Tales Of Demons, Gods, And Libraries

Arriving back in the Holy Orchid Institute's Training Ground, I'm forced to squint my eyes. The clear golden sunlight is piercing after nearly two weeks in the Heavenly Sacred Border. Taking a look at the trees and vegetation, I'm oddly struck with a feeling of belonging. While Tiny World may not be as bright and vibrant as Heavenly Sacred Border, it doesn't leave me feeling as if I'm stuck in an alien world.

I feel like I'm home...

I'm home...

Bursting out in laughter, I raise my arms out to my sides and slowly spin around. Taking in everything in sight and breathing deeply, I continue to let my laughter roll out. This is belonging I feel. This is acceptance. This is my home.

My laughter gradually dies, and I lower my arms. All signs of joy and laughter fade from my face. This is my reality. I'm not living in some fictional story, playing at being a hero. I'm here. Living my life in Glory City. This is my new home, and it is an extremely dangerous place.

Filled with resolve and determination, I make my way towards the Training Ground's exit. My steps somehow feel heavier than they did a moment ago. Things were so much easier ten minutes ago.

Approaching the Training Ground's exit I suddenly halt and use Soul Suppression as quickly as possible. On the other side of the gate, I can sense the presence of someone hiding. Focusing on their soul force, they should be around 2 or 3-Star Silver and show no sign that they've noticed me.

I'm not sure if there is always someone posted near the Training Ground, or if they're here specifically for me. Confirming that I can sense lifeforms through a meter thick wall is something I can think on later.

Deciding to play it cool, I continue on to the gate and push it open. Noting the soul force of the hidden individual becoming more alert, I step through the gate and turn to close it. As the man-sized gate shuts, I 'notice' the man leaning against the wall.

Cupping my first and greeting the unidentified man, "Good morning senior." Taking a look at his face, I've never seen him before. He's an unassuming man of mid-twenties and dark hair. The grey robes of the institute increase the possibility he works for the Holy Orchid Institute, but doesn't confirm it.

The man looks over my features as well, especially my spiked hair, "Zhu Di?" he asks.

Nodding my head in confirmation, he continues, "You are to immediately report to Principal Ye's office." That just increased the possibility he works for the institute.

Nodding in acceptance, I make my way towards the administration building. Noting that he isn't following me, I start thinking about the upcoming meeting. I'm a bit worried about the conversation I'm about to have. I can't tell anyone my true strength, but the possibility of them talking to Ye Yan prevents me from blatantly lying.

In less time than I would like, I find myself waiting outside of Principal Ye's office. Once I'm admitted in, I make my way towards Principal Ye and respectfully greet him.

"I am surprised to see you back so soon," Principle Ye states as he strokes his beard. Taking his time to examine me, he slowly asks, "Is there a particular reason for exiting the Heavenly Sacred Border after less than two weeks?"

With a sheepish look, I begin my tale, "The Heavenly Sacred Border is amazing. I had a breakthrough the second day I was there, and another one today." Taking a slight breath to allow Principal Ye to process that, I continue my half-truths, "Earlier today I noticed my soul realm was severely damaged. I thought it would be best to postpone cultivating until my soul realm is healed."

That got his attention. His shocked face turns serious when hearing of my injured soul realm. His eyes seem to glow with power for just a moment as he stares at me.

Before he can push for someone to examine me, I quickly state, "I feel perfectly fine. I'm confident this was caused by not stabilizing my soul realm after breaking through." Making sure to look sheepish, I continue, "I think it would be best to postpone cultivating until my soul realm is fully recovered."

Looking as if I let down his expectations, he reprimands, "Properly stabilizing your soul realm after every breakthrough should have been your chief priority. You would have known this if you would have waited until school break." Blowing out a deep breath, he declares, "You are not to cultivate for the next month. Your priority is to allow your soul realm to recovery. And I do not want to hear another word from you about returning to the Heavenly Sacred Border. Am I understood?"

Acting perfectly chastised, I agree without argument. With a firm nod of his head, I am dismissed from Principal Ye's office. As I'm leaving, I have to remind myself to maintain my chastised look until I'm off school grounds.

I can't believe that went so well. Even if he bought that I'm only a 3-Star Bronze, that is a speed never before seen in Glory City. If Principal Ye is smart, and I'm certain he is, I can expect to have people observing me within the hour. It looks like I'm leaving Glory City faster than expected.

Quickly ducking into an alley outside of the Holy Orchid Institute's grounds, I quickly duck into the shadows. I hastily pull a thick black jacket with half sleeves over my outfit. Using a bit of water from a nearby water barrel, I slick my spiky hair back till it's laying down. Utilizing Soul Suppression, I exit out the back of the alley and swiftly make my way towards the Alchemy Association.

After entering the lobby of the Alchemy Association, I step into a rather crowded area. Every attendant appears to be busy helping someone. Regretfully, Master Hu never returned his token to me, and I don't have a lot of time to spare standing in line.

While looking around, I happen to notice an Alchemy Apprentice entering the lobby from a side hall. I hastily move to intercept him before he can enter the lobby proper. Approaching the unsuspecting attendant, I state, "I need to speak to Senior Master Alchemist Hu Shuo. My name is Zhu Di."

