Tales Of Demons, Gods, And Libraries

It's taken two weeks, but Zhang Xuan has finally broken into Gold rank. The dozen Blood Crystals I gave him shaved at least two weeks off of what it would have taken him.

Zhang Xuan is not the only one to have success. It cost me another three hundred Blood Crystals and several self-made pills, but I am well into 5-Star Black-Gold rank.

The first blank pill forge I ordered came in as scheduled. It took me half a day to fully inscribe the pill forge with my flawless design. The new design is more forgiving to the user. It allows the alchemist to make minor mistakes without suffering negative effects on the pills. The biggest difference is all the additional controls for a wide variety of pill types. These will double the success rate versus a normal pill forge.

The two types of pills I've been focusing on is an improved Soul Temper Pill and an improved Scarlet Body Enhancing Pill. Both are legend level pills and are fifteen times stronger than anything the Alchemist Association can produce.

My version of the Scarlet Body Enhancing Pill has really shown its prowess. I've grown several more centimeters, and my body feels more dense and solid. There is no question my physical strength and durability have increased.

Once the Dark Guild has been dealt with, I'll supply the Alchemy Association with many other recipes. Yun Hua is proof the Dark Guild was also using the pills. I don't like the idea of helping your enemy become stronger before you face them.

While one might be able to argue there is no harm in allowing the Dark Guild to purchase the pills, I don't see it that way. The Dark Guild has more Black-Gold demon spiritualists than any one family in Glory City. That means they either have better cultivation techniques, or they have been properly matched with a suitable cultivation technique.

Regardless, either possibility gives them an advantage over the demon spiritualists of Glory City. The Dark Guild would gain more from the pills than the people of Glory City. Until the Dark Guild has been destroyed, I will focus on improving a select group.

Zhang Xuan brought his son and daughter to our training secession yesterday. I formally accepted them as my disciples while wearing the disguise of a twenty-year-old man. As I suspected, I didn't gain a Golden Page after supplying them with amazing cultivation techniques.

Gaining a normal child's complete gratitude is a pipe dream. Today, I will be teaching both the kids while Zhang Xuan is laying the foundation for my goal in Glory City. He is currently on his way to the Alchemy Association with a letter to Hu Shuo.

The letter grants my permission to allow Zhang Xuan to pick-up my share of profits. The letter states I am currently deep in training and required the money to set up a new residence. The thought of being able to find me should persuade Hu Shuo to give Zhang Xuan the money.

In addition, I included a Snow-Wind Resistance Pill recipe to be added to our deal. The resistance pill will reduce the initial effects of a snow-wind attack by twenty percent and the secondary effects by eighty percent. That can be the difference in life or death when facing a snow-wind beast.

Already having the soul control technique booklet in my handwriting, Hu Shuo should be able to verify my handwriting in the letter. I'm sure Hu Shuo will give Zhang Xuan, at least, a sizeable portion of my share of profits. I'm equally convinced he will have Zhang Xuan followed. That's why Zhang Xuan's next stop is the City Lord's Mansion.

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As Zhang Xuan makes his way to the City Lord's Mansion, he can't help to continuously check his surroundings for an attack. He may have been nervous before he arrived at the Alchemy Association, but departing from it with seventy-five million demon spirit coins put him on edge.

His master told him Hu Shuo would only give him a portion of his master's money. He just wasn't prepared for it to be such a large sum. Zhang Xuan hates the idea of disappointing his master, and losing his master's money would surely disappoint him.

Even worse, he now has to go to the City Lord's Mansion with the intent to deliver another letter and several items. In this situation, ignorance would have been bliss. Regrettably, Zhang Xuan knows what the letter is about. The Dark Guild.

The amount of information his Master has on the Dark Guild was startling. He must have been spying on the Dark Guild for months. Merely thinking of the danger the Dark Guild posses to his family has Zhang Xuan ready for war.

However, Zhang Xuan's thoughts of wading into a bloody battle beside his master were quickly crushed. When he was told the Dark Guild had nearly a dozen Black-Gold rank demon spiritualists and up to three at Legend rank, he knew he wasn't ready.

Zhang Xuan would be nothing but a burden in a fight against the Dark Guild at his current strength. He desperately wants to prove to his master that he is a worthy disciple, but understands he will have to wait until he is stronger. After all, his master has to be in the Legend rank already.

Arriving at the City Lord's Mansion, Zhang Xuan sets those thoughts to the side and focuses on the present. With a few statements to the gate guards, Zhang Xuan is escorted into a modest study. Having a seat on one of the plush chairs, Zhang Xuan goes over the instructions his master gave him.

After thirty minutes, an elderly man in flowing white robes shuffles into the room. "Greetings Zhang Xuan. I am the Land Distribution Administrator, Ye Shun. I understand you are looking to purchase a plot of land," the elderly man slowly states.

Zhang Xuan formally states, "Greetings Ye Shun. Before I purchase any land, I wish for approval to establish an organization with aristocratic status."

