Bab 31: Chapter 61- The Golden Alabaster Organization
Elder Li looked cautiously at Juanxiu, his gaze lingering on the alchemist's confident expression. He knew that alchemists were not to be trifled with and he could not afford to offend one.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Well, it is true that one of our servants is missing. However, we are doing everything in our power to find her and bring her back safely."
Juanxiu merely shrugged, his face showing a hint of boredom. "I'm not particularly interested in what your clan is doing to find a mere servant. However, I do enjoy hearing stories."
Elder Li breathed a sigh of relief. This alchemist seemed to be much simpler-minded than he had initially thought. He would have no trouble conversing with him.
With a smile, he began to share, "When we investigated the issue, it seems that this servant of ours had a habit of meeting her lover at night. Unfortunately, it may not be associated with her disappearance."
"Really now?" Juanxiu sat across from Elder Li, his brow furrowed as he considered the elder's words. "So, you're saying that it's unlikely she ran away with her lover?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
Elder Li nodded, a deep frown etched on his face. "That's right. We interrogated her lover and he claimed to have no knowledge of her whereabouts. Plus, our servant has a sickly mother she takes care of. If she were to leave the Xiao clan, it would be difficult for her to support the medicine for her mother."
Juanxiu sat back in his chair, deep in thought as Elder Li spoke. The possibility her running away with her lover had crossed his mind, but Elder Li's words confirmed that this was not the case. Juanxiu decided to inquire further.
"Tell me, was the servant acting suspiciously before her disappearance?" Juanxiu asked.
Elder Li rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "She was speaking of a curse," he said finally.
Juanxiu and his party exchanged a look of surprise. "A curse?" Juanxiu asked, his interest piqued.
"Yes," Elder Li said. "According to the reports, before this happened, the last place she has been through was at the main shop of the Golden Alabaster Organization."
Juanxiu's mind raced with questions. What could a curse have to do with the disappearance of this servant? And what could the Golden Alabaster Organization have to do with it?
"Can you tell me more about this curse?" Juanxiu asked, his voice calm and measured.
Elder Li shook his head. "I'm afraid that's all I know," he said. "We are still looking into it."
Juanxiu nodded, grateful for Elder Li's assistance. He had a feeling that this curse, and the Golden Alabaster Organization, were key pieces to solving the mystery of the missing people.
Juanxiu listened intently as Elder Li spoke, his mind turning over the information presented to him. He couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that they finally had a lead to follow. Just as the conversation was coming to a close, the door to the guest room suddenly swung open and a figure stepped inside. It was the Xiao Clan leader, an imposing figure with an air of authority about him.
Juanxiu stood up, bowing respectfully to the leader. "Greetings, honored Clan leader," he said, his voice steady and polite.
The leader inclined his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Young alchemy prodigy," he said, addressing Juanxiu directly. "It is an honor to have you in our humble abode."
After a short conversation, the exchange was done swiftly, with Juanxiu and his team receiving an additional three sky coins in exchange for the Sky Cleansing Pill. These funds would be essential in their next steps, as they planned to act arrogantly and assert their dominance over the Golden Alabaster Organization.
"Thank you, Clan leader," Juanxiu said, bowing once more. And with that, the meeting was over, and Juanxiu and his team left the Xiao Clan, eager to continue their investigation and uncover the truth behind the disappearance of the servant.
Juanxiu and his team emerged from the Xiao Clan's residence, their minds ablaze with excitement and determination. They made their way directly to the main shop of the Golden Alabaster Association, eager to see what the prestigious group had to offer.
As they stepped through the doors of the shop, they were greeted by a sea of luxury items and finery. The walls were lined with shelves filled with exotic potions and rare ingredients, glittering in the soft light of the room. The attendants were dressed in crisp, white uniforms, adorned with gold trim, and they stood at attention, ready to serve the customers.
Juanxiu, however, acted unimpressed. He strolled through the room, his eyes scanning the shelves and his mind already formulating a plan.
He leaned over to Liu Peng and whispered something in his ear. Liu Peng's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward, shouting to one of the attendants.
"How dare you show this inferior product right in front of the young alchemist," Liu Peng bellowed. "Do you think we can't afford to spend some measly sum?"
The attendant was shocked, nervous, and taken aback by Liu Peng's sudden outburst. He stammered, trying to find an explanation, but Liu Peng was having none of it.
"Call your manager," Liu Peng said, his voice ringing out through the shop. "I will not stand for this kind of treatment."
The attendant scurried away, clearly shaken, and soon the manager appeared, a well-dressed woman exuding elegance and authority. She regarded Liu Peng and Juanxiu with a cool gaze, sizing them up.
As the manager of the Golden Alabaster Association stepped forward, Juanxiu and his team took a moment to take her in. She was a stunning woman, with beauty that could rival the finest works of art. Her skin was as smooth as porcelain, her hair as dark as midnight, and her eyes as sharp as diamonds. She moved with the grace of a dancer, and her composure was unshakable, betraying a deep well of intelligence and determination.
"Greetings young Alchemist. I am Xiuying. How may I serve you today?"
Juanxiu stepped forward to meet her, his own air of confidence matching her own. "I am Juanxiu," he said, "and I must say, I am not impressed with what you are offering in this store. Perhaps you could offer me something more valuable."
