Once more Lion Roar’s laughter echoed through the auction. Kayla had referred to this elixir as the last, and it was no wonder why. For the creature swimming within the golden liquid was a dragon, and it was as black as death.

“Golden Purity Elixir of the Black Dragon variety,” Kayla said. “Shall we begin the auction was one mil-,”

“Five!” Lion Roar roared, unable to contain himself. The pressure overwhelmed the Patriarch.

“If you transgress against my Auction House once more, I will beat you,” the Auction Elder said, his voice low and calm.

Lion Roar couldn’t stop his laughter, however.

The colour black was one tier higher than the colour white when it came to elixirs, and the dragon swimming within the golden liquid meant that the elixir lasted far longer than the previous elixirs, which is why they were valued the most.

The City Lord had fought for the elixir for ten million. If it was a dragon, then it had to be his family which procured it, even if it annoyed the City Alchemists. In the back of his mind, he wondered if this had been a good idea, but that thought quickly passed.

‘Twenty million isn’t a bad haul,’ Mika thought, satisfied with the elixirs which had sold. He had expected roughly fifteen million, but the deal the Alchemists had given, as well as the presence of the fool known as Lion Roar, had increased it even further than his own expectations. ‘Now we’ve just got to deal with that, right?’

“Sixteen million,” Kayla hummed quietly, handing the small golden ring to the Elder. The ring itself was worth fifty thousand, a paltry sum compared to the golden talons which were inside. “Is the Great Elder certain he doesn’t wish to reduce the Auction House’s cut?”

“I am certain,” Elder Yan replied, smiling warmly at the Young Head. “Accept it as my apology for bringing the elixirs so late”

Kayla turned to Mika, who was currently sipping a cup of tea which would assist in his recovery. “Little Page, allow me to apologise for what had occurred within our grounds.” She bowed dutifully to the young Page, the taste of gold now stronger against her tongue.

“Ooo. Ooo.” Mika grumbled quietly, reaching for his heart. “I’m just a little cripple boy who was hurt. It was so terrible of the Tiger Fist family, so despicable.”

“That’s right, young Page,” Kayla agreed, nodding her head. “Please accept an escort from our Auction House while you stay within the city.”

Mika peeked up at the Young Head, sipping his tea slowly. He didn’t need to pretend too much in front of the woman, since her ability had probably revealed something to her about him. “Since the Young Head has said so, this Page will graciously accept.”

She left to deal with other matters, though had placed one of the Auction House Elites as the little Page’s escort. The Elite held a greater rank than even Rogue, her cultivation firmly within Peak Steel.

‘Not bad, not bad,’ Mika thought. The Elder already knew the plan, so they didn’t need to speak openly about the matter, nor send the Elite away.

Patriarch Viper Fist and the City Lord sat within a private room within the Auction House. Plump sofas, fine wooden tables, exotic incense, the room had all one could ask for.

“I will remain outside,” the Elite said, allowing the Elder Alchemist and his apprentice to step inside.

“I greet the City Lord and Patriarch,” Elder Yan called, before the pair returned similar greetings. The Elder smiled, noting the awkwardness which hung in the air.

“I had not expected such a great family like that of the Tiger Fists to do such a thing,” the City Lord said. “If you wish to press the matter, I will act on your behalf. Though the situation in the Auction House was resolved by the Auction Elder, there is still the matter of the law.”

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“We thank you for your consideration, but we have accepted the Auction Elder’s kindness in this matter,” the Elder Alchemist replied, but bowed his head. A moment of silence passed, before the Elder sat up straighter. “I am glad to see that the right hands have procured the elixirs.”

“The Elder is kind with his gifts,” Viper Fist said. They had technically overpaid for the elixirs, though it was the City Lord who had overpaid far too much in comparison. Four million against ten million, it certainly was a huge gap, even if the item was of the Black Dragon variety. Three million was a reasonable price, but the last elixir should have gone for eight million or so.

“Allow me to show my sincerity,” the Elder Alchemist began, smiling innocently. “I have come to speak with you to offer you an Alchemist’s Deal.”