The stunned Ye Shun stares blankly at Zhang Xuan. It has been over one hundred years since the last family was raised to aristocratic status.

Ye Shun sluggishly grasps the situation. "You understand that being a Gold rank demon spiritualist is not the only requirement to gain aristocratic status?"

Confidently nodding, Zhang Xuan confirms his understanding.

"Very well. I will have refreshments brought. Please wait here while I inform the City Lord," Ye Shun states in his measured way of speaking. He departs the room displaying much more strength than he showed upon entering.

Zhang Xuan loses track of time when the doors to the study suddenly open. A tall and powerfully built man with purple hair strides into the room. Another older man follows in behind him with Ye Shun tailing the two men.

Standing up, Zhang Xuan bows over his cupped fist and respectfully states, "Zhang Xuan greets City Lord."

While awaiting acknowledgment, he feels a crude examination of his strength by one of the new arrivals. After being exposed to his master's strength for so long, he is unimpressed with any of these men. He doesn't doubt he would lose to them, but he also doesn't doubt that they would lose to his master.

With a robust and businesslike tone, Ye Zong replies, "Greetings Zhang Xuan. I understand you wish to establish an organization with aristocratic status."

"That is correct City Lord," Zhang Xuan confidently replied.

Ye Zong was silent as he studied Zhang Xuan. "Being a Gold rank demon spiritualist is not the only requirement to gain aristocratic status. One must also make a great contribution to Glory City. Once I issue my approval, the raised family must be capable of purging all demon beasts in their appointed area of responsibility. The raised family must also be able to contribute to the defenses of Glory City in her time of need."

"I see no problem with any of that," Zhang Xuan respectfully states.

An awkward silence fell over the room at his unexpected reply. There is no formal procedure for raising an aristocratic family, but Zhang Xuan seems to believe he will be approved. Growing tired of the tension, Ye Zong asks, "And what of the contribution to Glory City?"

"I believe my master fulfilled that requirement when he allowed the alchemy recipes to be sold to the Alchemy Association." Zhang Xuan ends his statement with a questioning tone.

The widened eyes of Ye Zong was his only visible reaction. Internally, Ye Zong's heart begins beating faster with his excitement. For months, the entire Ye Family has failed to produce even a possible sighting to the youngster Zhu Di or his master. Now, they have a disciple of the mysterious master standing in the City Lord's Mansion seeking aristocratic status.

"If you are representing your master, then why are you not requesting noble or even major family status?" Ye Zong's tone was calm, but the demand for an explanation was clear.

"My master wishes for the status of our organization to be based around my rank." Zhang Xuan understood what Ye Zong was asking, but felt he should heed his master's instructions to be nondescript about him.

Feeling no need for word games, Ye Zong plainly asks, "Who is this mysterious master of yours, and how strong is he?"

Raising a single eyebrow at the direct questions from the City Lord, Zhang Xuan ignores the slight breach of edicts. Drawing a slow breath, he states, "I know him only as Professor. I know of no other name. As for how strong he is... Judging by the strength of the probe used on me earlier, you are not his match."

Ye Zong clenched his jaw at hearing that. He was THE Peak 5-Star Black-Gold demon spiritualist in Glory City. Only his father, Legend rank Ye Mo, was stronger than him. Today, not only was he caught trying to gauge the strength of someone weaker, but that person claims there is another in Glory City stronger than himself.

Sensing the anger brewing in Ye Zong, Zhang Xuan pulls out the letter his master prepared. "My master has prepared a letter for you," Zhang Xuan respectfully offers.

Taking the letter, Ye Zong briefly inspects the golden wax seal before opening the letter. The letter is written in formal block characters, devoid of a personal touch. As he reads, his eyes narrow and one can hear the grinding of his teeth.

After several read-throughs, Ye Zong hands it off to the older man beside him. Staring at Zhang Xuan, his anger calms and his appearance slowly morphs to one befitting the City Lord.

"I am impressed with the depth of knowledge your master has gained concerning the Dark Guild. It is troubling being told there are Dark Guild and Sacred Family spies among my own guards." Ye Zong speaks that last line with an edge in his voice.

Truthfully, Ye Zong was shocked and angered by this information. He was just handed more information on the Dark Guild than what his entire intelligence division has been able to produce in three years. He never suspected the Dark Guild had infiltrated so deeply into Glory City.

Ye Zong is quiet for a moment before he draws in a deep breath. Announcing in an authoritative tone, "Zhang Xuan. I, City Lord Ye Zong, do hereby grant you the status of an aristocrat, and give you my permission to establish your organization."

Zhang Xuan deeply bows over a cupped fist, "Thank you City Lord. I am honored."

Accepting his reply with a brief nod, Ye Zong asks, "What shall the name of this organization be?"

Standing up straight, Zhang Xuan proudly states, "We are the Celestial Dawn Sect."