Chapter 0058: Master
Pay Ling caught the subtext in Vice Tower President Woods' words loud and clear. Kim Simona might throw out a tempting offer now, but as an alchemist herself, she couldn't sustain a long-term buying spree like the Tower of Hundred Treasures could. In the long run, the Tower's 10% premium was the safer, more lucrative bet.
But Kim Simona wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away. Her face darkened as she processed Woods' logic, and she quickly recalibrated her approach. "Dear Junior Brother," she said, her voice smooth but urgent, "I've already received a promise from Inner Sect Grand Elder Sain. Once I ascend to the Foundation Stage, I'll immediately become one of his apostles. You've heard of Grand Elder Sain's alchemy skills, haven't you? If you sell me this premium-level Bone Tempering Pill, I'll put in a word with Grand Elder to recommend you!"
Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Grand Elder Sain Churn was one of the five greatest alchemists of the Abyss Pit Sect. While the sect wasn't renowned for its alchemy, Sain Churn's skills were the real deal, honed over centuries of rigorous practice and selection. Though his cultivation level was only middling among the inner sect's grand elders, his status as a master alchemist made him a figure of immense respect and influence.
The temptation of Kim Simona's offer was undeniable.
Vice Tower President Woods' eye twitched hard. He quickly interjected, his tone a mix of urgency and caution. "Dear young friend, Fellow Dao Kim's words are just promises. Who knows if they'll come to fruition? Grand Elder Sain is notoriously selective. He doesn't just look at talent and character—he also considers first-sight affinity. There was once an outer sect disciple, a genius in his own right, who knelt for ten days and nights outside Sain's residence, begging to be taken in as an apostle. He was still rejected! You're still young. Why take such a risk? It's always better to earn spirit stones, improve your cultivation, and hone your skills. It's slower, yes, but far steadier."
Kim Simona sneered, her delicate rose-petal lips curling into a cold smirk. "Junior Brother, you have to think carefully. Spirit stones come and go, but opportunities like this? They're once in a lifetime."
Vice Tower President Woods opened his mouth to argue further, but Pay Ling had heard enough. He raised a hand, cutting them both off. "Let's keep it simple," he said, his tone firm but polite. "Highest bidder wins."
He then turned to Kim Simona with an apologetic smile. "My apologies, Senior Sister Kim. I'm strapped for cash right now."
Kim Simona's heart sank. She was wealthy by outer sect disciple standards, thanks to her alchemy skills, but she couldn't possibly compete with the Tower of Hundred Treasures in terms of financial resources. Still, she wasn't ready to give up. She bit her delicate lower lip, her mind racing. "How strapped are you, Junior Brother?" she asked, her voice softening. "Perhaps I can lend you the spirit stones temporarily, so you won't miss this opportunity."
Pay Ling's eyes lit up. "Many thanks, Senior Sister! Could you lend me 10,000 low-grade spirit stones, then?"
Kim Simona's face froze. Ten thousand?! That was a staggering sum, far beyond what even she could comfortably part with. Her delicate fingers tightened around the hem of her robe as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Junior Brother, you must be joking," she said, forcing a light laugh. "How could I possibly have so many spirit stones on hand? My limit is around one thousand. Ten thousand is… beyond my means."
Pay Ling's hopeful expression faltered, but he nodded understandingly. "I see. Thank you for considering it, Senior Sister."
Vice Tower President Woods, meanwhile, couldn't hide a smug grin. "Well, in that case," he said, his tone dripping with satisfaction, "it seems the Tower's offer is the most reliable option after all. We, the Tower of Hundred Treasures, will gladly purchase this premium-level Bone Tempering Pill from you, young friend."
He instructed the teenager handyman behind him, who quickly fetched a brocade wooden box. Vice Tower President Woods carefully tucked the premium-level Bone Tempering Pill inside, handling it as if it were a holy relic. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he turned to Pay Ling and said, "Oh, by the way, young friend, I must remind you—premium-level Bone Tempering Pills are rare and precious. In the future, don't store them in the same vial as lower-quality pills. It's… unseemly."
Pay Ling nodded in quiet agreement, and Woods smiled, satisfied. He then poured out the remaining eleven pills from the vial.
The moment the pills spilled onto the tray, the room was once again flooded with an overwhelming elixir fragrance. All eleven Bone Tempering Pills sparkled—crystal clear, radiant, and flawless.
