novelraw Chapter 124 - 123 - Enticing Offer
Chapter 124 - 123 - Enticing Offer
Lind's quarters were nothing too great compared to the true elders of the Heavenly Maiden Sect, but due to his special status as an elixir master, he had what would be considered an Inner Disciple Elder level.
He had several open courtyards to cultivate herbs of his choice and even a storage room of supplies that he could request for the sect to collect for him. The Inner and Outer Court disciples could earn contribution points as he was an elder issuing a mission.
Lind felt a little guilty making them run around Cimmeria, but the efficiency was far better than him doing it himself. He had now made a wide range of mid-grade 3 elixirs as well as discovered the hope of reaching high grade 3 if nothing went wrong in the future.
His suite included 2 ornate bathrooms and 3 bedrooms with a cultivation room for his personal use. The main room inside the entrance had a comfortable arrangement of couches and tables next to a kitchen he was free to use as well.
Stocking the kitchen, however, was solely the work of acolytes. Lind, however, had 3 Maidens already living with him that rotated cooking with him. The group of 4 returned to his quarters to freshen up and to examine the elemental shield artifact that now existed due to Lind's new core.
While other defensive artifacts existed, they had to be tailored to the cultivator or complement them if spirit Qi could be used to empower them. If Lind's core could be replicated, it would revolutionize artifacts everywhere.
Lind still had a lot to work out as he essentially replicated the flow of Qi he used to create his own shield and adjusted it to resonate with whatever elements were used by the cultivator using the artifact. Master Harold was instrumental in tweaking that particular ability.
Shoti was floored by the success and agreed it should be kept as secret as possible what the new artifact represented. Making a shield anyone could use was wonderful, but changing the fundamental way artifacts were made could disrupt long standing traditions that many cultivators would fight.
"When do we meet the envoy?" Lind had finished bathing and was now in a fresh set of dark green robes. They actually made his eyes stronger with his pale skin and dirty blonde hair. If he was meeting a Starfire envoy, he could not represent the Heavenly Maiden Sect.
"They want to see you as soon as possible but we honestly did not know when you would return so I simply kept an eye out." The special security meant Lind lived at the Myriad Treasures for the last 3 days. As he had to go back to Master Cain tomorrow, it would be better to meet the envoy sooner to not disrupt their day.
The recent attack had reminded them that Lind was being hunted for many reasons. It was also possible in his mind that someone wanted to collect Annabelle. Since he arrived with her, some nefarious groups may fear he had bonded with her and wanted him dead to break it.
When an aether child wanted to be dedicated to a cultivator, in a non-intimate way, a bond could be forged similar to a slave collar in results. Freedom would not be restricted but if Lind needed some extra Qi, he could pull from Annabelle theoretically. The very concept horrified Lind.
"I will see them tonight once Qing and Annabelle are ready. Have you eaten yet?" Lind moved to the kitchen and saw Shoti shake her head. He smiled and began to gather ingredients. He had to set up 2 versions of the meals as half the group was World Realm and the other was Soul Realm.
Annabelle was on track to break through to the 6th tier in a few months but it might be years before she reaches the World Realm. Still, Lind was glad he could share a meal like this with all of them.
A flash of Cyntilla's sarcastic smile made him frown but Lind started pulling out the special tools to enhance his Qi to get the food prepared for Qing and Shoti. His and Annabelle's food would take far less time, but Lind started to hum as Shoti quietly watched him cook.
The warm atmosphere felt good as the smell of food began to make them both drool when Qing and Annabelle finally joined them. Lind waved and went back to cooking. Qing pulled out a snack for the 3 women to whet their appetite as the food was done.
They shared the meal together and laughed at the reaction of Harold to Lind's success. Lind admitted he was kind of glad Qing was there as Master Harold could overpower Shoti despite her expertise in using her whip.
A knock at the door as they drank tea at the lounge area told them the personal time had come to an end.
Annabelle stood up and made herself neat before heading to the door. Shoti moved to stand behind Lind while Qing sat next to him. Anyone that thought Shoti was the only threat would be sorely mistaken. Lind also smiled as an illusion displaced them in case there was a trap to come.
