...
After his conversation with Darius, Zastan paced his hotel room, anticipation building as he waited for the new milk tea to arrive. The Heavenly Nectar formula had intrigued him from the moment he saw it in the system. Its description alone made it seem like more than just a drink. Rather, it was an experience, and according to the system, it was capable of doing more than merely satisfying a thirst.
[Heavenly Nectar Milk Tea: A divine blend that offers more than flavor. With each sip, stress melts away, the body finds relief, and the mind is calmed. Made from ingredients that refreshens the senses while inducing a bright clarity.]
Zastan couldn't help but be excited. This wasn't just any milk tea. It's more of like a step to changing the game entirely. While the Xia family was busy with their underhanded tactics, he was about to introduce a new product that will like be his response towards the Xia family's tactics.
As per his instructions, Darius had assigned the Biochemical Persons to produce several iterations of the formula, tweaking it batch by batch. Their efficiency and precision allowed them to gather the necessary ingredients in record time, some of which were rare and difficult to procure. The number of Biochemicals in the warehouse meant they could process multiple batches simultaneously, constantly refining the taste and texture. With every attempt, they moved closer and closer to the exact flavor and effect described by the system.
Zastan received updates throughout the day. Each batch was improving, edging toward perfection, and the team was working tirelessly to meet the high standards he had set. The power of the Biochemicals meant the operation was running almost flawlessly. Not only could they secure the rare ingredients, but they could also adjust the process in real time, making improvements on the fly.
By the time night fell, the anticipation was at its peak. Hours ticked by, and Zastan grew more eager with each passing minute. Finally, as midnight approached, the knock he'd been waiting for echoed through his suite.
"Enter," he called, his voice steady, though his excitement was hard to hide.
Two of his subordinates entered the room, carrying an elegantly crafted tray. At the center of it, in a pristine, frosted glass, was the first finalized version of Heavenly Nectar Milk Tea. The presentation was flawless.
The cup seemed to glow faintly under the soft lighting of the room, and a delicate aroma filled the air, calming Zastan instantly.
"If the taste is inligned according to your description, Young Master. This should be the final product." one of the Biochemical Persons said. "After multiple improvements, we believe this is as close as we can get to the system's description."
Zastan nodded, his eyes fixated on the drink. He reached out, taking the glass in his hand. As he brought it closer, the scent alone was enough to tell him this was something special. A subtle, soothing aroma, unlike anything he had ever experienced, lingered in the air. It was refreshing, yet comforting, like the crisp breeze of a quiet forest at dawn.
"Finally," Zastan murmured to himself, lifting the glass to his lips.
The first sip was… transcendent.
The liquid was smooth, cool to the touch, yet it seemed to warm his body as it went down. A gentle wave of relaxation spread through him almost immediately. His muscles, tense from the long day, began to loosen, and his mind, always filled with a million thoughts, grew quiet. It wasn't overpowering, but it was undeniable—Heavenly Nectar lived up to its name.
He took another sip, this time savoring the flavor. It was sweet, but not too sweet.
There were delicate layers to the taste, each one unfolding as he let it linger on his tongue. Hints of floral and citrus danced together, with a smooth, creamy finish that left him wanting more.
Zastan set the glass down for a moment, leaning back in his chair, a content smile spreading across his face. He could feel the stress of the day melting away, his mind becoming clear and sharp. Every worry seemed distant now, every challenge suddenly more manageable. The effects of the milk tea were subtle but profound—just as the system had promised.
Darius, who had arrived to oversee the delivery, stood nearby, watching his young master carefully. "Young Master… how is it?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.
Zastan's smile widened as he opened his eyes, his gaze settling on Darius. "It's perfect," he said simply. "Better than I imagined. The system's description didn't do it justice."
Darius breathed a sigh of relief, a rare expression of emotion for the usually stoic man. "I'm glad to hear it, Young Master. We've already begun preparing the first shipments for the select stores, as per your instructions. Should we increase the production rate?"
