Meeting Ilya again

“I thank this deacon for his care for the past 30 days.”

Clay saluted with his fist as he bowed and thanked the deacon of the rice fields. It has been thirty-one days since he came for this low level mission.

As he walked towards the mountains, he can’t help but think about Liom. On the fourth day after Liom broke through to Mid-Qi Condensation, he was advised that Liom left and took the test for inner disciples. After which, he had not seen him anymore. Clay has questions regarding Dao and Alchemy but he did not want to bring them up yet until he gets to know him better but now that he is gone, then he will find the answers himself.

Still, it was thanks to those foods Liom gave him and those pills concocted using aged-herbs that he managed to reach Peak-Mid Qi Condensation. His arms have healed as well and had perfectly adapted in using them again.

Prior to coming to the fields, he thought that his master or someone who knew of his ability to concoct pills would come rescue him and maybe offer him contribution points and maybe even repair his residence but to his disappointment, not a single soul showed up. Now that his mission is over and has no house to go back to, he can only persevere and rack up his points by concocting medicine.

After an hour of walking, he finally reached the Mission Hall and paid the deposit for the herbs and the 1 point entrance fee for the Alchemy room usage to initiate an Alchemy refinement mission. Since the deposit for low level pill and Qi Reinforcement is the same, Clay registered for the higher one.

Back at Rising Cloud Sect, there is a ratio of 1 is to 1 where an Alchemist can pocket the second set of ingredients as payment for concocting pill yet this sect don’t even have a second set of ingredients. Alchemists are compensated through contribution points depending on the quality of pills surrendered.

He should get a total of 30 contribution points once he surrenders a high level quality pill for this mission and after this, he should be able to get a clearance to concoct other pills. With his strength now, he should not be as drained like in the past.

Clay walked past the gates of Alchemy mountain then approached the first building on sight and presented his token. Unlike regular disciples who would look at him in disdain, the guards were respectful upon seeing Clay’s bluish uniform.

“I have come to initiate a mission.”

When Clay’s information was revealed, the Elven receptionist looked at him from head to foot like it had never seen a human.

“We have instructions to bring you to Elder Muka’s residence. Please follow me senior.”

The female Elven Receptionist stepped outside and summoned a flying sword. Clay did not wait for instruction and jumped on the sword before they start flying.

Flight is strictly prohibited within the confines of the sect so the fact that they are allowed to levitate must mean that this Elder Muka is someone with status. With the direction they are taking, they seem to fly towards the inner and central area of the sect.

After two minutes, they descended beside a lake and the receptionist left on foot.

Clay looked around. The spiritual Qi has gotten denser almost two times than their peak, that is considering that he is already residing in one of the houses for personal disciples. At the center of the lake is flat raft where an elderly Elven is holding a fishing pole and behind that person is a stove where a fish is currently being grilled. When he activated his Godly Eyes, he saw at least three cultivators hiding themselves.

Since there is only one person who wants to reveal himself, Clay activated his wings and approached the center then slowly landed on the raft.

*Tick

The raft created a slight water ripple scaring the fishes that were about to take the bait.

“It’s an honor to be in the presence of this senior. My name is Clay, fifth disciple of Elder Numar.” Clay bowed and saluted with his fist.

There was momentary silence then Muka placed the fishing pole beside him.

“Do you like grilled fish, human?” Muka summoned two plates then placed the unknown cooked fish on each plate then handed one to Clay before sitting near the center facing the stove.

“As long as it is free, then I don’t mind having a bite.” Clay sat down and enjoyed the smell coming out from the plate.

“It’s good to know you have a sense of humor. So, what do you think about this sect?”

Clay can already tell he had encountered a talkative master but that aside, this Elf before him should be the most powerful person in this sect. Not only is this old man a Mid Nascent Soul, this expert also has that blue mist underneath his soul. Clay has yet to understand the power levels of Dao but the size of Muka’s Dao Power is double Liom’s blue mist.

“It’s peaceful but it’s that not suitable for humans to cultivate in.”

