Chapter 58: Master
Lordi Payne caught the subtext in Vice Tower President Woods' words loud and clear. Kim Simona might throw out a tempting offer now, but as an alchemist herself, she couldn't sustain a long-term buying spree like the Tower of Hundred Treasures could. In the long run, the Tower's 10% premium was the safer, more lucrative bet.
But Kim Simona wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away. Her face darkened as she processed Woods' logic, and she quickly recalibrated her approach. "Dear Junior Brother," she said, her voice smooth but urgent, "I've already received a promise from Inner Sect Grand Elder Sain. Once I ascend to the Foundation Stage, I'll immediately become one of his apostles. You've heard of Grand Elder Sain's alchemy skills, haven't you? If you sell me this premium-level Bone Tempering Pill, I'll put in a word with Grand Elder to recommend you!"
Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Grand Elder Sain Churn was one of the five greatest alchemists of the Abyss Pit Sect. While the sect wasn't renowned for its alchemy, Sain Churn's skills were the real deal, honed over centuries of rigorous practice and selection. Though his cultivation level was only middling among the inner sect's grand elders, his status as a master alchemist made him a figure of immense respect and influence.
The temptation of Kim Simona's offer was undeniable.
Vice Tower President Woods' eye twitched hard. He quickly interjected, his tone a mix of urgency and caution. "Dear young friend, Fellow Dao Kim's words are just promises. Who knows if they'll come to fruition? Grand Elder Sain is notoriously selective. He doesn't just look at talent and character—he also considers first-sight affinity. There was once an outer sect disciple, a genius in his own right, who knelt for ten days and nights outside Sain's residence, begging to be taken in as an apostle. He was still rejected! You're still young. Why take such a risk? It's always better to earn spirit stones, improve your cultivation, and hone your skills. It's slower, yes, but far steadier."
Kim Simona sneered, her delicate rose-petal lips curling into a cold smirk. "Junior Brother, you have to think carefully. Spirit stones come and go, but opportunities like this? They're once in a lifetime."
Vice Tower President Woods opened his mouth to argue further, but Lordi Payne had heard enough. He raised a hand, cutting them both off. "Let's keep it simple," he said, his tone firm but polite. "Highest bidder wins."
He then turned to Kim Simona with an apologetic smile. "My apologies, Senior Sister Kim. I'm strapped for cash right now."
Kim Simona's heart sank. She was wealthy by outer sect disciple standards, thanks to her alchemy skills, but she couldn't possibly compete with the Tower of Hundred Treasures in terms of financial resources. Still, she wasn't ready to give up. She bit her delicate lower lip, her mind racing. "How strapped are you, Junior Brother?" she asked, her voice softening. "Perhaps I can lend you the spirit stones temporarily, so you won't miss this opportunity."
Lordi Payne's eyes lit up. "Many thanks, Senior Sister! Could you lend me 10,000 low-grade spirit stones, then?"
Kim Simona's face froze. Ten thousand?! That was a staggering sum, far beyond what even she could comfortably part with. Her delicate fingers tightened around the hem of her robe as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Junior Brother, you must be joking," she said, forcing a light laugh. "How could I possibly have so many spirit stones on hand? My limit is around one thousand. Ten thousand is... beyond my means."