MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) is a flavor enhancer with a savory taste that intensifies the meaty, savory flavors of food, much like naturally occurring glutamate found in stews and meat soups. As the sodium salt of L-glutamic acid, an amino acid present in various foods such as tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms, MSG is particularly noted for its ability to enhance the umami profile of dishes, especially in Asian cuisine from earth. And Orion has just created MSG in this cultivation world.

Orion held a bowl of freshly made MSG powder. This one is normal and not glowing, it noted, scrutinizing the powder. Unlike the previous batch, this MSG did not emit any glow.

Orion placed the bowl of MSG on the table beside the glowing one, analyzing the situation. Both are supposed to be MSG, yet one glows while the other doesn't. There have been no changes with the process and ingredients, but the results are different, Orion assessed.

Orion then conducted some experiments to test both batches of MSG. Afterward, Orion stored the glowing MSG in a ceramic bottle, followed by storing most of the normal MSG in another ceramic bottle, reserving a small amount in a separate smaller ceramic bottle. Orion tidied the room, stowing away tools, equipment, and ingredients in storage rings before quickly cleaning the room.

As it was time for Wang Lingxin's breakfast and she was already calling Orion via the tablet, Orion asked her to wait a moment. Once finished cleaning the room, Orion wirelessly controlled a small flag outside the second floor. The stepper motor whirred into action, raising the flag.

Immediately, Orion detected a radio signal belonging to Liu Jin approaching rapidly. In a flash, Liu Jin entered the room through the window, swiftly assuming a kneeling position in front of Orion, hands cupped in a respectful bow.

"Mr. Orion, is there something you need?" Liu Jin inquired.

"This is the seasoning that I talked about. Have your Liu family test it," Orion said, handing the smaller ceramic bottle containing normal MSG to Liu Jin.

Liu Jin received the bottle respectfully. "Understood," he replied, storing the ceramic bottle in his storage ring. "Is there anything else, Mr. Orion?" he asked.

"No, you can go," Orion responded.

With a cupped hand, Liu Jin immediately disappeared from the room through the window.

Hmm... just like a ninja, Orion mused internally as it left the room for the dining area, where Wang Lingxin had already been waiting.

"Master, what took you so long? I'm hungry," Wang Lingxin exclaimed.

"Sorry about that. So, you want porridge for breakfast?" Orion asked.

"Yes," Wang Lingxin replied with a smile and a nod, her stomach growling in agreement.

Orion retrieved a bowl of steaming porridge, which Wang Lingxin happily devoured. She had done some stretching and a light exercise routine earlier in the morning, becoming hungry and making the breakfast even more delicious and satisfying.

After finishing breakfast, Wang Lingxin returned to her room to begin her morning with study. She used her tablet, where her master taught her through animations and easy-to-digest information and explanations. On the tablet screen, there was even a small, cute version of her master, which her master called the "chibi" version. This miniature version acted as a teacher, providing guidance as her master taught her through this chibi version.

In a room within the Liu family residence in Fengxian City, three men gathered.

"What a waste... what a waste..." Liu Mingzhen sighed, sitting at the table holding his head with both arms.

"It can't be helped. What should we do with the rest of it?" asked Liu Yang, a middle-aged looking man and an elder of the Liu family at the 2nd stage of the Golden Core realm, standing nearby.

After a moment of quiet pondering, Liu Mingzhen spoke up. "Liu Jin, bring the report on the MSG to Mr. Orion and also inform him about the progress of the house construction," he instructed, sliding a scroll across the table.

"Understood," Liu Jin replied, bowing respectfully before disappearing.

"As for the rest of the MSG... Uncle Yang, deliver it to my father. Hopefully, it will help him break through to the Nascent Soul realm," Liu Mingzhen continued.

"Sure, I will depart immediately," Liu Yang affirmed.

"Uncle Yang, didn't your grandson just born recently? Use that as a cover to return to Yanjing City. Remember, the MSG is of utmost secrecy. Don't let others know about it," Liu Mingzhen cautioned.