Elder Muka looked ordinary but surrounding him is a domineering aura. “Well, it is in our nature to look down on someone weaker in the same manner how Kulfagar Demons will see us as food.”

“I’m sure Elder did not summon me here to talk about things even he himself cannot change. It was not my intention to become a disciple of the sect nor do I intend of being involved in anyone’s affairs but I made a commitment to repay the sect for its kindness in growing back my limbs.” Clay sat on his knees and placed the plate on the raft without touching food.

“The truth is, I don’t you want your pills circulating within our sect.”

“Elder must know my uselessness aside from Pill Refinement.” Clay respectfully responded while confused.

“It’s difficult to explain for inexperience cultivators like you but it does not mean we don’t want your pills.”Elder Muka retrieved a ring then thrown it to Clay.

“Twenty Sets of Flawless Foundation Establishment Breakthrough Pill is what I’m asking. All the ingredients are in there together with Fire Crystals. Regarding your residence, I had it rebuilt and someone will bring you food starting today and during your stay, no missions will be imposed on you.”

Clay wanted to request entrance on the Pagoda but he felt a trace of annoyance from an aura from one of the Elves hiding nearby. It would be best to leave as soon as possible.

“I thank the Elder’s benevolence. I will work hard and not disappoint Elder’s expectations.” Clay stood up and saluted with his fist turning around, activated his wings then left.

A few seconds after Clay left, three figures revealed themselves and one of them is Clay’s Master and another Nascent soul and the third one is Muka’s personal disciple.

“We greet the Patriarch!”

“I greet Master from his seclusion.”

The three greeted in unison.

“You made the right call calling me out of seclusion however it was unnecessary to make him a disciple. If that boy wishes to leave, let him leave even if he has not concocted the pills and make sure he does die within our territories.”

“We understand, Patriarch.” The two Nascent experts politely responded but Muka’s personal disciple can no longer contain his curiosity.

“I still don’t understand why Master is allowing such person to live when clearly that boy is a potential threat towards Elven nations?”

Elder Muka warmly smiled upon seeing his personal disciple.

“Do you remember Darwus from Ulfinar Kingdom?”

“Yes Master. Although Darwus is only a Core Formation expert, he is ranked fifth among Dao Practitioners of Ulfinar Kingdom.”

“Darwus died and that boy was involved. While everything is still unclear, the most logical explanation is that someone is backing up that boy and whoever is that someone is not afraid of offending an entire kingdom and killed an Official Dao Practitioner. There is a limit to how much trouble we should be involved in.”

The three are attentively listening.

“Now suppose we’re wrong, did it ever occur to you why this boy came to heal his arms in the Elven lands and not from humans? From our investigations, that boy first appeared at a village near Numora border and was saved by the daughter of an Elven village head. Years later the two met again and that boy did not hesitate to repay that girl’s kindness by giving her Flawless quality pills. That boy, despite arrogant treatment had already developed a sense of belongingness to Elves and knows how to repay kindness with kindness.

Humans are fickle creatures and can easily change and he may be our enemy tomorrow, but this time I choose to take a leap of faith. If one day this human becomes an expert, I hope he would remember that our sect had once been a good part of his life.”

“I thank Master for his wisdom.”

Meanwhile, Clay went back to his residence unaware that people had been planning his death. If he did not leave and heard everything that was said about him, he would probably die in laughter and embarrassment.

Half a year ago, he wanted to join a human sect and would like to make a new start by showing off during an Alchemy competition and even if he failed the competition, his next step is to find a sect within Gentris Kingdom. If that old Alchemist during the assessment did not plant an idea in him that Elves would always have a shortage in Alchemists, then he should not have had headed south.

When Clay had a view of his residence, he smiled as everything looked exactly the same before it was destroyed. As he approached the residence, he sensed a person inside the house and reckons it is probably the person assigned and tasked to bring him food.

He walked towards the house while thinking if he should stay in the sect for a little bit longer now that he has better accommodations. While he was calculating how long it would take to refine all those pills, the person inside the house went to open the door and welcome him.

“Ilya?”