Zastan considered the question for a moment. "No need to rush," he said calmly, taking another sip of the milk tea. "Let the exclusivity build. When the hype reaches its peak, then we'll flood the market."
Darius nodded, understanding Zastan's strategy perfectly. "Understood, Young Master. We'll continue refining the process, ensuring each batch maintains the same level of quality."
"Good." Zastan leaned back further, feeling more relaxed than he had in weeks. "And make sure the security at the warehouse is doubled. With this product, the Xia family will only get more desperate."
Darius's expression hardened. "Already done, Young Master. We've increased surveillance and placed additional MK2 units at key locations. No one will get near the formula without us knowing."
Zastan nodded, pleased with the precautions. He had learned his lesson from the recent attempts on his production facility. With something as valuable as Heavenly Nectar, he couldn't afford to take any chances.
"Perfect," he said quietly, finishing the last of his milk tea. "This is just the beginning of my retaliation..."
...
The next day, in the grand estate of the Xia family's secondary branch, a tense meeting was unfolding in their private conference room. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, as several of the branch's key members were gathered around a long, polished table. Their faces were grim, reflecting the growing concern about Eternal Enchantment.
"We need to handle this one quickly before everything's too late." One elder began, his voice deep and commanding. "The market's response to this brand has been far more aggressive than we thought. If we don't act soon, we'll lose more than just market share... We'll also lose face."
Another elder, a middle-aged man with graying hair, nodded slowly. "Their first product made waves, but if what we're hearing about this second flavor is true, it could spell disaster for our hold on the industry. We can't afford to let this go on. And who knows whether or not they have more backups under their sleeves?"
As the room murmured in agreement, the door suddenly swung open, causing all eyes to snap toward the entrance. A younger man, one of their trusted aides, rushed inside, his face flushed with urgency.
"Elder Xia," the man panted, directing his words to the graying elder at the head of the table. "I have urgent news about Eternal Enchantment's latest movement."
The elder's frown deepened. "What is it?" he asked sharply, clearly annoyed by the intrusion.
The aide bowed quickly, then spoke in a hurried tone. "Word just came in that Eternal Enchantment is planning to release another milk tea flavor. According to my sources, it's said to be even better than their current offering."
The room fell silent for a moment as the gathered elders absorbed the news. Then, a series of mutters and curses broke the quiet as the realization of Eternal Enchantment's growing influence sank in.
"Another flavor? So soon?" one of the elders said, shaking his head in disbelief. "They must have been planning this from the start. They're more prepared than we thought."
Another elder, with a sharp glint in his eyes, leaned forward. "Perhaps it's time to alert the main branch of the Xia family. Let them handle this problem with their full resources. We can't risk being overwhelmed by a small company like this."
"No," came a stern voice from the corner of the room. It was one of the more experienced elders, his presence commanding immediate respect. "The scale of Eternal Enchantment is still small, despite their recent success. Alerting the main branch would only show that we're incapable of handling this ourselves. Why should we give them an excuse to take the credit for something we can easily crush on our own?"
Several of the elders exchanged glances, and a quiet murmur of agreement rippled through the room.
"Exactly," another elder chimed in. "If we handle this well, we could secure additional resources from the family. We might even get access to better territories for expansion. The main branch doesn't need to get involved, and this way, we keep the credit."
The graying elder, still seated at the head of the table, rubbed his chin thoughtfully before nodding. "I see your point. If we act decisively, we can eliminate this threat before it grows any further. The key is finding a way to make them fold without causing too much public attention."
After a few more minutes of discussion, another suggestion came to the table. A man in his late forties, with a calculating gleam in his eyes, leaned forward. "There's one option we haven't considered yet. If we really want to eliminate Eternal Enchantment as a threat, we need to take more... direct action."
The room fell quiet again, all eyes now on him.
"Direct action?" one elder asked cautiously. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
The man smiled darkly. "We should contact Shadow Talon."
...