The pair sitting opposite the Alchemists sat up straighter. They had hoped for this, but hadn’t truly expected it. They had thought the Alchemist would have gifted them a few more pills, perhaps those of Low or Middle Mystical grade, but to think he’d actually offer an Alchemist’s Deal.

“What are the terms of the agreement?” the City Lord asked, placing down his tea cup.

“A half raw deal.”

The City Lord was glad he had placed down his tea cup, for if he was drinking, he would have choked. He ran the words through his mind, wondering if the Alchemist meant half the terms of a typical deal, but he certainly had heard it right.

Half raw deal.

An Alchemist’s Deal was something which had been formed since Alchemist’s had first come into existence. An Alchemist would offer their service to someone, being paid with the raw ingredients required. A typical deal was a tenth deal, for every ten sets of ingredients received to create an item, the Alchemist would keep the first nine sets, and use the tenth set to create the item for those who provided the ingredients. A tenth deal was the standard, and if an Alchemist was feeling particularly kind and wanted to show their favour, they would change it to a fifth deal.

A half raw deal no doubt meant that the Elder Alchemist was offering the pair the deal of a lifetime, something which was priceless. A deal in which half the ingredients offered would return to them as a refined item. To offer such a deal, was the Elder Alchemist belittling himself, or was he just that gracious?

The City Lord wasn’t sure if he could dare to accept, but the Elder Alchemist’s offer was probably a test. If the City Lord gave too much, meaning that he was asking for too much in return, the Elder Alchemist would do so, but then he would be overworked and no doubt would refuse to deal with the City Lord again.

Viper Fist remained silent, as though he were a viper who was still coiled, waiting to strike at the right time. He would have the City Lord step out first, to test the waters for him, before he’d unfurl.

“Is it the Elder Alchemist who is offering the half raw deal?” the City Lord asked.

“Yes.” Elder Yan smiled innocently, but all the pair could see was the smile of a demon, which whispered in their hearts. Such a deal was too good to be true, and it was far too much responsibility.

However, there was another layer to the deal. If the Elder Alchemist was offering to step in personally, it meant they could request greater pills and elixirs. It also meant that they could give a single set of ingredients of high quality to the Elder Alchemist as gifts, so they could potentially ask for more without feeling too guilty.

‘How shrewd,’ the City Lord thought. This deal was going to put him at odds with the City Alchemist Guild, but it was a deal that they would never offer to him. Yet, why did it feel like the Elder Alchemist wasn’t lowering himself? Why did it feel like it was he, the City Lord, who was put under pressure from having such a great deal?

“Since you have offered your sincerity, naturally I will accept it with gratitude, Elder Alchemist.” The City Lord bowed his head, unable to refuse such a deal. It was great for the city, and for his family, so how could he deny it?

Viper Fist held up his hands in the cultivator’s way of greeting, and bowed his head. “I, too, will accept your sincerity with gratitude, Elder Alchemist.”

‘Fufufufufu,’ Mika thought. These two were smart enough to understand what the Elder was offering them, meaning he could expect quite some wonderful ingredients to play with in the future. ‘It’s a shame I couldn’t offer the third family the same deal, but I’ll figure something out for them.’

Elder Yan smiled, before placing down two large boxes before the pair. “I hope you will also accept these pills and elixirs, which have had their recipes updated.”

“I can only thank you profusely for your gifts,” the City Lord said, wondering if he could refuse.

Mika raised his brows, as though to speak, before looking to the Elder. “Elder Yan,” he whispered, covering his mouth in the way children did, thinking that sound couldn’t pass through the direction which was covered.

Elder Yan sighed, nodding his head. “My Page has a request if you are willing to hear it, City Lord.”

The City Lord wondered what kind of request it would be. He couldn’t refuse to hear it, not when the Elder Alchemist was showing so much favouritism. All the while, Viper Fist’s eyes fell to Mika. Something tickled the back of his mind, that this situation wasn’t as it appeared.