Tales Of Demons, Gods, And Libraries

"Welcome to the Alchemy Association. May I be of assistance?"

Wearing a polite smile, I cordially reply, "Good morning ma'am. I was hoping you could tell me a bit about the Alchemy Association and possibly visit the library."

Ever the professional, she nodded in agreement and politely bid me follow her. While leisurely walking deeper into the notable building, she begins to voluntarily give me a condensed history lesson on the Alchemy Association. She ended her summary as we arrived at an elaborate set of open double doors.

At a quick glance, it appears to be either a small library or a large study. Noticing my questioning look, she answered, "This is the Apprentice's Study. Novices and Primary Apprentices typically utilize this room for building on their alchemy foundation."

Leading me to an alcove by the entrance, she sweeps her arm to indicate the small area. She states, "This section contains all the knowledge an aspiring apprentice needs to prepare themselves for the Apprentice Examination. Here you will find the required books, references, and the Alchemy Association's collection of soul force control techniques."

"Soul force control technique?" You had my interest, but now you have my attention!

"Well, yes. Soul force control is extremely vital for pill forging. Failure to swiftly and accurately manipulate the pill forge inscriptions causes more failures than anything else." the Alchemy Apprentice carefully explains.

"Thank you. You have been a tremendous help." I can't prevent a large smile from breaking out. My excitement level is rapidly climbing as I review the possibilities perfect soul control would bring.

With a more content smile, she departs after telling me I can find her at the front entrance if I have any more questions.

Swiftly moving to the shelves holding the soul force control manuals, meticulously going through the shelves to prevent one escaping me. There must be nearly one hundred manuals. As I eagerly absorb them, I'm carefully scanning their flaws.

[...86 Flaws...]

[...97 Flaws...]

[...83 Flaws...]

[...91 Flaws...]

After carefully checking to ensure I've collected all of them, I seamlessly transition to the Library of Heaven's Path and attempt to compile a soul force control technique. Soon, I am standing before an unassuming book. Gently taking hold of the book, I call for its flaws.

[Soul Force Control...Flaws 19...]

With a smile like the Cheshire Cat, I think to myself, it's not a perfect technique, but it's perfect for my plan.

At only a few dozen pages, I quickly read through my new golden egg. Just reading through it I'm able to tell it's a powerful technique, but it doesn't deliver the awe-inspiring feeling like a Heaven's Path book typically does. Regardless, this is more than adequate for my purposes.

After a few read-throughs, I return to the study and finish absorbing all the books in the room. Before long, all the books in the Apprentice Study have been absorbed.

Looking around the room for any books I might have missed, I'm struck with a thought. Gazing at the room as a whole, an idea begins to take shape.

This is a room dedicated to beginners. To allow beginners to build a foundation in the art of alchemy. So that they may begin their journey on the dao of alchemy.

This should be possible! Finding myself in the now-familiar sea of bookcases, I command "Alchemy." As expected the formed book contains dozens of flaws. Releasing the flawed Alchemy book, I concentrate on what I want. With a solid idea in mind, I command "Alchemy Fundamentals!"

Crossing my fingers, I talk hold of the slender book and check for flaws.

[A flawless book on Heaven's Path of Alchemy Fundamentals. Alchemy is the...]

Clamping down on my excitement, I set to task.

[A flawless book on Heaven's Path of Strength Building Fundamentals...]

[A flawless book on Heaven's Path of Agility Building Fundamentals...]

[A flawless book on Heaven's Path of Endurance Building Fundamentals...]

Merging those three with my Heaven's Path book of Flexibility gives me Heaven's Path of Initiate Body Cultivator!

With a shout of victory, I am indescribably happy! With an insatiable urge to high-five someone, I'm forced to smack a book on the top shelf while doing my best Rick Flair impersonation! Purging that from my system, I'm finally able to calm down.

