has a unique aroma. Combined with this slight sweetness, it would be a blockbuster new product if it were placed in modern chain milk tea shops!
Very delicious!

And although it only looked somewhat like cola, Zhang Chengdao took several sips in a row and couldn't help but exclaim, "It really does taste a bit like cola!"

Murong Ruyan and Zhong Hui exchanged a glance, both seeing the doubt in each other's eyes. Neither of them had ever heard of such a thing.

So the two of them asked in succession:
"'Cola'?"

"May I ask, Sect Master, what is 'Cola'?"

Zhang Chengdao looked at the green liquid in the bowl more carefully, and replied with a nostalgic tone, "Cola is a drink from another world. It tastes somewhat similar to this. It's also sweet and bubbly, but the color is a little different."

Zhong Hui's eyes darted around, and he boldly pressed on, "Is it also fermented from a kind of grass with large, vine-like leaves?"

"Oh, no, it's not that. The method of making 'Cola' is quite complicated. With current technology, it's probably impossible to make it. But this one is about three or four parts similar."

As Zhang Chengdao spoke, he drank the green liquid in the bowl in one gulp, and a wisp of spiritual energy entered his stomach.

This stuff is way better than cola! And it's packed with such abundant spiritual energy?
Zhang Chengdao couldn't help but sigh—

This is practically an otherworldly functional beverage!
Zhong Hui chuckled and said, "Then, Sect Master, could you give this thing a name? We can't just call it 'Cola,' can we?"

"naming?"

Zhang Chengdao savored the unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar taste in his mouth and said, "Let's call it 'Cola'. The taste is indeed somewhat similar, and this drink you made seems to be even more effective than cola. A drink that can replenish spiritual energy can be sold as medicine!"

Although the name "Cola" doesn't sound particularly meaningful, it was personally chosen by the sect leader, and it also allowed him to ride on the fame of "Cola" from the "other world" the sect leader mentioned—which was probably the "Immortal Realm." Naturally, Zhong Hui had no complaints and immediately took his leave happily with his empty bowl.

Murong Ruyan watched Zhong Hui leave with a smile, as if she were looking at a little sister, completely unaware that she was actually the younger one.

After Zhong Hui left, only Murong Ruyan remained by his side. Zhang Chengdao, unusually concerned for his disciple, asked, "Ruyan, how has your cultivation been lately?"

"This disciple dares not slack off; I have now reached the second level of the Foundation Establishment stage!"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but add in a low voice, "Only one level below Senior Brother!" Zhang Chengdao nodded in satisfaction, "Hmm, not bad, you are all making rapid progress, worthy of being the people I have chosen."

No wonder it's a gold card! This cultivation speed is even faster than the top cultivators in the worlds with abundant spiritual energy described in the book!
This was during a time when spiritual energy was scarce!

If the true spiritual energy is fully restored and the entire world is upgraded, these chosen ones will probably see their cultivation speed skyrocket!
I, as the master, will be able to just lie around and relax then, how wonderful!

After casually expressing his "concern" for Murong Ruyan for a few more minutes, Zhang Chengdao left Lingxiao Palace and returned to his room to cultivate.

With the Xunmu tree having grown to this extent and the Tianchi (Heavenly Pool) having been formed for a long time, the difference in spiritual energy concentration across the entire Baishi Mountain is no longer so significant.

If I had to say something, it would probably be that the air near Tianchi Lake is a bit fresher.

Therefore, apart from the outer disciples who were more superstitious about Tianchi, inner disciples such as Zhang Chengdao and Murong Ruyan rarely went to Tianchi to cultivate.

Zhang Chengdao also resumed his leisurely life of only working one day a week. When he had nothing to do, he would play Bubble Shooter or slowly go through and organize the pile of books published by Golden Finger that he had accumulated but had not yet sorted out. He lived a very carefree life.

However, I sometimes stand near Tianchi and feel sentimental.

In any case, I've been in this world for more than half a year now, and I still miss the modern world, especially the kangaroo-eared delivery guys who are always available. Back then, all the delivery guys within a five-kilometer radius knew the way to his house, and I even contributed a lot of money to the yellow kangaroo and blue knight delivery services.

And just as I was enjoying the snow and reflecting on spring and autumn, a glass of bubbling Coke appeared before me.

"Master, would you like some cola?"

Zhang Chengdao glanced at Chang Ping'an, who was holding a cup, and readily accepted the cup. He then skillfully took a low-grade spirit stone from his backpack and tossed it over to him.

Chang Ping'an skillfully accepted the low-grade spirit stone and then shared some food information with his master: "Master, when I bought Coke this time, I heard from Madam Liao that the price might go up in the next couple of days!"

Frost condensed in Zhang Chengdao's hand, quickly chilling the cola in the cup. Then he tore off the sealing talisman, took a sip of cola, and looked at Chang Ping'an with a questioning look in his eyes.

"They said that even with several fields planted with sweet herbs at Lingyao Peak, it wasn't enough, and Madam Liao also said she couldn't keep up with the demand. So, they can only try to raise the price and control sales."

As he spoke, Chang Ping'an shook his head again and sighed, "I doubt it. How high can the price of this stuff go? There's not much difference between a first-grade spirit stone and a second-grade spirit stone!"

Ever since Chang Ping'an went to the Taiyue Sword Sect, he has become more mature in his actions, but his mouth has become more talkative. He especially likes to lecture his junior brothers and sisters, and he often looks heartbroken and brings up Li Zhi, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Taiyue Sword Sect, to make everyone feel a little scared when they see their senior brother.

Zhang Chengdao felt that it would be better for his eldest disciple to be more "cheerful," otherwise, if he was always like a taciturn person, he would easily get into trouble. So he chimed in, "That makes sense. This stuff is popular not only because it tastes good, but also because it can replenish spiritual energy. It's also convenient for disciples to carry when they go out, which is why it's in short supply."

“That’s right! But Master,” Chang Ping’an hesitated for a moment, “I’ve seen that besides Junior Sister Zhong, some junior brothers and sisters have also secretly learned the recipe. I’ve even heard that some of them brew it and sell it down the mountain at high prices. Should we stop them?”

"Although this is a bit underhanded, it's not really a conflict. Zhong Hui seems to only be doing business with cultivators and doesn't seem to care..."

If they cared, they would have made a scene long ago. The fact that everything is calm now means they might have even spoken to each other privately and divided up the market!

but……

Zhang Chengdao frowned and said, "But you're right. Once this happens, it will happen again. Once it starts, it will get out of control. We should take precautions as soon as possible."

Chang Ping'an cupped his hands and asked, "Master, what do you mean?"

"As for enacting the patent law, I will guide you on this matter and have Manager Xu handle it. However, if you have nothing to do recently, you may come and sit in on the proceedings."

Zhang Chengdao replied.

If it weren't for the cola, he would have completely forgotten about this part.

If the patent law is not perfect, the rights and interests of inventors cannot be protected, which will have a significant impact on social development!
Chang Ping'an thought that his master was giving him special guidance, and hurriedly replied, "Yes! This disciple understands!"

……

(End of this chapter)