The attendant's eyes suddenly double in size and he respectful says, "Of course Master Zhu. I'll escort you to President Hu at once."

Once the attendant turns and swiftly makes his way down the hall, I take a moment to process what I just heard. "President?" I honestly don't know if I'm surprised or not. I know he did covet the position, and he was the one that sealed the deal for my alchemy recipes, but it's not even been two weeks.

Soon, I'm alone with Hu Shuo in a large and decorative office. The furnishings are tasteful and well-coordinated together, but clearly very expensive. It appears he is doing rather well indeed.

Upon seeing me, a genuine look of joy appears on his face. Standing from the orderly stack of paperwork on his extensively engraved desk, Hu Shuo moves to greet me. With is grandfatherly smile, he says, "Now this is a pleasant surprise. I was under the impression you were in the Heavenly Sacred Border."

It appears Hu Shuo has been keeping an eye on me. A very good eye if he was able to learn of my trip to Heavenly Sacred Border. "I believe congratulations are in order, President."

The joyful look on Hu Shuo's face becomes somber. "Regrettably, a necessary change needed for the betterment of the Association. After the reveal of your recipes, Gu Yan voluntarily stepped down and is much happier concentrating solely on alchemy. A talented alchemist he may be, but a businessman he is not. While I bear my share of love for the alchemy arts, I fully understand the financial burden that love requires. But enough of that. What brings you here today?"

"It is a change for the better. I'm certain. My brief visit is to see if I can collect some Soul Concentrating Pills." Getting straight to the point.

"Ah!" Seeming to catch on to my need to make this visit brief, he says, "That shouldn't be a problem at all," he says as he moves behind his desk. Pulling a thin scroll from one of the desk drawers, he scans over it. "For the first week, your 20% totals to twenty-six million demon spirit coins. There are, however, three more days left in this week before I can accurately state your actual total." Looking up from the scroll, he executes one of his grandfatherly smiles and asks, "Would you like that all in pills or a combination?"

"That is a surprising amount," I softly state. That is far more than I was expecting. I didn't think my share would total over 20 million a month without the legendary soul enhancing recipes. Granted, only three or four of the ric.h.e.s.t families would be able to afford them, each pill sold would bring in a huge profit.

"You were expecting a larger amount," asked Hu Shuo.

"Actually, no. I was expecting less," I correct his assumption.

With a renewed grandfatherly smile, Hu Shuo says, "That is good to hear. If only the other members of the Council could see it the way you and I do. After seeing the effectiveness of the soul enhancing pills, the Council wanted to price them at their c.u.mulative worth. However, I set the prices at 4,000 for Soul Assembling, 25,000 for Soul Nurturing, and 100,000 demon spirit coins for each Soul Concentrating pill.

"I am fully aware we are barely turning a profit on the Soul Assembling and Soul Nurturing, but that is more than made up for in the sale of Soul Concentrating pills. At 10 million demon spirit coins per bottle of Soul Concentration pills, we are making more than at any point in the history of the Alchemy Association. Even after all the deductions for expenses, the Alchemy Association is still seeing a profit of 4 million demon spirit coins per bottle.

"Yes, we could have easily charged double, but this is an investment. An investment in Glory City and all those that stand in her defense."

Hearing Hu Shuo's insights is a sobering experience. It truly is a brilliant move. It increases the range of customers, the reputation of the Alchemy Association, and lays the ground work for sustainable growth.

I don't feel bad about this old man getting the better of me. Back on Earth, I wouldn't have been able to get over on a CEO of a major company, or a general in the military. I was a fool to think I would stood a chance at manipulating the citizens of Glory City as I seen fit.

This brings up a terrifying thought. If Hu Shuo is so capable as an alchemist and businessman, why can't others be just as capable?

The Sacred Family was dealing with the Dark Guild for years without a trance of evidence being exposed. Even against the Snow Wind Family, who has a family division solely dedicated to intelligence gathering.

Thinking of trying to evade a group trained in tracking and spying sends chills down my spine. I gotta go. I gotta get out of Glory City before the Snow Wind Family can pick up my trail.

Focusing back on Master Hu, "I believe you made the right decision, for both the Alchemy Association and Glory City. Sorry to be abrupt, but I must be leaving soon. I would like two bottles of Soul Concentration Pills and two bottles of body refining pills."

"Of course, and I still have a massive amount of paperwork to get back to. You will receive the pills at cost, I'll not be known as mistreating our benefactor," Master Hu states. Ever the businessman. Wrapping up the conversation, I collect my pills and bid farewell to Master Hu.

I'm not sure of the repercussions of Hu Shuo running the Alchemy Association over Gu Yan, but I strongly believe it will be for the better.

Once out of the Alchemy Association, I casually move through the crowds as I head towards the closest gate. Ensuring that Soul Suppression is cranked to the max, I move to make my way through the open gates checking for a possible shadow.

The armed gate guards seem to be focusing their attention towards the wilderness and not paying attention to the individuals departing the safety of Glory City's walls. Once out of sight of the city walls, I quickly dive into a dense shrub.

For the next twenty minutes, I focus on checking my surroundings for any possible trackers. At the thirty-minute mark, I step out of the shrub, confident that I was able to escape Glory City unnoticed.

With a smile stretching from ear to ear, I make my way deeper into the wilderness. I've got a treasure to find!