"That's a good idea. And don't worry, I'll be extra careful. I understand the significance of this MSG. I'll stake my life on it," Liu Yang assured.

Liu Mingzhen then retrieved a ceramic bottle from his storage ring and handed it to Liu Yang. "Have a safe journey, Uncle Yang," he said with a serious expression.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful," Liu Yang replied, taking the ceramic bottle and storing it in his storage ring before promptly leaving the room through the window and flying back to Yanjing City.

Watching Liu Yang disappear into the distance, Liu Mingzhen muttered to himself, "Now it's time to tie up loose ends." With a snap of his fingers, three masked figures appeared, kneeling before him. "I don't want the secret about the MSG leaking out. Clean up anyone involved who can't be trusted. Understand?" Liu Mingzhen ordered. The three figures nodded, cupping their hands in acknowledgment before disappearing.

Sighing to himself, Liu Mingzhen muttered, "What a joke. Just a mere seasoning? It's a magical medicine. Mr. Orion really knows how to joke around," he mused, alone in the room.

Stolen story; please report.

Previously, Orion had mentioned wanting to cooperate with the Liu family, proposing various collaborations, some of which involved culinary ventures. One particularly unconventional idea was to establish a joint venture for a small restaurant specializing in fried chicken. Although the concept seemed bizarre to Liu Mingzhen, he considered that even if it failed, it wouldn't have a significant financial impact. Thus, he accepted the proposal.

In this arrangement, the Liu family would manage the business while Orion would provide cooking techniques and recipes. Additionally, Orion offered the Liu family a seasoning called MSG, which he claimed would enhance the flavor of food. The Liu family could incorporate the seasoning into their restaurant's menu items to enhance their flavor. Orion also asked the Liu family to consider selling the seasoning as a standalone product in their shops. Providing a sample of MSG, Orion instructed the Liu family to test it first.

Following Orion's instructions, the Liu family conducted tests, beginning with animals and then humans. They found no adverse effects, and after further examination by experienced physicians in the Liu family, it was deemed safe for consumption. Over several days of testing, they discovered that when consumed by cultivators, MSG nourished their meridians and improved Qi flow. Additionally, they found that food enhanced with MSG not only tasted better but also multiplied the benefits and effects of the food.

Reflecting on the process, Liu Mingzhen couldn't shake the regret and gut-wrenching wastefulness. He lamented wasting such a magical medicine, especially when considering the initial testing on animals and mortals. Initially, Orion had said that it was just a regular seasoning, leading Liu Mingzhen to treat the MSG as such. Little did he know that after testing it, MSG turned out to be a great medicine. Perhaps for a figure like Orion, such a great medicine was deemed trivial, just like any regular seasoning. He truly regretted blindly trusting Orion's explanation about the MSG. After discovering its profound benefits, he had only sampled a small amount. More than half of the MSG had already been used for testing and given to animals and mortals. The remaining amount was then sent to Yanjing City, hoping it could assist the Liu family ancestor in achieving a breakthrough.

In Orion's residence, Orion was busy experimenting with slimes. Butchering them, removing their innards, cleaning the skin, and hanging it to dry, Orion was deeply engrossed in the process. Suddenly, Liu Jin arrived to deliver a report and handed over a scroll containing information about the MSG.

Taking the scroll, Orion read through it with curiosity. A great medicine? Very beneficial for cultivators? Orion mused internally as it continued reading, pondering why the seemingly ordinary MSG had such remarkable effects.

"Is what's said in this scroll true?" Orion inquired.

"Of course, Mr. Orion. What's stated is indeed accurate. We wouldn't dare deceive you. I can personally attest to the beneficial effects of this MSG medicine," Liu Jin explained respectfully, fearing any misunderstanding. He was afraid that Orion might misunderstand and believe that the Liu family underestimated the MSG given to them.

Still perplexed by how ordinary MSG could possess such remarkable effects, Orion moved to the table, taking a seat to further study the report.

I see, so the MSG has such effects... Orion thought internally. And it can even multiply the benefits and effects of food and medicine pills? It was a mystery Orion couldn't quite comprehend and could only attribute to the uniqueness of this world.