Vice Tower President Woods' eyes widened instantly, nearly popping out of his head. In his mind, encountering a single premium-level Bone Tempering Pill was already a stroke of luck, a minor miracle. He had assumed the rest of the pills in the vial would be mid-level at best, or even entry-level. That was why he had confidently promised Pay Ling the 10% premium.
But this? All of them were premium-level? Every single one?!
Kim Simona and her companions, who had already turned to leave after losing the bid, suddenly froze mid-step. The wave of elixir fragrance hit them like a tidal wave, and they spun around in unison.
"All… all of them are premium-level Bone Tempering Pills?!" Ruru Rosa blurted out, her voice trembling with disbelief. She knew little about alchemy, but even she could see that these eleven pills were identical to the one Woods had just carefully boxed.
Shaun Zet and Van Shiv stared at Pay Ling, their expressions a mix of shock and astonishment.
"Premium-level! All of them are premium-level!" Kim Simona's voice was barely above a whisper as she stared at the pills in Woods' hand. Then, as if struck by lightning, she hurried forward, grabbing Pay Ling's arm with an earnest intensity. "Dear Junior Brother," she said, her voice urgent, "may I ask who the alchemist master behind this vial of pills is?"
Before Pay Ling could even open his mouth, she barreled on, "If you're willing to introduce this master to me, I'll immediately send someone to fetch 10,000 D$t for you. Consider it as a friend's loan, no strings attached!"
Vice Tower President Woods, who had always adhered strictly to the Tower's policy of not questioning customers about their suppliers, couldn't hold back any longer. "Young friend," he interjected, his tone equally urgent, "if you're willing to introduce this alchemist master to the Tower of Hundred Treasures, we're also willing to provide a loan of 10,000 D$t. And you can take your time repaying it—up to ten years!"
Pay Ling blinked, momentarily stunned.
"Are alchemists really this highly sought after?" he thought. "If I'd known earlier, I wouldn't have wasted time at the Task Division in the Affairs Hall!"
In his mind, he couldn't help but praise the AllFullOS System. "You've done really well this time," he thought. "I'll give you a three-star positive rating later."
~ Ding! *System Notification Chime*
The system chimed mechanically in response.
[AllFullOS: Version 1.0.0]
> All-Smart Full-Host Cultivation System™ is at your service!
> One-click-cultivation, worry-free-ascension!
+ [Features]
- Intelligent upgrades tailored to your cultivation needs!
- Fully automated cultivation: Sit back, relax, and let the system do the work!
...
Pay Ling: "…"
Pay Ling took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He plastered on a sheepish smile and said, "My apologies, Vice President Woods, Senior Sister Kim. I just came across this vial of elixir by chance. I don't know any alchemist master."
Regret gnawed at him. He should have researched more about elixir pills before selling them. The situation had escalated far beyond what he'd anticipated. For someone who thrived on staying low-key, this sudden spotlight was unbearable. It burned, making him feel exposed and vulnerable.
"This brain-dead AwfulOS system is useless when I need it and overpowered when I don't!" he fumed inwardly. "Forget your dream of a three-star rating—you're getting a one-star negative review, you trash!"
Hearing Pay Ling's refusal, Vice Tower President Woods couldn't press further due to the Tower's strict rules. He laughed dryly a few times, masking his disappointment. Kim Simona, however, had no such restraints. She tightened her grip on Pay Ling's arm, almost pressing it against her curve chest, and asked with a sweet yet insistent tone, "May I ask where you got this vial from, dear Junior Brother?"
"Uh…" Pay Ling's mind raced, scrambling for a way to dodge the question without making enemies. Before he could respond, Kim Simona shoved a porcelain bottle into his hands with her free hand, smiling warmly. "Junior Brother, I won't let you work in vain. This bottle of Spirit Restore Pills was crafted by this humble Senior Sister. Why don't you try them and give me your thoughts?"
"Aye, Senior Sister," Pay Ling replied immediately, pocketing the bottle without hesitation. It was better not to refuse benefits that came knocking, especially when rejecting them might offend someone as influential as Kim Simona. Besides, free pills were free pills.
With the bottle safely tucked away, Pay Ling quickly fabricated a story. "This vial of elixir pills was a reward from a Senior Brother named Chen Haunt. As for where Senior Brother Chen got them, I have no idea."
Kim Simona's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't let go of his arm. "Which mountain peak is this Chen Haunt from?" she pressed.
Pay Ling gave the answer, and after a moment of thoughtful silence, Kim Simona finally released him. She turned to Vice Tower President Woods, haggling with him until she managed to purchase one of the premium-level Bone Tempering Pills. With the pill in hand, she strutted off, her satisfaction evident.