Cooperation

Wu Long told the couple to just rest in the guest lodgings and enjoy each other's company, as he had some things to do, and it was absolutely safe there.

When he was sure they will be okay for some time, he went out into the city.

Before he left, Ye Ling provided him with a token that would ensure that he would be able to enter the manor even if the guards were not the ones who saw him.

He first went to the headquarters of Alchemy Tower, an organization that had intercontinental influence, and could even be called arguably the most influential in this world.

It most likely was organized in the image of the Alchemy Association, an ancient and very powerful establishment in the Seven Boundless Worlds. There were probably records of it that survived the 'great calamity' that turned this minor world into a fractured world, which inspired the creators of this organization.

Alchemy Tower, like the Alchemy Association, sought to be the highest authority on alchemy in the world, only the scale of the 'world' they were targeting was different. They would research alchemy and guard their secrets strictly so that no outsiders could share their influence.

All people that sought the pinnacle of Alchemy Dao had practically no choice to join the Alchemy Association in the Seven Boundless Worlds. It is not that there were no other places that had knowledge and records of it, or alchemists, it is that what they had was the very best and forefront of it.

As alchemy was very important to cultivators, being the lifeline of their ability to cultivate, among many other important uses, the influence such an organization held could be imagined.

Of course, there was no way to completely monopolize the power over the Alchemy Dao, but the Alchemy Association always made efforts to that end with nothing spared. Even if they knew they could not do it, they wanted to at least get as close to it as possible. They held over 40% sway over all alchemists in the Seven Boundless Worlds which was a goliath of a number in relation to such a vast world and far greater share than the next influence in rank of influence. They also had more knowledge, and were always at the cutting edge of research.

There were many dark rumors regarding the pressure they applied on prominent alchemists who did not want to join them, or organizations competing with them. Vague evidence suggested they deliberately destroyed knowledge on alchemy outside after gathering it. But no one could condemn them or act against them because they would be instantly isolated and destroyed. The Alchemy Association also kept a certain image after all, an image that their organization was for the greater good of all cultivators. And any blemishes to this reputation were squashed without mercy.

Alchemy Tower was the same, but they held less power even if they held a larger share of alchemists, 60% of this world's alchemists, as their inheritance was not as unshakeable. There were also other prominent forces that shared their influence over Alchemy Dao that may not be as numerous but made up for in quality what they lacked in quantity.

There also seemed to be an ongoing dispute within the Alchemy Tower between the ambitious faction that seemed to share the vision of the Alchemy Association and the purist faction that wanted to eliminate any concerns outside of alchemy from the organization.

Wu Long arrived at the Alchemy Tower, which was a large campus, with a pagoda tower in the center, and many halls and pavilions surrounding it.

After asking around for a bit, he went to one of the halls that served customers, and approached the counter.

"Welcome to the Alchemy Tower Custom Alchemy Request Hall, how may I help … y.. you, sir?"

A young female clerk asked him while making some records in the record book in front of her, and then lifted her eyes almost completely losing composure after seeing this dashing young man's appearance.

"Hello, pretty lady, I would like to hire an alchemist, can you recommend to me which one suits my needs?"

He said with a charming smile on his face, as rosy color instantly appeared on her cheeks.

"C-certainly, if you could tell me what alchemy master you are searching for"

She said, looking into his eyes as if enchanted.

"Hmm, I am not sure… you see I am pretty sure I have an ancient recipe, but I cannot be certain as I am not an alchemist. I need someone who is interested in new alchemy, and will not be frustrated simply because the recipe turned out to be a bad one.

Such flexibility of mind suggests a woman, as you know how we men are like, too stubborn and inflexible. Don't you think?" he said casually, as if he stumbled on an alchemy recipe but was not sure it was real.

He also playfully made a funny face, talking about the flexibility stereotypes, making her chuckle slightly.

He then placed a hand near his mouth and continued in a fake whisper.

"Also, if you could recommend someone a bit younger, I have enough lectures given to me by old farts at home" talking like a young master who is tired of hearing the nagging of his mentors.

She tried her best not to laugh at the expressions he made, failing as she covered her mouth.

"Can you do that for me?"

He then smiled at her again.

"Haha, I will try my best"

She said after she finally calmed down, and pondered a bit.

"Hmm, there is one candidate that fits all of your requirements, but… she does not have a good track record, and quite a lot of failures…"

"No matter, I don't even know if the recipe is true, isn't it exciting to find out?" he said with a playful smile

"Then, master Yu Huan is the one you need. As she is not very popular with customers with her track record, she is free now, would you like an appointment with her?"

"Yes, here is the fee for mediation" he said, and handed her the fee this hall receives for connecting alchemists with their clients.

