Chapter 22: Do As You See Fit

When Chu Tianchen demanded a fifty-percent share of the profits, Mu Ran was on the verge of exploding in rage. However, the next sentence caused his anger to vanish into thin air.

He would be guided to become a fifth-grade alchemist within half a year.

It was worth noting that when Yun Changshan had asked Yun Yanran to negotiate with him, he had also promised to help him ascend to the rank of a fifth-grade alchemist. Yet, the timeline Yun Changshan had proposed was three years. Even so, Mu Ran had been tempted; had Yun Changshan not been so greedy—attempting to swallow the Alchemical Hall whole—Mu Ran might have agreed even for a mere ten-percent share. Now that Chu Tianchen was promising him the same result in only six months, how could he not be thrilled?

"My guess was correct after all; he truly has an expert backing him," Mu Ran thought to himself, joy evident in his eyes. "It stands to reason—in the entire Great Qian Empire, who doesn't know that his grandfather, Chu Qingcang, frequently associated with people from the Greater World? I suspect his benefactor must hail from there as well. Besides, receiving a twenty-percent profit share is an incredibly favorable deal."

"Young Master Tianchen," Mu Ran said, "since this is a partnership, we must be clear from the start. If I fail to become a fifth-grade alchemist within half a year..."

"If I cannot make you a fifth-grade alchemist within six months, I will not take a single Origin Stone from the Alchemical Hall," Chu Tianchen replied flatly.

"You are indeed magnanimous, Young Master Tianchen. I am willing to place my bet on you," Mu Ran declared. "I believe the grandson of the old General Chu could never be a man who breaks his word. Although the Chu family was raided, I believe the truth will surface one day and restore the family's honor."

Chu Tianchen nodded. The two exchanged a look, understanding each other without further words. Chu Tianchen was well aware of the risks Mu Ran was taking for the next six months. With the Li family on one side and the Cloud Dream Marsh Valley on the other, if he failed to reach the fifth-grade level within the deadline, the Cloud Sea Academy would never offend those powers for the sake of a mere fourth-grade alchemist.

"This Fifth-Grade Cauldron of Subjugation is yours," Chu Tianchen said, taking it from his storage ring and handing it over. Seeing the cauldron, even Mu Ran’s eyes gleamed with intensity.

"Many thanks, Young Master Tianchen. I shall await your arrival at the Alchemical Hall," Mu Ran said, then departed from the Yue Lai Inn with the cauldron.

A fifth-grade alchemist’s cauldron was worth at least thirty to fifty thousand high-grade Origin Stones on the market. Chu Tianchen had given it away without so much as blinking. If Mu Ran were to renege on the deal, his loss would be immense. However, Chu Tianchen was not worried; since he had given it away, he was confident in his control. Furthermore, if Mu Ran broke his promise, he had a hundred ways to reclaim the cauldron and make Mu Ran pay a painful price.

After Mu Ran left, Chu Tianchen returned to Tang Shisan’s side. He now knew that a terrifying soul resided within Tang Shisan. He also sensed that he was currently no match for that entity, so he decided to set that matter aside for the moment. The priority was to heal Tang Shisan’s meridians, internal organs, and dantian to keep him alive. As for the soul entity, there would be plenty of time to deal with it later. Since he cultivated the Nine Dragons Heaven-Swallowing Technique, that entity might even turn out to be a nourishing supplement; refining it would be a delightful prospect.

A few hours later, Ling Ying returned with all seven sets of the medicinal ingredients Chu Tianchen had requested. Chu Tianchen had him find a large wooden tub and fill it with clean water. He then selected seven herbs from the pile of over two hundred.

"Second-grade Dragon Bone Flower, second-grade Blood Begonia, second-grade Ancient Dragon Wood, first-grade Purple Spirit Grass, and a second-grade fire-attribute demonic crystal..." Chu Tianchen muttered to himself.

With a flick of his mind, a white flame manifested in his palm. Though it was fire, it emanated a chilling sensation. Within minutes, he refined the Dragon Bone Flower into powder and sprinkled it into the tub. Following the order, he refined the other ingredients one by one, eventually creating a tub of blood-red spirit liquid. The liquid emitted a faint scent of blood, yet it pulsated with a unique vitality. Finally, Chu Tianchen pricked his finger and added a few drops of his own blood.

"Young Master Tianchen, are you only using these few ingredients?" Ling Ying asked, puzzled. He had spent over eight thousand high-grade Origin Stones on more than two hundred herbs, including fourth and fifth-grade ones, yet Chu Tianchen had only selected seven low-grade items.

Chu Tianchen felt a flicker of embarrassment. "Are you questioning me?" he asked, feigning composure.

"No, no! I trust you, Young Master Tianchen. I am just curious," Ling Ying stammered.

"By the way, Young Master Tianchen, if you need cultivation resources, I have some here," Ling Ying added hastily. This made Chu Tianchen even more awkward, as most of those herbs were actually for his own use. He realized Ling Ying was truly an honest man.

"I have enough for now," Chu Tianchen said. "You’ve been stuck at the fifth level of the Heavenly King Realm for a few years, haven't you? I'll help you improve your cultivation in a while."

Ling Ying’s eyes shone with excitement.

"Alright, strip him and put him in," Chu Tianchen instructed.

"Ah? Strip... strip him completely?" Ling Ying’s face turned red. "Is it really necessary?"

Chu Tianchen paused thoughtfully. "I cannot say for sure. Perhaps it would work otherwise, but the results might not meet expectations. It’s up to you. Also, he needs a fresh tub of spirit liquid every day for the next week until he is fully revived. I am going to the Cloud Sea Academy tomorrow; just watch over him."

After Chu Tianchen left, Ling Ying looked at Tang Shisan on the bed and contemplated his words. "Strip him it is!" he decided, hardening his heart as he undressed Tang Shisan and placed him into the liquid. "Chu Tianchen, if my young master is saved, my life belongs to you from this day forward," Ling Ying vowed silently.

The next morning, Chu Tianchen bought new clothes before heading to the Cloud Sea Academy. He needed to infiltrate the academy as soon as possible to find out what those people from the Greater World were gathering for. Moreover, only by entering the academy could he earn the qualification to enter the Cloud Sea Secret Realm.