170. Meeting Once Again
Lukuwa First Trading City, Lukuwa Planet, Kashmir Star System
Inside an office.
“I’m quite impressed with your Dao comprehension but it’s not as simple as you think. Trust me, even with 3-Star quality, no one would still want to buy or trade from an itinerant Alchemist with no badge.” A High-Elven with thick eyebrows is currently explaining the rules a First Trading City. And the person engage with the conversation is none other than Clay who arrived at Lukuwa Planet two days ago.
“Then does this senior has any recommendations to get me an Alchemy Badge?” Clay humbly inquired while purposely revealing a slight trace of his Dao controlled to be on 1ST Phase. While he did not want to stand out, he decided to reveal the level of his Dao similar to how Alva would flaunt his ability.
From his observation of the city for the past two days, he understood that all powerful and respected figures had to reveal a sliver of their aura. In fact, it was with this action he got to meet a deacon today to speak with about arranging him a store to offer pill refinement services. The only thing wrong with his plan is that, cultivators tend to be loyal on the Alchemy guild or Sect who offer similar services and they are not willing to risk losing their hard-earn pill ingredients to a stranger.
“There is an on-going inter-star Alchemy competition on the other side of this planet as tribute to Master Babara. If you really can concoct 3-Star pill quality, you will immediately be given a badge after defeating at least five competitors. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait 5 years. Niphilim Alchemy Hall is scheduled to visit in five years to conduct assessments.”
“Does Niphilim Alchemy Hall have any specific requirements during application?” When he heard he had to defeat other competitors, he immediately dismissed the enlisting. He would rather wait than risk having another person seeking revenge because of loosing.
“The competition I just mentioned does not. Niphilim Alchemy Hall though on the other hand requires at least 10,000 Merits for itinerant cultivators seeking evaluation.” Hearing Clay’s response, the High Elven did dare question Clay’s choices. After all, the human before him has revealed a respectable level of Dao and Clay maybe an actual 3-Star Tier VI Alchemist.
Clay did not know whether to laugh or cry when he heard he needed Merits again. He should have had asked Vidri to spare him a few.
He thought that he could exchange Heaven or Divine Qi crystals for merits so the reward he asked from Vidri is similar to the reward he asked Kolas back at Minraca Efrem Base 3(Chapter 169). Only this time, he wanted spatial rings with floating islands inside them and at least ten each of Ascendant and Divinity level magic beasts which he just converted to Psuedo Veins.
“Due to some circumstances, I ended up losing all my Merits. I again humbly ask this friend for his recommendation, no explorations involved if possible.”
“Merits is something everyone lacks including me.” The Deacon took out a wooden badge and tossed it towards Clay then said. “There is a training ground to the south owned by Keglu Enterprise. They are always in need of sparring partners who can manifest Dao. If you perform well, you can earn the desired merits before the next assessment.”
“I don’t know how to thank this friend.” Clay stood up preparing to leave.
“Don’t mention it.”
“Once I’m settled, I promise to repay the favor. I shall see myself out.” Clay slightly bowed and kowtowed with his fist before stepping out.
Meanwhile, minutes after Clay left, another High Elven Divinity expert entered the room.
“Did Elder find anything on him? If we recruit him to the clan, this might be an opportunity to redeem ourselves.”
“Unfortunately, that human’s information has been locked by Lutrania Science High Council. I wanted to lend him some Merits but I’m sure we’re not the only ones interested him.”
“Can we at least send someone to scout him? It sounded like he may need some help. We could at least gain his favor.”
“Don’t. Other powerful factions may have already extended their invitation. Don’t get in their ways. For now, we wait. He already promised you to repay this conversation in the future.”
“Understood. I’ll send a message to Keglu Enterprise.”
At the same time, Clay looked back on the building he just came from. He already knew that another low level Divinity expert was hiding when he was speaking with the deacon. He could already guess what their conversation is about.
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Earlier, when he was asking around for directions, a few cultivators came to invite him if he already belonged to a sect.
During his first day, not even one would glance at him but the moment he revealed a portion of his, he instantly became a respected figure.
As a human with acceptable level of Dao, he is nothing in terms of combat power but not in ancillary aspect like Alchemy and Weapon Refinement. Given that the deacon did not move to invite him, he can already guess that Vidri indeed locked his information.
He may have to wait five years to officially register as an Alchemist, at least everything is going to plan.
His main objective is to one day have someone build him a ship and at the same time, elevate his cultivation with his earnings as an Alchemist. Like all other cultivators, he will follow the path of long and dull process of accumulating strength and to avoid unnecessary troubles, he will gain a foothold on this planet and build an identity.
Clay did not mind walking and would occasionally levitate then after a few hours of travelling, he reached the gates of Keglu Enterprise to where a tall well built cultivator is waiting for him.
“Are you Clay?”
“Indeed I am. I thank this Dao friend for their hospitality.” Clay slightly bowed as he greeted and opened his palm showing the wooden badge given to him earlier.
