Chapter 4: Alchemist guild
Shaking violently like an erupting volcano due to rising temperature, the alchemy furnace was threatening to explode from reaching the extreme level of heat it can handle.
In order to trigger the reactions between the herbs of different properties with reduced reactivity, and concentration due to the traditional methods he used, he had to make use of extreme heat.
The methods of his were far from perfect, but this was the best he could do for now. It wasn't because the traditional methods were less effective compared to the modern methods, but because he lacked the proficiency to perform every action with perfect timing. If everything was timed well, the final product grade wouldn't differ much.
Being someone who loved to study since young, he had always held an open mind towards the world of cultivation even though others were steps ahead of him. Thus, he seeked permission from his father and was granted access to the cultivation library in the branch family, that held countless books containing knowledge about the cultivation world.
THe first time he entered the cultivation library, he was swept away by the immense smell of wood, it was knowledge written down on the papers. The spectacle he beheld then was no less than when a person sees the thousands of calvaries charging into each other on the battlefield for the first time.
The bookshelves that spiralled towards the sky were filled up and neatly categorised into different sections, it was a vibrant place which was filled with memories for him.
Even though his memory about becoming an official alchemist or blacksmith was faint, he still remembered one line he read about.
"Within one day when an elixir or equipment has just been made or forged, it would contain slight traces of energy that belonged to the creator itself." The rule was so minor that he only came across it by sheer luck, but it seems that his near-perfect memory paid off this time.
Right now, all he had to do was hope that his efforts paid off. At the moment he opened up the lid, a notification message shocked him.
"10 spirit enhancement pills of superb quality have been made! +40 exp!"
1st grade Alchemist (40/1000)
Note: Alchemy and Blacksmithing would not be a heavy component later on.
I see, it seems that depending on the quality of pills made, it would be multiplied against the grade and number of finished products to collate the experience points.
Shaking his head, Ace mocked himself for being foolish. There's no shortcut in life, even if he had a system.
If this was truly the case, he would have to devote a large amount of time towards becoming an alchemist or blacksmith which was something he can't afford to spend time on now.
Containing the elixirs into a vase shaped bottle with a circular base, he headed downstairs and decided to ask Shawn for a map.
"Young master Ace, what are you doing here?" Upon seeing Ace, Shawn's eyes lit up as though he saw a living treasure before his eyes as he went ahead to greet Ace.
Puzzled by Shawn's sudden behaviour, Ace took a step back and questioned, "What's wrong with you?"
"That's a secret that you'll know one day." Shawn said with a fat finger on his lips signalling for Ace to keep quiet as he took out a set of black clothing and mask from behind the counter.
"Return to the third floor and change first, this set of clothing will prevent those old geezers from figuring out your true age." Shawn spoke with confidence as he tossed the clothing over along with a black robe.
"If you ever get into danger, just stop moving and hold your breath, you'll be concealed unless you're foolish enough to fidget around."
"Thank you boss Lou." SInce Ace was unable to figure out the intentions behind what Shawn was doing, the only way he can repay Shawn is to fulfill his end of the promise.
Changing his attire swiftly, he left the inn undergoing renovation after getting a map from Boss Lou.
"This is interesting, to think that the Ice Emperor would be keen on taking another disciple. But still, I shall see what the younger generation nowadays are capable of…" If Ace was here, he would have been shocked to the extreme.
Even so, the Ice Emperor was only one of the identities that man used to conceal his identity.
Opening up the map, he quickly located the alchemist guild at the eastern side of the city, opposite to the blacksmith guild that was located at the western side of the city.
The alchemist guild was majestic, just its total size alone was comparable to even a few of the major stores in Glutton city, even the largest auction hall here might be smaller than it.
Stepping into the alchemist guild, he walked up to the counter. The person at the counter was a young man with brown spiky hair.
Approaching the man, he said in a deep voice, "I want to submit my finished product to become a 1st grade alchemist."
The young man raised his brows upon seeing that the person was concealing his appearance, even though Ace was shorter than him, his eyes revealed otherwise which made the young man do as he wanted.
