Making a irresistible offer
"Everyone I have been considering that we people often lack pills, thus halting our progress,
Recently our clan came in contact with an alchemist and I would like to show some pills, which I believe might be useful to y'all".
Saying that Long Chen took out 2 pills a red pill and a blue pill.
"Everyone!, these are the profound virtue pill and the Nethecrane pill...."
Long Chen then went over the details of the pills and their price.
He even mentioned the profounder and nether fruit to create an element of scarcity.
After he was done most people had their jaws hanging and their eyes turned red.
"Young master are you serious ?" The Crimson Sky city lord, a burly man with dark red hair asked.
"Please all of you may inspect the goods"
Long Chen literally had to jump back as many people were scrambling towards the pills.
"Wow the purity is definitely 60%"
"Yeah, it's mad expensive though"
"Nephew Chener how many of these do you plan to sell"
Huang Fan interjected and everyone had a thoughtful expression hearing this question.
"50 of each… but, our clan plans to hire deacons and guest elders, those that swear to serve us will get ample benefits.
Also if you think you have some unique treasure or something unique to offer you will be more than adequately compensated.
Of course, you should have your own contingencies."
It was as if a match had been light in a sea of oil.
All the guests immediately started contacting their clansmen via talisman.
They were hoping that their talented non-blood-related servants could join the Long Clan not only securing a bond but also prospering themselves.
The guests started fiercely making plans, the jovial and festive atmosphere had completely died down.
Long Chen quietly made his way towards the buffet.
The moment he filled his plate, he suddenly felt danger.
'Shit'
Turning around he saw a creepy old man just standing there, wearing a kimono.
'An expert'
"I wonder if senior has something to say"
"Young master is too courteous, this old man just wanted to see if you need something"
The old man smiled jovially, but too Long Chen he suddenly felt tons of pressure.
'Shit he is stronger than initial soul transformation'
Focusing on his mind Long Chen contacted Xiao Bai and He Mao, through their contract.
The 2 little demons made their way towards the old man standing right behind him, seeing them he smiled.
"Haha young master has some interesting companions"
"haha they are nothing compared to senior's companion guarding outside"
A sliver of surprise passed through the old man's eyes.
"Brat you are smart, too smart for your own good" Saying that the pressure on Long Chen increased.
Crackling sounds came from Long Chen's body.
"Your body is certainly very tough probably a spirit or even king constitution.
By the way, I know that you were the one's that concocted those pills, I also know that is an inferior version of your capabilities"
Long Chen's eyes widened in surprise.
"No need to act surprised brat, this old man's companion has a strong nose.
How about you serve this old man, I may even accept you as my legacy disciple, but you must share your alchemical knowledge and concoct pills for this seat's sect.
What do you say not bad right ?"
If it had been anyone else they would have started kowtowing and thanking the old man.
After all the old man was not only a soul transformation cultivator but also one of the strongest ones in this continent.
However, Long Chen's veins started popping and he released asura intent.
He Mao and Xiao Bai went into attacking postures as well.
'The pride of a dragon is higher than the heaven, this old man is really asking for it'
Long Chen was ready to blow up The Yama Emperor if need be.
Just listening to the condescending and threatening tone of the old man put him into a murderous state.
The Old man's eyes narrowed with interest, but he did not say anything.
"Old dog say that again" Long Chen uttered in a small voice.
"Brat what are you doing stop you fucking retard don't take me down with you"
The Yama Emperor was madly howling within Long Chen's sea of consciousness, but Long Chen paid no heed to me.
"Brat take this old man's advice don't let this fame get to your head"
The Old man spoke in a calm and composed tone.
While the pressure on Long Chen increased even further.
"Old man take this young man's advice, don't let your old age get to you lest you get your sect to get slaughtered"
The Old Man's eyes widened in surprise before he started laughing loudly and withdrew his imposing aura.
"This old man felt you were like me prideful and unyielding. I was not disappointed. I hope you can forgive this old man"
The Old man's eyes shone with admiration.
"Haha no harm done senior pardon this junior's foul mouth as well"
Long Chen smiled and replied jovially, he could sense the old man was saying the truth and he meant no harm.