"The envoy for the Starfire House has arrived." Annabelle announced who had arrived very formally but Lind nearly dropped his tea cup once the people filed in. There was a woman with light gray hair showing in her dark hair but was very beautiful.
She had almond eyes with what seemed like deep amber staring out from a well made oval face. Her robes seemed to move as if alive with flares of yellow, orange, and blue flames that were pleasing to watch. Lind's Eyes were fascinated by the formations but he refrained from staring as he would likely get in trouble due to the hourglass figure of the woman.
What shocked him was who was behind her. It was Lady Su and Mythra once more! Were they stalking him now?! Shoti arched her eyebrow, but had no other reaction. Lind, however, was slightly worried as the woman clothed in flames was impossible to figure out.
She was either peak Diamond Tier or a Sky Realm tier 1. Why was someone so powerful just an envoy?! Lind stood up and bowed to them.
"So, you are truly Lind Frey, the low grade 3 elixir master?" Lind glanced at Su but she did not move and Mythra was also surprisingly timid at the moment. Qing, instead spoke up.
"May I ask why you think that?" While the Sapphire Auction House was technically separate, it was a part of the Starfire House under the Stardust Emporium. The woman smiled sagely at them but she deflected the answer.
"Lady Qing, Elder Shoti, I have heard so much about both of you. You, especially Qing. I found your work remarkable with troubled cultivators over the years." It was no secret that Qing specialized in heart demons or facing tribulation for cultivators.
The woman glanced at Annabelle but made no comment.
"Senior, you know our names but we do not have the honor of knowing yours." Lind was overly polite but noticed both Su and Mythra flinch at his approach. Yet, the woman acted surprised and contrite.
"You are so right, young man. I am Alea. I am a senior member of the Starfire House." Lind frowned internally. He was not that familiar with the power structure of the Starfire House but neither Qing nor Shoti reacted to the information. Still, Lind felt it was important to understand this person.
"I am afraid I am from Sarth so I am not familiar with the Starfire House. Could you enlighten me, please?" Lind felt his body nearly straining by being so polite. He had become very lax over the last year, clearly. He had to work on that.
Su seemed to be trying to tell him something with her eyes but Mythra was the more telling one. Not one glance nor one teasing smile. It was not like her at all. Lind felt something was off.
"It means I am empowered to offer you a deal, young elixir master." Alea did not seem annoyed at his ignorance. Instead, she seemed happy. Lind cast his mind over all he had learned of Cimmeria but was disheartened to note that aside from its existence and special auction, he knew little of the details of Starfire House.
"I am unsure what deal I could be useful for. I have already been cooperating with Sapphire Auction House and I have been quite pleased with the results." There was no lie in Lind's words. He had been more than pleased with Sapphire Auction House and how far it had gone to accommodate him. He had been more pleased with how serious they took his identity when it was far more dangerous to Lind if revealed.
"I am pleased to know we have competent subordinates but they have been reluctant to display your full capability. We would want to change that." The tension in the room rose. Lind, himself, knew the risks of exploding his ability to make grade 3 elixirs. Even at his current limit, Sky Realm powers would seek him out without any restraint.
After coming to Cimmeria, he had learned how few elixir masters there were. If a cultivator of any quality was 1 in 1,000 people and of that only 1 in 10,000 could be a decent alchemist, then the fact elixir masters were 1 in 100,000,000 potential alchemists were elixir masters made him very rare.
"I believe we both know the risks of doing so, Senior Alea. I am, however, already in enough trouble as it is. I would have to decline." He had just nearly been assassinated in the street not a few hours ago. Alea showed no surprise but Lind was sure she had been informed.
"I think that is where my authority can be of more use to you, young man. I can make your troubles go away." Lind and Qing both froze while Shoti's hands instinctively went to her whip. Annabelle was the only one who did not understand. Nothing in any world was free. Certainly, it was a nice offer to hear, but at what cost to make all of Lind's troubles go away would be asked?
Sapphire Auction House was powerful, but it could only protect his identity to an extent from something like the Demon Empire or even Trynith with all his resources. It would also not go out of its way to protect his life unless he was on their property. Even then, they would only do so for their benefit, not out of any altruism.