“They call me Twelve. If you do not have an affiliation yet, our company is open and would be very generous with anyone with decent Dao comprehension. Would this friend like to consider?”
Clay looked at the cultivator before him. Two and half meter tall, bluish skin, nostrils on the neck, forearms covered in exoskeleton that looks like crab and lastly, four eyes. The cultivator exudes the same level of aura similar to water demons back at A’U planet so he reckons this man must be Aquatic-based cultivator.
“I have reached a bottleneck with my Dao and while I do want to belong to a reliable faction, I felt that being alone and free is the right way to do it. For now, I want to earn Merits fair and square.”
“I figured you would say that.” Twelve replied. “Follow me.”
Twelve levitated and so did Clay. They flew past three arenas and on the fourth one, they landed.
Clay felt they are inside a gladiator’s coliseum. There are a few scattered audiences as they watch three Peak Nascent experts gang upon a Rank 4TH Ascendant.
*Clank!
*Clank!
It is clear that the trio are giving their best but the Ascendant is not even taking them seriously and even had his eyes closed.
ETERNAL BUDDAH FIST!
EARTH SPLITTING WAVE!
(I’m sorry kids but you will have to try harder.)
PARAGON SWORD DOMAIN!
*Arggghh!
*Arggghh!
“As you can see, he is our best fighter. Like yourself, he is human but his comprehension is Half-Step and while he is a perfect sparring partner below Ascendants, when matched with fellow Ascendants, he won’t even last a minute.”
“Your point being?” Clay looked at the human below on the platform. Just now, he witness how polished the sword aura was and was purposely adjusted to ensure that the three challengers will not be harmed.
*Click
Twelve clicked his fingers creating a sound wave that echoed towards the opposite end. And after few seconds the exhausted trio left the platform as another cultivator entered the arena. This time, an Ascendant from Kelum Race.
(I’m not good at protracted battles. Give it your best shot)
PARAGON SWORD DOMAIN
The human did not hesitate and released his aura forming multiple glittering floating golden swords around him and after a few breaths, he released his strongest move.
ROYAL SLASH ULTIMATE FORM
The golden swords vanished from their spots and when then reappeared around the Kelum cultivator and another split second, the human brandished his sword outwards releasing a gigantic silver sword which abruptly travelled towards the Kelum cultivator.
The Kelum cultivator on the other hand still had his arms crossed but the moment the humongous sword materialized before him, his hands moved then shouted like a berserk barbarian.
*Rarrrwww!
His voice was imbued with Earthen Dao which collided with the sword.
BOOM!
No dust were from as the tiles on the platform are made of special granite that even the shock waves from the colliding forces did nothing to it.
Upon impact, the Kelum cultivator charged towards the human delivering a punch.
TIDAL HAMMER
BOOM!
In an instant, the human was surprised with the sudden gigantic fist that appeared in front of him. But having experienced these kinds of attacks for the past ten years, he had learned to erect a barrier in reflex.
*Crash!
The human was thrown out of the platform as his body collided on the wall.
*Huh , Huh
Clay could see the human kneeling on the ground panting and recovering his strength. He wanted to move earlier to help out but he knew it was only a sparring but to him, it looks like the fellow human had experienced this multiple times. Judging from that reaction, even if he did not ask, he knew this human went through a lot.
And the reason he knows this is because the person who had been punched is none other than Dalkaga.
*Mrggghh
Twelve cleared his throat to get Clay’s attention.
“I’m sure you are a respected Alchemist but in terms of combat, I hope this friend realizes that earning Merits fair and square by becoming a sparring partner is a little risky. It’s not that we are looking down on you but we’ll lend you Merits without any collateral.”
“Would you like to make a bet?” Clay smiled.
“What bet?”
“If I defeat that Kelum guy there, you’ll instead award me a thousand Merits. If I lose, I will join your organization.”
“Ha ha ha” Twelve replied with a condescending laugh. “I only heard humans love to brag. I really hope this friend won’t take it the wrong….”
Clay did not let Twelve finish as he already activated his wings and landed on the ring.
“I’m not good at protracted battles. Give it your best shot” Upon landing, Clay used the same words to taunt the Kelum cultivator.
“Ha ha ha”
Clay observed the party mocked him with a laugh.
“How foolish.”
Seeing that the other party is not taking him seriously, Clay raised his hand then stopped midway, then clicked his fingers.
*Click!
*Swish!
“I’ve seen foolish humans but not…”
The Kelum cultivator was in the middle of his sentence when he saw Clay clicked his fingers. He did not know what Clay was up to but the moment he heard a click, he felt a horrifying trace of aura and in an instant, he felt something passed through his body.
As a superior race, defending from instantaneous attacks is their forte but when that sliver of aura passed through his defenses, he did not even have time to react. He just felt his body weaken before everything turned dark.
*Thud