"Senior what sect are you from ?"
"haha that you will have to guess"
The old man's eyes shone with mischief and Long Chen could only bitterly smile.
This old man was really a kind of his own.
The rest of the night Long Chen chatted with the old man, before bidding farewell to all the guests.
Surprisingly the old man did not even offer his own name.
Long Chen retired for the night.
…
The next morning Long Chen, He Mao, and Xiao Bai made their way towards the four-season restaurant.
Xiao Bai and He Mao turned themselves invisible using their essence qi.
"Young master you are here " Cheng Hao greeted Long Chen at the entrance of the restaurant.
"Fancy seeing you here branch leader Hao". Long Chen playfully teased.
"You jest young master, It is you who is a celebrity these days.
Please follow me to the top floor"
"After you".
Long Chen followed Cheng Hao to the top floor, upon reaching which the latter excused himself.
Entering the room Long Chen saw a 40 something man just sitting there.
He had a half-bald head with a wrinkly face, which couldn't be more ordinary.
He was loosely dressed, He had a grey tunic t-shirt and green pants.
The expression on his face was a mixture of caution and compliance. The combination of which made him practically impossible to stand out.
"Greetings young master" The man greeted in a subservient tone.
"I didn't expect the leader of the black market to have such a weird fetish, you can call me Long Chen by the way" Long Chen stated as a matter of factly.
The man could feel his eyebrows twitching.
"Haha Long Chen you have a nice sense of humor, please take a seat"
"Pleasure meeting you, by the way, I hope you talk in your normal appearance. A mask is a bit off fitting."
The middle-aged man's widened in surprise, before returning to normal.
His body started pulsating and his skin started withering steam started emanating from his body making it difficult to see anything.
10 breaths later the smoke vanished, the man's stature reduced significantly.
His skin was pale white like a piece of jade with his hair being silky black, It created a nice contrast.
With unnaturally pinkish lips he had a feminine look that forgets women, could even make men swoon over.
"Oh lemme introduce myself again, I am Fei Hong".
With his soft voice and unrivaled appearance, he painted a dreamy picture.
"I wonder why senior invited me?" Long Chen asked nonchalantly.
"I have some information which I thought might interest you ?"
"Oh yeah whats up"
"Your life is in danger" Fei Hong expected a reaction, but he got none.
"In the imperial capital you have made the most enemies, the Imperial clan and Long Clan want you bitterly dead, and if you are drowning the Yun Clan and Wang Clan wouldn't mind assisting the others in beating you like a dead dog.
The Huang Clan might support and shield you, but understand they won't bother if anybody from the sect came."
"Well, why would the sects target me shouldn't they be excited for me to join them" Long Chen feigned ignorance.
"A dead genius is worth shit and most top geniuses of sects have sort of quirks like a spirit physique or something.
So just because you are the top genius of the grand Xia empire that doesn't mean they will swoon over you, moreover the current king of the nation Xia Lu will be joining the Barbarian Temple as an elder, so he does have some influence over the sects and even an idiot can tell you have animosity with the imperial clan. The statements you made at the banquet make it even worse." Saying that Fei Hou took out a wine bottle and poured a wine glass for himself and Long Chen.
Long Chen silently pondered a lot of the info that was completely new to him.
He found the info to be valuable, thus made a note mental note about it.
"Well, what are they waiting for then ?"
Fei Hou smiled at these questions and leaned in a little bit.
"Time, you're at the right time" He whispered in a ghost-quiet voice.
"You mean with the coronation ?" Long Chen showed no signs of discomfort.
Fei Hou just chuckled before leaning back and picking up the glass of wine.
"The current king has reached soul transformation realm and there are currently three strong contenders to the throne.
The rest of them are either neutral or are riding on one of the contender's coattails.
Before I talk about them lemme let you in on a secret although they are fighting to the death right now, Once someone succeeds the fighting would be stopped they are bound by an oath.
Naturally, none of them wanna weaken the royal clan so there is a big possibility that all of this ascension may happen with neither of the 3 meetings their demise.
In my opinion, the likelihood of that is 75% ."