With this, I can breathe a bit easier. It's a physical workout instead of the body cultivation technique, but it's still a huge step. Soon I'll be in a position to actually put up a resemblance of a fight in the unlikely event I'm attacked. I've hated the feeling of walking on eggshells in a city of cultivators. Just knowing I would be at the mercy of any Bronze rank feeling piety or villainous has undoubtedly increased my paranoia. While a Fighter is unlikely to win against a Demon Spiritualist, at least I'll be in a much better position to flee.

Exerting a herculean amount of willpower, I place my ticket to power to the side and exit the Library of Heaven's Path. I purposefully walk to the building entrance looking for the Alchemy Apprentice that escorted me to the study room. Sighting her standing behind a desk reading a worn book, I school my face and confidently approach her.

She's somehow able to mark her place in her book and place it down all while turning to face me directly. Politely ignoring this little display, I bring forth my idea.

"Pardon me once again ma'am, but I would like to know the Alchemy Associations protocol for purchasing alchemy manuals and techniques."

Her face morphs into a blank look for several seconds before she's able to shake it off and resume her professional look. She was definitely not expecting that. I wait patiently for her answer.

"I would have to inquire about that myself. Could you inform me of the nature of your item for purchase?" The reluctance followed by skepticism from those two sentences could be felt across the room. I can't blame her, with the condition of my clothes; most would assume I come from a commoner family.

"After reviewing the low-quality soul control techniques in the Apprentice's Study, I wish to sell my family's own technique. I can assure you, it is much more powerful than anything I've seen here yet."

The skepticism is still there, but a bit a curiosity is now present in her reply. As I take a seat to wait for her to return from speaking with a Master Alchemist. I busy myself with reviewing the flawed soul control technique a few more times.

Shortly, I begin wondering if the Library of Heaven's Path can create an initiate level technique for soul force control as well. I'll have to test that once I return to my dorm room, I can't afford distractions before I close on this deal.

Eventually, she returns and escorts me to a room where three elderly men sit wearing white robes. These must be master rank alchemists. I am introduced to Senior Alchemy Masters Hu Shou, Zhang Xuan, and Wang Chao. All three me appear to be in their 60s with white hair and long white beards.

I can't help but think of Senior Alchemy Master Hu Shou as an un-scarred, friendly looking Captain Yamamoto from the anime Bleach. He doesn't have rough commanding voice, but I'm still tempted to ask him to say, "Burn the world to ash!"

A bit surprised at my own thoughts, I put that to the back of my mind. Taking the initiative, I drive hard with my prepared sales speech. I quickly list a few vital benefits for an alchemist to own the most advance soul force control technique possible. Just to show them I understand the potential value of what I'm offering.

As I'm moving to close this deal, I'm interrupted by Senior Alchemy Master Wang Chao, "Perhaps you could allow us to take a look at this profound technique?" He carries himself like an elite businessman. Not really surprising from someone of his status and age.

"I'll do something better. I'll guide you three through it right now," I announce. Before they can refute my offer, I begin reciting the soul force control manual in a smooth and calm voice. The masters only hesitate for a moment before they begin to follow my instructions. There are no complaints when I begin guiding them a second time, and judging by the looks on their faces this deal is all but sold.

I allow them to take a moment and gather themselves before we get into the negotiations. Putting on my poker face and finding a comfortable spot on my chair, I'm ready to play hardball. They have another thing coming if they think they can low ball me. It's game time.

"Now that you've experienced my technique first hand, let's talk price."

The master sitting in the center looks to the other two and after getting nods from them, he focuses his attention back on me. Hit me with your best shot old man.

"The Alchemy Associations is willing to offer you one million demon spirit coins for your soul force control technique." the elderly master states.

"Deal!"

It takes me a moment to realize I'm standing before the elderly master with my hand extended. The room falls completely still as the masters are blinking their eyes at me as I awkwardly stand before them. My face feels like it's on fire, and I'm wishing for something to happen to take the attention off of me.