According to the report, the tested MSG had no adverse effects and was safe for consumption by animals, mortals, and cultivators. The Liu family's expert physician had confirmed its safety. When consumed by cultivators, it nourished their meridians and improved Qi flow. When used in food, it enhanced the taste. Additionally, if food or medicine pills had beneficial effects, adding MSG amplified them. However, if the food or medicine pills were made from rare ingredients and had complex effects, the MSG's efficacy diminished, only providing a marginal enhancement.

So, there is a limit for the MSG, the more valuable the ingredient for food and medicine pills, the enhancement also decreases, Orion mused internally as it continued to read the scroll. After a while, Orion finished and rolled up the scroll.

"Have you tried it yourself?" Orion inquired.

"Just a little, and the effect is really great," Liu Jin replied.

Orion retrieved a small ceramic bottle containing MSG. "Here, continue with the test. Now, focus on long-term consumption to check for any side effects."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Orion. On behalf of the Liu family, I offer our greatest thanks," Liu Jin accepted the ceramic bottle with both hands and bowed deeply, genuinely happy to receive another bottle of the magical medicine.

Orion gave another bottle of MSG so that the Liu family could continue testing it. However, Orion wondered why Liu Jin appeared so happy about it. As for Liu Jin, he was pleased because he could obtain some of the MSG as a reward for bringing more MSG from Orion.

"Mr. Orion, my master agrees to cooperate regarding the MSG, and we can start immediately. Also, if I may ask, what is the name of the MSG? You said MSG is just its abbreviation," Liu Jin inquired.

"The name? It's Mystical Savory Gourmet," Orion replied, easily creating a name for the MSG to fit the cultivation world.

"Mystical Savory Gourmet," Liu Jin repeated. "A truly grand name."

"We will talk about our cooperation regarding MSG later. For now, focus on testing it first," Orion instructed. Now that the MSG is no longer just a mere seasoning but has become a kind of medicine with great effect, highly sought after by cultivators, all the previous plans need to change. Orion will have to make new plans accordingly.

"Understood," Liu Jin acknowledged. "Mr. Orion, I also came here to deliver a report on the progress of the house construction."

"How is it going?" Orion inquired.

Liu Jin then explained the progress. The construction had already started, situated about 12 km from Fengxian's outer wall. The house was located atop a hill in a rather remote area. Nearby, there was a small village surrounded by rice paddies and farm fields. Due to the remote location and the complex design of the house, it would take a while for it to be completed.

"That's all for now, then. I'll take my leave," Liu Jin said respectfully, cupping both hands.

"Make sure to keep the secret about MSG," Orion instructed, wanting to avoid any problems related to the MSG and not attract any attention for the time being.

"Don't worry, Mr. Orion. We know what to do," Liu Jin assured before bowing and disappearing.

It was midnight, and in the dimly lit room of the servant quarters in the Liu family residence in Fengxian, a man held a saucer containing a small amount of white powder. He was a servant who often assisted the physician, and he had managed to steal a small amount of a magical medicine being tested.

"Hehehe, if I sell this on the black market or to other factions in the city, along with the information about it, I'll be rich," the man chuckled to himself as he put the saucer on the table.

Stab!

Suddenly, a sword pierced his back, reaching his heart and penetrating through his chest, with part of the blade protruding from his chest, now covered in blood.

"Argh... who?!" the man coughed up blood as he struggled to turn his head, trying to catch a glimpse of his attacker. He attempted to grasp the blade lodged in his chest, but it was swiftly withdrawn by the assailant. Falling in pain and bleeding profusely, he slowly began to lose consciousness.

A masked figure dressed in dark clothing emerged from the shadows of the room, taking the saucer containing the white powder. As the masked figure disappeared, the candles in the room were extinguished.

Throughout the night, several more individuals were slain within the Liu family residence, yet by the next morning, everything seemed to return to normal, as if nothing had happened. As for the vanished individuals, the Liu family simply stated that they had returned to their own families or taken a long holiday.