"Please wait for a moment, I'll call for an elder." The young man explained before leaving the area as Ace waited patiently.
Soon after, a middle aged man walked out. On the side of his robe was an insignia with two stars, he was a 2nd grade alchemist.
Seeing that the person actually knew about the forgotten way of becoming an alchemist, the elder was curious and tried to make use of his mental energy, only to realise that it was blocked off and that Ace was staring at him in rage.
"One more time and I'll make sure you regret it." Ace warned as he threw the bottle over.
Even though this 2nd grade alchemist was a Martial Master, he had no reason to be afraid.
The alchemist was sure that Ace wasn't satisfied with his actions and hurriedly apologised while explaining, "I'm sorry, it's just that this is a long forgotten rule to become an official alchemist and on top of that, the finished product must at least be nine succesful pills of the high grade."
Heaving a sigh of relief internally, Ace put on a strong front and smirked, "Don't worry, take a look at the completed product and you'll understand."
The elder nodded his head and at the moment he opened up the bottle, he swiftly closed it again. His eyes widened in amazement, shock and even astonishment. Those were ten elixirs of the superb grade and for someone to use this just to become a first grade alchemist, this person definitely has some motives.
With a darkened face, he said coldly, "If you're holding some ulterior motives or just because you think you're better, you can leave this place now after claiming the 1st grade alchemist insignia."
"I'm here to discuss a business with the alchemist guild. I'm planning on selling a new type of elixir which this city has never sold, in exchange, I ask for seventy percent of the shares while you guys will be in full production."
"Ray, leave this place first. Get the guild leader to meet me at the meeting room." The 2nd grade alchemist instructed as he told Ace,
"Please follow me."
After entering the meeting room, Ace realised that the place was well furnished and enclosed. The only entrance and exit was the door they came in through.
Taking a seat on the leather sofa opposite the 2nd grade alchemist, Ace told him, "Don't be impatient, this would have to wait until your guild leader is here."
"Ta-Ta! Ta-Ta!"
From the sound of the footsteps alone, Ace knew that the conversation wouldn't be easy. If the leader had intended to settle the splitting of earnings this easily, the footsteps would have been much softer.
Soon, a young woman entered the room. A woman that looked to be in her mid-twenties with a three stars insignia on the right side of her alchemist robe.
A violet waterfall flowed to her slender waist, her voluptuous figure was distracting, but Ace regained his senses by biting on his own lip. Her eyes, unlike most, were a light shade of purple that enticed people. Even the elder was unable to keep his calm until she stared at him, instructing coldly the scene that just happened between Ray and the elder as he hurriedly left the room.
"You might want to remove your mask, that slight moment of trance you were in explained that you were young. After all, you would have been immune to a beauty of my level if you were experienced." The woman teased as she laid back, each and every action of hers forcing Ace to avert his gaze.
Laughing awkwardly, he took off his mask and introduced himself. "I'm Ace, the first alchemist at the age of thirteen."
"What did you say?" The woman leaped up from her seat and examined Ace, mumbling to herself, "If only you were much older…"
Hearing this, Ace took a deep gulp of saliva and wanted to escape. He even regretted having that alchemist throw this pretty woman to converse with him. She was too dangerous for a hot blooded youth like him who was still innocent.
"Little brother, how about a nine to one ratio of the shares?" Seeing that Ace was still in a trance over her beauty, the woman made use of this chance to tempt him further.
"Nine for me and one for your guild?" Ace played the innocent game, right now, the side that bargains better wins the battle.
"Eighty percent for my guild and twenty percent for you!"
"Seventy percent for my side, thirty percent for your guild!"
"Sixty percent for the guild, forty percent for your side!"
"Fifty fifty, bargain further and I'll pretend this conversation never happened."
At least I bargained for twenty percent more of the profit...heaving a sigh of relief, Clarrisa was beaming with joy on the inside. But still decided to push this deal towards her advantage as far as possible, but first, "Can I take a look at the elixir formula you were talking about?"
"Sorry, but can you lend me a piece of paper and brush, I'll write it out for you right now."
"What?"
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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