Resolving myself to being an idiot. I try salvaging some of my dignity. "I also require full access to all of the Association's book collections. And I'll need something to carry the money in," I mumble out.

The friendly looking Captain Yamamoto stands and clasps my hand. "The Alchemy Association accepts your terms."

I ignore his twitching lip and make another request. "I would like half of the demon spirit coins to be anonymously donated to the Glory City Central District Orphanage," I state with more confidence. It just feels right. I only wish I could see Matron Miao's face when she sees the donation.

Master Hu's lip instantly stops twitching, and he takes on a somber persona. He stares into my eyes for a moment before nodding his head and stating, "I'll personally handle it."

After my emotions are settled, I begin to rationalize my instant acceptance of their offer. However, the more I think about it, the less sense it makes. While I recognize the potential value for this technique, there is an extremely low demand for it in Glory City. Few in Glory City have ever even heard the term Secret Soul Technique, let alone know the soul force control required for them. Only a few trade craftsmen would be interested in improving their control.

In all honesty, I was expecting to walk away with at most one hundred thousand demon spirit coins. In the canon story, the Heavenly Marks family received an annual income of six hundred thousand before the Alchemy Association started assisting them. The Alchemy Association's offer for my technique is like winning the lottery. If only this feeling in my gut would go away.

I give my farewells to the alchemy masters and allow an Alchemy Apprentice to escort me to a modest sitting room. There's a broad sturdy desk in the center of the room with a luxurious looking plush chair behind it. On top of the desk was a variety of unusually sized books, writing supplies, and a tray of sliced fruit and water.

Grasping their unspoken intent, I make myself comfortable and begin transcribing the soul force control manual. The longer I write, the more proficient I become in using the Library of Heaven's Path to transfer material into reality. By the time I start transcribing a second copy, my writing has become uninterrupted as I hop in and out of the Library of Heaven's Path.

Master Hu Shuo approaches me as I'm finishing the second copy. He silently thumbs through the first copy I transcribed as I'm completing the last page of the second manual.

"Remarkable. Simply remarkable." Seeming pleased with the initial copy, he collects the second without inspecting it. He gives me a unique smile that only grandfathers can pull-off, and hands me an unassuming ring. The band is as wide as a fingernail cast in an unknown dark metal and too large to fit on anything but my thumb.

"Your payment young man. Five hundred thousand demon spirit coins and a means to transport it. The other half of your payment is currently on its way to the Central District Orphanage, and I have notified all personnel assigned to the Hall of Knowledge of your full access."

Accepting the ring like the treasured item it is, I say, "Thank you, Master Hu. If it's possible, I will like to browse through the Hall of Knowledge now."

Curiously, Master Hu's smile expands a bit bigger, and he agrees to lead me himself. The feeling in my gut gradually rises, but I crush it back down as I satisfy every nerd's dream of owning an interspatial storage ring! Besides, he's just a kind old man.

Utilizing the Library of Heaven's Path for the ring's flaws, I'm shocked at the results. Most importantly, there is confirmation the ring holds the previously stated demon spirit coins. Merely reading over the fourteen flaws, I'm enlightened to the fact that certain types of metal are more suited to various interspatial runes. It appears the amount and type of metal used to hold the rune also plays a factor in the internal size and time-dilution of an interspatial ring.

Our arrival at a suspiciously modest room halts my thoughts and that gut feeling rears it's head again. On a more thorough inspection, the room is grand and filled with intricately carved bookcases. Disregarding the fact, the room lacks the feel of being frequently visited, I would guess there are no more than three thousand books in here. Perhaps I'm just overthinking things, and the Alchemy Association uses multiple small "Studies" instead of one enormous library.

I offer my thanks to Master Hu and boldly make my way towards the furthest bookcase. For some reason, Master Hu is still standing diligently at the entrance. Afraid to appear mocking or disrespectful, I decide to act like I'm searching for a particular book. Taking my time handling every book as if I'm checking its title really interferes with my absorption time, but I don't look like a loon.