Lind understood the limits of his associates and never found a reason to be displeased with the current arrangement. Still, he had to know. Could there be a better one?
"Go on." Lind made no commitment and Su barely smiled at him but did no more. He had gotten better at negotiations. Alea clearly had expected him to agree but was not perturbed too much.
"As you know, Starfire House is a direct arm of the Stardust Emporium. We are not merely an auction house trading throughout the 3 continents, but the true arm of power. If I wish, I can publicly declare you are under our care. Even the most suicidal of assassins would not think to cross us." That part was true. Assassins worked in Cimmeria as anywhere but there were rules they had to live by. There were people, that if killed, would result in the decimation of their group, their families, and likely the entirety of anyone that knew them.
The great and powerful were not benevolent beings. They had limits that were not to be crossed or one would pay the commensurate price. Lind had felt that himself. His 2 years at the Lotus Academy was not pleasant due to such actions.
Still, he understood Alea's intentions. This would not be selling his wares like before anonymously. Instead, he would become a member of Starfire House and by extension, the Stardust Emporium. They wanted him, the man, not his goods.
There were upsides to the deal. Lind would be beyond the reach of Trynith or any little power. Harming Lind or any of his family would result in the immediate retaliation on any force that did so and they would know. The threat would relieve him of a great deal of worry and stress, but it would cost him his freedom.
He would no longer be allowed to explore or do anything that threatened his ability to make elixirs. He had no doubt he could get stronger but it would stop at the peak of the Soul Realm. They would not risk him deviating by breaking through to the World Realm.
The offer was a death sentence to all his dreams.
"I am afraid I have to politely refuse. I have ambitions I want to fulfill and while I really do appreciate what you see in me, I believe I can do more." Alea now frowned but Lind did not care. Mythra finally smirked but then her head was smashed into the table.
"Do not think I do not see your little moves child!" Lind was shocked as he looked at Qing. Qing was disturbed but could make no move if Alea threatened her own people. The Heavenly Maiden Sect could not interfere.
"I only reacted, Mistress, please forgive me." Mythra was bleeding but she did not cry or weep. She only spoke calmly. Lind realized what had been bothering him. Su and Mythra's cultivation were sealed. He could not feel their auras.
Su was then grabbed by what seemed to be air Qi as well by the throat.
"You are both useless! What good are you if you defy your master?" Alea's anger was not wild, but cold. She knew exactly what she was doing. She was showing Lind how ruthless she could be. He had no power to stop her. That was her point.
On any other day, Lind would have lost his temper and tried something reckless but he suddenly flashed to the day he faced Immortal Artificer. He had been faced with an impossible situation then. He had been sure he had no power to resist nor change the outcome, but he remembered what happened then.
The room was suddenly filled with a profound aura as emerald flames engulfed Lind. His eyes sparkled and even Alea flinched to look into them. That was not a human being sitting in front of them, it was something else.
"If you treat your own people as disposable objects, I have no desire to continue our partnership. I am aware I will face hardships for this, but I will withdraw from the current arrangement. Only the Heavenly Maidens will get my elixirs going forward." Dead silence filled the room. Qing and Shoti were mixed between pride and wonder. When did Lind become so strong?
For the first time, panic filled Alea's features. She had assumed she could bully, obviously, if negotiation failed, but the boy knew the power he held. His elixirs were too good! If she lost them, she would be the one punished, not him!
"I apologize for my actions, Lind Frey. I hope this does not damage our relationship going forward?" Alea released both women and took a contrite stance, but Lind's hard features never moved.
"I wish to speak to the highest authority of Starfire House in 1 month. I am currently in the middle of something that may interest you more than my elixirs." Lind did not lie but he was done being dictated to. He had been weak, but now he held the power the merchants desperately needed, what he could make.
They could never force him. He would die or cripple himself to rob them of it. If they threatened his family, the Heavenly Maiden Sect would be more than happy to step up to protect them. It was the very reason he sought out a backer in the first place. Compared to what just happened, the Heavenly Maiden Sect was more than pleased with Lind Frey.
He had their power, for now, and he was going to use it for the first time.