22. After Recovery

Afternoon the same day, Clay visited the guild. He thought he needed more rest but after an hour of meditation, he confirmed his body is fully rejuvenated thanks to Aunt Mabna’y and the doctor’s care. He planned on turning the rest of his ingredients into pills but he needed to consult with Sar Aran as to what quality of pills they need. Since his ability to concoct perfect is no longer a secret, he will use it as a bargaining chip.

Similar to his recent visitation, someone received him from the gate and was immediately accompanied to Sar Aran’s office but this time, Clay felt a presence far stronger than Sar Aran. Clay was curious as there is only two of them in the room so he activated his Godly Eyes.

“How’s our little friend doing this fine day?” Sar Aran greeted as he prepared tea.

“I came to thank senior for extending his support the past three days.” Ever since Clay had fully integrated with his Essence Flame, his ability to detect miniscule ripples of energy had been further enhanced and prior to entering the room, he thought that another person was inside but based on the images reflected on his magical eyesight, it appears this figure is on the other side of the room. Clay reckons this man has the same cultivation level as Elder Ulvar.

Since they are on a separate room, Clay decided to ignore it and looked at Sar Aran.

“This tea is made from the extracts of Rabi'y Violet Orchid. It can help reinforce your body. Unfortunately the effect diminishes after continuous intake. I hope it meets your taste." Deacon Sar Aran smiled as he poured tea.

As the fragrance of the tea slowly scattered, Clay’s nostrils had to contract wide open as the aroma was somewhat similar to a brewed black coffee on earth.

But Clay did not have to time to be mesmerized by the addictive flavor as Sar Aran just said something he needed to be concerned about.

“I don’t know what happened to me but am I not yet healed?” Clay quizzically asked.

“Overexerting meridians can easily be healed but prematurely opening up all meridians is another matter. Unless you have treasures you can ingest to make your body constitution on par with a Nascent Expert, then I’m afraid you’ll never be able to advance. We can talk about destroying and re-growing it when your body matures but right now, we have to fix the biggest side effect which is stunted growth.”

Clay regretted his actions. He was too naïve he should have had just listened and stick to what Rani said before at Buaki Gang.

In the mean time, Sar Aran is carefully observing Clay’s actions. In fact, one of their Grand Elders is on the adjacent room listening as well.

“You have nothing to worry about as it is curable. Having known your body’s condition four days ago, I had already arranged a 20 year-old Bo’u Mushrooms to be transplanted at your backyard. I was planning on visiting you later and discuss about it but didn’t expect you would visit us instead.”

Clay was elated to hear it is curable.

“Unfortunately though” Sar Aran continued, “Those mushrooms have peculiar life cycle. They thrive best with a certain rabbit around them. I could plant them somewhere else but they are still cultivation resources and what is more safer than planting it within Elven territory. And you don’t have to worry about those rabbit as they are extremely. I hope your master wouldn’t mind?”

“It is completely fine and I’m sure my master understands. Look, I don’t know how to thank this senior but if there is something I can do to repay this kindness, please let me know.” Clay smiled hinting that Sar Aran can request high-quality pills. After all, it is his only method remuneration.

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When Clay said his master will understand, Sar Aran felt relieve there really is a mysterious figure behind the flawless pills. Unbeknownst to him though, Clay was referring to Kesh’a.

“Our guild is quite small to be partnering with a distinguish Alchemist and I hope your master won’t take this the wrong way but if he needs anything, our door is always open.”

Unaware that Sar Aran is referring to a different kind of master, Clay is confused why his master Kesh’a needed to be involved. From what Aunt Mabna’y said, his slavers will not interfere but seeing that Sar Aran refuses to make a deal, then he will take a proactive stance.

Clay took out three bottles of pills then placed them on the table.

“Actually, part of the reason I came to your guild today is to ask for Formation Materials. To be precise, a Brush and Spatial Materials enough to create storage rings capable of containing Tier IV Lightning Obelisks. In return, I can concoct pills for your guild like these nine Advance Qi Reinforcement Pills.“ As usual, Clay slightly opened the lid on one of the bottle to let the fragrance of the pills leak out.

“This friend must thinking highly of us. It is not that we cannot buy one but we don’t have the qualifications to buy one. I am sure there is room for negotiation and…” Sar Aran was in the middle of his sentence when he received a telepathic message from their Elder on the other room.

(Do it. Bring out the ten Earth Class sets of Foundation Establishment Breakthrough Pill Ingredients and trade like normal. As for the costs what he’s asking, I’ll take care of it.)

“You know what?” After a brief pause, Sar Aran continued. “We may be able to acquire those ingredients but to mitigate our losses, may we ask your master to concoct us Foundation Establishment Breakthrough Pills? I have ten sets of ingredients and we only need six Pills in total.”

Clay is beginning to wonder why they needed Kesh’a’ approval.

“My abilities is currently limited to Advance Qi Reinforcement Pill. The last time I tried concocting Bloodline Awakening Pills, I had to sleep for three and had to trouble someone to treat me. I still hope there is room for negotiation.”

"We could get you a better Cauldron and Fire Crystals if it’s a challenge with strength.”

“I’m not sure what you mean?”

Sar Aran did not really know why Clay is insisting he concocted them but he decided to ride along.

“Alchemists have to conserve their Qi reservoir to avoid being exhausted during pill refinement and this is when they have to rely on external help like Fire Crystals or the help of other Alchemists in a form of collaboration.”

“I can try but I need the pill manual and any recordings you can provide. I may waste a set but I will do my best.” Clay wanted to refuse but upon hearing that he can use the aide of Fire Crystals, then there is no harm in trying. If he fails, he can always pay using any Tier I Pills.

"I thank the young master for his consideration.” Sar Aran stored the bottle of pills on the table then slowly took out boxes of herbs for Clay to keep and after a few minutes, Clay did not want to impose his presence any further so he left.

At the same time when Clay exited the guild, an old man holding a black cane entered Sar Aran’s office. His name is Sar Ula’n and is the one of the two Core Formation Elders managing the guild.

At first, he did not have any good impression of Clay but that moment when Clay looked towards his direction, he felt like someone see through his clothes making him uncomfortable. He knew that Clay is a lowly Qi Condensation Practitioner so he thought it must be him getting older.

“Elder, even with our combined wealth, we still cannot afford to buy Spatial Formation Materials. I don’t…”

“You didn’t tell me he has no Elemental Affinity?”

Sar Aran was dumbfounded and when he was about to talk, Sar Ula’n spoke again.

“There is an office managed by Lanas Family at Amkayan Municipality. Send a message and see if you can arrange me a meeting with even if it’s the lowest of their Deacons.” Sar Ula’n interrupted Aran.

“I understand, Elder.”

Sar Ula’n exited the room with a serious look on his face.

When Sar Aran first made his report, he made a decision to limit their transactions with Clay to avoid being implicated should someone decides to take actions against the Elves. And the reason for this decision is because of possible linkage between the Elves and the cases of missing Alchemy Apprentices.

Regardless whether Blood Moon Sect is the real culprit, he did not want his guild to take such risk and be exterminated in the process.

As to who this Alchemist behind Clay is, it is certain they are dealing with a Grandmaster but for such figure to take someone with zero Elemental Affinity as an apprentice, it is just too much of a coincidence especially that in the next year or two, he estimates that a few Alchemists will go missing again and Clay will be one of them.

While it is premature to make conclusions, he will order the guild to temporarily cease operations when he gets back.