All the while, Master Hu continues to remain standing in the entrance way. Never moving. Never talking. Never letting his smile slip.

Concentrating on the books I'm absorbing, and ignoring the eerie grandfather figure, the majority seem to be significantly advanced. The average flaws per book seem to hover around forty. Compared to the large percent I absorb with flaws reaching in the hundreds, this is a rather impressive room.

With the absorption of the last book, I can't help but smile in relief. It's time to blow this Popsicle Stand and create distance from this creeper.

"It's not here, is it?" Master Hu asks. Observing my vacant look, he elaborates, "Your book? It's not here."

Truly puzzled now, "I'm not quite sure I understand what you're asking?"

Master Hu's smile morphs from a kind grandfatherly smile to a just-caught-a-naughty-grandchild-red-handed smile. This completely baffles me, but at the same time, that look is causing me to feel guilty! Why am I feeling so guilty!

Taking sympathy on me, Master Hu explains. "I was uncertain at first, but this just cleared all my doubts. Your way of guiding others through the technique demonstrates the tremendous quality of instruction you yourself have received. Despite possessing an astonishing advance control technique, you do not know it's worth. The manual you transcribed doesn't read of an expert penning their thoughts, but rote memorization of a highly experienced author. Finally, the relieved look on your face after examining every book, here in the Master's Study, confirms you have knowledge of a book more advanced than anything the Alchemy Association possesses."

What the fu... He's both wrong and right! His conviction only guarantees any excuse I come up with will be a waste of breath! Worse yet, he's one of the six members on the Elder Council! Meaning he's a Black-Gold rank and he's blocking the only exit!

Before I fall too deeply into envisioned torture in the mysterious depths of the Alchemy Association, I'm flung for another loop.

"When can I expect you back," Master Hu asks looking like a kid on Christmas morning.

"...um..."

"There's no need to explain. Requesting to be anonymous from such massive donation clearly states your intentions of remaining unnoticed. Sparse unannounced visits are the logical course of action to ensure your chances of remaining unnoticed."

Apparently not! Why am I having such a hard time controlling my emotions! Am I that transparent or does he have some way of reading my thoughts? I doubt it's the second one or he would be interrogating me on why 'Flaws' kept resounding in my head. Accepting my fate, I reluctantly answer, "I didn't plan to return for at least a month or maybe two."

Inclining his head, he hands me a large golden token. "When you next arrive, give this to any alchemist, and I will meet you shortly thereafter. I look forward to your upcoming visit. Enjoy the rest of your day." With those parting words, he backs out of the room and swiftly vanishes down the hall.

I numbly make my way out of the Alchemy Association. I was finally able to recall why Hu Shuo seemed familiar. He's the guy that was trying to take over as the President of the Alchemy Association before Nie Li came along! I bet he's already formulating plans to use me in is a scheme to usurp the president seat.

Regardless of his possible schemes, that old man had me pegged before I even knew what was going on. My meta knowledge didn't help at all. He was cunning and intelligent, making quick and logic-based evaluations with just the minimal amount of contact with me. The other two elders likely reached a similar evaluations after just looking at each other. Like they could silently communicate...

Son of a bitch! The elders were probably exploiting the technique to use their soul force to silently send each other messages! Seriously, why do my emotions keep spiking!

This was a wake-up call of the highest order. I can't expect to recreate Nie Li's bullshit plot armor of enjoying the sight of Glory City dance to his tune.

These people are real. Not story characters. Each and every one of them possesses their own thoughts, emotions, and plans. I'm going to have to reevaluate some of my earlier plans. I'm going to have to assume that everyone is at least as intelligent as I am and attempting to accomplish their own goals.

I will need to carefully plan out how to manipulate each key individual into participating in my plans. I'm going to need strength, fast. And I need to find out why my emotions are so out of control.