Chapter 91: Jade Tempering Pill
The Withered Orchid Villa glowed with midday splendor, its jade-tiled roofs catching the sun, surrounded by orchids that spilled a sweet, intoxicating scent into the air. Inside, amber wood panels gleamed, casting a golden warmth over the chamber where Lordi Payne sat across from Kinson Wexford. The senior brother's presence was electric—his dark robes crisp, his aura brimming with vigor, a spark of joy lighting his eyes. Lordi clutched the C-grade spirit stone Kinson had given him—equivalent to ten thousand D-grade stones—his pulse quickening at the wealth, though his face remained composed, respect masking a cautious thrill.
Kinson Wexford smiled, his voice warm but brimming with effortless confidence. "Legendary-level Bone Tempering Pills, Junior Brother—they're rare treasures beyond compare—gifts of fate itself. Wherever they appear, alchemist masters and factions will claw over each other to claim them. These pills are never short of buyers—alchemists, especially prize them the most." His eyes gleamed with knowing amusement. "To those who wield the Dao Flame, even a glimpse into a Legendary-level elixir pill's secrets can elevate their craft and skill to new heights. What are a few dozen of thousand D $tones to such masters? A pittance, compared to the chance to refine their alchemy art."
Kinson leaned back, satisfaction lacing his words. "Nine of the ten we auctioned went to famous alchemists or big clans who raise alchemists as faction retainers. Next time, I'll aim bigger—cross to a farther state's market. Higher bids, fatter purses"
Lordi Payne nodded, his expression one of earnest admiration. "Senior Brother's wisdom leaves this junior in awe."
Inwardly, however, his pulse quickened, thrilled at the payout's scale. A thirty percent cut earned him ten thousand D$T! Kinson Wexford's talent for turning elixir pills into profit was staggering—a boon for Lordi's desperate circumstances. With this pace, his sect's debts would vanish far sooner than he'd dared hope.
Aloud, he clasped his hands respectfully. "Senior Brother," Lordi's eyes flickered, "I've labored day and night to produce more Bone Tempering Pills. But alchemy Legendary-level Bone Tempering pills... it's draining, mentally. I've only managed to stockpile... one hundred twenty."
Yet beneath the gratitude, caution coiled tight. His tone stayed deferential, but his lie was deliberate—his pouch held nearly three hundred legendary pills, minus those he'd consumed for cultivation. But flooding the market—or worse, inflating Kinson Wexford's expectations—would chain him by the Dao furnace forever. Better to hoard the surplus.
"Once the sect debt is cleared," Lordi determined, "then pivot to my own cultivation—not endless labor to become this Bloodline Lord's alchemy slave.
Kinson Wexford's face lit up, oblivious to the deception, his delight unguarded. "One hundred twenty? Excellent work, Junior Brother Payne!" His voice boomed, kind and encouraging, a laugh bubbling up. "See Lordi? I told you—that seventy-thousand D-grade $tone fine is nothing! We're proving it, aren't we?" He clapped Lordi's shoulder, confidence radiating. Pondering, he added, "Well, one hundred twenty... That's too many pills for local average markets to swallow. Such a haul demands grander stages." His eyes sparkled with ambitious, already charting distant horizons. "I'll take them to the Serpent's Hoard Bazaar in Vermithys State—cross provinces, chase the real coin."
Lordi Payne bowed slightly, his voice layered with earnest gratitude. "My deepest thanks, Senior Brother Wexford, for your tireless work." Then, hesitating just enough to seem cautious, he broached the delicate subject. "Speaking of the Dao Flame mission... I'd heard the Ice Pith Fire was initially claimed by the Dreadbloom Bloodline. Has there been any... lingering dispute?"
Kinson Wexford chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "That trifle? Settled days ago." His tone carried the ease of a man who'd already forgotten the matter. "Senior Sister Lith, her highness, has been in seclusion since Deerspring, but word's out—she's emerged, her cultivation soaring higher. We Deathveil Bloodline's influence has surged. The Wraithbone Bloodline's scrambling. Even the Dreadbloom pack wouldn't dare bare their fangs now." He chuckled, eyes gleaming with pride. "Besides, I tossed them some compensation. The matter's dead and buried. No need to fret, Junior Brother Payne."