11 Contract?

By the time Tian finished refining the elixirs not more than 1 hour passed. Although the Soul Assembling Pill took him 2 tries, Tian didn't look at that as a failure. The recipe for the Soul Assembling Pill that Glory City used was the most basic, even using an enhanced version didn't increase much the success rate. The only way to make this pill worth was using Purple Haze Grass and that was something Tian was going to use later on.

Even if the pill took 2 tries, both Gu Yan and Yang Xin were both dumbstruck with both the speed and the technique Tian displayed. Not only was he talented on theory but practice. He was a monster they had to drag to their side.

Tian finished storing the pills. Tian had 1 Bone Recovery Pill, 1 Pulse Enhancing Pill and a few Soul Assembling Pills that he stored in a small jade bottle. Most pills had to be stored on a proper container so that the medicinal essence of the pill didn't leak out too much. Most of the recipes that only made 1 pill had a small layer revesting the pill, but it was more efficient to store them in a jade bottle.

Tian got close to Gu Yan and gave him the pill. It was at that moment that he noticed the young lady near him. Just from one glance, he could tell she was a beauty. Just looking at her curvaceous body, Tian had to control himself. Even if Tian's mind was that of an adult, his body was still young. It didn't help that her clothes barely cover the forbidden alley.

Tian gulped and focused on the important task- "President Gu Yan, here you have the pill I made, please examine them."

Gu Yan didn't need to examine the pills. He already knew they were properly made. He stood in awe as they were made. Hearing Tian speak in a formal tone was making feel uneasy yet good. Even if he had skills, he was respectful.

"Gu Yan is enough. I don't need to examine the pills, you have passed the test" -Gu Yan looked at Yang Xin, she didn't look surprised as she nodded in agreement- "You have now become a Primary Alchemy Master and with that, I welcome you to the Alchemy Association" –As Gu Yan spoke, his face was light with a smile he didn't put since the decay of the association.

As Tian saw that smile, he was feeling a bit wrong. He scratched his head as he spoke- "But I don't want to join the association…"

Both Gu Yan and Yang Xin were dumbstruck. Their faces showed hints of anger and confusion. Yang Xin was the first to speak.

"Tian, did I hear you right? You don't want to join the association? Then why would you complete the exam?"

As Yang Xin spoke, both came to the realization. The kid wasn't that simple. He was using the exam to show his talent and draw the attention of the association so that he would have the winning hand. The worse is that it was working, they were ready to do anything to draw him to their side.

Their face became stiff and looked at Tian as an adversary. Whenever Tian' intentions were good or bad, they didn't know.

Tian wasn't oblivious to their reaction. He could only wear a smile on his face. At this point, it was either all or nothing.

"No, miss. It wasn't my intention. As you can see, I'm quite skilled at Alchemy. I believe my ability could help the association, but I would rather not be controlled by it. As such, I can only propose to make a contract."

Both Gu Yan and Yang Xin eyes were focused on him, trying to see if there were any lies in his words. They realized that Tian didn't have any bad intention, but the possibility was still hanging on the air.

Seeing that he proposed a contract, Gu Yan knew that he had the intention to have a relationship with the association, but he didn't want to be attached to it. Something like that already happened before.

Most of the noble families had a few alchemists on their houses so that they were not dependant from the association. They still had to buy from the association as they offered a great amount rather than the few lone alchemists or a small group could provide. Still, it was something that helped in emergencies.

The demand for pills to increase the cultivation speed was that great.

Those alchemists still had to join the association as that was the only way to continue increasing their knowledge and learn new recipes that were developed. Still, they worked under the noble families and won't contribute producing materials to the association to sell. As such, they had a special type of relation, on which they could keep up with the newest research but not be part of the association. They only had to pay a fee.

"And that contract what would consist of?"

"It's rather simple and doesn't differ much from normal behaviour but that I will get a cut of all the gaining you make with the recipes I give you."

Gu Yan stood in though- "So it was that he wanted to gain wealth. Depending on the cut, it was worth considering. Still, if he isn't able to come up with anything worth it's useless."

The process of coming up with a new recipe is rather difficult. Not only one would need a vast and profound knowledge of how herbs works but a lot of experimentation. Trial and errors. Finding the proper balance between the herbs and the effects they provide. Not only that, but it has to be better than current recipes, if not it was useless.

Gu Yan was about to speak, trying to make Tian realize the difficulty of researching new recipes when he noticed him writing something in a parchment. Tian handed the piece of parchment to Gu Yan and spoke- "This is an improved version of the Soul Assembling Pill Recipe It can increase the success rate up to 20%. I was able to refine the pill in only 2 tries thanks to it. It's tricky at the beginning but with practice, one can master it."