Alchemists

"This price... Is there any room for negotiation?" Claire asked, her embarrassment evident in her tone.

The Sunrise sect had dwindled to the point where it was on the brink of closure, and they could only continue to exist thanks to Michael's assistance. While they did possess the necessary funds, allocating such a substantial sum at once would severely disrupt their daily operations.

"I'm afraid this is the lowest price I can offer, Sect Leader Claire. You must understand the cost of the required ingredients for the pills and the fee of a two-star Alchemist. Purchasing these pills from other sources would cost you at least six to seven thousand gold coins per pill, making my offer considerably more economical."

Claire and the Elders were well aware of the state of the sect's treasury, but they were in urgent need of the heart-healing pills. Reluctantly, they agreed to the high price.

"Those fools are being swindled," Gaya commented nonchalantly as she leaned against the wall, observing the Elders and Claire.

"What do you mean?" Michael asked, genuinely curious.

"Haven't you noticed?" Gaya questioned, her expression slightly surprised as Michael shook his head.

"He's a two-star Alchemist, yet he's charging them the rate of a three-star Alchemist. Furthermore, five thousand gold coins are the price for pills with forty-five percent purity, which is the maximum purity level a three-star Alchemist can achieve."

Michael was familiar with the concept of star levels for special abilities, thanks to Abras, but when he tried to recall information about the prices of pills, he realized that Abras had no knowledge of those specifics.

"Do you happen to know the current market prices for pills here?" Michael inquired.

"Of course, I'm well aware," Gaya replied confidently. "Pills concocted by a 1-star alchemist typically range from one to two hundred gold coins. For a 2-star alchemist, it's around two hundred to one thousand gold coins. As for 3-star alchemists, their pills can be priced between one and five thousand gold coins." She paused briefly, her eyes reflecting as she retrieved information on the prices for higher-level alchemists.

"For 4-star alchemists, you can expect to pay anywhere from five to nine thousand gold coins for their pills. 5-star alchemists often prefer to receive valuable artifacts and treasures as payment, but if you insist on using gold coins, the starting price is typically ten thousand gold coins."

Michael's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask further, "And what about 6-star Alchemists?"

Gaya chuckled at the question. "Don't be foolish, human. 6-star alchemists are nothing more than a myth. No one has ever achieved such a level because surpassing ninety percent purity is considered impossible."

Michael considered the price information Gaya provided alongside his existing knowledge about alchemist star levels when Hart presented his final condition.

"My final condition is, and this is the most important one," Hart's voice trailed off, piquing the curiosity of the Elders and Sect Leader Claire.

"What is it?" Sect Leader Claire asked, her eyebrows furrowing as it seemed that this man was placing quite a few conditions.

Hart hesitated for a moment, creating an air of suspense before finally speaking, "I've developed feelings for someone here, and I wonder if she would consider becoming my concubine. If she agrees, I will concoct the pills for free!"

The expressions of the Elders shifted dramatically upon hearing his last condition, realizing that this was indeed a tempting offer.

Concubines, in this context, referred to mistresses, and it was not uncommon for wealthy and high-status individuals to have multiple concubines.

"I didn't anticipate Lord Hart making such a request. As long as she agrees to be your concubine, we won't object," Elder Mark stated.

"Concubine, my foot! He merely wants to have a physical relationship with the girl and then discard her. I know his type," Gaya muttered, her tone laced with disgust as she eyed Hart, curious about the girl he had in mind.

"I concur with Elder Mark. If she accepts your proposal, I have no objections. But who is this person?" Claire inquired patiently.

Hart replied with a smile, "It's you, Sect Leader Claire. I would like you to be my concubine."

"I knew it!" Gaya nearly shouted in response to Hart's request, and Michael, too, raised an eyebrow in surprise. He refrained from intervening, opting instead to hear Claire's response. However, he simultaneously entered the system's interface, seeking a way to leverage the situation in his favor.

