30. Thin Line Between Instinct and Paranoia II
It has been an hour and the Core Formation expert is standing at the perimeter where Clay is staying hoping to see the mysterious master. As an Elder of Violet Sword Sect, it is his responsibility to befriend high level masters. Or if he fails to make a connection, at least make a good impression for the sect.
He is usually patient but recalling the past twenty hours he had stayed on the neighboring inn, the strongest person he had sensed is Foundation Establishment and he sensed that person left an hour ago as well.
He has doubts and since it is an inn, he walked towards the counter to ask.
"I wonder if you can recall how many people showed up earlier… umhhh.. an hour and half ago.”
The woman at the counter saw the robes the man and determined he was not ordinary and certainly wealthy just basing on the quality of his clothes.
"Respected master, we received those two guests and the guardian of the kid has left not long ago and will be back in the evening. If you have business with them, maybe we can wait until the boy wakes up and maybe you could enjoy some tea while waiting?", the woman replied respectfully and intentionally showing her bosom.
The Core Formation Expert ignored the receptionist’s action and released a bit of his aura then took ten gold coins and slide it towards the woman.
"Is it possible to accompany one of your staffs for a room service, now? It’s very important to me. Be assured I will not cause trouble."
The woman smiled and immediately called one of their staffs. She just realized how strong this person is and may bring havoc if denied of his request. Since the lights are still on Clay’s room, there should not be any issues knocking and pretending to care for their guests so she agreed without further hesitation.
At the same time, Clay is lying on his bed.
After inscribing the simplified version of the Formation from his fragmented memories, he was disappointed as it did not incite newer memories.
Clay has no idea what this talisman can do and is reluctant to test it as based on his memory fragment, the Formation is related to earth’s research on tearing the fabric of space.
As Clay replayed those events in his mind, he heard a soft knock from the door.
“Room service.”
Clay is still full but to show respect, he walked to the door and to politely send the staff away.
“Thank you but I’m not hungry nor do I need anything. Maybe in a few hours you can return?” Upon opening the door, Clay was surprised to see the woman has company.
"My name Mii Eit, an elder from Violet Sword Sect. I was only passing by when I felt ripples of his esteemed master forging a treasure. I noticed there was no Isolation Formation set up around but I already set up one to avoid his esteemed master of being disturbed. If there is something I can be of assistance with, please do not hesitate to command this friend." The Core Formation expert courteously introduced himself.
"I greet this respected senior. You may have the wrong person and if you are looking for my master, he left a while ago and should be back in the evening. ", Clay clasped his fist and slightly bowed as his Godly Eyes revealed how powerful the guest is.
Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!
"Then I must apologize for having disturbed this little friend. Please accept this bottle of Tapa'y Wine as my apology. It should help growing cultivators like you. If fate allows, maybe I can meet your master."
“Senior has nothing to apologize for. If you want…”
“Please. I insist.”
Clay was cut off mid sentence and as soon as the bottle was on his hands, Mii Eit turned around and left together with the staff. Confused, he closed the door and went to sleep.
Meanwhile, Mii Eit went back to his residence.
When he was approaching the door earlier, he did not need to spread his divine sense to determine there was only one person in the room. Furthermore, when the door was opened, he could almost see everything inside the room's interior. There is a possibility someone is using an artifact to conceal himself so he still pretended and to act sincere and convincing, he gave up a precious bottle upon seeing that the boy has low level spiritual affinity.
But before leaving, he let two ant-like insect to survey the room. One crawled up to Clay’s pocket and the other one to the ceiling.
Later that day, Clay slept to pass time. He did attempt to step outside and look for shops that sells cultivation materials and like predicted, he was treated like an unruly kid without his Elven Crest. He was tempted to reveal some of his pills but he had a feeling someone will frame him for being a thief. It was then he confirmed it was not a good idea to escape so he went back to the inn.
Evening came and Clay and when he heard footsteps approaching the door, he sat on meditative position and pretended that he is diligently cultivating.
*Cough
Clay slowly opened his eyes when he heard his master forced a cough and got to his feet.
"Master. I have been waiting for you." Clay greeted then looked at the white beard of his master’s company.
"It is good to see a hardworking disciple. This is Elder Chung Har'an and he has come to help you integrate with a new flame. Go on meditate position again so we will not waste his time."
Clay wanted to ask something but when his eyes met with Elder Chung Har'an, he felt like he is on the presence of a deadly predator. Those cold and sinister look is giving him bad premonition but despite the inexplicable fear, he sat on an empty space in front of the two and started circulating his Qi.
"If you feel pain or discomfort, endure it for now so we could avoid any mishaps. Just relax and do not resist if you feel something is invading your dantian."
Clay's eyes were closed but he still nodded in agreement and after a minute, he felt like a spider is crawling up his navel and unlike when Ulvar first introduced him an Essence where his dantian openly welcomed its entry, this time, his dantian seem to reject it.
“Do not resist." His master reminded again. Clay felt uncomfortable but still allowed the invading ball of energy and when it finally entered his dantian, Elder Chung Har'an sealed the Flame and stopped it from integrating with Clay’s cultivation.
"Eat this pill and drink this before we continue".
Clay opened his eyes and placed the pill in his mouth and swallowed it without any hesitation. He then continued circulating his Qi but shortly after, he felt like floating on hot spring and before he knew it, he fell asleep.
"The medicine took effect. Do we leave now, Elder?", asked Dal In.
"No, you leave as planned. I found another candidate on my way here. If I am lucky, we will have another sacrifice. Make sure your long distance communication talisman works before you leave."
“Got it.”
The two old men continued to talk unaware of an ant transmitting unnoticeable signals to a nearby building. It was none other than Mii Eit who cancelled his plans and stayed to observe.
His original intention was to befriend an expert but who would have thought that this would lead him to something far better. He saw and heard the entire scene and only a fool would think that this is unrelated to the mysterious disappearances of Alchemy apprentices which started a century ago.
Even their sect master showed interest but when the Royal Family intervened, they were forced to quiet.
Mii Eit soaked himself in a bath tub while a beautiful woman poured wine on his glass.
His initial thought was to report it to their sect but upon thinking, he probably will only get meager rewards. There are at least nine Late Core Formation Experts within their sect all competing for a breakthrough pill. As a Mid Core Formation, he understood that he will probably will not have his chance in this lifetime.
If he reports it to someone else, he might not be rewarded with a break through pill but at least the rewards will be better. On the other hand, if he continuously follow these pawns, though risky, he might have a chance winning the grand price.
After careful consideration, he got out from the tub. His priority now is to plant a more effective tracking seal on both the boy and his so-called master. If this pursuit turns dangerous, he would just need to retreat and sell the information to a generous buyer.