Xiuying's eyebrows arched, and she regarded this child with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "And what, exactly, would you consider to be more valuable, young lord?" she asked.
Juanxiu smiled, his eyes gleaming. "I am a young alchemy prodigy," he said, "and I have traveled far and wide in search of knowledge and power. I seek knowledge that is not found in books, knowledge that is hidden, knowledge that is guarded. I seek the secrets of alchemy."
The manager nodded, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Well, young alchemist," she said, "it just so happens that I have access to some of the most valuable and sought-after alchemical knowledge in the world. If you are truly serious about your quest, then I suggest you come with me."
With that, she turned on her heel and strode off, leading Juanxiu and his team into the depths of the Golden Alabaster Association.
Xiuying led Juanxiu and his team to a secret chamber within the Golden Alabaster Association, a room filled with the finest and most valuable alchemical materials known to man. The walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of shimmering gemstones, rare herbs and spices, and glittering metals. There was a counter at the center of the room, upon which were displayed a number of mystical artifacts, and a few highly guarded tomes filled with forbidden knowledge.
Juanxiu looked around like he was not impressed, and then turned to Siyi and Changbao. "Take a look around," he said, "see if there's anything you want. I want to make sure we have all the materials we need for our next big project."
Xiuying watched Chang Bao and Siyi as they moved about the room, a look of interest in her eyes. She could sense that this young alchemist was truly wealthy, and the thought of making a sizable profit from him was tantalizing.
Liu Peng, meanwhile, was playing a different role. He fixed his Hanfu, showing off his automail leg made from a material not commonly seen on this continent - the diamondback turtle. Xiuying was taken aback, not only by the sight of Liu Peng's automail leg, but also by the fact that it was made from such a rare and valuable material. This young alchemist was truly a man of means.
As Juanxiu and his team continued to explore the secret chamber, Xiuying couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. She had a feeling that this business will lead to sizable profit. she couldn't handle her excitement.
After a while, a young servant entered handling a box to the manager.
Xiuying returned to Juanxiu and his team with a small, velvet-covered box in her hands. She placed the box on the counter and slowly opened it, revealing its contents.
Inside were a series of delicate, shimmering vials filled with a luminous liquid. "This," she said, "is one of our rarest products, the Elixir of Vitality. It is made from a blend of rare herbs and precious minerals, and is said to improve overall health and well-being."
Juanxiu raised an eyebrow, acting intrigued. But in truth, these are just a bunch of trash"And what are its effects?" he asked.
"The Elixir of Vitality will increase your energy levels, boost your immunity, and enhance your overall health," Xiuying explained. "It's a luxurious and indulgent product, perfect for anyone looking to take their health to the next level."
Juanxiu nodded, luxurious my ass. "I'll take a few bottles," he said. "And how much will this set me back?"
Xiuying named a price, she deliberately increased the amount testing the kid in front of her. Juanxiu nodded. "That's a fair price," he said. "I'll take ten bottles. I want to make sure that my team and I are in the best possible health."
Xiuying beamed with delight. "Of course," she said. "I'll have them packaged and ready for you to take with you. And thank you for your business."
Xiuying smiled as she retrieved another velvet-covered box from underneath the counter. "And this," she said, "is another one of our most sought-after products. It's called the Elixir of Strength."
She opened the box to reveal a series of vials, similar to the ones that contained the Elixir of Vitality. The liquid inside was a deep, rich red.
"The Elixir of Strength is made from a blend of powerful herbs and minerals," Xiuying explained. "It will increase your physical strength and endurance, making it perfect for anyone looking to improve their athletic performance or take their training to the next level."
Juanxiu took a closer look at the vials, he almost made a sigh of disappointment. "And what are the effects of this elixir?" he asked.
"You will see a noticeable increase in your physical strength and endurance," Xiuying replied. "You'll be able to lift heavier weights and run faster and longer, giving you an edge in any physical activity."
Juanxiu just wave his hand. "I'll take a few bottles of this as well," he said. "I want to make sure that my team and I are at our physical peak."
Xiuying smiled, pleased. "Of course," she said. "I'll have them packaged and ready for you to take with you. And thank you for your business."
"Ah, I almost forgot," Juanxiu said, his eyes glinting with excitement. "As an alchemist, I'm also interested in learning about curses and their effects. Do you happen to have any information on that topic?"
Xiuying's face lit up like a thousand stars, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of sharing her knowledge. She might be rewarded by the young alchemist for this knowledge that she will share to him, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do," she said, leaning in closer to Juanxiu, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "There have been some dark rumors circulating about a curse that has been afflicting some of our members here in the Golden Alabaster Association. One of our attendants went to the quarters of our young lord and after that, she acted strange, as if she was under the influence of some sinister force. After a few days, she disappeared."
Juanxiu was captivated, his interest piqued. "Really?" he said, his voice filled with wonder. "Do you have any information on how this curse was inflicted or how it can be lifted?"
"Unfortunately, we don't," Xiuying said, her brow furrowed with concern. "But we believe that it may be tied to a powerful artifact that our young lord acquired early this year."
Hadiah
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Power 
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