"Thank you, take this token and please head to the consultation room. I must warn you that you will from now deal with the alchemy master and the Alchemy Tower does not give any guarantees of the success of the request. The Custom Request Hall only facilitates the requester and alchemy master. The alchemy master sets the fee independently, and we do not have authority over how high the fee is set up"

She handed him a token, and also listed standard rules for this transaction. He thanked her, and chatted a bit more with her, mostly joking and making her giggle. As he turned to leave, he gave her a wink when he slipped a few golden coins to her. She smiled in return, happily returning to her record book. Although anyone who saw her after he left could see her giggling to herself from time to time.

He went to the consultation room assigned to him, which was just a small room for discussions with two seats and a table.

After waiting for some time, a beautiful woman with black hair that gave off a dark gray color the further down it got, and gray eyes with a hint of green walked into the room. She had a great figure, but it was mostly covered up by plain robes that were a few sizes bigger.

Her cultivation base was at the 4th level of Revolving Qi Realm, quite high for her young appearance, though at that cultivation realm one could look this young even at several hundred years old, but she was no older than 100, which was quite young considering the state of cultivation in this world and that she was not a 'superior talent' like Ye Ling or Hua Ziyan.

There was an obvious surprise on her face when she saw him, but it quickly turned to suspicion and being on guard

"I am Yu Huan, a 3rd tier alchemist of the Alchemy Tower. Nice to meet you" she said in a melodic voice, but with a somewhat reserved tone.

An alchemist's tier was related to the tier of pills they could concoct. Since she was a 3rd tier alchemist, she could concoct 3rd tier Mortal Grade pills. Since there were no alchemy beyond the Mortal Grade, alchemists here did not bother with stating what grade alchemists they were, if they even knew about grades at all.

"I heard you wanted to order a pill from me?" she asked, looking at him with a hint of doubt.

"Hello, I am Wu Long, and yes, I requested an appointment regarding alchemy with you, should we sit down to talk?" he replied not fazed by her attitude, but carefully looking at her, observing her every action and gesture.

He took out a scroll and laid it on the table.

"First, let me show you something. Have a look" he said as he opened it and reversed it to show her its contents.

On the scroll was a short essay on one of the basic alchemical processes he wrote earlier in preparation for this.

As she looked down at the scroll and started reading it he carefully observed her and managed to see the minute but intense reaction on her face, after which she completely forgot about him and was absorbed into reading.

He was now completely certain that he had the right person.

When she finished reading, her guarded look reappeared, but there was slightly more attention on him now.

"Thank you, this scroll is very beneficial for me. This can be considered payment for the pill you want to order, although you will still need to provide the ingredients" she finally said. Clearly drawing the line and not wanting any favors from him.

"Actually, what I wanted to talk about was cooperation" he replied, causing her to lift a brow.

"Cooperation?" there was a look of mockery in her eyes and an expression that screamed 'as I thought'.

"It is simple, really, I need a pill, but I am not yet certain on its recipe as it will require some trial and error, so I came to you. I also do not have the ingredients, but can possibly procure them.

The main thing is that your skills are yet not high enough to concoct a pill that I want you to provide, but I can help you improve them, I will also require quite a lot of various pills until I at least can produce alchemy flames at Qi Manifestation Realm, so I need to raise your level of skill to be able to produce them.

My profit is the pills, your profit is increased skills and recipes I will be providing. This is the gist of cooperation."

He explained what he meant, and after he finished the look of disdain that she started to show after he mentioned cooperation lessened and she pondered a bit.

"You have more scrolls?" she asked,

"Exactly, I will provide you with knowledge that will increase your skills, I also have the recipes" he replied, thinking it was nice to talk with people who catch on fast.

She looked at him for some time in silence. Finally, she opened her mouth again.

"Why me?" she asked, looking at him with suspicion.

"Hmm, the biggest reason is probably… trust? I cannot trust anybody, but I can trust people's interests and desires. I see how much you crave knowledge, and how much obsession you hold towards alchemy, so I know that as long as I help you, you will be loyal to our deal. I know that you probably experimented a lot in your pursuit of knowledge, hence your low success rate, but I can see your potential.

There is also an issue of the level of necessity, established alchemists will not be as desperate for knowledge, and some may become just greedy instead. I only made this proposal because you satisfied my requirements, that's all. Also, I will be providing the knowledge in parts so that I will be guaranteed to receive my piece of the bargain" he explained truthfully as in these sorts of relationships, showing you do not trust someone, makes you more trustworthy instead. Otherwise you might be suspected of harboring ulterior motives.

She then became silent for a long time again.

There was a fight between distrust and desire for Alchemy Dao in her eyes, as she looked at him.

"Alright" finally, she nodded, "I will agree to your proposal"