"System, tell me if you have a method for me to become an Alchemist."

[The System recommends that the host purchases the Book of Alchemy from the system store.]

"If I buy that book, what level of Alchemist will I become?"

[The host will be capable of concocting pills and potions with a purity level of 90%.]

"So, I would become a 5-star Alchemist? Excellent! Now, tell me the bad news – how much does it cost?"

[Only 20,000 Badass points.]

Michael was nearly taken aback when the system described the price as "only." Nevertheless, he considered the potential earnings. If he could upgrade the Banker skill to the next level, he could convert one million gold coins into 5000 points. Given what Gaya had mentioned about 5-star Alchemists earning more than one million gold coins, this investment could be worthwhile. However, at present, he didn't possess enough badass points to buy the book and upgrade the Banker skill.

[If the host wishes, the system can provide a loan with an interest rate of 10%. The host can repay the loan at any time, but the system will increase the interest rate by 5% every ten months.]

"You can do that? Never mind, I'll take the loan. Upgrade my Banker skill to level 2 and buy the Book of Alchemy," he instructed the system, mentally bracing himself for the sharp pain that would follow each new skill acquisition.

As expected, a sharp, tingling pain coursed through his mind. The Alchemy skill was gradually etched into his brain cells, elevating him to the status of a 5-star Alchemist. When the pain finally subsided, he felt as though he could concoct pills with the ease of reading and writing.

"I'm going to become so overpowered with my trusty system," he laughed heartily and lavished praise on the system. While most people had to dedicate themselves to rigorous training and learning to master Alchemy, he had achieved 5-star status in mere seconds.

"Why are you smiling?" Gaya inquired, observing the grin that still adorned his face as he exited the system interface.

On the other side, Claire's body tensed upon hearing Hart's request. Her sect primarily comprised girls from impoverished families. For any of those girls, an offer like this would represent a monumental shift in their social and economic status. However, Claire herself hailed from a noble background and held the position of sect leader. To become a concubine would be a disgrace not only to her but also to her family.

"No, I'm sorry, Lord Hart, but I cannot comply with your request," Claire stated firmly, meeting his gaze as she immediately shook her head in refusal.

Upon receiving her rejection, Hart's expression contorted into a deep frown. He regarded himself as a highly talented Alchemist with boundless potential. He never anticipated that Claire, the sect leader of a declining sect, would outright reject his proposal without even considering it.

"I am a two-star Alchemist. You would have a better life as my concubine than as the leader of this deteriorating sect. I'll achieve 3-star status in the future," bitterness and resentment filled his eyes as he voiced his displeasure.

"I appreciate your offer, Lord Hart, but I have no desire to become anyone's concubine. I hope you can understand my stance. There may be other women who would be willing to accept such a proposal," Claire replied, maintaining her composure. Despite her sect's decline, it was still her sect, and she resented his characterization of it as "decayed." However, she couldn't reveal her true emotions. The urgency for the heart-healing pills left her feeling extremely powerless, and that helplessness welled up in her eyes.

"Hmph! My maids have a better life than you, and yet you dare to refuse me!" Hart angrily struck the sofa he was sitting on and regarded Claire with a cold gaze.

"If you won't be my concubine, then forget about the pills."

"Lord Hart, please, have a seat," Elder Mark hurriedly interjected, attempting to soothe Hart's anger. However, Hart vented his frustration by tossing his tea in Elder Mark's face.

"How dare you!" Claire's face flushed with rage as she shouted, "I used the title 'Lord' as a mark of respect. I didn't expect such arrogance from you. I've had enough. Leave before I have you thrown out!"

Despite being merely a Body Refining stage level 5 cultivator, Claire emitted an aura that surprised both Gaya and Michael. Gaya suspected that Claire's newfound confidence stemmed from her awareness of Ghost's presence in the hall, given his previous feat of defeating a level 2 Body Strengthening stage cultivator.